Inside Electric Racing Miskolc ’s Sensor-Powered Car

The Electric Racing Miskolc Formula Student team’s inaugural electric racing car has been developed with a particular emphasis on the integration of advanced sensor systems, which play a pivotal role in the acquisition of precise data and the optimization of performance. Strategically positioned at the front and rear of the vehicle, the sensor units facilitate the collection of crucial operational data.

Sensor Unit Design and Operation To optimize vehicle operation, the team has developed a sensor unit that provides real-time data, including:

• Water temperature measurement to monitor the efficiency of the cooling system.
• Measurement of suspension height, which is critical for optimizing vehicle stability and aerodynamics.
• Wheel speed measurement, which helps to analyze the traction and acceleration of each wheel.
• Steering angle measurement, which is essential for assessing optimal cornering dynamics

Technological Features

The sensor unit is powered by a 5V DC supply, which ensures a stable power supply to the sensors. The STM32 microcontroller is responsible for processing the measured data and transmitting them, to the central control unit. Communication is via FDCAN protocol, which guarantees fast and reliable data exchange between the vehicle’s on-board systems. The unit is equipped with 5 analogue inputs and an extra channel for the connection of additional sensors. The 34-pin connector ensures a stable connection to other vehicle systems, while the 4-layer printed circuit board design facilitates proper electrical connections and the programming input allows for firmware updates and fine-tuning.

APPS

The APPS (Accelerator Pedal Position Sensor) is a PCB that collects the two sensors required for the accelerator pedal.

The APPS is a potentiometer-based sensor that converts pedal movement into voltage signal. When the pedal is pressed, the sensor generates analog voltage which is proportional to the pedal position. This voltage is sent to the PDU (Power Distribution Unit). The PDU processes the signal and adjusts the torque accordingly to control acceleration.

The system usually includes dual sensors to prevent failures. If a mismatch occurs between the values of the APPSs and persists for more than 100 ms, the power to the motor shuts down immediately.

Acknowledgements

The Electric Racing Miskolc Formula Student team would like to express their sincere gratitude to Eurocircuits, without whom this development would not have been possible. We are grateful for their high-quality printed circuit boards.

For more information please visit the Electric Racing Miskolc website.