Applications Guide: Choosing the Right DSP Wireless Module
DSPW RCB-W24x-LVDS Comparison
Summary:
This guide helps researchers choose between DSP Wireless’s RCB-W24A and RCB-W24B/C Wi-Fi modules for Intan RHD2132 and RHD2216 headstages. It outlines key differences in mounting, battery life, and use-case suitability for neuroscience and bio-signal recording.
The guide is evolving and will be updated as we learn from our users.
Summary:
This guide helps researchers choose between DSP Wireless’s RCB-W24A and RCB-W24B/C Wi-Fi modules for Intan RHD2132 and RHD2216 headstages. It outlines key differences in mounting, battery life, and use-case suitability for neuroscience and bio-signal recording.
The guide is evolving and will be updated as we learn from our users.
Quick Decision Matrix
| Your Priority | Recommended Model |
|---|---|
| Minimal weight on animal | ✓ RCB-W24A (Head-mounted) |
| Extended battery life | ✓ RCB-W24B (Jacket-mounted) |
| Natural head movement critical | ✓ RCB-W24A (Head-mounted) |
| Long recording sessions (2+ hours) | ✓ RCB-W24B (Jacket-mounted) |
| Weight-sensitive behavior studies | ✓ RCB-W24A (Head-mounted) |
| Can use jacket/vest mounting | ✓ RCB-W24B (Jacket-mounted) |
| Acute experiments (1-2 hours) | ✓ RCB-W24A (Head-mounted) |
| Chronic daily sessions (2+ hours) | ✓ RCB-W24B (Jacket-mounted) |
DSPW RCB Product Comparison
| Feature | RCB-W24A-LVDS | RCB-W24B-LVDS |
|---|---|---|
| Mounting | Head-mounted | Jacket/table-mounted |
| Weight | Lightweight (small battery) | Heavier (large battery) |
| Battery Size | Small (head-mountable) | Large (extended runtime) |
| Battery Life | Shorter duration (1-2 hours) | Longer duration (2+ hours) |
| Channels | 32 | 32 |
| Sample Rate | 20 ksps per channel | 20 ksps per channel |
| Wireless | Wi-Fi (2.4 GHz) | Wi-Fi (2.4 GHz) |
| Interface | LVDS to Intan RHD2000 | LVDS to Intan RHD2000 |
| Open Ephys Plugin | ✓ Yes | ✓ Yes |
| Network API | ✓ Yes | ✓ Yes |
| Best For | Weight-sensitive applications, head mounting | Extended sessions, jacket/table mounting |
| Ideal Use Cases | Natural head movement, minimal weight burden | Longer experiments, less weight constraint |
Technology Category Comparison
| Feature | DSPW RCB (Streaming) | Data Loggers | Surface EEG Systems | Consumer Wearables |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Data Access | Real-time streaming | Post-experiment retrieval | Real-time streaming | Real-time (app-based) |
| Electrode Type | Implanted/sub-dermal | Implanted/sub-dermal | Surface/scalp | Surface/skin |
| Target User | Research labs | Research labs | Research/Clinical | General consumers |
| Data Quality | Research-grade | Research-grade | Research-grade | Consumer-grade |
| Computer Required | ✓ Yes (during recording) | ✗ No | ✓ Yes (during recording) | ⚠ Optional |
| Live Monitoring | ✓ Yes | ✗ No | ✓ Yes | ⚠ Limited |
| Channel Count | Up to 32 | Varies (8-128+) | 32-256+ | 1-8 |
| Sample Rate | 20 ksps | Varies (1-30 ksps) | 500-10k sps | 125-512 sps |
| Intan Compatible | ✓ Yes | ⚠ Some models | ✗ No | ✗ No |
| Publication Suitable | ✓ Yes | ✓ Yes | ✓ Yes | ✗ No |
Recommendations by Research Field
| Research Area | Typical Choice | Reason |
|---|---|---|
| Systems Neuroscience | W24A or W24B | Depends on session length |
| Behavioral Neuroscience | W24A | Natural behavior priority |
| Sleep Research | W24B | Extended duration needed |
| Motor Control | W24A | Weight affects motor output |
| Learning & Memory | W24A | Typical session lengths |
| Decision Making | W24A or W24B | Task-dependent |
| Social Neuroscience | W24A | Multi-animal, natural behavior |
| Addiction Research | W24A or W24B | Protocol-dependent |
| Epilepsy/Seizures | W24B | Long monitoring windows |
Recommendations by Experimental Paradigm
| Paradigm | Typical Choice | Key Consideration |
|---|---|---|
| Open Field Test | W24A | Natural locomotion |
| Elevated Plus Maze | W24A | Weight-sensitive behavior |
| Morris Water Maze | W24A | Swimming affected by weight |
| Operant Conditioning | W24B | Extended sessions |
| Social Interaction | W24A | Multi-animal, natural |
| Fear Conditioning | W24A | Freezing behavior |
| Home Cage Recording | W24B | Long duration |
| Running Wheel | W24A or W24C | Speed vs. duration |
| T-Maze / Y-Maze | W24A | Short sessions |
| Radial Arm Maze | W24A | Natural movement |
Application Suitability Guide (In Vivo Animal Electrophysiology)
| Application | DSPW RCB | Data Logger | Surface System |
|---|---|---|---|
| Freely-moving behavior | ★★★★★ Excellent | ★★★★★ Excellent | ✗ Not suitable |
| Real-time analysis | ★★★★★ Excellent | ✗ Not possible | ★★★★★ Excellent |
| Multi-day recording | ★ Limited | ★★★★★ Excellent | ★★ Limited |
| Acute experiments | ★★★★★ Excellent | ★★★ Good | ★★★★ Very Good |
| Chronic implants | ★★★★★ Excellent | ★★★★★ Excellent | ✗ Not suitable |
Signal Type Compatibility
| Signal Type | DSPW RCB + Intan | Data Logger | Surface System |
|---|---|---|---|
| Single-unit recording | ★★★★★ Excellent | ★★★★★ Excellent | ✗ Not suitable |
| Local field potential | ★★★★★ Excellent | ★★★★★ Excellent | ★★★ Good |
| Intracranial EEG | ★★★★★ Excellent | ★★★★★ Excellent | ✗ Not suitable |
| Scalp EEG | ✗ Not optimal | ✗ Not optimal | ★★★★★ Excellent |
| Implanted EMG | ★★★★★ Excellent | ★★★★★ Excellent | ★★ Limited |
| Surface EMG | ★★ Not optimal | ★★ Not optimal | ★★★★★ Excellent |
Note: Both RCB-W24A and RCB-W24B models have identical data quality and wireless performance. The choice between them depends on your mounting preference and battery life requirements, not on signal quality.
Need Help Choosing?
Contact DSP Wireless:
- Visit www.dspwi.com
- Describe your experimental paradigm
- Share typical session durations
- Explain mounting constraints
We'll help you select the right RCB model for your specific research needs!
Choosing Between RCB-W24A and RCB-W24B for Your Research
Use Case Scenarios - Examples to promote thought and ideas, not tested.
Scenario 1: Social Behavior Study (Multiple Rats Interacting)
Research Question: How do rats interact during social play behavior?
Experimental Needs:
- Natural, unrestricted movement
- Multiple animals in same arena
- 1-2 hour recording sessions
- Head movement is crucial for behavior
Why:
- Lightweight design won't impede natural behavior
- Multiple animals can interact freely without jacket interference
- Sufficient battery for typical social interaction sessions
- Head movement unrestricted for natural social displays
Scenario 2: Spatial Navigation in Maze
Research Question: Hippocampal activity during spatial learning
Experimental Needs:
- Free movement through maze
- 1-2 hour sessions
- Weight must be minimal for natural locomotion
- Multiple trials per day
Why:
- Lightweight for natural running speed and movement
- Battery sufficient for typical maze sessions
- Can recharge between sessions
- No jacket to catch on maze walls
Scenario 3: Operant Conditioning (Extended Training)
Research Question: Neural correlates of learning over long training sessions
Experimental Needs:
- 4-6 hour daily sessions
- Animal in operant chamber
- Minimal weight important but not critical
- Extended recording time valuable
Why:
- Extended battery supports long training sessions
- Operant chamber provides space for jacket
- Weight distributed, not affecting lever pressing
- Reduces need for mid-session battery changes
Scenario 4: Fear Conditioning & Extinction
Research Question: Amygdala activity during fear learning
Experimental Needs:
- Short conditioning sessions (30-60 minutes)
- Natural freezing behavior critical
- Weight sensitivity high
- Multiple context chambers
Why:
- Minimal weight preserves natural freezing behavior
- Short sessions well within battery capacity
- Easy to move animal between contexts
- No jacket to affect contextual cues
Scenario 5: Drug Effects on Neural Activity (Acute Study)
Research Question: How does acute drug administration affect brain activity?
Experimental Needs:
- 2-4 hour post-injection monitoring
- Free movement in test chamber
- Weight matters for drug distribution
- Real-time monitoring critical
Why:
- Acute timeframe within battery capacity
- Lightweight doesn't complicate dose calculations
- Real-time streaming captures rapid drug effects
- Easy handling for injection procedures
Scenario 6: Seizure Monitoring (Long-Term Observation)
Research Question: Detecting and characterizing spontaneous seizures
Experimental Needs:
- Extended observation periods (6-12 hours)
- Home cage environment
- Continuous monitoring
- Must capture rare events
Why:
- Extended battery increases chance of capturing events
- Home cage mounting for natural environment
- Longer recording windows for rare seizures
- Can run overnight monitoring sessions
Scenario 7: Motor Learning (Skilled Reaching Task)
Research Question: Motor cortex activity during learning of fine motor skills
Experimental Needs:
- 1-2 hour training sessions
- Precise forelimb movements critical
- Head stability important for reaching
- Daily repeated sessions
Why:
- Lightweight preserves natural reaching movements
- Head stability not compromised by heavy device
- Battery adequate for training sessions
- Clean setup doesn't interfere with reaching apparatus
Scenario 8: Foraging Behavior in Large Arena
Research Question: Decision-making during foraging across large space
Experimental Needs:
- Large experimental arena
- 3-5 hour sessions
- Extensive locomotion
- Weight affects foraging efficiency
RCB-W24A if:
- Natural movement speed critical
- Weight affects foraging behavior
- Can recharge between sessions
- Extended sessions preferred
- Jacket mounting acceptable
- Want to capture longer foraging bouts
Mounting Considerations
Head-Mounted (RCB-W24A)
Advantages:
- ✅ Minimal total weight
- ✅ No jacket needed (simpler)
- ✅ Natural full-body movement
- ✅ Suitable for tight spaces
- ✅ Quick setup
- ✅ Multi-animal studies easier
- ⚠️ Shorter battery life
- ⚠️ Limited to lighter device
- ⚠️ Battery changes more frequent
- Behavior studies where weight is critical
- Short to medium duration experiments (1-2 hours)
- Multi-animal social interactions
- Tasks requiring natural head movement
Jacket/Table-Mounted (RCB-W24B)
Advantages:
- ✅ Extended battery life
- ✅ Longer recording sessions
- ✅ Weight distributed (if jacket)
- ✅ Fewer battery changes
- ✅ Better for extended monitoring
- ⚠️ Requires jacket or mounting system
- ⚠️ Heavier total system
- ⚠️ Jacket may affect some behaviors
- ⚠️ More setup complexity
- Long recording sessions (2+ hours)
- Extended training protocols
- Home cage monitoring
- Studies where jacket is acceptable
Common Questions
Can I switch between models for different experiments?
Yes! If your lab conducts different types of experiments, you can use:
- W24A for weight-sensitive, shorter-duration studies
- W24B for extended-duration studies where jacket mounting is acceptable
What if I'm unsure which model fits my needs?
Contact DSP Wireless directly:
- Describe your experimental paradigm
- Share typical session durations
- Explain mounting constraints
- Discuss animal behavior concerns
Can I use both models with the same headstages?
Yes! Both RCB-W24A and RCB-W24B:
- Use identical LVDS interface
- Work with same Intan RHD2000 headstages
- Use same Open Ephys plugin
- Share same software workflow
What about mice?
Can these be used with smaller animals?
RCB-W24A may be possible for larger mice with head-mounting, though rat-sized animals are recommended.
RCB-W24B is generally too heavy for mice due to the larger battery.
Contact us to discuss small animal applications and weight specifications.
Decision Flowchart
START: What is your typical recording session length?
├─ 1-2 hours
│ └─ Is weight a critical concern?
│ ├─ YES → RCB-W24A ✅
│ └─ NO → Either model (W24B simpler)
└─ 2+ hours
└─ Can you use jacket mounting?
├─ YES → RCB-W24B ✅
└─ NO → RCB-W24A (with battery changes)
Still Need Help Deciding?
Contact DSP Wireless:
- Email via website contact form
- Describe your research application
- Share experimental constraints
- Discuss your specific needs
DSP Wireless
Portsmouth, NH
www.dspwi.com
Advancing neuroscience through wireless innovation
