## Configure Slots Overview

In brief: Where did you plug in your probes?

    Each probe has a logical address in the system given by its

        (slot, port, dock)

1. Use this dialog to select which addresses to show in the `probe table`.
2. Use the `probe table` to select `which probes` to enable in the run.

This document defines terminology, and then covers details of the `Configure Slots` dialog.

Topics:

- Important Hardware Note
- Background: Slots, Ports, Docks and Probes
  - Slots
    - Slot index ranges
    - Slot index assignment
  - Ports
  - Docks
  - Probe Table
- Configure Slots Dialog
  - Slot Table
    - Actions
  - 1 or 2 Docks
  - Detect Button

## Important Hardware Note

You can power a OneBox on or off at any time, and you can plug it into a USB port at any time.

However, never add/remove physical PXI modules unless the power is OFF.

## Background: Slots, Ports, Docks and Probes

### Slots

Imec currently makes two kinds of devices that can operate probes:

- PXI “modules,” a.k.a. “base stations,” a.k.a. “cards.”
- USB “OneBoxes,” a.k.a. “base stations.”

Both types of devices are also called “slots,” and that is the name you will see most often in the software. For example, error messages will refer to a probe by its (slot, port, dock) address.

You can also add simulated `SIM` slots in case you want to try running without any base stations. SIM slots can only run SIM probes. However, you can assign SIM probes to any address whether in a SIM or physical base station.

#### Slot index ranges

- PXI: [2..18] inclusive.
- OneBox: [20..31] inclusive.
- SIM: [40,41].

#### Slot index assignment

- PXI: Fixed by position in chassis.
- OneBox: Assigned by you in `Configure Slots` dialog.
- SIM: Assigned by you in `Configure Slots` dialog.

### Ports

Each slot has either 2 or 4 USB-C connectors, called “ports,” where you can attach the five-meter cables from your probe headstages:

- PXI: 4 ports each.
- OneBoxes: 2 ports each.
- SIM: 4 ports each.

> All ports can be used for NP 1.0 or NP 2.0 components.

> Each OneBox can also record 12 non-neural analog and digital channels, and these compose an “Obx” data stream. OneBox streams each:

> - Are listed/selected in the `probe table` with port = `XIO`.
> - Are configured on their own `Obx Setup` tab.
> - Get their own file, e.g., run_g0_t0.obx3.obx.bin/meta.

### Docks

A headstage has either 1 or 2 ZIF connectors, called “docks,” where you can plug in a probe’s FLEX cable:

- NP 1.0 headstages: 1 dock each.
- NP 2.0 headstages: 2 docks each.

> Neuropixels 2.0:

> You can use just dock #1, or just dock #2, or both, on a NP 2.0 headstage. Dock #1 is on the side of the HS populated by two large capacitors and the Omnetics connector. Dock #2 is on the backside with the HS label.

### Probe Table

The probe table is on the `Devices tab` of the main `Configure Acquisition` dialog.

Each row is a (slot, port, dock) address where you can plug in a probe, or assign a SIM probe (any previously recorded imec bin/meta file pair).

Plug probes into one or more of these locations and then check the `Enable` box for each probe you want to run.

- If you check a box but there isn’t a probe there, you’ll get an error.
- If you plug in a probe but don’t check the box, it won’t run.

> Quadbase headstages (for NP2020 and NP2021 probes) need to be plugged into two ports at the same time. You can use ports (1,2) or (3,4). Be sure to plug in both connectors and you must check both corresponding enable checkboxes.

## Configure Slots Dialog

You can run any desired combination of PXI, OneBox, and SIM devices, that is, any combination of slots.

Use the `Configure Slots` dialog to decide which slots to show in the probe table and how many docks to show.

### Slot Table

Each row in the table is one slot.

When you open the dialog, it automatically scans the busses for all detectable devices (plugged in and powered on).

- PXI, SIM: The table shows the union of scanned devices and whatever is already defined in the `probe table` (_Configs/improbetable.ini).

- OneBoxes: The table shows the union of scanned devices and any OneBoxes you’ve used before (_Configs/imslottable.ini).

#### Actions

Click on a table row to select it. You can then:

- Edit its slot number (if a OneBox).
- Set how it is shown in the `probe table`.
- Delete it.

### 1 or 2 Docks

If you only use NP 1.0 headstages, which only have one dock, then you can keep your probe table simple by selecting `1 Dock/port`.

If you need to plug any probes into dock #2 on an NP 2.0 headstage, you should select `2 Dock/port` to make those addresses visible in the probe table.

### Detect Button

While the dialog is open you can turn OneBoxes on/off or un/plug them and then click `Detect` to rescan the bus.

fin