FSAE Instrumentation

Presentation 12-04-07Bret IsbellAl MukminPaul Otto

Miguel RoncalJud RyckmanWalter Thorn

FSAE/Project Application

• FSAE Racecar

• Instrumenting engine and suspension characteristics

• Data aquisition using various on-board sensors

• Data analysis/Graphical user interface

Hardware OptionsOptions

• National Instruments / cRIO -  (see next slide)

• Budget - http://www.advantagemotorsports.com/PCG.htm    $700; Low resolution, not expandable

• Build from scratch - Overly time consuming and technically too advanced

• MoTec - Very capable, but costs above $5000

-All options require the purchase of additional sensors (about $2000)

Benefits of NI & the cRIO

• Free (already in our possession)

• LabVIEW is a good development environment

• LabVIEW is taught at Vanderbilt and free to students

• We have contact with the local NI rep (Roger Hebert)

• Small & portable, yet very capable & expandable

NI cRIO

System Requirements - Measureables

• Must haves:    -Shock Position/Rate        -Lat./Long. Accel  

-Wheel Speed    -Engine RPM    -Oil Pressure    -Throttle Position    -Steering Position   

• Would be nice:-Brake Pressure    -Tire, Ambient, Water, Exhaust, Oil Temps-Wheel Load       

• Could Measure:    -Fuel Consumption Rate   -Fuel, Oil, Coolant Levels-Tire Pressure    -Ride Height    -Chassis Slip Angle   

Measureables (cont.)

Determine how often along the track we want to measure each sensor...

System Requirements - Environmental

•     Electrical Magnetic Interference (EMI) - how to measure?

•     Water Exposure - either a waterpoof hardware interface, or a waterproof enclosure for the cRIO; water-resistant sensors

•     Vibration - measure?

•     Temperature - normal air temp. (40-90 F)

•     Weight - total system weight <20 lbs

•     Size - car has a 10"x12"x5" space available

•     Packaging - building a secure wiring harness

•     External Forces - in a location to minimize air resistance; out of the driver's way

•     Triggering - [derived based on storage capacity]

System Requirements - Operational

•     Triggering [derived]

•     Data Transfer - download from cRIO to a computer

•     Storage Capacity - 40 minutes minimum

•     SAE stand alone compliance [next slide]

•     User Interface–     Accessibility–     Filtering–     Math channels–     Visual/Display–     Data collection rates (Derived)

FSAE Stand-Alone Requirements

A "stand-alone data acquisition system" is a system that:-Monitors and records only.-Has no control or display function.-Is removable without affecting the running of the vehicle, i.e. it is in a separate "box".

If the system meets these requirements, it does not have to be added to the cost of the vehicle for the FSAE competition.

cRIO Modules, storage capacity

• Currently have:–  NI 9205 (32 channels)

–  NI 9215 (4 channels)

• Input voltages are variable

• Other modules available if needed

• Datasheets available here

• The cRIO has 64MB of internal memory

• Assuming we use all channels of both models, sampling at the max rate possible, this would yield a file size of 64MB after ~58 minutes of transfer time.

• This meets & exceeds our system requirement for storage capacity

Current Progress

• LabVIEW 8.2 & FPGA will be available on Vandy's server before the end of the semester

• Hardware Sensor Selection, Pricing

• Proof of Concept Test with cRIO and pressure transducer

• Website