Calibrate Receivers

This is the first step in defining the 3D space that Autopilot II will use. Autopilot II can use between 4 and 8 receivers, however more receivers will give better coverage for a given size area. Beltpacks 1-4 must be used for automatic receiver calibration. In the single beltpack calibration, any one beltpack from 1-4 can be used. The algorithm used to calibrate the receivers is as follows:

Four receivers must see all four beltpacks and the rest of the receivers must see at least three beltpacks. This means that 4 receivers must have yellow or green lights and the remaining recievers cannot have more that 1 red light each. Anything less will not work!

  1. Place the beltpacks on stage.

  1. The drawing shows one possible configuration for the beltpacks. This is using the included beltpack holders with the attached wires which force the spacing to be exactly 10 feet. It is convenient to place BP (beltpack) 1 and BP2 parallel to the front edge of the stage and this placement is used in a later step. Also the angle between distance 1 and 2 and the angle between distance 2 and 3 does not have to be 90 degrees.

  2. If 10 feet is not convenient for the setup, then the distance must be measured and then entered into the two boxes on the screen. Distance 1 is from BP4 to BP1, distance 2 is from BP1 to BP2. and distance 3 is from BP2 to BP3. Each of the beltpack positions in this step are remembered by Autopilot II and labeled Spike 1-4. These spikes are available to use as light calibration positions in case the beltpacks are not available for that step.

  3. Then press next to start the signal strength processing.

  • Check the signal strength at the receivers.

    1. This screen shows in real time the quality of the signal from each beltpack at each receiver. The calibration can only succeed if a minimum of 4 receivers see all 4 beltpacks and the rest see a minimum of 3 beltpacks. This means that 4 receivers must have yellow or green lights and the remaining recievers cannot have more that 1 red light each.

    2. If this is not the case, then the beltpacks should be moved to a different spot on the stage. The button marked << Back can be used to go back to the previous screen to reset the distances if necessary.

    3. As a last resort, the receivers must be moved.

    4. If the receiver calibration is not successful, then Autopilot will not operate.

    5. Press Next to start the Calibration.

  • Confirm the calibration.

    1. At first the window "Finding Receivers" will appear briefly. It is possible to stop the calibration by pressing cancel.

    2. Then the window will change to Calibrated and you must confirm this by pressing OK.

  • Setup the downstage edge.

    • This step is used to align the 2D display and 3D display so that the operator's point of view is from the audience.

  • Make sure the receiver positions are realistic.

    • The 2D display shows the position and number of receivers calibrated. If you have hooked up more receivers than the 2D display shows, at least one receiver did not get calibrated and the procedure needs to be done again, more carefully.

      

    1. Look at both the 2D view and 3D view to see if the positions of the receivers are reasonable. The 3D view will help show the height of the receivers.

    2. The 3D viewer has the following navigation controls, right and left arrow keys to rotate around the center of the picture, up and down arrows to see the stage from a higher or lower perspective, and + and - keys, or "i" and "o" for in and out, to dolly in or out.

  • Use only one beltpack to calibrate the receiver.

    • You will have gotten to this screen by pressing the "Do Procedure with only one BeltPack" button from SYSTEM SETUP>CALIBRATE RECIEVERS.

    1. You have to measure three distances on stage and mark them so a beltpack can be placed on these "Spike marks". If the distance is not the default distance, then enter the appropriate number for Distances 1, 2, and 3. The angles formed between the distances do not have to form a right angle. Points 1 and 2 must be parallel to the front of the stage. This is for orientation of the 2D and 3D views.

    2. Next select the beltpack (1-4) you wish to use for this procedure.

    3. All four points must have the selected beltpack placed on it and then the collect button must be pressed.

    4. A data quality window will be presented so the data gathered at each receiver can be evaluated.

    5. Just like the 4 beltpack calibration, the stage is now normalized for viewing purposes. Spike marks 1 and 2 must be parallel to the front of the stage and will be used to orient the 2D and 3D views. This step is mandatory.

    6. It is a good idea to review the receiver positions using the 2D or 3D views.