Knowledge Base

Jumper and DIP Switch Configuration

Default DIP Switch Settings

Open the USB-IO box cover. The DIP switches are located in a red block on the main board.

The default settings are (from 1 to 8): 1 Off, 2-8 On. This sequence Off-On-On... corresponds to 00000001, that is 1 in binary language.

Jumper JMPR8 Configuration

The jumper position 1/2 is marked right of JMPR7. The jumper JMPR8 is set by default to position 2. If you want to use SDI port 13 to connect a Top Unit Interface, leave it in that position. If you want to use port 13 to connect a Lickometer, set it to 1.

Alter the DIP Switches

Follow this procedure if you want to connect multiple USB-IO boxes to the EthoVision XT computer. DIP switches determine the ID of the USB-IO box. Multiple boxes must have different IDs (and therefore different DIP switch settings) in order to work properly with EthoVision XT.

1. For the first USB-IO box, leave the DIP switch settings as default (1 Off, 2-8 On).
2. For the second USB-IO box, use a pen or a small screwdriver to move DIP switch 1 to On and DIP switch 2 to Off (this corresponds to 00000010, that is 2 in binary language).
3. For more USB-IO boxes, move the DIP switches to create unique numbers.

Configure EthoVision XT

Prerequisite

Make sure that the USB-IO box is connected to the EthoVision XT computer, that all devices are connected to the USB-IO box, and that the USB-IO box is connected to a power supply. If you use multiple USB-IO boxes, connect them all to the EthoVision XT computer.

Procedure

See Control Hardware Devices on page 110.

The Mini USB-IO Box

Overview

The Noldus Mini USB-IO box (type number PTIO-003x) is an interface device used to control external devices such as an Atlantis platform, a shocker, etc., from the EthoVision XT video tracking software. It is a smaller and simplified version of the USB-IO box (type number PTIO-002x). It is also embedded in the DanioVision system for zebrafish tracking.

Ports

The Mini USB-IO box is provided with the following ports (see the top panel of the box):

• USB — Connects the USB-IO box to the PC using a USB cable.
• TTL Control 1–4 — Four TTL control connectors. Each connector can provide limited power supply (18V DC, max. current 100mA) available on pin 1 (ground) and pin 2 (+).
• Multi TTL Output — One Multi TTL output connector.
• SDI Control — Currently used in the DanioVision system; will be used in future applications of the stand-alone Mini USB-IO box.
• 24V In — Connects the USB-IO box to the power supply via the 24V adapter.

LED Indicators

• 24V On — Switches on when the Mini USB-IO box is connected to a power source.
• TTL Control Busy — Blinks whenever the Mini USB-IO box communicates with a TTL-controlled device.
• SDI Control Busy — Blinks whenever the Mini USB-IO box communicates with a SDI-controlled device.

TTL Control

With a TTL port you can control the following devices (one per port):

• The Noldus Backlight Units (Noldus codes XIRWB-xxxx).
• The Noldus Pellet dispenser (Noldus code PTPD-xxxx; maximum two). To use the Pellet dispenser with the Mini USB-IO box, you must replace a device file in EthoVision XT. See the instructions in the chapter The Pellet Dispenser and the Pellet Receptacle in the PhenoTyper - EthoVision XT 18 - Service Manual, accessible from All Apps > Noldus > EthoVision XT 18 Other Documentation.
• Any custom hardware device that works with TTL logic (up to two devices per port).

To control a PhenoTyper setup, you must use the Noldus USB-IO box PTIO-002x for full PhenoTyper add-on hardware support.

If you want to control the doors of an 8-arm radial maze, you can use the TTL ports. Since the Mini USB-IO box has 4 TTL ports, you have a total of 8 output lines, which can control all eight doors. Please contact Noldus for more information.

Multi TTL Control

With the Multi TTL output, you can control up to 16 devices independently. This output is suitable for controlling maze doors in an 8-arm radial maze, lights, or any other devices with a TTL control input.

• The connector is a 20-pin IDC.
• Supply voltages provided: +5V, +12V, and common ground.
• There are no TTL input lines available on this connector. Because of this, you cannot use Multi TTL to control the Noldus Pellet dispenser or any other device that requires input channels.

SDI Control

This is currently in use in combination with the DanioVision Observation Chamber. Do not connect SDI devices such as the Lickometer or the PhenoTyper Top Unit Interface.

The Mini USB-IO Box Device Driver Software

The current driver software for the USB-IO box and Mini USB-IO box is installed automatically when you install EthoVision XT.

For EthoVision XT 18, the driver software for both the USB-IO box, the Mini USB-IO box, and DanioVision is Noldus HardwareInterface USB-IO box 5.1.14.

To check that the driver is installed, open the Control Panel and go to Programs and Features / Add or Remove Programs. The driver name is Noldus - HardwareInterface IoBox - x64 Package - 5.

If you want to uninstall the driver software, in Control Panel > Add or Remove Programs, select Noldus - HardwareInterface IoBox - x64 Package - 5 and click Uninstall.

Older Versions of the Mini USB-IO Box Device Driver

It is not necessary to uninstall the drivers of previous versions of the Noldus USB-IO box or the Noldus Mini USB-IO box. Note that for EthoVision XT 11 and older versions, the USB-IO box and the Mini USB-IO box had separate drivers.

To Connect the Mini USB-IO Box

Note: If you want to control the Pellet dispenser with the Mini USB-IO box, first follow the instructions in the chapter The Pellet Dispenser and the Pellet Receptacle in the PhenoTyper - EthoVision XT 18 - Service Manual, accessible from All Apps > Noldus > EthoVision XT 18 Other Documentation.

1. Connect the Mini USB-IO box to a USB port on the EthoVision XT computer using the USB cable that comes with the Mini USB-IO box.
2. A message may appear as you plug the USB cable into the computer USB port. Wait until the driver software is installed.

Source: EthoVision XT 18 - THC - Trial and Hardware Control, Noldus Information Technology