The Kistler Group has launched a wireless wheel force measurement system, an innovation that will reduce the effort involved in vehicle dynamics, durability and tire testing.
The KiRoad Wireless HDR (High Data Rate) features far-field telemetry compliant with the 2.4 GHz WLAN standard, and it can be used with existing RoaDyn Wheel Force Transducers (WFTs)
Vehicle developers use high-precision WFTs to measure wheel forces and moments directly on the hub, yielding data that is critical for durability tests. These measurements are also used to evaluate vehicle dynamics and characterize tire performance.
WFTs in the RoaDyn series were the first systems that used near-field telemetry to transmit data to the vehicle.
The KiRoad Wireless HDR features remote wireless transmission for wheel force measurements, eliminating the need for time-consuming adaptations and cabling both inside and outside the vehicle.
Automobile and tire manufacturers, suppliers to the automotive industry, research institutions and motorsport teams are among the users who will benefit from this reduced installation effort and easy operation.
This modular system consists of three components that are compatible with the 6-component wheel force transducers from Kistler: the onboard unit (electronics), the wheel unit and the rotary encoder.
Key features of KiRoad Wireless HDR include data transmission via WLAN (wireless standard: IEEE 802.11n), replaceable battery pack with a minimum capacity of 4 hours at –20°C for winter tests, and system configuration and visualisation of measurement results in KiCenter software or browser.
A new rotary encoder concept used with the KiRoad Wireless HDR eliminates the need to attach any equipment to the outside of the vehicle. The wheel unit, with its integrated calculation and transmitter unit, is designed to be waterproof.
All RoaDyn WFTs that are currently in operation can be equipped with KiRoad Wireless HDR, giving customers the benefits of a cable-free measuring system for all 6-component WFTs. They can measure all forces and moments on the wheel in each of the three spatial directions, as well as wheel angle and angular speed.
