Aspects of programmable calculator stimulus control and data acquisition in a psychophysiology laboratory

Advantages and disadvantages of programmable calculator control of research laboratories are discussed. Comparisons are drawn with microcomputers such as the Imsai 8080. While microcomputers have greater flexibility in sampling multiple measures at multiple rates and combining timing tasks with data acquisition, calculators are easier to program for applications combining data acquisition with mathematical processing. Calculators also offer advantages to laboratories that do not have access to programming or maintenance services.