CAN Telemetry

Team

Tyler Chen (Individual Project)

Overview / Motivation

This device is a prototype telemetry unit designed for UC Berkeley's Formula Racing (FSAE) team. 

The current configuration relies on a propreitary hardware unit to capture data and software for visualizaiton. This presents various limitations with regards to customization--a custom telemetry unit can ensure that our system can be adapted to the needs of all sub teams. 

Description

The Telemetry Unit is powered by an on-vehicle 12V battery and controlled by an ESP32 microcontroller. The single  ESP32 parses and collects data from 2 CAN buses. 

It facilitates live data transmission via an XBee3 RF module and records data with an on-board microSD. 

Features

Power:

• 12V Battery

• 12V -> 6V LDO @ 100 mA (L78L06ABUTR, STMicroelectronics)

• 12V -> 5V LDO @ 1 A (RPM5.0-1.0, Recom Power)

• 5V -> 3.3V LDO @ 1A (RPM3.3-1.0, Recom Power)

Compute/Signals:

• Used an SY100EP56VK4G (MUX rated for differential signals)  to select between two CAN buses.

• MCP2551 CAN Transceiver mediated output of MUX and the ESP32.

• USB-A Port to program ESP32.

• Used ESP32 microcontroller for the following:

  • Control select bits of the multiplexer

  • Parse CAN messages

  • Write data onto microSD (via SPI)

  • Send pertinent information to and control the XBee3 RF module (via Serial Tx/Rx)

• Signal protection with C/R's.

Schematic