Electronic Hardware, Embedded Firmware and Control Systems; Design with Intent
Motorcycle turn signal controller with auto-reset and lean assist lighting. Designed with an MCU, embedded control firmware, and an onboard 6-axis IMU.
The turn signals are activated by the rider via left/right push button controls before the turn. The controller detects when the turn is complete using the IMU sensor data, and automatically resets the turn signal.
An electronic motorcycle component that controls its turn signal lamps. Auto turn-signal reset has been a common feature on 4-wheel automobiles for decades, implemented with simple steering wheel rotation detection.
Motorcycles, on the other hand, do not lend themselves to this simple approach. The steering mechanism for 2-wheel vehicles (motorcycles) is more complicated. Thus the use of an IMU to detect the vehicle turn.
Distinguishing a completed turn, where the turn signal should reset, from in-lane maneuvering presents challenging design trade-offs. Our solution uses a combination of configuration with an adaptive algorithm.
Extra left and right forward lighting that turns on to assist the standard forward-looking headlights.
Only the turn-side assist lamp is to activate when the motorcycle is leaning to make a turn, requiring 'lean angle' detection. A challenging task given motorcycle kinematics, dynamics, and noise. The controller calculates the lean angle using the IMU sensor data.
Validating the IMU-based turn detection and lean angle algorithms on real roads under varying conditions — speed, load, surface, and rider style. The motion dynamics sensing (IMU) and data procession used to achieve these features are not easily duplicated in a lab setting, requiring extensive on-vehicle on-road testing. Tools had to be developed; A custom CAN bus recording device was used to log rider input, IMU dynamic motion data and controller output. A custom software tool was developed to streamline analysis of the large logged data files captured.
Demonstrating compliance with the automotive standard for electrical loads related to the power supply.
Designing an automated test fixture and sequence to verify each production unit's IMU calibration, firmware integrity, and output stage health in a fraction of the manual test time.
Enabling firmware updates on installed vehicles.