Description

ClockLab Data Collection

ClockLab’s data collection application runs under any of the Windows operating systems and performs many functions that are not usually incorporated in similar systems.

ClockLab 56-channel interface (ACT-556 or CL300) with 7-channel breakout box and cage with running wheel and switch. 8 breakout boxes can be connected with RJ-45 cables (blue) of up to 100 feet in length. USB connection to the computer is at upper right. Up to 8 CL300’s can be attached to one computer for a total of 488 channels.

• Up to 448 channels. Multiple 56-channel USB interfaces for laptop or desktop computers. Easy setup and small footprint.
• New: Wireless connections. In addition to hard-wired connections via the USB interface, ClockLab can now connect wireless to up to 1000 running wheels or infrared motion sensor.
• Low cost per channel. High channel counts save computer costs and space.
• Reliable. Our systems have logged over millions of hours of operation. Some of our systems have run continuously for several years without restarting or rebooting (not recommended).
• Start and Stop each channel independently. Recording on any channel can be started (or stopped) at any time with a user-selectable file name. Different files can be located in different directories for convenient segregation of multiple, concurrent experiments.
• Simple, high-density connections. RJ-45 (ethernet-style) connectors for compact wiring.
• Monitor almost any sensor, including running wheels, infrared motion detectors, or any digital signal.
• Light detection. ClockLab can easily be configured with light detectors (provided). Light levels are recorded with 1-minute precision in each data file. No need to guess about blown bulbs, accidental chamber openings or faulty, misprogrammed or inaccurate light timers.
• Integrated light control. Control the lights or other devices in up to 32 different animal chambers independently using the simple menu-and-slider control panel shown below. Multiple daily 24-hour or T-cycles, or one-time pulse protocols. One-time pulses can be programmed days in advance. Below, 16 days of light control are programmed in advance.

• Remote data access. To monitor ongoing experiments, download data files over the internet at any time using FTP or Windows’ network capabilities.
• View actograms in real-time. A single click opens developing files in the ClockLab Analysis program.
• Automatic detection of low activity levels. Low-activity warning for all channels can be viewed in a single window.
• Automated email warnings. ClockLab can be configured to send email warnings to multiple email accounts when activity goes out of range or when other problems arise.
• Comes with the ClockLab Analysis package. Multicomputer site license provided for the most sophisticated and easy-to-use circadian analysis package currently available.

ClockLab Wireless

ClockLab can now record activity wirelessly. Up to 250 wireless nodes (images below) send data by radio to a single receiver, which connects via USB to the computer and the ClockLab Wireless data collection program. Multiple receivers operating in the same area, on the same or different computers, allow for unlimited expansion. Each node sends:

Wireless node with PIR (motion) sensor.

• Activity, recorded from a PIR (motion) sensor, or rotations of a vertical or horizontal running wheel
• Ambient Temperature
• Light level
• Battery level and low-battery warning
• Radio signal status and strength

Battery life: 3 years minimum. Batteries (2 AA) are user replaceable.

Reporting interval: 1 minute (default). Can be reduced to as low as 2 seconds. Short reporting intervals slightly reduce battery life and the total number of nodes that can be used at once.

Range: 25 meters (nominal). In open air, the nodes can transmit 250 meters reliably. Exact range depends on lab environment (wire racks and shelves, walls, cage lids etc.).

Sensors:

• PIR: The infrared motion sensor can be seen in the image above as the white rounded cylinder protruding from the underside of the node. These are highly sensitive, have a wide angle of view, and greater than 1-second temporal resolution.
• Vertical running wheel: The node senses wheel revolutions from the rotation of the magnet mounted on the wheel axle (black disk). The node attaches to the side of the cage with banana plugs and jacks, similar to the traditional mechanical switches, to allow instant mounting and removal of the nodes for cage cleaning. How to adapt existing running wheel cages for wireless nodes.
• Horizontal running wheel: The nodes senses wheel revolutions from the rotation of a magnet attached to the underside of the wheel.

Wireless Node on vertical running wheel cage.

Wireless Node on vertical running wheel cage.