STG3008-FA Manual
Information in this document is subject to change without notice. No part of this document may be reproduced or transmitted without the express written permission of Multi Channel Systems MCS GmbH. While every precaution has been taken in the preparation of this document, the publisher and the author assume no responsibility for errors or omissions, or for damages resulting from the use of information contained in this document or from the use of programs and source code that may accompany it.
Table of Contents 1 1.1 Introduction About this Manual 1 1 2 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 2.5 Important Information and Instructions Terms of Use for MC_Stimulus II Limitation of Liability Operator's Obligations Guarantee and Liability Important Safety Advice 3 3 3 3 3 4 3 3.1 3.2 3.3 3.4 First Use of the Stimulus Generator Welcome to the STG3008-FA and MC_Stimulus II Setting Up and Connecting the STG Driver Installation Installing the Software 5 5 7 9 9 4 4.1 4.2 4.
STG3008-FA Manual iv 9 9.1 9.2 9.3 9.4 9.5 9.6 General Software Features Customizing the Main Window Menu Bar Toolbar Shortcut Keys File Menu Settings Menu 49 49 49 50 50 51 52 10 10.1 10.2 10.3 10.4 Synchronizing Events Digital Output Signals (Sync Out) Triggering Stimulation (Trigger In) Trigger Settings Batch Mode 53 53 53 55 57 11 11.1 11.2 11.3 11.4 11.5 11.
1 Introduction 1.1 About this Manual This manual comprises all important information about the installation and operation of the stimulus generator STG3000 series and MC_Stimulus II software. It is assumed that you have already a basic understanding of technical and software terms. No special skills are required to read this manual. This documentation refers only to the STG hardware and MC_Stimulus II software.
2 Important Information and Instructions 2.1 Terms of Use for MC_Stimulus II You are free to use MC_Stimulus II for its intended purpose. You agree that you will not decompile, reverse engineer, or otherwise attempt to discover the source code of the software. 2.2 Limitation of Liability Multi Channel Systems MCS GmbH makes no guarantee as to the accuracy of any and all tests and data generated by the use the MC_Stimulus II software.
STG3008-FA Manual Unauthorized modifications to the system settings. Inadequate monitoring of device components subject to wear. Improperly executed and unauthorized repairs. Unauthorized opening of the device or its components. Catastrophic events due to the effect of foreign bodies or acts of God. 2.5 Important Safety Advice Warning: Make sure to read the following advice prior to install or to use the device and the software.
3 First Use of the Stimulus Generator 3.1 Welcome to the STG3008-FA and MC_Stimulus II Product Line Overview Stimulus generator of the 3000 series are general purpose stimulators designed for a wide variety of applications, both in vitro and in vivo. The STG3008-FA is a special version for use with cardiovascular catheter microelectrodes for animals. The STG is additionally equipped with a filter amplifier FA and has the advantage that the device can be used for both, for stimulation and for recording.
STG3008-FA Manual In the Streaming mode, you can control the STG either by the Stimulus Streamer or by a custom program. If you use the Stimulus Streamer, you can load stimulus protocols in Mono-MP3 or binary file format of unlimited size that were generated by a custom application and are then sent continuously from the computer to the STG in small data packets.
First Use of the Stimulus Generator 3.2 Setting Up and Connecting the STG Note: You can use an USB hub for connecting the STG to the computer, for example, if you have no free USB port or if you need to extend the USB cable.
STG3008-FA Manual Illustration of the STG3008-FA front and rear panel with connectors STG3008-FA Front Panel STG3008-FA Rear Panel STG3008-FA Front Panel STG3008-FA Rear Panel 8
First Use of the Stimulus Generator 3.3 Driver Installation The stimulus generator is a plug and play device. The driver is automatically installed together with the MC_Stimulus II program. The Windows operating system detects a new hardware when the stimulus generator is connected to the computer, if the program has not been installed beforehand. Simply cancel the driver installation and proceed with the installation of the MC_Stimulus II program.
4 Operating the STG 4.1 Operation Overview Warning: Make sure that you do not come in contact with the cables or the connectors of the STG after you have started the STG. The high voltage and power can lead to injuries. Warning: Do not start the STG if you are unsure about the channel configuration or the nature of the downloaded file. 1. Set up your experiment. 2. Switch the STG3008-FA on. 3. Set up your stimuli with the MC_Stimulus II program. 4.
STG3008-FA Manual event (indicated by the lighting SWEEP LED). Pressing the button starts stimulation only if no channel is active (dark SWEEP LED) You can start the stimulation on a trigger from an external device, for example, a switch. You can use the trigger input to trigger the analog output channels that you have assigned to it. The trigger works in a similar way as when you press the Start / Stop button.
Operating the STG STG and Stimulus Protocol Information: 4.2 Operating the Amplifier Switching between Stimulation and Recording Mode The STG3008-FA is a stimulus generator of STG3000 series combined with a filter amplifier with four selectable gain factors: 100, 200, 500, or 1000. Please click "Edit" menu and select "Filter Amplifier Control". The “Filter Amplifier Control” settings are saved in the current MC_Stimulus II protocol. After download, the STG3008-FA is set accordingly.
STG3008-FA Manual The "Filter Amplifier Control" dialog. Selecting the "Filter Amplifier Gain" You can choose among four gain settings from factor 100 to 1000. In the "Filter Amplifier Gain" window, please click one of the radio buttons to select the gain factor. Selecting the "Measure / Stimulate" mode In the "Measure / Stimulate" window you can toggle between stimulation and recording mode for each of the eight channels separately. Please click the respective radio buttons for the channels in use.
Operating the STG 4.3 Operating Multiple STGs If you have more than one STG connected to the same computer, please click "Select Device" under "STG" in main menu. In the "Select Device" dialog you can choose via serial number which STG you like to control from the currently active MC_Stimulus II program. The serial number is printed on the STG's case. The serial number of the currently active STG is displayed on the status bar of the currently active instance of the MC_Stimulus II program.
5 Programming Stimulus Protocols 5.1 MC_Stimulus II Worksheet You can freely combine any pulse types. Use a separate row for each pulse type. Hint: Several tools are provided for editing whole columns at once or autocreating entries. 1. Select the desired output type first. Click either Voltage or Current under Output Mode on the file window of MC_Stimulus. 2. Click a tab to select an output channel. The according channel worksheet is brought to front. 3.
STG3008-FA Manual 5.2 Pulse Types Three basic pulse types are available in MC_Stimulus II. You can create virtually any pulse by combining different types. Rectangular Ramp Sine wave Note: The time resolution is 20 μs. When you enter time steps that are not a multiple of 20 μs, the length of the step is internally adjusted (rounded arithmetically, that is, 249 μs would be rounded down to 240 μs, 250 would be rounded up to 260 μs) to a valid value.
Programming Stimulus Protocols Enter each voltage / current level and the duration of the pulse. The voltage / current jumps directly to the specified level. In one row, you can enter up to three voltage / current levels. Use the next row for programming more levels. Ramp pulse type Define the starting point, end point, and the length of the ramp. The ramp is then build according to these parameters in small single steps of 20 μs.
STG3008-FA Manual 5.3 Autorepeating Pulses and Protocols For entering complex stimuli easier and faster, you can repeat rows and groups instead of entering the pulses several times into the worksheet. You can repeat each single row. In the preceding example, the rectangular pulse in row 1 is repeated twice. You can also group several rows and repeat them altogether. In the example, pulses from rows 1 to 4 are grouped and repeated three times.
Programming Stimulus Protocols 4. Type the number of repeats into the merged Group Repeat cell. Repeating complete pulse protocols (autorepeat function), Continuous Mode You can repeat the complete stimulus on all output channels that are triggered by the same trigger. This means, each time when a trigger event occurs, the complete stimuli on all corresponding output channels are repeated for the specified number of times. If the stimuli have different lengths, the starting points are synchronized.
STG3008-FA Manual In the following example, the stimuli on output channels 1, 2, 4, 5 and channel 7 and 8, that are all triggered by Trigger 1, are repeated five times after the trigger event, each time accompanied by the Sync Out 1 output. Repeating complete pulse protocols, Gating Trigger Repeated stimulation of complete protocols can also be controlled by a gating trigger.
Programming Stimulus Protocols 5.4 Autocreating Entries and Editing Columns Changing time units for a complete column 1. Click any Unit column header to select a column. The selected column is highlighted in black. 2. Right-click and click Change Time Unit. 3. Select the desired time unit. All units in the column are set to the selected time unit. Inverting pulses in a column 1. Click any Value column header to select a column. The selected column is highlighted in black.
STG3008-FA Manual 2. Right-click and click Invert Selection. The polarity of the signals is switched from positive to negative and vice versa. Incrementing columns This feature is very convenient for setting up long and complex stimuli without entering each value manually. You can enter and edit multiple voltage values or time lengths. You can keep all zero values unchanged with the option Keep Zero. Apart from an absolute shift or increment factor, you can modify values by the percentage as well.
Programming Stimulus Protocols 2. Right-click and click Increment Selection. 3. Under Type of Increment, select Shift. 4. Enter the desired value. All values in the selected column are modified by the selected factor. In the example, 100 is added to all values, resulting in a total of 100 because the initial value has been 0.
STG3008-FA Manual Creating time or voltage / current increments With this option, you enter a base value for modification of all values in the selected column. The first row is modified by the base value. The second row is modified by the double value, the third row by thrice the base value, and so on. With this feature, you can easily set up time or voltage increments. 1. Under Type of Increment, select Count. 2. Enter the desired start value.
Programming Stimulus Protocols You can now fill further columns in the same way. Thus, you can easily set up a stimulus with incremented pulse lengths like this with only a few mouse-clicks. In the same way, you can set up a stimulus with voltage / current increments. Shifting absolute time or voltage values With this option, the signs of the selected values are ignored. Zeros are never changed, that is, the option Keep Zero cannot be deselected. 1. Under Type of Increment, select Absolute Value. 2.
STG3008-FA Manual The absolute values of 200 and 200 are both 200. This absolute value of 200 is modified by the shift factor of 50, resulting in 250. The negative value is now 250, and the positive value is 250. (If you had chosen the option Shift instead, the computed result would have been 200 + 50 = 150.) All zero values are not changed. Autocreating entries You can use the Autofill feature to set up advanced time or voltage/current increments.
Programming Stimulus Protocols The column is filled according to the specifications. 5.5 Auto Sync for Autocreating Trigger Pulses If you want to synchronize other devices with the stimulus generator STG3008-FA, you have to set up the digital output of the Sync Out channel in synchrony to the stimulus pulses. This may sometimes be a bit tricky and time consuming, especially for complex stimulus protocols.
STG3008-FA Manual 3. On the Settings menu, click Auto Sync to enable the Auto Sync feature. The Sync Out protocols will be autocreated in synchrony with the pulse protocols on the assigned channels, will show up in the WYSIWYG window immediately, and will be downloaded onto the STG with your next download. (Please make sure that the display and download options are appropriate, that is, all necessary Sync Out channels are selected.
Programming Stimulus Protocols 6. You can click the Reset All button to set the level on all channels back to 100 percent. Stimulus Intensity dialog box of the STG3008-FA Channel 1 is set to 100 %, that is, the stimulus protocol will be downloaded onto the stimulus generator as it was programmed in the worksheet.
6 ASCII Import/Export 6.1 Loading Files The ASCII import filter is used to load stimulus protocols from an ASCII file into the stimulus worksheet of MC_Stimulus II. You can use this feature for feeding recorded signals (for example, exported from MC_Rack, see the MC_Rack manual) into the stimulus generator. You can also export the data from MC_Stimulus, modify it with your custom text or spreadsheet editor, and reimport it into MC_Stimulus II. The current version of the import filter is version 3.1.
STG3008-FA Manual 6.2 Exporting Files 1. On the File menu, click Export ASCII File. The Save As dialog box appears. 2. Browse to the target folder and enter a file name. 3. Click Save to generate the ASCII file. All pulse protocols from the active file will be saved in ASCII file format. The MC_Stimulus II ASCII format type is format type 4. For your convenience, the generated ASCII file includes the header that is required for reimporting the file into MC_Stimulus II. 6.
ASCII Import/Export Example: You have to include the following line in the ASCII file if you have installed MC_Stimulus II for STG3008-FA channels: 4 Output mode is either voltage or current. Example: output mode: voltage Six different format types are available: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6. Example: format: 3 Data Preceding the data, the output channel number has to be specified by the following line.
STG3008-FA Manual Format type 3 This format type is available only in the current version of the import filter. It allows you to use a third column of Value and Time. value time value time value time repeat Example: The following picture shows an ASCII stimulus file opened in a standard spreadsheet program. The same file would look like this in a standard text editor program. You can see the tabs, spaces, and CR/LF.
ASCII Import/Export After loading the file into the MC_Stimulus II worksheet, you can edit and download the file as usual. Format type 4 This format type is available only in the current version of the import filter. It is the plainest format with only one column for the voltage / current values and one column for the time lengths. This format is the standard format if you want to import data for example from Excel. This format type is generated when exporting MC_Stimulus II files as ASCII.
STG3008-FA Manual Example: This is an ASCII file viewed in a standard text editor program. You can see the tabs, spaces, and CR /LF. For demonstration purposes, a ramp type pulse was programmed on the first channel, a sine wave on the second channel, a rectangular waveform on the third channel, and mixed pulse types on the fourth channel.
ASCII Import/Export After loading the file into the MC_Stimulus II worksheet, you can edit and download the file as usual. Format type 6 Note: This file format is used by MC_Rack ASCII export! This format type is available only in the current version of the import filter. This is a basic format with two columns: The absolute time in seconds, and the absolute value of voltage in microvolts (μV) or current in microamper (μA). This file format is used by MC_Rack ASCII export.
STG3008-FA Manual The following picture shows a file of format type 6 with header. Using the format type 6 without header, only the first channel of the MC_Rack raw data file can be imported. Using the format type 6 with header you choose how many channels are imported in "channels", line 3. The output mode in line 4 has to be voltage. You choose which channel should be imported first in "channels" line 6. You can add the channels you also want to import one after the other in any order.
ASCII Import/Export The dialog "ASCII Import Settings" will open. Settings for ASCII import files without header: Select the format type from one to six from the drop down menu "Format". Select the number of the row from which the file should be imported. Row numbers are available from one to ten from the drop down menu "From row". Select the "Output Mode" in the check boxes: Voltage or Current.
7 Stimulus Display 7.1 Selecting Channels To enlarge the display size of the channels, we suggest that you show only those channels you are currently working with. Note: This will affect only the display. It has no effect on the download of signals. To select or deselect channels for downloading, click the Download Channel check boxes in the main window of the program. Clear the check box of all channels that are not in use. All channels that are not selected are removed from the display. 7.
STG3008-FA Manual 7.3 Display Tools Several tools are provided to optimize the graphical presentation of the stimuli. If you later choose to display channels, the axes of the new displays are set to the default values. The time axis can display only positive values. The y-axis of the Sync Out channels cannot be adjusted, because only values of 0 and 1 are available for these channels. Enable scrolling Scroll the axes by clicking and dragging with your mouse.
Stimulus Display Zooming the display 1. Click to enable the scaling. 2. 2. Click the axis you like to scale. The mouse pointer becomes an arrow. 3. While holding down the mouse button, move the mouse up/right to zoom the axis in, and move the mouse down/left to zoom the axis out. - OR You can use the keyboard: Press LEFT ARROW or DOWN ARROW to zoom the axis out, RIGHT ARROW or UP ARROW to zoom the axis in.
8 Downloading Stimuli 8.1 Downloading Stimulus Files After having set up the stimulus file, you can download the file to the connected STG. You can select the channels that you want to download or download the complete file. You can start the stimulation directly after the download, or start it manually with the software or hardware controls, or start it on a trigger. See also chapter "Operating the STG" for more information. Warning: Check the file thoroughly before downloading it on the STG.
9 General Software Features 9.1 Customizing the Main Window You can customize the size and position of open file windows and the toolbar in MC_Stimulus II. You can hide the toolbar and the status bar by deselecting them on the View menu. You can arrange the windows with the commands on the Window menu. Cascade: Use this command to arrange multiple opened windows in an overlapped fashion. The windows are resized to the standard size.
STG3008-FA Manual 9.3 Toolbar For your convenience, you will find some of the more commonly used commands as a button on the toolbar. New File Creates a new MC_Stimulus II file (*.stm) file. Open File Opens a previously saved MC_Stimulus II file (*.stm) file. Save File Saves the *.stm file to the chosen destination. Cut Row Deletes selected row(s) and sends deleted row(s) to clipboard. Copy Row Sends selected row(s) to clipboard.
General Software Features Hint: Shortcut key combinations are also listed on the toolbar menus. For example, the File menu shows that the shortcut key for Save is CTRL+S. 9.5 File Menu You can save MC_Stimulus II files for later use. This is very convenient if you have various similar experimental setups, or if you like to repeat an experiment later. Open a file You may open previously saved files for similar experimental setups. 1. On the File menu or on the toolbar, click Open . 2.
STG3008-FA Manual 9.6 Settings Menu Enable Compiler Warnings Cancel this option to disable the message boxes displaying compiler warnings during stimulus download. The two error messages that can be disabled are: "Warning: Signal length shorter than the maximum" and "Warning: Non zero last amplitude value". They may present a nuisance if you download multiple stimulus files in batch mode, or if you want to adjust the stimulus intensity level on the fly.
10 Synchronizing Events 10.1 Digital Output Signals (Sync Out) The output of the digital Sync Out output is a 3.3 V TTL signal. A logic state of 1 means 3.3 V, and a logic state of 0 means 0 V. Please note that the digital output is about 15 μs faster than the analog output. This small offset is generally sufficient to make sure that the Sync Out signal precedes the stimulation, which is important for synchronizing events.
STG3008-FA Manual You can start and stop the trigger manually at any time using the LED Start / Stop buttons. Custom switch for "remote-controlling" of the STG You can connect any device that produces TTL outputs to the Trigger In connector of the STG, for example a switch. For example, you can use a trigger for remote controlling the STG if it is not within reach during an experiment.
Synchronizing Events 10.3 Trigger Settings Triggering output channels (Standard mode) You can use the trigger input for triggering the output channel. The trigger settings are saved in the currently active MC_Stimulus output file (*.stm). All eight analog output channels are assigned to “Trigger 1” by default in the “Trigger Settings” dialog box in the “Edit” menu. The “Multi-File” and the “Extended Multi-File” mode are not available in STG3008-FA.
STG3008-FA Manual Use Trigger as Gate Channels associated with a Trigger input will be active as long as the condition of that trigger is 1 (HIGH) and switched off as soon as the condition becomes 0 (LOW). If the stimulation protocol is shorter than the gate, it will stop at the predefined time, regardless of the gating trigger. If the stimulation protocol is longer than the gating trigger, stimulation will stop when the gating trigger ends.
Synchronizing Events 10.4 Batch Mode You can download and run several stimulus files one after the other in the Batch mode. The first file in the list is downloaded and started directly after the download, or started manually with the software or hardware controls, or started on a trigger. After the first file has been run, the next file in the list is downloaded, and so on, until the last file in the batch list has been run.
STG3008-FA Manual Operating the STG in Batch mode Important: You can operate the STG in Batch mode only with a valid computer connection. A file in the batch list is only downloaded after the preceding file has been run. 1. On the Batch menu, click Open to open a batch file. The Open dialog box appears. 2. Browse your folders and select a valid batch file, for example the sample file TetanusBatch.stb in the MC_Stimulus II program folder. 3. The Batch Status Display opens.
11 Analog Output Signals 11.1 Output Modes The stimulus generator operates in voltage and current mode. Choose voltage or current mode in the main window of MC_Stimulus II. Please make sure that you use the appropriate stimulation mode for your experiment. The difference between current and voltage controlled stimulation is described in the following.
STG3008-FA Manual 11.2 Voltage Mode If you want to operate the STG in voltage mode, you have to select "Voltage" in Output Mode of the main window of MC_Stimulus II. You will usually use the + and GND outputs. The output signal is identical with the programmed signal in the normal ranges of the electronics' accuracy. The output signals are inverted (multiplied by -1) if you use the - outputs.
Analog Output Signals Voltage output 1 V and Sync Out.
STG3008-FA Manual 11.3 Current Mode If you want to operate the STG in current mode, you have to select "Current" in Output Mode of the main window of MC_Stimulus II. The output signals are inverted (multiplied by -1) if you use the - outputs. If the load resistance, that is, the electrode impedance is very high, the output voltage can get very high, too. The stimulus generator limits the output voltage to 75 V between + or - and GND. The guaranteed compliance voltage is +/- 60 V.
Analog Output Signals 11.4 Rise Time The rise time of the voltage output is constant and independent from the stimulus protocol. The rise time of the current output is no fixed hardware property. The kinetics depend on the amplitude of the current pulse and the load resistance, that is, generally the electrode impedance. The resistance affects the kinetics much stronger than the amplitude. Generally, this does not make much difference for biological applications.
STG3008-FA Manual Resistance dependency of rise time The higher the load resistance, the higher will be the rise time. The rise time (10 % / 90 %) was measured with increasing load resistances and a constant current amplitude of 50 μA. For 50 μA pulses, the relationship is linear up to the maximum load resistance (please see "Current Mode") as shown by the following curve.
Analog Output Signals Example 1a: Voltage Mode: The green trace shows the voltage (+U) output; and the pink trace shows the TTL output from the Sync Out that was used for triggering the oscilloscope Rise time with programmed 500 mV and 50 μA pulses, 10 k load resistance.
STG3008-FA Manual Rise time with programmed 500 mV and 50 μA pulses, 10 k load resistance. Rise time (10 % / 90 %) = 3 μs Result of Example 1: The rise time is about 3 μs for the 500 mV voltage pulse, and about 3 μs for the 50 μA current pulse.
Analog Output Signals Example 2a: Voltage Mode: The green trace shows the voltage (+U) output; and the pink trace shows the TTL output from the Sync Out that was used for triggering the oscilloscope Rise time with programmed 5 V and 500 μA pulses, 10 k load resistance.
STG3008-FA Manual Example 2b: Current Mode: The green trace shows the current output (+I) with a load resistance of 10 k; and the pink trace shows the TTL output from the Sync Out that was used for triggering the oscilloscope Rise time with programmed 5 V and 500 μA pulses, 10 k load resistance. Rise time (10 % / 90 %) = 3 μs Result of Example 2: The kinetics and the rise time of the 5 V voltage pulse are comparable to the 500 mV pulse.
Analog Output Signals Example 3a: Current Mode: The red trace shows the current output (+I) with a load resistance of 100 k; and the pink trace shows the TTL output from the Sync Out that was used for triggering the oscilloscope Rise time with programmed 5 V and 500 μA pulses, 100 k load resistance.
STG3008-FA Manual Example 3b: Current Mode: The green trace shows the current output (+I) with a load resistance of 1 M and the pink trace shows the TTL output from the Sync Out that was used for triggering the oscilloscope Rise time with programmed 5 V and 500 μA pulses, 1 M load resistance. Rise time (10 % / 90 %) = 120 μs Result of Example 3: With a higher load resistance, the current pulse shows a different kinetic behavior: The rise time increases significantly (about 100 μs).
Analog Output Signals 11.5 Comparison of Output Signals in Current Mode To show the different behavior of the output signals in current mode, there are some examples to get an idea how the stimulus generator will deliver the stimulus pulses.
STG3008-FA Manual Example 1b: Current pulse with programmed 1600 μA for 20 μs and 20 μs interval and 10 k load resistance. The pulse is biphasic, and 1600 μA which is the limit of the maximum capacity of the STG3000 series. Green trace = current output (+I), pink trace = TTL trigger output from the Sync Out.
Analog Output Signals Example 2: Influence of the length of a current pulse 100 μs versus 20 μs with an amplitude of 16 μA which is a hundredth of the limit of the maximum capacity of the STG3000 series (constant amplitude and load resistance). Example 2a: Current pulse with programmed 16 μA for 100 μs and 20 μs interval and 10 k load resistance. The pulse is biphasic,16 μA Green trace = current output (+I), pink trace = TTL trigger output from the Sync Out.
STG3008-FA Manual Example 2b: Current pulse with programmed 16 μA for 20 μs and 20 μs interval and 10 k load resistance. The pulse is biphasic,16 μA. Green trace = current output (+I), pink trace = TTL trigger output from the Sync Out.
Analog Output Signals Example 3: Influence of the length of a current pulse and a high load resistance. Current pulse with programmed 16 μA for 100 μs and 20 μs interval and 1 M load resistance. The load resistance is very high. Please keep in mind that the load resistance of 1 Mis parallel toM of the probe of the oscilloscope. That means, the load resistance is reduced to 900 konly The pulse is biphasic, and 16 μA which is a hundredth of the limit of the maximum capacity of the STG3000 series.
STG3008-FA Manual Example 4: Influence of the length of a current pulse and a high load resistance. Current pulse with programmed 50 μA for 1 ms and 1 ms interval and 1 M load resistance. The load resistance is very high, the duration of the pulse and the interval are long. Please keep in mind that the load resistance of 1 Mis parallel toMof the probe of the oscilloscope. That means, the load resistance is reduced to 900 konly The long pulse is biphasic, 50 μA.
Analog Output Signals 11.6 Capacitive Behavior of Stimulation Electrodes Regarding the generally used stimulus pulses, stimulating electrodes behave as plate capacitors. They need some time to discharge themselves after stimulation. As a result, artifacts interfere with the recording, and electrodes deteriorate over time due to electrolysis.
12 Troubleshooting 12.1 About Troubleshooting Most problems occur seldom and only under specific circumstances. In most cases, it is only a minor problem that can be easily avoided or solved. If the problem persists, please contact your local retailer. The highly qualified staff will be glad to help you. Please inform your local retailer as well, if other problems that are not mentioned in this documentation occur, even if you have solved the problem on your own.
STG3008-FA Manual 12.3 Error Messages This chapter explains error messages to you that may occur during normal operation. They do not present a reason to worry and can be easily avoided. Download These error messages may occur during download on the STG. Please note that you can switch off some of these messages if they disturb your experiment. See chapter "Downloading Stimuli" for more details on downloading. The worksheet is empty. No data is present that can be downloaded.
Appendix ASCII Import These error messages relate to a wrong file format. Please see chapter "Supported File Format" for more information. The named line contains an unexpected character. The channel number specification has to precede the data. The channel number either lacks or the specified number does not exist (for example, number 13). Each data column must have a header (value, time, or repeat).
STG3008-FA Manual 12.4 Signal terminated when using Trigger In If you use the Trigger In to start the STG and the stimulation protocol is terminated right after start, check the Trigger Settings. If the Use Trigger as Gate function is selected, a protocol will only be active as long as the Trigger is HIGH. If the Single Trigger function is selected, the STG is armed and waits for an external trigger to execute the stimulus protocol one time only. Switch to Stop, Restart or Ignore. 12.
Appendix Output Signal Does not Match Programmed Signal The amplitude or the duration of the output pulses differs from the programmed signal. Possible causes: ? The stimulus protocol works near the resolution limits of the STG, that is, the pulses are very short or the amplitudes very low (smaller than 50 mV or 10 μA). Check the output signals with an oscilloscope and modify the pulse protocol so that the amplitude and timing of the pulses will match your requirements.
STG3008-FA Manual 13 Appendix 13.1 Technical Specifications STG3008-FA European Standard: EN 55011, EN 61000-6-1 General characteristics Operating temperature Storage temperature 10 °C to 50 °C 0 °C to 70 °C Dimensions (W x D x H) 220 mm x 170 mm x 60 mm Weight 1050 g Fuse internal, 3.15 A slow blow Supply voltage (external power supply) 100 to 240 VAC @ 47 to 63 Hz Stimulus Generator Number of stimulus generators 8 Output voltage range -8 V to + 8 V @ max.
Appendix Timing on external trigger Minimum time length of trigger input (TTL) 40 ± 10 μs Time lag between trigger input and Sync Out 30 ± 10 μs Maximum trigger input frequency 10 kHz Interface and connectors Sync Out for synchronization with following devices 1 Lemo connector Trigger In for synchronization with preceding devices 1 Lemo connector Analog Out for analog channels 8 Lemo connectors Interface (connection to computer) USB 2.
STG3008-FA Manual 13.2 Pin Layout Pin layout of the STG3008-FA Amplifier Stimulus Out and Electrode IN Pin 1 to 8 Electrode IN 1 to 8 and Stimulus OUT 1 to 8 (+U / +I) Pin 9 to 13 Not connected Pin 14 Ground (GND) The STG3008-FA can software controlled toggle between recording and stimulation mode on pins 1 to 8.
Appendix 13.3 Contact Information Local retailer Please see the list of official MCS distributors on the MCS web site. User forum The Multi Channel Systems User Forum provides the opportunity for you to exchange your experience or thoughts with other users worldwide. Mailing list If you have subscribed to the mailing list you will be automatically informed about new software releases, upcoming events, and other news on the product line. You can subscribe to the list on the contact form of the MCS web site.
14 Index 89
STG3008-FA Manual 90
Cascade A About dialog 49 Adjusting Stimulus Intensity Level ....................30 Amplifier blanking.............................................53 connecting...................................60, 62 Amplitude adjusting stimulus intensity level.....30 effects on rise time ...........................63 of sine wave ......................................18 Analog current output...................................62 input ....................................................7 voltage output ................
STG3008-FA Manual installation...........................................9 Duration pulse...................................................18 E Edit Auto Sync Settings ............................29 menu..................................................49 Trigger Settings.................................55 Electrode capacitive behavior ...........................77 End point of ramp ....................................18 run......................................................
Index measuring STG signals ......................60 Restart channels on a trigger ....................... 55 Output analog output signals .......................59 autocreating Sync Out pulses...........29 doubling amplitude ..........................60 mode..................................................17 signal inversion ...........................60, 62 Sync Out settings...............................55 Row Repeat P Run STG.....................................................
STG3008-FA Manual starting ........................................11, 53 LED Start/Stop Button ...................... 11 manual .............................................. 11 output ............................................... 53 repeating pulses ............................... 20 separate............................................. 11 settings .............................................. 55 single trigger..................................... 55 STG...............................................
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