A TRS-80-based system for the control of behavioral experiments.

A TRS-80-based system is described for controlling and recording events from operant chambers. The system features a TRS-80 microprocessor with 32 K RAM, a floppy disk drive, an LVB optical interface, a printer, and a user-oriented program (Operant Protocol System, OPS). The LVB interface system is capable of up to 128 independent input/output operations for each of up to 8 boxes. The system uses assembly language routines for real-time control and event recording of up to 8 boxes simultaneously. BASIC is used to obtain user input and deliver data output in an interactive fashion. Advantages include dependable hardware, extensively documented and tested software, relative inexpensiveness, and standard-deviation-based variable schedules.