# Core 3: Instrumentation and Software Resource Core

> **NIH NIH U19** · CALIFORNIA INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY · 2020 · $210,104

## Abstract

Core 3: Instrumentation & Software Resource Core
Abstract
The goal of the Instrumentation and Software Resource Core (ISRC) is to support our team research efforts by
developing and maintaining custom experimental instruments and analysis software. Dr. Michael Dickinson
will serve as lead PI for the Core, and we will recruit a staff member with training in computer engineering and
instrumentation to run the Core. The ISRC will design, fabricate, and support new instruments, including the
development of analysis software. Caltech will provide support for the ISRC effort by providing facilities
available through their existing Center for Neurotechnology. Although the primary goal the ISRC is to support
the research within our team project, our design strategy will ensure that all the tools we develop will be
disseminate freely through the research community. The ISRC will work in concert with the Data Sciences
Resource Core (DSRT) to ensure that all data formats from new instruments satisfy the requirements for ease
of storage and dissemination. Through principled design we will ensure that all new instrumentation employs
state-of-the art standards for compression, short and long-term storage capabilities, and format longevity. By
developing all instruments using industry-standard CAD software formats and the use of modern fabrication
practices, we will make all of our instruments and associated software available to the general neuroscience
community. For the most challenging tasks, such as the development of virtual reality systems or real-time
machine vision behavioral tracking, we will utilize a powerful set of software tools called ROS (Robot Operating
System, www.ros.org), which is a framework for software development specialized for robotic applications.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 9971617
- **Project number:** 5U19NS104655-04
- **Recipient organization:** CALIFORNIA INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY
- **Principal Investigator:** Michael H Dickinson
- **Activity code:** U19 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2020
- **Award amount:** $210,104
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** — → —

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/9971617

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 9971617, Core 3: Instrumentation and Software Resource Core (5U19NS104655-04). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-23 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/9971617. Licensed CC0.

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