HACKADAY FED3 Programming manual

FED3 Quick Start Instructions
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Hardware Overview
What is FED3?
The Feeding Experimentation Device version 3 (FED3) is a stand-alone pellet
dispensing device for training mice on operant tasks. FED3 is small enough to fit
inside of rodent home cages and does not require a connected computer to
operate. FED3 is designed to simplify rodent training, it ships with 12 built-in
programs, including fixed-ratio and progressive-ratio operant training routines, as
well as optogenetic self-stimulation programs. Most importantly, FED3 is open-
source and it can be programmed by users to achieve new functionality.

Initial Setup
Setting the time and date
FED3 timestamps every data point based using its onboard real time clock (RTC). To set the time
and date of the RTC flash a FED3 with the “FED3_SetClock.ino” script with the Arduino IDE (see
appendix 1).
Setting the device number and timed feeding hours
While the mouse is running across the startup screen, activate both left and right pokes
together. This will enter a screen that lets you edit the hours for timed feeding, as well as the
device number by operating the left and right pokes.
Selecting programs
A range of operant and stimulation program can be selected by poking the left and right pokes during
the mouse animation at startup. FED3 is open-source, and one of its main strengths is the ability to
modify the code to achieve new functionality!
Free feeding
Timed feeding
Fixed Ratio 1, 3, and 5
Progressive Ratio
Extinction
Optogenetic stimulation
Light tracking task
… plus your own programs!

Retrieving data
Every event that FED3 does is stored to the on-board SD card for later analysis. Remove the card and
copy the data files off for analysis. Data cannot be retrieved via the microUSB port, this is only for
charging and programming the FED3.
File naming:
FED3 saves data in comma-separated value (CSV) format. FED3 will auto-generate a unique data file
when each new session starts. This data file has the naming format:
FEDNNN-MMDDYY-SS.csv
Using the programmable output
The BNC output jack is connected to a programmable output that can be used for synchronizing FED
with optogenetics, electrophysiology, or fiber photometry systems. A 200ms pulse is sent whenever the
pellet is removed from FED3. The output can easily be re-programmed to send different patterns of
pulses based on specific behavioral events.
For troubleshooting please visit and post to the FED3 Google Group.
The text
“FED”
3-digit
device
number
6-digit date-stamp
in the format:
month-day-year
2-digit incrementing number
if multiple sessions are run
on the same day