Motion Amplification (MA) is a video-processing technique that detects subtle motion (as small as 250 nanometers) and enhances that motion to a level visible with the naked eye and can be performed live in real-time on even a modest laptop, making it suitable for a range of applications from product design to structural testing. Using a high-definition camera where every pixel becomes an independent sensor, this creates a full-field vibration device with millions of measured locations.
The technology allows the user to measure absolute displacement across the full field of view providing a waveform and spectrum for each location. MA video is supplemented with other full-field vibration techniques such as Motion Maps that produce Vibragrams, or colorized images of motion, that can show intensity of motion as an overall and for a specified frequency to quickly analyze the vibration signatures in the scene or pinpoint areas of high noise, vibration and harshness (NVH). Videos can be filtered based on frequency to show only the motion at a given frequency or range of frequencies. MA video also acts as an effective communication tool.
Real-time capability allows the user to process the data on the spot and make changes in the field. This is key if the user is trying to pinpoint the location of a motion, or temporarily alter the structure to determine modification impacts. This flexibility allows the user to use the tool as a rapid ODS or modal test without the overhead of the time-consuming point collections and modeling.