A phase-coding framework for SSVEP-based BCI

Compared with the traditional frequency-coding mode, steady-state visual evoked potential (SSVEP)-based brain-computer interfaces (BCIs) will obtain some good aspects by using phase-coding mode. Phase-coding mode should play an important role in SSVEP-based BCIs. But current research is only involved in a particular aspect of phase-coding mode or a particular method. In this situation, it makes researchers difficult to compare the various techniques described in the literature and hinders the development of the phase-coding study. In response to this situation, a common framework is suitable for the research. This paper proposes a general framework for phase-coding mode using in SSVEP-based BCIs. To validate the proposed idea, we design a SSVEP-based BCI in the light of the framework. It is shown that our framework proposed is suitable for the research of SSVEP-based BCIs.