PhaseSpace Impulse X2E Motion Capture

PhaseSpace
Tracy McSheery is the CEO, inventor and innovator behind PhaseSpace. He has designed, prototyped and delivered optical position tracking systems for computer animation, telepresence, sports medicine and virtual training. He has also consulted on a variety of engineering issues, particularly where technology is key. He also consults for several local companies in areas ranging from biomedical devices to educational software.

Impulse X2E Motion Capture

The intelligent Active Marker System is unmatched in speed, precision and flexibility.

Unique Marker IDs
Active LED markers eliminate marker swapping, making the Impulse X2E ideal for multi-actor and real-time tracking applications.

960 FPS Capture
PhaseSpace’s patented tracking system provides extremely low latency and high-precision data in real time. This makes PhaseSpace ideal for virtual reality, biomechanical engineering, and robotics.

Capture Outdoors
PhaseSpace has the widest operating range, allowing you to leave the controlled environment and capture data in the field.

No other motion capture system can match the Impulse X2E’s 960 frames per second capture rate at full 13MP resolution. This means you don’t have to choose between speed and resolution: you get the best of both worlds. Whether it’s for VR entertainment or biomechanical engineering, the most demanding customers rely on PhaseSpace for its superior speed and precision.

The Impulse X2E system captures at an incredible 36,000 x 36,000 subpixels in HDR. (1300MP) That’s about 100 times more resolution than most motion capture cameras. PhaseSpace uses custom linear detectors instead of RGB cameras like other mocap systems. This provides unmatched tracking precision at full speed. (Up to 20µ at 960Hz).

Impulse X2E System Benefits

Real-time tracking of multiple objects and people
Patented active marker technology eliminates marker swapping, providing cleaner data
Robust, precise motion data with sub-millimeter resolution
Streamlined operation means one person can set up and run the system
Portable system capable of capturing motion indoors and outdoors
960 Hz capture rate accurately tracks the fastest movements
Stream motion data directly to third-party software such as MotionBuilder, JACK, Visual3D, etc.

Flexible, scalable, and powerful

Capture up to 8 people (body and fingers), more with multiple systems
Track very fast motion at up to 960 frames per second
Capture spaces can be 8'x8' to 50'x50', and even larger with overlapping camera setups or multiple systems
Easy, seamless setup and operation
Scalable from 2 cameras for over 48 cameras
Used by demanding, high-profile customers including NASA, Naval Research Lab, Boeing, Lockheed Martin, Disney, Harmonix, University of Cambridge, Stanford, and UC Berkeley

IMPULSE X2E SYSTEM SUMMARY

Less than 3 ms latency, even at full marker load
Scalable from 2 to 48+ PhaseSpace Impulse X2 cameras
Server machine with built-in hub and base station
Cameras are daisy-chained and powered directly by the PhaseSpace HUB
Active LED markers
LED controllers
Cables, mounts, etc.
PhaseSpace Software Package
API/SDK in C++ and Python
Telephone, Email and Live Online Support included

TECHNOLOGY

Lightweight linear detector based cameras (3600 x 3600 resolution at 960 Hz)
Sub-pixel resolution to 36000 x 36000 at 960Hz
60 degrees camera field of view
Active LED technology resulting in a unique ID for each marker
Server machine with integrated HUB supports from 2 to 48+ Impulse X2 cameras
Data streamed in real-time to multiple clients, even over a network or the Internet
API/SDK provides support for third-party applications for real-time user interaction

CAMERAS

Dimensions: 108 mm x 92 mm x 57 mm (4.25″ x 3.62″ x 2.25″)
Weight: 380 grams (13.4 ounces)
Each camera achieves an Optical Resolution of 3600 x 3600 (12 Megapixel) using two linear detectors with 16-bit dynamic range. Onboard processors produce an impressive Subpixel Resolution of 30,000 x 30,000 at 960 Hz.

LED CONTROLLERS

Dimensions: 126 mm x 70 mm x 25 mm (5″ x 2.75″ x 0.85″)
Weight: 90 grams (0.2lbs)
The LED Controller, an RF transceiver, utilizes an onboard microprocessor to control up to 72 LEDs. Battery life is 2 to 4 hours of continual use, up to 8 hours of typical use.

ACTIVE LED

Dimensions: 20 mm x 14 mm x 3.2 mm (0.8″ x 0.55″)
Weight: 4.5 grams (0.01lbs)
Each LED modulates at a unique frequency resulting in a unique digital ID. LEDs are available in Red visible and Infra-red versions.
 
SERVER COMPUTER

Dimensions: 44.76 x 17.78 x 45.43cm (17.6 x 7 x 17.9in)
Weight: Starting at 10.7 kg
Processor: Intel Quad Core
Chipset:Intel 3450 Chipset
Memory: 4GB
Integrated PhaseSpace HUB
Network: Gigabit
Built-in 2.4 Ghz Transceiver synchronizes the LED controllers with the server.

CALIBRATION WAND

Dimensions: 96.5 x 3.8 x 3.8cm (38 x 1.5 x 1.5in)
The calibration wand serves as the principal tool used to accurately calibrate the system. The calibration wand allows a user to calibrate the given capture area in a matter of minutes

Other Tools & Accessories

Professional Motion Capture Software

Master Client
PhaseSpace Master connects hardware to software. You’ll use it to calibrate volume, define tracked objects, and connect to external applications like MotionBuilder.

Configuration Manager
This is the main interface for configuring and remotely monitoring your PhaseSpace system. The Configuration Manager runs in any browser, such as Firefox or Chrome, on your server network. (Yes, you can even calibrate your system from your mobile web browser.) This is also where you can pair drivers and monitor the battery life of all your tracked devices.

Plugins
A suite of plugins lets you work with mocap data in a variety of host applications.

- MotionBuilder
The industry standard for motion capture: Stream PhaseSpace data directly into MotionBuilder® 3D character animation software.
- Unity 3D
Calibrate, access Rigid Bodies and Markers directly in Unity 3D: This SDK allows you to hit the ground running when crafting cutting-edge VR games and experiences. X-Bee radio integration allows for ``smart prop`` communication with your multiplayer game server. So you can broadcast ammo count to your blaster game or or trigger haptic and environmental effects in your play space.
- Virtual Reality Peripherals Network (VRPN)
VRPN is a library of classes in C++ developed by the University of North Carolina that provide an abstraction layer for many types of tracking devices. It is favored by many companies and universities as a method to reduce development overhead by having a common API to interface with a variety of hardware devices. VRPN opens up a new layer of compatibility with VRPN capable software, such as 3DVIA's Virtools and WorldViz's Vizard.

Tools of the Trade
- Microdriver
Ideal for custom wireless props. The PhaseSpace Microdriver is a lightweight, standalone active LED driver. Each Microdriver can control up to 8 LED markers. This standalone unit has a built-in battery and RF receiver for easy pairing with the X2E system.

- Mocap Spandex Suit
A form-fitting, stretch-fit suit for capturing human motion. Built-in cable channels, LED attachment points, and breathable suit material maximize both comfort and usability. Simply attach the LEDs and start capturing.

Applications:
Robotics
Virtual and Augmented Reality
Research & Defense
Sports & Medical
3D Character Creation
Education