Joystick control of amplifiers

[romainbrette]

Since we use automated amplifiers with no knobs, it could be useful to have a joystick control of some parameters, like capacitance neutralization, or gain/lag for TEVC etc. This would apply for both Multiclamp and Axoclamp 900A. It could be a stand-alone program. One limitation is probably it cannot be run while doing acquisitions. So there should be a GUI with an option to connect/disconnect. The GUI could perhaps be an oscilloscope.

[romainbrette]

We could for example mimic the SoftPanel.

[romainbrette]

Some code by Marcel here.

[romainbrette]

Suggestion of key bindings for the Axoclamp A.

Those could depend on the current amplifier mode. Two joysticks + the pad = 6 axes In addition: 4 under the fingers = 2 axes Then XYAB buttons, and two extra buttons (don't know their names)

• Bridge (but doesn't work! could be digital) (axis)
• Bridge on/off (maybe)
• Capa comp (axis)
• Switch headstage (1 or 2 buttons)
• Mode (button)
• Pipette offset zero (button)
• VC Gain and lag (2 axes)
• Pulse parameters: amplitude, duration (2 axes on joystick)
• Connect/Disconnect (to NI and Axoclamp)
• Holding potential/current (axis)

For example:

• Joystick 1 : bridge (up/down) and capa comp (left/right)
• Joystick 2: VC gain and lag
• Cross: pulse amplitude and duration
• X: Pipette offset zero
• Left/right finger: headstage 1/2.
• Extra button 1: connect/disconnect
• Y: bridge on/off
• Second left/right finger: holding potential/current
• A: current-clamp
• B: TEVC

[romainbrette]

Basically done but should be refactored.