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The Black Box ToolKit:

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Black Box ToolKit v2

Black Box ToolKit v2

Black Box ToolKit version 2 hardware specifications

The new ARM based BBTK v2 is now shipping. It has its own CPU (like those found in iPads and Android tablets) and onboard RAM for storing samples and uses a range of easy to use external sensors to check timing. It records stimulus events and generates responses with sub-millisecond accuracy and is controlled from a host PC, laptop or netbook via USB. Once running, timing data is independently collected from a second PC, Mac or Linux box running your experiment along with any other equipment you are monitoring or triggering, e.g. MRI, EEG/ERP, eye trackers etc. Once the BBTK has automatically stepped through your whole experiment it uploads captured timing data for analysis. An API/SDK is also available should you wish to control the BBTK from your own software, e.g. Matlab, PsychoPy etc. The API supports the serial protocol over USB for PC, Mac OS X, Linux etc. and is accessed via a standard COM port.

• NXP LPC1768 running at 96 MHz
•  ARM Cortex-M3 32 bit processor (ARM v7-M architecture)
•  3.3 VDC Abracon Corporation CMOS SMD Crystal Clock Oscillator
• Internal timestamps stored with µs precision (accuracy to millionths of a second)
•  64MBit internal memory (8 MB RAM) for storing samples (max 262,144 line changes)
• RFI coated ABS plastic or metal enclosure
• Line change detection and time stamping (only stores changes, e.g. a bitmap on an opto-detector takes 2 samples regardless of duration. That is, on and off)
•  2 MB flash drive (BBTK appears as a drive letter under Windows/OS X for easy firmware updates - copy a single firmware file across and reset. No need to flash firmware!)
• LCD status screen (20x4 lines)
• Rotary encoder for setting sensor activation thresholds - turn and press to confirm (all thresholds stored and recalled digitally)
•  USB connection to host PC for sequence programming and uploading and analysis of timing data
• Once programmed fully autonomous and unaffected by anything you do on the host PC
• Can be used with low powered netbooks
• Fully documented API for controlling the BBTK from your own software (uses serial commands over USB virtual COM port)
• Powered by 5 V Switch Mode PSU (suitable for worldwide use)
• Each of the 20 standard lines has it's own activity LED on the front panel
• Otpo and Mic smoothing built in and controllable via GUI (block CRT refreshes together for ease of analysis)
• Up to 36 input and output lines across a range of sensors (Elite model)

    - 4x opto-detectors (front panel)

    - 2x TTL input lines (uses breakout board via 25-way D on rear)

    - 2x TTL output lines (uses breakout board via 25-way D on rear)

    - 4x Active Switch Closures using Solid State Relays (uses breakout board via 25-way D on rear)

    - 2x BBTK digital microphones (front panel)

    - 2x BBTK digital sounders (front panel)

    - 4 key BBTK response pad connector (9-way D on rear)

     - 16 additional TTL input/output lines using rear 25-way expansion port

click on the images to enlarge

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