OpenHaptics^TM  - System Requirements
Last Updated - April 2008

It is our policy to continually evaluate and qualify new computer systems and hardware subsystems as they become available. For up to date hardware compatibility and qualification notes, please revisit this page or contact your local SensAble sales office or reseller.

Product
OpenHapitcs toolkit

Versions
OpenHaptics v2.0 for Windows
OpenHaptics v2.0 for Linux
OpenHaptics v2.0 for MAC OS X

This page contains the following sections:

OpenHaptics for Windows System Requirements
OpenHaptics for Linux System Requirements
OpenHaptics for Mac OS System Requirements

OpenHaptics for Windows

• Hardware
  • Intel Pentium 4 or higher
  • 100 MB free disk space
  • 256 MB RAM
  • Depending on PHANTOM model: Parallel Port or FireWire 1394a*.
• Software: Windows 2000 & XP 32-bit
• Compilers: Microsoft® Visual C++ 6.0 or later. If using MicroSoft Visual Studio .Net 2003
• Drivers: PHANTOM Device Driver v4.2.107
• One of the Supported PHANTOM(R) Models
  • PHANTOM(R) Omni(TM) (1394)
  • PHANTOM(R) Desktop(TM) (Parallel Port)
  • PHANTOM(R) Premium 1.5/3.0/3.0L (Parallel Port)
  • PHANTOM(R) Premium A 1.0/1.5/3DOF (Parallel Port)
  • PHANTOM(R) Premium A 1.0/1.5/3DOF (PCI based devices will work only with PDD 4.2.49 or below)
  • PHANTOM(R) Premium 1.5 High Force (Parallel Port)
  • PHANTOM(R) Premium 1.5/6DOF, 1.5HF/6DOF, 3.0/6DOF (Parallel Port)

OpenHaptics for Linux

• Hardware:
  • Intel Pentium 4 or higher
  • 100 MB free disk space
  • 256 MB RAM
  • Depending on PHANTOM model: Parallel Port or FireWire 1394.
• Software: Red Hat(R) Fedora(TM) Core 1, 2, 3, 4* or SuSE 9.1, 9.2, 9.3
• Compilers: gcc 3.x
• Drivers:    PHANTOM® Device Drivers v 4.3-1
• One of the Supported PHANTOM(R) Models
  • PHANTOM Omni(TM) (1394a)*
  • PHANTOM Desktop(TM) (Parallel Port)
  • PHANTOM Premium 1.5/3.0/3.0L (Parallel Port)
  • PHANTOM Premium 1.0/1.5/3DOF (Parallel Port)
  • PHANTOM(R) Premium 1.0/1.5/3DOF (PCI)
  • PHANTOM(R) Premium 1.5 High Force (Parallel Port)
  • PHANTOM(R) Premium 1.5/6DOF, 1.5HF/6DOF, 3.0/6DOF (Parallel Port)
• Only compatible with Linux kernel version 2.4.x

 OpenHaptics for Mac OS X

• Hardware:
  • PowerPC G3, G4, or G5 processor
  • 256MB of physical RAM
  • Built-in FireWire 1394a*
• Software:   Mac OS X 10.3 or 10.4, Xcode 1.5 or 2.1
• Compilers:  gcc 3.x
• Support PHANTOM Model PHANTOM Omni(TM) (1394a)*

Note No separate PDD is required for OpenHaptics for Mac OS X.

*  The PHANTOM Omni device is IEEE 1394a compliant. However, SensAble is aware of customers that have experienced difficulties with the PHANTOM Omni device with certain IEEE 1394a chipsets such as those from Texas Instruments, Agere, and NEC. At SensAble, we have had great success with VIA chipsets. The reasons behind this are complex but our experience is that certain manufacturer's implementations of the IEEE specification for 1394a can vary widely. Manufacturers may use an assortment of chipsets when making their cards. Our test results indicate that VIA exceeds most or all IEEE standards. PHANTOM Omni devices, which require high I/O for the servo loop maintained for haptics, behave well with brand name manufacturers that use VIA chips. "No name" FireWire® cards and others do not test as well and packet loss is sometimes observed. SensAble does not officially qualify any particular manufacturer's card and chipset but is working with the IEEE organization and industry leaders to improve 1394. Additionally, SensAble highly recommends that customers using the PHANTOM Omni device purchase a 1394a FireWire card with VIA chipset.

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