diff --git a/code/main.py b/code/main.py
index ba4b5a79c99d5637e4bb1f37a15c961a6f69e4e3..467ca52e0f4a212143918851f0d9f8668a7fc429 100644
--- a/code/main.py
+++ b/code/main.py
@@ -6,6 +6,9 @@ spike_duration = 3.5 # spike duration, ms
 pulse_duration = 500 # dwell (including spike time), ms
 total_cycle = 3000  # period of the cycle, ms
 
+sd_math = int(spike_duration*1000)
+pd_math = int((pulse_duration-spike_duration)*1000)
+
 # establish pins
 led_pin = Pin(27, Pin.OUT)
 sol_pin = Pin(29, Pin.OUT)
@@ -27,12 +30,12 @@ def pwm_control(timer):
     # on cycle
     pwm_led.duty_u16(65535) # set the duty cycle of the led
     pwm_sol.duty_u16(65535) # set the duty cycle of the solenoid
-    sleep_us(int(spike_duration*1000))
+    sleep_us(sd_math)
     
     # pwm cycle
     pwm_led.duty_u16(hold_duty) # set the duty cycle of the led
     pwm_sol.duty_u16(hold_duty) # set the duty cycle of the solenoid
-    sleep_us(int((pulse_duration-spike_duration)*1000))
+    sleep_us(pd_math)
     
     # off cycle
     pwm_led.duty_u16(0) # set the duty cycle of the led