Data Acquisition System
The electronics hub that digitizes, timestamps, and streams neural signals from headstages to a host computer for recording and analysis.
A data acquisition system (DAQ) is the central hardware unit in a neural recording setup. It receives analog or digital neural signals from one or more headstages, converts them to a digital bitstream, applies timestamps, and streams data to a host computer in real time.
Why it matters: The DAQ determines system-level limits on channel count, sampling rate, throughput, and latency. It also manages synchronization between neural signals, behavioral events, and other data streams (video, analog I/O, digital triggers).
Role in the signal chain: probe → package → headstage → DAQ → host computer
Key specifications: Total channel capacity, sampling rate (typically 20–30 kHz per channel), throughput interface (USB, PCIe, Ethernet), number of headstage ports, stimulation capability, and software compatibility (Radiens, Open Ephys, SpikeGadgets).
Embedded chip ICs: Modern DAQ systems use application-specific integrated circuits (ASICs) — either in the DAQ itself or in attached headstages — such as the Intan RHD/RHS series or Neuropixels ASICs. These chips perform on-chip amplification, filtering, and analog-to-digital conversion.
See the Neural Recording Chips Guide for details on the semiconductor ICs used in these systems.