Platform Manager – Motion Post-Processing

Telemetry data sent by games is passed to the Motion Processor. This module transform vehicle position, accelerations and velocities into motion platform top frame movements. As a result of the operation, 6 values are generated (roll, pitch, yaw, heave, sway and surge). Despite the fact that the motion processor performs necessary filtering on telemetry data, the output data is in most cases linear to the input data (e.g. surge to forward acceleration).

Good linearity might be desired for professional motion platforms, but sometimes it is not wanted for less capable motion platforms, including seat movers. The Post-Processor job is to reduce linearity. It uses output from the motion processor, applies required modification (e.g. curvature and gain) and sends output to the motion platform.

Configuration

Both the motion processor and the post-processor can be configured by the user with the usage of quick tunes sliders. In case of the motion processor, list and functions of quick tunes is game dependence. In case of the post-processor, the list depends on the connected motion platform type and supported type of motions (DoF).

 

Each motion (e.g. roll) has three parameters that define operation the post-processor is going to perform on the incoming data. To make it easier to understand, the platform manager draws a graph which shows how the signal is modified. Horizontal axis represents input data (X), vertical axis represents output data (Y). The red line is modification function, by default it is linear function (Y=X).

Gain

The gain defines signal amplification. When used in combination with low linearity, it can be used to boost short movements and to reduce long movements.

 

Linearity

It changes how long movements are interpreted by the motion platform. It allows to keep small movements unaffected and in the same time reduce long movements.

 

Negative Linearity

It works like a simple mirror feature and can be used in cases when e.g. motion platform is installed in non standard configuration.

Offset

This parameters makes sense only when used with linearity. It allows to define the start point for curvature. Bigger offset moves modification threshold far away from small movements to medium movements.

 

Safety and operation range reduction

Post-Processing is not designed to act as safe motion platform operation range limiter. This feature has been introduced as a convenient tool to help adjust motion platforms to individual preferences. It cannot be considered as safety mechanism. Top frame still might reach extreme positions if there are peaks in input signals, even if linearity is really small. There always must be enough free space for full motion platform movements.