Visual analysis of a radio frequency tracking system for virtual environments

• Main Author: Campbell, Philip E.
• Other Authors: Maruyama, Xavier
• Language: en_US
• Published: Monterey, California. Naval Postgraduate School 2012
• Online Access: http://hdl.handle.net/10945/9148

A variety of position tracking technologies have been utilized for virtual environments. Each has a different set of strengths and weaknesses which are usually compared on paper with numbers or generic statements. This thesis develops a methodology for the creation of 3D visualization tools to analyze position tracking technologies and their effectiveness under specific conditions. The methodology includes developing the questions, the models, the simulations, the visualization, and the rendering. This thesis applies the methodology to Advanced Position Systems, Inc.'s RF tracking system which can be easily configured for large volume spaces, unlike any of the other technologies. The analysis asks "How does the positioning of the receivers affect the relative accuracy throughout the target volume?". The model uses the solution to the Time Difference of Arrival (TDOA) equations used by the system and the simulation evaluates the position error throughout the volume with a constant error in the TDOA measurements. Point icons represent the data and the Virtual Reality Modeling Language renders the visualization. The asymmetric error profile revealed by this 3D visual analysis arises from the asymmetric arrangement of the TDOA measurements and is not readily apparent with other analytical techniques