It seems that Time::Hires::setitimer() might be what you are after. That should send you the signals in even intervals. I can't test it out and suggest more details. The function doesn't seem to work under Win32 (Win2kServer, ActivePerl 5.8 build 805).

Jenda
Always code as if the guy who ends up maintaining your code will be a violent psychopath who knows where you live.
   -- Rick Osborne

Edit by castaway: Closed small tag in signature