PiEEG-16

PiEEG-16: 16-Channel EEG on Your Raspberry Pi

Measure brain (EEG), muscle (EMG) and heart (ECG) signals on 16 channels with research-grade 24-bit precision, using the Raspberry Pi you already have. PiEEG-16 is an open-source shield that plugs straight onto the Raspberry Pi 40-pin header. Cover the whole head, record and process data right on the Pi, and see live brain waves in your browser within minutes.

Note: the Raspberry Pi, electrodes, EEG cap and power bank are not included. See "What you also need" below.

Why PiEEG-16?

• 16 channels for full-head EEG. Frontal, central, temporal, parietal and occipital areas at the same time: ideal for brain mapping, motor imagery and BCI research.
• Research-grade signal quality. Two Texas Instruments ADS1299 chips, the same 24-bit analog front end used in professional EEG systems.
• Everything runs on the Pi. Record and process data directly on the Raspberry Pi with one Python script. No Wi-Fi transfer, no extra computer.
• Ready in minutes. One command installs PiEEG Server, where PiEEG-16 is the default device, with a live browser dashboard, recording and real-time streaming.
• Works with your tools. Stream to Python, JavaScript, Lab Streaming Layer (LSL), OpenViBE, MNE, VRChat (OSC) or any language over WebSocket.
• Fully open source. Documentation, Python SDK, datasets, a machine-learning example and a 3D-printable headset case on GitHub. No subscriptions.

What you can do with it

• See your alpha brain waves rise when you close your eyes
• Build brain-computer interfaces: control a robotic arm, a drone, a toy car or a computer
• Study motor imagery and brain activity across the whole head
• Train machine-learning models on multi-channel EEG (example project included)
• Record muscle (EMG) and heart (ECG) signals
• Teach neuroscience and signal processing with real hardware

Features

• 16 biosignal channels, plus reference and bias electrode inputs
• 2 x TI ADS1299 analog front ends, 24-bit resolution per channel
• Sample rate from 250 SPS to 16 kSPS
• Programmable gain: 1, 2, 4, 6, 8, 12, 24
• Impedance measurement (lead-off detection) to check electrode contact
• Works with dry and wet (Ag/AgCl) electrodes via standard 2.54 mm headers
• Plugs directly onto the Raspberry Pi 40-pin GPIO header (SPI interface)
• LEDs for power and ADS1299 status
• Compatible with Raspberry Pi 4 and Raspberry Pi 5
• Easy programming in Python, plus ready-to-use PiEEG Server software

Specifications

Package includes

• 1 x PiEEG-16 shield

What you also need

• Raspberry Pi 4 or 5 with a microSD card and Raspberry Pi OS
• 5 V power bank, 3 A output, up to 10,000 mAh
• 16 EEG electrodes (dry or wet) with 2.54 mm connectors, plus 2 ear-clip electrodes for reference and bias. The 16-channel EEG cap kit includes all of them.
• Battery-powered monitor, wired keyboard and mouse, or a battery-powered laptop to view the dashboard over Wi-Fi

How to connect

Channels 1 to 8 are read by the first ADS1299 and channels 9 to 16 by the second. Both share the same reference and bias ear clips.

Get started in 4 steps

1. Plug PiEEG-16 onto your Raspberry Pi (switched off) and connect the electrodes and ear clips.
2. Power the Raspberry Pi from a power bank. The LEDs on the shield light up.
3. Install PiEEG Server with one command.
4. Open the dashboard in your browser, close your eyes and watch the alpha rhythm rise.

Step-by-step guide: docs.pieeg.com/hardware/devices/pieeg-16

Real signals: alpha test

Recorded with dry electrodes, no gel: 5 seconds eyes closed, 5 seconds eyes open, repeated. The alpha rhythm appears every time the eyes close. Signal filtered 8-12 Hz, in microvolts, 250 samples per second.

Documentation & Links

• PiEEG-16 Documentation: setup, wiring, software, specifications, troubleshooting
• PiEEG-16 on GitHub: Python SDK, example scripts, datasets, 3D-printed case
• PiEEG Server: real-time streaming, dashboard and recording
• Paper on arXiv: PiEEG-16 to Measure 16 EEG Channels with Raspberry Pi
• pieeg.com · Forum · Community on Discord

Important safety notice

PiEEG-16 is not a medical device and is intended for research, education and engineering only. It must be powered from a 5 V battery (power bank) only. The Raspberry Pi and every device connected to it (monitor, keyboard) must be battery-powered while electrodes are on a person. Never connect it to mains power. Please read the liability notice and the safety guide before use.