Learning vehicle monitoring and control

[tzj]

I"ve been wanting to throw this out around here for a while and as I tried to find something similar, I"ve had no luck, so here goes...

For GCSE and A level students doing motor vehicle/engineering courses I was thinking the "pi with a board similar to the gert board (but redesigned for "this" purpose) could be used as hardware to help understand how various vehicle electronics operate. From simple operation to code level.

systems to be included: (to help with designing the "automotive" daughter board.)

Drive-by-wire (includes acceleration, braking, gear, clutch and steering inputs/outputs.),
SRS and accident detection systems (includes seatbelt pre-tension, airbag deployment etc.),
Security systems (includes volumetric sensing, voltage/current monitoring, siren etc.),
Engine management (includes ignition/injection timing, engine/motor speed, temp.),
Parking system (includes sensors, auto parking.),
Air conditioning,
Lighting/indication,
Self drive system (this is mostly relient on other systems but may need other extra components, which may be in the following system.)...

Exo-vehilecular monitoring or "car eyes".
This is bacically using GPS and vehicle-to-vehicle communication but could also include a vehicle-to-pedestrian type too. Google have made a system like this but IMO its a bit weak ATM as they dont have "Blind-Spot Assistance" (which I now can"t patent "cause google would tear me to pieces).

Thanks for reading this far, much appreciated

Just to clarify, yes there is others who have mentioned parts of this but AFAIK not all in one topic.

if you like this idea PLEASE let me know.

[tzj]

I really meant "Blind-Corner Assistance"... as blind-spot assistance its just 360 vision.

[tzj]

it might be a bit early to bump this...

[tzj]

apologies for bumping this again but I would like to know what I"d need for interfacing the gpio header I/O and the various automotive systems on the "auto-board".

thanks.

[jamesh]

Well, I doubt anyone on here knows the answer to that question - hence the lack of relies.

[tzj]

that would explain it... tho the basic systems are only slightly more complex than the gertboard...

we need more auto-nuts to help solve the problem.

[o19]

The forum ate my last (longer) post... So here in short:

I plan to build a "thing" out of Lego + RC components + Pi + Gertboard/Arduino + camera + acceleration sensors. I think for slow RC speeds non-RT-Linux should be fine at least for the conduct-by-wire stuff.

Some more considerations:


 C2C should not be a problem using either WiFi of Bluetooth. However, not my main field of interest.
sensor-assisted stuff and automated/autonomous driving will likely require a RTOS
GPS stuff will be really hard to do on RC scale, I think it's impossible to do something useful without D-GPS equipment...
all kinds of engine management are really none of my business

If you do set up a project in this area, think of me. For me it's more someday/maybe stuff, at the moment. However, I think I might be able to help here.

[tzj]

@o19

well its good to know someone that can help with the autonomous and sensory stuff

its gonna take a while to get the hardware side of it all done anyway, ATM I"m sorting out the outputs which includes engine management outs and sensor readouts, as well as IC and Elec vehicle outputs.

[o19]

It will be the first time that I actually try to put all the concepts and basic knowledge togehter… And there are some things that I'll have to think about additionally like making use of the GPU (never did on purpose before), remote control questions (PS-3 controller would be nice, however range might be a problem here), scale issues (which means nearly no space for the same amount of data and speeds comparable to a normal car)…

[tzj]

to replicate distance (if its not going in a vehicle to begin with) you"d use resisters with an calculated rating eqivilent to the cable (length and thickness) that would have been used, tho these would be inline rather than on the board.

range shouldn"t be a problem, but more range = more expensive.

programming for the gpu will be interesting, especially with the problems relating to it on the pi.

[tzj]

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/tech.....y-17014808

this is more of a note for me but could be usefull in later design, maybe...

[tzj]

here"s a more organised list for the systems, I"ll upload the completed version of this when all sections are filled.

Power

Mains DC adapter (better off with a Modded PC power supply) (12v) – for testing circuits and <12v motors.
10-14v battery (12v) – for generic circuits.
(EV/hybrid) 12-100v battery(s) – for motor outputs.
(optional) Fuel cell – for battery charging and direct output to circuits/motors.
(optional) Alternator – for internal combustion engine battery charging.

Inputs
(section needs completing)

Embedded
(section needs completing)

*Phone/Communication (including service communication)
*Media center (mostly audio)
*OBD (vehicle data logging/codes)
*Air-con (temp control, flow control, section control, presets)
*stop-start system (fuel-saver)
*Wipers (speed control, home position reset, moisture sensitivity-for speed control)

Outputs

(EV/hybrid) Motors (3-100v) x4 (with speed sensors)
(EV/hybrid) Motor relays x4
*Braking (callipers-varable solenoids, electro-magnets, hydrallic pump, air pump, valves)
*Steering (servo)
*SRS (air-bag, pre-tensioner)
*Lights and indication
*GPS + tracking (VTV output signal)
*Suspension
*Security (locks/siren/tracker)
*Aerodynamics
*Seating (motor/vibe/heat)
*Windows (including motors, heaters, arial, electronic dimming-localised sun blocker, HUD)
*ECU (ignition/injection/gears/clutch/fan/camshafts-V.V.T/intake-throttle actuator)
*Visual display (camera views, HUD, dials, readouts, "other" vehicle)
*Audio
*OBD (diagnostic/readout)
*Air-con (blowers, heating elements)
Starter
Wipers
Horn
?Wheel and tyre

* = multiple sub-systems, thus more work is needed.

[tzj]

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/tech.....y-17073764

just found this, it may well affect this project, mostly the visual display and interaction side of it though.

[tzj]

just to help stir some interest, heres some useful infomation on vehicle communication busses.

CAN (central/controller area network) uses protocols similar to I2C or SPI (timed CAN bus)
LIN (local interconnect network) uses UART single-wire protocol. (suppliments CAN for less important systems)
Ethernet (future vehicle bus, they should have used this in the first place!)

[tzj]

Here is the completed systems list for the Auto-Board/Vehicle Network Educator Board.

Power

Mains DC adapter (better off with a Modded PC power supply) (12v) – for testing circuits and <12v motors.
10-14v battery (12v) – for generic circuits.
(EV/hybrid) 12-100v battery(s) – for motor outputs.
(optional) Fuel cell – for battery charging and direct output to circuits/motors.
(optional) Alternator – for internal combustion engine battery charging.
Charging controller circuits and current/voltage sensors

Communication busses

CAN (central/controller area network) uses protocols similar to I2C or SPI (timed CAN bus) LIN (local interconnect network) uses UART single-wire protocol. (suppliments CAN for less important systems)
Ethernet (future vehicle bus, they should have used this in the first place!)

Inputs

(EV/hybrid) Motors x2/x4 (speed, torque, temp, current, voltage)
*Engine Management Unit (oxygen/lambda sensors, intake-mass/airflow/temp/oxygen/moisture sensors, coolent/oil temps/pressures/Res. level, crank/cam sensors, injector pressure/voltage/current, ignition detection/voltage/current, knock sensor, turbo- boost pressure/temp/oil pressure/compressor speed)
*Visual display (front/rear/side cameras)
*Aerodynamics (speed sensor, air pressure/density/mass sensors, pitch sensor) *Suspension (damper/shock absorber/spring travel sensor, angle sensors, ride height sensors)
*Lights and indication (outside light sensor, brake pedal switch, signal switches, reverse switch/sensor, interior light sensor)
*Windows (motor switches, heater switches, arial, electronic dimming-localised sun blocker sensors, HUD-interior light sensor)
*Drivetrain and Transmission (gear selection switches, clutch switch, differential- torque sensors)
*Seating (motor/vibe/heat switches, motor/vibe/heat sensors, mass sensor)
*SRS (damage sensing, occupent mass, de-acceleration)
*Steering (steering wheel position sensor/switch, yaw sensor)
*Accelerator (pedal sensor/switch, acceleration sensor, kick-down)
*Braking (pedal sensor/switch, de-acceleration sensor, wheel speed, temperature, moisture, parking brake, pressure sensors)
*Security and safety (volumetric sensing, current/voltage sensing, motion sensing, key receiver)
*GPS + Tracking (satellite receiver, VTV input signal, white line detector)
*Communication (2/3/4G, wifi)
*Media center (storage, CD/DVD/BR drive, A/D radio)
*Audio (microphones)
*OBD (signal input)
*Air-con (temperatures, speeds, flows, area selector, refrigerent pressure, heater voltage/current)
*Wipers (Moisture, speed sensor, blade wear. Screenwash-level, composition and pressure)
*Wheels and Tyres (speed, Tyre pressure, surface sensing)
Cruise and Auto-Drive control switches
Fuel pump pressure
Horn button

Embedded/Processes

(EV/hybrid) Motor relay controls
*Engine Management Unit (oxygen ?, intake/exhaust/ratio calculations, ignition/injection timing/controls, boost calculation/controls, engine/Turbo fault diagnostics)
*Visual display (camera controls, HUD controls, dials-readout control/adjustment, "other" vehicle visualisation controls, blind spot/cornering system)
*Aerodynamics (servo controls, solenoid controls, downforce/drag/drift/draft calculations)
*Suspension (damper/shock absorber magnetic stiffener control, angle adjustment control, ride height adjustment control)
*Lights and indication (headlight motion/intencity control, brake light control, signal control, reversing light control, interior light control)
*Windows (motor controls, heater controls, electronic dimming-localised sun blocker control, HUD- adjustment controls)
*Drivetrain and Transmission (gear selection control, clutch control, differential/power distribution control)
*Seating (motor control/vibe control-whiteline/heat control)
*SRS (airbag deployment control, seatbelt pre-tension control, crash severity detection, vehicle operation interrupts, mass-force calculation)
*Braking, accelerating and Steering (anti-lock braking, traction control, brake force distribution, stability control, dynamic drift control, cruise control)
*Security and Safety (Immobilizer, fuel pump shut-off, alarm activation, tracker activation and controller, lock operation, key recognition, recording/black-box operation)
*GPS + Tracking (satellite navigation, dead reckoning, VTV perception, white-line indication-seat vibe)
*Phone/Communication (services communication, signal strength, hotspot locator, auto connection)
*Media center (mostly audio)
*OBD (vehicle data logging, fault codes-read/store/erase/code list, device/reader detection)
*Air-con (temp control, flow control, section control, presets, pump control)
*Stop-start system (fuel-saver)
*Wipers (speed control, home position reset, moisture sensitivity-for speed control, screenwash pump control)

Outputs

(EV/hybrid) Motors (3-100v) x2/x4 (EV/hybrid) Motor relays x2/x4
*Engine Management Unit (ignition, injection, glowplugs, fan, coolant pump, camshafts-V.V.T, intake-throttle actuator, idle stepper motor, Ex Gas solenoid, manifold heater, Turbocharger-wastegate and variable boost solenoids, oil pump, motor output)
*Visual display (camera views, HUD, dials, readouts, "other" vehicle)
*Aerodynamics (servos, solenoids)
*Suspension (damper/shock absorber magnetic stiffener, angle adjusters, ride height adjusters)
*Lights and indication (day-lights, headlights, brake lights, signals, reversing lights, interior lights)
*Windows (including motors, heaters, electronic dimming-localised sun blocker, HUD)
*Drivetrain and Transmission (gears, clutch, differential)
*Seating (motor/vibe/heat)
*SRS (air-bags, pre-tensioners)
*Steering (servo)
*Braking (callipers-varable solenoids, electro-magnets, hydrallic pump, air pump, valves)
*Security (locks/siren/tracker)
*GPS + tracking (VTV output signal)
*Communication (2/3/4G, wifi)
*Audio (amp, loudspeakers)
*OBD (diagnostic/readout)
*Air-con (blowers, heating elements, coolant pump)
*Wipers (motors, screen-wash pump)
Starter
?Wheel and tyre
Fuel pump
Horn

* = multiple sub-systems, thus more work is needed.

[tzj]

just to add, AFSK (audio frequency-shift keying) would be a good candidate for the vehicle to vehicle communication... tho the operating frequency for the system without interference is somewhat a puzzle to me.

[tzj]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/O.....iagnostics

this will be VERY important for designing the communication busses, especially for diagnostics.

[tzj]

http://www.raspberrypi.org/for.....ace#p47080

glad to have found this. that"s the networking link sorted, hopefully.

[distantkiwi]

I'm listening with very keen ears.  I am in the queue to recieve a pi.  mmmmm pi's, who ate them all?

I have started on a long journey to convert my car to EV, the thought of using a pi to control it had crossed my mind and here you are.

[tzj]

may as well use my college education for something

it"d be cool to see your progress.

[tzj]

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/pro.....708468.stm

induction charging, "bout time

how would they charge in money terms for it? e.g. KW/H, KW per mile/km, or a different system to make it comparable to petol/diesel prices... that may explain the lack of government implementation to the masses...

people may steal the pads electric using homemade induction coils, tho police would find the culprit easyly by the drop in charge

[SN]

tzj said:


http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/pro.....708468.stm

induction charging, "bout time

how would they charge in money terms for it? e.g. KW/H, KW per mile/km, or a different system to make it comparable to petol/diesel prices... that may explain the lack of government implementation to the masses...

people may steal the pads electric using homemade induction coils, tho police would find the culprit easyly by the drop in charge


HP Touchpad and Palm Pre2 have had this last year - my Touchpad just 'sits' on its charging dock and can be picked up whenever and never runs out of juice

[tzj]

that could work for the pi then without much problem, with a pair of phone batteries, and to make it related, have the charger built in the car

[colin B]

I like the ideas put forward in this thread. Could I add a suggestion for a slightly different end use but still in a similar vein.

Electric bike and or wheelchair control, so basically similar to the items already listed, just without the internal combustion engine parts. Some schools these days might be more at home with battery based projects than IC based ones.

[tzj]

your right those targets do fit in with the project, thanks for the suggestion

it is a shame that schools don"t put more effort into more "intelligent" projects and am not really sure if the double meaning was intentional...

the IC engine could fit, if an off-road range extender was fitted, then again an hydrogen fuel cell could do the same. a man can dream tho, a man can dream