Effect of metal and sampling rate on accuracy of Flock of Birds electromagnetic tracking system

Electromagnetic tracking devices are used in many biomechanics applications. Previous studies have shown that metal located within the working field of direct current electromagnetic tracking devices produces significant errors. However, the effect of sampling rate on the errors produced in a metallic environment has never been studied. In this study, the accuracy of Ascension Technologies’ Flock of Birds was evaluated at sampling rates of 20, 60, 100, and 140 Hz, in the presence of both aluminum and steel. Aluminum interference caused an increase in measurement error as the sampling rate increased. Conversely, steel interference caused a decrease in measurement error as the sampling rate increased. We concluded that the accuracy of the Flock of Birds tracking system can be optimized in the presence of metal by careful choice in sampling rate.