Multichannel Systems MEA1060-Up-BC Manual - Manual (Page 17)

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4 First Tests and Tutorial
4.1 First Functional Tests
Each MEA amplifier has been thoroughly tested at the factory site before delivery. However,
you may want to perform some tests yourself before you begin your experiment to exclude
any damage that might have occurred during transportation, or to fulfill your own guidelines,
for instance.
Some of the tests will also help you to get to know the basic functions of the hard- and software,
like a short tutorial. It will take only a few minutes time and can save you time and trouble in the
long run. Multi Channel Systems MCS GmbH recommends running these tests after the setup of
your system before you start your real experiments.
4.2 General Performance / Noise Level
Please use the provided test model probe to test the amplifier immediately after installation.
The test model probe is already mounted on the amplifier. It simulates a MEA with a resistor
of 220 k
 and a 1 nF capacitor between bath and electrode. Use MC_Rack or your custom
data acquisition program to record from the test model probe and to check the amplifier.
Setting up MC_Rack
Please refer to the MC_Rack manual for more information.
1. Start MC_Rack.
2. Open the file MEA_Display.rck on the installation volume. This basic rack contains the virtual
MC_Card instrument with appropriate gain settings and a continuous raw data display.
- OR –
Set up the rack on your own:
1. Click Data Source Setup on the Edit menu. Select MC_Card in Data Source drop down menu.
Select a 2-dimensional (MEA) layout in Source Layout. Close the dialog with OK.
2. Add the MC_Card to your virtual rack.
3. Click the Hardware tab of the MC_Card and enter the amplifier gain (standard: 1100).
4. On the Edit menu, click Add Data Display to add a raw data display to your virtual rack.
Starting the recording
1. On the Measurement menu, click Start to start the recording.
You see the raw data streams of all 60 channels in the typical MEA layout.
2. You may have to adjust the position and span of the axes until you can clearly see
the noise level.
During the first minute, you will see the baseline on all channels, because the filter amplifier
is still saturated. All electrodes have a different DC offset at the beginning of an experiment.
The internal baseline restore routine restores the offset to the ground level, that is, to zero.
During this time, you will not see any "true" signals or noise. See also the chapter "Operating
the MEA Amplifier", "Signal Amplification and Filters".
After about one minute, the baseline restorer has corrected the DC offset, and you see true
signals. You should see the baseline with a maximum noise level of +/- 8 μV.