Controller Hardware - Intan Technologies CLAMP User Manual

Intan CLAMP System

Controller Hardware

Front Panel
The front panel of the Intan CLAMP Controller provides connection ports for Intan CLAMP headstages as well as auxiliary digital
and analog inputs. From left to right:
Intan CLAMP headstage ports: These ports, labeled A and B, provide connection points for up to two headstages via
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12-wire digital SPI (serial peripheral interface) cables. Each headstage port is electrically isolated from the controller
and from earth ground. Indicator lights provide information on the status of each port: green and yellow LEDs show that
proper voltage supplies are being provided for each headstage. Red LEDs are activated when the software recognizes
a headstage plugged into a port.
Digital inputs: Two BNC sockets are provided for recording digital signals in synchrony with the headstage signals.
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The digital inputs accept TTL-level signals. Any voltage between 0V and +0.8V is read as a digital "low". Any voltage
between +2.0V and +5.5V is read as a digital "high". Voltages delivered to these sockets should not exceed the range
of 0V to +5.5V. These signals may be used to record discrete events associated with an experiment.
Analog inputs: Two BNC sockets are provided for recording general-purpose analog signals, or for controlling the
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headstages using externally provided analog waveforms. Signals are digitized with 16-bit ADCs over a range of -10.24V
to +10.24V. Voltages delivered to these sockets should not exceed this range.
Status indicators: Status indicator A is illuminated when the CLAMP Controller software has successfully connected
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to the unit. Status indicator B is controlled by DIGITAL IN 1; status indicator C is controlled by DIGITAL IN 2. These
LEDs can be used to monitor the status of digital signals that are recorded in synchrony with the patch clamp amplifiers.
Power indicator: This red LED is illuminated when the Intan CLAMP Controller is powered.
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Rear Panel
The rear panel of the Intan CLAMP Controller provides auxiliary output lines as well as other ports and switches. From left to right:
Analog outputs: Two BNC sockets are provided for monitoring measured signals or clamp signals from CLAMP
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headstages. The headstages communicate with the controller using purely digital signals, but 16-bit DACs are used to
reconstruct analog signals with desired scaling factors. The control software allows users to route selected signals to
any analog output ports. These ports have a -10.24V to +10.24V voltage range.
Audio line out jack: This standard 3.5-mm stereo phone jack allows users to connect an audio amplifier to the controller
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and listen to the signals routed to the two analog output ports. ANALOG OUT 1 is connected to the left channel;
ANALOG OUT 2 is connected to the right channel. This port cannot drive speakers directly; an audio amplifier should
be used, and the volume should be adjusted carefully to ensure that excessive levels are not delivered to speakers.
High-speed port: This connector is reserved for future use.
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I/O expansion port: This connector is used to add an Intan I/O Expander. This board is described in the next section.
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It provides six additional analog inputs and outputs and 14 additional digital inputs and outputs for more complex
experiments. Signals on this port are digital and serially encoded, and are not easily accessed without the I/O Expander.
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