Valentine G-Analyst Owner's Manual

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g-Analyst Owner's Manual

Version 1.0 - 11/27/2006

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Summary of Contents for Valentine G-Analyst

Page 1 Owner’s Manual Version 1.0 - 11/27/2006 Copyright 2006, Valentine Research...
Page 2 WARNING: Don’t take your eyes off of the road. The g-Analyst will record your results for viewing after testing. This device is designed as a test tool to measure performance and safety characteristics of a given vehicle. Use it for that purpose only.
Page 3 • and if your g-Analyst is out of warranty (older than ninety (90) days), send a credit card number with expiration date to cover the c ost of diagnosis and repair. Your g-Analyst will be repaired as soon as possible.
Page 4: Software Product License
END-USER LICENSE AGREEMENT FOR HAMILTON PERFORMANCE ELECTRONICS SOFTWARE Software Product: g-Analyst [In installer window near the button: This is the End-User License Agreement (the “EULA”). Please read it carefully. You cannot install the Software Product on any system unless you agree to the terms of the EULA and you must not install the Software Product unless you are authorized to bind the person for whom the Software Product is to be used.
Page 5 § Limitations on Reverse Engineering, Decompilation, and Disassembly. You may not reverse engineer, decompile, or disassemble the Software Product. § Separation of Components. The Software Product is licensed as a single product. Its component parts may not be separated for use on more than one computer. §...
Page 6 MISCELLANEOUS This EULA is governed by the laws of the State of Michigan and the federal law of the United States of America, without regard for their conflict of law principles. If you bring any action or claim arising under or related to this EULA, you may do so only in the Michigan state courts sitting in Oakland County, Michigan or in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan –...
Page 7 The Software Product can be used to measure acceleration and other aspects of motion that are associated with the operation of motor vehicles or other objects both within and outside the usual range of performance. You and anyone else using the Software product bear the entire responsibility of the safety of your operations and compliance with all applicable law.
Page 8: Quick-Start Setup
LED and a flickering red LED. If this is your first time using the g-analyst, you will need to select CALIBRATE from the main menu and then enter in the calibration information which was provided for your g-analyst. This will only need to be done once.
Page 9 Quick Start Reference Guide SETTINGS (via MENU on the Palm STATUS bar) PREFERENCES - Operational settings Units English or Metric HotStart Time to Speed / Time to Distance / Braking (not available at this time). Pitch Correction Enable / Disable (not available at this time)
Page 10 Hit OK when finished. g LINK: DATALOGGER Hit the LOG button to start your testing sequence. You can select to ‘zero’ the g-analyst if desired. Hit pause to create a break in the data. Hit LOG after pause to continue data collection Review your data on screen by selecting GRAPH or OK to review later.
Page 11 DATA (via MENU on the Palm STATUS bar) Browse Data Files Files Select test file to review Test Notes Review test notes attached to test file Open Open test file Graph Graph data Exit Return to previous screen (Results) Delete Delete test file Exit Return to previous screen (main menu)
Page 12: Installation
Bluetooth Palm handheld. Installation Using the included Velcro, install and orient your G-Analyst as shown in Figure 1. The unit should be placed on a relatively flat and level surface and firmly anchored. The battery-door should be down and the power switch should point to the rear of the vehicle.
Page 13 Entering the Calibration Settings Before you begin using your g-Analyst, you will need to enter the calibration information. 1. From the 'Home' menu (See Figure 2), tap 'Calibrate' 2. You will need to enter calibration information for the 1.5G/2.0G/4.0G/6.0G ranges (See Figure 3). The calibration information was provided with you g-Analyst.
Page 14 Entering Your Vehicle Information 1. From the 'Home' menu (See Figure 2), tap 'Vehicle Info.' 2. Enter the text that you would like saved with each vehicle test. See Figure 4. 3. Enter the vehicle weight. 4. Tap 'OK.' Note: You can keep track of your testing and tuning changes by updating this screen between tests.
Page 15: Test Options
Test Options Speed Testing The ‘Speed’ selection will test the performance of your vehicle to any speed that you desire (MPH or KPH). If you choose the default (60 MPH), you will also receive an estimate of your ¼ Mile performance and horsepower. This is done by using the weight of your vehicle, the acceleration characteristics, and a proprietary algorithm.
Page 16 The next window you will see is the 'Acceleration' window (see Figure 8 ). The reading displayed is the current g -value that the G-Analyst is reading. If the G-Analyst is mounted slightly nose-down, then the reading is in negative g's. If the G-Analyst is mounted slightly nose-up, then the reading is in positive g's.
Page 17 Distance Testing The ‘Distance’ selection will test the performance of your vehicle to any distance that you desire (feet or meters). To begin testing: If you haven’t selected your test criteria, then do Step 1) and Step 2). If you have previously selected your criteria, then proceed to Step 2).
Page 18 The next window you will see is the 'Acceleration' window (see Figure 8 ). The reading displayed is the current g-value that the G-Analyst is reading. If the G-Analyst is mounted slightly nose-down, then the reading is in negative g's. If the G-Analyst is mounted slightly nose-up, then the reading is in positive g's.
Page 19 Brake Testing The ‘Brake’ selection will test the braking performance of your vehicle. To begin testing: If you haven’t selected your test criteria, then do Step 1) and Step 2). If you have previously selected your criteria, then proceed to Step 2). Step 1) From the 'Home' menu, select the Palm menu icon, the ‘Settings’, and then ‘Braking.’...
Page 20 When you are ready to test, tap the 'OK' button. The G-Analyst will begin a short calibration procedure. When the unit is finished calibrating, you will hear a beep (make sure your system sound is turned on) and GO! will be displayed on the screen.
Page 21 Graphing Your Results After each ‘Speed,’ ‘Distance,’ or ‘Braking’ test, you have the option of reviewing your results graphically. Figure 14 shows the results from a ‘Speed’ test from 0-60 MPH. You may zoom in and out of the time scale by pressing the arrow buttons below the ‘Zoom’...
Page 22 Figure 15). The Max-g screen will be displayed (See Figure 16). Select ‘Start.’ The G-Analyst will perform a brief calibration and then the Max-g values will be displayed. As you test your vehicle, the display will update with the current maximum values for acceleration, braking, left turn, and right turn When you are finished testing, you can tap ‘Exit’...
Page 23 There are two options available (See Figure 17). ‘Zero before logging’ will zero the x/y/z axis so that all of the logger readings will be referenced from the g-Analyst’s current orientation. ‘Log Raw Values’ will log without zeroing the x/y/z axis.
Page 24 The Real-Time screen will be displayed (See Figure 18). There are three options available: ‘Zero Readings’ will zero the x/y/z axis so that all of the readings will be referenced from the g-Analyst’s current orientation. ‘Raw Readings’ will display readings without zeroing the x/y/z axis.
Page 25 Figure 22 Other User Settings: g-Range The g-Analyst is equipped with a selectable-range accelerometer. This allows the user flexibility in selecting the range for any ve hicle. From the 'Home' menu, select the Palm menu icon, the ‘Settings’, and then ‘g-Range.’ See Figure 6.
Page 26 Reviewing Your Tests To review your data, from the 'Home' menu, select the Palm menu icon, ‘Data’, and then ‘Browse Data Files’ (see Figure 24) From the file selection screen (see Figure 25), select your test by the date & time in which it occurred. To see more information on a file, select the file and press the ‘Test Notes’...
Page 27 Reviewing Your Tests (cont.) After selecting the ‘Graph’ button (see above), a graph of your data will be displayed (see Figure 26). For the ‘Speed’, ‘Distance’, and ‘Braking’ test, there are options to graph by speed, distance, or g’s. For data logging files, you may only display the data in g’s.
Page 28 Exporting Your Tests to a PC Data files taken with the g -Analyst may be exported to your PC for use with programs such as Microsoft Excel. The files are converted into a CSV (comma separated variable) format by the ‘Eye4GotVB.exe’ program. Follow these steps to export and convert your data: 1) HotSYNC your Palm with a PC.
Page 29 The second is the ‘Summary…’ file type. Files that start with ‘Summary…’ store a summary of the g-Analyst test session along with any results and test notes. If you are not sure which file(s) that you want to import into Excel, then you should start by converting the ‘Summary…’...
Page 30 FAQ Can I review tests on my PC? Yes. See the section title ‘Exporting Your Test to a PC.’ Do I need to use a Palm with the g-analyst? Yes. Check the http://www.pdyno.com website for a list of compatible Palm models.
Page 31: Appendix 1: Trouble Shooting Guide
Appendix 1: Trouble Shooting Guide...
Page 32: Appendix 2: Speed Testing Flow Chart
Appendix 2: Speed Testing Flow Chart Speed Test User taps 'OK' to Finish Speed begin testing exceeded? Calibration End with error End Test Beep and 'GO!' displayed Start_G exceeded? Timeout? Calculate speed and distance Start Distance and Start Zero timer Speed already exceeded? Buy SmartDraw !- purchased copies print this...
Page 33: Appendix 3:Distance Testing Flow Chart
Appendix 3:Distance Testing Flow Chart Distance Test User taps 'OK' to begin testing Finish_ Distance exceeded? Calibration End with error End Test Beep and 'GO!' displayed Start_G exceeded? Timeout? Calculate speed and distance Start Distance and Start Speed Zero timer already exceeded? Buy SmartDraw !- purchased copies print this...
Page 34: Appendix 4: Brake Testing Flow Chart
Appendix 4: Brake Testing Flow Chart Brake Test User taps 'OK' to Accel. to begin testing record Brake 0-'speed' time Speed? Calibration End with error Decel. to start brake Brake Beep and 'GO!' timer Speed? displayed Start_G exceeded? Decel. to Stop Speed? Timeout?
Page 35: Appendix 5: G-Analyst Electrical Specifications
Appendix 5: g-Analyst Electrical Specifications Input voltage operating range: 0.5V to 4.5V Battery Life: 7 hours with standard AA Accelerometer: Freescale MMA7260Q Acceleration Range: 1.5g/2.0g/4.0g/6.0g Selectable Bluetooth: Class 1 BlueRadio SPP Bandwidth: 25Hz Weight: 9 grams – board / xg – with enclosure & AA...
Page 36: Appendix 6: Using Your G-Analyst With Windows Hyper Terminal
Appendix 6: Using Your g-Analyst with Windows Hyper Terminal Before you can start using your g-Analyst with Hyper Terminal, you will need to pair the device with your computer. The instructions below are for Windows XP with built- in Bluetooth. If you have a Bluetooth dongle, you will need to follow the manufacture’s instructions for pairing.
Page 37 The Bluetooth Device Wizard screen will open. Check the box ‘My device is set up and ready to be found’ Then click ‘Next >’ Select the ‘g-Analyst’ from the pick-list and then click ‘Next >’...
Page 38 Select ‘Use the passkey found in the documentation’ and then enter ‘1234’ Click the ‘Next >’ button Note the Outgoing COM port assigned. You will need to use this COM port with Hyper Terminal. Click ‘Finish’ to complete the setup.
Page 39 Start Hyper Terminal. You will be prompted for a new connection. Type in ‘g-Analyst’ for the name and then click ‘OK’ Select the Bluetooth COM port from the pairing.
Page 40 You should see the following screen: Top Menu and Start/Stop To start the g-Analyst, just press ‘1’ and the values will start being displayed. To stop, press the space-bar and then enter. Active Channel Select Selection #2 is for setting the active channels that the unit will report. As a default, the g-Analyst reports all channels.
Page 41 • +/- 1.5g = press ‘1’ • +/- 2.0g = press ‘2’ • +/- 4.0g = press ‘3’ • +/- 6.0g = press ‘4’ You can also hit ‘x’ to exit without changing the setting. Note: calibration must be performed every time that the sensor g-range is changed. Display Mode Press ‘5’...
Page 42 Binary Output Format The g-Analyst has a binary mode feature. In this mode, a ‘ready’ string (‘#R$’) is transmitted and the g-Analyst waits for one of three commands from the host computer: 1. Ready: sending a capital ‘R’ character (0x52) at any time will cause the g-Analyst to respond with the ‘Ready’...
Page 43 Axis are in 16-bit binary form. They are numbers directly returned from the ADC of the accelerometer. Threshold A threshold setting has been added in the g-Analyst. For example, by setting the threshold to 0.5g, only accelerations greater than 0.5g will be displayed. By returning the threshold to 0.0g, all acceleration values will be reported.
Page 44 Steps for Reliable Operation Please follow these steps when not using the g-Analyst Palm software: 1. Set the sensor range in g’s 2. Calibrate the sensor 3. Set the threshold if desired 4. Set the display mode 5. Set the output frequency 6.