For recordings in freely behaving mice, it is important to minimize the weight and torque applied by the cables. This is especially important for experiments that require natural behavior and becomes a real issue for channel counts over 32 where even light wire tethers become bulky.
The standardized interface cable for intan RHD chips that we are using in the Open Ephys system is ideal for this application because thanks to the digital LVDS(wiki) signal, only 12 conductors are needed for transmitting up to 64 channels of neural data.
In order to make a lightweight tether for the system, we’ll solder thin flexible wires to two 12-pin Omnetics PZN-12 polarized nano connectors. Here, I’m using Cooner CZ 1187 wire, FEP Insulation 38AWG with 0.012″ diameter and 0.720Ω/foot. This is the standard wire for analog tethers because it is very flexible and light, but durable. The standard cables sold by Intan are (0.423Ω/ft for the LVDS and 0.172Ω/ft for gnd/power), so we’re probably at the upper end of the possible resistance values, but it seems possible that the 40AWG version of the wire could work for the LVDS pairs.
The wiring diagram of the cable is simple: There are two rows, each with 6 conductors. Each pair consisting of a ‘top’ and ‘bottom’ conductor is wired straight to the same pair, just the top and bottom are switched, so if one connector is laid facing the other back-to-back and one connector is upside-down, each pin needs to be connected with its opposite pin.
Each tether will need 12 conductors total: 5 LVDS pairs, plus power and ground. Securely clamp one of the connectors so its easy to work on and there is enough space to lay out wires in front of it. Measure out 12 equal lengths of wire.
Now for each LVDS pair, de-insulate ~1mm on one end of a wire (sharp forceps work well for the cooner wire), tin the wire, and solder to one pin on the connector. Use plenty of flux when dealing with small wires like these and solder quickly to avoid heating up the plastic body of the connector. Attach a label to one of the wires in the pair indicating the number (1-6) and which wire is top or bottom.
For each LVDS pair, twist the wires (top and bottom) until they maintain contact even when the tether is bent. Don’t simply twist both wires together so they they remain under tension – instead move one wire around the other, without twisting each of the individual wires. Otherwise, the tether will twist around itself later. The ground and power wires don’t need to be twisted.
Once all wires on one connector are soldered, fix the tether to the table with lab- or kapton tape about 1 cm from the connector. This way you can gently pull on the wires to ensure they are the same length, without risking to break the solder joints. Now lay out the tether, so that the free end with the labelled wire ends can be soldered to the 2nd connector.
Make sure the tether is straight and that all wires are tightly twisted with no open loops. Fix the free end to the table with another piece of tape, so that its easy to cut individual wires to the same length, and solder them to the 2nd connector. Make sure that all LVDS pairs remain well twisted, and add a few more twists on the free end where needed.
After soldering, carefully connect the tether and verify that its working. Use a 64 channel headstage or a 2-to-1 adapter to test that both of the 32 channel data lines are working.
Remove the flux from the connectors with ethanol, and secure the solder joints with a thin coat of epoxy. Tie the wires together at the connectors, and at regular intervals throughout the cable. Add some more epoxy to the knot at each connector and to the sides of the connector to make a solid connection that can withstand handling.
For added strength, it might be useful to add a thin but strong string to the tether instead of just tying the strands together as is shown here.
Et voila, 64 channels on a tether lighter than a conventional 16 channel one.
