GuyIncognito

yesterday during the Sebring broadcast there was a lot of talk about the "slip angle cameras" in use by several teams, mostly because of the lights under the car the cameras need to work at night.

I understand the basic principle of how these things work, but is that really the best way to measure slip angle? or is this just the best solution for that level of minute accuracy (i.e. GPS sensors wouldn't be accurate enough, gyroscopes don't accurately measure slip angle, etc)?

I know there are some pretty smart telemetry folks on here, so I'd like to hear their thoughts/knowledge.

Coochas

I thought that was very interesting as well.
I liked how Audi was telling the officials that the sparks coming from under the Audi were just flickers from the slip angle camera light until it became really obvious.

Matt Romanowski

I didn't see the race, but I'm guessing it's the best way to measure with any accuracy. I know a couple of Indy and Nascar engineers claim that GPS won't give you good data for slip angle. I did find this patent for a slip angle camera system http://www.google.com/patents/US7345749

924RACR

Mmmm, yes, Ford does like them some patents... LOL

Not necessarily a great way to do control, though.

I'm familiar with the systems and have used them a number of times (Corrsys/Datron makes the ones we've used). GPS is a lot easier to drop on a car (as temporary instrumentation), but yeah, not likely to have the accuracy like the optical systems. OK for quick'n'dirty, not for anything real precise, perhaps. I will admit, I haven't benchmarked them against eachother.

Still, I'm surprised they'd be going to the trouble of dragging that weight around, unless they've got fancy new lightweight/compact versions now...