Interactively explore brainwave characteristics, common states, and the impact of real-world signal artifacts.
Listen to a brief audio overview of the Advanced EEG Signal Simulator and its features:
Spectral analysis of the simulated waveform. Observe how artifacts and wave composition affect the frequency peaks.
The composite signal including all selected brainwaves and artifacts. This is the raw data used for the spectral analysis above.
Electroencephalography (EEG) is a non-invasive method used to record the electrical activity of the brain. These electrical signals, known as brainwaves, are the result of synchronized activity from large groups of neurons. The analysis of EEG signals provides invaluable insights into cognitive states, neurological disorders, and brain function.
This application generates a synthetic EEG signal, which is an artificially created waveform that mimics the characteristics of real brain activity. By combining different fundamental brainwaves (Delta, Theta, Alpha, Beta) and introducing common sources of noise (artifacts), we can create a controllable and predictable signal. This is incredibly useful for:
This simulator is divided into two main parts: the control panels on the left and the data visualizations on the right. By manipulating the controls, you can observe real-time changes in the graphs.
A key observation you might make is that the filled blue Signal Spectrum doesn't perfectly match the dotted-line Ideal Overlays, even when only one wave is at high power. This isn't a bug; it's a fundamental concept in signal processing!
Think of it like this: the blue spectrum is the final "cocktail" made from mixing all your ingredients (Delta, Theta, Alpha, Beta, and artifacts). The dotted overlay, however, is a theoretical look at just one "pure ingredient" in isolation. When you mix waves, they interfere with each other. At some points, their peaks align and add up (constructive interference); at others, a peak and a trough can partially cancel out (destructive interference).
This constant interaction across all frequencies is why the final mixed signal has a more complex and "lumpy" spectrum than any of its individual, perfect parts. The overlays are there to guide your eye and help you understand how the pure components contribute to the more realistic, combined final product.
Listen to a more detailed explanation of signal interference.
While this simulator is a powerful educational tool, there are many potential enhancements that could make it even more comprehensive:
The Advanced EEG Signal Simulator provides an interactive and intuitive platform for exploring the fundamental principles of electroencephalography. By offering granular control over signal composition—from individual brainwave characteristics to common real-world artifacts—it demystifies the complexities of EEG data. Users can directly observe the relationship between the time-domain waveform and its frequency-domain spectrum, building a foundational understanding that is critical for anyone working in neuroscience, bio-signal processing, or brain-computer interface development. This tool serves as both a dynamic learning environment for newcomers and a useful utility for experienced practitioners.
Download a detailed PDF report titled "Analysis of Synthetic EEG Signal Generation and Brainwave Characteristics":