Knowledge Base

Software Setup

If you purchased your PC from Noldus Information Technology, all the software is already installed and tested. If you purchased your own PC, please follow the instructions below.

Install The Observer XT

1. Download the Observer XT installation file (The Observer XT Setup.exe) via your MyNoldus account (my.noldus.com, under Downloads > The Observer XT > Versions).
2. Double-click the installation file to run it and follow the instructions on the screen.
3. Activate or insert your license key:
   • If you have a software license — activate your license.
   • If you have a hardware key — insert the key into your computer.

Install N-Linx Server

Important: If your set-up includes more than one PC, install N-Linx Server on the Observer XT computer.

1. Download the N-Linx Server installation file (N-Linx Server Setup.exe) via your MyNoldus account (my.noldus.com, under Downloads > The Observer XT > Drivers & Tools).
2. Double-click the installation file to run it.
3. Next to Installation type, choose Standard, unless you want to specify an installation folder other than the default one (C:\Program Files\Noldus\N-Linx Server 1).
4. Follow the instructions on your screen.

Install and Connect N-Linx Agent

Important: If you use a 2-PC set-up, install N-Linx Agent on the Bitbrain computer.

1. Download the N-Linx Agent installation file (N-Linx Agent Setup.exe) via your MyNoldus account (my.noldus.com, under Downloads > The Observer XT > Drivers & Tools).
2. Double-click the installation file to run it.
3. Next to Installation type, choose Standard, unless you want to specify an installation folder other than the default one (C:\Program Files\Noldus\N-Linx Agent 1).
4. Agree with the license agreement, click Install and follow the instructions on your screen.
5. If the N-Linx Agent window does not open after installation, at the bottom-left corner of the screen, on the system tray, click the Show hidden icons icon and double-click the N-Linx Agent icon.
6. Next to N-Linx Server Address, enter the IP address of the computer where N-Linx Server is installed. This IP address must be fixed. If N-Linx Server and N-Linx Agent are installed on the same PC, enter localhost as the N-Linx Server Address.
   • Tip: You can also enter the Computer name instead of the IP address. To find the Computer name of the computer where N-Linx Server is installed, on that computer open the Control Panel and choose System. Locate Device name.
7. Click Connect. If connection is established, the message at the bottom of the N-Linx window says Connected.

Install Bitbrain Control Software

1. Download the BitBrainControl installation file (BitBrainControl.Installer.exe) via your MyNoldus account (my.noldus.com, under Downloads > Versions).
2. Double-click the installation file to run it and follow the instructions on your screen.
3. Browse to C:\ProgramData\Noldus\BitBrain Control\1, copy the file named Noldus.Proxy.BitBrain.config and rename it to Noldus.Proxy.BitBrain.config_old to make sure that you have an original version of the file.
   • Note: The ProgramData folder is a hidden folder. To view this folder, browse to C:\ and on the View tab select Hidden items.
4. Open Notepad or another text editor and open the file named Noldus.Proxy.BitBrain.config.
5. Edit the file as follows:
   • <RabbitMQAddress> — IP address of the PC on which N-Linx Server is installed
   • <BitBrainAddress> — IP address of the PC on which Bitbrain software/N-Linx Agent is running
   • <BitBrainDeviceId> — shown on the amplifier device
   • <BitBrainOutputFolder> — folder in which the data will be saved
   • Always use a forward slash (/) in the pathname, not a backward slash (\).
   • The RabbitMQAddress is localhost if N-Linx Server is installed on the same PC as the BitBrainControl software.
   • The BitBrainAddress is localhost if you have a 1-PC set-up.
6. Save the config file with the same name.
7. Create the folder that you defined as the output folder in step 5.

To Find an IP Address:

1. Click the Windows button, type cmd and press Enter. A Command Prompt window will open.
2. Type ipconfig and press Enter.
3. The IP address you need is the IPv4 address.

Install Bitbrain Acquisition Software and Prepare Data Acquisition

1. Download the Bitbrain acquisition software (bitbrain-acquisition-0.3.zip) via your MyNoldus account (my.noldus.com).
2. Unzip the zip file.
3. Turn on the Bitbrain amplifier by pressing the power button. The LED on the amplifier will flash until a connection with the software is established, at which point the light will be steady.
4. Connect the Bitbrain Diadem via Bluetooth:
   • Click the Windows button, type Settings and press Enter.
   • Click Devices and then click the plus (Add Bluetooth or other device) icon at the top of the screen.
   • Click Bluetooth and wait until the Bitbrain device with the ID that you entered in the configuration step appears.
5. Click the device name. The device will then start making a connection with the PC. When the connection is established you will see a message that your device is ready to go. Click Done. The device ID will appear in the list with Other devices and will have the status Paired.

Prepare The Observer XT

Connect The Observer XT to N-Linx Server

Follow this procedure just once. The settings are also valid for any new Observer XT project that you create.

1. In The Observer XT, choose File > Preferences.
2. Click N-Linx settings on the left.
3. Select Use N-Linx Server to connect with other applications.
4. Next to N-Linx Server address, leave the default entry localhost.
5. Make sure the N-Linx Server port is 5672. Ask your system administrator for assistance if this port is used by another program.
6. Click Test connection, and check that the message Connected appears. If connection fails, it means that N-Linx Server is not installed properly. Reinstall N-Linx Server.

Project Setup

Follow these steps for each new Observer XT project you create to work together with the Bitbrain system.

1. Open the project and choose Setup > Project Setup.
2. Under Observation Source, select Live Observation.
3. In the Devices window, select BitBrain Control. If you do not see this item, it is likely that N-Linx Agent is not installed.
4. Double-click the Status cell next to BitBrain Control and check that the status is Enabled, Running.