Multichannel Systems ME User Manual
Portable ME-System Manual
Portable ME16-System
Portable ME32-System
Information in this document is subject to change without notice.
No part of this document may be reproduced or transmitted without the express written permission
of Multi Channel Systems MCS GmbH.
While every precaution has been taken in the preparation of this document, the publisher and the author
assume no responsibility for errors or omissions, or for damages resulting from the use of information
contained in this document or from the use of programs and source code that may accompany it. In no
event shall the publisher and the author be liable for any loss of profit or any other commercial damage
caused or alleged to have been caused directly or indirectly by this document.
© 2014 Multi Channel Systems MCS GmbH. All rights reserved.
Printed: 04. 03. 2014
Multi Channel Systems
MCS GmbH
Aspenhaustraße 21
72770 Reutlingen
Germany
Fon +49-71 21-90 92 5 - 0
Fax +49-71 21-90 92 5 -11
info@multichannelsystems.com
www.multichannelsystems.com
Microsoft and Windows are registered trademarks of Microsoft Corporation. Products that are referred to
in this document may be either trademarks and/or registered trademarks of their respective holders and
should be noted as such. The publisher and the author make no claim
to these trademark.
Table of Contents
1 Introduction 1
1.1 About this Manual 1
2 Important Safety Advice 3
2.1 Important Safety Advice 3
2.2 Guarantee and Liability 4
2.3 Operator's Obligations 4
3 Welcome to the ME-System 5
3.1 ME Product Line 5
3.2 Portable ME-System 6
4 Software Installation 7
4.1 System requirements 7
4.2 Recommended BIOS settings 7
4.3 MC_Rack Installation 8
4.4 Driver Installation 8
4.5 Setting up MC_Rack 9
5 The Portable ME-System 11
5.1 The Portable ME16-System 11
5.1.1 Front Panel 11
5.1.2 Rear Panel 12
5.2 The Portable ME32-System 14
5.2.1 Front Panel 14
5.2.2 Rear Panel 15
5.3 Setting Up and Connecting the Portable ME-System 17
6 System Components 19
6.1 Integrated Filter Amplifiers (FA) 19
6.2 Integrated Data Acquisition 20
6.3 Digital Input / Output, System Synchronization 21
7 Troubleshooting 23
7.1 No Computer Connection / No Recording Possible 23
7.2 Triggering / Digital Input does not Work 24
8 Appendix 25
8.1 Technical Support 25
8.2 Technical Specifications 26
8.3 Pin Layout Portable ME16-System 27
8.4 Pin Layout Portable ME32-System 30
8.5 Additional Analog Input 33
8.6 Contact Information 34
9 Index 35
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1 Introduction
1.1 About this Manual
It is assumed that you already have a basic understanding of technical and software terms. No special skills
are required to read this manual.
If you are using the device for the first time, please read the Important Safety Advice before installing
the hardware and software, where you will find important information about the installation and first
steps.
The device and the software are part of an ongoing developmental process. Please understand that the
provided documentation is not always up to date. The latest information can be found in the Help.
Check also the MCS web site (www.multichannelsystems.com) for downloading up-to-date manuals
and help files.
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2 Important Safety Advice
2.1 Important Safety Advice
Warning: Make sure to read the following advice prior to installation or use of the device and the
software. If you do not fulfill all requirements stated below, this may lead to malfunctions or breakage
of connected hardware, or even fatal injuries.
Warning: Always obey the rules of local regulations and laws. Only qualified personnel should be allowed
to perform laboratory work. Work according to good laboratory practice to obtain best results and to
minimize risks.
The product has been built to the state of the art and in accordance with recognized safety engineering
rules. The device may only
be used for its intended purpose;
be used when in a perfect condition.
Improper use could lead to serious, even fatal injuries to the user or third parties and damage to the device
itself or other material damage.
Warning: The device and the software are not
humans.
Malfunctions which could impair safety should be rectified immediately.
High Voltage
Electrical cords must be properly laid and installed. The length and quality of the cords must
be in accordance with local provisions.
Only qualified technicians may work on the electrical system. It is essential that the accident prevention
regulations and those of the employers' liability associations are observed.
Each time before starting up, make sure that the power supply agrees with the specifications
of the product.
Check the power cord for damage each time the site is changed. Damaged power cords should
be replaced immediately and may never be reused.
Check the leads for damage. Damaged leads should be replaced immediately and may never
be reused.
Do not try to insert anything sharp or metallic into the vents or the case.
Liquids may cause short circuits or other damage. Always keep the device and the power cords dry.
Do not handle it with wet hands.
intended for medical uses and must not be used on
Requirements for the installation
Make sure that the device is not exposed to direct sunlight. Do not place anything on top of the device,
and do not place it on top of another heat producing device, so that the air can circulate freely.
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Portable ME-System Manual
2.2 Guarantee and Liability
The General conditions of sale and delivery of Multi Channel Systems MCS GmbH always apply.
The operator will receive these no later than on conclusion of the contract.
Multi Channel Systems MCS GmbH makes no guarantee as to the accuracy of any and all tests and data
generated by the use of the device or the software. It is up to the user to use good laboratory practice to
establish the validity of his / her findings.
Guarantee and liability claims in the event of injury or material damage are excluded when they are the
result of one of the following.
Improper use of the device.
Improper installation, commissioning, operation or maintenance of the device.
Operating the device when the safety and protective devices are defective and / or inoperable.
Non-observance of the instructions in the manual with regard to transport, storage, installation,
commissioning, operation or maintenance of the device.
Unauthorized structural alterations to the device.
Unauthorized modifications to the system settings.
Inadequate monitoring of device components subject to wear.
Improperly executed and unauthorized repairs.
Unauthorized opening of the device or its components.
Catastrophic events due to the effect of foreign bodies or acts of God.
2.3 Operator's Obligations
The operator is obliged to allow only persons to work on the device, who
are familiar with the safety at work and accident prevention regulations and have been
instructed how to use the device;
are professionally qualified or have specialist knowledge and training and have received instruction
in the use of the device;
have read and understood the chapter on safety and the warning instructions in this manual
and confirmed this with their signature.
It must be monitored at regular intervals that the operating personnel are working safely.
Personnel still undergoing training may only work on the device under the supervision
of an experienced person.
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3 Welcome to the ME-System
3.1 ME Product Line
With the ME (microelectrode) and STG (stimulus generator) product lines, Multi Channel Systems provides
complete solutions for stimulation, recording, and data acquisition from up to 256 channels, data analysis
and export.
All ME products are intended for extracellular electrophysiological recordings in vivo and special in vitro
applications. Typical applications include simultaneous spike and local field potential recording; multi-unit
and single-unit recordings from animals, for example NeuroNexus probes recordings. ME-Systems with
separate data acquisition amplifiers are available for maximum flexibility in combining different
components, while the USB-ME-FAI-Systems and the Portable ME-Systems are the most compact options
available.
The USB-ME-FAI-Systems are the first of a new generation of universal recording systems that do not
need an external data acquisition. The USB-ME16 / 32-FAI-Systems are very compact and portable standalone solutions. Filter amplifiers and data acquisition are integrated in one small device. The digitally
converted electrode signals are transmitted to any computer via universal serial bus (High Speed USB 2.0).
The miniature preamplifier headstages are available with 8 or 32 channels.
The Portable-ME Systems of the second generation are functionally identical to the USB-ME-FAI-Systems.
However, they feature smaller improved headstage amplifiers with the widely used Omnetics connectors to
further minimize size and weight.
This manual will describe the Portable-ME Systems only. Separate manuals are available for the
USB-ME-FAI-Systems. Please make sure that you have carefully studied the documentation on the single
components before setting up your system. Hardcopies of all manuals are shipped with the system.
Updated versions can also be downloaded from the MCS web site.
Components of the ME-Systems
Product: Preamplifier
USB-ME16-FAI-System 2 x 8-channel miniature preamplifiers (MPA8I)
USB-ME32-FAI-System 4 x 8-channel miniature preamplifiers (MPA8I)
– or –
1 x 32-channel miniature preamplifier (MPA32I)
Portable ME16-System 2 x 8-channel miniature preamplifiers (MPA8I)
– or –
1 x 16-channel micro preamplifier (μPA16)
Portable ME32-System 2 x 16-channel micro preamplifier (μPA16)
– or –
1 x 32-channel micro preamplifier (μPA32)
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Portable ME-System Manual
3.2 Portable ME-System
The Portable ME-Systems are compact and lightweight. They feature an integrated 16- or 32-channel filter
amplifier and data acquisition. The digitally converted electrode signals are transmitted to the connected
computer via USB 2.0 High Speed. The micro preamplifiers are available with 16 or 32 channels.
Two miniature preamplifiers MPA8I – OR – one micro preamplifier μPA16 are part of the Portable
ME16-System. Two micro preamplifiers μPA16 – OR – one micro preamplifier μPA32 are part of the
Portable ME32-System.
The digitally converted electrode signals are transmitted to the connected computer via universal serial bus
(High Speed USB 2.0). Thus, it is possible to use any computer as a data acquisition computer, also
a laptop. The size of the complete system is small enough to fit into a laptop bag together with the
computer. Data is recorded, graphed, analyzed, and reviewed with the powerful and easy-to-use MC_Rack
program. You can export the data in standard formats to other programs with MC_DataTool.
COMTHE PORTABLE ME-SYSTEM
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4 Software Installation
Please check the system requirements before you install the MC_Rack software. Multi Channel Systems
MCS GmbH cannot guarantee that the software works properly if these requirements are not fulfilled.
Please see the MC_Rack help or manual for more information. It is recommended that you check the
MCS web site for software updates on a regular basis.
4.1 System requirements
Software: One of the following Microsoft Windows ® operating systems is required: Windows 8.1,
Windows 7, VISTA or XP (English and German versions supported) with the NT file system (NTFS).
Other language versions may lead to software errors.
Hardware: (Not required for offline analysis or demo mode) The data acquisition board integrated in
the Portable ME-System. If no Portable ME-System is present, MC_Rack opens in a simulation mode.
A computer with low performance may lead to performance limits more often; therefore, MCS
recommends an up-to-date computer optionally with a separate hard disk. Please note that there are
sometimes hardware incompatibilities of the Portable ME-System and computer components; or that
an inappropriate computer power supply may lead to artifact signals. Please contact your local retailer
for more information on recommended computer hardware.
Software Installation
Important: You need to have installed the latest Portable ME-System driver to operate the Portable
ME-System, which is automatically installed with MC_Rack. The installation may be invalid if the Portable
ME-System does not respond. Please contact Multi Channel Systems or your local retailer in this case.
4.2 Recommended BIOS settings
Recommended operating system settings
The following automatic services of the Windows operating system interfere with the data storage on the
hard disk and can lead to severe performance limits in MC_Rack. These routines were designed for use on
office computers, but are not very useful for a data acquisition computer.
Turn off Screensaver.
Turn off Windows Indexing Service.
Manual management of automatic Windows Update.
Power Options: Power scheme: Never turn off monitor, hard disk and system standby.
It is also not recommended to run any applications in the background when using MC_Rack.
Remove all applications from the Autostart folder.
Be careful when using a Virus Scanner. These programs are known to disturb MC_Rack,
and even data loss may occur.
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Portable ME-System Manual
4.3 MC_Rack Installation
Download the latest version of MC_Rack form the Multi Channel Systems MCS GmbH web site
at http://www.multichannelsystems.com/software/mc-rack. Click the MC_Rack_Setup.exe file and follow
the instructions of the installer. It is recommended to use a different hard drive or partition for the
operating system and data storage. Please check the web site on a regular basis for free upgrades.
4.4 Driver Installation
The Portable ME-System is a plug and play device. The driver is automatically installed together with
the MC_Rack program. Please install MC_Rack before you connect the Portable ME-System.
Important: Please make sure that you have full control over your computer as an administrator.
Otherwise, it is possible that the installed hardware does not work properly.
It is not recommended to run any applications in the background when using MC_Rack. Remove all
applications from the Autostart folder.
If MC_Rack had already been installed on the computer before the hardware was connected, the operating
system needs to load the driver once. After this procedure, the Portable ME-System will be automatically
recognized by the operating system.
1. Connect the Portable ME-System to the USB port of the data acquisition computer.
The "Found New Hardware Wizard" is displayed.
2. Choose the option "No, not this time” and continue with "Next".
3. Choose the option “Install the software automatically (recommended)” and continue with "Next".
4. The Wizard will automatically find the appropriate Portable ME-System driver. Continue with "Next".
5. The driver installation is finished.
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4.5 Setting up MC_Rack
Please refer to the MC_Rack manual for more information.
Start MC_Rack. Click "Data Source Setup" on the "Edit" menu. In "Channel Layout" dialog select
USB-MEA from the left drop down menu and USB-ME from the right drop down menu. Please select
1-dimensional in "Source Layout" and define the number of channels. If you need digital input channel,
enable the respective check box.
Software Installation
MC_Rack now recognizes the Portable-ME System as data source. For further instructions how to use
he MC_Rack software please refer to the respective manual and help files available on the web site and
as online help in MC_Rack.
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