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Sunswift III- the present
...l UNSW Sunswift III seats two people and is approximately 2m wide, 6m long and 1m high. What is the telemetry system? A significant portion of the car’s electrical system, including the indicators, brake...
Race Day 1 - Sunday
Summary
We started off without a hitch, so much so we decided to take a nap about 2 hours in just to give some of the other teams a fighting chance. In reality we stopped for a driver change and to fix up the telemetry data, which got knocked out. We managed to gain back our position and are currently in 8th place, with MIT being the only silicon car ahead of us. We’re optimistic our quality aerodynamic design and sophisticated strategy algorithms will narrow the gap tomorrow.
Another piece of bad news is that the solar car bumped up against our Lead vehicle on the way out of Darwin. It seems a little part of the array was damaged, which we’re very disappointed about. We’re just happy we made it out of Darwin okay, it is a very hectic scene with 30 solar car teams (and their fleets) making their way out on a public road. Lots of overtaking put a lot of stress on Control and the Solar Car lead to a small collision.
Mechanical
The Mech guys are very happy to report that the only mechanical issue encountered during the day was our spats coming loose. This happened because the tape we used failed from the heat. A quick 5-minute stop solved this issue for the rest of the day.
Electrical
We diagnosed the array damaged and only had to bypass 3 out of 400 cells. There was also a minor wiring issue, which caused some shorting, however that was fixed quickly after it was diagnosed.
...e of the other teams a fighting chance. In reality we stopped for a driver change and to fix up the telemetry data, which got knocked out. We managed to gain back our position and are currently in 8th place, w...
We're off!
Set off at 10am from Scarborough beach with Peta Tracey as the first driver. Made it up the 6% incline of Green Mountain with no problems, in fact the Telemetry Bus had trouble keeping up! Bronwyn had heaps of fun with passing road trains. Emily had the final drive for the day and we are camped at......acey as the first driver. Made it up the 6% incline of Green Mountain with no problems, in fact the Telemetry Bus had trouble keeping up! Bronwyn had heaps of fun with passing road trains. Emily had the final ...
Sunswift partners with Benelec Australia for communications systems
Recently, team leader Jono Pye and communications coordinator Etienne Le Sueur (pictured right) met with Benelec Australia general manager David Benchoam (pictured left), to discuss a sponsorship proposal which would see Benelec become Sunswift's Communications Provider for the 2009 World Solar Challenge.
David has agreed to provide the team with CB radios, antennas, wireless access points for the telemetry system, and the full support of Benelec's expert staff to discuss any issues or problems we have with our communications systems.
We are grateful for this partnership, as it forms a solid bond between an Australian based company and a team which holds reliable communication in high regard....
David has agreed to provide the team with CB radios, antennas, wireless access points for the telemetry system, and the full support of Benelec's expert staff to discuss any issues or problems we have wi...
WSC09 Race Strategy - every possible angle covered
By understanding that strategy is an important facet of the 2009 World Solar Challenge, Sunswift team members have undertaken a huge development task.
Sunswift IVy's electrical system provides a vast amount of data to the strategist, but recording and analysing that data is a daunting feat. To help with strategy decisions, we have designed a piece of software that interfaces with the car's telemetry system, and provides a visual display of data being transferred from the solar car. Scanalysis is written in Python with a GTK user interface and runs on both Linux and Mac OS, and with a mobile wireless network between all of the vehicles in our fleet, everyone in the team will be able to see live and up-to-date statistics on the car."The analysis that this software allows us to perform will allow Sunswift IVy to perform at her most efficient throughout the race, it will allow us to monitor, among other statistics, tracker output, array temperature, tyre pressure, battery voltage and temperature, and detailed motor controller information", says electrical team member Etienne Le Sueur
Scanalysis is under constant development, and will also allow us to make updates to our website while on the race, so look forward to live updates from Sunswift later in October!...o help with strategy decisions, we have designed a piece of software that interfaces with the car's telemetry system, and provides a visual display of data being transferred from the solar car. Scanalysis is w...
Better Know a World Solar Challenge: The Fleet
We have 6 cars in the Sunswift fleet, who are all assigned to UHF channel 14. Their names and roles are as follows (and travel southbound in this order):
Scout aka ‘The Gopher’
Scout is responsible for ‘scouting’ ahead of the fleet for road obstacles and potential overtaking manoeuvres. Scout also tends to floor it ahead of control stops to scout for petrol stations so that the fleet can get refuelled and out of the control stop in the 30 minutes given by the regulations. Scout is quick and nimble and gets tasked with acquiring anything the fleet needs at a moments notice.
Lead aka ‘The Toolbox’
Lead has the tilter-trailer (the rig we use to attach the array onto and tilt towards the sun to charge the batteries – this tilting provides a massive boost in power after we have to top at 5pm each day to set up camp). Lead is responsible for calling oncoming traffic, and its presence required by regulations. It provides a controlled buffer between the solar car and the rest of the Stuart Highway. In addition they carry our generator and a lot of the toolboxes we need for camp.
Solar Car aka ‘The Pretty One’
You’ve seen the pictures and will see many more as internet connectivity improves. Our drivers are Clara and Alex, and have the arduous task of driving the solar car upwards of 70km/h on a highway in 30+ degree heat. Some air comes in to keep the car cool, but if too much did it would increase the drag of the solar car – which ultimately would mean they would be driving for longer to reach Adelaide.
Control aka ‘The Master of Ceremonies’
Aside from having the job of ensuring the solar car’s safety, Control direct the car at every movement. All radio communications goes the Control and they run the show. In addition our strategy guys are housed in the back of Control and provide the optimum speed for the solar car to travel at, taking into consideration sunlight, weather, topography, battery charge, amongst other things. They monitor the telemetry systems to make sure everything inside the solar car is working as it should be, from the motor controller temperature to the tyre pressure, Control monitors it all.
Trailer aka ‘The Suitcase’
Trailer carries our trailer for transporting IVy, but also fills the important role of calling overtaking vehicles. It’s important that Control know there is a car wanting to overtake, and having Trailer 500m behind Control allows for some time to make sure it is safe. Trailer also carries all our swags, luggage and spare tyres.
Cavalry aka The Cavalry.
Sam, Tim and Scotty are affectionately called the Cavalry as this is the most appropriate name we could think of. They are not technically part of Sunswift’s WSC ’09 team however they travel along with us and provide advice and assistance with things like safety procedures. Tom and Scotty have both been on WSC ’07 and so having their experience around is invaluable. And Sam is just generally awesome to have around.
That’s it for now folks. I’ll try get a few more “Better Know a World Solar Challenge” posts up before the end of the race.
...consideration sunlight, weather, topography, battery charge, amongst other things. They monitor the telemetry systems to make sure everything inside the solar car is working as it should be, from the motor con...
Team History
...r, from the high voltage battery pack and array, to the low voltage lights and horn, as well as the telemetry network, which sends vital information about the car to the support vehicles. While CAN s...
Sunswift III Drives around Sydney
This Sunday (18th January, 2009), beginning at 9:00AM, the UNSW Solar Racing Team's record holding Sunswift III will take a lap of honour around greater Sydney and across the Harbour Bridge finishing in the botanical gardens......and get a sneak preview of the team's new vehicle design. A live feed with route, present location, telemetry data (including speed, power usage, solar panel output, etc) and a webcam image will be available r...
Test Run #4 - Lake George
Amidst the onset of the dreaded university mid-semester exams, the UNSW SRT is yet again on the road testing our latest improvements to the solar car.
Despite the overcast conditions with which the day started, the skies cleared by mid-morning to......l of 288 km. Focuses for this testing run included rigorous testing of the telemetry and cruise control systems, and was another excellent opportunity to practice our race driv...
Our Team
... drive the solar car, and help to increase the driving range and top speed of the car. Telemetry The entire car is monitored by numerous devices, connected with a Control Area Network (CAN) a...
