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Ascension trakSTAR
The trakSTAR tracking solution from Ascension (NDI) provides cost-effective, high accuracy position & orientation tracking technology -
Ascension driveBAY
Ascension makes 3D tracking devices for medical guidance, minimally invasive surgery, real-time visualization, and target acquisition.
Ascension trakSTAR
The trakSTAR™ electromagnetic (EM) 6DoF tracking solution from Ascension Technology Corporation (an NDI company) provides cost-effective, high accuracy position and orientation tracking technology for integration into the most innovative and realistic medical training and surgical rehearsal simulators and military flight and gunnery simulation systems. Miniaturized, lightweight sensors embedded into medical instruments, helmets or Head Mounted Displays (HMD) track the user’s movements in all six degrees of freedom (6DoF), with no line of sight requirements. Every movement within the tracking volume, no matter how subtle or precise, is tracked in real time to exceptional accuracy. This accuracy, combined with low latency and fast update rates, allows sensor position and orientation data to integrate seamlessly with the simulator display to produce interactive training that’s remarkably true to life. A configurable design, small hardware footprint, and ease of integration further complement this 6DoF electromagnetic tracking technology solution known for its high value and high performance.
System Components
A desktop tracking electronics unit with integrated power supply.
Transmitters The trakSTAR works in conjunction with a transmitter that establishes the coordinate frame and tracking volume.
- Mid-Range Transmitter (MRT): provides a larger tracking volume.
- Short-Range Transmitter (SRT): provides a smaller tracking volume.
Sensors
- 6DOF (six degrees of freedom) sensors come in a variety of sizes, from an 8 mm general-purpose sensor to a minuscule 0.56 mm needle-sized sensor.
Technical Specifications
| Accuracy | 1.4 mm RMS, 0.5 degrees RMS |
| Number of Sensors | Four (4) 6DOF per Electronics Unit; up to 16 total |
| Update Rate | 80 Hz default, user-configurable from 20-255 Hz |
| Maximum Tracking Distance | MRT: 660 mm (Model 800 sensor; on positive X-axis)SRT: 410 mm (Model 800 sensor; on positive X-axis) |
| Interface | USB and RS-232 |
| trakSTAR Electronics Unit | 290 mm x 184 mm x 64 mm, 1.31 kg |
| Power | trakSTAR: 100-240 VAC, 50/60 Hz driveBAY: Molex Power Connector; +12 V: 1.6 A nominal, 2.9 A maximum; +5 V: 600 mA nominal |
| Mid-Range Transmitter | 96 mm x 96 mm x 96 mm, 2.3 kg; 3.3 m cable length |
| Short-Range Transmitter | 64 mm x 46 mm x 52 mm; 0.29 kg; 3.3 m cable length |
Performance Motion Box
All tracking components are subjected to a calibration procedure that optimizes performance over a given region. This region is referred to as the Performance Motion Box. In these regions, tracking accuracy is the greatest. If you are developing an application that requires high tracking accuracy, be sure to position the transmitter such that critical measurements are taken in these regions. Tracking outside the box may not yield results with equivalent accuracy.
Performance Motion Box for Mid-Range and Short Range Transmitters
DIPOLE Transmitter Options – for 6DOF sensors.
(Translation Range for Spec Performance)
(Static Accuracy: Position = 1.4mm RMS/Orientation = 0.5° RMS)
Volumes are in the FORWARD Hemisphere only Dimensions listed are from the Transmitter Origin
 Mid-Range Transmitter (MRT) |
 Short-Range Transmitter (SRT) |
|
| 6DOF Sensors | ||
|---|---|---|
| Model 55 | X: 16-32cm Y: ±10cm Z: ±10cm *Note –Recommended max range for the Model 55 sensor with the MRT is 25cm |
Not recommended |
| Model 90 | X: 20-36cm Y: ±20cm Z: ±20cm *Note –Recommended max range for the Model 90 sensor with the MRT is 36cm |
Not recommended |
| Model 130 | X: 20-36cm Y: ±20cm Z: ±20cm |
Not recommended |
| Model 180 | X: 20-51cm Y: ±23cm Z: ±15cm |
Selected Applications |
| Model 800 | X: 20-66cm Y: ±28cm Z: ±30cm |
X: 15-41cm Y: ±12cm Z: ±12cm |
6DOF Sensors
The 6DOF sensors come in a variety of sizes including the general purpose reference sensor that consists of an 8 mm square cross-section down to 0.56 mm diameter cylindrical sensor for use in the smallest tools.
Model 55
- Sensor OD = 0.56 mm Max
- Cable OD = 3.8 mm
- Sensor Length = 300 mm
- Cable length = 2.2 m
Model 90
- Sensor OD = 0.9 mm
- Cable OD = 0.6 mm
- Sensor Length = 7.25 mm
- Cable length = 3.3 m
Model 130
- Sensor OD = 1.5 mm
- Cable OD = 1.2 mm
- Sensor Length = 7.7 mm
- Cable length = 3.3 m
Model 180
- Sensor OD = 2.0 mm
- Cable OD = 1.2 mm
- Sensor Length = 9.9 mm
- Cable length = 3.3 m
Model 800
- Sensor OD = 7.9 mm
- Cable OD = 3.8 mm
- Sensor Length = 19.8 mm
- Cable length = 3.3 m
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