Data Aquisition System (DAQ)

The DAQ system collect, logs and transmits real-time sensor data from our vehicle to support driver safety, performance analysis, and debugging. The DAQ system interfaces with multiple analog/digital sensors and streams data over CAN to the VCU and other subsystems.

Contents

• Overview
• System Context
• Project Status
• Hardware
• Firmware / Software
• DAQ Additional Information
• Getting Started
• Calibration & Procedures
• Safety & FSAE Compliance
• Maintainers
• License

Overview

The purpose of the DAQ system is to enable Phantom to monitor, log, and analyze sensor data in real time, supporting both driver feedback** and engineering development. It consolidates analog and digital signals (temperatures, pressures, wheel speed) into standardized CAN messages. Logged data is used for post-drive analysis and compliance with Formula SAE rules.

Key Features

• Reads analog and digital sensor signals (wheel speed, two pressure sensors, two temperature sensors, IMU).
• Communicates over CAN with the VCU and optionally with external loggers.
• Supports data logging for validation, driver feedback, and debugging.
• Modular firmware for easy addition of new sensors.

Design Goals

• Reliability under track conditions.
• Easy calibration and debugging.
• FSAE rule compliance (DAQ required for scrutineering).
• Expandability for future sensors.

System Context

Project Status

• Stage: WIP (currently bench-testing on ESP32, car integration ongoing).

• Current board/major revision: Rev 4 (ESP32-based DAQ board)

• Last validated on: <2025‑08‑15>

• Open risks:

• CAN bus error handling not yet validated

Hardware

• MCU / ICs: ESP32, ADS1115 (I^2C), CAN transceiver (SN65HVD230).

• Files: DAQ Rev 4 Schematic

Firmware / Software

• Language/SDK: C++ with Arduino-ESP32 framework, Python for data visualization.

• Build System: PlatformIO (VSCode).

• Key Modules: state machine, CAN, ADC, logic, etc.

DAQ additional Information

Note:

• The original DAQ project was developed in Python for the Raspberry Pi 4.
• Due to supply shortages, the project switched to an ESP32 microcontroller.
• The codebase for the original project can be found in this branch: https://github.com/sfuphantom/DAQ/tree/RaspberryPi-Archive-2021.

Getting Started

Prerequisites

• VSCode with PlatformIO extension installed.
• To ensure that VSCode recognizes the Arduino include paths, open the DAQ_FW folder.

Calibration & Procedures

Safety & FSAE Compliance

• EV.7.1.4 – BMS, IMD, and BSPD must each have independent circuits capable of opening the shutdown system.
• EV.4.6 – Series-provided energy meter must monitor TS voltage/current. DAQ supplements this by logging additional sensor data for analysis.
• Accumulator monitoring – At least one temperature sensor required inside the accumulator; DAQ can optionally mirror these values.
• Wheel speed (T.11.x) – Required for scrutineering; DAQ measures and provides wheel speed data to the dashboard and logs for inspection.
• Cooling system monitoring – While not explicitly mandated, DAQ logs coolant pressure/temperature and raises fault signals to the VCU to protect HV components.

Maintainers

Lead: Sera Members: Andrew, Igor

Previous Lead: Raf Previous Members: Lona, Ethan

License

Licensed under the MIT License.