SonixDAQ Quick Test

The section will help you to quickly test your DAQ in order to collect synchronized data.

Modifications to the PCI Card
The Sonix systems are by default built-in with BNC output signals to draw out the TTL pulse with a reduced amplitude in order to properly trigger thermal printers used often in clinical environments. For other forms of triggering, including triggering the SonixDAQ, this signal is not desirable. To get a sharper and higher amplitude pulse, follow the instructions below.

SonixTOUCH or Sonix MDP or Sonix RP with PCI upgrade:
 * Short R32 with 0 ohm resistor
 * Short XR41 with 0 ohm resistor
 * Remove XC32
 * Remove C52

Sonix RP with standard PCI:
 * Short R32 with 0 ohm resistor
 * Remove C52



Note: For the newer PCI cards (SonixTouch/MDP) the capacitors and resistors are located on the other side of the board.

Software

 * Run the Exam software on the Sonix system. Switch to the standard B-mode imaging and enable the research mode.
 * Once the Exam software is running, on the left mouse-over menu adjust the following parameters:
 * Open Connector ->3 : This will open the 3rd connector (i.e. the last connector) so that the DAQ can see the signals from individual channels to the DAQ probe connector.
 * Output Sync ->1 : This will activate the output synchronization signal on the Sonix's BNC connector. The DAQ will use this signal as a trigger to start the acquisition after each transmit.
 * Focus Count -> 1: This will make sure only one transmit is used for each scan line/channel acquisition.
 * Write DAQ -> 1 : This will force the Sonix Exam to write the DAQ parameters (i.e. line duration, number of samples, and receive delay) into a binary file. This file can then be used in the DAQ software to load data acquisition parameters automatically. This step is optional and the parameters can also be entered manually in the DAQ software.

It is important to note that the signal will be the same for both the probe connector and DAQ probe connector. The DAQ will capture the channel data in a parallel form without affecting the signal in the probe connector. Thus the standard imaging process remains untouched during channel data acquisition.



Testing the BNC output
Connect the output of the Sonix's BNC connector to an oscilloscope and make sure the synchronization signal is working properly. The output has to have 5 volt amplitude and 50 ns duty cycle. The frequency of the synchronization pulse is determined by the Sonix system. In case of using Line Trigger (Output Sync ->1), the frequency should be around 10kHz and in case of using Frame Trigger (Output Sync ->2), the frequency should be around 100Hz. Once you the sync signal passed the test, disconnect it from the oscilloscope and connect it to the DAQ.



Preparing the SonixDAQ
Note: make sure the Exam software is running and it is not in the freeze mode.
 * Make sure your DAQ is properly connected and the power is on (please see the DAQ hardware Section for this).
 * Run the DAQ software and press "Create Sequence ..." to initialize the DAQ.
 * Once DAQ is initialized and the FPGAs on the DAQ are programmed, the "Sequencer Window" shows up as shown below.
 * Select Load From File. This option will only work if you have previously set the Exam software to save the DAQ parameters (i.e. SaveDaqParam ->1 in the Exam software). Alternatively you can enter the parameters manually.
 * Select all the channels.
 * Set the Start Configuration to external. This will force the DAQ to wait for the trigger signal before starting the data acquisition. For this mode to work properly the trigger signal should be available (i.e. Sync Out ->1 in the Exam Software).
 * Set the DDR2 Size to be 8MB (instead of 4GB). This will significantly reduce the time required to transfer the data from the DAQ back to the PC.
 * Press the Start Sequencing. If the test works fine the buffer will be filled with data very soon an you will see All RX buffers have been filled message in the Status box, other wise you will see RX buffer 1 is not full yet.
 * Once data are acquired, transfer/save the data by pressing Download Data.
 * Once data are downloaded, look at the results using the Main window in the DAQ software (please see the DAQ software Section for this). Alternatively, provided Matlab subroutines can be used to load the channel data.