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The Simian 10A16DIO is an analog and digital interface to a data acquisition system that can be mounted in a 19'' rack.
The interface is driven by a micro-processor via a LCD control interface.
Analog and Digital inputs/outputs can be accessed through connectors on the front panel.
Furthermore, the Simian 10A16DIO is designed to provide analog outputs in the range of –5 to +5 V, sharing a common reference to ground. The analog channels are connected to the data acquisition system via a 68-pin SCSI II connector located on the back panel.
The Simian 10A16DIO includes:
- 10 analog inputs (-15 to +15 V) with digitally controlled gain and offset.
- Linear adjustment in 1024 steps for the gain (range: -13.5 to +13.5) and offset (range: -7.3 to +7.3 V) of each analog input.
- Up to 4 programs (i.e. gain and offset values for the 10 analog inputs) can be saved in memory.
- 4-pole Bessel low pass filter (Fc = 500Hz) on each analog input.
- 16 digital inputs with CMOS and TTL compatible logic.
- 14 of the 16 digital inputs are available on the front panel and optically isolated.
- 4 spikes inputs are equipped with a d-type flip-flop latch,
- 2 inputs are equipped with a switchable inverter,
- 2 inputs are equipped with a switchable simulator,
- 2 inputs are equipped with a debouncer, 4 inputs are passive.
- The 2 remaining digital inputs are used for both a resistive and digital contact detector on each input.
The main digital-output features are:
- 16 digital outputs with CMOS and TLL compatible logic.
- 10 of the 16 digital outputs are available on the front panel.
- 5 outputs are equipped with a switchable inverter, 5 outputs are passive.
- 4 outputs are internally dedicated to the reset of the spikes latches.
- 2 outputs are dedicated to the control of reward electro-valve connected on the back panel. A remote switch is connected on the front panel for each reward system.
Analog inputs
- Each analog input is connected to a BNC on the front panel.
- The offset and gain of each channel is adjusted by a micro-controller and LCD display.
- All channels are ground referenced and can range between –15 and +15 V relative to the common ground.
- Each analog input can be offset by a value ranging from -7.3 to+7.3 V, in 1024 steps of ca. 13 mV.
- Two red LEDs located next to the BNC on the front panel can be used to indicate the voltage sign of each output to the data acquisition system.
- Each analog input can be multiplied by a gain (Vout / Vin) ranging from ca. -13.5 to +13.5, in 1024 increments of 0.026.
- Each analog input has a low pass Bessel 4-pole filter with a -3dB cutoff frequency of ca. 500 Hz.
Control of analog inputs
- The Simian 10A16DIO can store and load up to 4 programs (A to D).
- Each program contains the gain and offset values for the 10 analog inputs.
- At startup, the Simian 10A16DIO automatically loads the last-used program and displays the channel selection screen.
- At any time the current values for the ten analog gains and offsets can be saved by hitting the Save/Load key.
Connection of analog inputs to data acquisition system
The Simian 10A16DIO is designed to provide analog outputs in the range of –5 to +5 V, sharing a common reference to ground. The analog channels are connected to the data acquisition system via a 68-pin SCSI II connector located on the back panel
Digital inputs
- The Simian 10A16DIO controls 16 digital inputs to the data acquisition system.
- 14 digital inputs are available on the front panel via BNC connections
- 2 inputs are available on the front panel via the subject contact inputs (Contact detectors).
- The 14 BNC inputs are optically isolated.
- TTL and CMOS logic compatible.
- A LED indicates the status of each of the 14 BNC digital inputs
Spikes digital inputs
- 4 digital inputs are dedicated to spike detection.
- Each spike input is equipped with a D-type flip-flop.
- Each flip-flop can be reset by pulling low a specific digital signal matched with the flip-flop.
- Alternatively, all four flip-flops can be reset by a manual switch on the front panel.
Inverter digital inputs
- 2 digital inputs can be inverted before being directed to the data acquisition system.
- The LED indicates the status of the input as read by the data acquisition system (Active/Inactive).
Simulator digital inputs
- 2 digital inputs can be simulated high or low, or just directed to the data acquisition system.
- The LED indicates the status of the input as read by the data acquisition system (Active/Inactive).
Debouncer digital inputs
- 2 digital inputs are debounced before being directed to the data acquisition system.
- The LED indicates the status of the input as read by the data acquisition system (Active/Inactive).
Passive digital inputs
- 4 digital inputs are buffered and directed to the data acquisition system.
- The LED indicates the status of the input as read by the data acquisition system (Active/Inactive).
Connection of digital inputs to data acquisition system
- The Simian 10A16DIO is designed to provide CMOS and TTL compatible digital outputs, sharing a common reference to ground.
- The digital inputs are connected to the data acquisition system via a 50-pin header connector located on the back panel
- The connection complies with the specifications of a 3-port PCDIO board (The 16 digital inputs to the data acquisition system are connected to the ports A and B of the PCDIO board).
Digital outputs
- The Simian 10A16DIO accepts 16 digital outputs from the data acquisition system.
- 10 buffered digital outputs are available on the front panel via BNC connectors.
- 4 are connected internally to the spike-detector resets (see "Digital Inputs" section)
- 2 are connected to the electro-valve reward drivers (see "Reward interface drivers" section).
- All front panel digital outputs are ground referenced and deliver CMOS and TTL logic level compatible outputs.
- A LED indicates the status of each digital as it is delivered by the data acquisition system output (i.e. LED on = active, LED off = inactive).
Inverter digital outputs
- 5 digital outputs can be inverted before being buffered and directed to the front panel BNC.
- Front panel LEDs indicate status of the inverter digital as delivered by the data acquisition system.
Passive digital outputs
- 5 digital outputs are buffered and delivered to the front panel BNC.
- The status of the passive digital outputs is indicated by front panel LEDs.
Connection of digital outputs to data acquisition system
- The connection of the digital outputs from the data acquisition system complies with the specifications of a 3-port PCDIO board.
- The 16 digital outputs from the data acquisition system are connected to the ports A and B of the PCDIO board.
Contact detectors
The Simian 10A16DIO controls two subject contact detectors.
- Each subject contact detector operates both a resistive detector and a digital detector in parallel.
- The resistive contact detector consists of a constant current (3µA at between 0 and 5V) which is driven through an internal resistance in parallel to the subject. When the subject touches the handle the voltage necessary to maintain the current falls under a threshold voltage (adjustable on the front panel) and the subject contact detector becomes active.
- The digital contact detector is connected to a photocell, which pulls the input low when the subject is detected. The photocell is powered with a +22V supply referenced to ground.
- The output of each contact detector becomes active (i.e. the LED is lit) if either the resistive or the digital detector is active, or if the contact simulator on the front panel is switched on. Each contact status is internally connected to a digital input to the data acquisition system.
Reward interface drivers
The Simian 10A16DIO controls 2 reward interface drivers.
- Each reward interface driver can be activated either by a digital output from the data acquisition system or by an external user switch connected to the front panel.
- The reward interface driver is active (i.e. the LED is lit) when either the digital input from the data acquisition system is pulled low or when the external button is pressed.
- The reward interface electro-valve is connected on the back panel.
- The electro-valve is powered (+22 V) by the Simian 10A16DIO and controlled by an open collector transistor that gives remote ground to the electro-valve when the driver is active.
Others
Electrical specifications
- 230 V (or 115 V with internal jumper), 50/60 Hz, 250 mA.
- 315 mA fuse.
Package content
- 1 Simian 10A16DIO 19" rack mount interface;
- 2 User switches with 2 m cables for reward interface drivers, to be connected to the front panel reward interfaces;
- 2 four-pole male connectors to connect the subject, handle and photocell on the front panel connector;
- 2 two-pole male connectors to connect the reward interface electro-valve on the back panel connector;
- 1 power cord.
Applications
- Generic analog and digital interface
- R&D laboratory equipment
- Research on animals