# BCI Metadata **Domain:** Brain-Computer Interfaces / Data Standards **Doc Type:** Technical Concept Node **Maturity:** Standardized and Evolving **Related:** [[ISO-IEC TS 27571-2026]], [[Neural Signal Acquisition]], [[Neural Data Provenance]], [[Multimodal Neural Data]] --- ## Definition **BCI metadata** is the contextual information required to interpret a neural-interface record: timestamps, subject and session identifiers, device identity, sensor positions, modality, montage, impedance, sampling, events, tasks, calibration, preprocessing, clinical context, annotations, and access controls. ## Key insight Preserving signal values without their acquisition and interpretation context preserves bits but may destroy scientific meaning. Metadata is therefore part of the neural record rather than an optional description around it.