c-pod

Power Packed

c-pod is small but packs a real punch. Its 32-bit microprocessor makes possible the following features:

Async Output
To send, say, a 10ms long event marker with other I/O devices, an app needs to raise the output line, wait 10ms, then lower the line. This adds timing uncertainty and makes the app more complex. With c–pod, you can deliver a 10ms marker while the app continues its work.

Scheduler
A truly unique feature: tell c-pod when to send pulses at a later time, e.g. to mark emotional points during a movie presentation.

Pattern Generator
Use c-pod as a signal generator on an output line or as a more complex pattern generator.

We also take care of timing and deliver guaranteed jitter free performance.

But the real magic is hidden inside. When you buy c–pod, you are getting a computer with a speedy 32-bit engine, humming with useful, well polished software. Here is what it can do for you.

Asynchronous Output

With a traditional I/O card like the ones from Measurement Computing or National Instruments, a software program that wants to send a pulse needs to wait for the duration of the pulse before it can resume its own work. Imagine sending a postcard to a friend and then not being able to do anything else until that postcard  is delivered. It’s a lot of wasted time. This is synchronous delivery.

c–pod can deliver signals asynchronously: an application sends it a command that includes the pulse duration and then resume its own work, e.g. to present a stimulus or look for participant response. c–pod takes care of completing the pulse delivery.

Scheduler

c–pod takes the idea of async output a step further. Instead of delivering a pulse now, why not deliver it later? Better yet, why not deliver multiple pulses later?

This turns out to be a useful feature that answers the following question: when presenting a movie or sound, how can I mark certain points precisely while it is playing?

With the scheduling feature, you can preload c–pod with a list of times when a pulse should be delivered, the length of the pulse, and the output line(s) that it should be delivered on. A subsequent command can be sent at the onset of the movie or sound to start executing the schedule.

Pattern Generation

c–pod can function as a pattern generator as well, sending periodic pulses out on an output line that you choose, or even pulses of different periods on multiple output lines. This is handy for applications that require strobing, or where the intensity of light or a motor is controlled using pulse width modulation (PWM).

Mixed Output

And more: the features described above are not mutually exclusive. While a schedule is being executed on, say, output lines 1, 2, and 3, you can still send an async pulse command at any time on the remaining lines 4 through 8.

Similarly, while a pattern is being generated on some lines, you can send an async pulse command on the remaining lines. c–pod will not skip a beat.

It’s a Computer

Cedrus has been delivering psychology research solutions since 1991 – more than a quarter century. It has been fun watching the market evolve. If new requirements come along, the software that powers c–pod can be easily updated.