Indy race fans - whether they get their race fix on TV, the Internet or mobile media devices - are in the driver's seat thanks to tracking technology developed and marketed by Canadian GPS Technology.
NovAtel Inc., a Calgary, AB-based precise positioning technology company, announced that Sportvision Inc.'s RACEf/x motor sports broadcasting system - utilized during all Indy Racing League (IRL) events - incorporates NovAtel GPS technology.
The most advanced sports tracking system ever created, RACEf/x delivers an array of graphic effects and relevant data, enabling fans to follow the race more easily on television, the Internet, and through wireless devices.RACEf/x uses patented technology combined with NovAtel's SPAN (Synchronized Position Attitude Navigation) Technology to track cars traveling in excess of 220MPH, five times per second, creating a complete digital record of the race, while delivering a broad array of visual effects for television, as well as data for other applications.
Fans can easily identify their favorite drivers on television, while having the opportunity to customize their experience when following a race on the Internet or wireless device.
The onboard Sportvision "Vector" system captures positioning, speed and acceleration/deceleration data utilizing SPAN Technology. Combining this data with RPM, brake and throttle sensor data, compelling metrics such as time behind the leader, exact car position within four centimeters, RPM, brake indicator and throttle percentage are used to create a digital record of the race in real time. Only cars with Vector installed can participate in an official IRL race.
According to Graham Purves, Vice President, Sales for NovAtel, "NovAtel's collaborative efforts with Sportvision began almost six years ago with motor sports broadcasting systems for NASCAR. Their latest endeavor for the IRL circuit, RACEf/x, demonstrates the continued cooperation between our companies, resulting in commercially viable and successful technology."
According to Ken Milnes, Senior Vice President Engineering for Sportvision, "Race cars traveling in excess of 220MPH, in close proximity to metallic fences and large structures, could present complications for GPS systems. Many race tracks have bridges, buildings and heavy foliage that prevent continuous satellite visibility. NovAtel's SPAN Technology has provided an excellent solution to combat the challenges of maintaining continuous satellite visibility, while their responsive customer support team has led to the successful application of the technology."
NovAtel's SPAN Technology tightly couples GPS and inertial functionality to provide accurate position and attitude measurements. During short periods when GPS signals are unavailable or less than four satellites are in sight, SPAN Technology offers uninterrupted position and attitude output. This ensures the positioning system works continuously, regardless of the environment. In addition, SPAN Technology improves overall positioning capability with faster GPS satellite reacquisition and faster Real Time Kinematic initialization.
Sportvision, Inc. is a sports and entertainment product innovator and marketer. A privately held corporation, Sportvision works with the NFL, MLB, IRL, NBA, NASCAR, NHL, PGA TOUR, LPGA TOUR, NCAA, WTA, MLS and other sporting events on-air and online. The Company has captured eight Emmy Awards for its products, including three for their signature broadcast enhancements, the virtual 1st and Ten line and K Zone, and three for its pioneering advanced media work with NASCAR.
NovAtel designs, markets and sells high-precision GPS and other positioning components and sub-systems used in a wide variety of commercial applications principally in the aviation, geomatics (surveying and mapping), mining, precision agriculture, marine and defence industries. NovAtel is also the principal supplier of reference receivers to national aviation ground networks in the US, Japan, Europe, China and India.
http://www.mediacastermagazine.com/issues/ISArticle.asp?id=58510&issue=07252006
NovAtel Inc., a Calgary, AB-based precise positioning technology company, announced that Sportvision Inc.'s RACEf/x motor sports broadcasting system - utilized during all Indy Racing League (IRL) events - incorporates NovAtel GPS technology.
The most advanced sports tracking system ever created, RACEf/x delivers an array of graphic effects and relevant data, enabling fans to follow the race more easily on television, the Internet, and through wireless devices.RACEf/x uses patented technology combined with NovAtel's SPAN (Synchronized Position Attitude Navigation) Technology to track cars traveling in excess of 220MPH, five times per second, creating a complete digital record of the race, while delivering a broad array of visual effects for television, as well as data for other applications.
Fans can easily identify their favorite drivers on television, while having the opportunity to customize their experience when following a race on the Internet or wireless device.
The onboard Sportvision "Vector" system captures positioning, speed and acceleration/deceleration data utilizing SPAN Technology. Combining this data with RPM, brake and throttle sensor data, compelling metrics such as time behind the leader, exact car position within four centimeters, RPM, brake indicator and throttle percentage are used to create a digital record of the race in real time. Only cars with Vector installed can participate in an official IRL race.
According to Graham Purves, Vice President, Sales for NovAtel, "NovAtel's collaborative efforts with Sportvision began almost six years ago with motor sports broadcasting systems for NASCAR. Their latest endeavor for the IRL circuit, RACEf/x, demonstrates the continued cooperation between our companies, resulting in commercially viable and successful technology."
According to Ken Milnes, Senior Vice President Engineering for Sportvision, "Race cars traveling in excess of 220MPH, in close proximity to metallic fences and large structures, could present complications for GPS systems. Many race tracks have bridges, buildings and heavy foliage that prevent continuous satellite visibility. NovAtel's SPAN Technology has provided an excellent solution to combat the challenges of maintaining continuous satellite visibility, while their responsive customer support team has led to the successful application of the technology."
NovAtel's SPAN Technology tightly couples GPS and inertial functionality to provide accurate position and attitude measurements. During short periods when GPS signals are unavailable or less than four satellites are in sight, SPAN Technology offers uninterrupted position and attitude output. This ensures the positioning system works continuously, regardless of the environment. In addition, SPAN Technology improves overall positioning capability with faster GPS satellite reacquisition and faster Real Time Kinematic initialization.
Sportvision, Inc. is a sports and entertainment product innovator and marketer. A privately held corporation, Sportvision works with the NFL, MLB, IRL, NBA, NASCAR, NHL, PGA TOUR, LPGA TOUR, NCAA, WTA, MLS and other sporting events on-air and online. The Company has captured eight Emmy Awards for its products, including three for their signature broadcast enhancements, the virtual 1st and Ten line and K Zone, and three for its pioneering advanced media work with NASCAR.
NovAtel designs, markets and sells high-precision GPS and other positioning components and sub-systems used in a wide variety of commercial applications principally in the aviation, geomatics (surveying and mapping), mining, precision agriculture, marine and defence industries. NovAtel is also the principal supplier of reference receivers to national aviation ground networks in the US, Japan, Europe, China and India.
http://www.mediacastermagazine.com/issues/ISArticle.asp?id=58510&issue=07252006
