MoTeC BR2 BTX User Manual
M oTe C BR2 Lap Beacon Manual
Contents
Introduction ........................................................................ 1
Overview ............................................................................. 3
Operation ............................................................................................................3
Orientation ..........................................................................................................5
Range ................................................................................................................. 5
Alignment............................................................................................................5
Verifying Operation ............................................................................................. 6
Split Beacon Use ................................................................................................6
Configuration - Quick Start ............................................... 7
ADL (using CAN) ................................................................................................7
M8 or M800 ECU ................................................................................................ 8
MDD.................................................................................................................... 8
BTX Beacon Transmitter ................................................... 9
Position ...............................................................................................................9
Spacing between Transmitters............................................................................ 9
Mounting .............................................................................................................9
Aiming / Range .................................................................................................10
Code Number Adjustment................................................................................. 10
LED................................................................................................................... 10
Power................................................................................................................ 11
BR2 Beacon Receiver...................................................... 13
Mounting ........................................................................................................... 13
Range ............................................................................................................... 13
Aiming...............................................................................................................13
Maintenance .....................................................................................................13
LED................................................................................................................... 14
Connection Methods ......................................................................................... 15
Configuration.................................................................... 17
BR2 Configuration Program ..............................................................................17
BR2 Configuration............................................................................................. 18
Connected Device Configuration ......................................................................20
Special Split Beacons (for ADL)........................................................................ 22
Trouble Shooting ............................................................. 25
1. Check the Transmitter................................................................................... 25
2. Check the Receiver....................................................................................... 26
3. Check the Connected Device (for ADL) ........................................................ 27
4. Check the Operating Range.......................................................................... 28
Appendices....................................................................... 29
Appendix A – Range Specification....................................................................29
Appendix B – BTX Specifications...................................................................... 31
Appendix C – BR2 Specifications .....................................................................32
Appendix D – BR2 CAN Messages................................................................... 33
Appendix E – BR2 LED Error Codes ................................................................37
Appendix F – BR2 Configuration Loom............................................................. 38
Appendix G - Transmitter Wiring....................................................................... 39
Appendix H – BR2 Wiring (Switched Output)................................................... 40
Appendix J – BR2 Wiring (CAN) ...................................................................... 41
Appendix K – General CAN Bus Wiring ........................................................... 42
Appendix L – BR2 Mounting Dimensions......................................................... 43
Copyright - MoTeC Pty Ltd - 2002
The information in this document is subject to change without notice.
While every effort is taken to ensure correctness, no responsibility will be taken for the consequences of any
inaccuracies or omissions in this manual.
6 June, 2003
MoTeC Introduction 1
Introduction
This manual covers the operation of the MoTeC Lap Beacon system.
The MoTeC Lap Beacon system consists of a Beacon Transmitter (BTX) and
a Beacon Receiver (BR2).
The Beacon Transmitter is mounted beside the track and the Beacon
Receiver is fitted in the vehicle and connected to a Data Logging or Engine
Management system.
The Lap Beacon system is used to mark the start of a lap. This can be used
by a display to show the driver lap times and lap number and can be used by
a data logging system for lap time and start of lap information. The Lap
Beacon may also be used to generate split times by placing multiple
transmitters around the race circuit.
MoTeC Overview 3
Overview
Operation
The Beacon Transmitter emits a narrow infrared beam, which is encoded with
a number that will only be detected by a receiver system with the same
number. There must be no obstacles between the receiver and the
transmitter.
Code Number
The MoTeC Lap Beacon has 1000 different code numbers. The code number
allows the beacon system to ignore all transmitters other than one with the
correct code number.
Recommended Code Number Settings
The Mode switch is used to avoid two teams in different race categories from
using the same beacon code.
• 999 is reserved for a master beacon that can be setup for the use of
anyone at a race meeting.
• Modes E and F are for use with Pi 2 and Pi 4 equipment respectively.
Transmitter
The code number is selected by setting the Mode & ID (Tens & Units)
switches inside the transmitter to the desired number as mentioned above.
To access the switches first disconnect the power then undo the four screws
and remove the front cover of the unit.
Receiver
The BR2 Beacon Receiver has two different connection methods: CAN Bus or
Switched Output. The setup requirements of the Receiver are different
depending on which connection method is used.
Note: DO NOT remove the cover of the BR2, there are no configuration
switches inside.
4 Overview
CAN Bus Connection Method
This is the recommended method for use with the MoTeC ADL, and the
only method for use with an MDD.
When the receiver detects any Beacon Transmitter it sends the
transmitter number to the connected device via the CAN Bus.
ADL
The ADL must be configured to use the same Mode and ID as
the Transmitter. All other beacon transmitters will be ignored.
The BR2 Beacon Receiver does not normally require the
configuration to be changed when used with an ADL. See the
Beacon Receiver section for more detail.
MDD
The MDD does not require configuration however a special
configuration method is required for the Beacon Receiver when
used with the MDD. This is done using the BR2 Configuration
program. See the Beacon Receiver section for more detail.
Switched Output Connection Method
This method is used for other MoTeC devices that do not support the
CAN Bus connection method such as the MoTeC M8 and M800 ECU.
The BR2 must be configured to only recognise a particular beacon.
This is done using the BR2 Configuration program.
When the BR2 detects a transmitter with a matching Mode and ID a
signal is sent to the connected device via the switched output.
See the Beacon Receiver section for more detail.
MoTeC Overview 5
r
Orientation
The transmitter and receiver must be oriented as shown below.
There must be no obstacles between the receiver and the transmitter.
Direction of Travel
Transmitte
( Mounted Track Side )
Black lens this side
Receiver
( Mounted in Vehicle )
Infrared Beam
Connector to Rear
Up to 40m (130ft)
Range
The MoTeC Lap Beacon system has a range of up to 40m (130ft).
Note: If the receiver is aimed through tinted glass or tinted acrylic sheet
(Plexiglass/Perspex) the range may be reduced substantially. This needs to
be checked for the particular installation by checking the operating range.
Clear glass or clear acrylic sheet is normally OK.
In all cases the range should be tested to ensure that it is at least 1.5 times
the required range. For example, if a range of 10m is required then the tested
range must be at least 15m. The additional range allows a margin to ensure
that a reliable signal is received under all conditions.
See Appendix A – Range Specification for more detail.
Alignment
Both the transmitter and receiver must be aligned to within 5° of optimum
(preferably 2°)
6 Overview
Verifying Operation
See the Trouble Shooting section for test procedures.
Split Beacon Use
The MoTeC Lap Beacon may also be used to generate split times by placing
multiple transmitters around the race circuit. Commonly these are given the
same Mode setting but different ID’s. In this case the ADL will treat all
beacons matching the configured Mode value as split beacons.
Alternatively, if you wish to use only some beacons as split beacons, or use
beacon transmitters with different Mode settings, then these must be listed
using the Advanced Configuration of the BR2 setup software. This is used to
re-map the beacons to a common Mode number.
Split beacons are generally only suitable for private practice, however beacon
Mode 9 has been allocated specifically for split beacon use. It is important to
ensure that only the beacons for split usage are operating on Mode 9
otherwise unexpected beacon signals may be received. Beacon number 999
has been reserved as a master beacon, therefore this ID should generally be
used as the lap beacon. The software for the connected device will normally
need to know the number of the transmitter that marks the start of the lap.
The receiver setup requirements depend on the connection method. See the
Beacon Receiver section for more detail.
MoTeC Configuration - Quick Start 7
Configuration - Quick Start
This section is for users who are familiar with the MoTeC system of lap timers
and briefly covers the configuration required to connect the BR2 to various
MoTeC devices without the presence of split beacons.
More detailed information is available in the Configuration section.
ADL (using CAN)
The CAN connection method is the recommended method for connecting the
BR2 to the ADL and is detailed here.
The beacon Mode and ID do not need to be set in the BR2, instead they are
set in the ADL. This is possible because the BR2 informs the ADL of all
beacons that it sees, this allows the ADL to decide which beacon to use.
The BR2 can also be connected using the Switched Output method, as
detailed in the Configuration section.
BR2 Configuration
Normally the configuration does not need to be changed since CAN operation
is the factory default and the Mode and ID do not need to be entered in the
BR2.
ADL Dash Manager Version
Ensure that the Dash Manager Install is version 2.10F2 or higher and that the
latest firmware has been sent to the ADL.
ADL Lap Time and Number Setup
Set the Beacon Type to ‘BR2 (on CAN)’ and set the Mode and ID to match
the Transmitter.
ADL BR2 CAN Communications Template
The ADL must have the BR2 CAN communications template loaded. The
template can be loaded in the Inputs | Communications Setup on one of the
CAN tabs.
8 Configuration - Quick Start
Note: The ‘Beacon’ channel must be ticked on. In older configurations the
Beacon channel may already be assigned to a digital input, in this case the
beacon must be deleted from the Digital Input so that the beacon channel can
be ticked on in the CAN setup.
Diagnostic Channels
The BR2 sends a large number of diagnostic messages to the connected
device, in the standard BR2 CAN template most of these are turned off. To
use the additional messages tick them on in the CAN setup.
M8 or M800 ECU
The BR2 must be configured for Switched Output and the Mode and ID of the
Beacon Transmitter must be entered.
The ECU must have a digital input configured for beacon operation. The
polarity must be set to ‘Active when input low’.
See the Configuration section for more detail.
MDD
The BR2 must be configured to use the CAN connection. Additionally the BR2
Advanced Configuration settings must also be enabled and the Mode and ID
entered as the first (and normally the only) beacon in the Advanced
Configuration Settings list.
This will require use of the BR2 Configuration Program that is installed with
Dash Manager version 3.00 and later.
Note: To add the Mode and ID to the list under Advanced Settings, the Mode
and ID must first be selected then the Add button must be clicked which will
copy the settings to the list.
The MDD itself does not require configuration.
See the Configuration section for more detail.
MoTeC Beacon Transmitter 9
BTX Beacon Transmitter
Position
The beacon transmitter may be placed at any point around the track.
• It is recommended that the beacon transmitter is always placed in the
same position at a particular track. This avoids offsets when data from a
previous session needs to be compared with the current data. If the same
position cannot be used then the MoTeC Interpreter software can
compensate for the offset in the beacon position.
• To ensure that the lap time recorded is the same as the official lap time,
the beacon transmitter should be placed close to the official timing point –
normally located at the start/finish line.
Spacing between Transmitters
The spacing between adjacent transmitters must be at least 6m (20ft) to avoid
the signals from each transmitter conflicting with each other. This also
includes other manufacturers’ beacons that emit an infrared beam.
Mounting
The beacon transmitter has 4 holes outside the sealing ring of the case.
These holes may be used to mount the unit to a backing plate. Note that the
backing plate should include a hole so that the power LED is visible.
Note that any mounting system must ensure that the case remains watertight.
The transmitter should not be mounted in an enclosed case as very high
temperatures can cause a reduction in transmission power.
10 Beacon Transmitter
Aiming / Range
The Beacon Transmitter must be aimed so that the infrared beam is parallel
to the road and at the same height above the road as the vehicle receiver,
therefore the mounting system must be capable of height and tilt adjustment.
The unit must be mounted within 5 degrees (2 degrees preferred) of optimum.
Beam Pattern
The approximate infrared beam pattern is shown below. The pattern shows
the limits of operation.
Transmitter
5m (approx)
Up to 40 m (130ft)
Code Number Adjustment
Turn the power off before adjusting the code number to avoid accidental
damage to the electronics.
The code number is set using the rotary switches inside the unit. To access
the switches remove the 4 screws from the front cover of the unit.
LED
The LED has three colours that have the following meanings:
Green
Orange
Red
OK
Low battery voltage ( Less than 10.5V )
Fault or very low battery voltage
MoTeC Beacon Transmitter 11
• The beacon transmitter will operate when the LED is orange, however the
transmitted power is reduced which reduces the operating range.
Power
The unit should be powered from a 12V rechargeable battery. A small sealed
lead acid battery is recommended as it can be easily charged and will operate
the transmitter for several days. A capacity of 10Ahr or greater is
recommended. The battery may also be used as a weight at the base of the
mounting system for stability.
Connect the red wire to battery positive, and the black wire to battery
negative.
Note that the unit requires at least 10.5 V for proper operation.
It is recommended that the battery be charged regularly to ensure good
battery life.
See Appendix G - Transmitter Wiring for connection details.
MoTeC BR2 Beacon Receiver 13
BR2 Beacon Receiver
Mounting
The BR2 mounting may need to be designed to allow it to be mounted at
either side of the vehicle, depending on which side of the track the transmitter
will be located. See Appendix L – BR2 Mounting Dimensions for details.
Notes:
• The receiver window (rectangular black window) and LED must not be
obscured.
• Do not mount near a radio transmitter or radio transmitter antenna.
• Do not mount near the engine ignition system.
Range
The MoTeC Lap Beacon has a range of up to 40m (130ft).
See Appendix A – Range Specification and Range in the Overview section for
more detail.
Aiming
The unit must be mounted within 5 degrees (2 degrees preferred) of optimum.
See the diagram in the Overview section for details.
Maintenance
Keep the receiver window clean (the rectangular black window).
Ensure that the BR2 is aligned correctly - within 5 degrees of optimum (2
degrees preferred)
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