DORIC OTPG 4 User manual

Optogenetics TTL Pulse Generator
User Manual
Version 1.2.1

Contents
1 General Overview 3
2 Operations Guide 4
2.1 Channel Configuration ............................................... 5
2.2 Control and Settings ................................................ 11
2.3 Acquisition View ................................................... 13
3 Specifications 14
4 Support 15
4.1 Maintenance ..................................................... 15
4.2 Warranty ....................................................... 15
4.3 Disposition ...................................................... 15
4.4 Contact us ...................................................... 15
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1
General Overview
(a) 4-channel Generator (b) 8-channel Generator
Figure 1.1: Optogenetics TTL Pulse Generator.
The Doric Optogenetics TTL Pulse Generator (OTPG) allows the modulation of pulse signal trains as well as their trig-
gering. The generator connects to a computer using a USB-B cable, while each channel can be connected to a device
using a BNC cable. The most commonly used devices are LED Drivers,Laser Drivers and Shutters. It can be used to
coordinate between many input/output signal of different devices.
The generator comes in 4-channel (Fig. 1.1a) and 8-channel (Fig. 1.1b) models. For the 4-channel OTPG, all channels
can either be used as an output, to deliver a pulse train, or as an input, to receive trigger signals. For the 8-channel
OPTG, a maximum of four of any ports can be used as inputs and all ports all can be used as outputs. The OTPG is
controlled using the Doric Neuroscience Studio (see chapter 2).
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2
Operations Guide
The Optogenetics TTL Pulse Generator (OTPG; 4 or 8 channels) are controlled by the Doric Neuroscience Studio. Various
pulses train sequences can be designed for any type of experiment.
The OTPG user interface (Fig. 2.1) is split into two main sections: the Controls & Settings (Section 2.2) and the Acqui-
sition view (Section 2.3). From these sections, the Channel(s) configuration (Section 2.1) window can be accessed to
add and configure channels.
Figure 2.1: Optogenetics TTL Pulse Generator Interface.
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2.1 Channel Configuration
2.1.1 Channel Configuration Window Overview
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Figure 2.2: Channels Configuration Main Interface.
The Channels configuration window is used to configure each channel. The window can be accessed by using either
the Add channel or Edit buttons. This window is separated into multiple sections shown in Figure 2.2 that are defined
below.
1. The Channel Options section allows you to define the Channels Type and the Triggering Options. The different
fields of this section are explained in more detail in section 2.1.2.
2. The Sequence Options defines the parameters of each pulse sequence for the channel. These parameters are
different for each Channel Code. Should a parameter chosen be impossible to apply to a sequence (For example,
aTime ON greater than 1/Frequency), the color of the option boxes will turn RED. The different fields for the
different Channel Mode are explained in more detail in section 2.1.3
3. The Sequence Preview section shows a visualization of the output sequence that will be generated by the
current configuration.
4. The Add button will save the current channel configuration and enables a new channel to be configured. The
Close button will close the window without saving the current channel configuration.
Chapter 2. Operations Guide 5

2.1.2 Channel Options Section
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Figure 2.3: Channel Options of the Channel Configuration Window.
The Channel Option section is separated in 2 sub-section, the OTPG Options section that defines the channel and its
mode and the Trigger Options section that control the trigger method of the selected channel. The Trigger Options
are not available when the channel is in Input mode.
OTPG Options
1. The Channel field identifies which of the available channels is currently being modified. The channel can be
changed by selecting a new one from the drop-down list.
2. The Mode field identifies the type of signal sent. Three modes are available, CW (Continuous Wave),Square,
and Input mode. Each mode enables different options of the Sequence Option section that are explained in
more detail in section 2.1.3.
3. The Inverted Output checkbox reverse the signal output. When selected, the ON TTL signal will send 0 V, while
the OFF TTL signal will send 5 V.
Trigger Options
4. The Source trigger option allows to chose between a Manual Trigger (activated by the user) or an Input trigger,
which is coming from a channel input.
5. The Type defines the type of trigger that is used to start/stop a sequence. The Triggered type can starts and
stops a sequence at a rising edge while the Gated type can starts the sequence at a rising edge and stops it at a
falling edge. A more refined interaction of the trigger with the defined sequence can be set up using the Mode
field. Not all Trigger Type are available for each combination of Trigger Mode and Repeatability. The different
combinations are shown in Figure 2.8.
Chapter 2. Operations Guide 6

6. The Mode field defines how the trigger activates a sequence. Each mode are not compatible with each combi-
nation of trigger type and repeatability. Figure 2.8 shows the different available combinations for the different
Trigger Modes. Four Modes are available and are the following:
•Uninterrupted: This mode activates the channel sequence when an input greater than 3.3 V is detected
by the BNC input. Following input pulses will be ignored while the sequence is running (Fig. 2.4). When
the Repeatable sequence checkbox is checked, the sequence will restart with the arrival of the first input
pulse after the sequence has finished (Fig. 2.4b). This mode is available for Triggered pulse only.
Output Triggers
(a) Triggered Non-Repeatable Sequence
...
Output Triggers
(b) Triggered Repeatable Sequence
Figure 2.4: Uninterrupted Sequence Mode.
•Pause: This mode activates the channel sequence when a rising edge greater than 3.3 V is detected on
the BNC input (Fig. 2.5). Following input pulses (when Triggered, Fig. 2.5a) or falling edge (when Gated,
Fig. 2.5c) will pause the sequence and the sequence will continue when the next rising edge is received.
When the Repeatable sequence checkbox is checked, the sequence will restart with the arrival of the first
input pulse after the sequence has finished (Figs. 2.5b and 2.5d).
Output Triggers
(a) Triggered Non-Repeatable Sequence
...
Output Triggers
(b) Triggered Repeatable Sequence
Output Triggers
(c) Gated Non-Repeatable Sequence
...
Output Triggers
(d) Gated Repeatable Sequence
Figure 2.5: Pause Sequence Mode.
•Continue: This mode activates the channel sequence when a rising edge greater than 3.3 V is detected on
the BNC input (Fig. 2.6). The following input pulse (when Triggered, Fig. 2.6a) or a falling edge (when Gated,
Fig. 2.6c) will turn off the output, but the sequence will continue. The output will be turned back on at the
reception of the following rising edge. Triggers only affect the output voltage value. When the Repeatable
sequence checkbox is checked, the sequence will restart with the arrival of the first input pulse after the
sequence has finished (Figs. 2.6b and 2.6d).
•Restart: This mode activates the channel sequence when a rising edge higher than 3.3 V is detected on
the BNC input. The following input pulse (when Triggered, Fig. 2.7a) or falling edge (when i, Fig. 2.7b) will
Chapter 2. Operations Guide 7

Output Triggers
(a) Triggered Non-Repeatable Sequence
...
Output Triggers
(b) Triggered Repeatable Sequence
Output Triggers
(c) Gated Non-Repeatable Sequence
...
Output Triggers
(d) Gated Repeatable Sequence
Figure 2.6: Continue Sequence Mode.
stop the sequence and the sequence will restart from the beginning when the next rising edge is received.
When the sequence is completed, it will restart with the next input pulse.
...
Output Triggers
(a) Triggered Non-Repeatable Sequence
...
Output Triggers
(b) Triggered Repeatable Sequence
Figure 2.7: Restart Sequence Mode.
Triggered Gated
Non-repeatable
sequence
Repeatable
sequence
Non-repeatable
sequence
Repeatable
sequence
Uninterrupted
Pause
Con�nue
Restart
Figure 2.8: Trigger options possibilities.
Chapter 2. Operations Guide 8

7. The Repeatable sequence checkbox, when selected, allows a sequence to be repeated. Not all modes and
trigger types can be repeated. Please refer to the Figure 2.8 to know the repeatable sequence combinations.
8. The Sequence Visualisation shows a graphical representation of the behavior of the selected Trigger Option
Type, Mode and Repeatability.
2.1.3 Sequence Options Section
CW (Continuous Wave) Mode
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Figure 2.9: Sequence Options of the CW Channel Mode.
The CW (Continuous Wave) channel mode allows the creation of a continuous TTL signal. The following elements
appear in the Sequence Options section (Fig. 2.9).
1. The Starting Delay defines the time between the activation of the pulse sequence and the beginning of the
signal.
2. The Time ON defines the length of time the continuous signal is active. Should the time chosen be 0, the signal
will continue until the pulse is stopped manually.
3. The Total Duration shows the total expected duration of the pulse sequence. Should the duration be infinite,
the box will display ∞. If there is an error in parameter selection, this box will display N/A.
Chapter 2. Operations Guide 9

Square Mode
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Figure 2.10: Sequence Options of the Square Channel Mode.
The Square channel mode allows the creation of a square TTL pulse sequence. The Sequence Options of this mode
are shown in Figure 2.10 and are explained below.
1. The Starting Delay defines the time between the activation of the pulse sequence and the beginning of the
signal.
2. The Frequency sets the frequency (in Hz), which is the number of pulses per second. The frequency can also be
changed to the Period. For example, a signal at 10 Hz (frequency) will output one pulse every 100 ms (period),
whereas a signal at 0.5 Hz (frequency) will output one pulse every 2 seconds (period).
3. The Time ON defines the length of a single pulse. This time can also be converted to a Duty Cycle, which
represents the % of the period the pulse duration corresponds to.
4. The Pulse(s) per sequence set the number of pulses per sequence. If it is set to 0, the number of pulses will be
infinite.
5. The Number of sequence(s) sets the number of times that the sequence will be repeated.
6. The Delay between sequences sets the delay between each sequence.
7. The Total Duration shows the total expected duration of the pulse sequence. Should the duration be infinite,
the box will display ∞. If there is an error in parameter selection, this box will display N/A.
Input Mode
The Input mode (Fig 2.11) records a signal as long as there is a high TTL signal on the chosen console channel.
The channel can then be used as a trigger source for all the other channels of the OTPG. No Sequence Options or
Sequence Previews are available for this mode.
Chapter 2. Operations Guide 10

Figure 2.11: Channels Configuration of the Input Mode Interface
2.2 Control and Settings
The Control and Settings box is used to manage the different parts of the software. It contains three tabs, the
Acquisition,Configuration, and View Tabs.
2.2.1 Acquisition Tab
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Figure 2.12: Acquisition Tab
The different buttons and fields of the Acquisition Tab are shown in Figure 2.12 and their functions are explained
below.
1. The Live button starts all the configured channels without recording their signal.
2. The Record button starts all the configured channels and record the signal for each of them at the defined
Sampling Frequency. The recorded datas are saved in a .doric file (hdf5 based file) where the saved path and
filename can be defined through the Saving Options button.
3. The Stampling Frequency field defines the frequency at which the recorded signal (using the Record button)
is sampled. Note: In Doric Studio version 6 and later, the record button also saves the configuration of the
OTPG (channel parameters, sampling frequency, ...) in the same .doric file. Use the Load config button (see
section 2.2.2) to load this parameters.
Chapter 2. Operations Guide 11

4. The Triggering Source field defines if the sampling will be triggered manually (by clicking Live or Record) or will
be triggered by one of the input channel.
5. The Saving Options button opens an external window that allows you to configure the saving path and filename
of the channels signal file.
6. The Target File field indicates the saving path and filename of the channels signal file.
2.2.2 Configuration Tab
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Figure 2.13: Configuration Tab
The different buttons of the Configuration Tab are shown in Figure 2.13 and their functions are explained below.
1. The Add Channel button opens the Channels configuration window to setup the channels. This window is
detailed in section 2.1.
2. The Clear Configuration button resets the acquisition view and all other parameters set. Any configurations
already set will be lost.
3. The Save Configuration button is used to save the OTPG configuration in a .doric format.
4. The Load Configuration button allows an OTPG configuration in .doric format to be loaded. Recorded data
files also contains the configuration used during the experiment and this configuration can be loaded using this
button.
2.2.3 View Tab
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Figure 2.14: View Tab
The different buttons and fields of the View Tab are shown in Figure 2.14.
1. The Autoscrolling button, when clicked, makes the graphs scroll as new data appears. The duration (in seconds)
kept on display is controlled by the field beside the button.
2. The Reset Zoom button resets the horizontal axis of all graphs displayed in the Acquisition View to the duration
chosen in the Autoscrolling field.
Chapter 2. Operations Guide 12

2.3 Acquisition View
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Figure 2.15: Acquisition View Box
The Acquisition View box displays all the information concerning active channels. Each channel chosen using the Add
Channel button is displayed in this section, occupying a rectangular box. Each Channel box shows the following basic
elements shown in Figure 2.15.
1. The Channel name is located on the upper left of the Channel box, identifying the type of channel and it’s
number, corresponding to the one displayed on the OTPG. The channel name can be modified in the Graph(s)
menu.
2. The Edit button allows the editing of channel parameters, opening the Channel Configuration window. For
additional information, see section 2.1.
3. The Graph(s) button opens an external window with options to change the displayed parameters of the graphic
as well as the possibility to change the graphic name.
4. The Status box shows whether the channel is active, displaying STOPPED when inactive and RUNNING... when
active.
5. The Triggered By box shows the current trigger source of the channel sequence.
6. The Sequence Display box shows a graphic of the recorded channel. It shows the signal as it is generated by an
output channel or as it is received by an input channel. The sampling rate of the displayed graphic is controlled
by the Sampling Frequency field in the Acquisition Tab.
Chapter 2. Operations Guide 13

3
Specifications
Table 3.1: General Specifications
SPECIFICATIONS VALUES NOTES
Maximum On/Off Time 5 hours/Infinity
Maximum Sequence Duration Infinity (continuous) or 107Pulses
Minimum Pulse Duration 0.017 ms
Time Resolution Accuracy ±1µs*# of channels running
Maximum Value of Repeat 4 294 967 296
Maximum/Minimum Pulse Frequency 30 kHz / 5.47e–5 Hz
Pulse Stability 0.1 µs
Voltage Output 5 V
Maximum Input Voltage 5 V
TTL level Hi > 3.3 V; Low < 1.5 V
Current Consumption <100 mA (4 ch)/ <200 mA (8ch) Powered by computer USB port
Output Current 20 mA (Maximum)
Dimensions
4-channel OTPG 135 x 58 x 21 mm3Depth includes connectors
8-channel OTPG 135 x 70 x 21 mm3Depth includes connectors
Mass
4-channel OTPG 174 g
8-channel OTPG 199 g
Table 3.2: Recommended Environmental Specifications
DESCRIPTION OPERATION STORAGE
Use Indoor Indoor
Temperature 0-40 ◦C 0-40 ◦C
Humidity 40-60 % RH, non condensing 40-60 % RH, non condensing
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4
Support
4.1 Maintenance
The product does not require any maintenance. Do not open the enclosure. Contact Doric Lenses for return instruc-
tions if the unit does not work properly and needs to be repaired.
4.2 Warranty
This product is under warranty for a period of 12 months. Contact Doric Lenses for return instructions. This warranty
will not be applicable if the unit is damaged or needs to be repaired as a result of improper use or operation outside
the conditions stated in this manual. For more information, see our Website.
4.3 Disposition
Figure 4.1: WEEE directive logo
According with the directive 2012/19/EU of the European Parliament and the Council of the European Union regarding
Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE), when the product will reach its end-of-life phase, it must not be
disposed with regular waste. Make sure to dispose of it with regards of your local regulations. For more information
about how and where to dispose of the product, please contact Doric Lenses.
4.4 Contact us
For any questions or comments, do not hesitate to contact us by:
Phone [phone]
Email [email protected]
Chapter 4. Support 15

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