The environment within the Space impacts the capacity of BlackTrax to function as intended. When you install the BTSystem, always remember the following precautions to limit interference and make the ideal tracking environment.

• Infrared interference: External infrared sources and reflections may cause interference with BTSensors. For best results, ensure the venue is free from sunlight, lights which emit infrared spectrum, infrared based devices, fire, and highly reflective materials. For infrared sources and reflections which cannot be removed from the venue, there are provisions within the software to mask out the affected areas of the BTSensor's field of view.
  • Note: Infrared interference is more critical during the BTSensor calibration than during tracking operation. Since the BTSystem looks for a unique signal during tracking, there is some tolerance for other infrared sources.
• Reflective surfaces: Reflective materials that are present in a venue might reflect and mimic a BTBeacon’s unique LED pulse, creating errors with tracking. Complex objects inside the tracking area must be covered to block reflections. Reflective objects outside the tracking area can be blocked out.
• Cabling: Ethernet-connected BTSensors are subject to the limitation of Ethernet communication standards. The total length of the Ethernet connection between any component to the BTServer cannot be longer than 91.44m for BlackTrax to function correctly. This range may be extended with a PoE switch to link cables together.
• Sensor stability: Ensure that the location where you choose to install BTSensors is stable, sturdy and always stationary. Any movement of a BlackTrax sensor will require recalibration of the entire sensor system.
  • Example: If you hang a BTSensor on a swaying truss system, the accuracy and performance of the BTSystem will be affected. If the sway is small, you can decrease accuracy in the system and may be able to track with lesser accuracy.
• Sensor blocking: Ensure that BTSensors have an unimpeded view of the intended tracking area. Multiple BTSensors need to see the same area at the same time for tracking to occur. Care should be taken to ensure temporary objects do not obscure tracking.