Bpod Port Array Module

SaraEB1

Hi Bpod Team,

I made a post earlier about not being able to use the port array module to control valves. Josh suggested using {'PA1', ['V' X 1]} in the state output options to open the valves. This does not work for any of the ports, 0-3. The code will run, but the port array module just doesn't trigger the valves. I couldn't find any instructions or documentation for how to use the module, so could you please either point me to the documentation or give me detailed instructions on how to set up/troubleshoot the module from step 1? Does it need a power source? Does it need a specific Bpod version to run? Do I need to pair it to the Bpod somehow? Does it come with the code already loaded onto it or do I need to do that? What needs to be plugged in where? Is there any other software I need to download for this to work, etc. I am using Bpod Console v1.59, Bpod State Machine r0.7-1.0. The state I'm trying to use to open a valve looks like this:

sma = AddState(sma, 'Name', 'Test', ...
'Timer', 5,...
'StateChangeConditions', {'Tup', 'CloseValve'},...
'OutputActions', {'PA1', ['V' 1 1]});

Thank you,

Sara

bonniezyao

Hi Sara,
Did you solve your issue here? I am experiencing the same issue with my port array. Port array is recognized by Bpod console, power channels are on, code following documentation does not return any error, but no signal read through the LED pin or the Valve pin. Any pointers would be appreciated!
Bonnie

Josh

Hello Bonnie,

Can you please share the code you're using to drive the port array?

Thanks,
Josh

bonniezyao

Thanks so much for getting back, Josh! I'm running this script directly not as a protocol. We have a valve connected through state machine to check that the script is ran through. We tried both valve on pin 7/8 and LED on pin 3/5 and changed 'V'/'L' in the script accordingly.

global BpodSystem
clear global PA1

% 1. Load the commands into Module 2 (where PA1 is connected)
% Message 1: Valve 1 OPEN (Pulls to 0V)
% Message 2: Valve 1 CLOSED (Returns to 5V)
%LoadSerialMessages('PA1', {['V',0,1], ['V',0,0]});

%% Create State Matrix
sma = NewStateMatrix();

% State 1: Pull the signal to 0V for 2 seconds
sma = AddState(sma, 'Name', 'PulseToZero', ...
'Timer', 2, ...
'StateChangeConditions', {'Tup', 'ReturnToFive'}, ...
'OutputActions', {'PA1', ['V',0,1]});

% State 2: Return to 5V (Resting)
sma = AddState(sma, 'Name', 'ReturnToFive', ...
'Timer', 1, ...
'StateChangeConditions', {'Tup', 'LickPort'}, ...
'OutputActions', {'PA1', ['V',0,0]});

sma = AddState(sma, 'Name', 'LickPort', ...
'Timer', 1, ...
'StateChangeConditions', {'Tup', 'exit'}, ...
'OutputActions', {'ValveState', 2⁰});

%% Run State Machine
% Use BpodSystem as the first argument for Gen2
SendStateMatrix(sma);
RawEvents = RunStateMatrix();

Josh

Silly question - do you have a 12V power adapter connected to the port array module's barrel jack?
The port array will operate without that power supply, but the valves will not work.

bonniezyao

We did. We just ran the tests again with it unplugged. Still nothing on the oscilloscope.

Josh

Hello Bonnie,

I'd be glad to join a Zoom session to help debug.
Please write to support@sanworks.io to coordinate a time.

Thank you,
Josh

bonniezyao

Hi Josh,
We recently figured out that updated firmware we loaded seemed to be the problem. A colleague in the department had his port array working and he is using the pre port array module v2 code. So I downloaded the firmware version from 2023 that is the the Bpod_PortArray_Firmware github page, and that has been working as expected! I hope this behavior makes sense

Josh

Hello Bonnie,

Thanks for the update!

Do you have the 4-channel or 8-channel port array? These are also noted as v1 and v2 respectively.
If you're loading firwmare with Arduino, at the top of the firmware file, you have to set HARDWARE_VERSION to 1 or 2, to match the target hardware. Was this set correctly?

Another option is to use LoadBpodFirmware() from the MATLAB command line as shown here. This will load compiled firmware binaries to the device, preconfigured for the target hardware.

Josh

bonniezyao

Hi Josh,
Thanks for the clarification! Something about our previous fix actually failed so we downloaded the newest Bpod console code, reloaded firmware for both state machine and port array (according to your notes. We have v1 with 4 channel).
Port array is functioning as expected.

Josh

Hi Bonnie,

Great to hear! Please let me know if you run into any further issues with the system.

Thanks,
Josh