DLS-100 Digital Linear Stimulus Isolator


for use with DS8000 Digital Stimulator

The introduction of WPI's digital stimulator (DS8000) caused a major stir in the physiology community since there was no digital isolator available that could take full advantage of the DS8000’s advanced features and specifications. To solve this problem, WPI designed a revolutionary new breed of digital linear isolators with high compliance and high isolation — the DLS100 being the first offspring of over two years of research design. The new DLS100 is a preferentially optimized for applications in which the DS8000 digital stimulator is used.

DLS100 connects to the DS8000 via a flexible cable through which it receives power and stimulus signals in a digital format. Up to eight DLS100 isolators can be connected independently to one DS8000. Very high isolation is achieved through the use of optical coupling of the digital signal and a galvanically isolated DC power supply within the DLS100. Unlike some other multi-channel isolators, this digital isolator can be located at the site of the experiment, allowing the use of short connecting leads and thereby preserving high isolation and fast signal rise and fall times.

The DLS100 operates in two modes: curent source or voltage source. In the current source mode, the output current is proportional to the amplitude and polarity of the signal generated by the DS8000. In the voltage source mode, the output voltage is proportional to the amplitude and polarity of the signal generated by the DS8000. The DLS100 has user-selectable push-button switches that select different current or voltage ranges (the full-scale current from 100 nA to 10 mA, or the 10V and 100V full-scale, respectively). Three status indicators on the DLS100 indicate power on, activity (presence of signal from DS8000) as well as an alarm (over-range condition) indicator. Over-range can occur when the resistance of the load (the experiment) is too high for the current or voltage that is demanded from the DLS100.

DLS100 Specifications
Current Source Mode  
Full-scale* Current 10 mA, 100 µA, 10 µA, bipolar
Compliance Voltage ± 100 volts
Output Impedance Greater than 100 Megohms
Zero-signal Leakage Less than 0.01% of full-scale range setting
Linearity Better than 0.05% of full-scale range setting
Bandwidth Range and load dependant: 20 kHz with 10K load and 100 µA or above range.**
Voltage Source Mode  
Full-scale* Voltage ± 100 volts
Max. Current 1o mA
Output Impedance Less than 1 ohm
Zero-signal leakage Less than 1 mv
Linearity Better than 0.05% of full-scale range setting
Bandwidth 50 kHz
Isolation  
Resistance Greater than 1000 Megohms
Capacitance Less than 10 pF, from output terminals to DS8000 and earth ground
Power Requirements + 12 volts and +5 volts, supplied by DS8000
Dimensions 14 x 9 x 3.5 cm (5.5 x 3.5 x 1.5 in.)
Output Terminals Mini-banana jacks
Connecting Cable 150 cm (5 ft)
Order Numbers
DLS100 Digital Linear Stimulator Isolator