Month: August 2012

Bruce Dunn, a bike tester and journalist for Motorcycle News and Performance Bike has been in the industry for many years and certainly knows a thing or two about data logging. He's worked with other competing systems over the last decade or so, and understands and appreciates better than most, the qualities that make certain systems better than others. In the second and final part of his interview, Bruce tells Datron how the superb aftercare and support offered to customers by the staff at Datron give it the edge over the rest of the competition and all about his new venture to use 2D for performance testing on track days to demonstrate its potential to new and inexperienced motorcyclists.

Did you find the transition to the 2D system difficult and was help and support on hand when you needed it?
"I've known John Grist for years. When we first started testing bikes this way, we used Microsat equipment. When we moved onto the 2D system, I told John I wasn't really that keen on the standard software provided and asked if that was a problem. John said if you weren't completely happy with the software and needed something changing, he'd sort it out. The beauty of the 2D software is that it allows adaption to a wide range of applications."

"I was surprised at this and didn't really expect such a level of aftercare, but Datron were quite happy to tweak the software for my needs, because I needed a more sophisticated performance measuring system. They asked me for a list of what I wanted and went away and tweaked a piece of bespoke software specifically to meet these needs. It's alright having all this equipment, but if you do encounter a problem or have an issue, you need to know that you've got the support to back this up. This is ‘key' as far as I'm concerned. Alex and John at Datron have been great and are always ready to offer support at both events and during normal office hours."

What about the plans to use 2D for performance testing on track days and club races?
"I'm looking to start offering speed testing at track days and club races for anyone who might be interested in getting accurate speed testing done. The aim is to offers riders an affordable way of finding out what they're doing, and where they might be able to make improvements to their riding. I'm quite an experienced rider myself, and have raced at every level; club racing, national, European and even a Grand Prix 250cc wildcard entry in 2004 for being the top British rider at the time. I'm also involved in all the performance testing for Motorcycle News, Performance Bikes and Bike magazines. So I understand things from a rider's point of view and know what type of things they encounter when riding a bike."

"The testing's aimed predominantly at club riders who are learning their way. Experienced riders and those at the top end of the sport already have systems in place for performance testing. But there's a gap there for track days, novices and restricted club riders to learn about their riding techniques and abilities and discover some of the ways in which they might improve these. I can easily fix the equipment to the bikes in a matter of minutes and run a quick software check, and then they're off on the circuit. Because I know what I'm doing I can provide them with lap time readouts, in-line G, lateral G, lean angle and how they're braking on the circuit, and reference these measurements against the data I already picked up about the circuits over the years."

"Obviously we're not trying to turn them into a Rossi overnight, but it should prove helpful and will act as a measurement. It should be good for both Datron and me: I can offer my services to those who might wish to use them and I can also demonstrate what the 2D system can do: that could prove to be useful for John and Datron, as these riders might turn out to be potential customers."

Anyone wanting to take advantage of Bruce's new track day and club racing testing services should contact Bruce via Datron Technology: info@datrontechnology.co.uk

If you ever need to gather information about motorcycle testing and data logging, then the best person to speak to is a professional tester. Datron Technology Ltd has been fortunate enough to have worked alongside Bruce Dunn for many years now and value his opinion highly. Bruce is a motorcycle tester and journalist, working for some of the most respected newspapers and magazines in the industry, notably Motorcycle News, Performance Bike and Bike magazine. He's tried a variety of data loggers throughout his career, but has learned from experience that only the best equipment can deliver reliability, ease of use and ongoing support. That's why he's an advocate of the 2D data logging system supplied by Datron. We were fortunate to manage to catch up with Bruce recently. Over the course of the next couple of articles he'll tell us his view of the 2D system, and why he rates it so highly.

Why would you recommend Datron's 2D data logging system?
"When we test the bikes, the main thing I'm responsible for, and kitted up to do, is the performance testing. So, when a reader reads Motorcycle News and other publications I've been involved with, they want to see that the bike's been tested properly and accurately. That means we don't rely on the bike's speedometer: we use an independent means of verifying the actual speed of the bike. I've been doing this sort of thing for 15 years now, and I know I need to have the best equipment available to do my job properly. That's why I use the 2D system. Cost for me really isn't a factor: I know there are cheaper systems out there, but they don't deliver. The 2D system we use which costs us around £2,500, and we mainly use the GPS functions which give us around 10 channels of data. We don't have any problems with signal dropouts, and that's very important. With some of the testing situations we've been involved with, it's critical to know the equipment we use is accurate and reliable."

"I've been all over Europe and have conducted lots of one-off tests, like testing a new MV or a new Ducati, or we've managed to get hold of a new Masano for the afternoon: in these circumstances to have anything else but the best system available for testing is out of the question. You've got to have the best gear, and that's the 2D system. You only get the one chance to test, so it has to be completely reliable. As I've already said there are cheaper systems that might be able to do the job, but you can't always rely on them. The 2D system always delivers without fail. It's robust and hardwearing and extremely accurate. You have to remember that it's a hostile environment on a motorcycle, so getting anything electronic to work is difficult at the best of times: yet the 2D system manages to do it time after time without any problems."

What makes the 2D system special?
"The 2D system has been described as intuitive, but that's only half the story. There's no doubt it's easier to use than other systems and logical, but because my job's media-related, I don't often have to go too deeply into the system and use some of the other available functions and channels: for example we don't look at the throttle position, as it's not relevant to what we're trying to test. If somebody gives me half a dozen bikes to test at Bruntingthorpe Proving Ground or anywhere else, I can move from one bike to another and so on very quickly indeed using this system. In terms of ease of use and transportability, it's as good as anything out there. Years ago we had to use systems where you had to put a wheel-speed sensor on and measure wheel circumference, but the modern way of doing things using GPS systems like 2D is superb. The 2D system is intuitive and very easy to use and the analysis software is extremely easy to pick up and easy to read."

Datron are pleased to be the sole UK supplier of the VERICOM VC3000 & VC4000 range of instruments which are used in Collision Investigation for measuring and recording deceleration,coefficient-of-friction and skid-to-stop testing.
These outstanding products have been developed over many years in the USA in close co-operation with police and university establishments.
They are in use by Police Collision Investigation Units (C.I.U) throughout North America,Australasia and many other parts of the world.
The VERICOM is quickly becoming the instrument of choice of many UK Police C.I.U's throughout the country.

There are several basic products available today for braking and coefficient of friction measurement.The feature-rich VERICOM goes much further by having many additional measurement functions such as forward acceleration measurement,lateral acceleration
measurement, instant viewing of test results and large data memory; to name just a few.

A unique feature of the VERICOM is it's Run Duration Protocol (RDP) function.Many deceleration testers measure the deceleration from (typically) a minus 0.2G falling trigger point through to a rising minus 0.2G stop point.This does not give true test results because the measurement should stop when the vehicle speed is zero and not when the deceleration reaches the minus 0.2G rising point.This can be responsible for a considerable error in the calculation of deceleration,speed and distance (i.e. inaccurate data).By using a VERICOM with it's RDP function collision investigators can be confident that their test data is completely accurate.

Using the VERICOM DAQ models it is possible to input signals from sensors which will be integrated with the basic time,deceleration,speed and distance measurements.One typical application is recording pressure information from sensors attached to points on HGV air brake systems.Another is measurement of brake pedal force and travel. 

It is very important for Collision Investigation Officers to be able to provide comprehensive and accurate data in a courtroom situation.
Using the VERICOM computer-based data analysis software officers can easily integrate graphs and numeric data into their accident reports to give clear and concise evidence.This is very important in securing convictions enabling many reckless and dangerous drivers to be kept off UK roads.
DATRON are pleased to be able to support UK Road Safety in this small way.

A comprehensive two-day training course in the use of VERICOM products in Accident Investigation is now offered by the  Accident Investigation Training School (A.I.T.S.).Information is available by logging on to www.aitsuk.com or call 01285 864650.

If you are a Police C.I.U. Officer or an independant C.I practitioner and want to know more about the VERICOM please call Datron today for full product information and to arrange a demonstration/evaluation.

The beauty of CAN communication is the common ground that ties systems together. 

Take the following example: 

You can take an OxTS RT3000 system to give you accurate positional and dynamic data, and hook up a 2D mididash in order to keep an eye on your speed.

If you know you have to perform a test to certain criteria, you can configure the "shift" lights to flash at your predefined parameters for an easy way of checking without having to look at the display.

You can go further than that; If you wanted to look at the temperature of rotating components to match with the dynamic data you could use AFT's 4Measure on Air system to give you tyre, bearing or brake temperatures. 

If you have a lot of analogue channels to record, but not enough inputs on your datalogger, you can use an 'analogue to CAN converter', and greatly increase your capacity for analogue channels. 

By recording all of these channels on the same datalogger, you will ensure that the data is lines up correctly; this is essential in order to see if a sensor is displaying a "result" or a "cause" of a problem. 

With 2D's Analysis software, you can even take in video that you have recorded independantly on almost any onboard camera.

By using a completely modular system, you are ensuring that you can keep up with advances in technology too… you don't have to replace your entire hardware/software package just because you need a few more channels; you can just add the necessary CAN modules. 

We can tailor a package to your specific needs. If you are interested in discussing an application with us, please get in touch with us. 

OxTS releases xNAV200 – its smallest and lightest GPS-aided INS

OxTS launches a brand new generation of its successful GPS-aided inertial navigation systems (INS). The newly developed xNAV200 is a very compact, small and lightweight INS, perfectly suited for all applications where size and weight as well as performance matter.

xNAV200 includes dual-antenna GPS and tightly coupled INS in one compact and powerful package. The tiny system measures reliable, continuous position data at 1m positional accuracy. It also logs highly accurate heading (0.15°), roll/pitch with 0.05° accuracy and many other parameters at 100Hz. xNAV200 will have 24-hour data logging capabilities with a post-processing suite.

It is about the size of a computer mouse and weighs less than 400g. xNAV200 offers highest accuracy and reliability which makes the small sensor ideal for use on any unmanned aerial or ground vehicle and other weight constrained applications.

The cost-effective GPS/INS from OxTS will open the doors for customers who require highly reliable and precise measurements but are faced with size and weight constraints.

OxTS, Oxford Technical Solutions, is a leading manufacturer of inertial and GPS navigation systems for measuring motion, position and orientation. The company has been successfully designing and manufacturing its range of high accuracy GPS-aided inertial navigation systems for almost 15 years. Today the OxTS inertial and GPS navigation systems are used for a wide range of applications. They are not only used for automotive testing and vehicle safety, where the OxTS products are leading the way, but also for other applications where accurate position and orientation information is essential. The GPS-aided INS (inertial systems) are invaluable for applications such as scanning road profiles, airbourne laser scanning, UAVs, or autonomous vehicle dynamics testing.

Click here to learn more about the xNAV200.
 
Please note: The specifications are preliminary and subject to change without notice.

Bob Gray, a bike tester and journalist, currently working for MSS Colchester Kawasaki, knows a thing or two about data logging. He's worked with many competing systems over the last decade, and understands better than most what makes some systems better than others. In the second part of his interview, Bob tells Datron what he believes makes the 2D system unique, and what gives it the edge over the rest of the competition.

Why don't more data engineers choose the 2D system?
"What I've found over the years with people who use data logging equipment, is that they tend to stick with what they know and what they're used to. If people have used a Motec system or a PI system they'll always tell you it's the best and won't be prepared to try anything else. I guess that people stick to what they're comfortable with. It might not make sense in a competitive way, but that's just how it is. It's kind of like an aversion to change."

"It's slightly different for me because I've been forced through circumstances to use different systems over the years, and I've learned to approach them all with an open mind. In all the years I've never seen any good or valid reason for me to use anything other than 2D. I've never found any other system's that's as quick or simple to use. So it's worth remembering it's not only as competitive as the other systems, and certainly no more expensive than any other data logging system, but it's also much more efficient. Efficiency really is the key to this: it delivers the information you want quicker, so you can get more work done, and that makes me happy."

What makes 2D so efficient?
"The beauty of the 2D system is that it lets you gather information in 4 or 5 different ways, rather than having to follow a rigid set procedure like you do with some other data logging systems, like Motec and PI. It's like trying to copy text on Microsoft Word: you can click copy, or you can click Control C, or you can right click. Each method produces the same result. People who like to click buttons are happy as are those who like shortcuts. They get to where they want to be in the end, but by different methods. The 2D software is the same."

"There are so many different ways to achieve the same result and get the information you want with 2D. When you first look at the list of options on the menu it can seem a bit daunting, but you soon get used to it. I guess it's like learning to drive: when you first start you don't know how to work the gears, but soon you start to drive without having the need to think consciously about it. After a week or two of using the 2D software you begin to appreciate the fact that you're not hemmed in by it, or forced to work to somebody else's rules."

"The Magneti-Marelli system I have to use at the moment is a right pain because I can't change the shortcuts: I have to click on one button to bring up a list of options and another button to open something. It's so regimented, whereas with 2D I know I can tap a couple of buttons and all the information I need is there. I don't have to work too hard to get it. The best thing is it makes me look great, when in fact it's the system, but I wouldn't tell them that! All of which brings me back to what I mentioned earlier: people who've used one system most of their working lives, don't want to try other options because as soon as you put them in front of a strange piece of software, they don't look very good."

Is 2D's the best data logger in your opinion?
"I haven't worked with 2D for about 18 months now because the team I currently work for (MSS Colchester Kawasaki) were given a load of ‘free' Magneti-Marelli equipment and couldn't afford to buy any other: they just hadn't got the money to pay for another 2D licence as well. Although the Magneti -Marelli equipment does its job, it just can't compete with 2D. As far as I'm concerned 2D is the best and most efficient data logging system for motor cycles that I've ever worked with, and I look forward to using it again."

Even a single tree can increase the noise on a GPS data set. A previous test has highlighted such problems, and can be found here. Dense tree cover on the road side, buildings, and bridges will all increase noise, increase frequency of dropouts, and reduce the number of measurements a GPS-only device can take.

What happens if you need to test through a tunnel, or a particularly bad GPS environment?

The solution is to use an OxTS inertial system.

There are various methods to ensure a data set will be as good as possible, even if the original raw data was initialised incorrectly or the unit was installed in the wrong orientation.

– Adjust initial settings- Correct inaccurate data due to installation error, use local coordinates.
– Wheel speed encoder will reduce the amount of longitudinal drift. 
– Forwards and backwards processing can help correct the data even in the middle of a 2.5 mile tunnel…
– Advanced Slip- this is a feature that has been present in the RT system for a long time. It helps to lock the lateral drift by taking into account the rear axle of the vehicle.

The images on the right show the original data in red, forwards/ backwards processed data in green, and fully processed data in blue. 

A 2.5 mile tunnel is an unusually difficult example, but even so, the RT can deliver strong results. Testing in a city, dense tree-lined road or other such difficult GPS environment doesn't have to mean compromised results…

Click here to see how data from a 2.5 mile tunnel can be post-processed into useable data.

It's all well and good talking about all the theoretical advantages that Datron's 2D data logging system can bring to bike racing, but sometimes it's far more effective if you hear about what the system can do from someone who uses it every day: someone actually involved directly in the racing world, who understands these competitive advantages, whilst also appreciating the cost-effectiveness of the 2D system. Well, now you can. Meet Tim ‘Twister' Hastings.

Tim, the 2008 & 2009 British GP125 ACU Academy Cup Champion, competes for Team Twister in the ultra-competitive 2011 Metzeler National Superstock 600 Championship on his Kawasaki Ninja ZX6R. Like many in the modern era, Tim started his racing journey via mini-motos in his native Scotland, gaining the Scottish Championship at the tender age of 12. He then moved on to 125s the following year and dominated the Melville Motor Club F125 and the East Midlands Racing Association F125 championships. Three years in the British GP125 Championship then saw Tim achieve sixth place in the 2007 Academy Cup following by two successive Academy Cup titles in 2008 and 2009 – a double that no other rider has ever achieved. In those two years, Tim amassed an impressive 9 Championship and 17 Cup podiums, and became one of the most talked about new talents in the BSB paddock. Tim's 2010 debut season on the 600 saw him score points at both Snetterton and Silverstone and qualify as high as 10th place on the third row of the grid for the Brands Hatch GP race.

Tim started using the Datron 2D data logging system earlier this year, and from the moment he tested the equipment at the meeting at Thruxton in May, he knew he'd happened to come across something that was special:

"I've found the 2D system really good and helpful. It makes such a difference when it comes to setting the bike up, and makes fine-tuning the bike so much easier. What's great is that it so quick to use and the price is within the range of most people who are serious about winning. 2D helps to simplify all the difficult parts, and gives racers like me an advantage, by giving me all the vital information I need to be able to win."

"I've only been using it for a short time, but I find it quite straightforward and simple to use. I suppose it's easier for me because I've used data logging since I was 14, so for me, it's just a normal thing to do. The only bit I've tended to struggle with was the suspension set-up and understanding the information that the 2D system provides. Racers need to understand the information and graphs they're looking at, and need to know how to interpret this information so that they can make the necessary changes. Fortunately Alex Exarheas, from Datron has been with me at every meeting and helped me out a lot with this. It's important that you use the data properly, so you don't get a false feel through the bike"

The issue of suspension travel and ideal ‘cornering' is one that can often confuse those who don't fully understand how the 2D system works and the information it provides. The system is capable of showing riders how well they are taking corners, and if they're loosing vital seconds through either too heavy or insufficient braking. The 2D system helps to demystify this by providing information about the exit speed through corners, the kind of braking force the rider is using, if the degree of suspension travel when braking is either too strong or too feeble, the total distance for braking, and how much time the rider lost through the corner. The 2D image of the track map shows the transition between throttle off and brakes on and relates this to the time and the distances involved. Good braking means keeping this transition time to a minimum, so fewer precious seconds are lost.

"I've been using data logging for a while now, and have used other systems like Cougar and HRC, but 2D is better by far because the tracer readouts you get are a lot cleaner. With Cougar and HRC you tend to get random spikes on the readouts which just can confuse you and can lead to you making unnecessary changes to the bike set-up you've already got. We've wasted a lot of time in the past with this."

"I'd definitely recommend the 2D system. It's great and it doesn't have to cost a fortune. 2D's helped us go in the right direction on suspension and takes all the guess work out of bike set-up. It just tells you simply: right, this is exactly what your bike is doing. Then you make a change, and you can see exactly what difference it has made. It's that simple. It's a great system and has made a real difference to me and my racing: my times are improving with each race. I'd definitely recommend it to anyone and will keep on using it."