Minimum G4.1 test protocol (30s)

[floesche]

Create a minimal protocol that uses a combination of features needed for G4.1. This protocol is not meant to be used with flies, it is just a test case for the technical capabilities of the system.

You can share the file via a new fork / branch in the display tools repo, via dropbox, or just attach it here.

[leburnett]

I created 2 x 20s protocols for the current G4 arenas. I made them using Lisa's GUI to be consistent with previous experiments ran on the arena.

I started by making patterns through the GUI for a 12 x 2 arena. When trying to generate an actual experiment through the G4_experiment_designer I found out that the GUI will currently only allow you to make experiments for 3 or 4 row arenas.

So, then I made simple patterns (on/off and 30deg gratings) for a 3 x 12 arena. I made these patterns in both 1-bit and 4-bit. I then made simple 20s protocols with these patterns, one using the 1-bit patterns and the other using the 4-bit patterns.

I went to test them on the tethered flight arena to see if the 3 row pattern will play, but found that the arena is currently being used for testing. So, I went and tried them on the ephys arena (that Jin Yong's been using). This is a 3 x 12 (11) arena. The 4-bit protocol worked, but the 1-bit one did not. I took videos that I can share if you're interested.

Both protocols are made up of:

• 3s full field ON
• 3 s full field OFF
• 8s of moving gratings. They move 4s in one direction and then 4s in the other, moving by 1 pixel at a time.
• 3 s full field OFF
• 3s full field ON

I realised that I've made patterns for the G4 arena through a script, and protocols for the G3 through a script but I've never made a protocol for the G4 through a script. I'm looking into it now to see if I can make a test protocol without the GUI as well. This way I could make a test protocol for a 12 x 2 arena, like suggested yesterday.

[floesche]

Maybe it is worth exploring to change the GUI to allow 12×2 and other formats? 12×3 patterns are not very useful for the test, they potentially slow down everything by 50%.

[leburnett]

Lisa updated the GUI so I can now make protocols for arenas with 1 or 2 rows as well. 🎉

I've made short ~30s 1-bit and 4-bit protocols with 2 row patterns and pushed them onto my branch here.

[leburnett]

Update, there are now also long protocols (~20 minutes) on the GitHub too, for both 2 and 3 row arenas and in 1 or 4-bit.