A-MSystems 3600 User manual

INSTRUCTION MANUAL
FOR
16-CHANNEL EXTRACELLULAR
AMPLIFIER WITH HEADSTAGE
MODEL 3600
Version 6.0
January 2019
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:
User Selected 16-Channel Headstage
10’ USB Cable
Rack Mount Hardware
Instruction Manual

A-M Systems, Inc.
3
PO BOX 850, Carlsborg, WA 98324 USA
Telephone: [phone] * 360-683-8300 * FAX: [phone]
E-mail: [email protected] * Website: http://www.a-msystems.com
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 960004
Manual Document Number
5027906 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.
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.
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.
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.
.
WARNING
WARNING
!
WARNING
CAUTION

A-M Systems, Inc.
4
PO BOX 850, Carlsborg, WA 98324 USA
Telephone: [phone] * 360-683-8300 * FAX: [phone]
E-mail: [email protected] * 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..... 11
INITIAL POWER-UP...................................... 11
CHANNEL EDIT SCREEN............................... 11
COPYING CHANNEL SETTINGS TO OTHER
CHANNELS................................................... 13
4. TOUCH SCREEN MENUS..........14
TOOLBAR..................................................... 14
MAIN MENU SCREEN ................................... 15
LOAD SCREEN.............................................. 16
SAVE SCREEN .............................................. 17
SET STARTUP PROGRAM SCREEN................. 18
INSTRUMENT NAME SCREEN........................ 19
(-) INPUT SCREEN......................................... 20
STIMULATION INPUT SCREEN....................... 22
CALIBRATION SIGNAL.................................. 23
LCD SETTINGS SCREEN............................... 23
CALIBRATE LCD SCREEN............................ 24
STARTUP PAGE SCREEN............................... 25
VERSION SCREEN......................................... 25
CHANNEL EDIT SCREEN............................... 26
8-CHANNEL VIEW SCREEN .......................... 27
16-CHANNEL VIEW SCREEN ........................ 28
OUTPUT MONITORS AND CALIBRATION
SIGNAL SCREEN ........................................... 29
5. HEADSTAGE OPTIONS .............31
6. PC CONTROL SOFTWARE....... 33
WINDOWS 10 ............................................... 33
USING THE CONTROL SOFTWARE................. 39
7. EXTERNAL TTL CONTROL.....42
8. SPECIFICATIONS........................45
9. WARRANTY.................................. 46
Figure 1. Power switch ..................................... 6
Figure 2. Touch Screen Display........................ 6
Figure 3. Output Monitor.................................. 6
Figure 4. Probe Input ........................................ 7
Figure 5. Probe Input ....................................... 7
Figure 6. Probe Stimulation Control................ 7
Figure 7. Probe Stimulation Control................ 7
Figure 8. Channel Output.................................. 8
Figure 9. Stimulation Inputs ............................. 8
Figure 10. External TTL Control...................... 8
Figure 11. TTL Control Connector.................. 8
Figure 12. USB Connector................................ 9
Figure 13. Ground Connector ........................... 9
Figure 14. Diagram of Ganged Output
Connector.................................................. 9
Figure 15. AC Power Input / Line Switch ..... 10
Figure 16. Channel Edit Screen ..................... 12
Figure 17. Toolbar ......................................... 14
Figure 18. Main Menu Screen ....................... 15
Figure 19. Load Screen.................................. 16
Figure 20. Save Screen .................................. 17
Figure 21. Set Startup Screen......................... 18
Figure 22. Instrument Name Screen .............. 19
Figure 23. (-) Input Screen............................. 20
Figure 24. Notch Filter Screen....................... 21
Figure 25. Stimulation Input Screen.............. 22
Figure 26. Contrast Screen............................. 23
Figure 27. Calibrate LCD Screens................. 24
Figure 28. Start-up Page ................................ 25
Figure 29. Version Screen.............................. 25
Figure 30. Channel Edit Screen ..................... 26
Figure 31. 8-Channel View Screen One ........ 27
Figure 32. 8-Channel View Screen Two........ 27
Figure 33. 16-Channel View Screen One ...... 28
Figure 34. 16-Channel View Screen Two...... 28
Figure 35. Monitor and Calibration Signal
Screen...................................................... 30
Figure 36. Headstages.................................... 31
Figure 37. Headstage Input Connector .......... 32
Figure 38. PC Software.................................. 39
Figure 39. Instrument Screen when PC Program
is in Control............................................. 40
Figure 40. Toolbar with TTL Icon................. 42
Figure 41. Diagram of External TTL Connector
Pin Layout............................................... 43

A-M Systems, Inc.
5
PO BOX 850, Carlsborg, WA 98324 USA
Telephone: [phone] * 360-683-8300 * FAX: [phone]
E-mail: [email protected] * Website: http://www.a-msystems.com
1. General Description
The Model 3600 contains 16 low noise, high gain full-featured extracellular amplifiers, or channels, designed
for amplifying microvolt-level input signals. It is paired with several headstage options, including a Record-
Only Miniature headstage, and a Stimulating and Recording Headstage. 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 pseudo-differentially between its signal lead and
Ground, or its signal lead and a Reference Bus. The Bus in turn, can be connected to a 17th amplified input
channel, or to any of the signal leads from the 16 standard input channels.
In addition, when using the Stimulating and Recording Headstage, 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 (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 3600 16-Channel Extracellular Amplifier is not intended for clinical or operating room
measurements in human subjects.

A-M Systems, Inc.
6
PO BOX 850, Carlsborg, WA 98324 USA
Telephone: [phone] * 360-683-8300 * FAX: [phone]
E-mail: [email protected] * 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 3600.
Chapters 3 and 4 describe the individual screens available on the touch-screen LCD interface.
When you receive your Model 3600, 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 3600 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 3600 is a touch-
screen interface whose input determines the settings for all of the
Model 3600 functions.
Output Monitor / Calibration Signal
As the main amplifier outputs are
located on the rear panel, the Model
3600 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

A-M Systems, Inc.
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PO BOX 850, Carlsborg, WA 98324 USA
Telephone: [phone] * 360-683-8300 * FAX: [phone]
E-mail: [email protected] * Website: http://www.a-msystems.com
Rear Panel
Probe Input
This D-Sub 25 pin connector attaches to the output cables of A-M
Systems Headstages. The complete pin-out and function chart is
illustrated in Figure 5. Please note that proper headstage operation
requires setting of a gain value (See Startup Page Screen, pg 26.)
Probe Stimulation Control
This 50-pin HD SCSI connector attaches to the stimulus control of
A-M System’s Stimulating and Recording Headstage. In Figure 7,
“B” equals blank, and “S” equals stimulate. This control cable is
not necessary if a Record only headstage is used.
Figure 4. Probe Input
Figure 5. Probe Input
Figure 6. Probe Stimulation Control
Figure 7. Probe Stimulation Control
1
213 12
25 24 14
15
Ch
13
Ch
14
Ch
12
Ch
15
Ch
11
Ch
16
Ch
10
Ch
9
Ch
8
Ch
7
Ch
6
Ch
5
Ch
4
-2.7V
GroundStim
Ext
Ref
Ch
3
Ground+15V-15V
5V
Ch
2
Ch
1
1
13
43 33
17
47 37
11
41
9753
19
49 39
25
31
23
29
21
27
15
45 35
Ch
13
S
Ch
13
B
Ch
14
S
Ch
14
B
Ch
12
S
Ch
12
B
Ch
15
S
Ch
15
B
Ch
11
S
Ch
11
B
Ch
16
S
Ch
16
B
Ch
10
S
Ch
10
B
Ch
9
S
Ch
9
B
Ch
8
S
Ch
8
B
Ch
7
S
Ch
7
B
Ch
6
S
Ch
6
B
Ch
5
S
Ch
5
B
Ch
4
S
Ch
4
B
Ch
3
S
Ch
3
B
Ch
2
S
Ch
2
B
Ch
1
S
Stim
Minus
Stim
Plus
Ch
1
B

A-M Systems, Inc.
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PO BOX 850, Carlsborg, WA 98324 USA
Telephone: [phone] * 360-683-8300 * FAX: [phone]
E-mail: [email protected] * Website: http://www.a-msystems.com
Channel Output
This BNC connector provides the amplified and filtered output
signal.
Stimulation Inputs
STIM1 and STIM2 BNC connectors are signal inputs. Two
different stimulation signals / sources can be utilized. The Model
3600 can be set to pass the signal present at STIM1 or STIM2 to
desired channels. The outer conductor connects to Ext Ref
Channel while the inner conductor connects to the selected
channels input leads. 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.
Figure 8. Channel Output
Figure 9. Stimulation Inputs
Figure 10. External TTL Control
Figure 11. TTL Control Connector
1
218 17 16 19
20
21
36 35 37
TTLEnable
Vcc(+5V)
Use Stim2
Ground
Master Blank Individual Channel Blanks
(Pins 1 to 16)
Individual Channel StimulationEnables
(Pins 20 to 35)
Ch
13
Ch
13
Ch
14
Ch
14
Ch
12
Ch
12
Ch
15
Ch
15
Ch
11
Ch
11
Ch
16
Ch
16
Ch
10
Ch
10
Ch
9
Ch
9
Ch
8
Ch
8
Ch
7
Ch
7
Ch
6
Ch
6
Ch
5
Ch
5
Ch
4
Ch
4
Ch
3
Ch
3
Ch
2
Ch
2
Ch
1
Ch
1

A-M Systems, Inc.
9
PO BOX 850, Carlsborg, WA 98324 USA
Telephone: [phone] * 360-683-8300 * FAX: [phone]
E-mail: [email protected] * Website: http://www.a-msystems.com
USB Connector
This connector enables a personal computer running a supplied
Windows®operating system compatible control program to
control the Model 3600 by attaching it to an available USB port on
the computer using the USB cable supplied with the instrument.
Ground Connector
This banana jack (Figure 13) is the amplifier’s chassis (signal)
ground.
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.
Figure 12. USB Connector
Figure 13. Ground Connector
Figure 14. Diagram of Ganged Output Connector
1213
12
25
24
14 15
Ch
1
Ground
(Pins 14- 22)
Ch
2
Ch
3
Ch
4
Ch
5
Ch
6
Ch
7
Ch
8
Ch
9
Ch
10
Ch
16
Ch
11
Ch
15
Ch
12
Ch
14
Ch
13

A-M Systems, Inc.
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PO BOX 850, Carlsborg, WA 98324 USA
Telephone: [phone] * 360-683-8300 * FAX: [phone]
E-mail: [email protected] * Website: http://www.a-msystems.com
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 3600 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.
WARNING
Figure 15. AC Power Input / Line
Switch