EM Tracker Coil Characterization

EM Tracker Coil Characterization

When we test a tracker for accuracy, we generally check using point sets that make mechanical sense. For example, we may use a 3D robot to move the receiver all over the working volume (also called the motion box).

In 6DOF trackers, the coils must be precisely characterized for their electromagnetic properties: gains, non-orthogonalities, non-concentricities, and finite-size effects. Since characterization is measuring electromagnetic properties, the point set chosen should make electromagnetic sense rather than mechanical sense.

The important electromagnetic property, is the boundary-condition property: If we know the magnetic field on the plane of the working volume closest to the transmitter, we can calculate the field elsewhere in the working volume.