AIM Race Studio to Motec i2 Pro File Conversion

[R. Alexander]

I'm wondering if anyone has taken the time to write a program that does it nicely. I was considering doing it myself but thought it would be good to ask here first.

Found some old threads on the subject, but didn't find what I was looking for.

Thank you in advance,

Ryan
UWO FSAE Alum

[Some Guy]

It would be great if I could use the AIM hardware without being stuck with a piece of software that makes me question my sanity... Unfortunately I have had very little luck in finding anything out there that still works.

[murpia]

I didn't think the MoTeC i2 Pro file format is documented?

If it was, you wouldn't need a Pro upgrade for your logger...

Regards, Ian

[Charlie]

Officially, Motec does not support use of their viewing software with formats that originate with non-Motec hardware.

You can however buy a API license for i2 Pro through Motec which allows you to build i2 Pro files through ActiveX

[Mugsy]

The cost of the api library is in the thousands, apparently.

I've heard that someone in the Formula Toyota Championship in New Zealand has done such a thing. Maybe ask around there.

[murpia]

Does the AIM Datalogger have the ability to export data in an ASCII format (csv, TAB delimited, or similar)?

If so the best value data package around is probably GEMS GDA Pro:

w w w.gems.co.uk/?content=pages&id=gems-data-analysis

I have used it and can recommend it as a direct alternative to MoTeC i2, we were quoted a price <£200 when purchased to use with GEMS loggers. I don't know if GEMS do a student pricing deal, but I know the FSUK Class 1A logger uses GEMS software, so they are aware of FSAE.

You can download a demo without the Pro features (ASCII import and Math Channels). I have used the Pro version with ASCII imports from ChassisSim, Prodrive ECUs, Racelogic & Race Technology loggers and MATLAB simulations.

Of course if you are looking for free software, while respecting licence terms, you may not be very successful.

Regards, Ian

[Basil]

murpia: I am very interested to know details of outputting logs generated in say Race Technology hardware for use by the GEMS data logging package. I have a Motec M800 ecu and even with 1 meg logging enabled I am now running short of logging time. I would buy a Motec logger but they are just too expensive for my level in the sport (rank amateur). I looked at the GEMS DA99-2 logger but at £3000 UK pound still well out of my reach. The software that comes with the Race Technology hardware is a very very poor fourth best to i2 or the GEMS package, so the ability to export RT stuff to be read in i2 or the GEMS package id something worth pursuing. Can you share more details of what's required please? Thanks. Would it be very cheeky to ask if you'd post or e-mail some screen shots of data from RT shown in GEMS GDA Pro? My e-mail is chris@chriswilson.tv

[murpia]

Originally posted by Basil:
murpia: I am very interested to know details of outputting logs generated in say Race Technology hardware for use by the GEMS data logging package. I have a Motec M800 ecu and even with 1 meg logging enabled I am now running short of logging time. I would buy a Motec logger but they are just too expensive for my level in the sport (rank amateur). I looked at the GEMS DA99-2 logger but at £3000 UK pound still well out of my reach. The software that comes with the Race Technology hardware is a very very poor fourth best to i2 or the GEMS package, so the ability to export RT stuff to be read in i2 or the GEMS package id something worth pursuing. Can you share more details of what's required please? Thanks. Would it be very cheeky to ask if you'd post or e-mail some screen shots of data from RT shown in GEMS GDA Pro?
Hi Basil / Chris,

The Race Technology software includes a program called 'Run to Text Converter' which allows a 'CSV' or MATLAB file to be created.

GEMS GDA Pro allows ASCII imports to be made using the 'Import CSV' feature which actually supports much more than CSV format. To import a file from the Race Technology 'Run to Text Converter' just use Separator = Comma, Channel Names Row = 7 and Data Start Row = 8 and you are good to go.

I quite like the Race Technology DL1 (older style with carbon fibre plate) that I have used. I would recommend installing it very carefully and making a wiring harness with proper connectors on it. Like any tool it's value improves with the skill of the user... Hence the desire to use a better analysis software. I prefer to use 'real' wheelspeed sensors in addition to the GPS speed but on the whole the GPS speed & internal accelerometers seem accurate.

Regards, Ian

[murpia]

Originally posted by murpia:
I have used it and can recommend it as a direct alternative to MoTeC i2, we were quoted a price <£200 when purchased to use with GEMS loggers. I don't know if GEMS do a student pricing deal, but I know the FSUK Class 1A logger uses GEMS software, so they are aware of FSAE.
Has anybody confirmed a student price for GEMS GDA Pro, independent of purchasing a datalogger?

Regards, Ian

[Basil]

Thanks Ian, I will look into this. The current trade price for GDA Pro is £200 UK Sterling, The person I spoke to couldn't comment on FSAE pricing, sorry. I have bought two secondhand DA99-L2 loggers, so I will be buying the dongle for GDA Pro to use its maths functions and import functions. Is it possible to post a screen shot showing how well GDA Pro handles Race Technology data files, and will it draw a track map from both G force sensed data and GPS data from RT? A friend uses RT at the moment, and is quite excited by the prospect of different software to view his data in. I appreciate the help, this looks an interesting forum, I just stumbled on it via the ubiquitous Google. Are you in the US? Thanks again.

[murpia]

Originally posted by Basil:
Is it possible to post a screen shot showing how well GDA Pro handles Race Technology data files, and will it draw a track map from both G force sensed data and GPS data from RT? A friend uses RT at the moment, and is quite excited by the prospect of different software to view his data in.
A screenshot won't help you... The data conversion I described creates a native GEMS datafile so the Race Technology data is handled exactly the same as if it came from a GEMS logger. Your logger setup, sensor quality & skills as an analyst will have far more influence on the usefulness of your data...

If you download the non-Pro version from the GEMS website you can see that the map setup includes a GPS option, and also you can experiment with a sample dataset. Ordinarily I would not explain such an obvious step but for some reason GDA requires you install & run as a Windows Administrator in order for the sample data to be available. This has been reported to GEMS and they are working on a fix.

Regards, Ian