HAWKS Racing e.V. - Sensor Node (SEN)
For our new car, H21, we developed a dedicated Sensor Node to interface with several non-drive-critical sensors throughout the vehicle. These sensors include linear potentiometers in the suspension system, temperature sensors within the cooling circuit and measurement points for monitoring the shutdown circuit.
The collected suspension data allows us to analyse the movement of the spring-damper system and better understand the dynamic behaviour of the vehicle. Temperature measurements help us monitor the condition and performance of the cooling system. In addition, the Sensor Node continuously monitors different sections of the shutdown circuit. This makes it significantly easier to identify the location of a fault in our safety system and therefore reduces the time required for troubleshooting.
The complete system consists of two PCBs: one located in the front of the vehicle and one in the rear. While both boards share the same basic functionality, their sensor configurations differ slightly. The front Sensor Node includes an interface for a differential pressure sensor, while the rear Sensor Node provides additional interfaces for temperature measurements.
To reduce development and manufacturing costs, we decided to design a single PCB that can be used in both locations. The specific role of each board is determined by its component population and configuration. Components that are only required for the front or rear application are simply not populated on the corresponding PCB. This approach reduces the number of different PCB designs, simplifies spare-part management and makes future maintenance considerably easier.
During the development process, we discovered a design error that required the PCB to be revised and manufactured again. Thanks to the fast, reliable and uncomplicated service provided by AISLER, we were able to receive the corrected boards quickly and continue working on the vehicle without a significant delay.
We are very grateful for AISLER’s continued support. Their manufacturing services allow us to rapidly turn our designs into functional hardware and are an important contribution to the successful realization of our projects.