The program is installed by copying the appropriate files to their correct directories. This is most easily accomplished using bzr to download the files. Once the files have been copied, a initial set of stimulus and acquisition files can be generated.
The basic configuration is controlled by files located in the config subdirectory.
ACQ uses the the National Instruments NIDAQmx drivers. Any hardware supported by this toolbox can be used for acquisition; the program has been tested with 12 and 16 bit boards from National Instruments. We use NI6052E, NI6251 and NI 6559 boards, with the BNC2090 chassis.
Configure NI boards as follows:
Triggering
Connect PFI0/Trig1 to User1 (via a short BNC cable)
Connect DIO1 to User1 (use a wire jumper)
Connect DIO0 to PFI6 (use a wire jumper)
OR:
Connect PFIO/Trig1 to PFI16 and to DIO1.
The analog signals can be connected to any of the A-D input channels. Select NRSE mode for all channels by setting the appropriate switches on the BNC2090. The channels actually sampled and their order are set in the acquisition parameter file.
If you are using an Axopatch amplifier, such as the Axopatch 200, 200A or 200B, from Axon Instruments (now owned by Molecular Devices), and wish to read the telegraphs, you MUST connect the telegraphs as follows:
AmplifierMODEtelegraphtoA-D input13.
AmplifierGAINtelegraphtoA-D input14.
AmplifierFILTERtelegraphtoA-D input15.
The multiclamp700 series of amplifiers is read by a separate software package, and uses a software connection directly to ACQ4. This package is the “Multiclamp Server”, and must be running in the background before you start Acq4.
If you wish to control an external set of valves, you will need to connect lines from the digital IO port to the valve TTL input. The program sets DIO lines 5-8 to control up to 4 valves.