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SPEEDBOX / OperationAndConfiguration

1.  Operating the SPEEDBOX

1.1  Powering up and Initialising the SPEEDBOX

After installing and connecting the SPEEDBOX as described in the installations instructions it is then ready to power up and initialise. When powered up the SPEEDBOX automatically commences its initialisation routine. Within a few seconds the unit will begin to produce output data from the accelerometer. Meanwhile the SPEEDBOX continues to search for satellite lock, which may take up to a few minutes. It is therefore recommended to power up the SPEEDBOX at least 10 minutes before use, to ensure that the initialisation process is completed before commencing any testing. The SPEEDBOX continuously provides GPS status messages over the CAN output in the following format:

1.2  Making measurements with the SPEEDBOX

When normal operation is established the SPEEDBOX then provides continuous data over all output channels and is ready to commence testing. The outputs from the SPEEDBOX are designed to be logged by a PC or data logger, or can be connected to a Race Technology dashboard if a real time in-vehicle display is required. Alternatively, the SPEEDBOX Live Monitor Tool can be used to view the output data in real time via serial connection to a laptop or PC. The serial output from the SPEEDBOX is in Race Technology's own data format. This is essentially a simple wrapper comprising a channel number and a checksum around raw hex (big-endian) integer data values. Further information on the Race Technology serial output format is available here. It should be noted that due to legacy device interfacing issues there are two different signing formats used, depending on the message in question - either sign-and-magnitude or two's complement. The convention for the sign bit in the case of sign-and-magnitude is '1' for a positive number and '0' for a negative number.

1.3  Configuring the SPEEDBOX outputs

To reconfigure the SPEEDBOX outputs you need to run the configuration program. The software supplied with the SPEEDBOX must first be installed onto a PC. The configuration tool is then accessible through the "Programs" heading on the Windows Start menu, under the "SPEEDBOX" section of the Race Technology Software menu.

The SPEEDBOX is supplied with all outputs configured to the factory default settings. This configuration sets the pulse output at a rate of 10 pulses per meter and sets the FSD of the analogue speed output to 100m/s. Default CAN settings are 29 bit addresses, 500kbps output rate, and addresses 0x500 to 0x507 used for the standard output messages. Note that the default configuration will be displayed on the configuration program at start-up regardless of the actual configuration of the SPEEDBOX since the program writes to the SPEEDBOX only; it does NOT read any configuration details from the SPEEDBOX. To reconfigure the outputs the procedure is as follows:

1) Ensure that the SPEEDBOX is turned off (remove power supply connection to the unit).

2) Ensure that the SPEEDBOX wiring loom is connected to the 12-way main connector on the SPEEDBOX case and connect the serial connector on the wiring loom to the serial port of the PC. A USB to RS232 adaptor is available from Race-Technology if required for PCs that lack a serial port, such as some laptops.

3) Start the configuration program. You will then be presented with the following window:

4) After entering the required values in the fields provided, ensure that the correct serial port is selected, and then press the button labelled "Send configuration data now!".

5) Next, immediately reconnect the 12V power supply to the SPEEDBOX within 2 seconds of pressing the "Send configuration data now!" button. Successful communication between the configuration program and the SPEEDBOX will be confirmed by the following window. Press "OK" to continue.

6) The SPEEDBOX will now be reconfigured with the new output settings. This should take no more than a few seconds. Do not close the program or switch off the SPEEDBOX until the completion notification below is shown. Press "OK" to continue.

7) Reconfiguration is now complete. The SPEEDBOX work normally using the new configuration with no further power cycle required. However, if the SPEEDBOX should "hang" after configuration, then power cycle the unit in order to resolve the problem. If the unit should still fail to start, it is likely that the existing configuration was erased, but the new configuration was not correctly written. To correct this you will need to repeat the configuration procedure starting from Step 1), above.

1.4  Updating the SPEEDBOX Firmware

To reflash the SPEEDBOX firmware you need to run the reflash program. The software supplied with the SPEEDBOX must first be installed onto a PC. The reflash utility is then accessible through the "Programs" heading on the Windows Start menu, under the "Other" section of the Race Technology Software menu.

The SPEEDBOX should only be reflashed with approved firmware updates provided by Race Technology. The SPEEDBOX will only accept reflash commands for a very short period (about 2 seconds) from startup, after which it switches to normal operation. In order to configure the SPEEDBOX, the reflash program is started first, and continually attempts to connect to the SPEEDBOX. When the SPEEDBOX is switched on it detects the attempted connection from the reflash program, sends the correct response, and does not switch to normal operation until reflashing is complete. The following sequence of operations must be performed in the correct order in order to reflash the SPEEDBOX:

1) Ensure that the SPEEDBOX is turned off (remove power supply connection to the unit).

2) Ensure that the SPEEDBOX wiring loom is connected to the 12-way main connector on the SPEEDBOX case and connect the serial connector on the wiring loom to the serial port of the PC. A USB to RS232 adaptor is available from Race-Technology if required for PCs that lack a serial port, such as some laptops.

3) Start the SPEEDBOX reflash program on the PC. Select the required hex file with which to reflash the SPEEDBOX (this will be new firmware file provided by Race Technology, with a .hex file extension), select the correct serial port, then press “Reflash SPEEDBOX now!”

4) Immediately reconnect the 12V power supply to the SPEEDBOX. At this point the reflash program will display a progress indicator. When this has reached 100% the reflash is complete. Exit the reflash progress indicator.

5) After reflashing is complete the SPEEDBOX 12V power supply should once more be cycled by turning off for a few seconds and then back on again. The SPEEDBOX should then resume normal operation with the new settings. If the unit should still fail to start, it is likely that the existing firmware was erased, but the new firmware was not correctly written. To correct this you will need to repeat the reflash procedure starting from Step 1), above.