Complex stimuli and experimental control

Signal incorporates a powerful sequencer function for generating digital and analogue outputs for stimulus control. Sequences are run within the 1401 interface to ensure highly accurate timing independent of the host PC operating system. There are two methods available for specifying outputs.

The graphical pulse editor covers the majority of stimulus requirements in an easy to use drag and drop environment where you build up to 256 sets of up to 500 pulses linked to the multiple states system. Outputs are fixed or they can change amplitude and duration on repeats. You can also modify the outputs while sampling continues.

If your requirements cannot be entirely met with the pulse editor you can define your outputs as a text sequence of instructions. This makes it possible to control the sequence interactively or by using the script language running on the host PC to pass variables and tables of values to the 1401. It also enables you to produce pulse protocols either time-locked to the recording frames or free running. Further experiment control options including communication through serial lines are also available using the script language.