Allego Real-Time Acquisition

Overview#

Allego is NeuroNexus' real-time acquisition application within the Radiens Clarity platform. Designed for live neural data recording with continuous quality assurance, Allego provides immediate feedback during experiments through real-time signal monitoring, artifact detection, and remote access capabilities.

Core Capabilities#

Live Quality Control#

Real-time signal monitoring and quality assessment during recording sessions ensures data integrity before committing to long experiments.

Features:

• Continuous signal quality metrics and visualization
• Automatic artifact detection and flagging
• Live impedance monitoring for electrode health
• Real-time spike detection and rate monitoring
• Immediate feedback on recording quality
• Session-based quality reporting

Multi-Format Support#

Native compatibility with all major DAQ systems and file formats eliminates conversion steps and preserves data fidelity.

Supported Systems:

• NeuroNexus XDAQ and SmartBox Pro
• Open Ephys acquisition boards
• Intan RHD and RHS systems
• Plexon OmniPlex and MAP systems
• Tucker-Davis Technologies (TDT)
• Blackrock Microsystems
• Multi-Channel Systems (MCS)

Supported Formats:

• .xdat (NeuroNexus native)
• .rhd, .rhs (Intan)
• .continuous, .dat (Open Ephys)
• .nwb (Neurodata Without Borders)
• .hdf5 (Hierarchical Data Format)
• .pl2 (Plexon)
• .nex, .nex5 (NeuroExplorer)
• .tdms (TDT)
• .mcd, .msrd (Multi-Channel Systems)

Session Management#

Automated organization and metadata capture streamlines experimental workflows and ensures reproducible data collection.

Automation Features:

• Automatic file naming with timestamps and session metadata
• Configurable folder structures matching lab conventions
• Metadata templates for consistent data capture
• Integration with lab information management systems (LIMS)
• Automatic backup and redundancy options
• Session notes and annotation capture

Remote Monitoring#

Web-based interface enables monitoring and control of experiments from anywhere, supporting collaborative research and off-hours data collection.

Remote Features:

• Web dashboard for real-time session monitoring
• Remote start/stop control with permissions
• Live waveform and raster plot streaming
• Alert notifications for quality issues or session events
• Multi-user concurrent viewing with role-based access
• Mobile device compatibility for on-the-go monitoring

Key Advantages#

1. Automatic Hardware Detection#

Plug in any major DAQ system and Allego automatically detects and configures it—no manual driver installation, no configuration files to edit, no system-specific setup scripts. Supports NeuroNexus XDAQ/SmartBox Pro, Open Ephys, Intan RHD/RHS, Plexon OmniPlex, TDT, Blackrock, and Multi-Channel Systems out of the box. Switch between DAQ systems without reconfiguration.

2. Real-Time Quality Control#

Immediate feedback during recording prevents wasted experimental time. Live signal quality metrics, automatic artifact detection, impedance monitoring, and spike rate tracking provide instant assessment of recording health. Catch probe placement issues, connection problems, or signal degradation within seconds of session start—not hours later during analysis.

3. Remote Monitoring from Anywhere#

Web-based dashboard enables monitoring and control from any device with a browser. Check on overnight recordings from home, monitor multiple rigs from a central workstation, or collaborate with remote team members viewing the same live session. Role-based permissions ensure appropriate access control while enabling flexible oversight.

4. Multi-Format Native Support#

Record directly to .xdat, .rhd, .nwb, .hdf5, .pl2, and other formats without post-recording conversion. Preserves full data fidelity and eliminates preprocessing bottlenecks. Files ready for immediate analysis in Videre, external tools, or custom pipelines—no format conversion step required.

5. Automated Organization and Metadata#

Consistent file naming, automatic folder structures matching lab conventions, and comprehensive metadata capture eliminate manual bookkeeping. Template-based metadata entry ensures complete documentation without slowing experimental workflows. Integration with Curate provides seamless transition from acquisition to curation and analysis.

6. Seamless Radiens Ecosystem Integration#

Recorded data flows immediately to Videre for analysis, Curate for metadata management, and Summa for cloud processing—no file copying, no path configuration, no workflow breaks. Acquisition metadata persists through entire pipeline. Full programmatic control via RadiensPy for automated experimental protocols and closed-loop paradigms.

Integration with Radiens Platform#

Allego operates as the acquisition layer within the unified Radiens Clarity ecosystem:

• Data Flow: Recorded data seamlessly accessible to Videre (analysis), Curate (management), and Summa (cloud computing)
• Zero Migration: Point at existing data folders without reorganization
• GUI ↔ API Parity: Full programmatic control via RadiensPy Python API
• Metadata Continuity: Acquisition metadata flows through entire analysis pipeline

Technical Specifications#

Performance:

• Real-time processing with <10ms latency for signal display
• Supports up to 512 channels simultaneously (system-dependent)
• Sampling rates from 1 kHz to 40 kHz
• 16-bit or 24-bit ADC resolution support
• Continuous recording for extended sessions (hours to days)

Platforms:

• Windows 10/11 (primary platform)
• macOS 12+ (select DAQ systems)
• Ubuntu 20.04+ (Open Ephys, select systems)

System Requirements:

• CPU: Intel Core i7 or AMD Ryzen 7 (8th gen or newer)
• RAM: 16 GB minimum, 32 GB recommended for high channel counts
• Storage: SSD with sustained write speeds >500 MB/s
• GPU: Dedicated GPU recommended for real-time visualization of 256+ channels
• Network: Gigabit Ethernet for remote monitoring features

Workflow Integration#

Pre-Experiment Setup#

1. Hardware Configuration: Automatic detection of connected DAQ systems
2. Channel Mapping: Visual probe-to-channel assignment with 3D probe visualization
3. Quality Checks: Pre-recording impedance tests and signal verification
4. Metadata Entry: Template-based experiment information capture

During Recording#

1. Live Monitoring: Real-time waveforms, rasters, and quality metrics
2. Event Marking: Manual and automatic event annotation
3. Quality Alerts: Immediate notification of signal degradation or artifacts
4. Session Notes: Timestamped researcher observations and protocol notes

Post-Recording#

1. Automatic Validation: Post-session quality report generation
2. Data Handoff: Seamless transition to Videre analysis
3. Metadata Export: Structured metadata for downstream processing
4. Archive Integration: Automatic backup and long-term storage workflows

Use Cases#

Acute In Vivo Recording#

Streamlined protocols for rapid experimental turnaround in terminal or short-duration experiments.

Benefits:

• Immediate feedback on probe placement and signal quality
• Real-time adjustment based on live neural activity
• Session-based quality metrics for protocol optimization
• Rapid data handoff to analysis pipelines

Chronic Implant Recording#

Long-term monitoring with automated quality tracking across multiple sessions.

Benefits:

• Longitudinal tracking of electrode impedance and signal quality
• Session-to-session comparison for implant stability assessment
• Automated scheduling for unattended recording sessions
• Integration with behavioral monitoring systems

High-Throughput Screening#

Parallel acquisition from multiple rigs with centralized monitoring.

Benefits:

• Multi-rig dashboard for simultaneous experiment monitoring
• Standardized protocols ensuring consistent data collection
• Automated quality gating for downstream analysis inclusion
• Batch metadata management for large experimental cohorts

Closed-Loop Experiments#

Real-time processing for feedback control and adaptive stimulation protocols.

Benefits:

• Low-latency signal processing for real-time decision making
• API integration for custom closed-loop algorithms
• Synchronized stimulation and recording with precise timing
• Event-triggered data capture for targeted analysis

Quality Control Features#

Automatic Artifact Detection#

• Movement Artifacts: Detection of large amplitude transients from animal movement
• Electrical Noise: Identification of 60 Hz line noise and other electrical interference
• Saturation Events: Flagging of amplifier saturation or clipping events
• Channel Dropout: Detection of failed channels or connection issues
• Cross-Talk: Identification of inter-channel interference

Signal Quality Metrics#

• Signal-to-Noise Ratio (SNR): Per-channel SNR calculation and trending
• Impedance Tracking: Continuous impedance monitoring during recording
• Spike Detection Rate: Real-time unit activity estimation
• Spectral Analysis: Live power spectral density for frequency content assessment
• Cross-Correlation: Inter-channel correlation for redundancy detection

Advanced Features#

Multi-Probe Synchronization#

Coordinate recording across multiple probes or brain regions with precise temporal alignment.

• Sample-accurate synchronization across DAQ systems
• Common reference and time-base sharing
• Coordinated event marking across all streams
• Unified metadata for multi-probe experiments

Behavioral Integration#

Synchronize neural recording with behavioral data streams.

• Video frame synchronization
• Motion tracking integration (DeepLabCut, others)
• Reward system timing capture
• Task event markers

Optogenetic Control#

Integrated optical stimulation control and synchronization.

• Pulse train generation and control
• Synchronized stimulation and recording
• Latency-compensated timing for closed-loop
• Artifact blanking during stimulation

Licensing and Availability#

License Tiers:

• Radiens BASE: Included as core acquisition functionality
• Radiens LIVE: Enhanced real-time features and remote monitoring
• Radiens SUITE: Full Allego capabilities with cloud integration

Trial Access: 30-day full-featured trial available

Updates: Automatic updates with backward compatibility for older file formats

Support and Documentation#

• Getting Started Guide: Step-by-step setup and first recording
• Hardware Compatibility Matrix: Tested configurations and known issues
• Troubleshooting Database: Common issues and diagnostic procedures
• Video Tutorials: Screen recordings for all major workflows
• API Documentation: Complete Python API reference for automation
• Direct Support: Email and video call support from NeuroNexus engineers

Scientific Validation#

Allego is developed by NeuroNexus, whose hardware products are cited in 5,000+ peer-reviewed publications. The software undergoes continuous validation in research labs worldwide and integrates seamlessly with NeuroNexus' proven electrophysiology hardware.

Future Roadmap#

• AI-Powered Quality Control: Machine learning models for automatic quality assessment
• Cloud Recording: Direct streaming to cloud storage for remote experiments
• Enhanced Collaboration: Multi-user annotation and real-time collaboration features
• Expanded Format Support: Additional proprietary format readers
• Mobile Applications: Dedicated mobile apps for monitoring and control