Abstract

ESCOBAR, Rogelio; HERNANDEZ-RUIZ, Mayela; SANTILLAN, Nadia  and  PEREZ-HERRERA, Carlos A.. Technical note: Simplified Design of a Low-Cost Interface Using a Parallel Port and Visual Basic. Rev. mex. anál. conducta [online]. 2012, vol.38, n.1, pp.72-85. ISSN 0185-4534.

This paper describes a simplified design of the interface using a computer's parallel port and Visual Basic designed by Escobar and Lattal (2010). An array of eight pairs of Darlington transistors (integrated circuit ULN 2803 A) replaced the diodes and transistors that were used in the original design for controlling each electromagnetic relay. The new design not only facilitates the instrumentation of the interface but also reduces its cost. Additionally, the stability of the interface was tested using chained schedules of reinforcement of four components in rats as subjects. During these tests, the interface allowed recording the responses with precision and worked consistently during all the experimental sessions. Our tests show that the parallel-port interface can be used as a low-cost replacement for commercial equipment.

Keywords : interface; instrumentation; parallel port; Visual Basic.