Small Dirt Track Scoring System
Project Final Report
May02-15
04-26-02
Dr. John Lamont and Dr. R. E. Patterson
Andy Hoversten
Matt Knott
Jeremy Long
Chris Cejka
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Table of Contents
List of Figures ii
List of Tables iii
Executive Summary 1
Acknowledgement 2
Definition of Terms 3
Introduction 4
General Background 4
Technical Problem 4
Operating Environment 5
Intended users and uses 5
Assumptions and Limitations 5
Design Requirements 7
Design objectives 7
Functional Requirements 7
Design Constraints 7
Measurable Milestones 8
End-Product Description 9
Approach and Design 10
Technical approaches 10
Technical designs 10
Testing description 17
Recommendation for Continued Work 19
Financial Budget 20
Personnel Effort Budget 21
Personnel Effort Budget 21
Project Schedule 23
Evaluation of Project Success 25
Commercialization 28
Recommendations for Additional Work 28
Lessons Learned 28
Project Team Information 30
Summary 31
References 31
Appendix A 32
Testing Forms 32
Appendix B 33
Actual Testing Forms 33
Appendix C 34
Small Dirt Track Scoring System Operator’s Handbook 34
List of Figures
Figure 1 - Photo Imaging Test 2
Figure 2 - Visual Representation of Small Dirt Track Scoring System 4
Figure 3 - GUI Intro Screen 12
Figure 4 - GUI Create New Event Screen 12
Figure 5 - GUI Open Existing Event Screen 13
Figure 6 - GUI Before Race Screen 13
Figure 7 - GUI New Race Screen 14
Figure 8 - GUI Start Race Screen 15
Figure 9 - GUI Race Screen 15
Figure 10 - GUI Final Results Screen 16
Figure 11 - Original Gantt Chart 23
Figure 12 - Revised Gantt Chart 24
Figure 13 - Final Gantt Chart 24
List of Tables
Table 1 - Estimated Financial Budget 20
Table 2 - Revised Financial Budget 20
Table 3 - Estimated Personnel Effort 21
Table 4 - Revised Personnel Effort Budget 21
Table 5 - Actual Final Hours 22
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Executive Summary
When this project was introduced to the group there were many ideas and theories on how the dirt track scoring system should be implemented. The system would have to be able to distinguish a winner by photo finish, count the number of laps that are completed by each car/driver and calculate split times for each car/driver. Currently this is done manually by dirt track officials using pencil and paper which often results in counting mistakes. The following are the basis behind the group’s conclusions.
Ø RF transceiver standalone system
Rejected. Using the RF system there is no way to determine the exact point that any single car crosses the finish line.
Ø Digital photos standalone system
Rejected. This system is not fast enough and has no way of automated counting.
Ø Global positioning system
Rejected. The cost to get a very accurate GPS unit would be very expensive.
Ø Combination of RF transceivers and digital photo system
Accepted. By using the RF transceivers the system will be able to count the number of laps and then turn the camera(s) on to record the finish of the race.
Upon accepting the RF transceiver and digital photo system the group decided to focus primarily on the RF transceivers and creating a GUI to input each drivers parameters before each race.
The group researched many RF transceivers and evaluation kits. After a great deal of research a company named Linxs Technology was identified as having exactly what was needed. The price of the evaluation boards was over the allowed budget. Professor Lamont then told the group that Jason Warschauer a student working on an independent study has two evaluation kits that the team could use when he completed his project. On February 19, 2002 the group received two RF evaluation kits from Jason and started designing the prototype.
The final prototype is a fully functional GUI written in Java and model of the transceiver box that will be put in each car. The GUI is described in better detail later in the document.
Acknowledgement
Lynx RF Solutions
Armen 818-541-7622
Armen from RF digital was the projects primary reference for the transceiver module specifications and functionality. His knowledge of these components was first rate and professional.
Kristopher Kunze (EE)
616 Billy Sunday Rd. #201
Kris is on the ISU Track and Field team and also a senior in Electrical Engineering. Kris sets up the photo imaging system for the ISU Track meets. On January 25, 2002 the team met at the Lied Recreation Center to view the Finish Lynx imaging system. The team was able to use the track teams golf cart and test the functionality of the system as seen in Figure 1.
Figure 1 - Photo Imaging Test
Jason Warschauer
Jason contributed the two RF evaluation boards to the group. The team received the two transceivers on February 19, 2002.
Definition of Terms
Antenna: metallic device for radiating and receiving radio waves.
Base transceiver: transceiver placed at the start/finish line.
Disabled: user may not click on button, e.g. button will not accept a click.
Enabled: user may click on button to perform an action.
Frequency: the number of complete oscillations per second of electromagnetic radiation, in the form of waves.
GUI: graphical user interface
Radio button: type of button where only one button in a group of buttons may be selected.
Receiver: (Rx) a device for converting signals (electromagnetic waves) into audio or visual form.
RF: radio frequency
Split time: time difference from each car to the lead car.
Transceiver: (Tx) a radio transmitter-receiver that uses many of the same components for both transmission and reception.
Transmitter: an apparatus for transmitting radio or television signals.
Introduction
General Background
In the area of dirt track racing there are many components in overseeing that the race is run correctly and the correct driver is crowned champion. The system will aid the scoring personnel by counting laps and minimize errors in photo finishes. The concept will include attaching a radio frequency transceiver on every car in the field. When each car crosses the finish line after every lap, the “base transceiver” placed at the finish line will send a signal to a computer spreadsheet. The spreadsheet will include: the number of laps for each car/driver, lap times (splits), and will calculate the winner based on number of laps completed and total time to do so. In many auto races there are photo finishes that require the use of a camera system. A digital camera system will be used to determine the winner in photo finishes. The photographs will be relayed to the computer that was mentioned previously.
Figure 2 - Visual Representation of Small Dirt Track Scoring System
Technical Problem
The following is the technical approach that was be used in completing this project:
Ø A base to attach the transceiver can be permanently mounted to the roll cage of the stock car, with a quick release system for dismounting the transceiver.
Ø A rugged, battery-powered RF-based transceiver was used to emit a signal to the base transceiver at the start/finish line for counting laps.
Ø The base transceiver can be mounted on the racetrack at the start/finish line to receive the signal from the RF transceivers.
Ø The base transceiver sends data to a computer in the scorer’s box that enters the information into a database as seen in Figure 2.
Ø A digital photo system will be used in capturing the end of or the entire race, to accurately determine finishing positions.
Operating Environment
The environment this system will be used on will be a dirt track of any length over one-fourth of a mile. The elements that will be dealt with are dirt, wind, rain, vibrations, bumps and ruts, temperature (0° C - 70° C) and human error. The finished product will need to be able to withstand all of the conditions motioned.
Intended users and uses
The user will be any participant on a dirt track, track scorer, the dirt track operator and other officials at the specified racetrack. The uses primarily will be counting laps, calculating split times, and aid in photo finishes.
Assumptions and Limitations
Assumptions
This section describes the assumptions used to determine the design or use of the system
1. Hardware
Ø There are on average 35 cars per class, with 105 cars in the total field for three classes.
Ø Approximately 105 transceivers will be needed.
Ø The racetrack will need a computer to process the data and determine the finishing order.
Ø Digital camera(s) and software will be needed for finishes.
Ø If a laptop is used no power source is necessary, otherwise power for the required computer must be supplied by the racetrack.
2. Personnel
Ø Racetrack scorers must be proficient with computers.
Ø Officials must be able to maintain scoring equipment (batteries, calibration, installation, etc.)
Limitations
Below is a list of limitations used to determine the design and functionality of the system.
Transceivers & Camera(s)
Ø Transceivers and digital camera(s) must be easily mounted and dismounted.
Ø Batteries will need to be changed on a regular basis.
Ø MAXIMUM cost of system must be between $10,000 and $15,000.
Ø Possibility of human error in system.
Ø The transceivers must be easily mounted and unmounted in stock car.
Ø Transceivers may be destroyed in an extreme accident or fire.
Ø Camera(s) must be protected from weather, dirt, etc.
Computer System
Ø Minimum computer requirements: 200 MHz (Pentium compatible), 32 MB RAM, Windows 9x, 1 free RS-232 serial port, and 1 free USB port.
Ø Java Runtime Environment (JRE) needed on machine listed above.
Ø Possibility of human error in using software.
Ø Mouse required.
Ø Software and drivers to interface digital camera(s) with the computer.
Design Requirements
Design objectives
The objective of this project is to provide an accurate scoring system, capable of counting laps as well as recording the finish of the race. This system will return the finishing order of the cars in the race within minutes of the outcome, using the following components:
Ø RF transceivers, operating at a specific frequency, will be mounted in each stock car.
Ø The base transceiver will receive the transmitted signals and relay them to the computer.
Ø Digital camera(s) will photograph the outcome of the race to aid the transceivers in determining the outcome.
Ø A host computer will process results from the base transceiver and digital camera(s).
Ø A graphical user interface will be developed to process all incoming data and allow for ease of use. This interface will show the number of laps completed by each car, the lap times, split times from the leader, current position, and will indicate the winner at the completion of the race.
Functional Requirements
The design of the system will have the following functional requirements:
Ø Accurately count laps – The RF transceivers will send a signal to the computer.
Ø Record the finish of the race – The digital camera(s) will record finish line crossings for an appropriate time to capture the outcome of the race.
Ø A GUI will allow the user to view current driver positions, lap times, split times, and final race results. Refer to Appendix B for sample screenshots.
Ø Result printouts – The results of the race for an individual driver including timing can be printed out and be purchased by the drivers.
Design Constraints
There are many design constraints of the system. They are as follows:
Ø Dirt & debris – Dirt and debris should not affect the transceivers inside the car or the images provided by the cameras.
Ø Rain – This system should be able to withstand heavy rain.
Ø Vibrations – The transceivers must function properly under bumps, motor vibrations, or minor impacts.
Ø Temperature – The transceiver must be able to withstand moderately high temperatures (less than 200 °F). The computer, cameras, and transceivers must be kept in moderate temperatures.
Ø Lightweight – The system components should be capable of being moved easily.
Ø Power – The transceivers must be powered by batteries, which can be easily changed. A power source is needed for the computer (laptop excluded) and cameras.
Ø Human error – Transceivers must be tamper proof. The computer must be user friendly.
Ø GUI – will be written using Java and will run on a computer with the minimum requirements mentioned in the Limitations section.
Ø Final race results, including lap times and split times, will be accessible to official track personnel only. Drivers may only purchase results of final driver positions with their lap times only.
Measurable Milestones
Dec 2001
Ø Learn background information about dirt track racing, scoring, etc.
Ø Learn uses and available frequencies for RF transmitters/receivers.
Ø Research how to interface RF with a computer.
Ø Research how to interface camera with a computer.
Ø Finalize design specifications.
May 2002
Ø Acquire transceivers and learn capabilities.
Ø Write interfacing software.
Ø Write GUI software.
Ø Test GUI software.
Ø Test the transceiver prototypes.
Ø Test the interface with transceiver prototypes.
Ø Test and evaluate the system.
Ø Debug and finalize the operation of the product.
Ø Document and present the finalized prototype.
A milestone’s success is evaluated using several criteria. Below is a list of the criteria used.
Ø Completeness – What was the overall completeness of the system?
Ø Effectiveness based on requirements – Were the requirements of the system met?
Ø Effectiveness based on design – Was the design effective?
Ø Intended users – Is the system designed for the intended users?
Ø Operating environment – Did the system meet the needs for the operating environment?
End-Product Description
The end product for this project is a system that accurately counts the laps, determines lap times and split times, and keeps real-time results of racecars current position, for a dirt track race. With the addition of a transceiver in each car, this will eliminate the need for manual scorers as well as provide useful information to the racecar drivers. The transceiver in each car sends a signal to the base transceiver, which will then relay the information to a computer. The computer then processes this information and with the aid of digital camera(s) at the finish line, determines the outcome of the race.