DataRecorder::startRecording();
DataRecorder::stopRecording();

Simply call these functions when your criteria are met. In the following example, each trial has a fixed length, triallength, and the current trial number is tracked. systime is the total time elapsed since the module was unpaused. This example also has a boolean flag that checks if the user wants to record data. If recording is on, and the end of a trial has been reached: 1) the Data Recorder stops recording to close the Trial in the HDF5 file, 2) the module increments the trial number to reset the stop criteria, and 3) the Data Recorder starts recording again to create the next Trial in the HDF5 file.

if (systime > triallength * (trial + 1))
{
  if (recordon)
    DataRecorder::stopRecording();
  trial++;
  if (recordon)
     DataRecorder::startRecording();
}


Depending on how you write the code, you may need to open the Data Recorder before opening a module that requires the Data Recorder. Not doing so could result in the module failing to load or RTXI crashing.

http://www.rtxi.org/docs/RTXIh5.zip

http://www.rtxi.org/2010/tutorials/rtxi-hdf5-data-files/

It is no longer necessary to use the rtxi_hdf_matlabize utility if you are using these functions. These functions were re-written to use a low-level API to extract the dataset for synchronous channels rather than the “load” function to map the dataset to native MATLAB structures.

Screencast #1:
1. Loading user modules
2. Modifying module parameters
3. Using the Oscilloscope
4. Changing the system sampling rate
5. Checking RTXI real-time performance

This module generates a train of TTL pulses (0-5 V square wave). It can be connected to either an analog or digital output channel to trigger external hardware. You should check the voltage range of your DAQ card to make sure that it can handle 0-5 V.

Output Channels

1. output(0) – “TTL Signal” : TTL output signal in volts

Parameters

1. TTL Duration (s): duration of pulse
2. TTL Pulses (#): number of TTL pulses within a single train
3. TTL Freq (Hz): frequency of pulses measured between pulse onsets
4. TTL Delay (s): time to wait between repeated trials of the same train of pulses
5. Repeat: number of times to repeat the stimulus

The signal-and-slots architecture is made possible by Qt’s Meta Object System, which uses a C++ preprocessor to generate additional *.cpp implementation files containing the meta object code. The header file must contain the Q_OBJECT macro inside the private section of the class declaration. The additional source files (moc_*.cpp) must also be listed in the Makefile in order to link it with the class implementation.

Most user modules will have a set of parameters for which the existing DefaultGUIModel-generated GUI will still be very useful, since it is integrated with code that implements module inputs and outputs, etc. A custom GUI will likely consist of additional GUI elements around the default GUI. A template user module is provided in /rtxi/doc/my_plugin_gui that shows you how to add these additional elements.

Overview of Qt Layouts

Qt GUI elements are called widgets and they are assigned locations in a layout. A QLayout handles positioning of child widgets, their sizing, and automatic updating of the widgets when contents change. QLayouts may have horizontal, vertical, or grid organization. Child widgets are laid out in the order in which they are constructed. Layouts may also contain other layouts. In the template class provided in RTXI, sample code is shown for embedding two vertical layouts within a horizontal layout. This results in two side-by-side panels, each of which contains widgets that are organized vertically. The relative position of layouts within other layouts is defined by the order in which the child layouts are added to the parent layout.

We describe General Network (GenNet), a software plugin for the real time experimental interface (RTXI) dynamic clamp system that allows for straightforward and flexible implementation of hybrid network experiments. This extension to RTXI allows for hybrid networks that contain an arbitrary number of simulated and real neurons, significantly improving upon previous solutions that were limited, particularly by the number of cells supported. The benefits of this system include the ability to rapidly and easily set up and perform scalable experiments with hybrid networks and the ability to scan through ranges of parameters. We present instructions for installing, running and using GenNet for hybrid network experiments and provide several example uses of the system.

Neuron::Neuron(void) :
DefaultGUIModel("Neuron", ::vars, ::num_vars) {
  createLayout(vars,num_vars); // this line should be commented out for RTXI v1.2
  V = V0;
  m = m_inf(V0);
  h = h_inf(V0);
  n = n_inf(V0);
  period = RT::System::getInstance()->getPeriod() * 1e-6;
  update(INIT);
  refresh();
}


Modules published on the website will be updated to be compatible with RTXI v1.3. Examples of how to write user modules based on DefaultGUIModel with or without a custom GUI are included in RTXI. You can download the source code here.

You can also retrieve RTXI v1.3 from the Sourceforge repository using the following command in your terminal:

$ svn co https://rtxi.svn.sourceforge.net/svnroot/rtxi/branches/1.3 rtxi

To compile the new version of RTXI:

$ sudo sh autogen.sh
$ sudo ./configure
$ sudo make
$ sudo make install
$ sudo cp rtxi.conf /etc


RTXI v1.3 is also already installed on the new Ubuntu 10.04 based Live CD. The Ubuntu 10.04 Live CD is currently only available as a 32-bit option. New reference documentation for RTXI is also now available on the website. This includes information on RTXI classes and members as well as a new User’s Guide. All documentation is based on RTXI v1.3.

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