Objective The mainly cerebral function monitors in the neonate are developed aboard, with the feathers of high cost, only one parameter and large volume. This paper reports a cerebral function monitoring system in the neonate, with the feathers of low cost, miniaturization, multi evaluation parameters, rich functions and friendly user interface. Methods Firstly we designed and built the embedded development platform based on the DSP&ARM dual core processor and the tool of Qt. Based on A/D converter, microcontroller and the dual core professor platform OMAPL138, the hardware realized the functions of signal acquisition, data storage, data processing and real-time display for waveform. The system transplanted the two algorithms of aEEG and SampEn, and completed the control software of the development platform based on Linux Operating System. Then based on the tool of Qt, we built the user platform of the cerebral function monitor in the neonate, including the models of the patient information management system, waveform display system, data annotation system and data annotation database. Results After being debugged and tested, the device had the function of multi evaluation parameters of aEEG and SampEn, and real-time monitoring. Conclusions This cerebral function monitor in the neonate based on dual-core processor reaches the expected aim of low cost, miniaturization, multi evaluation parameters, rich functions and friendly user interface.