Quote:Racing car drivers today cannot live without complex telemetry. That is the science of fitting a whole smorgasbord of computerised sensors inside and outside the car.

Like nerve endings, these sensors pick up information ranging from vehicle performance variables to the driver’s habits as he zips down the track.

The sensors send the data wirelessly to the “brain”, a series of computer control centres – basically high performance standard PCs which only receive data from the car.

These brain centres store, read and analyse the terabytes of data that zoom in when the car is switched on and running, playing a big part in whether a race is won or lost.

Lenovo, the third largest computer company in the world, recently tied up with the AT&T Williams racing team, and their partnership was put to the test at the Malaysian Grand Prix in Sepang on April 8 this year.

In all, the Williams team uses 300 Lenovo desktop PCs and 140 notebooks, which are used for everything from engineering applications (such as data processing) to test areas (such as CAD data visualisation).

For example, data gathered by the sensors is analysed by a team of engineers and the drivers, enabling them to work out how they can make their cars go faster, especially around tight bends.

In addition, the company uses 30 T60p notebook PCs for team performance issues – everything from ignition and vehicle dynamics to communications between the pit wall and the garage.

Mr Alex Burns, chief operating officer of Williams F1, said that technology is infused in “every step” of the business, from design to development to operations.

“At the factory, we use IT extensively in the development of the aerodynamics of the car, in the design of the wind tunnel model parts, the operation of the tunnels themselves and in the computational analysis of airflows.

“We also use IT in the mechanical design of the car and for the rapid manufacture of new parts.

“When we get to the track, we establish a complete network infrastructure in the garage that is used to load data to and from the race cars and to communicate the output of the many sensors on the cars to our engineers, both at the track and back at our headquarters in the United Kingdom.”

ALL THE TECH ON THE TRACK

On the field - The WIlliams F1 team uses IT extensively, from developing the aerodynamics of their cars to analysing data from the car.

Off the field - Data from the engine and car is downloaded to a notebook to check if all is well.

In F1 racing, computers are used even before the car gets on to the track, in design and engine tuning Personal computer technology, telematics and control first arrived on the Formula One (F1) circuit in 1990. They were initially used to study data gathered from the car.

The first PC owned by the Williams team was an Olivetti.

Control computers used on the cars are custom-designed at Williams, which is based in Grove, England.

The computers in the garage (which only receive data from the car, and not the other way around) are basically high-end PCs.

A wireless system based on microwave technology — and different from the wireless systems used in offices — sends signals to and from the cars. F1 rules allow the engineers to receive data from the cars, but do not allow them to send signals back to the cars on the track. Computers and PC technology are employed before the car even gets onto the track, for example, in design and engine tuning.

Here are some areas.

PC support: For everyone from engineers (for test, development and manufacturing) to drivers (in race operations and analysis) to the management team (for all from marketing to race planning to networking).

Power ups: Sensors on each Williams F1 car track engine and gearbox parameters such as pressure and temperature of oil, water and air.

Before the car is started, the engine is turned over with no electrical spark. Data from the engine and car is downloaded to the notebook.

If the engineer determines all parameters are within limits, then a spark is applied and the engine started.

The notebook prevents damage to the car during the start-up process. If the engine is started without appropriate oil pressure, for example, the engine is ruined – the bearings will not survive.

Car complexities: The Williams team typically has five or six F1 cars in production each season. These cars are in varying stages of service, update and amendment at all times.

Lenovo computers process over 7 terabytes of data each season, or slightly more than 1 terabyte per car.

A typical race version of a Williams car has about 120 sensors monitoring vehicle performance variables and driver behaviour variables.

This telemetry data — about 1 gigabyte of data per hour — is transmitted using AT&T technology to the engineering team at the track, and is downloaded to Lenovo computers continuously during the race.

The information is also networked to the engineering team at the Williams headquarters and factory.

Things have changed a bit from the days of Stirling Moss and Jackie Stewart. :biggrin:

Yes, things sure has changed since then.

However, at present, wish I could have a street legal car that matches the F1 like :