Polhemus Viper
Polhemus Viper is a series of 3D tracking systems from Polhemus.
The Viper series has the highest precision and accuracy of all of Polhemus' electromagnetic trackers.
The Viper line includes the Viper 4, Viper 8, and Viper 16. The Viper 4 and Viper 8 are both in the same physical enclosure. The Viper 16 is twice as tall as the Viper 4 or 8.
Final assembly is done in the United States.
Viper sensors attach to the SEU using a connector that is the same physical shape as USB-C, but it has different electrical connections.
It is compatible with the Micro Sensor from Polhemus.
Viper units can be configured to use Fly True Technology (FTT).
Specifications[edit]
Update rate: Viper 4 is 240hz per sensor. Viper 8 and 16 are 960 hz per sensor.
Interface: USB or RS-422
Latency: About 1 millisecond at 960hz, about 2 milliseconds at 480hz, and about 3 milliseconds at 240hz.[1]
Accuracy when not moving (Static accuracy) within 30 inch radius from TX2 source: 0.015 inches RMS (root mean square) for position, 0.10 degrees RMS orientation.[1]
Software[edit]
The Viper SEUs can interface with software based on the Viper Native Command Protocol (VNCP).[2]
Construction[edit]
Viper SEUs use a power supply with part number TR9CA8000LCPIM(R6B) from GlobTek, which was made in China. It is a 5 volt, 8 amp power supply.
Viper SEUs use cooling fans from Sunon that were made in China. Their voltage is 5 volts. They are loud and small.
Patents[edit]
Polhemus has claimed that the Viper series is protected by one or more of the following patents:
- U.S. Patent 5,307,072 (Expired)
- U.S. Patent 6,013,595 (Expired) - Ethylene related
- U.S. Patent 6,369,594 (Expired)
- U.S. Patent 6,400,139 (Expired)
- U.S. Patent 6,624,626 (Expired)
- U.S. Patent 6,762,600 (Expired)
- U.S. Patent 7,292,948 (Expires in the year +2025) - Applies to the Fly True Technology
- U.S. Patent 7,710,395 (Expires in the year +2028) - Not applicable - only for head mounted pointing and control gadget for 2D display screens
- U.S. Patent 7,873,491 (Expires in the year +2026) - Not applicable, only for wireless systems, which the Viper is not
Trivia[edit]
Polhemus Viper units are used by Neuralink to track Monkey body movements.