Revision as of 16:31, 4 May 2017

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.

Prerequisites

Get a device Id

Head over to Podium.live, create an account and a 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

RaceCapture/Apex
RaceCapture/Pro MK3, MK2, MK1 with integrated telemetry option

Get a SIM card

Purchasing a SIM Card

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

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).

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.

USA

AT&T (Recommended)

AT&T is now our recommended service as they have announced affordable plans targeting tablets and other data-only devices.

We recommend the $15/month Gophone plan which includes 250MB of data- plenty for a long endurance race weekend.

AT&T Gophone plans

When you arrive at the store:

Ask for a $15/month Go-phone plan with data
- 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
Let them know that your device does not support 4G LTE (it's a 3.5G module)

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, which is currently $3 USD/day. The plan is only charged when data is actually used during a 24 hour period.

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

3rd party resellers (MVNOs)

Straight talk wireless has some compelling plans starting at $15/month: http://www.straighttalkbyot.com/

Global

RaceCapture/Pro MK3 and RaceCapture/Apex uses 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

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.

Getting 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 lower part of the silver card holder (below the SIM 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.

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 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.

Troubleshooting Internal Cellular Telemetry

Typical connectivity problems are:

Missing / Incorrect Device Id: Ensure RaceCapture/Pro is configured with a Device ID provided by your Podium account.
Cellular disabled: Ensure the the Cellular option is set to on in the Wireless settings under Setup.
Expired SIM card: Make sure your SIM card has enough credit to enable data.
Incorrect cellular plan: Check with the carrier and confirm the plan is enabled with data.
Incorrect APN settings: While T-Mobile makes it easy by always using the same APN, AT&T is known to require various APN settings based on the type of data plan.
- For AT&T, try the alternate AT&T settings (AT&T Alt #1 and Alt #2) if you cannot get a connection.
- For other carriers, contact their technical support to get a custom APN setting for their network.
Poor signal quality: Ensure adequate coverage in the area.
Loose / incorrect antenna connection: Ensure the antenna is correctly torqued to 4-6 inch/lbs (just beyond finger-tight) and connected to the correct antenna port.
No 12v power (2.5G cellular only) The 2.5G internal telemetry module requires external 12v (via green terminal block or OBD-II cable)
- Note: 3.5G cellular telemetry can be powered by USB.

Debugging Cellular activity

You can debug the cellular activity by monitoring the log generated by RaceCapture/Pro.

Navigate to Configuration/Scripting and enable debug level logging.
- Check the 'poll logfile' option
- Select 'Debug' from the dropdown list.
You will see the low-level conversation between RaceCapture/Pro and the cellular module.

Copy and paste the data from this window (Ctrl-A / Ctrl-C) into an email and email us, or post it in the forums - we'll get right on helping you figure it out.