MoTeC Interpreter User Manual
M oTe C Interpreter User’s Manual
Introduction ........................................................................ 1
Welcome.............................................................................................................1
Additional Documentation ................................................................................... 1
Overview ............................................................................. 3
System Logging Options and Accessories.......................................................... 3
Software Summary............................................................. 6
Software Navigation............................................................................................ 6
Preferences ........................................................................................................7
Printing................................................................................................................ 7
Acquiring Data.................................................................... 8
Dash/Logger .......................................................................................................8
Engine Management System M800/M880 ..........................................................8
Engine Management System M4/48/M8 ............................................................. 9
Logging Modes ...................................................................................................9
File Format........................................................................................................ 10
Vehicle Details ..................................................................................................10
Channel Setup ..................................................................................................10
Analysis Tools.................................................................. 13
Graphical Analysis ............................................................................................13
Track Map.........................................................................................................17
Mixture Map ......................................................................................................22
Mathematics .....................................................................................................23
Histogram .........................................................................................................27
Statistics ...........................................................................................................29
Virtual Dash ......................................................................................................30
XY Graph .......................................................................................................... 31
Appendix 1 Graph Hot Keys ........................................... 33
Cursor ............................................................................................................... 33
Components .....................................................................................................33
Zoom................................................................................................................. 34
General ............................................................................................................. 35
Copyright – Motec Pty Ltd – 1998-2002
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.
26 August, 2002
MoTeC Introduction 1
Introduction
Welcome
Thank you for purchasing a MoTeC Data Acquisition and Analysis System.
MoTeC provides a range of powerful and flexible Engine Management
Systems and Dash/Loggers, all of which incorporate data acquisition facilities.
This manual provides an introduction to data acquisition using these systems
and documents the features of the MoTeC Interpret program, which is used
for data analysis and display.
Throughout this manual look for this icon to find interesting tips and
information.
Additional Documentation
Additional documentation is available in the form of User Manuals, Drawings
and Tech Notes. MoTeC can supply the latest Indexes to these documents
and any of these items as required.
User Manuals cover the individual MoTeC products such as:
Engine Management Systems
Dash/Data Acquisition Systems
Lap Beacons
Professional Lambda Meter
Drawings cover the following categories:
Accessories
ECUs
Looms
Ignition Modules
Combined Module & Trigger Systems
Trigger Systems
Valves
Sensors
Miscellaneous
Tech Notes cover topics such as:
Traction Control
Boost Control
2 Introduction
Idle Speed Control
Drive By Wire
Wide Band Lambda Sensor
MoTeC Overview 3
Overview
MoTeC Interpreter is an advanced analysis tool to assist in unloading of
logged data from MoTeC products and for quick, efficient data analysis and
display. Data may also be retrieved from alternate file formats and converted
to MoTeC log data, for users migrating from alternate data acquisition
systems (contact MoTeC for details).
The information contained within the log files may be viewed in a variety of
formats, from a short summary of the session for a quick systems check
through to many formats of graphical and text display including:
Graphing against time or distance
Track mapping
Rainbow charts
Engine Histogram
XY Scatter Plot
Air/Fuel mixture map
Statistics
Etc.
Mathematical data analysis is also included to smooth data, calculate
handling traits (such as understeer/oversteer) and other powerful analysis
tools. The capabilities of MoTeC Interpreter are controlled by the options
enabled in the MoTeC ECU or ADL Dash/Logger.
System Logging Options and Accessories
Basic Logging
The MoTeC Dash/Logger has 384kB as standard, this can be upgraded with
several options as listed below. Basic logging is optional on the MoTeC M800
or M4/48 Engine Management Systems. There is 1Mb of memory available
with the M800, 4Mb with the M880 and 512kB with the M4/48.
The ADL allows user defined logging rates of 1 – 1000 samples/second, and
1 – 200 samples/second on an M800/880. Several analysis techniques are
provided with basic logging, including Graphical Analysis, Mixture Maps and
Statistics. However the more advanced functions are available only with the
Pro-Logging option.
4 Overview
ADL Logging Options
1MB Upgrade
Upgrades the MoTeC Dash/Loggers logging memory from 384kB to 1MB.
2MB Upgrade
Upgrades the MoTeC Dash/Loggers logging memory from 1MB to 2MB.
4MB Upgrade
Upgrades the MoTeC Dash/Loggers logging memory from 2MB to 4MB. Also
includes Fastest Lap and Burst Logging Modes.
8MB Upgrade
Upgrades the MoTeC Dash/Loggers logging memory from 4MB to 8MB. Note
that this is only available with the ADL-8.
Pro Logging
Pro Logging is optional on both the MoTeC M800 Engine Management
System and MoTeC Dash/Logger. Pro Logging adds sophisticated
functionality to the capabilities offered in Basic Logging. These extra functions
include Multiple Graph Overlays, extra Mathematics, Virtual Dash and others.
Backlit Display
Available at time of order, the ADL can be specified with an electroluminescent backlit display.
Extended Inputs and Outputs
Increases the number of Input and Output pins available for MoTeC Dash
Loggers. See the appropriate User manual or brochure for further details.
Wideband Lambda Inputs
Two wideband, temperature compensated Lambda (exhaust gas mixture
strength) inputs are optional on both the MoTeC M800 Engine Management
System and MoTeC Dash/Logger. The M4/48 has the option for a single
wideband Lambda input.
MoTeC Overview 5
Telemetry
Gives ‘in the pits’ viewing of real time data of a vehicle in action. Supports
both continuous and ‘end of lap’ data transmission. The user can define a
multiple page setup to view the data as text, warning alarms, numerics, bar
charts, gauges, scrolling charts and moving track maps.
Lap Beacon Transmitter/Receiver
The MoTeC infrared beacon system provides 990 unique channels for lap
timing. A lap beacon is essential for logging lap times, generating track
maps and overlaying data. See the beacon user manual for further details.
6 Software Summary
Software Summary
MoTeC Interpreter is designed for the Windows95/98/ME/XP® and Windows
NT/2000® operating system.
Note: The log data unload feature is only available when operating in
Windows®.
MoTeC Interpreter requires a Pentium® (or equivalent) processor with 16Mb
of RAM (recommended 32Mb).
6Mbytes of hard drive space is required for installation, however it is
recommended that at least 30Mbytes of hard drive space is free at all times
for new log data storage and general system reliability.
Software Navigation
Moving around within MoTeC Interpreter, as in any Windows® program, can
be achieved via either the Keyboard or a Pointing Device (Mouse, Trackball,
etc). Keyboard ‘Hot Keys’, ‘pop up’ and ‘pull down’ menus are all provided to
allow the user to navigate using their preferred technique.
The use of a combination of keyboard ‘Hot Keys’ keys and the pointing device
is usually the fastest way to control a program, especially when using the
sometimes difficult pointing device supplied with most notebook computers.
The Alt key will activate the pull down menus of the application currently
running, while the arrow keys allow navigation through the menu, and the
Enter key activates the menu item currently highlighted. A number of more
frequently used functions may have ‘Hot Keys’ to enable direct access without
using the menus. These ‘Hot Keys’ will be shown against the pull down
menu items, memorize the ones that may be useful to you.
The screen cursor moves in response to movement of the Mouse (Pointing
Device). Using the left mouse button when the cursor is on top of a menu
item or command button will activate that function. Double clicking an object
will usually select the object, while a right click will generally display the
relevant menu items for an object in a ‘Popup Menu’. This is usually a more
convenient way of accessing the menu functions. A description of specific
shortcut keys is included in later sections of this manual.
MoTeC Software Summary 7
Preferences
MoTeC Interpreter has a variety of options for the analysis and display of
logged data. The user can control the appearance and functionality of the
software by adjusting the preferences. These are accessible from the File
Menu of the main Interpreter screen and from the main menu of each analysis
function.
Printing
MoTeC Interpreter has the capability to print all analysis screens on a wide
range of printers. A standard Windows™ print dialog is provided for
customization of the printing options such as print quality, orientation, etc.
8 Acquiring Data
Acquiring Data
Data for analysis may be downloaded from a number of MoTeC products if
the data logging option has been enabled. The data does not have to be
unloaded by the computer that is used for data analysis, however log files can
be up to several megabytes in size therefore a simple computer network
would be the preferred way to transfer logged data files between computers.
Dash/Logger
Data is downloaded from an ADL Dash/Logger via a MoTeC CAN cable
attached to the parallel port of a Laptop/Desktop computer. Downloading
can be initiated from either MoTeC Dash Manager or MoTeC Interpreter by
selecting the "Unload Dash" function. The CAN cable can be disconnected
from the vehicle when the scrolling status bar has disappeared and while the
downloaded data is being converted into log file format. Should it be
necessary to disconnect the CAN cable prior to the download being
completed the data downloaded to that point will be available for analysis.
This file will contain the most recent data as the Dash/Logger downloads the
newest data first.
The PC can download a 4Mbyte data set from a MoTeC ADL in
approximately one minute.
Engine Management System M800/M880
Data is downloaded with a MoTeC CAN cable. The download is initiated from
Interpreter by clicking on the “Unload M800/M880ECU” icon in the toolbar, or
from the ‘Connect’ menu. Note that Interpreter cannot unload the log data if
the EMP tuning software is still running.
Data from ECU’s with software version 1.1 and above are downloaded via a
MoTeC CAN cable attached to the parallel port of a Laptop/Desktop
computer. This can be initiated by clicking on the “Unload M800/880 ECU”
icon on the toolbar, or by selecting the appropriate item from the ‘Connect’
menu.
The PC can download a 4Mbyte data set from a MoTeC M880 in
approximately one minute.
MoTeC Acquiring Data 9
Engine Management System M4/48/M8
Data is downloaded from the ECU via a MoTeC PC Interface cable attached
to the serial port of a Laptop/Desktop computer. Care must be taken to
ensure that the correct (labeled) end is attached to the ECU as both ends of
the cable use the same style of connector. The download is initiated from
within the DOS MoTeC Interpreter program by choosing the “Get Log Data”
then “Unload ECU” menu items. For the Windows MoTeC Interpreter
program click on the “Unload ECU” Icon in the toolbar or use the same
function from the Pull Down or Pop Up menus.
Note: For M4 ECU’s with a serial number of greater than 3000 running
version 6 or above software, a PCI cable is no longer needed to interface with
a PC. A standard serial comms cable can be used instead.
The PC can download a full 512kB data set from a MoTeC ECU in
approximately two minutes.
Logging Modes
The MoTeC ADL data logging system provides a range of techniques for
recording information about the performance of an engine and chassis. These
logging modes are Normal Logging, Fastest Lap logging and Burst Logging.
MoTeC ECU’s have only ‘Normal Logging’ and log whenever the engine is
running.
Normal Logging
Normal logging mode is the most common method for recording data, and will
satisfy the needs of the majority of users. Normal logging begins recording
data once the Start Logging condition is TRUE and continues logging until
the Stop Logging condition becomes TRUE. The Channels to be recorded
are defined in the configuration of the ADL or ECU. The number of samples
per second, for each channel, is defined in the device configuration.
Fastest Lap Logging (4MB and 8MB Logging Option
Only)
Fastest Lap Logging is similar to Normal Logging, where the channels to be
recorded and the number of samples per second is defined individually for
each channel. Data is recorded for the time between two lap beacons, and
stored if the lap time was faster then the previously recorded fastest lap.
10 Acquiring Data
Fastest Lap Logging is useful for fast recording of chassis channels, such as
suspension position and force without quickly consuming the logging memory
of the device.
Fastest lap logging uses a portion of the main logging memory, check
the logging time display to see how much normal logging is available
Burst Logging (4MB and 8MB Logging Option Only)
Burst Logging allows a fast, short duration, event to be recorded at a high
sampling rate. The channels to be recorded are selected as normal,
however all channels are logged at the same rate. A burst logging buffer is
recorded when the Burst logging condition is TRUE, however the trigger point
in the buffer can be set between 0 and 100%, to allow data to be recorded
before the trigger event happened.
Burst logging uses a portion of the main logging memory, check the
logging time display to see how much normal logging is available
File Format
Logged data unloaded from a MoTeC device is stored in the MoTeC data
logging format. The file structure was designed as a fast, flexible and
extendable means to store logged data and vehicle details for analysis and
display.
Vehicle Details
The MoTeC file format also has the ability to store a wide range of vehicle
details to provide a record of the vehicle settings for the session in which the
data was logged. It is important that this information is updated each time
data is downloaded, both for keeping accurate records, and some Interpreter
math calculations.
Channel Setup
There are a wide range of sensors that can be used to record information
about the performance of a driver, vehicle drivetrain and chassis. The
following sensors are an example of the most common channels of
information used in chassis analysis, and the important considerations
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