Multichannel Systems MEA1060-Inv-BC Manual - Manual (Page 19)

First Tests and Tutorial
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4.3 Computer Connection
Testing the computer connection
The MEA_Select program automatically detects and lists all serial ports of your computer.
1. Start MEA_Select.
Select the serial port to which you have connected the MEA preamplifier (COM1, COM2,
and so on) from the drop down list.
1. Click Test Connection. A valid computer connection should be confirmed by OK. If not,
please check all cables and connections.
Note: You can control multiple MEA amplifiers from the same computer by starting several
instances of the MEA_Select program. Connect the amplifiers to different serial ports and
select the appropriate serial port for each amplifier in the MEA_Select program.
4.4 Stimulation and Recording
In this chapter, we provide a step by step instruction for first tests that we think useful for
learning more about the features and behavior of the amplifier. It is assumed that you will use
MCS components (MEA-System and stimulus generator) for the complete setup. Please make sure
that you have set up the system as described in the chapter "Setting Up and Connecting the MEA
Amplifier" (or likewise, if you use other components). You can use the provided test model
probe for your first experiment.
First, you have to set up your stimulus generator and MC_Rack. Then you can start MEA_Select
to operate the MEA amplifier. Of course, you can also change your MC_Stimulus or MC_Rack
settings during amplifier operation.
Setting up the Stimulus Generator of 4000 series
1. Start the stimulation software MC_Stimulus II.
2. Open the demo stimulus file on the installation volume. You can choose between a monophasic
and biphasic stimulus (biphasic stimuli with the negative phase first are recommended). The
voltage demo stimulus is a biphasic or monophasic pulse with a duration of 100 μs for each phase
and an amplitude of 1 V / +1 V. The pulse is repeated continuously each 24 ms (with the Repeat
feature of MC_Stimulus). The Sync Out trigger pulse for triggering the MEA amplifier and the
MC_Card is 100 μs longer than the stimulus pulse.
3. On the STG menu, click Download (all) to download the file onto the stimulus generator.