ISO/IEC 27572:2026

ISO/IEC 27572
Edition 1.0 2026-09
INTERNATIONAL
STANDARD
Information technology - Brain–computer interfaces - Reference architecture
ICS 35.020  ISBN 978-2-8327-1463-8
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CONTENTS
FOREWORD . 3
INTRODUCTION . 4
1 Scope . 5
2 Normative references . 5
3 Terms and definitions . 5
4 Abbreviated terms . 5
5 RA context . 6
5.1 General . 6
5.2 RA stakeholders and concerns . 6
5.3 Viewpoints . 7
6 Foundational viewpoint . 8
6.1 Stakeholders and concerns . 8
6.1.1 General . 8
6.1.2 Stakeholders . 8
6.1.3 Concerns . 8
6.2 Views and models . 8
6.2.1 General . 8
6.2.2 Definition model . 8
6.2.3 Characteristics model . 8
7 Usage viewpoint . 10
7.1 Stakeholders and concerns . 10
7.1.1 General . 10
7.1.2 Stakeholders . 10
7.1.3 Concerns . 10
7.2 Views and models . 10
7.2.1 General . 10
7.2.2 Usage effect model . 10
8 Functional viewpoint . 11
8.1 Stakeholders and concerns . 11
8.1.1 General . 11
8.1.2 Stakeholders . 11
8.1.3 Concerns . 11
8.2 Views and models . 11
8.2.1 General . 11
8.2.2 Function model . 11
9 Implementation viewpoint . 14
9.1 Stakeholders and concerns . 14
9.1.1 General . 14
9.1.2 Stakeholders . 14
9.1.3 Concerns . 14
9.2 View and models. 14
9.2.1 General . 14
9.2.2 Active BCI . 14

9.2.3 Passive BCI . 15
9.2.4 Reactive BCI . 16
9.2.5 Hybrid BCI . 17
Bibliography . 18

Figure 1 – BCI RA viewpoints . 7
Figure 2 – Functional view and function model . 12
Figure 3 – Active BCI category . 15
Figure 4 – Passive BCI category . 16
Figure 5 – Reactive BCI category . 17

Information technology -
Brain–computer interfaces -
Reference architecture
FOREWORD
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participate in the development of International Standards through technical committees established by the
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ISO/IEC 27572 has been prepared by subcommittee 43: Brain–computer interface, of ISO/IEC
joint technical committee 1: Information technology. It is an International Standard.
The text of this International Standard is based on the following documents:
Draft Report on voting
JTC1-SC43/211/FDIS JTC1-SC43/225/RVD

Full information on the voting for its approval can be found in the report on voting indicated in
the above table.
The language used for the development of this International Standard is English.
This document was drafted in accordance with ISO/IEC Directives, Part 2, and developed in
accordance with ISO/IEC Directives, Part 1, and the ISO/IEC Directives, JTC 1 Supplement
available at www.iec.ch/members_experts/refdocs and www.iso.org/directives.

INTRODUCTION
Brain–computer interface (BCI) is a revolutionary technology that aims to establish a direct
communication pathway between the brain and an external device, such as a computer or a
prosthetic limb. It holds immense potential for enhancing capabilities, enabling individuals with
disabilities to regain lost functions, and providing new avenues for human–computer interaction.
The development of a BCI system involves the integration of various components. These
components work in synergy to decode the electrical or neurochemical signals generated by
the brain, translating them into meaningful commands or actions that can be used to control
external devices.
This document presents a comprehensive reference architecture (RA) for BCI. The BCI RA
identifies and highlights architectural concerns commonly found in BCI systems across
industrial sectors and classifies them into viewpoints along with their respective stakeholders.
It describes, analyses and, where appropriate, provides guidance to resolve these concerns in
these viewpoints, resulting in a certain abstract architecture representation.

1 Scope
This document specifies the brain–computer interface (BCI) reference architecture (RA). The
BCI RA defines the key characteristics of BCI systems, provides a common language for
stakeholders, and addresses their concerns. It also provides guidance to system architects on
efficient BCI system design, typical implementation categories and effects of using BCI
technology in developing applications. Additionally, this document serves as a technical
reference for architects, manufacturers, vendors, service providers, regulators and the public
to better understand the BCI architecture, its functions and the underlying technology that
supports the BCI systems.
2 Normative references
The following documents are referred to in the text in such a way that some or all of their content
constitutes requirements of this document. For dated references, only the edition cited applies.
For undated references, the latest edition of the referenced document (including any
amendments) applies.
ISO/IEC 8663, Information technology - Brain–computer interfaces - Vocabulary
3 Terms and definitions
For the purposes of this document, the terms and definitions given in ISO/IEC 8663 apply.
ISO and IEC maintain terminological databases for use in standardization at the following
addresses:
– ISO Online browsing platform: available at https://www.iso.org/obp
– IEC Electropedia: available at http://www.electropedia.org/
4 Abbreviated terms
BCI brain–computer interface
DBS deep brain stimulation
EEG electroencephalography
EMG electromyography
EOG electrooculography
ERD event-related desynchronization
ERP event-related potential
ERS event-related synchronization
MI motor imagery
MRI magnetic resonance imaging
NIRS near-infrared spectroscopy
RA reference architecture
SSVEP steady state visual evoked potential
tACS transcranial alternating current stimulation
tDCS transcranial direct current stimulation
TMS transcranial magnetic stimulation
tUS transcranial ultrasound stimulation
VEP visual evoked potential
5 RA context
5.1 General
This document specifies a reference architecture for the brain–computer interface using the
approach and terminology that are defined in ISO/IEC/IEEE 42010 [1].
5.2 RA stakeholders and concerns
The development and deployment of BCI systems involve multiple stakeholders, each with
concerns related to different aspects of the system across its full life cycle. The stakeholders
include the following.
– Users: Users are individuals who interact directly with the BCI system and rely on it to meet
their specific requirements. They are concerned about the system’s usability, reliability, and
safety. They care about the accuracy and consistency of its performance, potential side
effects or risks associated with its use, and the learning curve required to operate the BCI.
Users are also concerned about the privacy and security of their neural data and the
potential impact of using BCI on their daily lives and social interactions.
– Architects: The architects are responsible for designing secure, scalable, robust and flexible
structure and functionality of the BCI system. They ensure that the system architecture
aligns with the overall system goals and user requirements. Their concerns include system
performance, power consumption, security vulnerabilities and protection against malicious
attacks. They are also concerned about the related regulations on BCI across different
countries.
– Manufacturers: Manufacturers design and produce the hardware and software that make
the BCI system functional, and ensure that its components meet the required standards for
safety, efficiency, and usability. They also innovate to improve the accuracy and
accessibility of the BCI system. Manufacturers collaborate closely with architects to advance
the technology and make it suitable for practical, real-world applications.
– Vendors: Vendors are responsible for bringing BCI products to market. They play a key role
in educating potential users about the benefits and functionalities of BCI technology besides
ensuring the ethical marketing of their products.
– Service providers: The service providers integrate hardware and software and deploy the
BCI system for specific application scenarios such as healthcare, education, entertainment,
delivering service directly to the users. Their main focus is to ensure the BCI system
effectively meets the requirements of the user in each scenario and complies with the
relevant standards of effectiveness and safety.
– Regulators: Regulators are government agencies or bodies responsible for overseeing the
use of BCI and ensuring compliance with ethical, legal, and safety standards. Their concerns
include risks associated with the BCI use, user’s privacy protection, the potential
discrimination or inequity arising from its implementation.
– The public: The public is the general population that includes potential users, bystanders,
and society as a whole. The public's major concerns include the ethical implications, societal
impact, and potential benefits of the BCI systems, including considerations such as privacy,
accessibility, and equitable access to the technology.
5.3 Viewpoints
A viewpoint is defined to frame multiple concerns of one or more stakeholders. Within each
viewpoint, the model structure is specified to address these concerns. The following viewpoints
are defined to address BCI system concerns based on the analysis of various BCI use cases.
– Foundational viewpoint: Describes the BCI RA on the conceptual level, addressing concerns
related to the fundamental concepts of BCI.
– Usage viewpoint: Focuses on the concerns related to expected system usage and user
interactions.
– Functional viewpoint: Concentrates on the capabilities and functions that are essential for
the BCI system to meet the expected interactions. It highlights the functional components
of a BCI system, their structure and interfaces between them.
– Implementation viewpoint: Provides a set of typical implementation patterns used in BCI
systems along with guidance on how to apply these patterns.
As shown in Figure 1, the viewpoints provide a structured approach for identifying concerns
related to BCI systems and their associated stakeholders. The arrangement of the viewpoints,
from top to bottom, reflects a typical interaction pattern among these views. Decisions made at
a higher-level viewpoint guide and establish requirements for the lower-level viewpoints. The
deliberation of concerns at a lower viewpoint, which includes the implementation of
requirements from the viewpoints above it, can validate and refine the analysis and decisions
made at the higher-level viewpoint. The viewpoints provide a framework for architects to
consider important architectural issues in BCI system development and deployment. The RA
also identifies common architecture patterns to ensure the broad applicability across industrial
sectors.
Figure 1 – BCI RA viewpoints
6 Foundational viewpoint
6.1 Stakeholders and concerns
6.1.1 General
The foundational viewpoint frames multiple concerns of several stakeholders, described in 6.1.2
and 6.1.3.
6.1.2 Stakeholders
– Users
– Architects
– Manufacturers
– Vendors
– Service providers
– Regulators
– The public
6.1.3 Concerns
– What is BCI?
– What are the implications of the concept of BCI?
– What are the requirements of BCI systems and users?
– What are the potential benefits and risks with the concept of BCI?
– What are the potential ethical implications and concerns surrounding the use of BCI systems?
6.2 Views and models
6.2.1 General
This view provides the definition model and characteristics model to address the foundational
concerns.
6.2.2 Definition model
BCI is defined as “direct communication link between the activity of central nervous system and
an external software or hardware system or both” in ISO/IEC 8663.
In practical terms, this definition can be broken down to two essential characteristics.
– The direct interface with the biological brain. A system which does not sense brain activity
is not a BCI system. For example, myoelectric upper limb prosthetics which use peripheral
neural signals are not BCI systems.
– A BCI system measures neural signals and converts them into functionally useful outputs in
real time. A system which only senses brain activity without online feedback is not a BCI
system. For example, an MRI system alone is not a BCI system.
6.2.3 Characteristics model
6.2.3.1 General
The characteristics are typical features and qualities that BCI has. They are required by user
or system, and are defined as models. They are divided into three groups.
6.2.3.2 BCI ethics characteristics
– Autonomy: Autonomy ensures individuals control their thoughts and actions and make
informed decisions. It is important for users to fully understand potential risks, benefits, and
system capabilities. In cases of impaired decision-making, involving family or guardians
remains focused on prioritizing the individual’s autonomy.
– Agency: The concept of agency in BCI system refers to a user’s ability to act based on their
own values and
...