Multichannel Systems MATLAB User Manual

nsMCDLibrary

Neuroshare Implementation

for MC_Rack Data

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Table of Contents

1 Introduction 7

1.1 About Matlab and Neuroshare 7

1.2 Installation of Neuroshare Library 8

2 Implementation Details 11

2.1 Mapping of Continuous Data 11

2.2 Mapping of Triggered Data 12

2.3 Entities 13

2.3.1 Event Entities 13

2.3.2 Analog Entities 13

2.3.3 Segment Entities 14

2.3.4 Neural Event Entities 14

2.4 Nomenclature for Entities 14

2.5 Configure Behavior 15

2.6 Missing 15

3 MCS Specific Matlab Functions 16

3.1 mcs_SetLibrary.m: Summary of Functionality 18

3.2 mcs_Info.m: Summary of Functionality 19

3.3 mcs_GetEntities.m: Summary of Functionality: 20

3.4 mcs_Graphic.m: Summary of Functionality 21

4 Toolboxes that use Neuroshare 22

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1 Introduction

1.1 About Matlab and Neuroshare

Matlab is a software package for numerical calculations and for the visualisation of data
in the technical and scientific sector. Using Matlab for the analysis of company specific data
files, an interface is needed. The Neuroshare Matlab Application Programming Interface (API)
is the widely used interface for accessing physiological experiment data files.

The Neuroshare Matlab import functions allow users to easily import neural data files into
Matlab for further analysis. These functions were developed as part of an program funded
by the National Institute for Neural Disorders and Stroke and it is currently being administered
by Cyberkinetics, Inc. (formerly Bionic Technologies, LLC). The goals of the program are
to create open Application Programming Interface (API) library and format standards for
neurophysiological experiment data and create a set of free, open-source software tools
for low-level handling and processing of neurophysiological data.

To access MC_Rack data files from the Neuroshare API, the data are mapped to the structure
dictated by the Neuroshare API. This API is implemented in a Windows DLL (Dynamic Link Library)
or Linux or Mac (Intel) shared library by a set of predefined functions.

MC_Rack files recorded with MC_Rack Version 4.4.6 or older are can be read with this version
of the library. Up to now, not all possible data streams within a MC_Rack file are available in
the Neuroshare API.

The nsMCDLibrary.dll is implemented according to the Neuroshare API Version 1.3.

This paper only discuss the adjustments for data files from Multi Channel Systems MCS GmbH
data acquisition software MC_Rack. For the documentation of the Neuroshare API, please see
http://neuroshare.sourceforge.net/.

Neuroshare.org is a site created to support the collaborative development of open library and
data file format specifications for neurophysiology and distribute open-source data handling
software tools for neuroscientists.

7

Matlab and Neuroshare

1.2 Installation of Neuroshare Library

To implement the Neuroshare software you first have to download the Neuroshare library
from the MCS web site: http://www.multichannelsystems.com/downloads/software.

Choose the version you need for your computer.

Download the Neuroshare version you need and save the zip file in the respective folder.

Important: Please unpack the nsMCDLibrary_37. “zip” file!

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