Description
Pulse Pal 3 is a voltage control signal generator designed for neuroscience research. It can generate precisely timed voltage pulse trains from an intuitive set of parameters and can be programmed or triggered using Python, MATLAB, or the device’s thumb joystick. Each output channel can be programmed independently and linked to either of two TTL trigger inputs. The device can also store sampled waveforms for delivery on trigger or act as a parametric waveform synthesizer. Pulse Pal is most often used to control electrical or optogenetic stimulation, deliver sensory stimuli, or synchronize multiple instruments in an experimental setup. As a fully open-source scientific instrument, Pulse Pal’s design files, firmware, and control software are freely available at the Github link above. You can modify it for new research needs or review the complete design to understand exactly how it works. Pulse Pal 3 builds on the trusted architecture of Pulse Pal 2 with a faster processor, a higher resolution Digital to Analog Converter, galvanic isolation of all outputs from USB/Earth ground, a more robust enclosure, and a graphical OLED screen. Pulse Pal 3 is backwards-compatible with user code developed for Pulse Pal 2, and is intended to fully replace Pulse Pal 2 for all research applications.