General Information

Parameter Value
# input/output channels 3 (4 pins, 1 reserved for ground)
Max output frequency 1kHz
Max input frequency 100Hz
Max # connected modules 16 per blue dev board (can use multiple blue dev boards for more connections)
Continuous stimulation runtime Up to 4 hours on battery, indefinite when wired
Operating voltage 3.3V
Voltage supply range 3.3-5V
Fiber pin output range PWM - 3.3V at 0-100% duty cycle
Analog - 0-3.3V
Fiber pin input range 0-3.3V

Module Type Differences

Top of two modules

Bottom of two modules

  • PWM Modules (Pulse-width modulation) - Module 4.P on the left
    • PWM modules directly output voltage from the microcontroller.
    • PWM modules can only output at 3.3v, but can apply PWM with varying duty cycles (0-100%) to change the intensity of the output.
    • PWM modules consume less power than Analog modules.
  • Analog Modules - Module 23.A on the right
    • Analog modules output voltage through a combination ADC/DAC.
    • Analog modules can output a range of voltage from 0-3.3v, and can output more power than PWM modules.
    • Analog modules consume more power than PWM modules.

Fiber Circuits

Each pin on the module has the following circuit layout:

Fiber circuit

By soldering the ground jumper on a pin, that pin now routes to ground. If you want to use the pin, you solder the jumper on the “R” side and put on a resistor for that circuit.

You can use any component that can work with this kind of voltage divider circuit. Currently tested components include:

  • LEDs
  • Resistive heaters
  • NTCs (for temperature measuring)

On the modules above, the circuits are configured as follows:

Module 4.P (left module)

Pin Fiber Component Ground Jumper Resistor Jumper Resistor
1 Blue LED   Soldered 0 Ohms
2 Ground Soldered    
3 Green LED   Soldered 0 Ohms
4 10k Ohm NTC   Soldered 10k Ohms

Module 23.A (right module)

Pin Fiber Component Ground Jumper Resistor Jumper Resistor
1 Ground Soldered    
2 Heater/Red LED   Soldered 0 Ohms
3 10k Ohm NTC   Soldered 10k Ohms
4 10k Ohm NTC   Soldered 10k Ohms