Multichannel Systems MEA_Signal_Generator Manual - Manual (Page 14)

MEA Signal Generator
10
5 Training MC_Rack
With MEA-SG it is easy to train users on the software which is specially made for MEA-Systems:
MC_Rack, MEA_Select (if you have an amplifier with blanking circuit), and MC_DataTool.
Together with MC_Card and MC_Rack you have a complete set for data acquisition, and
MEA-SG generates the data for training instead of an animal experiment. This possibility
increases the flexibility of the unpracticed user. Please read the MC_Rack Manual for detailed
information. The reasonable "Step by Step" Tutorial gives you an impression how MC_Rack
is generally working, and you can deal with prepared racks.
If you do not wish to read the complex MC_Rack Manual. MEA-SG gives you the chance of
"Learning by Doing". Because of your "mechanical animal", you can learn the MC_Rack features
until you feel comfortable. Do not only follow the specified way in "Step by Step" Tutorial,
try to think about some features which are important for your own experimental intentions
and you will realize your ideas.
5.1 Summarized information about MC_Rack
In MC_Rack (the rack you use to record and analyze data online and offline) the data files
are independent from each other. You can save and reuse a rack for several experiments,
and generate separate data files. You can then load the generated data file with another rack
for further offline analysis later.
The main power of MC_Rack is its great flexibility. You can combine various virtual instruments
according to your experimental setup. You can decide about the fate of each single data stream
separately. It is up to you, which data streams are displayed on the screen, which are saved, which
are analyzed, and so on. This concept saves disk space and computer performance and makes
handling of up to 128 channels with up to 50 kHz sampling rate easy. A status bar informs you
of the actual performance of your computer when you record or replay data.
Please note that the high flexibility of MC_Rack can make a complex configuration of the
software necessary - please do not be concerned by this. It is easy when you know how.
It is very important to note, that all virtual instruments in your rack work independently from
each other. As a consequence, they have to be configured separately. For example, you have to
select the input streams for each instrument separately.
Generally, you will arrange the virtual instruments in your rack in a hierarchical order. The
selected data streams flow from your MC_Card or from the Replayer (recorded data) into the
virtual instrument highest in the hierarchy. Similar to a production line in a plant, this instrument
picks up only those channels from the data streams that you have assigned to it. It processes this
data and produces an output stream, that is lead to the virtual instrument(s) next in the hierarchy,
and so on. When you build a rack, make yourself clear, which data streams flow to which
instrument and what output you should expect. If you change the selection of channels for
a virtual instrument, you may have to adjust the selection for instruments that depend on its
output as well. If you have not specified an input for a tool, an error message will inform you.