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4 | OMNI POWER AND CONTROL INTERFACE SYSTEMS
CHAPTER 1
The OmniCtrl System
Omni Control or OmniCtrl™ systems create a modular structure where interface cards directed with set protocols
connect to behavior testing environments (or chambers), to provide consistent conditions and data collection for
behavioral experiments.
MedState Notation™ and Med-PC
MedState Notation is the language used to control protocols in Med-PC. The language is designed to be easy to
use and learn, natural in its application, and versatile in its utility. The installation package for Med-PC includes
many example procedures and more are widely available in the MedState Notation community. Med Associates
is happy to help troubleshoot and assist with new protocols. Med Associates also sells more than thirty popular
common protocols and can be hired for custom code. Call Med Associates Support for assistance (see Contact
Information p.28). https://med-associates.com/product-category/software-all/protocols/
The OmniCtrl System introduces a line of convenience and operational features. To manage these features, we
have created Med-PC 6. The same scaffold can coordinate and synchronize a multitude of configurations, data
collections, and operations. Med-PC allows for up to sixteen independently operated chambers.
System Power (28 Volt Direct Current)
Environment components manufactured by Med Associates are designed to run on 28 VDC. Power Interface
Cabinets (PIC) are intended to provide system power to support a certain number of devices. For convenience,
Med Associates sells combined Power Cabinets and Control Interface Cabinets. The number of chambers a Power
and Control Interface Cabinet (PCIC) is intended to support is equal to its control card capacity. For example,
the SG-7316 is a full-size PCIC capable of holding up to sixteen control cards and is designed to provide 28V
current with enough power for sixteen chambers. The SG-7108 Control Interface Cabinet (CIC) provides 5 Volts
and 15 Volts for system control but does not provide 28 Volt current for system power. A Power Cabinet such as
the SG-704 is needed to provide the system power needed for connection panel operation.
System Control (data)
To use the OmniCtrl IC-124 Interface Cards, an SG-7000 series or newer interface cabinet with a DIG-705
Interface Decode Card is needed. The DIG-705 card coordinates the control of operations data to and from
Interface Cards. The purpose of the interface card is to keep a flexible connection between this central controller
system and up to twenty-four powered Inputs or Outputs of its Med Associates connection panels.
OC- Omni Connection Panel
The OmniCtrl Connection panel differs from previous connection panels produced by Med Associates in that its
ports are not pre-wired as data in or out. The OC-112 OmniCtrl 12 I/O Connection Panel has twelve
connections. They can be any combination of outputs and inputs providing a versatile set up. IC-124 interface
cards allow the efficiency of controlling up to two 12 I/O connection panels in series.
The OmniCtrl connections are arrayed in 3 Port (P) groups of 4 I/Os or Bits, twelve in total. Certain panel devices
have more connections. For example, the OC-124 Omni Double Connection Panel, for expanded configurations,
has two connection bundles, a 24 I/O capacity. The OSC-112 Omni Sound and Connection Panel has a 12 I/O
connection panel and a fully programmable sound amplifier.
For more information on Med-PC 6, or OmniSound™ look to their respective user manuals DOC-335, and DOC-
336 published on the Med Associates website at www.med-associates.com/resources/manuals/.
INTRODUCTION
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