RaceCapture real time telemetry

Setting up real-time telemetry

With RaceCapture you can live-stream your race car's telemetry data to Podium to compare and share your laps with friends, do real-time coaching, monitor the health of your endurance race car, and much more.

Jump to telemetry via RaceCapture app guide

<img src="" width="640"/>

Prerequisites

Get a Telemetry Streaming Key

Head over to Podium.live, create an account and a telemetry streaming key (AKA Device ID). Make a note of this id for later.

Integrated cellular telemetry

This section steps you through setting up the integrated cellular telemetry option.

Don't have integrated telemetry? Jump to telemetry via the RaceCapture app

Supported devices

• PodiumConnect
• RaceCapture/Apex
• RaceCapture/Pro MK3, MK2

Get a SIM card

The RaceCapture telemetry unit requires a full-sized SIM card with a compatible data plan from a supported GSM carrier.

Which SIM card to get?

This is largely determined by the coverage map of the race track you'll be at. Use the coverage map checker for the respective carriers.

Verizon (4G RaceCapture / PodiumConnect systems only)

If you have the newer 4G enabled system, you can also use a Verizon SIM card (USA). If your unit was bundled with a SIM card, you can call Wireless Zone at 508-834-3311 for activation and access to special data plan options.

If you did not receive a bundled SIM card, visit a Verizon store and ask for a pre-paid data only SIM for a hotspot or tablet (data only). If you already have a Verizon account, you can also add a SIM to your plan that shares your plan's data.

• Note - If you have a 3G system, Verizon is not available for telemetry. Your best options are AT&T, T-Mobile or FreedomPop. Check your order details if you are not certain which unit you have.

Freedom Pop

We currently recommend the $0/month plan from FreedomPop. Based on the AT&T network, it offers good performance in rural areas across the USA.

FreedomPop's $0 SIM card plan includes 200MB of data/month - this should cover more than enough for a 24H endurance race.

To set up RaceCapture, just select FreedomPop from the list of cellular providers in the RaceCapture App. If you don't see it, set a custom APN and specify fp.com.attz as the APN host, with no user name or password.

Sign up for a FreedomPop plan today

• Note: When signing up, FreedomPop will place you in a default monthly plan. If you want their basic $0/month plan, you will need to downgrade using your account - click through the warning messages until you're at the Basic/Free plan. When you are done, your billing page should show $0/month.

See the step by step guide for setting up FreedomPop

AT&T

AT&T is a good option as they have announced affordable plans targeting tablets and other data-only devices.

AT&T Gophone plans

When you arrive at the store:

• Critically important: Ask for a pre-paid SIM card for a tablet data plan. It must be a tablet data plan; problems have been reported with phone SIMs.
  • Request a full-sized SIM (RaceCapture/Pro) or a micro SIM (RaceCapture/Apex)
• IMEI: usually they will use a default IMEI. If they require one, you can from the system status page

AT&T Coverage Map tool

• Important note about AT&T and legacy 2.5G modules in RaceCapture/Pro MK2

As of the end of 2016, AT&T ended their support for 2G devices. You have two options to enable live-streaming cellular data:

• Use a carrier that still supports 2G Data, such as T-Mobile
• Upgrade your RaceCapture/Pro MK2 with the 3.5G module

T-Mobile

Purchase a "Pay By the Day" SIM card from your local T-Mobile dealer. We recommend picking a plan with the 2G/3G unlimited data, that will work with a tablet, which is currently $3 USD/day. The plan is only charged when data is actually used during a 24 hour period.

This is the only US carrier that supports 2G - it should work with the 2G cellular module.

• T-Mobile Prepaid Plans
• T-Mobile Coverage map tool

When you arrive at the store:

• Ask for a pre-paid $3/day plan
  • Request a full-sized SIM (RaceCapture/Pro) or a micro SIM (RaceCapture/Apex)
• IMEI: usually they will use a default IMEI. If they require one, you can get the IMEI from the system status page

Global

RaceCapture/Pro MK3, RaceCapture/Apex and PodiumConnect use a world-wide compatible GSM cellular module. Check with your carrier for support. You will also likely need to set a custom APN setting in the telemetry configuration; the carrier will have these APN settings available.

• List of APNs for carriers worldwide

You will need:

• APN Host
• APN User name (might be blank)
• APN Password (might be blank)

Enter these values into the cellular provider section under Setup / Wireless:

How much data will I need?

There are a number of factors that affect data usage:

• Duration of telemetry session
• Number of channels enabled
• Sample Rate of channels

For about 30 channels transmitting at 5-10Hz we have seen about 150MB of usage across a 2 day endurance racing weekend (15-20 hours of transmit time).

What if the store is asking for the IMEI?

Usually the store will set a default IMEI number, especially if you tell them the SIM may be swapped between devices. If they require setting a real number, you can get the IMEI by connecting to RaceCapture/Pro and checking the cellular section of the app's System Status page:

Installing the SIM card

RaceCapture/Apex

• Remove the cover from the rear of the enclosure, and insert the SIM card into the bottom slot of the silver card holder (below the top SD card position).

RaceCapture/Pro MK3

• Use a pen, stylus or similar press the eject button next to the SIM card slot on the front panel - the card slot will pop out slightly. Manually withdraw it.

• Insert the SIM card into the holder, noting the angled notch. Re-insert with the SIM card facing up and press until the front edge is flush with the face, until you feel the tray seat.
• Important: The card carrier should slide in smoothly, and require just a bit of force to lock in to place. Take care to not force the card in at an angle.

RaceCapture/Pro MK2

• Use a pen, stylus or similar press the eject button next to the SIM card slot - the card slot will pop out slightly. Manually withdraw it.

• Insert the SIM card into the holder, noting the angled notch. Re-insert with the SIM card facing down and press until the front edge is flush or just below the surface of the enclosure face, and you feel the tray seat.
• Important: The card carrier should slide in smoothly, and require just a bit of force to lock in to place. Take care to not force the card in at an angle.

SIM adapters

Note that full-sized SIM cards can be cut down to micro-sized, and correspondingly micro SIMs can be inserted into a full-sized SIM card adapter.

Attach cellular antenna

Connect the included antenna to the antenna port of your RaceCapture device. Tighten to 4-6 inch/lbs - just beyond finger-tight if you don't have the appropriate torque wrench.

• Important: Do not over-tighten antenna connection

Antenna placement

If you are using a roof-mount antenna, place the cellular antenna as far away from the GPS antenna as practically possible. About 1 meter (3 foot) separation is optimal.

Telemetry Configuration

• Launch the RaceCapture app and connect to your RaceCapture hardware.
• Once it connects, navigate to Setup

Enable Telemetry

• Under Setup, select Telemetry section.
• In the Device ID field, enter the Telemetry Streaming Key (AKA Device ID) provided by your podium.live account.
• Ensure Background Streaming is enabled.

Enable Cellular

• Select the Wireless option on the left side
• Ensure Cellular telemetry is enabled.
• Select your cellular carrier.
  • if your carrier is not listed, select other and specify the APN settings provided by your wireless company.
  • List of APNs worldwide

Write Configuration

• Write your configuration back to the RaceCapture unit
  • It's recommended you also save your configuration to a file for safe keeping.

Testing and Verification

Powering up

3.5G module

• Applies to: RaceCapture/Apex, RaceCapture/Pro MK3, MK2 (with 3.5G option)

Apply power to the system via USB or 12v

2.5G module

• Applies to: RaceCapture/Pro MK2 (with 2.5G option), MK1

If you are using the 2.5G module, follow this procedure for powering:

• Power down RaceCapture/Pro and connect to a 12v power supply per the wiring diagram
  • Note The internal cellular module cannot be operated via USB as it requires more power than USB can supply.
  • You can power via the green terminal block, or via the OBD-II cable, if supplied.
  • If powered via the green terminal block, you can use automotive power or a regulated 12v power supply offering at least 1A capacity

Watching for telemetry

After powering up, the Cellular module will search for the network and connect. Typically this can take up to 1-3 minutes, depending on network conditions.

Observing cellular and telemetry status

You can observe the Cellular status information in the System Status page of the app, under the Cellular section.

Observing telemetry data on Podium

Using your web browser, navigate to your Events page on Podium and watch for an event to appear. This will likely be an Ad-Hoc event with a date. Click this event to see your current live dashboard.

• Note: You can also edit and rename this event.

LED indicators

When connected, the telemetry status indicator will flash steadily.

RaceCapture/Apex

• Observe the blue telemetry status indicator on the top of the unit.

RaceCapture/Pro MK3

• Observe the blue telemetry status indicator on the front panel of the unit.

RaceCapture/Pro MK2

• When connected and transmitting, the top-right green telemetry LED will flash rapidly and steadily.

Setting up future events on Podium

You can create events in the future and assign your RaceCapture device to the event. if RaceCapture connects and transmits during that time, it will lock to that event for the duration of the time.

RaceCapture App Telemetry

Using the RaceCapture app, you can broadcast telemetry while using the dashboard features in the app, including pit-to-car alerts.

Pre-requisites

Ensure you have a high quality 12v charger connected to the Android or iOS device so the device maintains charge throughout your race event.

Telemetry via direct USB connection + hotspot

You can broadcat telemetry via the RaceCapture app while using a direct USB connection to the RaceCapture system:

• USB OTG via Android
• Direct USB Host using an Android stereo receiver
• Direct USB Host using a Raspberry Pi

• System Compatibility:
  • RaceCapture/Apex
  • RaceCapture/Pro MK3 / MK2
  • RaceCapture/Track MK2 / MK1
  • PodiumConnect

Telemetry Via Bluetooth connection + hotspot

You can broadcast telemetry via the RaceCapture app while using the Bluetooth connection on compatible Android devices.

• Note You can also use an Android Phone in place of the hotspot.

• System Compatibility
  • RaceCapture/Apex
  • RaceCapture/Pro MK3
  • RaceCapture/Track MK2
  • RaceCapture/Pro MK2 (with Bluetooth module)
  • RaceCapture/Pro MK1 (with Bluetooth module)

Telemetry via WiFi connection to shared hotspot

You can broadcast telemetry via the RaceCapture app by connecting both RaceCapture and your Android or iOS device to a common WiFi hotspot. Data flows from RaceCapture to the RaceCapture app, which is then broadcast to Podium.

Configure RaceCapture to connect to the hotspot by specifying the SSID and password under the WiFi client settings, located in the RaceCapture app under Setup/Wireless. Then, configure your Android or iOS device to connect to the same hotspot.

• Note: You must use the RaceCapture app to broadcast telemetry, your RaceCapture or PodiumConnect device will not directly broadcast telemetry directly via WiFi.

• System Compatibility
  • PodiumConnect
  • RaceCapture/Apex
  • RaceCapture/Pro MK3
  • RaceCapture/Track MK2
  • RaceCapture/Track MK1
  • RaceCapture/Pro MK2 (with WiFi module)

Telemetry Configuration

• Launch the RaceCapture app and connect to your RaceCapture hardware via Bluetooth or WiFi
• Once it connects, navigate to Setup

Enable Telemetry

• Under Setup, select Telemetry section
• In the Device ID field, enter the Device Id provided by your podium.live account.
• Ensure Background Streaming is enabled.

Disable Cellular

• Select the Wireless section
• Ensure Cellular telemetry is disabled, if the option is available.

Write Configuration

• Write your configuration back to the RaceCapture unit
  • It's recommended you also save your configuration to a file for safe keeping.

Enable Telemetry under the app preferences

Access the app preferences under the main menu. Switch the application telemetry to on

Verify Telemetry

When telemetry is enabled and the app is connected to RaceCapture, you will see the telemetry icon glowing bright green in the upper left corner of the app screen.

• Dim Green Not active
• Green Connected and streaming
• Yellow Disconnected / Retrying
• Red Connection Error

Observing telemetry data on Podium

Using your web browser, navigate to your Events page on Podium and watch for an event to appear. This will likely be an Ad-Hoc event with a date. Click this event to see your current live dashboard.

• Note: You can also edit and rename this event.

Troubleshooting

• Missing / Incorrect Device Id: Ensure the Device ID provided by your Podium account is correctly set.
• App Telemetry disabled: Ensure the "Send Telemetry" option is enabled under the RaceCapture App preferences.
• Cellular enabled: If the Cellular option is available under the Wireless settings under Setup, ensure it is set to off - otherwise the system will assume you want to broadcast via the internal cellular module.
• Poor signal quality: Ensure adequate coverage in the area.
• No data available on plan: Verify internet connectivity on the phone or tablet using a simple browser connectivity test.

Troubleshooting Internal cellular

Applies to RaceCapture/Pro with cellular option, PodiumConnect, and RaceCapture/Apex

Checking cellular status using the front panel LED

• Applies to RaceCapture/Pro, RaceCapture/Apex, PodiumConnect

If the unit is actively broadcasting telemetry, you will see the telemetry LED flashing on the device.

Checking cellular status using the RaceCapture app

You can check the status of the internal cellular modem by checking system status, accessed via main menu in the RaceCapture app.

Checking cellular status using RaceCapture logging

Your system will generate messages that can show additional debugging information.

To access the RaceCapture Log

• Ensure the RaceCapture app is connected to your system
• Go to Setup and then select the Scripting screen
• Check the box next to Poll Log at the bottom of the screen.
• The RaceCapture app will pull log messages from your system and display it in the window.

To troubleshoot the telemetry connection, perform these steps right after powering up and let it run for a few minutes. You will see messages about the system attempting to initialize the cellular subsystem and connect telemetry.

• Note: You can also copy the text in the log by pressing the Copy button - then paste it in an email or message to share with others for troubleshooting.