The RIT SAE Baja Team acquires multiple forms of data on their vehicle during a race. A few key systems that are monitored are the vehicle's frame, driveline, and suspension subsystems. Our project would streamline this acquisition of the race data into a multi-sensor node acquisition system. One node would acquire frame and suspension strain gauge data, one would acquire driveline temperature data, and another would capture hall effect data for engine RPM and wheel speed.

The nodes would communicate with one another (via CAN) to collect data from the vehicle subsystems. The strain sensor node would collect strain points along the frame and suspension components to calculate frame stress. The temperature node would acquire temperature of driveline components including the clutch cover and belt. The Hall Effect sensor node would collect two RPMs to calculate clutch ratios. Expandability will be built into this system so that more sensors and nodes can be added to the DAQ unit for future race data collection. This project encompasses aspects of software, electrical, and mechanical engineering. Mechanical for the design and implementation of strain gauges, enclosures, and fixtures. Electrical for wire harness assembly/routing, and PCB design for sensor nodes and the main control node. Lastly, Software, to control the communication and data acquisition of the sensor nodes.

For more background, see Project Readiness Package.

Project Name

RIT SAE Baja Multi Sensor Node Data Acquisition Unit

Project Number

P18222

Project Family

Systems and Technology

Start Term

2171 (Fall 2017)

End Term

2175 (Spring 2018)

Faculty Guide

George Slack gbseee@rit.edu

Primary Customer

Nathan Mckerley ntm6986@rit.edu

Sponsor

RIT SAE Baja Team

Planning & Execution

Project Photos and Videos

Imagine RIT

Gate Reviews

Problem Definition

Systems Design

Preliminary Detailed Design

Detailed Design

Build & Test Prep

Subsystem Build & Test

Integrated System Build & Test

Customer Handoff & Final Project Documentation (Verification & Validation)