The Fastrak 3D Digitizer is the most accurate electromagnetic tracking system available, and it is the perfect solution for localization of electrodes and body landmarks in preparation for the coregistration of surface measured potentials with anatomical/functional images in EMSE Suite or BESA. Fastrak is controlled by the Locator software, which acquires and displays 3D position measurements for electrodes, fiducial landmarks and other points on the body surface.
Fastrak uses patented low-frequency magnetic transducing technology, so there’s no need to worry about maintaining a clear line-of-sight between receiver and transmitter. This powerful technology eliminates the problem of signal blocking and interference that distorts sonic and laser devices.
Best of all, Fastrak, coupled with the Locator software, is a very fast way to measure electrode positions. Consider this — your total time commitment for electrode position measurement is approximately 2 seconds per electrode (roughly 2 minutes for 64 channels or 4 1/2 minutes for 128 channels).
- Perfect solution for localization of electrodes and head landmarks in preparation for the co-registration of EEG with MRI or other anatomical imaging modalities in EMSE Suite or BESA.
- No need to worry about maintaining a clear line-of-sight between receiver and transmitter, due to patented low-frequency magnetic transducing technology.
- Fastrak is controlled by our EMSE Locator software, which acquires and displays 3D position measurements for electrodes, fiducial landmarks and other points on the head surface.
- Adds only a few minutes to a study.
- Electrode coordinates are compatible with almost all research EEG analysis programs, including BESA, EMSE Suite, Analyzer and those made by competitors.
- Adds only a few minutes to a study.
- Electrode coordinates are compatible with almost all research EEG analysis programs, including BESA, EMSE Suite, Analyzer and those made by competitors.
- Resolution of 0.0002 inches per inch of transmitter and receiver separation; 0.025 degrees orientation.
- Static accuracy of 0.03″ RMS for the X, Y, or Z position; 0.15 degrees RMS for receiver orientation.
- Real Time: Virtually no latency. Digital Signal Processing (DSP) technology provides 4ms latency updated at 120 Hz. And data is transmitted to the host at up to 100K bytes/sec.
- Improved Accuracy and Resolution: Accuracy of 0.03″ RMS with a resolution of 0.0002 in./in. makes this the most precise device of its kind.
- Range: Standard range is up to 10 feet. Coverage of up to 30 feet is possible with the optional LONG RANGER transmitter.
- Multiple Receiver Operation: Permits measurement of up to 4 receivers on a single system and up to 16 receivers at a time, utilizing four multiplexed systems.
- Reliable: From the pioneer in 3D position/orientation measuring devices, in business since 1970. Factory calibrated, never needs adjustment.
- Multiple Output Formats: Position in Cartesian coordinates (inches or centimeters); orientation in direction cosines, Euler angles or Quaternions.
- From the pioneer in 3D position/orientation measuring devices, in business since 1970.
- Factory calibrated, never needs adjustment.
Technical Specifications
Physical Specifications
Range Versus Resolution
The industry standard in motion tracking since 1994, FASTRAK is proven technology with real world credentials. Offering real time 6 Degree-Of-Freedom (6DOF) tracking with virtually no latency, the award-winning FASTRAK is prepared for any challenge. Use it for head, hand and instrument tracking, biomechanical analysis, graphics and cursor control, digitizing and pointing, stereotaxic localization, telerobotics and more. Capture your data with FASTRAK, the ultra-accurate, maximum reliability electromagnetic motion tracking system.
FASTRAK tracks the position (X, Y, and Z Cartesian coordinates) and orientation (azimuth, elevation, and roll) of a small sensor as it moves through space. The system’s near zero latency makes it ideal for virtual reality interfacing, simulators and other applications where real time response is critical. FASTRAK is also well suited for biomechanical applications such as gait and joint movement analysis.
Adding a stylus converts your FASTRAK into a free form digitizer ideal for creating files that can be used in popular computer graphics programs. With the stylus, you can get pinpoint accuracy of unlimited X, Y and Z data points. Capturing data with the ergonomically designed stylus is as simple as pressing its button.
FASTRAK delivers exceptional stability as it’s essentially unaffected by facility power grid fluctuations. Update rates are always maintained because AC magnetics offer superior signal to noise ratios. Sophisticated digital signal processing helps provide optimal signal. To further ensure unrivaled performance, adaptive filtering is available as a standard feature.
Easy Setup
After unpacking FASTRAK for the first time, the system will be up and running in just minutes. Simply install the included software, connect the FASTRAK to your PC’s USB or RS-232 port, connect the sensor and source, power on, and you’re good to go. Special FASTRAK synchronization circuitry yields reliable performance even when FASTRAK is used in close proximity to a CRT display.
Advanced AC Technology
Polhemus pioneered AC motion tracking and has refined and perfected the technology through numerous generations. Unlike products based on pulsed DC technology, Polhemus trackers are not negatively affected by the earth’s magnetic field, power outlets or electric motors. Because AC tracking is also more accurate and faster, it’s clearly the superior choice. In fact, Polhemus originated pulsed DC technology, but chose not to pursue it because of performance shortcomings.
There is no need to worry about maintaining a clear line-of-sight between the sensor and source. Unlike sonic or laser devices, FASTRAK is not affected by signal blocking and interference.
We recommend the following components when using Fastrak for electrode position measurement:
- System Electronics Unit - Contains the hardware and software necessary to generate and sense the magnetic fields, compute position and orientation, and interface with the host computer via an RS-232.
- Source (transmitter) - The transmitter is a triad of electromagnetic coils, enclosed in a plastic shell, that emits the magnetic fields. The transmitter is the system's reference frame for receiver measurements.
- Three Receivers - The receiver is a small triad of electromagnetic coils, enclosed in a plastic shell, that detects the magnetic fields emitted by the transmitter. The receiver is a lightweight cube whose position and orientation are precisely measured as it is moved. The receiver is completely passive and highly reliable.
- Stylus - The stylus is a pencil-like device that contains a triad of electromagnetic coils, and is used for digitizing electrode locations and collecting the contours of a subject's head. We provide the system with the stylus in an 8" length, with a round nib.
- Head-band - The head-band is a proprietary sensor mount that conveniently holds the head-motion correction receiver at a rigidly fixed position and orientation with respect to the head-mounted electrode cap / array.
- Tripod - This is a carefully chosen and customized tripod that conveniently holds the Source near the head so that you get the most accurate measurements.
- Serial to USB adapter cable - This cable makes it simple to connect the Patriot device to a computer over USB for reliable operation with EMSE Locator.
- EMSE Locator software - Locator is a stand-alone module from our EMSE Suite Software that allows you to create electrode digitization templates for virtually any electrode cap / layout, provides an easy to use wizard with audible prompts to collect electrode position data from the Patriot, and stores electrode coordinate data in all of the most common formats and converts saved data between all supported formats.
