How do I Send Event Markers to BIOPAC via Serial Port?

Coding
6

Yes that would be it. You’ll need to communicate to the device through a driver interface/library that shipped with the device. I don’t think Python’s serial library will do it, but there might be some tutorial/code sample somewhere on the net to show you how. Unfortunately, I don’t have that model board here so I can’t work out a solution (maybe someone else seeing this knows how?)

Here are some options that will work right now:

  • If your PC has a printer port (parallel port) you can use that instead and get the same results. Printer port PCI cards are still available and very inexpensive.

  • Use a micro-controller board (like the Arduino) to communicate over serial/USB and program it to send digital pulses when it gets commands. There is a bit of latency in this option that might be significant.

  • Use the DTR/RTS pins of a DB-9 serial adapter to produce digital signal pulses (make sure you check these are 5V on your adapter before plugging anything into them!)

3 Likes