Small Dirt Track Scoring System
Project Design Report
May02-15
12-04-01
Dr. John Lamont and Dr. R. E. Patterson
Andy Hoversten
Matt Knott
Jeremy Long
Chris Cejka
1
Table of Contents
List of Figures
List of Tables
Abstract
Definition of Terms
Introduction
General Background
Technical Problem
Operating Environment
Intended users and uses
Assumptions and Limitations
Design Requirements
Design objectives
Functional Requirements
Design Constraints
Measurable Milestones
End-Product Description
Approach and Design
Technical approaches
Technical designs
Testing description
Risks and risk management
Recommendation for Continued Work
Financial Budget
Personnel Effort Budget
Personnel Effort Budget
Project Schedule
Project Team Information
Summary
References
Appendix A
Appendix B
Sample Screenshots
List of Figures
Figure 1Conceptual Diagram1
Figure 2 Visual Representation of the Small Dirt Track Scoring System3
Figure 3Revised Gantt Chart 15
List of Tables
Table 1Estimated Financial Budget13
Table 2Revised Financial Budget13
Table 3Estimated Personnel Effort14
Table4Revised Personnel Effort14
1
Abstract
Regional unpaved, stock car racetracks need an automated method of counting the number of times that individual stock cars cross the finish line and determining the winner of the race. Currently this counting method is done manually by people using pencil and paper, which often results in counting mistakes. The objective of this project would be to develop an accurate, reasonable-cost, digital recording, prototype demonstration system. The ultimate system as shown in Figure 1 would have to be rugged enough to withstand punishment that the system would receive. The results of a race must be known within minutes after race completion. It is also necessary that the counting be associated with actual crossing of the finish line. This might be implemented using RF transceivers to count laps and a digital camera to determine the winner.
Figure 1 Conceptual Diagram
Definition of Terms
Antenna: usually a metallic device for radiating and receiving radio waves.
Base transceiver: Transceiver placed at the start/finish line.
Frequency: the number of complete oscillations per second of electromagnetic radiation, in the form of waves.
GUI: Graphical user interface
Receiver: a device for converting signals (electromagnetic waves) into audio or visual form
RF: radio frequency
Transceiver: 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 ran correctly and the correct driver is crowned champion. The system will aid the scoring personnel by counting laps and minimize the error 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 requires 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 the Small Dirt Track Scoring System
Technical Problem
The following is the technical approach that will be used in completing this project:
A base to attach the transceiver will be permanently mounted to the roll cage of the stock car, with a quick release system for dismounting the transceiver.
A rugged, battery-powered RF-based transceiver will be used to emit a signal to the base transceiver at the start/finish line for counting laps.
The base transceiver will be mounted on the racetrack at the start/finish line to receive the signal from the RF transceivers.
The base transceiver will send data to a computer in the scorer’s box that will enter the information into a spreadsheet as seen in Figure 2.
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, 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 will primarily 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
- Hardware
There are on average 35 cars per race, with 105 cars in the total field for three races.
Approximately 100 transceivers will be needed.
The racetrack will need a computer to process the data and determine the finishing order.
Digital camera(s) will be needed for finishes.
If a laptop is used no power source is necessary, otherwise power for the required computer must be supplied by the racetrack.
- Personnel
Racetrack scorers must be proficient with computers.
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 and digital camera(s) must be easily mounted and dismounted.
Batteries will need to be changed on a regular basis.
MAXIMUM cost of system must be between $10,000 and $15,000.
Possibility of human error in system.
The transceivers must be easily mounted and unmounted in stock car.
Transceivers may be destroyed in an extreme accident or fire.
Camera(s) must be protected from weather, dirt, etc.
Minimum computer requirements: 200 MHz (Pentium compatible), 32 MB RAM, Windows 9x, 1 free RS-232 serial port, and 1 free USB port.
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:
RF transceivers, operating at a specific frequency, will be mounted in each stock car.
The base transceiver will pick up the transmitted signals and relay them to the computer.
Digital camera(s) will photograph the outcome of the race to aid the transceivers in determining the outcome.
A host computer will process results from the base transceiver and digital camera(s).
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, and will indicate the winner at the completion of the race.
Functional Requirements
The design of the system will have the following functional requirements:
Accurately count laps – The RF transceivers will send a signal to the computer.
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.
A GUI will allow the user to view the race results and lap times. Refer to Appendix B for sample screenshots.
Result printouts – The results of the race 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:
Dirt & debris – Dirt and debris should not affect the transceivers inside the car or the images provided by the cameras.
Rain – This system should be able to withstand heavy rain.
Vibrations – The transceivers must function properly under bumps, motor vibrations, or minor impacts.
Temperature – The transceiver must be able to withstand moderately high temperatures (less than 200 degrees). The computer, cameras, and transceivers must be kept in moderate temperatures.
Lightweight – The system components should be capable of being moved easily.
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.
Human error – Transceivers must be tamper proof. The computer must be user friendly.
GUI – will be written using Visual C++ and will run on a computer with the minimum requirements mentioned in the Limitations section.
Measurable Milestones
Indicated after each milestone are the percentages completed at this time. (i.e. 100% means milestone is completed)
Dec 2001
Learn background information about dirt track racing, scoring, etc. (100 %)
Learn uses and available frequencies for RF transmitters/receivers. (100 %)
Research how to interface RF with a computer. (50 %)
Research how to interface camera with a computer. (20 %)
Finalize design specifications. (70 %)
May 2002
Acquire transceivers and learn capabilities. (0 %)
Write interfacing software. (0 %)
Acquire digital camera. (0 %)
Test the prototypes. (0 %)
Test the interface with prototypes. (0 %)
Test and evaluate the system. (0 %)
Debug and finalize the operation of the product. (0 %)
Document and present the finalized prototype. (0 %)
Milestones are measured by the effectiveness of the information gathered and then by group approval measuring success.
End-Product Description
The end product for this project will be a system that accurately counts the laps of a dirt track race, eliminating the need for manual scorers. A transceiver in each car will send a signal to the base transceiver, which will then relay the information to a computer. The computer will process the information and with the aid of digital camera(s) at the finish line, determine the outcome of the race.
Approach and Design
Technical approaches
Major criteria for selection of design:
Cost of components
Ease of implementation
Accuracy of implementation
Time constraints
Technical knowledge on implementation and design components.
The following are ideas for implementing the dirt track scoring system.
RF transceiver standalone system
This system uses RF frequencies to calculate the winner of the race and count the number of laps completed.
Rejected. Using the RF system there is no way to determine the exact point that any single car crosses the finish line.
Digital photos standalone system
This system uses only digital cameras to determine the winner and count the laps completed.
Rejected. This system is not fast enough and has no way of automated counting.
Global positioning system
The system uses GPS to determine the winner and count the completed laps.
Rejected. The cost to get a very accurate GPS unit would be very expensive.
Combination of RF transceivers and digital photo system
This system uses a combination of RF transceivers and digital camera(s) to determine the winner and count the laps completed.
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.
Technical designs
This section describes the different modules or design aspects of the project known up to this point in the progress of the project. Some areas of the design are still ambiguous due to recent discoveries in some design aspects dealing with the RF transceivers. This ambiguity along with all other design aspects or modules will be covered in the following paragraphs.
Design Aspect 1: RF transceiver
The previous project plan document stated that RF transmitters would be used in each car transmitting at different frequencies to differentiate each racecar. Recently it was discovered that if this were the case, a receiver would be needed for each transmitter, making this method very expensive and confusing. At this time, research is being performed on the possibility of using one base transceiver at one frequency that polls the transceivers in the racecars at a specified interval sufficient to count each car’s laps. Either method chosen will relay the lap information to the computer.
Design Aspect 2: Digital Photo System
The camera(s) in the system will be set up at the finish line to record any close finishes between race participants. This aspect is needed because the resolution of the RF transceivers will be measured in feet and races can be determined in less than an inch. One camera will be a high-resolution, color camera with the option of having a second less expensive black and white camera positioned at a different angle on the finish line. Both cameras will point at a downward angle on the track on either side of the finish line. The camera(s) will be triggered to start recording at a specified time after the lead car has crossed the finish line on its second to last lap. The camera(s) will continue recording until all cars that are receiving points for the race cross the finish line. These last few laps of the race can be viewed to ensure that the RF system results were accurate. The two camera combination will provide two views to the track operators to ensure the correct winner of the race is determined.
Design Aspect 3: Graphical User Interface
The GUI enables the racetrack operators or scorers to enter all parameters into the computer before the start of the race. These parameters along with the inputs from the RF transceivers and cameras will automate the rest of the lap counting and winner determination processes. At the completion of the race, all results will be displayed and the options to print the results and view the camera input will be presented.
Design Aspect 4: Power
As stated in the assumptions and limitations and design constraints sections, the power for the computer system must be provided by the track. This power will need to be a 110 Volt, 60 Hz power-outlet that is standard in the US. The power for the transceivers in each racecar will be provided by replaceable 9 Volt batteries. These batteries will need to be periodically checked before each race to avoid any errors in the functioning of the system and in the results produced. An optional battery backup maybe purchased if no power source is present.
Testing description
Testing the system will require a few separate tests of components as well as an overall test of the system in its most complete form. To test the RF transceivers one transceiver will have to be moved within the range of the base transceiver and this will be checked to see if the transmitter was noticed. The test will have to also include how far away the transceivers begin to pickup and where they fade out. This test could be done by holding the transceiver away from the antenna, and walking towards the antenna to see when the antenna picks up the transceiver. The camera(s) will have to be tested for speed to make sure that the camera(s) are good enough to distinguish the car from any other car. This test can be carried out by going to the interstate over a bypass and record the cars passing underneath. This test will verify if the camera can record at the 50-70 mph range. Last, but not least, contacts will be made with racetracks to have the final test in a live simulation of the dirt track race. If that falls through the final test will be to attach a transceiver to a car and drive in a circle to see if the system can count the number of RF counts and turn on the video recording to capture the final finish of the car passing by. The acceptance of the tests would be whether the desired results come from the tests. For the RF test the acceptance would be based on whether the transceiver is only picked up when it gets close to the antenna. If the transceiver had been picked up the entire way around, then the test would fail because there would be no way to count the laps. If the receiver never picks up the transceivers it would also be a failing test because there would not be a count under that circumstance either. The camera(s) test would determine if the data would be able to be examined and a scorer could be able to tell who won the race from the pictures created. If the images are all blurred or the camera’s refresh rate was not fast enough then the test would fail. It would not be possible to tell who won the race and there is no way to rerun the race and have the exact result.
When it is time to perform the tests listed above, the tester, date, time, and results will be recorded on the testing form found in Appendix A. These completed forms will be archived for later reference and included in the final report.
Risks and risk management
These are the possible risks and solutions that could be encountered and followed over the course of the project.
Parts and equipment
Here are two possible risks that could delay the schedule of the project accompanied by possible solutions.