Knowledge Base

Pulser Configuration and Operation

Testing and Running the Pulser

When testing the Pulser, choose (0) Execute pulse sequence after START. By pressing the Start Sequence button, the LED flashes the configured sequence.

When running the actual trials, choose (3) Execute pulse sequence after trigger HIGH, then stop when LOW. If you click the Start Sequence button, the Pulser waits for a TTL trigger to start the sequence.

1. Enter the other settings in the dialog to control the pulse duration and the time between pulses. For details, see the Prizmatix Pulser/PulserPlus User Manual.
2. Start EthoVision and open the example experiment: DVOC_Optogenetics_demo_recommended.evxt

In the Trial Control Settings you find predefined routines (called subrules) to control three Pulsers. The main procedure (top row) has been configured to consecutively trigger the three Pulsers using the corresponding subrules. Make sure the Pulsers all have the correct COM port, are all in the correct mode, and the Start Sequence button has been pressed.

For more information, see the chapter Optogenetics Experiments in the Application Manual - EthoVision XT, which you can find in Start > Noldus > EthoVision XT Other Documentation.

Basic Subrule

A basic set of instructions in a subrule activates the Pulser a number of times, as specified in the Subrule Reference box.

The boxes within the subrule specify:

• An action to trigger the pulse sequence (Send a signal High to a device through line 1 or 2)
• A Time value (wait a number of seconds)
• A second action which stops the pulse sequence (Send signal Low to a device through line 1 or 2)

In the following example, the subrule triggers the sequence in Pulser A through Output Line 1 for 5 seconds. The name of the device selected next to Custom Hardware is 570 +520 nm, because it controls two Pulsers — one for an LED of 570 nm (through Output Line 1) and one for an LED of 520 nm (through Output Line 2). The name +520 nm can be found in the Arena - Hardware Mapping window of the Arena Settings in the demo experiment.

Note: Make sure that the Int-Ext switch near TTL on the LED controller is set to Ext.

Configure the COM Port for Each Pulser

Aim

To configure the COM port so that the Pulser/PulserPlus accepts commands from EthoVision XT.

Procedure

1. Connect the Pulser/PulserPlus to the PC using the USB cable with type-A to type-B connectors.
2. In the Control Panel, open the Device Manager.
3. Under Ports (COM & LPT), right-click USB Serial Port and select Properties.
4. Click the Port Settings tab.
5. Verify that the parameters are correct, then click OK.
6. Take note of the port number (for example, COM3).
7. Repeat the procedure for each Pulser/PulserPlus.

Notes

The COM port number is retained in the Pulser, so if you disconnect the Pulsers and reconnect them, you do not have to assign the COM ports again.

• Tip: To identify which COM port is assigned to which Pulser/PulserPlus device, disconnect the USB cable from one Pulser/PulserPlus, then reconnect it. The item that appears under Ports (COM & LPT) indicates the assigned COM port.
• Tip: To change the COM port for a specific Pulser, open the Device Manager from the Control Panel. Under Ports (COM & LPT), right-click the COM port, select Properties, then Port Settings, then Advanced. From the COM Port Number list, select the desired COM port from those available.

Source: DanioVision DVOC-0041 Reference Manual, Noldus Information Technology