BSL PRO Software Guide - Biopac

48 Part BStarting an acquisitionAfter you have setup the channels to contain data and defined the channel parameters, you are ready to start theacquisition. If a file window is not already open, choose File > New to generate a graph window.In the lower right corner of the screen, next to thebutton, you should see a button with a circle nextto it. The circle indicates the status of the communication link between your computer and the MP UNIT. If the MPUNIT is properly connected to the computer and is turned on, the circle should be solid and green. If the MP UNITis not properly connected, a solid gray circle will appear (on monochrome displays, the circle will appear solid whenthe MP UNIT is connected properly, and unfilled when the MP UNIT is not communicating with the computer).You can start the acquisition by positioning the cursor over thebutton and clicking the mouse buttonor by selecting “Alt + Spacebar.” If there are no input devices (e.g., electrodes or transducers) connected to the MPUNIT, it will collect a small value of random signal “noise” with a mean of about 0.0 Volts.‣ For information on how to connect measurement devices to the Biopac Student Lab PRO, seethe BSL Hardware Guide.‣ You may also start an acquisition using a variety of “triggers,” which are discussed on page 6149.Once acquisition starts, the button in the acquisition window changes to . The twoopposing arrows to the right of the button indicate that data is being collected. Also, the “Busy” status indicator lighton the front of the MP UNIT will illuminate, showing that data is being collected.Stopping an AcquisitionTo stop an acquisition at any time, click thebutton in the lower right corner of the screen or select“Alt + Spacebar.” An acquisition will stop automatically when it has recorded an amount of data equal to theAcquisition Length entry.RewindThe Rewind button on the Toolbar allows you to erase the last recorded data segment and continue to Appenddata to the existing data file. This function will erase the last segment along with the Append Marker for thatsegment; the application will keep track of Append Marker labels, so that the label always matches the segmentnumber.If the “Warn on Overwrite” option is active, a warning dialog will be generated before the segment is deleted.Saving acquisition dataTo save a data file, pull-down the File menu and choose the Save command (see page 6183 for details).Visit the online support center at www.biopac.com