A wideband RF link at the 5.8 GHz ISM band for multi-channel neural telemetry for small animals

The ability to record single unit neural activity from the brain of awake and naturally behaving animals will open new frontiers in neuroscience research. We present the prototype design of a battery powered, high bandwidth and miniature neural telemetry system operating in the 5.8 GHz ISM band. It was designed for spike recordings from freely moving marmosets (Callithrix jacchus) while they engaged in natural vocal behavior. The wireless system was tested on chronically implanted adult marmosets with multi-electrode arrays in the frontal cortex. With a baseband bandwidth of 3 MHz this system allows simultaneous transmission of 15 channels of neural data to a receiver 10 meters away. It has additional bandwidth for behavioral data such as multi-channel acoustic information. The transmitter measures 2.5×2×1.3 cm and weighs 10g. Our system provides researchers with design flexibility compared to expensive commercial alternatives and proved comparable to tethered systems during in vivo tests.