CustomTest

Test Setup

Data Column

Run

Edit Data

The 'Edit Data' button allows the user to enter session specific data such as driver name, track facility and weather data.

Help (F1)

Pressing this 'Help' button will automatically open an internet browsing window and load the relevant section of the Racelogic Support Centre. This page will only be displayed if there is a valid internet connection. If there is no valid internet connection, a cached version of the relevant section (from the last software update) will be presented in PDF form. This can also be accessed by using the keyboard shortcut 'F1'.

Start Conditions(s)

The start conditions denote the circumstances that the test will start.

By using the drop down list, it is possible to select any logged channel as well as the ability to start the test when a gate is crossed, a trigger is activated/deactivated or immediately. If a channel has been selected, the user can then define the positive or negative value at which the test should start.

Note: If a trigger is used as the start condition, the test will not restart if the trigger is activated within 1 second of the previous trigger activation.

By pressing the ‘+’ button, it is possible to define an ‘AND’ condition, for example 'Start when Speed is 40 km/h AND Speed is decreasing'. Pressing the ‘x’ button will remove that condition.

As well as the ‘AND’ condition’ it is also possible to add an ‘OR’ condition. Pressing the ‘Add’ button will add a new box that allows the user to define another set of criteria at which the test can also start.

End Conditions(s)

The End conditions denote the criteria at which the test will end.

By using the drop down list, it is possible to select any logged channel as well as the ability to end the test at the end of the session, when a gate is crossed, a trigger is activated/deactivated, after a set time or after a set distance. If a channel has been selected, the user can then define the positive or negative value at which the test should start.

Similar to the start conditions, it is possible to set ‘AND’ and ‘OR’ conditions for when the test will end.

Note: An ‘AND’ condition cannot be used if 'End of session' is selected.

Pass Conditions(s)

VBOX Test Suite allows the user to specify a channel that can be used to easily identify if certain parameters have exceeded a set threshold, and as such will highlight the run red to mark it as ‘Failed’. The pass conditions can be set so that the run fails whenever the threshold is exceeded, either at the start of the test, at the end of the test, anytime during the test or averaged during the test.
 

To do this, the user must select a channel from the drop down list and specify a low and high threshold value. More channels can be added by selecting the ‘+’ button.

Interim result(s)

The software allows the user to display intermediary results called ‘Interim results’. The Interim results are determined by adding in ‘Interim Conditions’. Pressing the '+' button will add a new interim result. It is possible to have this line appear at ‘Every’ instance of the value (e.g. Every 10 km/h), ‘At’ an instance of a value (e.g. Only at 10 km/h) or 'Between' values (e.g. Between 30 km/h and 50 km/h). When 'Columns' is selected, each interim result is shown as a column within the right hand side of the results table, if 'Separate Table' is selected, each interim result is shown as a row in a separate table next to the results table.

Frequency Distribution

Test results can now be further analysed by using the Frequency Distribution option to see distance or time spent within a channel value range, or how often the channel was within a value range. Use the drop down list to set the desired condition, available options include Total time spent, Total distance travelled, Count of samples, Count at time intervals, and Count at distance intervals.
 

Select a channel from the drop down list and specify an interval. You can also add an offset to that value and specify whether this is an absolute value or not. More channels can be added by selecting the ‘+’ button. 
 

Each channel selected will then be added as a separate table next to the test results table. The distribution can be toggled by count or by percentage using the options on the table header or by using the Frequency Distribution buttons within the Test Setup ribbon bar.

This is particularly useful for applications such as economy testing where the frequency of time spent at certain speeds has a direct impact on the test outcomes.

Wheel Slip Calculation

Advanced

The advanced area allows the user to control when a test will ‘reset’.

By default, the test will reset every time one or more of the start conditions are met. However unticking the ‘Reset when Start Condition is met’ will mean that the test will start when the start conditions are first met, and continue until the end condition is met.
 

It is also possible to choose whether an added ‘Time Since Run’ gauge on the dashboard is measured from the 'Last completed run' (default) or the 'Last started or completed run' (covering situations where a test has been started but then aborted) by selecting the desired option.
 

When the ‘Expect Continuous Brake Trigger’ option is ticked (only available when Trigger is selected as a condition), the test will only run when a trigger is active and remains active. If the trigger is released during the test, the test will reset.

Starting, Stopping and Resetting a Test

By pressing the 'START' button, the software will add a tab to the Test Results area ready to be populated with results once the start and end criteria have been met. The 'START' button will also change to a 'PAUSE' button, allowing the user to pause the test. To resume the test, simply press the 'RESUME' button.

To finish a test, simply press the 'STOP' button. This will stop all open tests. Once the stop button has be pressed, future results cannot be added to that results tab. Pressing the 'START' button will open up a new results tab, however once the stop button has been pressed, the user will be required to calibrate the wheel speeds again (if wheel speed channel(s) are selected) before a new test can be started.

If, for any reason, a mistake has been made during the test, it is possible to restart the test by pressing the 'RESET' button and again this will require a calibration of the wheel speeds.

Calibrating the Wheel Speeds

To allow for different wheel diameters to be easily and consistently used in the test, the software has an auto calibrate function that automatically applies a scaling factor to the CAN Wheel Speeds to match the GPS Speed. This process is only required when a wheel speed channel(s) has been specified in the 'Test Configuration' menu.

When the user first presses the 'START' button, a dialogue window will appear that contains the calibration instructions.
 

To successfully calibrate the wheel speeds, the user must drive at constant speed of 20 km/h (+/- 2 km/h) for 5 seconds, ensuring not to rapidly accelerate, decelerate or any other manoeuvre that may induce wheel slip. Once this period has been completed, the software will display a ‘Calibrated’ message and the test is able to be started.

Once calibrated, the user will be able to show and analyse both a calibrated wheel speed and a Wheel Slip %.

IMPORTANT - The calibration period is also required when in ‘Offline’ mode, so it is extremely important that the unit is logging before the calibration procedure is carried out, otherwise the software will not produce any test results.

Rename file

It is possible to rename the session tab by double clicking on the tab header. Changing the session tab within the software will automatically change the name of the locally saved .vbo file.

Session Data

By pressing the 'Edit Data' button next to the name of the file/run or in the ‘Test Setup' ribbon bar, a new window will be displayed whereby the user can add various different pieces of vehicle and test information, such as:

• Test
  • Test Date
  • Time Zone
  • Test Track
  • Test Facility
  • Comments
• Vehicle
  • Vehicle Model
  • Vehicle Number
  • Driver Name
• Conditions
  • Weather
  • Temperature
  • Wind Speed
     

When in 'Offline' mode, this information will be saved into the .vbo file meaning that this information will be recalled every time the file is loaded into VBOX Test Suite.

When in 'Online' mode, a newly-created session will be populated with session data from the previous session.
 

This information will be included in the test report to allow the user to understand under what conditions the test was conducted.

Note: This data is purely optional and has no effect on the test or test result.
 

To save time, it is possible for the user to import and export the session information for use in other sessions.
 

Once the session information has been completed, it is possible to export the data to a .vbses file. This file will contain all the session information that can then be imported into the open session information field.

Result Columns

Along the top of the Test results area are some default columns. These columns are:-

• Run – Indicates which run number the results relate to, with run one being the first run completed. There is also a selection box that, when ticked, includes that run in the graph and into the Average/Max/Min/Standard Deviation calculations. Once selected, a coloured square will appear to indicate which colour this run is displayed as on the graph.
  Note: If you are loading a file offline, all valid runs are ticked automatically.
• Time – The total time the run has taken.
• Distance – The total distance travelled in that run.

Interim Results