TDT RZ6
Description
The TDT RZ6 Multi I/O Processor is an advanced research tool tailored for (PhD) students seeking versatile capabilities in neuroscience and experimental setups. This device excels in various critical aspects:
- Signal Processing Power: The RZ6 is a device, capable of real-time signal processing, making it ideal for experiments requiring precise timing and complex data manipulation.
- Multimodal Data Acquisition: It can simultaneously acquire multiple types of data, such as neural signals, analog inputs, and digital events, allowing for comprehensive experimental monitoring.
- Customizable Experimentation: The BIOX toolbox enables flexible programming for students designing and controlling experiments with a high degree of specificity.
- Synchronization: The RZ6 I/O can be used for synchronizing with other devices, ensuring precise timing between various components of an experimental setup.
- Stimulation Capabilities: Students can employ the RZ6 to deliver precisely timed stimuli, making it valuable for a wide range of experiments involving sensory or behavioral responses.
- MATLAB Integration: The RZ6 is fully compatible, facilitating seamless integration and data analysis within MATLAB.
- Reliability: It has a reputation for robustness and durability that students can rely on for consistent, high-quality data collection.
Technical info
Relevant manual from TDT
- Overview: https://www.tdt.com/docs/.
- RZ6: https://www.tdt.com/files/manuals/hardware/RZ6.pdf.
- PM2Relay: https://www.tdt.com/files/manuals/hardware/PM2R.pdf.
- RPvdsEx: http://www.tdt.com/files/manuals/RPvdsEx_Manual.pdf.
- ActiveX: http://www.tdt.com/files/manuals/ActiveX_User_Reference.pdf.
TDT ActiveX controls enable Matlab to real-time control TDT system 3 hardware. See page 5 of the manual for example code to use Matlab to get a circuit running on the RZ6. Examples can be found in C:\TDT\ActiveX\ActXExamples\matlab.
Digital I/O
The RZ6 has a DB25 connector for digital I/O. A custom patch panel 'PP RZ6 Digital-I/O' is available that splits the I/O to a DB25 connector for multiplexer control, a DB25 connector for a response box and eight BNC connector for separate I/O bits.
Multiplexer control
Byte-C is for multiplexer control. Four PM2R multiplexer can be controlled via this output. The fifth and sixth bit of byte-C codes for the PM2R device ID (0-3). The first four bits for the channel number. Only one channel can be open at a time for each PM2R. The seventh bit opens the channel and the eighth bit closes any open channel.
| Bit number | Integer value | Function |
|---|---|---|
| 0 | 1 | Bit 1 (least significant bit) of channel number |
| 1 | 2 | Bit 2 of channel number |
| 2 | 4 | Bit 3 of channel number |
| 3 | 8 | Bit 4 (most significant bit) of channel number |
| 4 | 16 | Least significant bit of device number |
| 5 | 32 | Most significant bit of device number |
| 6 | 64 | Turns on the channel of the specified device |
| 7 | 128 | Turns off all channels on the specified device only |
Response Box
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Digital I/O breakout
The Digital I/O of the RZ6 has 24 digital lines forming byte A, B and C. For these digital lines we made a breakout panel named PP RZ6 Digital I/O. This panel has a DSub25-M connector for hooking up to the RZ6, a DSub25-M connector for connecting PM2R multiplexers to the RZ6 and a DSub25-F connector for connecting a Response Box to the RZ6. The input bits A4..A7 and output bits B4..B7 each have a BNC connector. The output bits can be used for sending trigger to other devices. The input bits can be used for receiving triggers (e.g. from a pushbutton).
Programming
RPvdsEx
The programming of the RZ6 is done in RPvdsEx, which is a graphical development tool by Tucker Davis Technologies.
Matlab interface
BIOX toolbox
We have developed a toolbox that can perform tasks for a large number of different experiments. It consists of RPvdsEx code and a set of Matlab functions.
- see BIOX