Lickometer TTL Interface
4 events · simple 6-byte · single BNC
Overview
The Lickometer TTL interface transmits 4 events for lick-detection experiments: individual lick contact on left and right spouts, plus session start and end markers. Each lick generates a TTL pulse, enabling cycle-by-cycle alignment of consummatory behavior with gustatory cortex or reward-circuit recordings.
The simple 6-byte protocol keeps latency minimal, which is critical for lickometer paradigms where individual lick events occur at 6-8 Hz and need sub-10ms temporal alignment with neural data.
TTL Event Map
simple protocol6-byte frame115200 baud10ms resolution
| Event | Code | Sensor | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| LickLeft | A | Left spout | Contact detected on left lick spout |
| LickRight | B | Right spout | Contact detected on right lick spout |
| SessionStart | P | Session boundary | Lickometer session begins |
| SessionEnd | Q | Session boundary | Lickometer session ends |
Setup Instructions
- Connect the TTL module via USB and note the COM port.
- In ConductMaze Settings > TTL, select the COM port and set baud rate to 115200.
- Connect BNC output to your recording system.
- Use short pulse duration (100ms recommended) to avoid overlap during rapid lick bouts.
- Test by touching each spout contact and confirming events on your recording timeline.
Common Pitfalls
- ⚠At 6-8 Hz lick rates, the 50ms inter-frame delay means consecutive licks on the same spout are reliably captured (125-167ms inter-lick interval > 50ms). However, near-simultaneous bilateral licks may be serialized.
- ⚠Ensure lick spout contacts are clean — saliva buildup can cause intermittent false contacts that produce noisy TTL streams.
- ⚠Use short pulse durations (100ms) rather than the default 1000ms to prevent pulse overlap during rapid licking.
Methods Text (Copy-Paste)
Lick events were time-stamped using the ConductMaze TTL module (ConductScience, Skokie, IL) with 4 event channels (left spout, right spout, session boundaries) encoded as 6-byte serial frames at 115,200 baud. Pulse duration was set to 100ms to accommodate 6-8 Hz lick rates without overlap.
Suggested text for the Methods section of your manuscript.
Compatible Products
ME-OC-TTL
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