Electronics in Formula 1

The electronic control unit(or the ECU) plays a very important role in the functioning of the formula 1 car. It controls the fuel injection into the engine(throttle), so as to maintain maximum torque. It helps in keeping the rpm within the required range of around 15000-18000 rpm, thus ensuring constant torque. The ECU also controls the clutch, the electronic differential and the gear box. The ECU logs information and sends it to the engineers through the high speed telemetry link. The collected data is displayed in a form that enables race engineers to analyse the data. There are thousands of components in the ECU, thus rendering the ECU a very complex machine. There are numerous sensers( the Ferrari car for instance has 100 to 150 sensors depending on the track) and also a black box. The system should be 100 percent reliable.

In case of the ferrari data is sent from the car to the boxes using from 1,000 to 2,000 telemetry channels, transmitted wirelessly (obviously) using the 1.5 GHz frequency. These channels are encrypted, of course. The typical delay between the data being collected and it being received at the boxes is of 2 ms. For each race the amount of collected data is in the range of 1.5 billion of samples. Since they also collect the same amount for each training day, the total amount of collected data is in the range of the 5 billion samples.While on-board computers can monitor data and then automatically perform an action, there is another very important element connected to electronics and that is the driver. From the cockpit he can activate a variety of electronic controls on the car to alter its performance.The technological capacity of the electronics is vast and yet it is almost invisible. They are hidden in monocoque where they have to perform at very high temperatures. The electronics has to cope with harsh conditions like vibrations and high temperatures.The FIA is constantly trying to reduce the electronic aid to the driver.

FIA regulations

Software and electronics inspection:

1.Prior to the start of each season the complete electrical system on the car must be examined and all on board and communications software must be inspected by the FIA Technical Department. The FIA must be notified of any changes prior to the Event at which such changes are intended to be implemented.

2.All re-programmable microprocessors must have a mechanism that allows the FIA to accurately identify the software version loaded.

3.All electronic units containing a programmable device, and which are intended for use at an Event, must be presented to the FIA before each Event in order that they can be identified

4.All on-car software versions must be registered with the FIA before use.

5.The FIA must be able to test the operation of any compulsory electronic safety systems at any time during an Event.

The figure shows a Ferrari Formula 1 car powered by AMD.

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