Can I send a voltage out of my serial port with Matlab?

Hi,

I was wondering if it's possible to access the serial ports using Matlab to send out high/low voltages to trigger external devices (e.g. Motion capture cameras).

I know it can be done with Data Acquisition Toolbox, but I'm not sure if I am going to have access to a supported DAQ card for the project I'm thinking about.

Thanks, J

Answer 1

[Walter Roberson]

If you need more than the pulse of a serial bit, then all you have control over is DTR and RTS. The exact levels cannot be controlled.

Answer 2

[Image Analyst]

Yes. You don't need the Data Acquisition Toolbox. I talk to my Measurement Computing box all the time just through the serial port (USB). They have analog devices too. http://www.mccdaq.com/usb-data-acquisition/USB-3100-Series.aspx