Animal research data acquisition system easySYNC

USBwireless

The easySYNC device allows emka’s IOX2 data acquisition software to receive or send digital TTL* lines from/to other devices. Users can externally trigger actions within our system or other devices, with accurate and precise timing. Users can also externally control emka’s physiologic data streaming, comments and video. The easySYNC device is particularly useful in behavioral studies, as it allows the Noldus EthoVision behavior tracking software to externally trigger EMKA’s IOX2 acquisition software. Tracking and analysis of the behavior, movement, and activity of an animal is done in EthoVision while synchronized physiological data from EMKA’s easyTEL+ or rodentPACK wireless telemetry systems is collected in the IOX data acquisition software. While designed for use with Noldus’ USB-IO box, the easySYNC can be used with other systems supporting an ethernet-based connection with RJ45 connectors. Techniques & measurements The easySYNC is used to interface between any device sending TTL signals and the acquisition computer running IOX2 acquisition software. It is plugged to the computer with a simple usb connection. Up to 12 TTL signals are received by the easySYNC, through RJ45 connectors, each RJ45 connector having 2 TTL outputs (or signals). They can come from the Noldus USB-IO box managed by EthoVision software, or any other device providing TTL signals. TTL signals, meaning “Transistor-Transistor logic”, have 2 logic levels: low and high, corresponding to 0 and 5 V. Level changes (rising or falling edges) are used to trigger actions in IOX software, such as starting/stopping recording of analog signals and calculated data and starting/stopping video.