Molecular Devices Digidata 1550 User manual

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Digidata 1550 Low-Noise Data Acquisition System
Quick Start Guide
The Digidata® 1550 Low-Noise Data Acquisition System is a high-resolution, low-noise
digitizer intended for electrophysiology experiments. It is a plug-and-play device that is
automatically recognized by the Windows operating system, and supported by the
included software, AxoScope 10.4 (or higher), and by the optional pCLAMP Clampex 10.4
software.
Included Components
•Digidata 1550 digitizer
•Power cord
•USB 2.0 cable
•CD-ROM with AxoScope 10.4 Software for Windows
•Printed Quick Start Guide
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
•3 High-speed built-in USB2 ports
Getting Help
User guides for the Digidata 1550 digitizer hardware and the AxoScope software can be
found on the included CD-ROM and on the Molecular Devices® Support website.
Contacting Support
Check the Support section of the Molecular Devices website at
www.moleculardevices.com/Support where there is a link to our on-line Knowledge Base
that contains product-specific questions and answers to many common issues.
Contact Molecular Devices Technical Support at [e-mail] or
1-800-635-5577 (US only); elsewhere, contact your local representative.
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Installing AxoScope or pCLAMP Software
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.
Note: Before installing the software from a CD-ROM, verify on the
Molecular Devices support web site that it contains the latest version. If you
do not have the latest version, you can download it from the support web
site at www.moleculardevices.com/support.
Install the AxoScope 10.4 or pCLAMP 10.4 software. The Digidata 1550 digitizer drivers
are included in the installation. An AxoScope 10.4 software CD is included. If you have
purchased the pCLAMP 10.4 software suite, 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.
(pCLAMP Only) Installing the Security Key
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 10.4 software use. Dongles for any previous versions of
the pCLAMP software are invalid.
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Hardware Overview
The following illustrates the main sections of the digitizer that you will use.
Digital Triggering
Analog Inputs
Analog Outputs
Digital Outputs
Figure 1-1: Front panel of the Digidata 1550 digitizer.
Digital OutputsTelegraphs
Figure 1-2: Rear panel of the Digidata 1550 digitizer.
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 2.0 cable to a USB 2 port on your computer, and to the digitizer.
3. Switch on the power on the Digidata 1550 digitizer.
The green POWER light is continuously on only when the digitizer is powered
on and the USB cable is connected to the computer.
Windows automatically finds the new hardware, and installs the drivers.
4. Let the Digidata 1550 digitizer warm up for one hour before performing
experiments.
5. Configure AxoScope 10.4 or pCLAMP 10.4 software for use with the Digidata
1550 digitizer.
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Product manufactured by Molecular Devices, LLC.
1311 Orleans Drive, Sunnyvale, California, United States of America 94089.
Molecular Devices, LLC is ISO 9001 registered.
© 2013 Molecular Devices, LLC.
All rights reserved.
For research use only. Not for use in diagnostic procedures.
The trademarks mentioned herein are the property of Molecular Devices, LLC or their respective owners. These
trademarks may not be used in any type of promotion or advertising without the prior written permission of
Molecular Devices, LLC.
Patents: http://www.moleculardevices.com/productpatents
Configuring Software for Digidata 1550 Digitizer Use
This configuration procedure applies to AxoScope 10.4 and pCLAMP Clampex 10.4
software.
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.
3. Select Digidata 1550 Series from the Digitizer Type list.
4. Click the Scan button to detect the digitizer. The Configuration field shows the
digitizer’s serial number and firmware version, and the OK button enables.
Figure 1-3: Configuration message changes after clicking Scan
5. Click OK to exit the dialog, then click OK to exit the Digitizer dialog.
The front panel yellow READY light is continuously on only when the software connects
to the digitizer. After warming up, the Digidata 1550 digitizer is ready for experiments.
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