DESIGN OF A RACE CAR TELEMETERING SYSTEM

Abstract

This student paper was produced as part of the team design competition in the University of Arizona course ECE 485, Radiowaves and Telemetry. It describes the design of a telemetering system for race cars. Auto Racing is an exciting sport where the winners are the ones able to optimize the balance between the driver’s skill and the racing teams technology. One of the main reasons for this excitement is that the main component, the race car, is traveling at extremely high speeds and constantly making quick maneuvers. To be able to do this continually, the car itself must be constantly monitored and possibly adjusted to insure proper maintenance and prevent damage. To allow for better monitoring of the car’s performance by the pit crew and other team members, a telemetering system has been designed, which facilitates the constant monitoring and evaluation of various aspects of the car. This telemetering system will provide a way for the speed, engine RPM, engine and engine compartment temperature, oil pressure, tire pressure, fuel level, and tire wear of the car to be measured, transmitted back to the pit, and presented in a way which it can be evaluated and utilized to increase the car’s performance and better its chances of winning the race. Furthermore, this system allows for the storing of the data for later reference and analysis.