NPI GIA-05X Operating instructions

OPERATING INSTRUCTIONS AND
SYSTEM DESCRIPTION FOR THE
GIA-05X
GATING UNIT FOR THE SEC-05X
AMPLIFIER
VERSION 1.1
npi 2013
npi electronic GmbH, Bauhofring 16, D-71732 Tamm, Germany
Phone [phone]; Fax: [phone]
[email protected]; http://www.npielectronic.com

GIA-05X User Manual
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Table of Contents
1. Safety Regulations .............................................................................................................. 3
2. GIA-05X ............................................................................................................................. 4
2.1. Description of the Front Panel..................................................................................... 4
2.2. Connections and Operation ......................................................................................... 7
Connections ................................................................................................................. 7
Operation ..................................................................................................................... 7
3. Technical Data .................................................................................................................... 7

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1. Safety Regulations
VERY IMPORTANT:Instruments and components supplied by npi electronic are NOT
intended for clinical use or medical purposes (e.g. for diagnosis or treatment of
humans), or for any other life-supporting system. npi electronic disclaims any
warranties for such purpose. Equipment supplied by npi electronic must be operated
only by selected, trained and adequately instructed personnel. For details please consult
the GENERAL TERMS OF DELIVERY AND CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS of npi
electronic, D-71732 Tamm, Germany.
1) GENERAL: This system is designed for use in scientific laboratories and must be
operated by trained staff only. General safety regulations for operating electrical devices
should be followed.
2) AC MAINS CONNECTION: While working with the npi systems, always adhere to the
appropriate safety measures for handling electronic devices. Before using any device
please read manuals and instructions carefully.
The device is to be operated only at 115/230 Volt 60/50 Hz AC. Please check for
appropriate line voltage before connecting any system to mains.
Always use a three-wire line cord and a mains power-plug with a protection contact
connected to ground (protective earth).
Before opening the cabinet, unplug the instrument.
Unplug the instrument when replacing the fuse or changing line voltage. Replace fuse
only with an appropriate specified type.
3) STATIC ELECTRICITY: Electronic equipment is sensitive to static discharges. Some
devices such as sensor inputs are equipped with very sensitive FET amplifiers, which can
be damaged by electrostatic charge and must therefore be handled with care. Electrostatic
discharge can be avoided by touching a grounded metal surface when changing or
adjusting sensors. Always turn power off when adding or removing modules,
connecting or disconnecting sensors, headstages or other components from the
instrument or 19” cabinet.
4) TEMPERATURE DRIFT / WARM-UP TIME: All analog electronic systems are
sensitive to temperature changes. Therefore, all electronic instruments containing analog
circuits should be used only in a warmed-up condition (i.e. after internal temperature has
reached steady-state values). In most cases a warm-up period of 20-30 minutes is
sufficient.
5) HANDLING: Please protect the device from moisture, heat, radiation and corrosive
chemicals.

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2. GIA-05X
The GIA-05X is a two channel input unit for the SEC-05X or SEC-05LX single electrode
amplifier. It allows gating of a stimulus whose amplitude is preselected by a digital
potentiometer. One channel is used for a voltage command in Voltage Clamp (VC) mode and
the other channel for a current stimulus in Current Clamp (CC) mode. It is housed in a small
19" rackmount cabinet with built-in power supply.
The unit is connected to the input BNCs of the SEC-05 system. Each channel has an analog
input BNC, a GATE input and a digital control for the step size.
2.1. Description of the Front Panel
Figure 1: GIA-05X front panel view

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In the following description of the front panel elements each element has a number that is
related to that in Figure 1. The number is followed by the name (in uppercase letters) written
on the front panel and the type of the element (in lowercase letters). Then, a short description
of the element is given.
(1) POWER switch
Switch to set POWER to on or off.
(2) ÷10 mV / ÷40 mV / OFF switch
Switch for scaling the external voltage COMMAND INPUT in Voltage Clamp (VC) mode.
÷10 mV: The voltage at VC COMMAND INPUT (#3) is divided by ten, i.e. 100 mV at
BNC connector #3is transformed to a 10 mV command
÷40 mV: The voltage at VC COMMAND INPUT (#3) is divided by forty, i.e. 100 mV
at BNC connector #3is transformed to a 2.5 mV command
OFF: The external VC COMMAND INPUT (#3) is disabled.
Note: If no external command is used the switch should be set to OFF to avoid noise!
(3) VC COMMAND INPUT connector
BNC connector for connecting an external voltage COMMAND in Voltage Clamp (VC)
mode. The voltage is internally divided by 10 or 40 depending on the position of switch #2.
(4) VC COMMAND OUTPUT connector
BNC connector providing the voltage COMMAND in Voltage Clamp (VC) mode.
Important: The scaling of the STEP SIZE (#5) is correct only if the VC COMMAND
OUTPUT connector is linked to the connector VC COMMAND INPUT ÷10 mV at the front
panel of the SEC-05X.
(5) STEP SIZE (mV) digital potentiometer
Control to set the amplitude of the voltage COMMAND in VC mode (digital potentiometer
(XXX mV) range: 999 mV).
(6) + / 0 / - switch
+ / 0 / - toggle switch to disable the gated voltage COMMAND in VC mode, or to select the
polarity of the gated stimulus (+: gated voltage COMMAND positive, 0: gated voltage
COMMAND disabled, -: gated voltage COMMAND negative).
(7) GATE TTL connector (VC)
With this input a gated voltage COMMAND in VC mode can be generated set by the digital
potentiometer STEP SIZE (5) and the polarity switch (6). This voltage step is gated by a
positive TTL pulse (3-5 V) applied to the BNC connector.
(8) GATE TTL connector (CC)
With this input a gated stimulus in Current Clamp (CC) mode can be generated set by the
digital potentiometer STEP SIZE (10) and the polarity switch (9). This current step is gated
by a positive TTL pulse (3-5 V) applied to the BNC connector.

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(9) + / 0 / - switch
+ / 0 / - toggle switch to disable the gated stimulus in CC mode, or to select the polarity of the
gated stimulus (+: gated stimulus positive, 0: gated stimulus disabled, -: gated stimulus
negative).
(10) STEP SIZE (1 nA / V) digital potentiometer
Control to set the amplitude of the gated stimulus in CC mode (digital potentiometer (X.XX
mV) range: 9.99 nA, see also #11).
(11) CC STIMULUS OUTPUT connector
BNC connector providing the current STIMULUS in CC mode.
Important: The scaling of the STEP SIZE (#10) is correct only if CC STIMULUS OUTPUT
connector is linked to the CURRENT STIMULUS INPUT 1 nA/V connector at the front
panel of the SEC-05X.
(12) CC STIMULUS INPUT connector
BNC connector for connecting an external current STIMULUS in CC mode. The INPUT is
scaled 1 nA/V or 0.1 nA/V depending on the position of switch #13.
(13) 1 nA/V / 0.1 nA/V / OFF switch
Switch for scaling the external current STIMULUS INPUT in CC mode.
1 nA/V: The voltage at CC STIMULUS INPUT (#12) is converted to a current with a
scaling of 1 nA/V, i.e. 100 mV at BNC connector #12 is transformed to a
100 pA current
0.1 nA/V: The voltage at CC STIMULUS INPUT (#12) is converted to a current with a
scaling of 0.1 nA/V, i.e. 100 mV at BNC connector #12 is transformed to a
10 pA current
OFF: The external CC STIMULUS INPUT (#3) is disabled.
Note: If no external stimulus input is used the switch should be set to OFF to avoid noise!
(14) POWER ON LED
LED indicating that the GIA-05X is switched on.

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2.2. Connections and Operation
Connections
The following connections are required for operation of the GIA-05X with an SEC-05X
(SEC-05LX). The numbers are related to Figure 1.
o Connect the analog output(s) of your data acquisition system or a function generator to
VC COMMAND INPUT (#3) and to CC STIMULUS INPUT (#12).
o Connect VC COMMAND OUTPUT (#4) to the connector VC COMMAND INPUT
÷10 mV at the front panel of the SEC-05X.
o Connect CC STIMULUS OUTPUT (#11) to the CURRENT STIMULUS INPUT 1 nA/V
connector at the front panel of the SEC-05X.
o If you intend to use the gated steps in VC and/or CC mode connect TTL signals to both
GATE TTL connectors (#7and #8).
Operation
If you use your data acquisition system or a function generator to create voltage commands or
current stimuli set the scaling according to the position of switch #2and switch #13. Make
sure that switch #6and switch #9are set to 0.
If you use the built-in function generator to apply gated voltage commands or current stimuli
set the digital potentiometers #5and #10 to the desired values, set the step polarity with
switch #6and switch #9, and apply a TTL signal to the GATE TTL connectors #7and #8.
The voltage commands or current stimuli are generated as long as the TTL signal is HI (3 to 5
V). Make sure that switch #2and switch #13 are set to OFF.
Important: Gated and external commands/stimuli are added by the GIA-05X.
3. Technical Data
OPERATING RANGE: ±10 Volt
INPUT: BNC connector, impedance 100 k, maximum voltage 10 V,
scaling VC: ÷10 mV or ÷40 mV, selected by toggle switch
scaling CC: 1 nA/V or 0.1 nA/V, selected by toggle switch
STEP SIZE: VC: 1 mV – 999 mV; CC: 0.01 nA – 9.99 nA
OUTPUT: BNC connector, impedance 50 , maximum voltage 10 V
GATE TTL INPUT: 10 k, LO: <2 V; HI: 3 V - 5 V
DIMENSIONS: 19” rackmount cabinet, 19” (483 mm), 10” (250 mm), 1.75”
(44 mm)
POWER REQUIREMENTS: 115/230 V AC, 60/50 Hz, fuse 0.4/0.2 A, slow