Dan JanssenKyle KolasinskiBrad De Young

Why use a performance model? What the software does The problem to be solved Requirements Implementation

North American Solar Challenge2400 mile solar car race across US and

CanadaStarted in 1990 July, 2008 will be 9th raceAround 30 competing universities participateThe Sunseeker is 1 of 3 cars to finish every

raceHow to best utilize the car’s energy?

Why model a solar cars performance?Predict energy usage Predict distance that can be traveled Compare predicted performance with actual

and adjust variables if necessary

What the software doesAllows the model to be run on the flyLogs all of the dataGives a graphical comparison of the predicted

and actual performance

HardwareGPS unitRadio modem

SoftwareLinux environmentQt – GUI toolkitGrace – graph packageGPSD – library to talk with GPS unit

3 parts:ModelUser InterfaceGraphical View

Rotational Resistance & Friction

Cloud CoverCloud Cover

Velocity Change in Altitude

INPUTS OUTPUTS

Speed Weather Data Terrain Car Information

Energy Power Battery Charge

PLAN FILE ROUTE FILE

Speed Wind Heading Wind Speed Cloud Cover

Speed Limit Stops dX/dY/dZ Altitude Latitude/Longitude Stop Time

Real-time data sent from the car via radio modem:Distance traveledEngine temperatureController temperatureVoltageCurrentSpeed

Data logged to a file

A performance model helps to analyze and improve the efficiency of the Sunseeker car

Running the model on the fly allows for the predicted performance to be adjusted if need be

A visual representation of the model eases the process of analyzing the cars performance