Lab 6: System Analysis 2 – Performance Data Analysis

The purpose of the System Analysis 2 Lab was to allow the students to measure and evaluate the performance of the Advance Energy Vehicle (AEV) on the actual track by using the data downloaded by MATLAB from the AEV controller. The data was recorded by the Electrically Erasable Programmable Read-Only Memory (EEPROM) on the AEV’s Arduino Nano. The lab also enabled the students to convert EEPROM Arduino data to physical parameters, including time, current, voltage, and relative position. The recorded data analyzed using MATLAB allowed the students to determine the amount of power required by the AEV during each phase of the vehicle’s run. By the end of the lab, students were able to download data from automatic control system on the AEV, and use the data to further evaluate the performance of the AEV. The students also learned the knowledge of troubleshooting problems regarding the AEV, and were able to quickly improvise their Arduino codes to complete the lab in time. Through calculations and graphing method, the students were able to further analyze the efficiency of the AEV based on concrete quantitative data, and this knowledge is very integral for the students to move forward in the process of writing the final AEV codes and making any design changes on the AEV, to ensure the success of the AEV in the final run. See executive summary below for more details of the lab.

Executive Summary 6