Description
The TSP20B (GPS unit + software) developed by TracEdge, facilitates the data collection on the field, as it does not require any infrastructure on the ground. Benefiting from dedicated, specially designed software, it makes it easy to reconstruct the trajectories in a precise manner for use by different analysis tools.
This TSP solution constitutes the technological foundation of TracEdge. It’s key characteristics are:
- Attain a high degree of precision, ranging from 0.5m to 1m, as the “Differential GPS L1”. By using the phase, the speeds can also be precisely determined (<0.5 m/s). However, phase measuring is ambiguous, rendering the position significantly more complex in comparison to methods based on the computation of pseudo-distances.)
- Robustness: the TSP20B unit simultaneously stores in a Flash memory the collected GPS data in differential and absolute modes. Therefore the integrity of the data is preserved even in the case of a “battery” failure; furthermore, when the raw data (DGPS) is of poor quality, due to the site’s topology, it is possible to analyse the trajectory with the data collected in the absolute mode (back-up).)
- Adjust the sampling frequency to the characteristics of the movement being analyzed: with the TSP20B, the frequency can vary between 1Hz to 20Hz, which corresponds to 20 measurements a second. For example this would be the equivalent of one point every 1.35m for an object that moves at 100km/h.)
- Connecting other sensors was a design requirement for the TSP20B. Therefore, the tool has been designed as an integration platform; the unit and the TSP software were developed with the perspective of easily integrating data from additional sensors (hear-rate sensors, inertial sensors, pressure sensors, video, cadence sensors, light sensors etc.).)
- Enable high precision without overlooking the obstructive aspects of the TSP20B unit: relatively large compared to other GPS units available on the sports market, it offers a much higher precision, in particular for the Z axis (or altitude) as the data in Z are collected at the same frequency as the date in X and Y.)
- Compatibility with Galileo: the European satellite positioning system Galileo will enter operational service starting with 2010. It will double the number of available satellites on the L1 frequency, chosen by TracEdge. Therefore a larger number of satellites will be visible from any point on the Earth, which will “naturally” increase the quality of location determination.)
- Model continuous trajectories instead of analyzing a succession of discrete points. The GPS map provides discrete points and speeds but TracEdge has chosen to analyze trajectories, as, regardless of the sport, the movement is continuous. We therefore use trajectory algorithms with smoothing and interpolation.)
- Design an ergonomic software tool, intuitive and easy to use to for analyzing trajectories in 2D or 3D, processing data from other sensors, build an analysis database and generate custom reports. )
Training
TracEdge can provide training upon client request. Our objective is to enable the client to be independent. To achieve this, we focus on a general presentation of the GPS technology. The “Differential GPS L1” method requires a good understanding of the GPS technology. We need to:
- Analyze the “quality” of the satellite constellation (availability and geometry of satellites during the test),
- Ensure the proper placement of the instrumentation (choice and positioning of the antenna),
- Know how to execute the post-processing (work in absolute mode if conditions are not met for working in DGPS).
A detailed presentation of the TSP20B unit as well as training in using the analysis software is delivered by a TracEdge engineer. This training is focused on the needs of the client and it is ideally performed in the field. |
