A-MSystems 3500 User manual

INSTRUCTION MANUAL
FOR
16-CHANNEL EXTRACELLULAR
AMPLIFIER
MODEL 3500
Version 6.0
March 2020
A-M Systems,
PO Box 850
Carlsborg, WA 98324
U.S.A.
360-683-8300 800-426-1306
FAX: [phone]
http://www.a-msystems.com
Each 16-Channel Extracellular Amplifier is
delivered complete with:
Sixteen 40” Input Cables
10’ USB Cable
Rack Mount Hardware

WARNING
THIS EQUIPMENT IS NOT
INTENDED FOR USE WITH
HUMAN SUBJECTS IN ANY
WAY.
Document
The information contained in this
manual was as accurate as possible
at the time of publishing, but is
subject to change without notice
and should not be construed as a
commitment by A-M Systems.
Changes may have been made to
the hardware or firmware it
describes since publication. A-M
Systems, reserves the right to
change specifications as required.
For the latest information please
check our website (http://www.a-
msystems.com) or contact A-M
Systems, directly.
Manual Product Number 950004
Manual Document Number
1027905 Rev 06
All rights reserved. No part of this
document may be reproduced by
any means without the prior written
permission of A-M Systems,
Safety
This instrument is provided with
terminal for protective grounding.
Before applying power, verify that
the correct safety precautions are
taken (see the following warnings).
In addition, note the external
markings on the instrument that are
described under Safety
Symbols. Do not operate the
instrument with its cover removed.
Replace fuse only with specified
type.
Supply Voltage
This equipment can be operated at
120V/60Hz, or 220V/50Hz, as
determined by a labeled switch on
the rear panel. Other
voltage/frequency combinations are
not recommended unless the
manufacturer is contacted before
first usage.
WARNING
Do not attach a line voltage that
does not match the line voltage
specified on the rear panel.
Before turning on the instrument,
you must connect the protective
earth terminal of the instrument to
the protective earth conductor of
the (mains) power cord. The mains
plug must only be inserted in a
socket outlet with a protective earth
contact.
Service should be performed by
trained personnel only. To avoid
dangerous electric shock, do not
perform any service unless
qualified to do so.
Do not operate the instrument in
the presence of flammable gases or
fumes. Operation of any electrical
instrument in such an environment
constitutes a safety hazard.
Safety Symbols
!
The product is marked with this
symbol when it is necessary for you
to refer to the instruction manual in
order to protect against damage to
the product.
WARNING
The Warning symbol calls attention
to a procedure or practice, which, if
not correctly performed could
result in injury. Do not proceed
beyond a Warning symbol until the
indicated conditions are fully
understood and met.
CAUTION
The Caution symbol calls attention
to a procedure or practice, which, if
not correctly performed could
result in damage to the product. Do
not proceed beyond a caution until
the indicated conditions are fully
understood and met.
Disclaimer
Software available for this product
works with Windows XP®,
Windows 7® and Windows 10®
Microsoft and Windows are either
registered trademarks or
trademarks of Microsoft
Corporation in the United States
and/or other countries.

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PO BOX 850, Carlsborg, WA 98324 USA
Telephone: [phone] * 360-683-8300 * FAX: [phone]
E-mail: [e-mail] * Website: http://www.a-msystems.com
TABLE OF CONTENTS
1. GENERAL DESCRIPTION.......... 5
2. FRONT AND REAR PANELS...... 6
FRONT PANEL ................................................ 6
REAR PANEL.................................................. 7
3. INSTRUMENT OPERATION..... 10
INITIAL POWER-UP...................................... 10
CHANNEL EDIT SCREEN............................... 10
COPYING CHANNEL SETTINGS TO OTHER
CHANNELS................................................... 12
4. TOUCH SCREEN MENUS.......... 13
TOOLBAR ..................................................... 13
MAIN MENU SCREEN ................................... 14
LOAD SCREEN.............................................. 15
SAVE SCREEN .............................................. 16
SET STARTUP PROGRAM SCREEN................. 17
INSTRUMENT NAME SCREEN........................ 18
REFERENCE SCREEN .................................... 19
NOTCH FILTER SCREEN................................ 20
STIMULATION INPUT SCREEN....................... 21
CALIBRATION SIGNAL.................................. 22
LCD SETTINGS SCREEN............................... 22
CALIBRATE LCD SCREEN............................ 23
STARTUP PAGE SCREEN............................... 24
VERSION SCREEN......................................... 24
CHANNEL EDIT SCREEN............................... 25
8-CHANNEL VIEW SCREEN .......................... 26
16-CHANNEL VIEW SCREEN ........................ 27
OUTPUT MONITORS AND CALIBRATION
SIGNAL SCREEN........................................... 28
5. PC CONTROL SOFTWARE.......30
WINDOWS 10 ............................................... 30
USING THE CONTROL SOFTWARE................. 36
6. EXTERNAL TTL CONTROL..... 39
7. SPECIFICATIONS........................ 42
8. WARRANTY.................................. 43
LIST OF TABLES AND FIGURES
Figure 1. Power switch ..................................... 6
Figure 2. Touch Screen Display........................ 6
Figure 3. Output Monitor.................................. 6
Figure 4. Channel Signal Input......................... 7
Figure 5. Channel Output.................................. 7
Figure 6. Stimulation Inputs ............................. 7
Figure 7. External TTL Control........................ 8
Figure 8. USB Connector.................................. 8
Figure 9. Common Reference Connector ......... 8
Figure 10. Diagram of Ganged Output
Connector.................................................. 9
Figure 11. AC Power Input / Line Switch ....... 9
Figure 12. Channel Edit Screen ..................... 11
Figure 13. Toolbar ......................................... 13
Figure 14. Main Menu Screen ....................... 14
Figure 15. Load Screen.................................. 15
Figure 16. Save Screen .................................. 16
Figure 17. Set Startup Screen......................... 17
Figure 18. Instrument Name Screen .............. 18
Figure 19. Reference Screen.......................... 19
Figure 20. Notch Filter Screen....................... 20
Figure 21. Stimulation Input Screen.............. 21
Figure 22. Contrast Screen............................. 22
Figure 23. Calibrate LCD Screens................. 23
Figure 24. Start-up Page ................................ 24
Figure 25. Version Screen.............................. 25
Figure 26. Channel Edit Screen ..................... 26
Figure 27. 8-Channel View Screen One........ 27
Figure 28. 8-Channel View Screen Two........ 27
Figure 29. 16-Channel View Screen One ...... 28
Figure 30. 16-Channel View Screen Two...... 28
Figure 31. Monitor and Calibration Signal
Screen...................................................... 29
Figure 32. PC Software.................................. 36
Figure 33. Instrument Screen when PC Program
is in Control............................................. 37
Figure 34. Toolbar with TTL Icon................. 39
Figure 35. Diagram of External TTL Connector
Pin Layout............................................... 40
Table 1. Toolbar Icons.................................... 13
Table 2. TTL State Table for controlling
MODE..................................................... 39
Table 3. External TTL Connector Pin
Assignments............................................ 40

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PO BOX 850, Carlsborg, WA 98324 USA
Telephone: [phone] * 360-683-8300 * FAX: [phone]
E-mail: [e-mail] * Website: http://www.a-msystems.com
1. General Description
The Model 3500 contains 16 low noise, high gain full-featured extracellular amplifiers, or channels, designed
for amplifying microvolt-level input signals. All parameters can be controlled via the unit’s touch screen
LCD display on the front panel or via a USB link to a personal computer running a supplied Windows®
operating system compatible control program. In addition, external TTL pulses can set each channel’s
operation mode.
Each channel has significant signal conditioning capabilities, including low and high pass filtering, a line-
frequency notch filter, and gain. Each channel can record differentially between its two input leads, or can
be set to record referenced to ground, or an external reference source.
In addition, each channel can pass an externally generated signal to the connected electrode. This is useful
for stimulating local recording sites without having to physically disconnect the amplifier from the
electrodes. If desired, it is possible to temporarily blank any channel, or ground its inputs and turn off its
outputs, in order to prevent signal saturation during stimulation procedures.
Additional useful features include the ability to store up to five sets of 16-Channel parameter files within the
instrument in order to enable multiple users to recall their individual experiment protocols without having
to re-program the instrument. A built-in calibration signal source can be used to calibrate the
amplifier/electrode combination. Two output monitors provide easy front-panel access to the output of
any channel for immediate analysis on an oscilloscope.
A supplied Windows®operating system compatible control program controls all features of the amplifier
via a USB port (cable included). The program also enables the storage of an unlimited number of 16-
Channel parameter files, as well as provides a real-time notepad that logs changes in parameter settings or
experimenter-added notations.
The Model 3500 16-Channel Extracellular Amplifier is not intended for clinical or operating room
measurements in human subjects.

A-M Systems
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PO BOX 850, Carlsborg, WA 98324 USA
Telephone: [phone] * 360-683-8300 * FAX: [phone]
E-mail: [e-mail] * Website: http://www.a-msystems.com
2. Front and Rear Panels
This chapter describes the front and rear panel controls and connectors on the Model 3500.
Chapters 3 and 4 describe the individual screens available on the touch-screen LCD interface.
When you receive your Model 3500, confirm that everything in the packing list is included. Make
sure there are no obvious signs of internal damage, such as rattling. Pick up the amplifier and tilt in
gently from side to side, and listen for anything that might be loose. If you hear any suspicious
noises, contact A-M Systems immediately.
Front Panel
Power
The model 3500 has an illuminated power supply switch that will
light when line power is passing through it. If it does not light
then there is no line power to the amplifier. Upon powering up,
the large touch-screen LCD display should illuminate.
Display
The liquid crystal display (LCD) on the Model 3500 is a touch-
screen interface whose input determines the settings for all of the
Model 3500 functions.
Output Monitor / Calibration Signal
As the main amplifier outputs are
located on the rear panel, the Model
3500 provides two user defined
OUTPUT MONITORs on the
front panel for convenience. Any
channel output can be linked to
either of the two BNC connectors
(labeled Aand B) by altering the
settings on the OUTPUT
MONITOR control screen. The CALIBRATION SIGNAL BNC connector provides a signal
(1.0 kHz sine wave, with user adjustable amplitude) for calibrating the instrument.
Figure 1. Power switch
Figure 2. Touch Screen Display
Figure 3. Output Monitor

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Rear Panel
Channel Signal Input
This black 3-pin connector is the signal input connector for the Model 3500. Pin 1 (upper left) is
the “-” lead, pin 2 (bottom left) is the “+” lead, and pin 3 (middle right) is the grounded shield (This
can be a non-grounded driven shield if desired. Contact A-M Systems for more information. Model
3500s can be shipped with either a gray 3-conductor wire, or a black 4-conductor wire. On the gray
cable, the red wire is the “+” lead, the white wire is the “-” lead, and the silver braid is the grounded
shield. On the black cable, the the red wire is the “+” lead,
the white wire is the “-” lead, and the black wire or the silver braid is the grounded shield.
Channel Output
This BNC connector provides the amplified and filtered output
signal.
Figure 4. Channel Signal Input
Figure 5. Channel Output
Figure 6. Stimulation Inputs

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PO BOX 850, Carlsborg, WA 98324 USA
Telephone: [phone] * 360-683-8300 * FAX: [phone]
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Stimulation Inputs
STIM1 and STIM2 BNC connectors are signal inputs. Connecting an external signal source to
STIM1 will enable stimulation signals to be delivered to Channels 1-8. Connecting an external signal
source to STIM2 will enable stimulation signals to be delivered to Channels 9-16. If desired, the two
stimulus input connectors can be linked internally, so the same external stimulus source can be used
to stimulate any or all of the 16 channels. In this case, STIM1 is connected to stimulation bus. See
Chapter 4: Stimulation Input Screen for additional information.
External TTL Control Input
This 37-pin connector provides the user with the ability to control
Channel Mode via externally generated TTL signals. A complete
listing of the pin-outs and how they function is listed in Chapter 6:
External TTL Control.
USB Connector
This connector enables a personal computer running a supplied
Windows®operating system compatible control program to
control the Model 3500 by attaching it to an available USB port on
the computer using the USB cable supplied with the instrument.
Common Reference Connector
Input to this BNC can serve as a common reference for any or all
of the amplifier channels. See Chapter 4: Common Reference for
more information.
Ground Connector
The center conductor of this BNC (Figure 10) is the amplifier’s
chassis (signal) ground.
Figure 7. External TTL Control
Figure 8. USB Connector
Figure 9. Common Reference
Connector

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Ganged Output Connector
This 25-pin output connector is provided for researchers who prefer to use a massed output cable,
rather than the provided individual BNC Output connectors. No cable is provided with the
instrument to mate with this connector.
WARNING
AC Power Input
This instrument has a terminal for protective grounding. Before
applying power, verify that the correct safety precautions are
taken. In addition, note the external markings on the instrument
that indicate line voltages. Do not operate the instrument with its
covers removed. Replace fuse only with specified type. Check
that the correct voltage for your country is indicated on the back
of the unit. The Model 3500 should be delivered with the
appropriate mains power voltage set, at either 100-120 volts or
220-240 volts. A red slide switch located on the back panel just
above the power input determines this setting. Slide the switch
into the correct position if the wrong voltage is displayed. Do not
attach a line voltage that does not match the line voltage indicated
on the rear panel. Before turning on the instrument, you must
connect the protective earth terminal of the instrument to the
protective earth conductor of the (mains) power cord. The mains plug must only be inserted in a
socket outlet with a protective earth contact.
Figure 10. Diagram of Ganged Output Connector
1
2
13 12
25 24
14
15
Ch
1
Ground
(Pins 17 - 25)
Ch
2
Ch
3
Ch
4
Ch
5
Ch
6
Ch
7
Ch
8
Ch
9
Ch
10
Ch
14
Ch
11
Ch
15
Ch
12
Ch
16
Ch
13
Figure 11. AC Power Input / Line
Switch

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PO BOX 850, Carlsborg, WA 98324 USA
Telephone: [phone] * 360-683-8300 * FAX: [phone]
E-mail: [e-mail] * Website: http://www.a-msystems.com
3. Instrument Operation
Initial Power-Up
After unpacking your instrument and verifying that it is configured for the proper AC Power line
values, turn the instrument on using the front panel power switch. The touch-screen LCD should
illuminate and the A-M Systems logo should be displayed briefly as the on-board software loads.
After the initial software loads, the Calibrate Screen Process will begin. By touching the indicated
targets, the software responsible for tracking user input will determine the user’s local pressure
maxima when they press the screen, and will adjust subsequent target hot areas accordingly, thereby
increasing the accuracy of the screen for that particular user.
After completing the calibration process, the unit will display the MAIN MENU. For purposes of
the ensuing discussion, move directly to the CHANNEL EDIT screen by pressing the 1in the
toolbar at the top of the LCD display. The navigation toolbar is described in detail in Chapter 4.
Channel Edit Screen
The CHANNEL EDIT SCREEN is used to edit the parameters of the amplifier channels. The top
line of the CHANNEL EDIT SCREEN (as well as all other screens) is the TOOLBAR, which
contains navigation icons that allow the user to navigate to key screens. The horizontal SINGLE
CHANNEL SELECT LIST bordered by left- and right-facing arrows selects the channel whose
current settings are displayed in the vertical parameter lists (High Pass, Low Pass, Gain, Notch,
Reference, and Mode). The channel to be displayed can be selected by pressing the arrows at either
end of the list, or the channel number itself. Pressing any value displayed in any list will highlight
that value, and will immediately set that channel’s parameter to the selected value. Thus, this is the
equivalent action of turning a dial or a knob on traditional amplifiers. If more settings are available
then can be displayed in a list, an up or down arrow will be displayed which will shift the list
accordingly if pressed.
Please select Channel 1. This can be done either by scrolling the selected value using the Arrow
buttons, or by touching the “1” in the scroll list. When selected, “1” will be highlighted.