Multichannel Systems STG1000 Manual - Manual (Page 15)

9
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 STG on.
3. Set up your stimuli with the MC_Stimulus program.
4. Send the stimulus sequence from an MC_Stimulus file to the STG.
5. Start the STG either manually by pressing the Start/Stop button on the front panel, with the
software controls, or with an external trigger.
Creating stimuli
Stimuli are created user-friendly by entering the desired pulses (rectangular, ramp, or sine
waveforms) into an MC_Stimulus worksheet. Waveforms can be combined freely to create virtually
any stimulus pattern. Created stimuli are displayed in a WYSIWYG window.
Starting stimulation
Note: You need a computer connection only when you are using the software controls for starting
and stopping the stimulus generator. When you are using the STG interface or an external control
(trigger), you can disconnect the stimulus generator from the computer and operate it
independently. But you cannot remove the STG from the power connection. The memory is
cleared when the STG has lost power.
After the download of the stimulus file on the STG, you can start the stimulation. There are
several ways to start the STG.
MC_Stimulus
interface: You can start the stimulation directly after the download (with the command
Download and Start (sel.) or Download and Start (all), or also later with
the command Start. You can stop stimulation with the command Stop.
STG
interface: You can start the stimulation by pressing the Start/Stop button on the front
panel of the STG. Press the button again to stop the stimulation.
External
control: You can start the stimulation on a trigger from an external device, for example,
a switch. The trigger works the same way as when you press the Start/Stop
button.The STG is stopped when a trigger event occurs during the time when
any channel is still active.
STG status control
Two status control LEDs (light-emitting diode) are present on the front panel of the STG to give
you a quick overview on its status.
POWER Lights yellow during startup. Lights green if STG is on. Lights red if STG is in a bad
state.