A low-cost programmable pulse generator for physiology and behavior

Sanders, J. I., Kepecs, A. (December 2014) A low-cost programmable pulse generator for physiology and behavior. Frontiers in Neuroengineering, 7 (43). ISSN 16626443

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URL: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/25566051
DOI: 10.3389/fneng.2014.00043

Abstract

Precisely timed experimental manipulations of the brain and its sensory environment are often employed to reveal principles of brain function. While complex and reliable pulse trains for temporal stimulus control can be generated with commercial instruments, contemporary options remain expensive and proprietary. We have developed Pulse Pal, an open source device that allows users to create and trigger software-defined trains of voltage pulses with high temporal precision. Here we describe Pulse Pal’s circuitry and firmware, and characterize its precision and reliability. In addition, we supply online documentation with instructions for assembling, testing and installing Pulse Pal. While the device can be operated as a stand-alone instrument, we also provide application programming interfaces in several programming languages. As an inexpensive, flexible and open solution for temporal control, we anticipate that Pulse Pal will be used to address a wide range of instrumentation timing challenges in neuroscience research.

Item Type: Paper
Subjects: organism description > animal behavior
CSHL Authors:
Communities: CSHL labs > Kepecs lab
School of Biological Sciences > Publications
Depositing User: Matt Covey
Date: 11 December 2014
Date Deposited: 06 Jan 2015 17:48
Last Modified: 03 Nov 2017 19:15
PMCID: PMC4263096
Related URLs:
URI: https://repository.cshl.edu/id/eprint/31001

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