Abstract
Circuitry is described that allows the interfacing of a strain-gauge transducer with a laboratory microprocessor system. The analog processing system includes a high-stability, low-noise strain-gauge conditioning amplifier, monolithic active filtering, and high-speed analog-to-digital (A/D) conversion circuitry with 8-bit resolution and 10-microsec conversion period. A self-test circuit that allows off-line calibration and on-line monitoring of ongoing A/D conversion is included. Tristate converter outputs allow paralleled channel sampling without analog multiplexing or I/O port redundancy. Usage of the standard configuration in assessment of operant response dynamics in behavioral pharmacology is discussed, as well as modification of the proposed circuitry for generalized processing of psychophysiological and other analog signals found in psychological experimentation.
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Ott, W. E.Instrumentation amplifiers: Versatile differential input gain blocks (Application Note AN-75). Tucson. Ariz: Burr-Brown Research Corporation, 1974.
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The authors acknowledge the valuable assistance of R. N. Stiles. Development of this circuitry was supported in part by NIMH Grant IR01 MH 32202 to the University of Mississippi, S. C. Fowler, principal investigator.
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Price, A.W., Fridlund, A.J. & Fowler, S.C. A strain-gauge conditioner/analog-to-digital converter for acquisition of multiple analog signals. Behavior Research Methods & Instrumentation 12, 459–464 (1980). https://doi.org/10.3758/BF03201697
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.3758/BF03201697