[Dr_C]

Big thanks to the Rockingham Slot Car Club for providing a great test track for day 1 of testing of the components of the new digital system.

On the day, we operated in ‘test’ mode rather than ‘race’ mode which was always the most likely scenario.

We started by testing the radio link from the new throttle controllers to the wireless hub. These use a frequency/channel hopping method which appeared reliable and responsive across the throttle IDs tested (IDs 7-12). It was good to see this functioning correctly in a building with a metal roof (i.e. one which is highly reflective to radio waves at 2.4GHz).

We similarly tested the radio link between the wireless hub and the NSR AMG GT3 cars. This link uses the same frequency/channel hopping method and with a high power radio frequency output (100mW). Here we learned that more firmware development effort is required i.e. the system was clearly not yet ready for high speed racing.

Finally we tested the Ninco trackpiece which has the 4-in-a-row IR phototransistors for high speed 36 ID detection. We tested, on the day using IDs 7-12 but only at low speeds. These tests were positive although full race speed testing will need to wait until next time.

As a final positive, we now have hardware readied which includes a twelve car race pack of NSR AMG GT3s with decoders fitted. It also includes twelve matching throttle controllers, a high power wireless hub and of course the Ninco trackpiece with S/F sensors and associated 8 channel sensor hub. It’s a full system development platform.

Next up will be a targetted firmware development effort followed by more testing.

Thanks again to the Rockingham club and all who assisted on 24th.

c