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Troubleshooting Tracker Problems

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This guide will help you troubleshoot set-up and operational problems for the following tracking product:

Click on the tracker product in the table to enter its troubleshooting page
Tracker Product
Tracker Technology
Flock of Birds DC Magnetic
laserBIRD Scanning laser
miniBIRD (800 and 500) DC Magnetic
MotionStar (Tethered Model) DC Magnetic
MotionStar Wireless DC Magnetic
Nest of Birds DC Magnetic
pciBIRD DC Magnetic
ReActor 2 Active Optical
SpacePad AC Magnetic
3D-BIRD Inertial

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In addition to the information provided here, you can also reach us directly:

Web: Request help online using our convenient form!
E-mail: support@ascension-tech.com
Phone: (802) 893-6657
Fax: (802) 893-6659

Flock of Birds - Troubleshooting Guide
Symptom
Possible Cause
Solution
Poor accuracy

Metal in tracking environment.

 

 


Damaged equipment.


Poor connection.

 

Applications software error.

Finite size error.

Check all around the transmitter to the farthest distance from the center of the transmitter to the maximum distance the sensor is used. Move or replace metal, or reposition Flock system.

Check for damage.

Sensor or transmitter connector not properly inserted. Correct by unplugging and plugging the components back into the board.

Verify formulas and scale factors.

Check relative sensor position. Does separating the sensors improve accuracy? Move sensors farther apart.

Noise in data

Sensor is close to electrically noisy device.


Filter off or set too low.


Line frequency value set incorrectly.

Turn off electrically noisy device or reposition transmitter to decrease distance from sensor.

Turn on filters or increase filter control value.

Determine correct frequency (50 Hz in Europe, 60 Hz in North America) and set to correct value.

Front panel LED blinks continuously You are in the test mode, and the system is not actually functioning. Check dipswitch #8. It should be in the OFF position (pointing up) for normal system operation.
The front panel light does not come on The power cable may appear to be plugged into the supply but may be loose.

Verify that the power supply cable is plugged into the power supply and wall.

Disconnect the RS232 interface cable at the Bird's back panel and toggle the FLY/STDBY switch.

If the light now comes on, it means that your RS232 interface cable has a wire attached to pin 7 of the Bird's RS232 connector and that your host computer is holding the Request to Send line high.

Either disconnect the wire to pin 7 or reprogram your RS232 UART to de-assert the RTS line.

Bird does not function or runs erratically Improperly connected cables. Make sure that all cables are screwed into their front and back panel connectors.
Bird will not communicate with your host computer Serial interface may not be working properly or the baud rate may not be correct for your address mode.

Try using the Bird Output test and the Bird Echo test to verify the host serial link.

Verify that all Birds are either in the Normal Addressing mode, Expanded Addressing mode, or Super-Expanded Addressing mode by counting the light blinks on the power-up.

Verify that you are using the correct baud rate switch setting for the address mode being used.

Serial communication is not working in RS232 mode Bird may not be sending data. Check if pin 4 of the serial port (Data Terminal Ready) is being held high. If your computer brings it low, the Bird will not send data. If in doubt, disconnect the pin at the cable where it connects to the Bird.
If you can not communicate with the Bird... Sensor and transmitter may not be properly connected before power-up. Check that the transmitter and sensor are plugged into their panel connectors. The transmitter and sensor must be plugged in during power-up.
Upon starting your software to control multiple Birds in the Flock, the light goes out or the data output does not correspond to reality Software interrupt problem between Bird and host application software. Verify that your software delays for at least 600 milliseconds before and after sending the Flock the FBB AUTO-CONFIGURATION, FBB ARM, or FBB CONFIGURATION commands.
System hangs for no apparent reason You may have sent command bytes without their proper command data bytes. Toggling the FLY/STDBY switch should return you to normal operation.
One or more of the position outputs stops changing at longer separation distances You are attempting to make measurements beyond the default range limitation. Use the CHANGE VALUE/POSITION SCALING command to change the full-scale output from 36 to 72 inches. Your software will also need to change its output scaling to correspond to the Bird's change.
The signs of the X, Y or Z position outputs suddenly change You may have crossed a hemisphere boundary. Use the HEMISPHERE command to fix this problem.
Once you have established proper communication with the Bird, the tracker hangs Unknown. Toggle the FLY/STDBY switch or , if necessary, restart your host computer.
The host computer seems to be missing data from the Bird The host’s operating system may be removing some bytes from the Bird’s data stream that represent host system control commands. Verify that the host can read all binary characters from the serial port using the Host Read Data test and the Host Read Data Read Block test.
The Flock with the Extended Range Transmitter (ERT) option is returning fixed position data and zero orientation data A sensor may not be connected to the tracker. Use the RS232 to FBB command to direct your data request to a Flock unit with a sensor.
You are in standalone mode and on power-up, the light blinks twice then goes out. You are in the Expanded Addressing mode. Restore the Normal Addressing mode by following the instructions in Chapter 6 of the User’s Manual.

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laserBIRD - Troubleshooting Guide
Symptom
Possible Cause
Solution
No audible sound when Scanner plugged in

No Power.

 


System in SLEEP mode.


System in REST.

Check AC connections to power supply. Check that d-sub connector is fully seated. Reset hardware by cycling AC power.

Check BIRD STATUS for SLEEP mode; issue RUN command.

Run the laserBIRD utility and check for status of the 'reset on CTS' setting. If enabled and you are running Windows, either disable it or ensure that your application takes control of the COM port.

Utility doesn't run

No serial communication.


Software installation unsuccessful.

Check the suggestions outlined in 'Not able to communicate' below.

Re-initialize the HOST PC and run the installation again.

Power-up defaults did not change after configuring with the utility

Configuration download interrupted.

 

laserBIRD did not reset (restart) after burning the Flash settings.

Restart the laserBIRD and the utility and set the defaults again. Be sure to click APPLY to send the settings to the Scanner.

Cycle Power to the laserBIRD, and re-check the settings.

Not able to communicate with the system

Baud rate incorrect.

 



COM port incorrect.

RS232 cable disconnected.

Default Baud rate for the laserBIRD is 38,400. Start the laserBIRD utility using this setting, and configure the default for your needs. See Chapter 3 of user's manual for details.

Specify to your HOST PC the COM port that the tracker is connected to.

Check that the serial connections at both ends of the cable are fully seated.

Can communicate with the system, but data not changing

Detectors occluded.


Detectors saturated.

 



Sensor connection faulty.

 

Use the utility to check for valid data from each detector.

Sensor may be too close to the scanner; increase distance. Also check for the presence of high intensity light sources in the operating region.

Check that sensor connector is correctly installed and locked. Inspect coaxial pins for wear or damage.

Data is too noisy (jittery)

Filters OFF.

 


DC Filter not optimized.

 


Reflective surfaces in the operating region.


Interference from another laserBIRD.

Check FILTER STATUS for present state of filter configuration. Enable AVG and Adaptive filters as necessary.

Check settings of VM and Alpha_Min. Adjust until data acceptable. See command reference in Chapter 4 for details.

Remove object or surface causing reflection, or adjust Scanner mounting to minimize effect.

If running dual scanners, check the configuration of the 'laserBIRD ID' setting. Configure as detailed in the DUAL SCANNER OPERATION section in Chapter 3 of user's manual.

If configured correctly, adjust Scanner mounting such that the 'Performance Motion Boxes' do not overlap. See DUAL SCANNER OPERATION in Chapter 3 of user's manual.

laserBIRD also contains a built-in troubleshooting utility.

It provides a fast and easy way to evaluate how each of the three detectors in your sensor is performing throughout the operating region.

For example, if you were experiencing interruptions (static or noisy data) during your tracking application, you can run the utility and determine which of the detectors is returning invalid data. An occluded detector or a saturated detector most often causes invalid data. The utility refers to the three detectors as Sensor 1, Sensor 2, and Sensor 3. Note that to compute a correct measurement, laserBIRD must receive valid data from all three detectors in the sensor triad.

See your User’s Manual for further information on using this utility.

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miniBIRD (800 & 500) - Troubleshooting Guide
Symptom
Possible Cause
Solution
Front panel lamp blinks continuously You are in the test mode; tracker is not functioning.

Check dipswitch #8. It should be in the OFF position (up) for normal system operation.

Front panel light does not come on

The power cable may appear to be plugged into the supply but may be loose.

Verify that the power supply cable is plugged into the power supply and wall.

Front panel light does not come on
If the light comes on after you disconnect the RS232 interface cable on the back panel and toggle the FLY/STANDBY switch then your RS232 interface cable has a wire attached to pin 7 of the miniBIRD's RS232 connector. Your host computer is holding this Request to Send line high.

Either disconnect the wire to pin 7 or reprogram your RS232 UART to de-assert the RTS line.

miniBIRD does not function or runs erratically Loose connectors. Make sure that all cables are screwed into their front and back panel connectors.
Cannot get the miniBIRD to communicate with your computer Host serial link may not be working. Try using the BIRD Output test and the BIRD Echo test to verify the host serial link. Verify all Birds are either in the Normal Address Mode, Expanded Address Mode or the Super-Expanded Address Mode by counting the light blinks on power up. Verify you are using the correct baud rate switch setting for the address mode being used.
The serial communication is not working in RS232 mode Pin 4 of the serial port (data terminal ready) may be held low . Check to ensure that pin 4 of the serial port (Data Terminal Ready) is being held high. If your computer brings it low, the miniBIRD will not send data. If in doubt, disconnect the pin at the cable where it connects to the miniBIRD.
Cannot communicate with the miniBIRD Transmitter and sensor may not be properly plugged into their panel connectors. The transmitter and sensor must be plugged in during power-up.
Upon starting your software to control multiple Birds in the flock, the light goes out or the data output does not correspond to reality Host software violating Bird protocol. Verify that your software delays for at least 600 milliseconds before and after sending the flock the FBB AUTO-CONFIGURATION or FBB CONFIGURATION commands.
Tracker hangs May have sent Command Bytes without their proper Command Data bytes. Toggling the FLY/STDBY switch should return you to normal operation.
Position/orientation outputs from the tracker are noisy (jittery). Sensor cable may be picking up noise from external source. Be sure that the sensor is not located near the miniBIRD's power supply or other electronic devices or cables.
One or more of the position outputs stops changing at longer separation ranges Range exceeds factory set range limit. Use the CHANGE VALUE/POSITION SCALING command to change the full-scale output from 36 to 72 inches. Your software will also need to change its output scaling to correspond to the miniBIRD change.
Signs of the X, Y or Z position outputs suddenly change May have crossed a hemisphere boundary. Use the HEMISPHERE command to fix.
The host computer seems to be missing data from the miniBIRD The host's operating system may be removing from the miniBIRD's data stream some bytes that represent host system control commands. Verify that the host can read all binary characters from the serial port using the Host Data Read test and the Host Data Read Block test.
You want to track in the standalone mode. On power up the light blinks then goes out Really in Expanded Address Mode. Restore the Normal Address Mode by following the instructions in Section 7.8 of your User's Manual.
Front-panel lamp does not come on (or blink) when the RS232 cable is disconnected The unit is not getting power.

Apply Power.

Note: there are no fuses or other user-serviceable parts inside the miniBIRD's cabinet.

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MotionStar (Tethered Model) - Troubleshooting Guide
Symptom
Possible Cause
Solution
Poor accuracy

Metal in tracking environment.





Damaged equipment.

Sensor or transmitter connector not properly inserted.

A software application error.

Check all around the transmitter to the furthest distance from the center of the transmitter to the maximum distance the sensor is used. Move or replace metal, or reposition system. Run Environmental Analyzer to find good space for tracker use.

Check for damage.

Correct by unplugging and plugging the components back into the board.


Verify formulas and scale factors.

Noise in data

Sensor is close to electrically noisy device.


Filter off or set too low.


Line frequency value set incorrectly.

Turn off electrically noisy device or reposition transmitter to decrease distance from sensor.

Turn on filters or increase filter control value.

Determine correct frequency (50 Hz in Europe, 60 Hz in North America) and set to correct value.

Lights blink continuously and the tracker is not actually functioning You are in the test mode. Check dipswitch #8. It should be in the OFF position (pointing up) for normal system operation.
The tracker does not function or runs erratically The system will not run unless all sensor cables are plugged in. Make sure that all cables are screwed into their connectors.
The Tracker hangs You may be sending command bytes without their command data bytes. Toggling the power switch should return you to normal operation.
If the signs of the X, Y or Z position outputs suddenly change You may have crossed a hemisphere boundary. Use the HEMISPHERE command to rectify.

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MotionStar Wireless - Troubleshooting Guide

Backpack Trouble Shooting:
Light Status
Probable Cause & Solution
None No power. Battery could be completely drained or not connected. Power switch is off or backpack timed out and shut itself off.
Blinking Red/Orange 2 blinks per second Normal start up. Backpack has successfully passed Power On Self Test and is waiting for download from the Base Station.
Blinking Orange 1 blink per second Backpack reset sequence. During a normal startup, the backpack resets the internal modem.
Blinking Orange 2 blinks per second Backpack download. Info is being downloaded from the Base Station into the backpack. The download to the backpack happens very fast, so you might miss seeing this state.
Solid Green light Backpack data. Backpack is functioning normally and sending data to the Base Station.
Blinking Green 2 blinks per second Backpack lost its sync. Backpack cannot detect ERT. Backpack must be within 18 feet of the ERT.
Slow blinking Red 2 blinks per second POST Failure. Backpack failed Power On Self Test.
Fast blinking Red 5 blinks per second Low battery. Change battery.

Base Station Trouble Shooting:
Base Station Message
Probable Cause & Solution
Running Normal Operation. The MotionStar has successfully started and is receiving data from the backpack.
RCV DATA Normal Operation. Data is being sent from the backpack and being processed by the Base Station.
WAITING FOR BACKPACK Base Station is waiting for the backpack. System has successfully initialized. Cannot find backpack. Check backpack (see backpack Trouble Shooting). Verify Serial Number displayed matches Serial Number of backpack. Check both antenna connections. Modem card should have upper light green, lower light blinking.
Not Present The backpack has been found, but is not currently present. Check to make sure that the backpack is turned on.
DOWNLOAD Backpack download. Backpack firmware is being downloaded from the Base Station.
Init ERC ERC Initialization. The MotionStar is initializing the ERC.
Download ERC ERC download. ERC firmware is being downloaded.
READ EEPROM Read backpack EEPROM. Calibration data is being read from backpack.
Exiting A key on the keyboard has been hit and the program is ‘Exiting’ to DOS.
SYNCING Backpack syncing. Backpack is attempting to 'sync' with the ERT. If the backpack cannot sync, check the measurement rate (must be lower than 100 Hz), make sure that the sensors are not directly on metal or within 2 feet of the ERT.
Check ERC ERC error. Unable to initialize ERC. Check the ERC power and the RS232 cable. If ERC resets (audible click) when Base Station starts, then cabling is OK. Cycle ERC power (off for 6 seconds). You should get either 1 blink (Super-Expanded addressing mode) or 2 blinks (Expanded addressing mode). If not, change the addressing mode. Check dip switch settings. For Super-Expanded addressing, all dip switches should be up except number 1. For Expanded addressing, dip switches 1, 2, and 7 should be down. Repeated blinking indicates the ERC detected an error. Check ERT cabling.

Check MultiChassis
-or-
Check MultiChassis Port

MultiChassis Error. Secondary Base Station has lost communication. Check RS232 cabling and functionality of the connected Base Station.
Check Antenna Communication errors. Data packets from the backpack are being lost. Check antenna connection. Check for RF noise (microwave oven) in vicinity of MotionStar.
Check for Metal Bad Sync Error. Unable to cleanly detect ERT waveform. Check for metal in the environment. Backpack must be within 18 feet of the ERT. Check for sensors close to strong electrical or magnetic fields (computer monitors, high voltage electric lines, etc.).
Could not find ERC.FRM Missing Firmware. The ERC firmware file is missing.
ERC Download Error ERC Error. The MotionStar cannot download the firmware file to the ERC. Cycle ERC power (off for 6 seconds).
ERC Memory Error ERC Error. The ERC does not have enough memory to accept the firmware download.
ERC PROMs Incorrect ERC EPROMs. ERC EPROMs must be upgraded to be used with this system.
ERC not in super or extended address mode ERC addressing mode. Change addressing mode to either Expanded or Super-Expanded. See Section 4.0 of user's manual.
XMTR.INI not found XMTR Error. There are two transmitters attached to the ERC, but the XMTR.EXE program has not been run. Scaling may be different than the host computer expects. Run the XMTR.EXE program to create the file XMTR.INI.
XMTR.INI corrupt XMTR Error. The XMTR.INI file has become damaged. Scaling may be different than the host computer expects. Run the XMTR.EXE program to correct the problem.
Init ISA Cards ISA Card Initialization. The MotionStar is initializing any MotionStar cards that might be in the system.
Download ISA ISA download. The MotionStar card firmware is being downloaded.
Could not find ISA.FRM Missing Firmware. The MotionStar card firmware file is missing.
ISA timeout at XXX ISA Card Error. The MotionStar card at Base Address XXX did not respond.
ISA card at xxx - reconfig The ISA card at Base Address XXX is being reconfigured.
ISA Memory Error at XXX ISA Card Error. The ISA Card at Base Address XXX does not have enough memory to accept the firmware download.
ISA Download Error at XXX ISA Card Error. Couldn’t download the firmware data to the MotionStar card.
Unable to open WIRELESS.FRM Missing firmware. Backpack firmware file is missing.
Invalid RS232 Data Data received from RS232 port is invalid. This often happens when power is removed from whatever the RS232 is connected to.
RS232 Receive Overrun Error RS232 overrun. Data was sent to the Base Station faster than it could accept it.
Memory Allocation Error OR Malloc Error Memory allocation. Unable to allocate memory.
Timer Board Not Found Timer board missing. Reset timer board.
Unable to open XXX.CFG Missing Config File. The serial port configuration file is missing.
Unable to open XXX.DRV Missing Driver File. The serial port driver file is missing.
Unable to open XXX.FMT Missing Format File. The serial port format file is missing.
Config file missing value for XXX The serial port configuration file is missing a needed value.
Illegal value in CFG file XXX The value in the CFG file in not valid.
Illegal format XXX The value in the CFG file is not a valid format.

Sound Trouble Shooting Signals:
Sound
Probable Cause & Solution
5 note trill System running normally.
Single note every 3 seconds No Connection Active. The system is running normally but no interface is active. This sound stops when either an Ethernet connection is made or connection via the MultiChassis RS232 is detected. If no Ethernet connection can be made, check the Ethernet Connection troubleshooting section. This sound can be disabled in the file Base.ini.
3 note trill every 5 seconds Error message. System was unable to properly initialize. If possible, attach a VGA monitor to the system to view the error messages. If no monitor is available, check all the probable causes listed in the Base Station Trouble Shooting section.

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Nest of Birds (NOB) - Troubleshooting Guide
Symptom
Possible Cause
Solution
Front panel lamp blinks continuously & tracker not working You are in the test mode.

Check dipswitch #8. It should be in the OFF position.

LED does not light up Power Cable may not be plugged into the Nest power supply and wall outlet or it may appear to be plugged into the Nest power supply but is actually loose.

Verify that power cable is properly connected to Nest power supply and wall outlet.

If this does not work, disconnect the RS-232 interface cable from the Nest and toggle the power switch. If the light now comes on, it means that your RS232 interface cable has a wire attached to pin 7 of the Nest’s RS232 connector and that your host computer is holding the Request to Send line high. Either disconnect the wire to pin 7 or reprogram your RS232 UART to de-assert the RTS line.

If the NOB does not function or runs erratically Cables may not be properly connected. Make sure that all cables are screwed into their connectors.
Cannot get the NOB to communicate with your computer

Host serial link may not be working.


Nest may not be in Normal Addressing Mode.


Wrong Baud Rate.

Try using the Bird Output test and the Bird Echo test to verify the host serial link.

Verify that all Birds are in the Normal Addressing mode by counting the light blinks on power up.

Verify that you are using the correct baud rate switch setting for the address mode being used.

The serial communication is not working in RS232 mode Pin 4 of serial port may be held high. Check if pin 4 of the serial port (Data Terminal Ready) is being held high. If your computer brings it low, the NOB will not send data. If in doubt, disconnect the pin at the cable where it connects to the NOB.
Cannot communicate with the NOB Transmitter and/or sensors may not have been plugged in at power up. Check that transmitter and sensors are plugged into their connectors.
If upon starting your software to control the NOB, its lights go out or the data output does not correspond to reality Timing issue in your software interrupts. Verify that your software delays for at least 600 milliseconds before and after sending the NOB the FBB AUTO-CONFIGURATION, FBB ARM, or FBB CONFIGURATION commands.
Tracker outputs are noisy (jittery) A sensor may be located near The NOB's power supply or other electronic devices or cables.

Perform tracking away from the Nest’s chassis and /or other electronics devices.

Do not place transmitter and/or sensors on the Nest chassis.

One or more of the position outputs stops changing at longer separation distances Range scaling limitations have been violated.

Use the CHANGE VALUE/POSITION SCALING command to change the full-scale output from 36 to 72 inches.

Your software will also need to change its output scaling to correspond to the NOB’s change.

Signs of the X, Y or Z position outputs suddenly change. May have crossed a hemisphere boundary. Use the HEMISPHERE command to rectify
Once you have established proper communication with the NOB, the tracker hangs up. Tracker/host computer miscommunication or similar problems. Once you have established proper communication with the NOB, any problems that cause it to hang can generally be corrected by toggling the power switch. In some cases, you may have to restart your host computer.
Host computer seems to be missing data from the NOB Host operating system may be removing bytes from NOB's data stream that represent host-system control commands. Verify that the host can read all binary characters from the serial port using the Host Read Data test and the Host Read Data Read Block test.
NOB with the Extended Range Transmitter (ERT) option is returning fixed position data and zero orientation data You are requesting data from the ERT, which has no sensor. Use the RS232 TO FBB command to direct your data request to a Bird unit with a sensor.
The Nest’s LED does not come on (or blink) when the RS232 cable is disconnected, then: The tracker is not getting power. Check power to Nest.
The Nest hangs. You may be sending Command Bytes without their proper Command Data bytes. Toggling the power switch should return you to normal operation.

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pciBird - Troubleshooting Guide
Symptom
Possible Cause
Solution
The operating system doesn’t start after installing the pciBIRD card Your card is not installed properly.

Turn off power to the PC, remove the card, reseat it firmly, and reboot the system. If problem persists, turn off power, remove the card completely, and reboot. If your operating system starts, contact Technical Support for assistance.

The pciBIRD Cubes program does not start after installation is completed

The power splitter is not plugged in on the card.

 


DIP switches on the card are not correctly positioned.

Turn of power to the PC. Open the cover and plug in the power splitter according tot he instructions under the Installing the tracking hardware section of the user's manual.

Consult the Technical Reference Guide on CD for proper DIP switch positions, or contact Technical Support for assistance.

The pciBIRD Cubes program starts, but data is not changing or sensor information is missing

The sensor is too close to the transmitter.

The transmitter or sensor is not completely plugged in.

 

Your system is too close to metal.


The Multi-card SYNC cable is not attached.

Move the sensor away from the transmitter.

Check connections from the sensor and transmitter to the pciBIRD card. Remove and reconnect if necessary.

Remove metal objects close to your work area or relocate the tracker sensor or transmitter.

When using multiple cards, you must attach the SYNC cable between the cards. See the Installing the tracking hardware section of the user's manual.

Poor accuracy

Metal in tracking environment.

 


Damaged equipment.

Sensor or transmitter connector