Molecular Devices Digidata 1550 User manual

www.moleculardevices.com
Digidata® 1550
Low-Noise Data Acquisition System
User Guide
5023399 A
April 2013

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5023399 A 3
Contents
Chapter 1: Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
Components . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
Minimum Computer Requirements. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
Recommended Computer System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
Programming. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
Chapter 2: Installation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
Installing AxoScope or pCLAMP Software. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
Installing the pCLAMP Security Key (pCLAMP Only) . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
Installing the Digidata 1550 Digitizer. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
Configuring Software for Digidata 1550 Digitizer Use . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
Chapter 3: Interface Description. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
Front Panel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
Analog Inputs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
Analog Outputs. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
Digital Outputs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12
Start and Tag Input Triggers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12
Scope Output . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12
Rear Panel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12
Telegraph Inputs. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13
USB 2 Port . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13
Digital Outputs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13
AC Power. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13
Chapter 4: Maintenance and Troubleshooting . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15
Functional Checkout . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16
Step 1. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16
Step 2. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18
Step 3. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18
Step 4. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20
Grounding and Minimizing Noise . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21
Replacing Fuses . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22

Digidata 1550 Low-Noise Data Acquisition System User Guide
4 5023399 A
Troubleshooting Problems and Solutions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23
Isolating the Problem . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23
Power Light on the Front Panel Off . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24
Ready Light on the Front Panel Flashes Continually . . . . . . . . . . . 24
Problems With Analog or Digital Outputs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24
Problems With Analog or Digital Inputs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24
Digitizer does not work properly . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25
Data throughput problems. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26
Contacting Support . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26
Before you call. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26
Appendix A: Specifications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29
Analog Inputs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29
Analog Outputs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29
Digital Inputs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30
Digital Outputs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30
Telegraph Inputs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31
AC Power . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32
Operational and Environmental . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32
Appendix B: Electromagnetic Compatibility (EMC) . . . . . . . . . . 33
REGULATORY INFORMATION FOR CANADA
(ICES/NMB-001:2006) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33
ISM EQUIPMENT CLASSIFICATION (Group 1, Class A). . . . . . . . . . . . 33
INFORMATION FOR THE USER (FCC NOTICE). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33
Appendix C: Safety Guide . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 35
Instrument Safety Labels. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36
Index . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 37

5023399 A 5
1
Introduction
The Digidata® 1550 Low-Noise Data Acquisition System is a
high-resolution, low-noise digitizer intended for precision scientific
applications. It is particularly designed for electrophysiology
experiments, to send and receive signals from microelectrode amplifiers,
and to interact with peripheral instruments such as solution changers
and stimulators.
The Digidata 1550 digitizer has eight independent analog input channels
at up to 500 kHz each, and has eight independent 16-bit analog outputs
for arbitrary waveform generation. There are eight digital output lines, as
well as TAG and START digital inputs.
The Digidata 1550 digitizer communicates with the host computer using
USB 2.0.
The Digidata 1550 digitizer is a plug-and-play device, so it is
automatically recognized by Windows. The Digidata 1550 digitizer is
supported on Windows systems by AxoScope 10.4 (or higher) and by
pCLAMP’s Clampex 10.4. AxoScope is an easy-to-use, full-featured data
acquisition program for Windows that is included with the Digidata 1550
digitizer.
The Digidata 1550 digitizer is contained within a rack-mount case, but it
also has non-marking elastomeric feet for use on a desktop.
Components
•Digidata 1550 digitizer
•Power cord
•USB 2.0 cable
•CD-ROM with AxoScope 10.4 Software for Windows
•Printed Quick Start Guide

Digidata 1550 Low-Noise Data Acquisition System User Guide
6 5023399 A
Minimum Computer Requirements
•PC with a 2 GHz CPU
•Windows XP
•1.2 GB RAM available
•500 MB hard disk
•800 × 600 display system (small fonts)
•High-speed built-in USB 2 port
Recommended Computer System
•PC with a 2 GHz CPU (or faster)
•Windows 7 (32-bit or 64-bit)
•2 GB RAM (or more)
•2 GB hard disk (or more)
•1024 × 768 display system (large or small fonts)
•3 High-speed built-in USB 2 ports
Programming
The Digidata 1550 digitizer is supplied with the AxoScope 10.4 turnkey
software for continuous data acquisition. No programming is required for
use with this program, or with the pCLAMP 10.4 data acquisition
software.
For third-party programming of the digitizer, see the Test Bed and File
Support Pack files included in pCLAMP, or check the Molecular Devices
website Support/Knowledge Base for downloads.

5023399 A 7
2
Installation
The following procedures install the new software and drivers parallel to
previously installed hardware and software, allowing you to continue to
use the earlier Digidata®1200, 132x, or 1440A Series digitizers and earlier
versions of AxoScope or pCLAMP software. However, if you no longer use
older installed digitizers and corresponding software, uninstall them
before you begin the following new installation procedure.
Installation involves procedures in the following order:
1. Installing AxoScope or pCLAMP Software
2. Installing the pCLAMP Security Key (pCLAMP Only) on page 8
3. Installing the Digidata 1550 Digitizer on page 8
4. Configuring Software for Digidata 1550 Digitizer Use on page 8
Installing AxoScope or pCLAMP Software
Install the AxoScope 10.4 or pCLAMP 10.4 software, which includes the
Digidata 1550 digitizer drivers. An AxoScope 10.4 software CD is
included. If you have purchased the pCLAMP 10.4 software, install it
instead of AxoScope 10.4 software.
1. Insert the AxoScope 10.4 or pCLAMP 10.4 software CD into your
computer’s CD-ROM drive.
2. The setup dialog is displayed automatically; if not, use Windows
Explorer to open the CD directory and double-click the
AxoScope_10_4.exe, or pCLAMP_10_4.exe file. The installation
menu appears.
3. Follow the on-screen instruction to install the software.
Note: Before installing the software from a CD-ROM, verify on the
Molecular Devices support web site it contains the latest version. If you
do not have the latest version, you can download it from the support
web site www.moleculardevices.com/support.

Digidata 1550 Low-Noise Data Acquisition System User Guide
8 5023399 A
Installing the pCLAMP Security Key (pCLAMP Only)
If you install pCLAMP software, insert the provided pCLAMP 10 security
key (dongle) into any USB port on your computer. The dongle must be
connected to a USB port on your computer for authorized pCLAMP
Clampex 10.4 software use.
Installing the Digidata 1550 Digitizer
1. Connect the power cord to the wall, and then to the Digidata
1550 digitizer rear panel AC power input connector.
2. Attach the USB 2 cable to a USB 2.0 port on your computer, and
then to the digitizer.
3. Switch on the power on the Digidata 1550 digitizer.
4. Let the Digidata 1550 digitizer warm up for one hour before
performing experiments.
5. Windows automatically finds the new hardware and installs the
drivers.
6. Configure AxoScope 10.4 or pCLAMP 10.4 software for use with
the digitizer.
Configuring Software for Digidata 1550 Digitizer Use
This configuration procedure applies to AxoScope 10.4 and pCLAMP
Clampex 10.4 software. By default the Demo digitizer mode is active.
1. Run AxoScope or Clampex by double-clicking on the icon on the
Windows desktop.
2. Click Configure > Digitizer to open the Digitizer dialog, then click
the Change button.
CAUTION! After the unit is powered on, the first time it is initialized by
the pCLAMP software, the analog output channels send out a brief
negative spike (~-10 V/25 ms and -5 V/270 ms). Make sure that the analog
outputs are not connected to any equipment that can be damaged by
such voltages during the startup period.

Installation
5023399 A 9
Figure 2-1: Example Digitizer Dialog.
3. In the Change Digitizer dialog select Digidata 1550 Series from
the Digitizer Type list.
Figure 2-2: Digitizer Type Selection of Digidata 1550 digitizer
4. Click the Scan button to detect the digitizer. The Configuration
message changes from unavailable to listing the selected
digitizer serial number and firmware version, and the OK button
enables.

Digidata 1550 Low-Noise Data Acquisition System User Guide
10 5023399 A
Figure 2-3: Configuration message changes after clicking Scan
5. Click OK to exit the Change Digitizer dialog.
Figure 2-4: Digitizer dialog displaying active digitizer mode
The Digitizer dialog appears showing the currently active
digitizer mode.
6. Click OK to exit the Digitizer dialog.
After the Digidata 1550 digitizer warms up (allow one hour), it is ready to
perform experiments.

5023399 A 11
3
Interface Description
Front Panel
The following is the front panel description of the Digidata 1550 digitizer.
Figure 3-1: Front panel of the Digidata 1550 digitizer.
There is a single rocker-style On/Off switch.
There are two indicator lights: POWER and READY.
•When the digitizer is powered on, and the USB cable is
connected to the computer, the green POWER light is
continuously on.
•When the digitizer is recognized by the software and ready for
use, the yellow READY light is continuously on.
The front panel connectors are all BNCs.
Analog Inputs
There are eight 16-bit single-ended analog input channels. The BNC
shields for the Analog Inputs are connected to the Analog ground. All of
these channels can be used simultaneously without any reduction in
each channel’s throughput. These input channels are typically used to
digitize biological signals.
Analog Outputs
The front panel has eight 16-bit analog output channels. Each channel
has an operational amplifier to buffer the output signal of the D/A
converter. The eight analog output channels can be simultaneously used
for waveform generation.

Digidata 1550 Low-Noise Data Acquisition System User Guide
12 5023399 A
Digital Outputs
Digital Outputs 0–7 are on the front panel of the Digidata 1550 digitizer.
These output levels can be set to high (+5 V) or low (0 V) TTL-level states.
They can be used to trigger a wide variety of external devices.
Start and Tag Input Triggers
START and TAG are digital input triggers compatible with TTL-level
signals.
•The START input is used to begin data acquisition from an
external trigger source.
•The TAG input is used to automatically mark events (for example,
perfusion ON) within the data.
Scope Output
The SCOPE output is a digital signal that reflects specific actions in
Clampex and AxoScope, such as the beginning of an acquisition
recording, sweep, event, or level. It is useful as an oscilloscope trigger, or
to synchronize data acquisition with other devices.
Rear Panel
There are several connectors on the rear panel of the Digidata 1550
digitizer: four BNCs, one USB connector, one 25-pin connector, and one
AC POWER input.
Figure 3-2: Rear panel of the Digidata 1550 digitizer.

Interface Description
5023399 A 13
Telegraph Inputs
The Digidata 1550 digitizer has a dedicated A/D converter that provides
four telegraph input channels on the rear panel. These telegraph input
channels provide gain, frequency, and capacitance values from
manually-controlled amplifiers (for example, Axopatch 200B). These
inputs are independent of the 8 analog input channels.
Computer-controlled amplifiers (for example, MultiClamp 700A/B,
Axoclamp 900A) use software signals instead of such hard-wired
telegraph signals.
USB 2 Port
There is a single USB 2.0 type B female port on the rear panel for
attaching a USB 2.0 cable to allow connection to the host computer’s
USB 2 port.
Digital Outputs
A DB 25-pin female connector is provided as an alternative way to access
the software-controlled digital outputs.
AC Power
There is a single AC power input connector on the rear panel for the
supplied AC power line cord.
Note: Only digital outputs 0–7 are supported in existing Molecular
Devices software. See Appendix A: Specifications on page 29 for pin
definitions to make your own cable.

Digidata 1550 Low-Noise Data Acquisition System User Guide
14 5023399 A

5023399 A 15
4
Maintenance and Troubleshooting
Perform only the maintenance described in this guide. Maintenance
procedures other than those specified in this guide can be performed
only by Molecular Devices service engineers. See Contacting Support on
page 26.
Before operating the instrument or performing maintenance operations,
make sure that you are familiar with the safety information in this guide.
See Appendix C: Safety Guide on page 35.
The following topics describe maintenance and troubleshooting
procedures that can be performed by users to ensure optimum operation
of the instrument.
•Functional Checkout
•Grounding and Minimizing Noise on page 21
•Replacing Fuses on page 22
•Troubleshooting Problems and Solutions on page 23
WARNING! Service or maintenance procedures other than those
specified in this guide can be performed only by trained service
engineers. When service is required, contact a Molecular Devices
service engineer.

Digidata 1550 Low-Noise Data Acquisition System User Guide
16 5023399 A
Functional Checkout
The Functional Checkout procedure provides step-by-step instructions to
verify signals.
Step 1
If you are able to configure the Digidata 1550 digitizer in the software,
then the digitizer is properly installed in Windows.
To configure the digitizer for AxoScope or Clampex:
1. Click Configure > Digitizer.
2. If Digidata 1550 Series is not displayed:
Click the Change button.
In the Change Digitizer dialog, select Digidata 1550 Series
from the Digitizer Type list.
Click the Scan button to detect the digitizer. The
Configuration field should change to a listing of the serial
number of the recognized digitizer and the firmware version,
and the OK button enables.

Maintenance and Troubleshooting
5023399 A 17
(pCLAMP Only) If the Configuration field shows The security
key is not present, install the provided pCLAMP 10.4 dongle
into the computer USB port.
Click OK to exit this dialog.
3. Click the Configure button.
4. The Configure Digidata 1550 dialog displays the serial number of
the device and the firmware version.
The serial number should match the number on the barcode
label of the unit.
The Power-on Holding Levels section is used to set the
voltage on the Analog Out channels at the time that the
Digidata 1550 Low-Noise Data Acquisition System is turned
on. The initial Digital Out levels can also be set high or low by
selecting the check boxes above the numbers corresponding
to each digital output (selected means high, cleared means
low). Attach an oscilloscope to each output to verify their
levels, both prior to launching the software (AxoScope or
Clampex) and after launching the software.

Digidata 1550 Low-Noise Data Acquisition System User Guide
18 5023399 A
Step 2
Check that you have a USB 2.0 port in your computer.
1. In Windows 7, right-click Computer and select Properties.
In Windows XP, right-click My Computer and select Properties.
2. Click Device Manager.
In Windows XP, click the Hardware tab and then click Device
Manager.
3. Expand the Universal Serial Bus controllers tree.
4. If you do not have an entry for USB 2, then look for Enhanced PCI
to USB Host Controller. “Enhanced” is a key word indicating a
USB 2.0 controller.
Step 3
Verify analog and digital outputs.
With AxoScope or Clampex:
1. Click the Lab Bench button (or click Configure > Lab Bench)
and select the Output Signals tab. For each of the Digitizer
Channels (for example, Analog OUT #0), select a matching Signal
(for example, OUT 0), and configure that signal with unity scaling
(for example, Scale factor (V/V): 1).

Maintenance and Troubleshooting
5023399 A 19
2. Set up a protocol through the Acquire > New Protocol menu
command, and then on the Mode/Rate tab, select the Gap-free
mode. On the Outputs tab, for each of the Analog OUT
Channels, select the matching signal (for example, OUT 1) from
its list.
3. Attach the digitizer’s outputs to an oscilloscope or 10-bit digital
volt meter (DVM).
4. For each output signal, use the software’s Real Time Control
panel to change voltage levels. For analog outputs, either use the
spinners, or type a value and press the Enter key. For digital
outputs, click on the box corresponding to the digital bit to be
tested. Verify the output signal levels on the oscilloscope or
DVM.

Digidata 1550 Low-Noise Data Acquisition System User Guide
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Step 4
Verify analog inputs.
With AxoScope or Clampex:
1. Click the Lab Bench button (or click Configure > Lab Bench)
and select the Input Signal tab. For each of the Digitizer
Channels (for example, Analog IN #0), select a matching Signal
(for example, IN 0), and configure that signal with unity scaling
(for example, Scale factor (V/V): 1).
2. Click the Edit Protocol button (or click Acquire > Edit
Protocol) and then, on the Inputs tab, for each of the Analog IN
Channels, select the matching signal (for example, IN 0) from its
list.
3. Connect a BNC cable from the analog outputs to the analog
inputs to be tested.
4. Click the Record button (or click Acquire > Record) to
acquire data. For each analog output signal, use the software’s
Real Time Control panel to change voltage levels. Either use the
spinners or type a value and then press Enter.
5. Click the Last Recording button (or click File > Last
Recording) to open the data file. Verify the input signal levels
using the cursors in the window. To display a subset of the
signals, right-click on the data display area, select Properties,
and go to the Show/Hide tab.