FSAE Instrumentation
Presentation 12-04-07
Bret Isbell
Al Mukmin
Paul Otto
Miguel Roncal
Jud Ryckman
Walter Thorn
FSAE/Project Application
• FSAE Racecar
• Instrumenting engine and suspension
characteristics
• Data aquisition using various on-board
sensors
• Data analysis/Graphical user interface
Hardware Options
Options
• 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
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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