Data Logging and Telemetry
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This document discusses using data logging and telemetry tools to optimize glider performance. It describes logging launch parameters like camber, elevator preset, and towhook position to measure altitude, airspeed, and towline tension over time. Analyzing these parameters helped identify ways to extract maximum energy in launches, such as reducing wing "ringing" by moving the towhook. Telemetry was also used in team training to provide real-time feedback on trim settings to find minimum sink rates. Overall, measuring and collecting data over time through logging and telemetry allows performance to be compared, understood, and improved.
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Data Logging and Telemetry
- 1. Data logging and telemetry: tools for performance optimization Francesco Meschia
- 2. I fly gliders • Since 2000 • Slope soaring since 2003 • FAI F3J since 2006 • Team manager for the F3J Italian team in 2007, 2008, 2011 • Team pilot for the F3J Italian team in 2009 • FAI F5J since 2011
- 3. I fly F3J
- 4. F3J launch • Man-on-man competition (6-15 pilots) • No winches! • Two-men tow with monofilament line (500 ft) • Incredible amount of energy!
- 5. F3J launch tenets • You don’t launch high, you lose • You don’t launch fast, you lose • You don’t launch strong, you lose your friends – towmen, that is
- 6. F3J Launch Optimization: why? • “We’ve been watching the German guys closely, our planes don’t launch nearly as strong as theirs do – we need to understand why, quick!” (G.Gallizia, 2008, after the F3J Eurotour France contest)
- 7. F3J Launch Optimization: what? • Three simple things we can play with – launch camber – elevator preset – towhook position • Can’t be that hard, huh? – well, it turns out it is…
- 8. F3J launch optimization: how? • Need to set a goal • Need to measure the outcome • Need to analyze how the parameters influence the outcome • Need to find a path to improve
- 9. Measure to know • Optimization goal is to extract maximum energy in the shortest time – time is easy to measure – how to measure energy? • Energy at the end of the launch comes in two forms: – gravitational potential energy (i.e. “how high”) – kinetic energy (i.e. “how fast”)
- 10. Tools of the trade: data recorder From top le*, clockwise: www.eagletreesystems.com, www.sm-‐modellbau.de, www.rc-‐electronics.org
- 11. Launch Log Altude Airspeed
- 12. Data recorder: how to install?
- 13. Data recorder: a better installation
- 14. Data recorder: the pod
- 15. Data reduction and analysis • Just altitude and airspeed – ok for end state only • Need something more if we want to understand what’s going on • How does energy “flow” from towing system to plane? – towmen pull line, line pulls plane – wait! the line!
- 16. The importance of the towline • Energy goes into line and from line into model • Line stretches with tension – it is essentially a spring – it is the main “mode” of energy transfer • We need a way to measure line tension!
- 17. Line tension transducer • Suitable load cell manufactured by a French modeler (www.xerivision.com) • Attaches to the towline, hooks onto the towhook – cable brings analog signal to data logger, disconnects upon release
- 18. More data to analyze Altude Tracon Airspeed
- 19. A picture starts to form…
- 20. …with more and more detail…
- 21. …and even more detail…
- 22. …discovering something new… “ringing” 2nd “hump” 1st “hump”
- 23. …to answer old questions almost no “ringing” Only one “hump” Towhook moved 5 mm a*
- 24. Other optimization: the zoom airspeed 50 m/s altude gain 55 m… yield is 43% only!
- 25. Optimizing zoom with snap flap same airspeed, 50 m/s Altude gain now 90 m! yield 70%
- 26. Wait! all this is not telemetry • True, but… – data collection comes first • Real-time telemetry is a useful addition – potentially, another game changer – not allowed by FAI rules, except for safety • Good for training – the pilot should not be looking at a display – audio or buddy relay is to be preferred • Great for team training!
- 27. UniLog and telemetry • Available for Graupner, Multiplex, Jeti • Of course I fly Futaba • Needed to invent something myself – well, almost: the actual inventor is W. Korosec • 2.4 GHz, Bluetooth protocol radio link from UniLog to UniDisplay
- 29. Telemetry as a team project • 3 complete units were built • Used in team training sessions • Data are received directly into PC • Real-time or deferred analysis possible – real time: finding best “float” – deferred: launch setup
- 30. Finding minimum sink setup too steep… trim up… beOer trim maybe down… too perfect! slow…
- 31. Further possibilities • Angular position sensors available – allow AoA and sideslip measurement • Direct servo/receiver current draw measurement • In electric sailplanes/models – current, voltage, input power – RPM, output power, efficiency – climb performance (m/(s*W)), (m/mAh) • Live onboard video feed?
- 32. Radio gear current draw Altude Current draw Pull-‐up
- 33. Electric motor logging Voltage Current Efficiency Altude RPM
- 34. Wrapping up • Real-time, deferred analysis, all is good • Measuring and collecting data over time is key – a way to compare, understand, improve – sharing within a team is equally important – real improvement is possible • New radios are arriving with telemetry – integrated display of telemetry data – sound and speech synthesis (readout, vario, alarms)
- 35. Thank you / QA