Multichannel Systems MEA1060-Up-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
1. Start MC_Stimulus.
2. Open the demo stimulus file on the installation volume. You can choose between a monophasic
and biphasic stimulus patterns (biphasic stimuli with negative phase first are recommended).
The voltage demo stimulus is a monophasic or biphasic 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.