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Scope

This page provides instructions on integrating an AMTI Force plate system with an OptiTrack motion capture system.

Overview

When a motion capture system is used in conjunction with force plates, they work together as a powerful tool for various research applications including biomechanical analysis, clinical gait analysis, physiology research, sports performance research, and many more. An OptiTrack motion capture system can synchronize with force plates to obtain both kinematic and kinetic measurements. Note that force plate integration is supported only with a Prime camera system using the eSync synchronization hub. This page provides quick guidelines for setting up and configuring force plates — with digital outputs — along with the OptiTrack motion capture system.

For detailed information on specifications and configurations on the force plates, refer to the documentation provided by the force plate manufacturer.

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  • Analog Platforms: Analog force plate devices can only be implemented via NI-DAQ devices. Incoming voltage signals can be detected through NI-DAQ devices, but the force plate related software features (vectors, position calibration, etc.) will not be supported in Motive. Refer to the NI-DAQ Setup page for detailed instructions on integrating analog devices.

Required Components

Version Motive 2.1 or above
Amplifier Kistler AMP Model 5695B
Sync Box Kistler Sync Adapter Box model 5767
Force Plate Kistler plate model 9260AA, piezoelectric
Camera System Prime series Ethernet camera system with the eSync synchronization hub.

Hardware Setup

Kistler Force Plate System Setup

Refer to the respective Kistler system user documentation for detailed information on setting up the force plate system and connecting to the host PC.

Camera System Setup

Set up an OptiTrack system. Connect the camera system to the same host PC. For more information, refer to the Quick Start Guide: Getting Started page or the Hardware Setup pages.

Wiring the eSync with the Sync Adapter

  • Bertec AM 6800 amplifiers: Use the provided female 15-pin D-Sub connector to get the ZERO signal and the SYNC signal from the ANALOG OUTPUT port of the amplifier.
  • The ZERO cable from the amplifier needs to be connected to the output port of the eSync for synchronization with the camera system.
  • The SYNC cable from the amplifier needs to be interconnected between the force plate amplifiers for their internal sync.

Hot Plugging

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Hot plugging is not supported with the integration. When a new device is connected to the system, you must re-start Motive to instantiate it.

Software Setup

Install BioWare

As obvious as it may sound, Kistler software must be installed on the host computer first in order to integrate the force plates. BioWare is the main software required for configuring the Kistler force plates, and it must be installed along with other required device drivers to use. If these components are not installed properly, they may not get initialized in Motive. For detailed instructions on setting up the Force Plate system with a host PC, refer to the Kistler documentation.
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