Operant Conditioning Chamber
F09-23-RATMAZES
Members
Paul Stofko, EE (PM)
Tyler Ferro, ECE
Adam Watkins, CpE
Dominic DiGregor, CpE
Andy Thouvenot, ME
David Coats, ME
Client
Dr. Eric Jacobs
FTA
Dr. Nazieh Botros
Outline
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Executive Summary (AW)
Detailed Project Description
Overall Subsystem Descriptions (TF)
Subsystem Descriptions
Summary (PS)
Acknowledgements (DC)
Executive Summary
• Main Goals
– Durability
– Modularity
– Automation
• Built for the Department of Psychology
• Can be implemented in 14 weeks
• Recommended solution costs $5991.80
Overall Description
• Operant chamber (Skinner box)
• Token Exchange
Options Studied
• Upgrade current chamber or fresh start
– Chose to start fresh and design entire chamber
• FPGA, Data Acquisition Card or Single Board
Computer
– Chose Single Board Computer
• USB, Ethernet, or Wireless
– Chose USB
Subsystem Functional Descriptions
Subsystems – Physical Components
Operant Chamber
Reinforcement
Sensors
Manipulanda
Waste Tray
Removable
Door
Speakers
Lights
Marble Drop
Removable
Posts
Floor bars
Modular
Blades
Subsystems – Data Flow
Levers
Pebble Food
Dispenser
Milk Scoop
Marble
Receptacle
Syringe
Pump
Control Box
Computer
Pebble Food
Dispenser
Milk Scoop
Micro SD
I/O
connectors
Ethernet/
USB/WiFi
connectors
USB/Ethernet
Syringe
Pump
Levers
Control Box
Speakers
Marble
Receptacle
Subsystems – Physical Location
Micro SD
Lights
Sound proof box
Marble Drop
Operant Chamber
Control Box
Fan
Computer
Fan
Subsystem Description
• Soundproof box
– Prevents majority of
distractions to
experiment
– Mostly made of wood
and soundproofing
– Has multiple features
• Drawer
• Viewing hole
• Vetilation fan
Subsystem Description
– Sound Attenuation
• To be filled later
– Air Flow
• 80.78 CFM
– Drawer max load
• 100lb
Control Box
• Breaker Box
• Plug System
• Control Switch Box
Power Distribution
• 300W Power Supply
• Power Rails
Libraries
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Plug
LED
Lever
Marble Dispenser
Schedule
CSV
Clock
Arduino
•Located in the control box
•Also used OpenLog and Real-TimeClock modules
•Controls modules
•Timestamps events in a .csv (comma
separated value file)
Initial Experiment
Decision Diagram
• Based on Decision Diagram
• 4 main stages
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Token Production
Exchange Production
Token Exchange
Food Production
Start
Token production
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(Random interval)
Lever light on
House light on
% of Time
(Produce marble)
Exchange Production
(Random Ratio)
% of Lever Presses
(Allow to exchange)
Token Exchange
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(Random Ratio)
Marble receptacle light on
House light flashing
% of Tokens
(Give food)
Food Production
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Food light on
House light on
1-% of responses
Time out
Or
All dispensed marbles returned
Time out
Subsystem Description
• Chamber
– Dimensions:
220 x 250 x 250 mm
– Material: Steel and
Stainless Steel
– Modular: 27
interchangeable blade
locations
Subsystem Description
• Marble Dispenser
– Marble Size:
½” Steel Ball Bearing
– Components:
aluminum cylinder
push/pull actuator
PVC Piping System
– Capacity:
200+ marble hopper
Subsystem Description
• Marble Receptacle
– Size: 1 ½” diameter hole
– Sensor: switch sensor
– Materials: PVC
Subsystem Description
• Lever
– ¾” extension
– 10g activation
• LED
– Tricolor LED
• Speaker
– 20Hz-20kHz
Subsystem Description
• House Light
– White LED
– Cluster
• Milk Scoop
– Solenoid
– .1 cc
Module Electronics
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3.3V LED Power
5V Logic Chips Power/Relay Switching
12V Actuator
D[0] D[1] LED Control
D[2] Levers/Sensors
D[3] Actuator Toggle
D[4] Actuator Enable
Indirect Control
• Purpose
• Description
• Examples:
LED
Controller
Decoder
LED
– LED Circuit
– Relay
– Speaker MOSFET
12V
Controller
Relay(s)
Actuator
Summary
• Purpose
• Function
• Results
Acknowledgements
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Dr. Jacobs
Dr. Botros
Course Instructors
Dr. Pourboghrat
Dr. Sczary
Gladys Hounsinou
Tim Attig
Student Center Craft Shop and Wood Shop