Stimulus Control

Overview

Experimental tasks can be deployed by a research team using either a lab-specific computer or the center’s Stimulus Control computer. If using the center’s machine, extra steps are required to ensure participant anonymity and data security.

Lab Machine

  1. Connect to the Video Converter via HDMI (Cable C) to send video.
  2. Connect to the NNL SyncBox (Cable A) via USB to:
    • Capture MRI sync pulse
    • Receive participant responses
    • Control SyncBox
  3. Deploy your experiment.

ND-HNC Machine

Experiments deployed from the ND-HNC Stimulus Control computer should be organized within CorpFS. This will help ensure:

  1. Data are organized and stored with proper permissions, and
  2. The Stimulus Control computer storage capacity remains in an operational range.

Connect In/Out

  • Ensure that the Stimulus Control computer is connected to:
  • The left screen will be broadcast to the stimulus presentation monitor in Zone 4.

Orient to CorpFS

  • Login to the Stimulus Control computer with your ND credentials.
  • Navigate to CorpFS -> HNC -> Your Lab.

  • The experiment paradigm should stored in the “HNC-PI-read” location. This helps to:
    • Ensure all team members deploy the same paradigm,
    • Guard against inadvertent alterations.

Configure Output Location

  • Specify the output location is “HNC-PI-write”.
  • For PsychoPy:
    1. Orient to experiment settings
    2. On the Data tab, specify the correct output location.

Run Experiment

  • Deploy the task.
  • Verify output files are written to the proper location.