This document describes the specifications and features of the multiplexing headstage. It
also explains how to set up your headstage, test it, and use it during normal operation.
There is a glossary at the end of the document.
2 Multiplexing Headstage Overview
This HS-xx-mux is a multiplexing headstage that records from up to 64 individual
electrodes. The physiological signals are digitized at the headstage, which allows the
required number of cable conductors to be greatly reduced.
Features:
• Versions include the HS-16-mux, the HS-32-mux and the HS-64-mux.
• ±5mV Input Range.
• >80dB Common Mode Rejection Ratio(CMRR) at 60Hz.
• <2.5µV
• Interfaces directly with Digital Lynx SX.
• 12 Conductor Cable transfers up to 64 channels to Digital Lynx SX.
• Up to 128 Digital Channels per Digital Lynx SX.
• Compatible with Neuralynx EIBs.
Noise (0.1Hz to 9kHz).
RMS
2.1 Important Note
The multiplexing headstage must be connected to the Digital Lynx SX before the system
is powered ON. Otherwise, the system won’t recognize that a multiplexing headstage is
present.
3 What's included with the multiplexing headstage?
There are three different channel counts available as a multiplexing headstage, the HS16-mux, the HS-32-mux and the HS-64-mux. Both arrive already soldered to the tether,
with the TETH-multiplexing headstage as an extension.
3.1 HS-64-mux
headstage.
• 2 Static References, one per
bank of 32 channels.
• Available with 44 Pin
Omnetics Connectors or 36 Pin
Omnetics Connectors.
16-mux to connect to a single port
on the Digital Lynx SX.
3.6 Additional Testing I tems
Additionally, a Signal Mouse and an Impedance Plug can be purchased as separate items
for testing the signal through the multiplexing headstage and the Digital Lynx SX.
All Neuralynx Equipment is Electrostatic Sensitive and should be handled with
appropriate measures. Always wear a static strap and use all appropriate ESD measures
when handling any electronics. Please contact Neuralynx for detailed information if you
have questions.
The following instructions are provided to quickly set up and test your multiplexing
headstage setup. If your Digital Lynx SX system requires the upgrade for compatibility
with the multiplexing headstage, please see the Digital Lynx SX HS Multiplexer Upgrade
User Manual.
4.1 Multiplexing Headstage S e t up
The multiplexing headstage connects to the Digital Lynx SX in a different way than a
standard Neuralynx Analog Headstage. Instead of connecting to a DRS-36 Board or an
Input Board, the multiplexing headstage connects to the Digital Lynx SX Motherboard.
The multiplexing headstage connections are illustrated and described below.
Connections:
1. Connect the multiplexing headstage to the connector labeled 1 on the Digital
a. NOTE: The multiplexing headstage must be connected to the Digital Lynx
SX before the system is powered ON. Otherwise the system won’t
recognize that a multiplexing headstage is present.
2. Connect the multiplexing headstage to the SM-64.
3. Connect the Minirator, or other signal source to the SM-64 using a BNC Cable.
4. Turn the Bank 1, 2, 3, and 4 switches on the SM-64to the Signal Position (Up).
Turn the Reference switch on the SM-64 to the Ground Position (Down).
5. Set the Minirator, or other signal source to output a 1VPP Sine Wave at 100 Hz.
The SM-64 will reduce this signal to roughly to 1mVPP.
6. Power the Digital Lynx SX ON.
4.2 Start Cheetah
In Digital Lynx SX Systems that already contain Input Boards, it is important to note that
the AD Channels associated with the multiplexing headstage begin after the last Input
Board AD Channel. This concept is illustrated in the table below. This table assumes one
multiplexing headstage is being used. The maximum channel count of the Digital Lynx
SX System is 512 Channels
Figure 4-2 Multiplexing Headstage Starting AD Channel
4.2.1 Configure Cheetah with the Proper Configuration
Power On the Digital Lynx SX and wait for boot cycle to complete. On the Computer
open the Cheetah Configuration Folder. Modify your preferred Configuration File to
allow the multiplexing headstage AD Channels to be sent to Cheetah. On the Desktop
select the Run Cheetah shortcut to open the Cheetah Welcome Screen. Boot Cheetah with
a modified configuration file for your new setup. In this example 32 CSCs are used.
In Cheetah, select the ACQ Button to Start Acquisition. Set the Input Range for all 32
CSCs to 1000µV and set the Reference for all 32 CSCs to Reference 1. Observe the 32
CSCs. Each should show a reduced (roughly 1mVPP) version of the Minirator output.
Refer to the figure below.
Figure 4-3 Bank 1, 2, 3 and 4 Switches Up. Reference Switch Down.
Switch the Bank 1 Switch to the Ground Position (Down). Observe the 32 CSCs. CSCs
1-8 should now be flatlined while CSCs 9-32 still shows a reduced (roughly 1mVPP)
version of the Minirator output. Refer to the figure below.
Figure 4-4 Bank 2, 3 and 4 Switches Up. Bank 1 and Reference Switches Down.
Switch the Bank 2 Switch to the Ground Position (Down). Observe the 32 CSCs. CSCs
1-16 should now be flatlined while CSCs 17-32 still show a reduced (roughly 1mVPP)
version of the Minirator output. Refer to the figure below.
Figure 4-5 Bank 3 and 4 Switches Up. Bank 1, 2 and Reference Switches Down.
Switch the Bank 3 Switch to the Ground Position (Down). Observe the 32 CSCs. CSCs
1-24 should now be flatlined while CSCs 25-32 still show a reduced (roughly 1mVPP)
version of the Minirator output. Refer to the figure below.
Figure 4-6 Bank 4 Switches Up. Bank 1, 2, 3 and Reference Switches Down.
Switch the Bank 4 Switch to the Ground Position (Down). Observe the 32 CSCs. CSCs
1-32 should now be flatlined. Refer to the figure below.
Figure 4-7 All Switches Down (1000µV).
Set the Input Range for all 32 CSCs to 25µV. Observe the 32 CSCs. CSCs 1-32 now
show the baseline noise. Each should be less than 25µVpp and void of any repetitive
signals. Refer to the figure below.
Switch all the Switches to the Signal Position (Up). Observe the 32 CSCs. Each should
be less than 25µVpp and void of any repetitive signals. Refer to the figure below.
4.4 Performing an Impedance Test
The multiplexing headstage contains an internal AC current waveform generator that can
output 9 different current amplitudes at 1kHz. The AC current waveform generator is
controlled by sending specific commands to the Digital Lynx SX, which are then routed
to the multiplexing headstage. These commands can be sent through a NetCom interface
or simply through a Cheetah Configuration File. All Multiplexing Headstage Commands
and their syntax are discussed in Section 6 Multiplexing Headstage Command Descriptions. To begin the multiplexing headstage needs to be connected to the HS-36
Impedance Plug.
Connections:
1. Disconnect the multiplexing headstage from the SM-64.
2. Connect the multiplexing headstage to the HS-36 Impedance Plug.
In this example we will use a Cheetah Configuration File to perform an impedance test
on Channel 25 of a multiplexing headstage using the following sequence of events (this
assumes all the hardware is still connected as shown in Section 4.1 Multiplexing Headstage Setup):
Command Sequence:
1. Set the Impedance Measurement Channel to 25.
2. Set the Impedance Measurement Current to 3.85nA (The Current Options for this
command are listed in Section 6 Multiplexing Headstage Command Descriptions, 3.85nA is option number 6).
3. Enable the Impedance Measurement Function.
Using the commands and syntax discussed in Section 6 Multiplexing Headstage
Command Descriptions the following configuration file can be created.
Figure 4-10 Example Configuration File
Once the configuration file has been created and saved it can be run in Cheetah by
selecting File > Open Configuration File. Browse to the configuration file selected Open.
The configuration file will immediately execute. Observe CSC 25 in Cheetah, it should
show a 1000Hz sine wave roughly 750mVPP. Refer to the figure below.
Once the impedance testing is complete the Impedance Measurement Function should be
disabled. Once again this can be done with a Cheetah Configuration File.
Command Sequence:
1. Disable the Imped ance M easur emen t Fun cti on .
Using the commands and syntax discussed in Section 6 Multiplexing Headstage Command Descriptions the following configuration file can be created.
5.1 Multiplexing Headstage Am plifier and A/D Converter
Each AD Channel is digitized on the multiplexing headstage using a fixed reference. The
channels are AC Coupled and the gain is fixed at 192 [V/V]. One 16 Bit A/D Converter
digitizes 32 AD Channels. This concept is illustrated in the figure below.
The multiplexing headstage communicates with the Digital Lynx SX via a dedicated SPI
Bus. Digital signals transfer data between the multiplexing headstage and the Digital
Lynx SX. Digital signal quality degrades as cable length increases. For this reason it is
recommended that the total cable length of the multiplexing headstage not exceed 4
meters.
5.3 Input Connectors
The pinouts for the multiplexing headstages are shown in the figures below.
Note: The HS-16-mux AD Channels do not match with the EIB AD Channels. A custom
Cheetah Configuration File is required to properly map the AD Channels. An example
configure file can be downloaded from neuralynx.com or the following outlined can be
used. For further help with creating your own setup configuration files, please contact
Triggers the Fast Settle Function. The Fast Settle Function can be used to reset the headstage when large input
elapsed the Fast Settle Function is turned off.
Default: This command is an action, there is no default value.
Arguments:
This value can be one of the follo wing keywords:
All: Selects all multiplexing hea dstages as the command target.
This value can be one of the follo wing keywords:
All: Selects all Banks as the command target.
6 Multiplexing Headstage Command Descriptions
Commands can be sent to the multiplexing headstage through NetCom to configure
certain settings on the headstage. These include; Impedance Functions and Fast Settle
Functions. The following figures detail each command, how it is used, and its defaults. It
is not necessary that these be used at any time.
-SendLynxSXComman d <Hardware Sub Syst em Name> -DHSTriggerFastSettle <Headstage> <Bank>
signals have caused amplifier saturation. The Fast Settle Function is approximately 300µs. Once this time has
Example: -Se nd L yn xSX Command AcqS yste m1 –DHSTriggerFastSettle 2 1
Usage: This Command can be used any time after acquisition has been started.
Hardware Subsystem Name Name of sub system which will be c ontrolled.
Headstage
Bank
1: Selects multiplexing headstage 1 as the command target.
2: Selects multiplexing headstage 2 as the command target.
1: Selects Bank 1 (first 32 channels) as the command target.
2: Selects Bank 2 (second 32 channels) as the command target.
Figure 6-1 DHSTriggerFastSettle Command Syntax
Revision 1.3 HS-xx mux User’s Manual
6/29/2017 Page 23
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-SendLynxSXComman d <Hardware Sub System Name> -DHSSetImpe dance M ea sureEna bled <He adst ag e>
<Value>
Enables or disables the internal Electrode Impedance Measurement Circuitry on the HS-XX Digital.
Example:
Default: The internal Electrode Impedance Measurement Circuitry is by default disabled.
Usage:
Arguments:
This value can be one of the follo wing keywords:
2: Selects multiplexing headstage 2 as the command target.
-SendLynxSXCommand Acq S yst e m1 –DHSSetImpedanceMeasureEnabled 2 1
This Command can be used after the Digital Lynx SX Hardware Sub System has been created.
Hardware Subsystem Name Name of sub system that will be co ntrolled.
Headstage
Value
1: Selects multiplexing headstage 1 as the command target.
This value can be one of the follo wing keywords:
1: Enables the internal Electrode Impedance Measurement Circuitry.
0: Disables the internal Electrode Impedance Measurement Circuitry.
-SendLynxSXComman d <Hardware Sub System Name> -DHSSetImpedanceMeasureCurrent <Headstage>
<Value>
Sets the current that the multiplexing headstage will use for its internal Electrode Impedance Measurement Circuitry.
Example:
Default: The Impedance Measurement Current Value is by default set to 1, but the internal Electrode Impedance Measurement Circuitry is by default d isa bled.
Usage:
Arguments:
This value can be one of the follo wing keywords:
2: Selects multiplexing headstage 2 as the command target.
This value can be one of the follo wing keywords:
Value
Current
1 0.128
nA 2 0.257
nA 3 0.385
nA 4 1.28
nA 5 2.57
nA 6 3.85
nA 7 12.8
nA 8 25.7
nA 9 38.5
nA
-SendLynxSXCommand Acq S yst e m1 –DHSSetImpedanceMeasureCurrent 2 3
This Command can be used after the Digital Lynx SX Hardware Sub System has been created.
Hardware Subsystem Name Name of sub system that will be co ntrolled.
Headstage
Value
1: Selects multiplexing headstage 1 as the command target.
-SendLynxSXComman d <Hardware Sub Syst em Name> -DHSSetImpedanceMeasureChannel <Headstage>
<Value>
Sets the channel that the multiplexing headstage will connect to its internal Electrode Impedance Measurement
Circuitry.
Example: -Se nd L yn xSX Command AcqS yste m1 –DHSSetImpedanceMeasureCurrent 2 38
Default: The Impedance Measurement Channel is by default set to 1, but the internal Electrode Impedance Measurement Circuitry is by default d isa bled.
Usage: This Command can be used after the Digital Lynx SX Hardware Sub System has been created.
Arguments:
Hardware Subsystem Name
Name of sub system that will be co ntrolled.
This value can be one of the follo wing keywords:
2: Selects multiplexing headstage 2 as the command target.
Headstage
Value
1: Selects multiplexing headstage 1 as the command target.