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Neurotechnology Research Systems
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Select the file pulse_bursts.txt that is located at C:\Plexon Data\Sample Pattern Files. Note that the
pattern files are Read Only. To change them, first copy and rename the original and then remove
the Read Only flag by right clicking the file name and selecting Properties from the drop down. One
of the dialog boxes below will appear depending on whether LASER or LED is selected for the
Output Device. With Laser selected, you will see the dialog box on the left.
Next you will select the units. Binary is a value from 0-255 which outputs a value from 0-max.
Voltage is represented in mV, Light Power is represented in mW, and Current in mA. Select Voltage.
If your output mode is in mV or mA, you should not select Light Power as your file’s units.
Likewise, if your output mode is in mW, you should not select Voltage or current as your
file’s units.
After you select the units the channel is ready and the start button becomes active. A preview will
appear on the left.
Hint: You can load a .txt file (with no header information) and then save it back as an .opt file
including header information based on the current software settings for the selected channel by
clicking on the button next to the Start All button.
The pattern stored in the file can be repeated a finite number of times or repeated continuously.
This is set in the fields below Load from file. Note that if the pattern is repeated, the first value in
the file will immediately follow the last value with no gap. If your pattern defines a series of pulses,
you will probably want to add some zeros at the end the pattern to maintain a constant pulse “rate”
during repeated playback. For this example select Continuous.
After the file has been loaded start the channel by clicking the start button at the top of the GUI.