Overview
Optical tracker PST Base; successor to the PST-55/110 series
The optical tracker PST Base is the successor of the succesfull PST-55/100 series. Based on years of experience with the PST-55/100, the time has come to upgrade the series to the new PST Base line of optical tracking products.
PST Base, proven localization technology with a new look
The 3D localization technology of the optical tracker PST Base measures the 3D positions of either active or passive markers affixed to objects. Using this information, each PST Base is able to determine the position and orientation of marked devices within a specific measurement volume.
The PST Base allows you to transform any object into a 3D measurement device.
Custom solutions are available to users who have a need to gear the tracking to their own specific use cases. Contact us for your specific use case or discuss the possibilities.
Technical Specifications
Specifications summary optical tracker PST Base1
- Minimum tracking distance: 20 cm
- Maximum tracking distance: at least 3 m
- Fanless and noiseless
- Calibration-free compact bar-tracker
- Adjustable infrared flash
- Synchronize with external systems
- Adjustable frame rate up to 120 Hz
Performance
| Accuracy |
Position: < 0.5 mm RMSE
Orientation: < 1 deg RMSE2 |
| Latency |
15-25 ms (depending on the shutter time and the filter settings) |
| Refresh rate |
120 Hz, adjustable to 30, 60, 120 Hz |
| Minimal tracking distance |
20 cm - 3 m (tracking cone) |
| Intended use |
tracking in small and compact spaces (e.g. simulators, desktop) |
Usability
| Set up |
Plug and play |
| Calibration |
Pre-calibrated unit |
| Origin definition |
One click process – dedicated tool included |
| Units needed for 6 DoF tracking |
One, each PST base is a full 6DoF motion tracker |
| Expandable tracking area |
Expandable, multiple trackers can be connected to expand the tracking area |
| Aligning units |
Easy routine in seconds |
| Ambient Conditions |
Normal indoor lighting conditions |
| Illumination |
Integrated IR LED illumination (wavelenght 850nm). Flash illumination fully adjustable in PSTracking 4.0 |
| Operating Temperature |
15 - 35 deg. C |
Devices and Markers
| Number of targets |
At least 15 independent 6DOF bodies
For instance: simultaneous head and object tracking |
| Markers |
- Passive (retro-reflective stickers and spherical)
- Active (LED)
|
| Device creation |
Simple procedure: mark device, train new device in seconds and use it |
Interfaces
| Processing |
An adiditional processing unit is in most cases not needed. A PST Cortex (power booster unit) is recommended for a multi PST setup or networked access. |
| Tracking Application |
PSTracking 4.0 (license included with each PST Iris or PST Base tracker) |
| Client operating system |
Windows (Vista, Windows 7, Windows 8, Windows 10), 32 and 64 bit. Via the PST Cortex also to other operating systems. |
| Software interface |
VRPN, trackd3, Dtrack emulation, data export to .CSV and the tracker comes with an easy to use SDK with bindings for C# and Python |
| Hardware interface |
USB 2.0 - However, PST Base results can also be shared fully transparently over Ethernet. Install the PSTracking 4.0 software on a second computer and connect. |
| Output |
Positional coordinates(x, y, z), orientation angles, Euclidean transformation matrix |
| Synchronization |
Hardware trigger in and out |
Hardware
| Weight |
Approx. 1 kg |
| Size |
31 x 6 x 14 cm (W x H x D) |
| Mounting |
1/4”-20 UNC tripod mounting point |
| Power supply |
Output 9V, 40W. Input 100-240V, 50-60Hz |
| Power consumptio |
n Max. 12 W |
- Preliminary Specifications, subject to change without notice.
- Precision measured using a grid of 7mm markers moved through the workspace up to a distance of 2.5m w.r.t. the tracking system.
- trackd is a trademark of Mechdyne, Marshalltown, IA, USA.
Measurement Area Configurations
The measurement volume is the area in which marked devices can be tracked.
PS-Tech Base FoV 3,5mm PS-Tech Base FoV 4,5mm PS-Tech Base FoV 5,5mm
Connecting multiple trackers (multi PST setup)
Cortex
The PST Cortex is a processing unit that is optional to the PST Iris and PST Base optical trackers.
It is used when there is a need to separate the processing of the optical tracking units as much as possible from the computers.
The PST Cortex is recommended when:
- Using multiple optical trackers
- Using simultaneously a high number of optical trackers
- Wanting to use tracking results via Ethernet
- Clients computers run on Linux or Apple operating systems
- Using PS-Tech’s HD optical trackers
The PST Cortex is connected to the local network. Access to the cortex is via any computer on the network that has the PSTracking 4.0 application installed. The PST Cortex executes all tracking calculations and distributes the tracking results over the network.
Summary:
- Plug and play
- No change of application only change of processing location
- Data output via Ethernet
- All functionality of PSTracking 4.0 available
