Hardware Requirements

Quick Links Test & analyse requirements Analyse only requirements Environmental considerations General specifications Sensor specifications Generation specifications Line by line specifications Power supply (UK only) Response pad specifications

The Black Box Toolkit gives you the option of two installation types. The first is “Test & Analyse” and the second “Analyse Only”. Test & Analyse allows you to test your own paradigms and has higher hardware requirements. Whereas analyse only allows you to analyse data already collected. In this case the minimum hardware requirements are lower.

Before you are able to test paradigms the Black Box Toolkit will run tests to calibrate itself to ensure that your host PC is capable of real time measurement. Most PCs will enable a sampling rate of 48 kHz or higher (48 samples per millisecond).


Test & Analyse Hardware Requirements

• 1 GHz CPU or higher
• Windows 2000 or XP
• 256 Mb RAM
• 100 Mb Hard Drive Space (plus additional space to store real time logs - approximately 1 Mb per second of run-time)
• EPP 1.7 or 1.9 or Bi-directional parallel port

Analyse Only Hardware Requirements

• PII 300 MHz (a higher spec equates to faster real time log analysis)
• Windows 95, 98, Me, NT4, 2000 or XP
• 128 Mb RAM
• 100 Mb Hard Drive Space (plus additional space to store real time logs - approximately 1Mb per second of run-time)
• A way of getting the real time log files onto the machine ready for analysis, e.g. network connection, CDR, DVD-R/RW etc.

Environmental Considerations

• When using the opto-detectors you are advised to work in a room illuminated by natural lighting. Artificial fluorescent lighting for example can inadvertently activate the sensitive opto-detectors. Typically this will appear as mains frequency hum when you analyse your data (regular spaced peaks at 50/60Hz). Indirect artificial lighting is generally suitable or as an alternative mask out the back of the polycarbonate opto-detector with opaque tape.

General Specifications of the Black Box Toolkit

• 8 channel - 4 digital input/4 digital output
• 2 opto-detector leads for detecting screen events on a second PC, Mac or Linux system
• 2 switch closure channels for simulating button presses on equipment running your paradigm
• 2 powered digital-in channels for BBTK microphones etc.
• 2 powered digital-out channels for BBTK tone generators etc.
• Fully modular so that additional custom sensors can be added
• Opto-isolated switch closure lines
• Sampling rates of over 48 kHz using a standard PC
• EPP 1.7 or 1.9 or Bi-directional parallel port interface to host PC
• Powered by external 5v supply
• 12 month warranty

Sensor and Generation Modules Timing Specifications
The timing tests were carried out using a digital oscilloscope and our own specialized microphones and tone generators together with the standard software suite. Testing was carried out using a 1.3 GHz AMD Athlon based computer with EPP 1.9 port.

Sensor or Module Nominal timing characteristics Black Box Sampling Rate across all 8 lines (typical sampling rate on a 1.3Ghz Athlon) 48+ kHz Powered input/output timed from parallel port to input/output pin of peripheral or switch closure <100nS Microphone timed from output of tone generator to parallel port (Op-amp amplified Electret mic – uses microcontroller to detect peak and cancel false triggering)  <50µS Opto-detector input timed from diode to parallel port <100nS 2.5mm switch closure timed from parallel port to contact 35µS Tone generator timed from parallel port to piezo sounder pin (Piezo sounder with pitch and amplitude control via 2 potentiometers) 50µS ~ 625µS

Individual Line Specifications

Click image to enlarge

Lines 1 & 2, Powered Digital In & Passive Switch Closure
TTL input. A TTL signal (0-5V) can be connected to these lines, with ground connected to the 3.5mm jack plug sleeve (0V) and the signal to the jack plug ring (input signal). Device switch connections (eg. Joystick, mice etc.), can also be connected across these points as long as the polarity of any voltage across the switch is noted and this voltage doesn’t exceed 5V. Power can be taken from the 5V on the tip of the jack plug as long as the consumption is limited to 50mA.

3.5mm stereo jack socket. Connection as detailed below:

• Tip: 5V (< 50mA)
• Ring: TTL signal
• Screen: 0V

The audio detection module (microphone) can be connected to these lines.
 

Lines 3 & 4, Opto-Detector
These 2 lines are intended only for the opto-detectors provided with this kit and provide a connection from the amplifier within the Black Box Toolkit to their photo diodes.

• 2.5mm mono jack socket.

Lines 5 & 6, Powered Digital Out
TTL output. The signal between the ring and sleeve of the 3.5mm stereo jack socket is TTL (0-5V) and can be used to connect to any peripheral with an input expecting a TTL signal. Power can be taken from the 5V on the tip of the jack plug as long as the consumption is limited to 50mA.

3.5mm stereo jack socket. Connection as detailed below:

• Tip: 5V (< 50mA)
• Ring: TTL signal
• Screen: 0V

The tone generator modules can be connected to these lines.
 

Lines 7 & 8, Active Switch Closure
The 2.5mm mono sockets connect to the switch contacts of a solid-state relay. The maximum ratings for which are:

• Load voltage (peak AC): 50V
• Continuous load current: 0.13A
• Peak load current: 0.4A (100mS, 1 shot, DC)
• On resistance: 18 Ω

The connections from the active switch closure lines can be connected in parallel with device buttons (eg. Joysticks, mice, etc.) to emulate the pressing of the button. The unit is supplied with 2 flying leads with 2.5mm connectors for this purpose.

NOTE: Be careful when connecting the flying leads from the ‘Active Switch Closure’ not to connect the two leads across the power supply to the device you’re measuring!

• 2.5mm mono jack socket.
• Tip:Solid-state relay contacts
• Screen:Solid-state relay contacts

Power Supply
The power adaptor for the unit needs to be regulated and supply 9V with a power rating of at least 250mA. The connector for the supply is a 2 .1mm low power connector where the centre pin is 9V and the outer being ground (0V).

The UK version is supplied with a suitable power adaptor with a multi plug connector. The larger (2.1mm) connector is the one to use.

Response Box (optional)
The response box comes supplied with an 8 way cable with flying leads. These can be connected to external peripherals as described in the ‘Active Switch Closure’ section. The flying leads are connected in pairs to solid-state relays within the response box, the wiring is described in the table below:
 

Colour wires Lines Green – Yellow 5 Orange – Red 6 Brown – Blue 7 Purple – Grey 8