AiM MXG User Manual

AiM Srl.

Via Cavalcanti, 8
20063 Cernusco S/N (MI)
Italia
Tel. [phone]

MXG Dash Logger

USER GUIDE

Made in Italy

www.aim-sportline.com

MXG Dash Logger

04

1. INTRODUCTION

06

2. WHAT IS IN THE KIT

08

3. LAYOUT AND PUSHBUT TONS

10

4. GEAR FLASHES AND ALARM LEDS

11

5. ECU CONNECTION

12

6. RPM

12

6.1 RPM FROM ECU

12

6.2 RPM VIA A 550 V SQUARE WAVE SIGNAL OR COIL 150400 V

14

7. SPEED CHANNEL

16

8. ANALOG INPUTS

17

9. DIGITAL OUTPUTS

18

10. RACESTUDIO3 SOFTWARE.

19

10.1 CONFIGURATION

21

10.1.1 DISPLAY CONFIGURATION

22

10.1.2 CHANNELS CONFIGURATION

23

10.1.3 ECU STREAM CONFIGURATION

23

10.1.4 ALARM LEDS, DIGITAL OUTPUT AND SHIFT LIGHTS

CONFIGURATION

10.1.5 MODIFY OR DELETE AN EXISTING CONFIGURATION

26

10.2 CONNEC T YOUR MXG TO A PC

27

10.2.1 CONFIGURATION TRANSMISSION

27

10.2.2 ON LINE VIEW AND CALIBRATION

28

10.2.3 DATA DOWNLOAD

29

11. GPS

30

11.1 TRACK MANAGER FEATURE

30

11.2 FILTERS IN TRACK DATA BASE MANAGEMENT

32

11.3 HOW TO ADD A NEW TRACK TO THE PC DATABASE

34

11.4 HOW TO MODIFY TRACK DATA IN THE PC DATABASE

36

11.5 HOW TO READ, WRITE AND DELETE TRACKS

37

INFORMATION IN MXG

12. EXPANSION

39

13. MXG PINOUT

40

14. TECHNICAL DRAWINGS

42

Thanks.

Dear Customer,

First, we would like to thank you for choosing
the MXG dash logger as the tool for
improving your racing-craft setup and
on-track performance.

The MXG, with its extra wide 7”TFT display,
advanced expansion and sampling
capabilities, gives you the flexibility for
reviewing at your data in your preferred
way and recording them from a variety of
sensors and sources.

Please, before digging into your new data
system, keep in mind that we are constantly
working on bettering our software and
firmware.
So, please, be sure to check our website
periodically for any updates.

www.aim-sportline.com

02 03

CHAPTER 1

INTRODUCTION MXG

What is MXG?

MXG is a color, high-contrast,
high-brilliance 7” TFT dash logger
developed for race car installations.
It is fully customer configurable.

Which data does it
manage?

Data come from a wide range of sources,
including your vehicle ECU, the internal
accelerometers and gyro, the GPS
module included in the kit, the
analog/digital inputs, the external
expansions as well as predefined math
channels.

How many pages does
it show?

You can define up to eight different
fully customizable pages.

Is it possible to configure
the pages?

You can choose among a wide library
of page styles, defining the data to be
shown. Also, end of scales and units of
measure can be easily configured
using the RaceStudio3 software
included in the kit.

How do alarm LEDs
work?

You can configure alarm LEDs
choosing color, blinking frequency and
defining the logic for turning them on
or off.

What is possible with
WiFi?

You can use a WiFi connection for
transmitting the data of your test,

sending data online and for

configuring the system.

Are the data recorded
by MXG compatible
with the old MXL and
EVO4 data?

Yes, MXL used to produce data in DRK
format. MXG offers an improved data
management and produces XRK
format that only RaceStudio3 can read.

Nevertheless, the last releases of
RaceStudio2 can detect XRK files and
transform them into old DRK format
files, compatible with MXL1 and EVO4
files.

What is the difference
between the old DRK
format and new XRK?

XRK, taking advantage from GPS
technology, associates absolute time
(from 1-1-1970) and GPS position to
every data with the precision of 1
millisecond.
In this way, it is possible to better
compare different laps, and
different tests.

What about
RaceStudio3?
What are the
differences between
the old DRK format
and new XRK?

RaceStudio3 is the very new software
for managing configuration, data
download and data analysis for all the
future AiM systems.
It is going to substitute RaceStudio2,
which has accompanied us for almost
15 years.
Based on a totally new and much more
flexible architecture, it is a work in
progress; some features still have to be

developed, so they are actually shared
with RaceStudio2.

We are going to upgrade it very often,
so, please, don’t forget to check our
web site at www.aim-sportline.com.

04 05

2. What is in the kit

The MXG kit includes:

CHAPTER 2

WHAT IS IN THE KIT

MXG

MXG dash logger

GPS05 module Software

Harness

06

MXG Dash Logger

CHAPTER 3

LAYOUT AND PUSHBUTTONS

MXG

Configurable Alarm LEDs 1-4 Configurable Alarm LEDs 5-8Shift Lights

Multifunctional Pushbuttons

Motorsport Connectors

Aluminum Body

08 09

CHAPTER 4 GEAR FLASHES AND ALARM LEDS CHAPTER 5 ECU CONNECTION

MXG

4. Gear Flashes and Alarm LEDs

1

MXG features 10 RGB gear flash LEDs that
can be freely configured in a very flexible
way. For every LED, you can define the RPM

2 2

value at which to turn it on and the colour.
You can also define different RPM values
per every gear number.

1

5. ECU connection

MXG can acquire data from the ECU of your
vehicle.

The list of the ECU protocols available is
published on our site:
http://www.aim-sportline.com/eng/dow­nload/ecu-connections.htm

This list includes approximately 700
different protocols and is constantly
updated with new protocols and upgrades
published every week.

When possible, documents explaining how
to configure your ECU to ensure
compatibility between the data flow
transmitted are available, too.

From the hardware point of view, MXG is
compatible with all currently available
connections: CAN, RS232 or line K.

The steps to manage the data coming from
the ECU are the following:

1. Determine which hardware connection
is available for your ECU.

2. Read the documentation about your ECU
at www.aim-sportline.com and identify the
name of the proper software driver to be
specified.

3. Using Race Studio 3, configure MXG
setting that software driver with the menu
shown here down, that appears when you
create a new configuration.

2

MXG also has 8 different alarm LEDs that
you can configure in order to turn them on
or off depending on the value of the analog
or digital inputs, ECU values, expansion
values, GPS information or math channels.

You can associate an alarm LED, a message
and a digital output with every event.

10 11

You can configure them in order to turn them
off when the condition disappears, when you
push a pushbutton, when the test is finished
or when the data are downloaded after the
test.

Please, read section 10.1.4 in order to see how
to manage gear flashes and alarm LEDs.

The ECU to be selected has to be declared.
When using the configuration software
RaceStudio3, you create a new
configuration of your MXG.

The steps are explained in section 10.1.

6. RPM

CHAPTER 6 RPM

MXG

MXG can get the RPM signal in the following ways:

n

From ECU

n

Through a square wave signal (from 5 to 50 V)

n

From the low voltage (from 150 to 400 V)
of the coil

6.1 RPM from ECU

To get RPM from the ECU please configure your MXG and enable RPM channel as explained in
section 10.1. RPM is one of the many data flowing from your ECU to MXG.

6.2 RPM via a 5-50 V Square Wave Signal or coil (150-400 V)

In case your engine is not managed by any ECU, MXG can read the signal from the low voltage
of the coil (whose peak can be from 150 to 400 V) or from a possible square wave (the peak
can be from 5 to 50V). The PIN labelled "rpm" reported in appendix “Pinout” receives the
signal:

The image shows an example of wiring for
the ignition system.

The output, labelled “GREY TACH” gives a
5-50V output that can be directly acquired
from EVO4. If the output is not available
from the ignition system, the system has to
be connected to the low voltage of the coil,
as shown in the following schematic.

2

1

3

Point 1: Low voltage of the coil
Point 2: Connected to the spark plug
Point 3: Connected to the +12V of the

battery

1

2

3

After connecting the RPM signal, please use
the software Race Studio 3 for enabling the
RPM channel, as explained in section 10.1.

12 13

7. Speed

CHAPTER 7 SPEED

MXG

MXG can receive the speed signal from
three different sources:

n

From the ECU

n

From the GPS receiver included in the kit

n

From the four digital channels

It is, therefore, possible for MXG to receive
and store different values of speed at the
same time; the more powerful ECUs
transmit up to four wheel speed values.

7.1 Speed Read from ECU

If your ECU sends the value of speed in its
data stream, it is obviously possible to read,
record and show that value.
Simply enable use of the software
RaceStudio3, as explained in section 10.1.

7.2 Speed Read from GPS Receiver

The GPS receiver integrated in the MXG kit
is configured in order to obtain the best
performance in terms of reactivity and
accuracy.

7.3 Speed Read from Wheel Sensors

MXG has four wheel speed inputs, one in
the 37 pin connector and the other three in
the 22 pin connector:

The digital sensor X05SNBS00 detects the
presence of a metallic tooth placed at a
distance between 0.5 and 2 mm.

Please use the software RaceStudio3 for
configuring the system.

For getting GPS speed, you don’t need any
configuration. Simply connect the GPS05
Module to your MXG, and after a setup
period of some seconds, the data will be
received and automatically recorded.

14 15

Just enter the program configuration panel
and, after enabling the desired speed
channels, set the wheel circumference and
the number of pulses per revolution.

CHAPTER 8 ANALOG INPUTS CHAPTER 9 DIGITAL OUTPUT MXG

8. Analog Inputs

MXG has 8 analog inputs, recorded up to
1000 times per second each.
You can connect:

n

0-5 Volt signals

n

Ratiometric potentiometers

n

Pressure sensors

n

Thermo-resistances

n

K-type thermocouples

Please use the following steps, using the
software RaceStudio3 as explained in
section 10.1:

n

Connect the sensor to the desired input

n

Enable the channel in the Channels table

n

Select the proper sensor type; sensors of
many different types are properly
handled

n

Set the sampling frequency

n

Set the unit of measure.

n

Temperature sensors

K thermocouples
Thermo-PT100 resistors
Temperature sensors VDO

n

Pressure sensors

VDO 40-120 ° C
VDO 50-150 ° C
VDO 60-200 ° C
MSI 0-2 bar
MSI 0-5 bar
MSI 0-10 bar
MSI 0-2000 psi

n

Potentiometers

Distance
Zero-based
Zero Central

n

Generic sensors

0-50 mV
0-500
0-5 V

9. Digital Output

MXG features two digital outputs in the 22
pins connector.
Each of them can give an output of 1 amp
at 12 volts.
You can configure them in order to turn
them on or off depending upon the value
of the analog or digital inputs, ECU values,
expansion values, GPS information or math
channels.

To every event you can associate an alarm
LED, a message and a digital output.

You can configure them in order to turn
them off when the condition disappears,
when you push a pushbutton, when the
test is finished or when the data are
downloaded after the test.

Please refer to section 10.1.4 in order to see
how to manage the digital outputs.

16 17

10. RaceStudio3 Software

CHAPTER 10 RACESTUDIO3 SOFTWARE

MXG

RaceStudio3 is the powerful software that
you are going to use for all the activities
regarding your MXG.
It offers the following features:

MXG configuration:

Create, modify, delete, export and import
configurations of:

n

Channels

n

ECU drivers

n

Math channels

n

Display pages

n

Alarm

n

Digital outputs

n

Shift lights

n

All the expansions

When you start RaceStudio3, you can see a
pushbutton in the upper left position of the
screen; this lets you swap between
different features:

n

Configurations

n

Track Manager

n

Analysis

n

Online e data download

n

Movies Management

n

Settings Preferences

n

Web Update

Track maps management:

Create, import, export and modify the map
of your racing tracks.
Transmit the maps to your MXG.

Test data download

From your MXG

Data analysis

For looking and compare your data

New firmware releases

downloaded from our site
www.Aim-Sportline.com to upgrade your
MXG automatically. RaceStudio3 software
is provided on a CD included in the MXG kit
or can be downloaded from
www.Aim-Sportline.com in the “Download”
area.

10.1 Configuration

The configuration page is divided in two
sections.
The left side is dedicated to the folders that
you can create and manage in order to
better organize your configurations.
Simply push the [+] pushbutton in order to
create a new one.

When you connect an AiM logger, like your
MXG, its serial number appears in the left
side of your screen. In the right side of the
screen you can see all the configurations of
the selected folder. Please click on the
desired one for editing it or push the
“NEW” pushbutton for creating a new one.

18 19

Please don’t forget to select the proper ECU
brand and model to which connect your
MXG.

After having entered the MXG
configuration page, you can see different
tabs, which are useful for selecting one of
the following configuration features:

CHAPTER 10

RACESTUDIO3 SOFTWARE

10.1.1 Display Configuration

After selecting the OVERLAY configuration
feature, the following page appears:

MXG

n

Overlay

n

Shiftlights and Alarm

n

Channels

n

ECU stream

20

It is divided in two different sections.

On the right, you can select one among
different layouts, while on the right you will
manage the different fields, selecting the
proper information to be shown, the
parameters, labels and the units of
measure.

You can add up to eight pages.

Please use the lower left part of the display
for configuring each channel.

You can define:

n

The channel

n

The name

n

The unit of measurement

n

The end of scale for every channel shown

on the page

When the panel shows the desired
configuration, push “SAVE” or “CLOSE” for
saving the configuration.
In case you have connected your MXG to
the PC, a “TRANSMIT” pushbutton is
available for transmitting the new
configuration to your device.

21

CHAPTER 10

RACESTUDIO3 SOFTWARE

MXG

10.1.2 Channels configuration

Push the tab CHANNELS:

The channel configuration page will appear

With this page you can define all the parameters for your analog inputs, speed inputs and
digital RPM input.

10.1.3 ECU stream configuration

With this feature, you can enable or
disable the data coming from your ECU,
and you can define the frequency for
every channel and change their name.

10.1.4 Alarm LEDs, Digital Output and
Shift Lights

Click “Shift Lights and Alarms” for
managing the Shift Light LEDs, Alarm LEDs
and Digital Outputs.

By clicking on every line, a menu appears:

You can define:

n

The name of the channel

n

The function

n

The position

n

Eventually, the sensor used

n

The sampling frequency

22 23

RACESTUDIO3 SOFTWARE MXG

Shift Lights Configuration Alarms configuration

Using the configuration bar you can
manage, for every LED, color and RPM
threshold value which will turn it on.

Pushing the pushbutton “Option” you can
decide if:

- To keep the LED ON if its threshold is
exceeded

- To keep the LED ON only till another LED
is turned ON

and if the LEDs are managed in depen­dance upon the gear number.
In this case, per every gear number you
have to define the levels at which to turn
them on.

24 25

When you click “Add new alarm” the
window shown in the above picture
appears: here you can define the event the
system has to check and the effect of that
event.

1) Fill the DESCRIPTION field, in order to
easily identify the event in the future.

2) Describe the Alarm: it can be a simple
event, like, for example:

“water temperature is higher than 100 °C”

or a combination of multiple events, like,
for example:
“water temperature is higher than 100 °C”

“Engine RPM is higher than 6000”
You can add different check lines and
define the alarm as a combination of ALL
the events or just ONE of them.

3) Describe what to do when an alarm
arises. MXG can:

n

Turn a LED ON: You have to select the
color and the behaviour (fast/slow blinking
or continuous).

n

Show a TEXT MESSAGE that you have to

define.

Turn one of the two Digital Outputs ON

CHAPTER 10

RACESTUDIO3 SOFTWARE

MXG

4) finally, you have to configure till when

the alarm has to remain in evidence.

There are some options:

n

Till when the condition remains ON

n

Till when the driver pushes a pushbutton

n

Till when the power is turned OFF

n

Till when the data are downloaded
to the PC.

Once configurations are set, a summary will
appear: any time you need to change
settings, just click on the icon and proceed.

The icon at its left recalls the condition you
chose to turn the LED off.

10.1.5 Modify or Delete an Existing
Configuration

For modifying or deleting an existing
configuration, select the desired configuration
to be modified and double click on it:

10.2 Connect Your MXG to a PC

When you connect your MXG to the PC, it is
automatically recognized, and on the left
side of the PC display appears the name of
your device, as shown in the picture.
At this point, you can execute the following
functions:

n

Transmit the configuration

n

On Line view

n

Calibration

n

Data download

This is explained in the next paragraphs.

10.2.1 Configuration Transmission

When you connect an MXG to your PC, the
“TRANSMIT” pushbutton appears at the
top of the configuration page.
Simply push it and the configuration will be
transmitted.

Then, proceed like in the creation of the
configuration.

26 27

CHAPTER 10

RACESTUDIO3 SOFTWARE

MXG

10.2.2 On Line View and Calibration

10.2.3. DataDownload

Push “DOWNLOAD” for downloading the

Push “LIVE MEASURE” for looking at the
data coming from your MXG.

From the Online View, you can calibrate
the channels that require calibration.

28 29

data recorded in your MXG.

You will see the information about the files
recorded in the system: dimension and
date/time of the file creation.

Please select a file and push
“DOWNLOAD” for getting it into your PC.

11. GPS

CHAPTER 11 GPS

MXG

The GPS Module, included in the MXG kit,
provides the following information
updated ten times per second:

n

Position (latitude, longitude, altitude)

n

Speed

n

Longitudinal acceleration

n

Lateral acceleration

In the case that MXG knows the finish line
of the track and the split coordinates, it can
calculate and show:

n

Lap Times

n

Split times

To transmit track information to MXG, use
the Track Manager feature, as explained in
the following section.

11.1 Track Manager Feature

With Track Manager, you can update,
modify, transmit and receive to and from
MXG the coordinates of the finish line and
split points of all the tracks where you are
going to run.

When opening the software, if there is no
system connected to your PC via USB cable,
you will see the screen shown.

As you can see, the screen is divided into
two parts.
On the left you see the track list.
If available, you will see the track layout and
the type of vehicle that usually races on the
track: car, motorcycle or kart.
On the right side of the screen, you will find
a big picture of the track.

Track management command

1

Selection window for dynamic filters

2

Track type: car, bike, karts

3

Track data manager

4

Track shape, with starting line

5

and split points position

Small track shape

6

Track selection

7

Open/Close Country track data

8

1 2 3 4 5

8

7

6

30 31

CHAPTER 11

GPS

MXG

11.2 Filters in Track Data Base

Management

You can filter the list of tracks you need in
different ways.
The filters can be static (1) that is to say, are
recorded and used every time you use Track
Manager, or dynamic (2) that are not saved
when quitting the program.

1

Static Filters

A static filter is activated by the button
“filter” [1].
The window shown here will appear.

2

It will allow you to select nations, the type
of vehicle and type of circuit.
The lists show only countries, vehicles and
types of circuits present at least once in the
database.
For example, if the database does not
include any track in Germany, this country
will not appear in the list.

By default, all countries, types of vehicles
and tracks are enabled.
If you are interested in only the car tracks,
for example, you must disable karts and
motorcycles.

Dynamic Filters

The dynamic filters are activated in the box
at the top left of the screen [2]:
The dynamic filters allow you to further
filter the tracks merging different
characteristics.
For example, when writing "Spain kart,"
you will see only kart circuits in Spain.

32 33

11.3 How to Add a New Track to the PC

Database

CHAPTER 11

GPS

MXG

The official AiM track Database is
continuously growing. To update your PC
database, you can import the new tracks:

Press “Options” then“Import Tracks from

AiM Website”.

To add a new track:

1) Press the button“New.”

2) Enter the name of the track.

3) Enter the required information:

Country, type of circuit (closed, oval or

open) and surface (asphalt, dirt, ice, or
water).

Finally, using the icon buttons, set the type
of vehicle that usually runs on the circuit:

cars, motorcycles or karts.

If you have already run a test on the track
and have downloaded data, you can
associate the shape of the track by pressing
the “Load Shape” button.

You can now select the file “.GPK”
containing the GPS

1

Map of your track session

Please select the proper file, carefully
checking name, date and time of the files.

The shape of the track appears, split in
different laps of the test. It is possible to
scroll through the different laps, zoom and

2

rotate the drawing.

After having selected the desired lap, push
“OK” to save the image of that lap.
That image will be used as a reference
shape for the future.

Finish line coordinates are automatically
calculated but can be modified as desired
in one of the following ways:

3

Define the coordinate by hand: position the
cursor on the desired point of the track and
click the “Cursor Pos” pushbutton.

In case of a point-to-point track, it is
necessary to define the coordinates of the
starting and finish line.
Push “OK” to save the configuration.

1

2

34 35

CHAPTER 11

GPS

MXG

11.4 How to Modify Track Data in the PC

Database

Click the icon on the side.
The window containing the track data will
open.

11.5 How to Read, Write and Delete
Tracks Information in MXG

Connect your system to your PC using the
USB cable.
The Track Manager screen will display two
lists.
On the left are the tracks in your PC and on
the right are the tracks in MXG.

36 37

CHAPTER 11 GPS

CHAPTER 12 EXPANSION

MXG

To transmit track information to MXG

Select tracks to be submitted by clicking on
the square check or on the name of the
track.

To receive track information from MXG

Select tracks to be submitted by clicking on
the square check or on the name of the
track.

12. Expansion

8 AnalogInputs

4 Speed Inputs

SmartyCam HD GP

Lambda Controller

Memory Module

Channel Expansion

GPS05 Module

ECU

1

Drag in the right panel or press the ►
button.
The tracks’ information are updated in the
SmartyCam panel.

Drag in the left panel or press the ◄button.
Tracks’ information are updated in the PC
list.

2

Modular Data Acquisition System

Add expansion modules via our built in CAN bus eg. GPS, external memory modules, channel
expansions, lambda controllers. These are only some of the items that can be added to our
MXG range for incrementing the performance and the data acquired.

38 39

13. MXG Pinout

CHAPTER 13 MXG PINOUT

MXG

PIN

01
02
03
04
05
06
07
08
09
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
31
32
33
34
35
36
37

Deutsch 37pin.

9-15V power in
gnd batt
can+ Exp
gnd
+Vbatt can
can- Exp
+Vbext
Can1+ ECU
Can1- ECU
gnd
k line ECU
USB D+
USB D­gnd
rpm
gnd
+Vbatt
Optical lap
speed1
gnd
+Vbatt
Ain1
gnd analog
+Vbatt
+Vref
Ain2
gnd analog
+Vbatt
+Vref
Ain3
gnd analog
+Vbatt
+Vref
Ain4
gnd analog
+Vbatt
+Vref

Deutsch 37pin. Deutsch 22pin.

PIN

01
02
03
04
05
06
07
08
09
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22

Motorsport Connectors

Deutsch 22pin.

Ain5
gnd analog
+Vbatt
+Vref
Ain6
Ain7
gnd analog
+Vbatt
+Vref
Ain8
speed2
gnd
+Vbatt
speed 3
speed4
gnd
Can2+ ECU
Can2- ECU
Dout1
Dout2
rs232 TX ECU
rs232 RX ECU

40 41

CHAPTER 14 MXG TECHNICAL DRAWINGS

MXG

- Display

- Pixel

- Contrast

- Brightness

- Light sensor

- Alarm LEDs

- Shift Lights

- CAN connections

- Expansion CAN connection

- ECU connections

- Digital outputs

- Analog inputs

- Digital inputs

- Connectors

- Accelerometer + Gyroscope

- Internal memory

- Body

- Pushbuttons

- Dimensions

- Weight

- Waterproof

7” TFT display
800 x 480
1000:1
700cd/m2
Yes
8 RGB freely configurable
10 RGB LEDs freely configurable
3
GPS, Channel expansion, Lambda Controller, SmartyCam
CAN, RS232 or OBDII
2 1A 12v
8 fully configurable
4 Speed inputs, 1 RPM input
2 Motorsport connectors
Internal Three-axial ± 5G+Gyro
4 GB
Anodize Aluminum
Metallic
237x127,6x26mm
950g
IP65

Our web site aim-sportline.comis constantly
updated.

Please, constantly check it and download
the last versions of the firmware of your
products.

42 43