Issues with a version of the OpenBCI WiFi Shield which is labeled as “improves the known bug of the original version” which is available on Aliexpress

Last Updated on October 18, 2023 by pg@petergamma.org

This OpenBCI module is sold on Aliexpresss as:

«Improved version of OpenBCI WiFi Shield power supply, which improves the known bug of the original version (the bug will cause noise in the collection process)»

https://www.aliexpress.us/item/3256804037106439.html?src=google&aff_fcid=1339692bcca14f9a8dc6e3a1353a40c6-1697202981441-03670-UneMJZVf&aff_fsk=UneMJZVf&aff_platform=aaf&sk=UneMJZVf&aff_trace_key=1339692bcca14f9a8dc6e3a1353a40c6-1697202981441-03670-UneMJZVf&terminal_id=64a25cf22e7b461cae1b2cde5b5e78c5&afSmartRedirect=y&gatewayAdapt=glo2usa

The same OpenBCI module was also sold by eBay seller Topcyberday:

Bring the OpenBCI Cyton & issue-free WIFI shield which was sold for US $363 in the eBay shop of topcyberday back

• Topcyberday currently does not sell any products on eBay for reasons we do not know.
• The module is available from the Aliexpress Lucking Store
• The Aliexpress Lucking Store has only 89.8% positive feedback and only exists since 07 Apr 2022:

https://www.aliexpress.com/store/feedback-score/1100369030.html?spm=a2g0o.store_pc_home.pcShopHead_2002205592306.4

• the eBay seller Topcyberday has better costumer ratings: 94.4% positive feedback of (6202)
• it exists since Dec 27, 2016:

https://www.ebay.com/usr/topcyberday?_trksid=p4429486.m3561.l2559

• we suppose it will come back sooner or later.

It you are not able to find OpenBCI modules on Aliexpress make a google picture search with «OpenBCI Aliexpress» which give you the following result:

https://www.google.ch/search?lr=&sca_esv=573190987&as_qdr=all&sxsrf=AM9HkKnX_hXfzcZYfA6FqZA_k3u_TnBeWg:1697203230436&q=openbci+aliexpress&tbm=isch&source=lnms&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwiVmqXdjvOBAxVDg_0HHeO0CgcQ0pQJegQIDBAB&biw=1339&bih=656&dpr=1.4

It you are not able to find OpenBCI modules on eBay make a google picture search with «OpenBCI eBay» which give you the following result:

https://www.google.ch/search?lr=&sca_esv=573190987&as_qdr=all&sxsrf=AM9HkKlGnYI7ewUPzORYB5CJoeBYXkqaWA:1697207532285&q=openbci+ebay&tbm=isch&source=lnms&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwi_9MjgnvOBAxVk1AIHHXRxBU0Q0pQJegQIDhAB&biw=1920&bih=927&dpr=1

In the OpenBCI documentation says

«The OpenBCI WIFI shield is in beta mode. The WiFi shield is known to have reliability issues (packet loss and cyclical noise spikes) when used with Cyton and CytonDaisy boards. Using it effectively requires advanced technical skills and programming knowledge. Please proceed at your own risk. OpenBCI cannot guarantee that the device will work with your configuration».

https://docs.openbci.com/GettingStarted/Boards/WiFiGS/

• www.OpenBCI.com has pulled the WIFI shield from the market. It had the following issues:

1. packet loss:

https://github.com/OpenBCI/OpenBCI_WIFI/issues/82

2: cyclic noise spiking:

https://github.com/OpenBCI/OpenBCI_GUI/issues/231

There is a hardware modification instruction available which eventually can resolve both issues:

https://openbci.com/forum/index.php?p=/discussion/2108/measured-shield-regulated-3-3v-supply-has-6v-dip-at-1-second-intervals-with-resonant-ringing#latest

• The module which is sold as «improved version of the OpenBCI WiFi Shield power supply, which improves the known bug of the original version» is eventually a new WIFI shield without issues which is updated according to the above hardware modification instruction.
• We did not test this module and we do not know of any users who confirm that it works and uses it.
• Buy it at your own risk.
• Sellers on eBay and Aliexpress eventually do stock market speculations with OpenBCI modules as soon as positive reviews about those appear.

These are the issues we found with these OpenBCI modules after we had a closer look at those without buying those and testing those.