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Tip Box #5 There are two different softwares that are used with the AQ1; understand the difference between both and when to use each. The AQ1 Data Acquisition Software is used to set up the AQ1 before sending the car out on track. The AEMData software is used to analyze the data collected from the AQ1 after the car comes off track. |
There are two free softwares given by AEM that are used with the AQ1: AQ1 Data Acquistion System and AEMData. Basically, you use the AQ1 Data Acquisition System software to set up the data logger before a run, and the AEMData to analyze the data after a run is finished. You can load templates for both softwares so that you don’t have to always reset parameters. For us, we have two templates for both engine harness and aero harness. During a typical track session, our procedure for using the AQ1 is as follows:
- Open up AQ1 Data Acquisition software and load either the engine harness or aero harness configuration.
- Update log notes to describe which track session the log file is for, weather conditions, car settings, etc.
- Connect laptop to AQ1 via USB cable and use the ‘Connect’ option in the software under ‘AQ1’ menu to connect to the AQ1. Make sure that the AQ1 is not powered on when doing this.
- Upload the changed configuration file to the AQ1.
- Remove laptop off car and send off car to grid.
- Hope that Mark remembers to turn on AQ1 logger before starting lap.
- Once car pulls into pit and is shut off, connect laptop to AQ1 via USB and download file. Again, make sure AQ1 is not on at this time.
- Open AEMData software and open either the premade Aero Sensor template or Engine Sensor Template.
- Load recent log file to the data analysis template and analyze data.
- Repeat.
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The Two AEM Softwares used with the AQ1 |
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AQ1 Data Acquisition System |
AEMData |
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What you use it for |
What you use it for |
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Selects which data channels you want to run |
Viewing logged data after a run |
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Sets up the logging rate of each data channel |
Analyzing data |
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Set the name of each logging channel |
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Set the sensor calibration for each channel |
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Adding notes to the data log |
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Box Tip #6 Evaluate if it is better to log raw voltage signals or make a calibration curve for sensors in the AQ1 Data Acquisition System software. |
One of the nice features of the AQ1 Data Acquisition System software is that you can create your own sensor calibration curves, use defined values from AEM (for certain sensors only), or log raw voltages. Sometimes it is more useful to log a sensor’s raw voltages output rather than calibrate its voltage output to a useful value. For example, a potentiometer that is mounted to the vehicle suspension can be used to find a variety of different things including: wheel rate, shock compression, and tire loading. If we were to calibrate this sensor so that the AQ1 converted the raw voltage values to say suspension compression, we would not be able to easily investigate tire loading and wheel rate. In this scenario, it is better to log raw voltage values and create calibration curves for wheel rate, shock compression, and tire loading. Then we can use the math function in AEMData and convert the raw voltage values into wheel rate, shock compression, and tire loading. The live readout feature on the AQ1 software along with a spreadsheet program can be used to easily make calibration curves. Figure 3.7.A and Figure 3.7.B shows us doing this for our suspension potentiometers.
Sometimes it makes more sense to just calibrate the sensor instead of logging raw voltages. This is usually the case when you are using a sensor that is designed to measure one thing, like a temperature sensor. In this case it makes more sense to make a calibration curve for the sensor and log that instead. Figure 3.8 shows a default calibration curve from AQ1 for one of their sensors.
