(USB-) ME-Systems 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 Operator's Obligations 5 1.2 Guarantee and Liability 5 1.3 Important Safety Advice 6 2.1 Basic Components of ME-Systems 9 2.2 System Configurations and Optional Components 10 2.2.1 Single Components for Standard Systems 11 2.2.2 ME Data Acquisition 11 2.2.3 Miniature Preamplifiers (MPA) 13 2.2.4 Filter Amplifiers with Fixed Gain (FA) 13 2.2.5 Programmable Gain Amplifiers 13 2.3 Accessories 14 2.4 Add-ons for Stimulation 14 2.
Important Information and Instructions 1 Important Information and Instructions 1.
ME-System Manual 1.3 Important Safety Advice Warning: ME-/MEA-Systems include several instruments as individual components. Each instrument is shipped with a separate manual. The information in the individual manuals fully apply to the complete system. This manual is only to be understood as an additional information. Read all manuals thoroughly before setting up the system. Warning: Obey always the rules of local regulations and laws. Only qualified personnel should be allowed to perform laboratory work.
Important Information and Instructions Electromagnetic compatibility of the MC_Card The MC_Card data acquisition board is only intended for research work in laboratories. It belongs to product class 0 conforming to the European Product Regulations and the CE (Conformité Européenne) marking. The MC_Card complies with all applicable directives specified in the Council Directive for Electromagnetic Compatibility (89/336/EU).
Welcome to (USB-) ME-Systems 2 Welcome to (USB-) ME-Systems 2.1 Basic Components of (USB-) ME-Systems Multi Channel Systems provides complete solutions for stimulation, recording, and data acquisition from up to 256 channels, data analysis and export. The ME (multielectrode) product line is intended for extracellular electrophysiological recordings in vivo, and special in vitro applications.
ME-System Manual (USB-) ME-Systems can be combined with a wide range of MCS products: Amplifiers, stimulators, and various accessories. In addition to the standard ME product line, the USB-ME-FAI-Systems are available as very compact, portable stand-alone solutions for extracellular recordings from 16 and 32 channels. The systems feature an integrated 16- / 32-channel filter amplifier and data acquisition.
Welcome to (USB-) ME-Systems 2.2.1 Single Components for Standard Systems The following components are part of ME standard systems. Please make sure that you have carefully studied the documentation on the single components before setting up your system. All manuals can be found on the installation volume shipped with the system. Updated versions can also be downloaded from the MCS web site. Web link to the manual download page on www.multichannelsystems.
ME-System Manual 2.2.3 USB-ME Data Acquisition The basic USB based data acquisition system includes an USB-ME data acquisition device and a software package. Analog input signals are acquired from the data source and digitized by the USB-ME device. The digitized data are transmitted to any data acquisition computer via USB High Speed 2.0.
Welcome to (USB-) ME-Systems 2.2.5 Miniature Preamplifiers (MPA) The miniature head stage preamplifiers MPA can be connected directly to the microelectrodes in the test model to provide the first amplification stage of 10. Adaptors for standard multielectrodes such as NeuroNexus probes are available. The signal channels can be collected and sent to a signal collector, which connects to the amplifier. The miniature preamplifiers small size allows easy placement.
ME-System Manual 2.3 Accessories MCS provides a wide range of accessories that will make your (USB-) ME-System setup even more efficient and convenient to use. All accessories are perfect for use with MCS products, but are easily adaptable to custom systems as well. Some accessories are included in complete systems, other have to be ordered separately.
Welcome to (USB-) ME-Systems 2.4 Setting up the (USB-) ME-System Warning: Please read the separate manuals of all devices before installation, especially the warnings and safety information. Make sure all devices are switched off before you connect them to the power supply. Damage to the devices and even fatal injuries may result from improper installation or use. See also the documentation (USB-) ME-System Setups detailed diagrams and various setup suggestions.
ME-System Manual 2.5 Supply Power and Recommended Setups In the standard ME-FAI-Systems, the isolated power supply IPS10W that is preinstalled on the data acquisition computer delivers the power for the amplifiers (MPA and FA), distributed via 68-pin MCS high grade cable. One of the limiting factors when using the IPS10W is the voltage drop of the 3 m MCS high grade cable. The characteristic resistance of the cable is 0.3 Ohms per meter.
Welcome to (USB-) ME-Systems 2.6 Signal Amplification and Filters FA and PGA amplifiers combine a band pass filter and the signal amplification in one instrument. Different filter settings are used to enhance the signal-to-noise ratio. The pass band of the filter amplifier depends on the signal type. It is generally useful to filter the data with a cutoff at the highest signal frequency. For slow signals like field potentials, a bandwidth of 1 to 300 Hz is appropriate.
ME-System Manual 2.7 Data Acquisition Recording from up to 256 channels is easy with the MC_Card hardware or with USB based data acquisition device and the MC_Rack software. 2.7.1 MC_Card Hardware Important: You need to have installed the latest MC_Card driver to operate the MC_Card, which is usually preinstalled on the data acquisition computer. The installation may be invalid if the MC_Card does not respond.
Welcome to (USB-) ME-Systems 2.7.4 Sampling Rate It is recommended to adjust the sampling rate according to your signals, because the higher the sampling rate, the bigger the file size will be. As a rule of thumb, the sampling rate should equal five times the highest signal frequency for a good digitized representation of the continuous analog signals. If the sampling rate is too low, you will miss signals and / or see artifacts.
ME-System Manual 2.7.5 Software Package With the high-performance data acquisition and analysis program MC_Rack, you can flexibly manage all data streams. For example, you can display the raw data of all channels while recording only the raw data of the channels of interest and the extracted parameters of all channels. This saves computer performance and hard disk space. MC_Rack is not limited to special applications, but can be flexibly adapted to a wide range of applications.
Welcome to (USB-) ME-Systems 2.8 Digital Input / Output, System Synchronization TTL stands for Transistor-Transistor Logic. A TTL pulse is defined as a digital signal for communication between two devices. A voltage between 0 V and 0.8 V is considered as a logical state of 0 (LOW), and a voltage between 2 V and 5 V means 1 (HIGH). Warning: A voltage that is higher than +5 Volts or lower than 0 Volts, that is, a negative voltage, applied to the digital input would destroy the MC_Card.
ME-System Manual 2.8.3 Triggering other Instruments by the Digital OUT The digital output of the MC_Card and the USB based data acquisition sends 20 ms TTL pulses (0 V = LOW and 5 V = HIGH). This feature can be used to apply a feedback triggered by a signal or a parameter stream. For example, you can connect the Trigger In of a STG (stimulus generator) to the digital output via Digital IN / OUT Extension (MC_Card) or Digital IN / OUT connector (USB based data acquisition).
Troubleshooting 3 Troubleshooting 3.1 About Troubleshooting The following hints are provided to solve special problems that have been reported by users. Most problems occur seldom and only under specific circumstances. Please check the mentioned possible causes carefully when you have any trouble with the product. 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.
Contact Information 4 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 an excellent opportunity for you to exchange your experience or thoughts with other users worldwide. http://multichannelsystems.forumieren.de/index.
Ordering Information 5 Ordering Information Please contact your local retailer for pricing and ordering information. 5.
ME-System Manual 5.
Ordering Information 5.
ME-System Manual 5.4 5.4 Signal dividers with 16, 32, or 64 channels SD16, SD32, SD64 Placed between amplifier and MC_Card, permits to select any channel, does not interfere with the data acquisition Signal grounding unit GND64 For silencing defective electrodes. Single channels can be switched off with small toggle switches. Inputs not in use are grounded. Isolated power supply with 10 W power and ± 6.
Ordering Information 5.5 Multielectrode Arrays A broad range of multielectrode probes are available from several providers. The following are compatible with the miniature preamplifiers from Multi Channel Systems. If you are interested in a particular probe that is not mentioned here, please ask Multi Channel Systems or your local retailer for compatibility.
