Ultrasound Technology

Compared to the imaging technologies used in medical diagnostics, 3D ultrasound measurement technology used for movement analysis is based on acoustic signals.

Similar to the infrared diodes of active markers of an optical system, ultrasound transmitters fixed to an object transmit ultrasound signals. These signals are picked up by a measurement unit that consists of 3 ultrasound microphones placed at a defined locations relative to each other. Using the time and speed of sound as parameters, a base unit measures the 3 distances between transmitter and microphones, which correspond to 3 vectors in the 3D coordinate system of the measurement system. Triangle calculations allow the ultrasound system to identify the absolute 3D coordinates of the transmitter.

Advantages and Disadvantages

Summary

3D ultrasound measurement technology can be an affordable alternative especially for very specific 3D motion analysis applications.