Multi-subject Experiment Control and Monitoring System

Multi-subject Experiment
Control and Monitoring System

MECM is a system used by researchers to run, monitor, and control multi-subject experiments in a laboratory environment. It consists of two main components: an experimenter's console and multiple subject workstations. Work, in the form of computer-based tasks, is delivered to subjects at their workstations in accordance with a predefined protocol. The experimenter can monitor subjects' progress, adjust the protocol as required, and remotely suspend and restart the delivery of work. The system is robust, being able to recover from hardware and software failures at either the console or one or more workstations. A timestamped log is maintained at each workstation that can be used to document the history of task presentations.

NTT developed MECM and its associated cognitive task battery to support DCIEM's SUSOPS (sustained operations, sleep deprivation) research needs. SUSOPS experiments are characterized by:

Long run times (typically 48 to 100 hours)
Multiple concurrent subjects
High reliability requirements
Need to adjust protocols during runs

Our approach has been refined with each generation as the system developed from a multi-subject PDP-11 system to the DIGITAL VAX platform and then to a single subject, portable PC/Windows system.

MECM, our newest version, is commercially available. It has been used successfully for both long and short duration experiments and includes the following features:

Experimenter's console

Graphical display of subject/workstation status
Ability to display protocols (scripts) and cancel/reschedule upcoming tasks
Ability to suspend/resume dispatching at selected workstations
Ability to terminate currently running tasks
Online note taking and display system

Subject workstation

Dispatches tasks in accordance with experimental protocol
Implements functions requested by the experimenter at the control station
Logs all dispatch events, error messages, and experimenter commands

Support for multiple subjects
Workstations and Experimenter station can be connected via LAN, intranet, or internet
Sophisticated failure detection and recovery system

Click here for a description of how MECM is used and would fit in your environment.

Click here to see the on-line HTML version, here to see the PDF version of the MECMS User manual.

Click here for a more detailed description of features and software structure.

For more information, contact Marc Grushcow, President, NTT SYSTEMS INC.

Please visit our home page: NTT Systems Inc.