Knowledge Base

TTL Lines

• If you use one Pulser, use the DanioVision Trigger Out 1 port to connect the Pulser.
• If you use two Pulsers, use the DanioVision Trigger Out 1 port and the Trigger Out 2 port to connect Pulsers A and B, respectively.
• If you use three Pulsers:
  • Use the DanioVision Trigger Out 1 port for Pulser A.
  • Use the DanioVision Trigger Out 2 port for Pulser B.
  • Use the DanioVision TTL A port (if it is not connected to the Temperature Control Unit) or the TTL B port for Pulser C. For the TTL A/B connection you need a special cable with an 8-pin connector at one end and a BNC connector at the other end.

EthoVision XT Connections

• One Ethernet connection for controlling the DanioVision and Optogenetics hardware devices.
• One Ethernet connection for the DanioVision camera.

Next Steps

• Experiment settings
• Arena settings
• Trial control (with the Pulsers)

For information about creating pulse sequences in EthoVision XT, see the chapter Optogenetics Experiments in the EthoVision XT 18 Application Manual. To open this manual, from the Windows Start menu choose All Apps > Noldus > EthoVision XT 18 Other Documentation.

Experiment Settings

1. Choose Setup > Experiment Settings.
2. Click Settings next to Use of Trial Control Hardware.
3. Choose the DanioVision DVOC-0050/TCP. Then follow the section below that applies to choose the port numbers in the Device Configuration window.

Tip: Open the sample experiment DVOC_Optogenetics_Demo_Recommended.evxt. This is a live tracking experiment where basic settings in Experiment Settings and Trial Control are already selected for when you work with three Pulsers.

Configuration Without Pulsers

In this example with three LED controllers, we use the connectors Trigger Out 1, Trigger Out 2, and TTL B because TTL A is connected to the DanioVision TCU.

• Trigger Out 1 and Trigger Out 2 are connected to LED controllers 1 and 2. Select Optogenetics next to Trigger Out.
• TTL Port B is connected to LED controller 3. Select Custom Hardware under Device Type.

Configuration With Pulsers

In this example with three Pulsers, we use the connectors Trigger Out 1, Trigger Out 2, and TTL B because TTL A is connected to the DanioVision TCU.

• Trigger Out 1 and Trigger Out 2 are connected to Pulser A and Pulser B, respectively. Select Optogenetics next to Trigger Out.
• TTL Port B is connected to Pulser C. Select Custom Hardware under Device Type.

Arena Settings

Declare the Optogenetics Setup

The figures below refer to a configuration with three Pulsers.

1. Choose Setup > Arena Settings. Draw and calibrate the arenas.
2. Click the Arena - Hardware Mapping button.
3. Click Add Device.
4. In the new row, under Device Type select Optogenetics (for Pulser A and B, or LED controllers 1 and 2).
5. Click Add Device.
6. In the new row, under Device Type select Custom Hardware (for Pulser C, or LED controller 3).

Tip: Rename Device Name to the actual name of the controlled devices, for example Pulsers A and B and Pulser C for the two rows, respectively. If you work only with LED controllers, type in for example LED 1 and 2, and LED 3, respectively.

7. Make sure that the devices are selected under A1/Arena 1.

Test the Triggering Action on the LED Controllers

1. In EthoVision XT, open the Arena - Hardware Mapping window.
2. Click the row for the pulser you want to test (either LED 1 and 2 or LED 3).
3. Click the Test button.
4. In the window that appears:
   • If you have selected LED 1 and 2, select Output 1 High to trigger the LED connected to Trigger Out 1 on the DanioVision's back panel (this is usually LED 1), or select Output 2 High to trigger the LED connected to Trigger Out 2 (this is usually LED 2).
   • If you have selected LED 3, select Output 1 High to trigger the LED.
5. Click Test. At this point the LED switches on. If it does not, do the following:
   • Check carefully the cabling.
   • Check that the green button on the LED controller is turned on.

Test the Triggering Action on the Pulsers

1. Important: Make sure that in the Pulser software the correct COM port is selected and that the operating mode is set to (3) Execute Sequence After Trigger HIGH, Then Stop When LOW.
2. Click the button Start Sequence. Now the Pulser is listening to the trigger signal.
3. In EthoVision XT, open the Arena - Hardware Mapping window.
4. Click the row for the Pulser you want to test (either Pulser A and B or Pulser C).
5. Click the Test button.
6. In the window that appears, select Output 1 High or Output 2 High, depending on which Pulser you want to test:
   • If you have selected Pulser A and B, select Output 1 High to trigger the Pulser connected to Trigger Out 1 on the DanioVision's back panel (this is usually Pulser A), or select Output 2 High to trigger the Pulser connected to Trigger Out 2 (this is usually Pulser B).
   • If you have selected Pulser C, select Output 1 High to trigger the Pulser.
7. Click Test. At this point the LED connected to that Pulser is activated following the sequence defined in the Pulser software. If it is not, do the following:
   • Check carefully the cabling.
   • Check that the Start Sequence button was pressed.
   • Check that the green button on the LED controller is turned on.