Mounting and Connecting ************************ Mounting ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ The commutator has several holes that can be used to mount it on `80/20 aluminum extrusion `_ using `t-nuts `_ or a standard mechanical breadboard. For example: .. grid:: .. grid-item:: .. image:: /_static/images/commutator-mount-example-1.png :alt: image 1 of mounted commutator :align: center .. grid-item:: .. image:: /_static/images/commutator-mount-example-2.png :alt: image 2 of mounted commutator :align: center For custom mounting solutions, you can find the 3D mCAD files in the following repos: - `For any commutator with a Teensy `_ (i.e. if your commutator has a Micro-USB port) - For any commutator with an RP2040 (i.e. if your commutator as a USB-C port) - `Coax Commutator `_ - `Dual Coax Commutator `_ - `SPI Commutator `_ These files can be be opened and the design dimensions can be measured using mCAD software that supports either SolidWorks files (e.g. `eDrawings `_) or STL files (e.g, `FreeCAD `_). Both file types are available in the repositories linked above. More information on the best location to mount the commutator is available on the :doc:`tether-management_counterweight` page. Connecting ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ .. tab-set:: .. tab-item:: Coax Commutator .. grid:: :margin: 0 .. grid-item:: .. grid:: 1 :margin: 0 :padding: 0 .. grid-item:: **1. USB Connector** :padding: 0 The commutator receives power and communicates to the PC over USB through this interconnect. Newer commutators use USB-C. Older commutators use Micro-USB. .. grid-item:: **2. Top SMA Connector** :padding: 0 The commutator's stator connects to a stationary data acquisition device that has a coaxial port (e.g. Miniscope DAQ or ONIX breakout board) through this SMA interconnect. .. grid-item:: **3. Bottom SMA Connector** :padding: 0 The commutator's rotor connects to a freely moving animal headstage that has a coaxial connector through this SMA interconnect. .. grid-item:: .. image:: /_static/images/connections-numbered.png .. tab-item:: SPI Commutator .. grid:: :margin: 0 .. grid-item:: .. grid:: 1 :margin: 0 :padding: 0 .. grid-item:: **1. USB Connector** :padding: 0 The commutator receives power and communicates to the PC over USB through this interconnect. Newer commutators use USB-C. Older commutators use Micro-USB. .. grid-item:: **2. Top SPI Connector** :padding: 0 The commutator's stator connects to a stationary data acquisition device that has a SPI port (e.g. the Open Ephys Acquisition Board) through this 12-pin Omnetics PZN-12 interconnect. .. grid-item:: **3. Bottom SPI Connector** :padding: 0 The commutator's rotor connects to a freely moving animal headstage that has a SPI connector through this 12-pin Omnetics PZN-12 interconnect. .. grid-item:: .. image:: /_static/images/spi-commutator.png .. tip:: * Some USB cables only supply power. Confirm your USB cable transfers both power and digital signals. * Source USB and coax cables from a reputable vendor such as `Digikey `_, `Mouser `_, or `Open Ephys `__. * Source your tether from `Open Ephys `__ or `make your own `_. * For animal behavior experiments, manage cables such that they do not interfere with the tether when the animal moves.