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An ultrasonic time-of-flight system for hand movement measurement
A C Berners1, J G Webster, C J Worringham
1Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, University of Wisconsin, Madison 53706-1691, USA.
Physiological Measurement
|November 1, 1995
Summary
We developed an ultrasonic time-of-flight system to track hand and arm movements for motor control studies. This system accurately measures 3D coordinates of moving emitters with high repeatability and resolution.
Area of Science:
- Biomechanics
- Robotics
- Sensor Technology
Background:
- Accurate measurement of human limb kinematics is crucial for understanding motor control and developing assistive technologies.
- Existing motion tracking systems can be expensive, cumbersome, or limited in their ability to track multiple points simultaneously.
Purpose of the Study:
- To design and construct an ultrasonic time-of-flight system for precise 3D coordinate measurement of moving emitters.
- To evaluate the system's performance for applications in human motor control research.
Main Methods:
- A system utilizing three stationary ultrasonic receivers and up to three moving emitters was developed.
- Emitters were attached to a human subject's hand/arm or a stylus.
- Time-of-flight data from receivers was converted into x, y, and z coordinates.
- Piezoelectric resonators were employed for both emitters and receivers, operating at 40 kHz.
Main Results:
- The system achieved a sampling rate of 200-400 Hz for a single emitter.
- Highly linear results were obtained.
- The system demonstrated a repeatability of +/- 1.64 mm and a resolution of 0.7 mm.
Conclusions:
- The developed ultrasonic time-of-flight system offers a viable solution for accurate and high-resolution motion tracking.
- Its performance characteristics make it suitable for detailed analysis of human motor control and movement patterns.