Synchronization

Trigger Pulses / Synchronization
(Serial Port Triggers)

This is a common topic for MovALyzeR, GripAlyzeR & ScriptAlyzeR. These programs will be referred to as MovAlyzeR on this page.

MovAlyzeR/GripAlyzeR programs allow synchronization of the program with external hardware or software. A trigger pulse can be sent through the DTR and RTS pins of the serial (communications) port of your computer.

The option is available only in systems running Windows2000/XP or later.

Port Selection: First select the comm port you want to use for this purpose (typically COM1 - COM4).

From the main menu, if you select Settings > Select Input Device > Communications port of trigger pulses.

Checking the option 'Show only available ports' detects and lists only the ports that are available for use.

Setting Trigger pulses per condition: Trigger pulses can be set for each condition of an experiment. In the "Sound" section of a particular condition, there is a checkbox to send a trigger pulse to the communications port. This is described in the help > creating experiment conditions.Operation:

When the communications port is first opened, both DTR and RTS are on.

When an event occurs, both DTR and RTS are set off for a duration of 25 milliseconds, then both turned on again (trigger pulse of high to low transistion and duration 25ms).

Eg., if the condition settings > sound, the options are set to send trigger pulse for the event - start of recording, the following would be the representation.