# can sensor level topomap tell signal's spatial information?

**URL:** <https://mne.discourse.group/t/can-sensor-level-topomap-tell-signals-spatial-information/8536>\
**Category:** Support & Discussions\
**Created:** [March 24, 2024, 12:20pm UTC](https://mne.discourse.group/t/can-sensor-level-topomap-tell-signals-spatial-information/8536 "2024-03-24T12:20:35Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 1\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![ling](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/c2a13f/32.png) [@ling](https://mne.discourse.group/u/ling)\
**Post date:** [March 24, 2024, 12:20pm UTC](https://mne.discourse.group/t/can-sensor-level-topomap-tell-signals-spatial-information/8536/1 "2024-03-24T12:20:35Z")

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If sensors can measure both the magnitude and direction of magnetic field activity in the brain, then plotting the signals at sensor level as a topo map may not necessarily convey spatial information. This is because assuming that the signal from a sensor at a certain location can represent a sensory variable input does not guarantee that this location corresponds to the origin of the signal source. Therefore, what utility does plotting sensor-level topo maps serve? What information can we derive from them?