A PDA platform for offline processing and streaming of stimuli for cochlear implant research

A PDA-based research platform has been developed for implementing novel speech processing strategies and conducting psychophysical experiments with cochlear implant (CI) research that do not necessarily require real-time processing. The developed interface streams stimuli pulses to a CI unit in an offline mode from a Personal Computer via PDA platform using Windows Sockets (WINSOCK). Front-end of the application is run in MATLAB where stimuli pulses are created. Winsock establishes a TCP/IP connection with the PDA and starts the transmission of stimuli data. Server application installed on the PDA reads the stimulation data and forwards it to the SDIO board in packets where it is forwarded to the cochlear implant unit and pulses are then played in realtime. Versatility and flexibility are the key characteristics of the platform for easy implementation and testing of a wide range of applications and experiments without advanced programming skills.