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Home » Products » Research & Scientific Instruments » fNIRS » fNIR C-Series

fNIRS C-Series — Brain activity measured with light — in real time

A headband with a sensor on the forehead shines near-infrared light deep into the head and measures how much oxygen the blood carries in the prefrontal cortex. When mental effort increases — attention, working memory, decisions — oxygenation changes, and the system shows it in real time. The Imager 3000C from fNIR Devices, compatible with the BIOPAC lab.

Request a quote How fNIRS works

20 Hz20 measurements per second

up to 18 channelsper Imager — combine more into one system

USB-Cdata and power · wireless operation too

730 / 850 nmtwo LED wavelengths

Study participant with an fNIR Devices headband on the forehead — under the headband the fNIRS sensor rests on the skin above the eyebrows

Prefrontal cortexillustrative only

HbO₂ — oxygenated bloodHbR

How fNIRS works

Light that looks deep into the head

fNIRS — functional near-infrared spectroscopy — measures how blood oxygenation changes in the cerebral cortex. When an area works harder, more oxygen-rich blood flows into it. Hemoglobin with and without oxygen absorbs light differently — and this is exactly the difference the sensor on the forehead reads.

Man with an fNIR Devices headband on the forehead; the sensor cable leads to the Imager

Source → detector: 2.5 cm. The light returns in an arc and carries information from the cortical layer 1–2 cm below the surface. Illustrative cross-section.

The LED shines into the foreheadSources in the sensor emit light at 730 and 850 nm. Near-infrared light passes through skin and bone — it is invisible to the eye. These are LEDs, not a laser.
Light scatters and returns in an arcIn tissue, light scatters and part of it is absorbed by hemoglobin. A detector 2.5 cm away captures photons that have traveled an arc-shaped path — reaching 1–2 cm deep, into the outer layer of the prefrontal cortex.
The software calculates oxygenFrom the changes in light intensity at both wavelengths, the COBI software calculates — according to the modified Beer–Lambert law — how the concentration of oxygenated (HbO₂) and deoxygenated (HbR) hemoglobin changes relative to rest at the start of the session.

0.0 s since stimulus 0 measurements at 20 Hz

Illustration — the waveform is generated by the browser, not recorded by the device.

The brain responds with a delay

Blood reaches the working area after a moment. According to the manufacturer, the hemodynamic response appears 2–6 s after the stimulus, and in a sleep-deprived person even after 10 s.

that is why fNIRS studies use block designs — similar to fMRI
at 20 Hz each second is described by 20 measurements — a new one every 50 ms
the result is relative: a change compared to rest, not a percentage of oxygen saturation

Like fMRI — just in a headbandThe same type of signal as in fMRI: blood oxygenation in the brain. No scanner and no noise — the participant sits at a computer, plays in VR or performs a task on the move.

Different from EEGEEG measures the electrical activity of neurons, fNIRS — the inflow of oxygenated blood. The methods complement each other; BIOPAC describes recording fNIRS together with EEG.

Honest about limitationsThe sensor works on hairless skin, so it measures the prefrontal cortex under the forehead. Other areas — only in people without hair.

What it measures · sensor and data

18 channels on the forehead — a map of prefrontal cortex activity

The sensor is a flexible silicone strip hidden under a headband that blocks ambient light. The light sources switch on in turn, and the detectors receive light from neighboring sources. Each source–detector pair is one channel — one measured patch of cortex.

Silicone fNIR Devices sensor with rows of optode windows — light sources and detectors

18-channel sensor layoutsources switch on in turn · illustrative

18channels — from one Imager

4 + 10light sources and detectors

25 mmsource–detector separation

20 Hza new set of data every 50 ms

Participant with the fNIRS sensor headband; the LEFT connector label at the temple

Where exactly does it measure? The sensor rests on the forehead just above the eyebrows. According to the manufacturer, it covers Brodmann areas 10, 11, 46 and 47 — associated with working memory, attention, problem solving and decision making.

raw 730 / 850Raw light intensityfor both wavelengths — for quality control and your own analysis

HbO₂Oxygenated hemoglobinrises when oxygenated blood flows into the area

HbRDeoxygenated hemoglobinusually falls when the area is working hard

oxy · HbTOxygenation and total hemoglobincalculated in fNIRSoft from HbO₂ and HbR

markerEvent markersfrom stimulus software, keyboard, buttons or a TTL trigger

Available sensors:18 channels, shielded18 channels for VR headsets6 channels5 channels

Software · COBI Studio and fNIRSoft

From recording to a brain activity map

Both programs are included. COBI Studio records the session and calculates hemoglobin in real time. fNIRSoft is used for analysis — through the program’s windows or scripts, no programming required.

Waveforms of all fNIRS channels over time with green event markers at the top of the graph — Signals of all channels with event markers — fNIRSoft view

fNIRSoft: a grid of 16 channel plots with averaged HbO₂, HbR and HbT waveforms for a task block — Averaged task blocks for each channel — HbO₂, HbR and HbT

fNIRSoft Pro: activity map on an image of the brain seen from the front — Activity map on the brain surface — fNIRSoft Pro

Visualization of the activity area in the frontal lobes on a three-dimensional brain model — Activity map on the brain surface — fNIRSoft Pro

COBI Studio — recording and live view

The program that controls the Imager and saves everything in one organized format.

calibration and baseline — the raw signals show whether the sensor fits well
view of HbO₂ and HbR during the task
markers from stimulus software, on-screen buttons, mouse or keyboard
several 3000C Imagers as one large virtual device

fNIRSoft — cleaning and analysis

Analysis through the program’s windows or scripts — apply the same steps to subsequent participants.

FIR filters and filter designer — noise reduction
blocks and epochs defined by markers or by time
HbO₂, HbR, oxygenation and total hemoglobin according to the modified Beer–Lambert law
export of time series in various formats, fS scripts for automation

Additionally in the Pro edition

automatic channel quality control, motion artifact removal, advanced feature extraction and statistical comparisons — e.g. t-test and ANOVA.

Activity map — in 2D and on the brain

Shows which parts of the prefrontal cortex worked harder, and when.

topograph — a 2D map of the forehead with an animation of changes over time
sensor layout, periods and channels to review and exclude
export of visualizations for reports

Additionally in the Pro edition

map on a brain surface image, left, right and top views, thresholds, animation and averages per group, participant or condition.

Standard and Pro

C-Series kits include fNIRSoft Standard; fNIR304C — the Pro version. For the other kits, Pro is available as an upgrade — we confirm the contents in the quote.

License and updates

fNIRSoft and COBI licenses with every system. One year of updates and fixes included, then optional renewal. Additional analysis workstations — licenses for 4 or 9 users.

Computer

COBI Modern runs on Windows 10, fNIRSoft on Windows. The manufacturer recommends an Intel i5 processor or better. The programs do not run on macOS.

Why fNIRS C-Series from Interlab

Software included — a laboratory from a single source

A popular route to multimodal research is subscription platforms to which further modules are added. The C-Series is a different approach: an fNIRS system with recording and analysis software included, and we add physiology and eye tracking from BIOPAC and Tobii — configured together.

fNIRS C-Series from Interlab vs. a subscription platform
Feature	fNIRS C-Series from Interlab	Subscription platform
fNIRS software	COBI Studio + fNIRSoft included — recording, live view and analysis	mandatory core module, further modules purchased separately
Fees after purchase	one year of updates included, optional renewal	annual renewal, paid upfront
Physiology and eye tracking	BIOPAC MP200 and Tobii from one supplier, synchronized with TTL triggers	further paid platform modules

Subscription platform: license terms according to its manufacturer’s website, as of 2026-10. C-Series: biopac.com, fNIR Devices catalog.

fNIRS session at a computer: a participant with the sensor headband, two researchers next to her watch the recording

What you get from Interlab

An fNIRS workstation set up together with you

We match the configuration to your research question, install the system and train your team — from the first baseline to block analysis.

Book an fNIRS demo

Multimodal laboratoryfNIRS, BIOPAC and Tobii from one supplier — configured and synchronized together.
Methodological consultingWe help plan task blocks, the baseline and sensor layout — before you buy anything.
Exclusive BIOPAC partner in PolandfNIRS systems, MP200 and AcqKnowledge — sales, licenses and support from one place.
Implementation and trainingCOBI Studio and fNIRSoft — from calibration to exporting results.
Grant supportTechnical descriptions and configurations for applications and tender specifications.
Local support in PolandTechnical and methodological support after purchase.
System demoWe show the C-Series live — from fitting the sensor to the activity map.
Step-by-step expansionMore Imagers, a sensor for VR headsets, BIOPAC physiology — when you need them.

Multimodal laboratory · fNIRS + BIOPAC + Tobii

Brain, eyes and body — on one timeline

fNIRS shows how the prefrontal cortex is working. The eye tracker — what the participant was looking at. Physiological signals — how the body responded: heart rate, skin conductance, breathing. The manufacturer describes combining fNIRS with eye tracking, ECG and stimulus presentation; we build one workstation from these elements.

Participant wearing a VR headset; under the headset strap a headband with the fNIR Devices sensor

One study, four streamsillustrative waveforms

fNIRS ↔ BIOPAC MP200

The Imager 3000C sends TTL pulses (BNC) at the start and end of the baseline and of the recording — they can start the MP200 and be recorded on an AcqKnowledge digital channel.
The Imager also receives triggers: a single signal from E-Prime or PsychoPy goes to COBI and AcqKnowledge at the same time.
Trigger latency from COBI — up to 5 ms.

Tobii ↔ BIOPAC

AcqKnowledge 6 natively supports Tobii eye trackers (Windows, Eye Tracking license) — gaze in one recording with ECG, EDA and respiration.
MP200: 16 analog channels up to 100 kHz and 16 digital lines.
Eye trackers: Tobii Pro Spectrum, Fusion, Spark.

VR and stimulus presentation

A thinner version of the 18-channel sensor for VR headsets; according to the manufacturer, fNIR Devices works with many headsets.
Markers from stimulus presentation software and VR platforms.
Research on the impact of VR on attention, memory, decisions and emotions.

fNIRS is recorded by COBI, physiology and gaze — by AcqKnowledge; the recordings are aligned by shared TTL markers. We prepare a configuration of these elements for your study. Data: biopac.com (fNIRS C-Series, fNIRS FAQ, AcqKnowledge 6, MP200), fNIR Devices catalog.

Imager 3000C · the heart of the C-Series

A small unit that grows with your research

The Imager 3000C controls the sensor, collects measurements 20 times per second and sends them to the computer — via a USB-C cable that also powers it, or wirelessly. Click the points on the photo.

fNIR Devices Imager 3000C with antenna; magnified rear panel: left and right sensor sockets, SYNC, USB and antenna

Sensor sockets — left and rightThis is where you plug in the forehead sensor. The C-Series cable carries up to 20 measurements per second.
SYNC — TTL triggersSends and receives pulses: starts the BIOPAC MP200, accepts a marker from E-Prime or PsychoPy.
USB-C — data and powerOne cable to the computer: transfers measurements and powers the Imager.
Antenna — wireless operationThe Imager 3000C can transfer data to the computer without a cable.

Need more channels?

Each Imager 3000C supports up to 18 channels. COBI shows several C-Series Imagers as one large virtual device — for high-density channel studies.

18channels in one COBI virtual device (up to 18 per Imager)

Research outside the lab. An optional 12 V 3000 mAh battery pack makes the Imager 3000C mobile — the manufacturer gives the examples of an airplane cockpit and a supermarket.

Choosing a system

C-Series or 2000M — which fNIRS system?

Both systems come from fNIR Devices and use the same forehead sensors and the COBI and fNIRSoft software. They differ in where they work best.

Comparison of fNIRS C-Series and fNIRS 2000M
Feature	fNIRS C-Series (Imager 3000C)	fNIRS 2000M
Intended use	laboratory and multimodal workstations, combining multiple Imagers	research on the move and in the field
Sampling rate	20 Hz	up to 4 Hz
Channels	up to 18 per Imager; several Imagers as one device	up to 18
Connection	USB-C (data and power) or wireless	wireless, Bluetooth 4
Power	via USB-C; optional 12 V 3000 mAh battery pack	built-in battery — approx. 1 h of recording, approx. 3 h charging
Synchronization	TTL via BNC — sends and receives triggers	TTL via JST PH connector
fNIRSoft	Standard (Pro in fNIR304C)	Pro

Working mainly outside the lab? See the fNIRS 2000M System. Not sure which to choose — ask us.

Data: fNIR Devices catalog (BIOPAC), BIOPAC fNIRS Systems product sheets.

Applications

Where the fNIRS C-Series works

Wherever mental effort in a realistic task matters — at a desk, in a simulator, in VR. BIOPAC reports more than 1,000 publications citing fNIRS systems.

Participant with an fNIRS sensor performing a task at a computer

Cognitive workload and attention

Working memory (n-back), attention, problem solving, ergonomics of workstations and interfaces — mental effort measured, not just declared in a questionnaire.

Virtual reality

Sensor under the headset: how a VR environment affects attention, memory, decisions and emotions — together with eye tracking and physiology.

Participant with the fNIRS sensor headband looking into the camera

Neuroergonomics and human factors

Operators, drivers, pilots: workload in a simulator and during complex tasks. BIOPAC runs webinars on topics such as fNIRS in helicopter pilots.

cognitive neurosciencebrain–computer interfacesemotional states and stressergonomicshuman performance assessmentneurorehabilitationpediatric pain assessmentsports scienceneuromarketingeducation

Kits

Four kits with the Imager 3000C

Each kit includes the Imager, sensor or sensors, cables, headband, power adapter and the COBI and fNIRSoft software. They differ in the number and type of sensors and in accessories.

fNIRS C-Series kits
Kit	Sensors	Software and accessories
fNIR104C	1 × 6-channel sensor	fNIRSoft Standard, COBI — a good start and for teaching
fNIR154C	1 × 18-channel sensor	fNIRSoft Standard, COBI
fNIR204C	3 × 18-channel sensors	fNIRSoft, COBI — spare sensors for study series
fNIR304C	3 × 18-channel sensors	fNIRSoft Pro, COBI, Surface computer with caddy

Contents according to the BIOPAC fNIRS Systems sheet (12.2024) and the product page; the fNIRSoft version in the kit is confirmed in the quote.

Specifications

Technical specifications

According to the BIOPAC product sheet, the fNIR Devices catalog and biopac.com.

Imager 3000C

Imager 3000C specifications
Parameter	Value
Method	continuous-wave fNIRS
Sampling rate	20 Hz (20 frames/s)
Number of channels	up to 18 per Imager; multiple Imagers combined in COBI
Connection	USB-C (data and power) or wireless
Synchronization	TTL input/output (BNC); pulses at the start and end of the baseline and of the recording
Mobile power	optional 12 V, 3000 mAh battery pack
Data	raw light intensity, HbO₂, HbR in real time
Warranty	Imager 12 months, sensor 3 months

Sensor and software

Sensor and software specifications
Parameter	Value
Light sources	LEDs, 730 nm and 850 nm
Detectors	silicon photodiodes with integrated preamplifier
18-channel sensor	4 sources, 10 detectors, 25 mm separation; shielded and VR headset versions
Other sensors	6- and 5-channel
Material	silicone, headband blocking ambient light
Measurement area	prefrontal cortex (forehead)
Software	COBI Studio (recording), fNIRSoft Standard or Pro (analysis)
Operating system	Windows (COBI Modern: Windows 10); no macOS

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

Is fNIRS safe for the participant?

Yes — it is a non-invasive method. The sensor uses LEDs, not a laser, and near-infrared light is invisible. The participant does not lie in a scanner and does not hear noise as in fMRI.

How long does participant preparation take?

The manufacturer states that the sensor can be fitted and recording started within five minutes. Calibration, baseline and sensor positioning usually take the researcher no more than 10 minutes.

Does fNIRS measure the whole brain?

No. The sensor works on hairless skin, so it measures the prefrontal cortex under the forehead — areas associated with working memory, attention and decisions. The measurement reaches 1–2 cm deep, into the outer layer of the cortex.

Is the result a percentage of oxygen in the blood?

No. The system is not a pulse oximeter — it shows changes in the concentration of oxygenated and deoxygenated hemoglobin relative to rest recorded at the start of the session. That is why every session starts with a baseline.

Can the participant move?

Yes, fNIRS tolerates movement better than fMRI, but it is not completely immune to it. For walking or running the manufacturer recommends an additional accelerometer for artifact removal; fNIRSoft Pro has motion artifact removal algorithms. For research mainly on the move, also consider the fNIRS 2000M.

Can I combine fNIRS with an eye tracker and EEG?

Yes. The Imager 3000C sends and receives TTL triggers, so a shared marker goes to COBI and to AcqKnowledge, in which you can also record a Tobii eye tracker and BIOPAC physiological signals. The manufacturer also describes recording fNIRS together with EEG. We match the configuration to your study.

Does the software run on a Mac?

No. COBI Modern requires Windows 10, fNIRSoft runs on Windows. The fNIR304C kit includes a Surface computer with a caddy.

Interlab · multimodal laboratory

Let’s plan your fNIRS workstation

Tell us about your research question — we will select the C-Series kit, sensors and any connection with BIOPAC and Tobii. We will show you the system live.

Request a quote Book a demo

Study participant with the fNIRS sensor headband on the forehead

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