BRAKEBOX "Configuration" menu

The configuration menu allows you to set up all aspects of the behaviour and operation of the BRAKEBOX. All configuration options are persistent, hence there is a slight pause when setting an option as the new value is written into the unit's flash memory. Each of the available options is discussed below:

Units. This option allows to you set the units for the display and printing of speed, distance and acceleration. The speed can be set to miles per hour (mph), kilometers per hour (kph) or metres per second (m/s). The distance can be set to be feet (ft) or metres (m). Acceleration can be set to g (defined internally as 9.81m/s^2) or m/s^2.
Set Language. This sets the language for the menus and options.
Configure brake test. These options configure the behaviour of the the actual brake test, and control the actual measurement that is taken.

Trigger Mode. This sets whether the brake test starts on a speed threshold or an electrical pulse, typically from a brake pedal input or possibly an optical barrier.

End Trigger Mode. This sets whether the brake test is ended by a speed threshold or an electrical pulse, typically from an optical barrier.

Start Speed. If the trigger mode is set to �Trigger on Speed� then you have the option of setting the speed at which the braking distance measurement will start. The units of the speed threshold are as set in the configuration menu.

End Speed. If the end trigger mode is set to �Trigger on Speed� this sets the speed at which the brake test finishes. Typically this is set to zero (0 MPH) meaning that the brake test completes once the car is stationary, however you can set a higher speed if required.

Use 2D or 3D Speeds. The BRAKEBOX can use either 2D or 3D velocity to calculate the braking distances. In theory 3D velocity is more accurate as it includes any inclines of the road, however in practice using 2D velocity can give more repeatable results as the effects of small pot-holes and other minor road surface imperfections are reduced. Most competitor brake measurements systems use 2D velocity, however in practice the velocities are so accurate from the BRAKEBOX that both modes will give very similar results.

Tables to generate. The BRAKEBOX can generate a number of tables following a brake test.

Print Results. This first option allows you to set if the results of the brake test are printed once the test has completed. You can set the system to always print the results, never print the results, or prompt the user to see if results should be printed.

Speed Table, Path Distance Table, Time Table. The tables generated have 1 independent variable down the left hand side with the values spaced at regular intervals and then up to 3 additional dependant variables. The 3 independent variables that can be used in the tables are speed, path distance and time. Each of these can set activated as required:

� Calc Speed Table. This option enables the braking results to be tabulated as a function of speeds.

� Calc Path Distance Table. The option enables the braking results to be tabulated as a function of distance.

� Calc Time Table. This option enables the braking results to be tabulated as a function of time.

When you activate a table, then you are prompted to enter the interval for the table.

Variables to Show. Whilst speed, path distance and time results are always shown, there are also another 6 variables that are optional:

� Forward distance. This is the distance that the vehicle has travelled during the test in the direction of the initial heading.

� Deviation distance. This is the deviation laterally from a straight line in the direction of the initial heading. Note that this is the deviation at the end of the test, NOT the maximum deviation recorded. Deviation during the test may be seen using the tables. The sign convention is that deviation to the right is positive, and to the left is negative.

� Direct Distance. This is the distance directly from the start point of the test to the end point of the test.

� Average acceleration.

� MFDD (Mean fully-developed deceleration). This is the average deceleration recorded between 80 and 20% of the test start speed.

� Initial Heading. This is the heading recorded at the start of the test.

Each of these variables can be used or hidden. If they are used then they will be displayed on the screen immediately following a braking test and included in the printed tables of results, if printing is enabled.

Store Data. This option allows you to set if the results of the brake test are stored to internal memory once the test has completed. You can set the system to always store the results, never store the results, or prompt the user to see if results should be stored. Once the results are stored they will be retained until the memory is cleared. The results can be downloaded from the unit's memory and reviewed using the standard Race Technology Analysis tools. If there is insufficient space to store the results at the end of a run, the user will be offered the option of clearing the memory of existing results, or discarding the current data. Note that selecting the clear memory option clears the memory of ALL existing results except for the current run data, and is irreversable.
Set Run Name. To identify the test files, you can set a name for them to be stored under. This is used as a basis for the internal �file name� and can be up to 5 characters long. The characters are typically the initials of the test driver or car registration code. A 3 digit number is automatically appended to the name by the BRAKEBOX when saving the run in order to differentiate seperate runs. This starts at 000, and automatically increments each time another run with the same name is saved.
Clear Memory. This clears the entire internal memory. This is 100% permanent; once the memory has been cleared there is no way to recall the data.
Restore Default. This resets all configuration options to the factory defaults.

BRAKEBOX / Configuration

BRAKEBOX "Configuration" menu