Active Marker Deck enables robust, long-range tracking using Qualisys QTM.
The deck supports up to 4 IDs, making it possible to have different configurations without having to carry bulky spherical markers.
The firmware preloaded on the deck that supports Qualisys is closed source, but the electronic design is open source, allowing it to be adapted to other applications.
Features
- Compatible with Qualisys QTM
- Robust, long-range tracking
- Supports up to 4 different IDs
- Arms can be cut and extended with cables to place marker LEDs in other locations
How it works
Active Marker Deck, used in conjunction with Qualisys QTM, provides robust, long-range tracking.
With 4 high-power LEDs, up to 4 different IDs can be configured, allowing a large number of rigid bodies to be uniquely identified without the need for numerous reflective markers.
The hardware comes pre-programmed for Qualisys tracking systems, but can be reprogrammed for other applications.
Use
Active Marker Deck is designed primarily for Qualisys motion capture systems and supports Qualisys Active Markers, but can also be used with other systems in a simplified mode.
The deck has 4 arms, each with an infrared (IR) LED at the end, and a light sensor located in the middle.
The configuration of the deck is done through the parameter subsystem. For details on the parameters to be used, see the dedicated section below.
Mode
The mode of the deck is set via the activeMarker.mode parameter.
| Mode |
Value |
Description |
| OFF |
0 |
Always off |
| PWM |
1 |
Always on, modulated in PWM |
| MODULATED |
2 |
Switching |
| QUALISYS |
3 (default) |
Qualisys Active Marker Mode |
Operating modes
Off mode
All marker LEDs are off.
PWM mode
The marker LEDs are turned on and modulated in PWM.
The brightness of each LED is controlled by the marker parameters shown below, with values ranging from 0 to 255.
Modulated mode
The LEDs are switched with a frequency of about 42 kHz (24 microsecond cycle).
The brightness of the LEDs during the "on" phase of the cycle is controlled by the marker parameters, with values between 0 and 255.
Qualisys mode
In this mode the LEDs function as Active Markers, with IDs recognized by the Qualisys system, used for more accurate 6-DoF identification and tracking.
The IDs are controlled by the marker parameters, and currently the Qualisys systems and the deck support IDs in the range [0 - 170].
Marker Parameters.
Each marker is associated with a parameter that allows the brightness or ID to be set.
For more details, see the documentation of parameters related to activeMarker.
Package contains: 1 x Active marker deck - Bitcraze
