Control Outputs, an Overview

Mr. Kick supports a number of ways to control external equipment. This page is intended to give an overview of the available options.

Output channels

Both analog and digital control is supported:

• Two Digital trigger outputs, "Event timers": Pulse shape, TTL compatible.
• Four Digital lines: TTL compatible levels.
• Two Analog output channels (depending on the MIO-board in use): Analog waveform / pattern output usually in the ±10 V range.

The four digital lines may be used to mask or gate the digital trigger outputs. An external gating circuit is required for this. When classification is in use digital lines are classified in parallel with event timers (trigger outputs). This will not be discussed further here.

The above figure gives an overwiev of how contol outputs are interconnected, and functionally dependant. It is a functional diagram only, not an exact image of the physical connections. - Elaboration follows…

Digital Trig Out - Event Timing

Event timers enables Mr. Kick to trig external equipment.

• Event timing is configured (along with digital lines) via Event Timing in the Settings menu.
• Two channels are available:
• Event Timer #0 is locked to time zero in sweeps and can not be disabled. It is particular useful for synchronising eg. a stimulator to time zero.
  On hardware it is labelled CTR0OUT or PFI12 (on BNC 2090 and alike boxes often routed though the USER 1 BNC).
• Event Timer #1 may be used freely or used to trig analog output. Useful for conditioning or delayed stimulation, or a stimulation that needs to be disabled in some classes*.
  On hardware it is labelled CTR1OUT or PFI13 (on BNC 2090 and alike boxes often routed though the USER 2 BNC).
• Output is TTL level pulses, either active high (positive logic) or active low (negative logic).
• Pulse delay and duration can be configured.
• The trigger outputs may be masked or gated by digital lines. An external gating circuit is required for this.

*Learn more about classes and classification here.

Analog Output

Analog output enables Mr. Kick to send out an analog waveform (pattern) for each sweep it acquires.

• Analog output is configured via Analog Output in the Settings menu.
• Two channels are available on most MIO boards:
• First AO Channel is labelled DAQ0OUT on hardware.
• Second AO Channel is labelled DAQ1OUT on hardware.
• Both channels are trigged from the same source:
• Either Event Timer #0 (default, connected internally).
• Or Event Timer #1 (external connection from CTR0OUT to PFI#6 required).
• Both channels are updated at the same rate.
• Trig source and update rate is configured through the general D/A parameters.
• Scaling and offset is available per channel via Sensitivity and Offset controls.
• The output waveform (pattern) is generated by Analog Output Plug-Ins (AOPIs): Each channel can superimpose any two AOPIs. Each AOPI may be enabled or disabled individually in any class.
• Output levels usually ranges from -10 V to +10 V with a resolution of 4.88 mV (12 bit; 0.31 mV at 16 bit)

E.g. The Pulse Burst Train plug-in may be used to generate TTL-alike pulses as well other pulse shaped waveforms.