The introduction of advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS) in the automotive industry has led to a host of new regulations by authorities such as NHTSA (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration in the US) which manufacturers must conform to in order to introduce the popular features into their new cars.
With the possibility that some ADAS systems (such as Lane Departure Warning) will become mandatory in the next few years, it is even more important that products are able to conform to the new regulations quickly and affordably.
With Racelogic's experience in providing solutions to dynamics and ADAS testing applications using GPS, Inertial, CAN, and Video data, we have released a solution that surpasses the NHTSA accuracy requirements, whilst still being smaller, easier to use and install, and more affordable than any other system. We think that our blend of high accuracy GPS datalogging with synchronized video is the only system available that is ideally suited to the requirements of testing Lane Departure Warning Systems in any vehicle.
Using the VBOX 3i datalogger with 20Hz RTK corrections received from a DGPS Basestation, the system is accurate to below 2cm. So how is this accuracy achieved just by satellite positioning? Kevin Bursnall, Technical Director at Racelogic, says:
The system uses position corrections transmitted over radio from a locally placed BaseStation. Also, in addition to receiving frequencies from American GPS, the Racelogic system picks up Russian GLONASS satellites, which are numerous and very reliable. Blending data from these two groups of satellites really increases the capability of the system to maintain 2cm accuracy at all times.
This data is then integrated in real time with an IMU (inertial measurement unit), which provides accurate, smooth data. The Racelogic IMU is also designed to integrate with VBOX 3i to support GPS for other applications, in instances where satellite signals might be obstructed by trees or buildings.
Kevin Bursnall said: Many systems rely on large, expensive high-grade Inertial Measurement Units. However, on test tracks which generally dont have obstructions such as trees or tall buildings, the positional accuracy is so high with the VBOX RTK system that a more affordable Racelogic IMU can be used, which also significantly lowers the cost of the system.
VBOX 3i can also read vehicle CAN data, meaning that information such as steering wheel angle and wheel speeds can be integrated. Furthermore, if the vehicles Lane Departure Warning alerts can be viewed over CAN, it is possible to integrate this with the data and display the exact point at which the vehicle system detects lane departure, obtaining an accurate indication of how effective the LDW is.
The most interesting element of the Racelogic LDW test system lies in the video integration. Using a four camera Video VBOX alongside the high accuracy GPS and IMU data, its possible to integrate DVD quality video from four cameras with the selected GPS, Inertial, and CAN data on a graphic overlay, all in real time.
Using bullet cameras on suction mounts, two cameras, complete with a gratical overlay, can point down each side of the vehicle to view the lane markings, with another pointing straight ahead, as shown in the screenshot. A final camera could be used to view the driver input in the cabin.
Each camera view can then be displayed on one screen, with the video automatically synchronized with the position data. Julian Thomas, MD at Racelogic, comments: This intuitive way of viewing complex information enables users to immediately recognize the relationship between different variables, enabling more effective testing. Monitoring the actions of driver, vehicle, and external environment alongside positional data is invaluable in test analysis.
With the included Video VBOX Set up software, on screen graphics and picture in picture positions are fully customisable, meaning that you can create a scene which ideally suits the application. Alternatively, we can supply a large selection of pre-made layouts.
With all data stored on Compact Flash card it can be analysed immediately using the VBOX Tools analysis program. Video can be viewed alongside definable data and analyzed frame-by-frame, making it even clearer to establish how the vehicle LDW performed.
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That's some pretty creative use of a video box. cool.
bluesheeft 2 years ago