diff --git a/source/Hardware Guide/Commutators/index.rst b/source/Hardware Guide/Commutators/index.rst index f300691..5d4056c 100644 --- a/source/Hardware Guide/Commutators/index.rst +++ b/source/Hardware Guide/Commutators/index.rst @@ -3,9 +3,9 @@ Coaxial Commutators =================================== Active, near-zero torque commutators prevent tether twisting during freely -moving recordings with headstages and/or miniscopes. This page provides a very +moving recordings with headstages and/or miniscopes. This page provides a very brief overview of the commutators; for a more extensive walkthrough, please -follow the documentation link for `Commutators +follow the `commutator docs `__. :Design Repository: https://github.com/open-ephys/commutators @@ -24,7 +24,7 @@ Overview ONIX Single Channel Commutator ONIX uses an active commutator to prevents tether twisting during freely moving -recordings. A inertial measurement unit (IMU) on the headstage or miniscope +recordings. An inertial measurement unit (IMU) on the headstage or miniscope sends orientation data to the host computer. Because the real-time orientation of the animal is known, software can be used to send commands to the commutator via its USB interface, and the motor in the commutator will turn when the @@ -33,6 +33,14 @@ maintains electrical connectivity for both power and high-frequency data signals between the tether leading to the headstage and the coaxial cable leading to the PCIe host board while turning. +In addition to untwisting the tether, the commutator can also play a role in +managing the tether so it doesn't get in the animal's way and counterweight-ing +the headstage. This is performed by hooking a thin elastic string to the hook on +the bottom of the commutator gear. For more information on how to do this, visit +the `Tether Management and Headstage Counterweight +`_ +page. + Features ------------------------- - High bandwidth link up to 18 GHz diff --git a/source/Hardware Guide/Connections & Cables/index.rst b/source/Hardware Guide/Connections & Cables/index.rst index 192cca1..fe1d1bd 100644 --- a/source/Hardware Guide/Connections & Cables/index.rst +++ b/source/Hardware Guide/Connections & Cables/index.rst @@ -28,7 +28,13 @@ Connectors used for headstage link: * PCIe host board: MMCX connectors * Breakout board: MMCX connectors (to link to PCIe host) & SMA connectors (to link to commutator or headstage). -* Commutator: SMA connectors to link to both breakout board and headstage. +* Commutator: SMA connectors to link to both breakout board and headstage. To + learn how to use an elastic string and the hook on the commutator gear to + counterweight the headstage and prevent the tether from getting in the + animal's way while it explores the behavioral arena, visit the `Tether + Management & Headstage Counterweight + `_ + page from the `commutator docs `_. * The :ref:`headstage_64` & :ref:`headstage_neuropix1`: Hirose X.FL-PR-SMT1-2(80) X.FL coaxial socket connector.