An Algorithm for Transmitter Optimization in Electromagnetic Tracking Systems

Electromagnetic tracking systems are used extensively in biomedical devices, gaming consoles, and animation because they are inexpensive and do not require line of sight. However, the measurement range is limited by the amplitude of the induced voltage in the sensing coil. The induced voltage is a function of the transmitter parameters such as the coil dimensions, signal power, and frequency. The transmitted power is typically restricted by the physical constraints in the application. This paper develops an algorithm to optimize the dimensions of the transmitting coil for maximum induced voltage. The proposed method is suitable for a transmitter consisting of three concentric orthogonal transmitting coils of the type commonly used in six-degree-of-freedom localization. The simulation and experimental results are presented, which demonstrate the efficacy of the proposed method.