Background
It doesn't matter which experiment generator you use to run your computer-based psychology experiments the Black Box ToolKit USB TTL Module helps with basic TTL event marking/TTL triggering when you don't have access to a parallel port.



USB TTL event marking module key features

When triggering from MRI, EEG, ERP, MEG systems wait for a sync pulse that has been converted to two incoming hex bytes. Think of the module as a USB to TTL adapter or TTL to USB interface.
All USB TTL modules ship with a USB host lead. An optional breakout board enables you to wire your own cables before making them permanent.
*Remember although our USB TTL Modules hardware is millisecond accurate and helps you produce simple event marks in your experiments it cannot automatically correct for any mistimings that are inherent within the experiment generator or other hardware you use. In short it does not guarantee that your event marks or triggers are accurate as your experiment generator is responsible to all timings and all it provides is a simple USB-TTL interface between your computer and third party equipment.
For example, if your experiment generator presents an image and does not produce an event mark in a timely fashion, your OS intervenes, or an anti-virus check runs, your event marks will remain inaccurate regardless of the quality of the event marking device. What | Why | How
For self-validation you should independently check the accuracy and consistency of your experiment generators presentation and response event marking with a Black Box ToolKit v3 together with a BBTK USB TTL module.
To independently TTL event mark stimuli and responses with sub-millisecond accuracy you should use our mBBTK v2. The unique mBBTK v2 takes over all timing and event marking duties from any experiment generator so you can be 100% sure of your presentation, synchronization, response timings and event marks.
Key features
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Example usage
Using the BBTK USB TLL event marking module is easy. Simply open a standard serial port and send two hex bytes to event mark. In the examples shown below for PsychoPy, E-Prime and MATLAB the module event marks on TTL Out Line 1 (01) immediately prior to a stimulus image being displayed. Once the stimulus terminates all TTL lines are cleared with 00.
PsychoPy |
E-Prime |
MATLAB |
import
serial ser = serial.Serial(0, 115200, timeout=1) ser.write('01') <My Stimulus Image Shown Here> ser.write('00') ser.close() |
Serial.WriteString
"01" <My Stimulus Image Shown Here> Serial.WriteString "00" |
s
= serial('COM1'); set(s, 'BaudRate', 115200, 'DataBits', 8, 'StopBits', 1, 'Parity', 'none'); fprintf(s, '01'); <My Stimulus Image Shown Here> fprintf(s, '00'); fclose(s); |
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Breakout boardA breakout board lets you quickly and easily connect individual TTL lines before making a permanent connection. |
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Replacement USB host lead (A to B)Used for connecting the base kit to the Host PC. |
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USB-C host lead (C to B)Used for connecting the base kit to the Host PC, laptop, tablet or phone. |
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Replacement 25-way TTL breakout board leadUsed for connecting the breakout board to the rear of the BBTK. |
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PinoutsPins 2~9 correspond to TTL Output Lines 1~8 and pins 10~17 to TTL Input Lines 1~8. Pins 18~25 are grounds. Output pins shown in RED, input pins in GREEN. |
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Configuration and latency testingConfiguration software lets you check that the module is operating correctly and assess round trip timing on your PC. |
Technical specifications
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*Remember although our USB TTL event marking modules are millisecond accurate they can't automatically correct for any mistimings that are inherent within the experiment generator you use.
Unless otherwise labelled, all products offered for sale by The Black Box ToolKit Ltd are for academic study and/or research use only.