Differences Between Generations#
The Acquisition Board design has evolved over the years to add features and improvements.
Different combinations of the Acquisition Board main board and the FPGA module make up different Acquisition Board generations.
Although newer generations are backwards compatible and all generations generally work in the same way, there are some important distinctions to consider. This page contains about information about these distinctions.
Identify Your Acquisition Board#
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Gen 3 Acquisition Boards have a single power supply input on the Open Ephys FT600 USB board FPGA module and a Harp Clk Out port. The case has the 3d logo on the top. |
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Gen 2 Acquisition Boards have a single power supply input on the Open Ephys FT600 USB board FPGA module. |
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Gen 1 Acquisition Boards have two power supply inputs, one on the Opal Kelly XEM6310-LX45 FPGA module and one on the main board. |
Hardware Differences#
This table can help you understand the hardware differences that define each generation.
Acquisition Board Generation |
Gen 3.
Get 3D data
|
Gen 2.
OE FPGA module
|
Gen 1.
More channels
|
Gen 0.
The original
|
|---|---|---|---|---|
Release Date |
May 2025 |
Dec 2022 |
Main version produced by OEPS from 2016 until Dec 2022. |
Original design from 2010. Some boards shipped in 2022 due to shortage |
Case |
Open Ephys and 3d logos |
Open Ephys logo |
Open Ephys logo |
Open Ephys logo |
Main Board Version |
v3 |
v2.3-2.4 |
v2.3 |
Up to v2.2 |
FPGA Module |
Open Ephys
FT600 USB board
|
Open Ephys
FT600 USB board
|
Opal Kelly
XEM6310-LX45
|
Opal Kelly
XEM6310-LX45
|
USB Connection |
USB3.0 |
USB3.0 |
USB3.0 |
USB2.0 |
Power Supply |
Only one on the FPGA module. |
Only one on the FPGA module. |
One on the main board and one on the FPGA module. |
One on the main board and one on the FPGA module. |
Drivers, Gateware and Software Compatibility#
Different generations may require different drivers, gateware and software versions to operate, as per the table below.
Acquisition Board Generation |
Gen 3.
Get 3D data
|
Gen 2.
OE FPGA module
|
Gen 1.
More channels
|
Gen 0.
The original
|
|---|---|---|---|---|
Drivers |
||||
Latest Gateware |
Stored onboard
|
Stored onboard
|
Distributed with the Open Ephys GUI
|
Distributed with the Open Ephys GUI
|
Open Ephys GUI Compatibility |
Open Ephys GUI 1.0 and above using Acquisition Board plugin Backwards compatible with GUI version 0.6.x using OE Acquisition Board plugin (except no 3D capabilities) |
Open Ephys GUI 1.0 and above using Acquisition Board plugin Open Ephys 0.6.x using OE Acquisition Board plugin |
All Open Ephys GUI versions using Acquisition Board plugin |
All Open Ephys GUI versions using Acquisition Board plugin |
Bonsai Compatibility |
Not supported yet |
Bonsai.OpenEphys with pending improvements |
Bonsai.Ephys |
Bonsai.Ephys |
Functionality Differences#
This table is meant to guide you in regards to functionalities across generations and differences you might notice during operation.
Acquisition Board Generation |
Gen 3.
Get 3D data
|
Gen 2.
OE FPGA module
|
Gen 1.
More channels
|
Gen 0.
The original
|
|---|---|---|---|---|
Channel Count |
512 |
512 |
512 |
256 |
Streams Orientation Data |
Yes, using headstages with 3D capabilities |
No 3D capabilities |
No 3D capabilities |
No 3D capabilities |
Compatible with Open Ephys SPI commutator |
Yes |
No 3D capabilities |
No 3D capabilities |
No 3D capabilities |
Analog Inputs |
±5V |
±5V or 0–5V |
±5V or 0–5V |
±5V or 0–5V |
Harp Enabled |
Yes, integrated using dedicated Harp Clk Out port |
Yes, through Harp timestamp generator (for Acquisition Board) on any HDMI port |
Not Harp enabled |
Not Harp enabled |
Power Light |
Red |
Red |
Green |
Green |