Track Systems Traqmate User manual

Traqmate
GPS Data Acquisition System
User Manual
Version 2.10 May 31, 2008
Copyright © 2005 - 2008 Track Systems Technologies, LLC
Traqmate, Traqview, TraqData, TraqTach, traqcam, traqstudio,
the Traqmate logo, and the track systems logo
Are trademarks of track systems technologies, llc
Chasecam, pdr100, and ss1000 are trademarks of
chase product development, inc.
Microsoft, windows, and VISTA are trademarks of Microsoft corp.
Velcro is a trademark of Velcro Industries B.V.

Traqmate User Manual V2.10 May 31, 2008
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Table of Contents
WELCOME TO TEAM TRAQMATE ......................................................................................................... 6
SYSTEM OVERVIEW............................................................................................................................ 7
TRAQMATE FEATURES.................................................................................................................................... 7
TRAQMATE SYSTEM COMPONENTS .................................................................................................................. 8
Sensor Unit............................................................................................................................................. 8
Display Unit............................................................................................................................................. 8
Traqview ................................................................................................................................................. 9
TRAQMATE SYSTEM PACKAGES......................................................................................................................10
Traqmate Basic......................................................................................................................................10
Traqmate Complete ...............................................................................................................................10
Accessories............................................................................................................................................10
QUICK GUIDE – LET’S COLLECT SOME DATA.................................................................................... 11
TRAQVIEW SOFTWARE INSTALLATION............................................................................................... 12
TRAQVIEW ANALYSIS SOFTWARE....................................................................................................................12
USB DRIVER ...............................................................................................................................................12
TRAQMATE INSTALLATION................................................................................................................ 13
SENSOR UNIT INSTALLATION ..........................................................................................................................13
Traqmate Basic Installation....................................................................................................................14
Traqmate Complete Installation.............................................................................................................14
GPS ANTENNA PLACEMENT AND INSTALLATION...............................................................................................14
CONNECTING A SENSOR UNIT TO A DISPLAY UNIT ............................................................................................14
POWER CONNECTION....................................................................................................................................15
Cigarette Lighter Adapter.......................................................................................................................15
TraqPaq Rechargeable Li-ion Battery Pack...........................................................................................15
Permanent Wiring Harness Installation..................................................................................................15
TraqAC Power Supply............................................................................................................................16
TRAQMATE DISPLAY UNIT INSTALLATION .........................................................................................................16
Mounting................................................................................................................................................16
Connecting to the Sensor Unit...............................................................................................................17
TRAQMATE BASIC............................................................................................................................ 18
SYSTEM DESCRIPTION...................................................................................................................................18
CONTROLS...................................................................................................................................................18
PWR / REC – Power Switch Button.......................................................................................................18
LED Light Displays.................................................................................................................................18
COM – Communications Port ................................................................................................................18
PWR – Power Port.................................................................................................................................18
GPS – GPS Antenna Port......................................................................................................................18
AUX – Auxiliary Port...............................................................................................................................18
TRAQMATE COMPLETE..................................................................................................................... 19
SYSTEM DESCRIPTION...................................................................................................................................19
CONTROLS...................................................................................................................................................19
ON/OFF – Power Switch Button ............................................................................................................19
Traqmate Logo – Backlight Button.........................................................................................................19
Select Button – Executes Menu Functions.............................................................................................19
Back Button – Exits Menu Functions .....................................................................................................19
Up Button...............................................................................................................................................19
Down Button ..........................................................................................................................................19
MENU SYSTEM .............................................................................................................................................20
DISPLAY UNIT ICONS .....................................................................................................................................22
FEATURES....................................................................................................................................................22
Lap Timing.............................................................................................................................................22
Autocross / Rally Mode..........................................................................................................................25
Segment Timing Mode...........................................................................................................................26
Using for Closed Circuit Feedback.........................................................................................................26
TRAQVIEW ANALYSIS AND CONFIGURATION PROGRAM...................................................................... 27
TRAQVIEW SCREEN LAYOUT ..........................................................................................................................27
TOOLBAR BUTTONS AND CONTROLS ...............................................................................................................27
MENU OPTIONS ............................................................................................................................................28

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GENERAL TRAQVIEW OPTIONS .......................................................................................................................29
FILES...........................................................................................................................................................30
Opening Files.........................................................................................................................................30
Saving Files ...........................................................................................................................................30
Adding Drivers .......................................................................................................................................30
Exporting Graph Images and Segment Analysis Table..........................................................................30
Exporting Data Files...............................................................................................................................30
VIEWING OPTIONS ........................................................................................................................................31
EXCHANGING INFORMATION WITH TRAQMATE...................................................................................................32
Connecting to Traqmate.........................................................................................................................32
UNIT INFO SCREEN .......................................................................................................................................33
SU Basic Settings – These appear only when connected to a Traqmate Basic Unit...............33
User Data Screen ..................................................................................................................................34
IO Data Screen ......................................................................................................................................35
Session Upload Screen..........................................................................................................................37
ANALYSIS TOOLS ..........................................................................................................................................37
Dashboard .............................................................................................................................................37
Setup Screen.........................................................................................................................................38
Playback Controls..................................................................................................................................40
Track Map..............................................................................................................................................40
Track Facts............................................................................................................................................41
Car Facts ...............................................................................................................................................41
G vs. Time..............................................................................................................................................42
G vs. Distance........................................................................................................................................42
Velocity vs. Time....................................................................................................................................43
Velocity vs. Distance..............................................................................................................................43
Time Gap vs. Distance...........................................................................................................................43
Friction Circle.........................................................................................................................................44
Braking and Acceleration Zones ............................................................................................................45
Turn Zones.............................................................................................................................................46
Segment Analysis ..................................................................................................................................47
Separate Start / Finish (Rally) Mode......................................................................................................49
Traqview Updates..................................................................................................................................54
Traqmate SU and DU Firmware Updates ..............................................................................................54
TRAQSTUDIO DATA/VIDEO INTEGRATION.......................................................................................... 55
VIDEO INTEGRATION......................................................................................................................................55
TraqCam Instructions.............................................................................................................................56
Manual Synchronization.........................................................................................................................56
WRITING VIDEOS ..........................................................................................................................................57
Input Options..........................................................................................................................................57
Output Options.......................................................................................................................................57
Screen Features ....................................................................................................................................58
Creating a CD ........................................................................................................................................59
Creating a DVD......................................................................................................................................59
TRAQDATA INSTALLATION AND SETUP ............................................................................................. 60
HOOKING UP DATA INPUTS AND OUTPUTS.......................................................................................................60
Digitals...................................................................................................................................................60
Analogs..................................................................................................................................................61
HOOKING UP A TACH INPUT (TRAQDATA, TRAQTACH) ......................................................................................64
HOOKING UP A CHASECAM PDR100 (TRAQCAM SETUP) .................................................................................65
ChaseCam PDR100 Digital Video Recorder Operation.........................................................................66
ChaseCam SS1000 Split-Screen Processor Operation.........................................................................67
USING TRAQMATE FOR ANALYSIS..................................................................................................... 68
DRIVER COMPARISON ...................................................................................................................................68
Best Lap Playback .................................................................................................................................68
Best vs. Worst Playback ........................................................................................................................68
Velocity vs. Distance..............................................................................................................................68
Driving Line............................................................................................................................................69
Segments...............................................................................................................................................69
G vs. Distance Analysis .........................................................................................................................70
Friction Circle.........................................................................................................................................71
Graphing Multiple Data Elements (Stacked Graphs) .............................................................................72

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VEHICLE PERFORMANCE COMPARISON ...........................................................................................................73
Acceleration and Braking.......................................................................................................................73
Lateral Gs ..............................................................................................................................................74
SAFETY .......................................................................................................................................................75
SHARE & COMPARE – TRAQMATE.COM............................................................................................ 77
EXCHANGING LAPS .......................................................................................................................................77
APPENDICES.................................................................................................................................... 78
TABLE OF FIGURES .......................................................................................................................................78
Traqmate Complete ...............................................................................................................................80
Traqmate Basic......................................................................................................................................80
TraqStudio .............................................................................................................................................80
WARRANTY INFORMATION..............................................................................................................................80
GLOSSARY ...................................................................................................................................................81
ABOUT GPS DATA ACQUISITION ....................................................................................................................82
GPS Frequently Asked Questions .........................................................................................................83

Traqmate User Manual V2.10 May 31, 2008
Copyright © 2005 - 2008 Track Systems Technologies, LLC Page 6
Welcome to Team Traqmate
Thank you for purchasing the Traqmate System, the powerful but easy-to-use Data Acquisition
System. You will be amazed at the depth of information available without modifying your vehicle
or learning to decipher complicated data tables.
Traqmate was designed by racers and is great for getting the first or last second out of your lap
times. It is also great for the track day enthusiast who wants to record their day, play it back with
their video, analyze their performance to get the most out of their car, and do a little bench racing
with their friends.
With the addition of this small device to your track bag, you will be able to better tune car and
driver for maximum performance. While it is very easy to learn, please take a moment to read this
manual so you can discover all the capabilities and get the most out your Traqmate.
As a Traqmate owner, you really are a member of Team Traqmate. Use the traqmate.com
website to ‘Share and Compare’, trading laps with thousands of other Traqmate enthusiasts
around the world.
We at Track Systems are continually improving Traqmate and Traqview by adding additional
innovative features that are available to download so make sure you check traqmate.com
frequently for the latest software.
The 2.00 release level was created with input from our thousands of customers. Suggestions
such as predictive lap timing, theoretical best lap calculations, automatic segments, time
differential graph, graph filtering, and even video integration were all based on direct feedback
from our customers.
We have continued that with this 2.10 release. We have added video writing capability with the
new TraqStudio program, made data and video synchronization even easier with the TraqSync
ChaseCam 4-wire Interface Module, and kicked predictive lap timing up a notch by storing the
sector information between sessions. Traqview can now calculate the gear you are using and the
graphs are improved. We added a new mode to Traqmate Complete called Segment Timing that
can be used for rolling-start timing or detailed sector analysis on the track. Traqmate Basic can
now start and stop itself so you never miss a session. And, as usual, there are many hidden
improvements to make the unit work even better. Thanks for helping us keep Traqmate on the
cutting edge.
See you at the track,
Glenn Stephens
President
Track Systems Technologies, LLC

Traqmate User Manual V2.10 May 31, 2008
Copyright © 2005 - 2008 Track Systems Technologies, LLC Page 7
System Overview
The Traqmate is a vehicle data acquisition device that uses a high-speed GPS receiver and high-
resolution accelerometers to track and record the speed of a vehicle, its absolute location, and
forces acting on the vehicle.
The Track Systems Traqview analysis program uses advanced mathematical algorithms to
translate this data into visual form where it is easy to spot differences between drivers, vehicles,
and sessions.
Traqmate Features
Drop and Go – Stick a Traqmate in your car, turn it on, and collect data all day long. No sensors
required.
Replay Your Day – Upload the data into Traqview. See your car on the track and your
performance on the virtual dashboard.
Instant Gratification – See your lap times as they happen on the in-car display.
Share and Compare – Create virtual races with friends or with yourself from different sessions.
Trade laps with your friends. Learn from them.
Easy to Use – No engineering degree required. The Traqmate Basic Unit has one button. What
could be easier? The Traqmate Complete Display Unit is menu-driven with prompts in English.
Just pick what you want – no typing, no memorizing buttons.
Analyze – Zoom in on your lap. Single step to see G loads and speed. Compare braking and
acceleration points between cars and drivers. Graph data vs. time and distance.
Share Your Toys – Loan your Traqmate to a friend or loan your car to a faster driver. Then
compare their laps against your own. Even two drivers with equal laptimes can both learn from
one another.
Rugged – Traqmate was designed to withstand the tough environment of a race car to give you
years of service.
Grow – Want even more information? Add sensors for digital, analog, and tachometer inputs.
It Gets Better – Traqmate’s heart is a very powerful microprocessor so new features and
functionality will be made available over time. Download new software from traqmate.com,
reprogram the unit, and you are good to go.

Traqmate User Manual V2.10 May 31, 2008
Copyright © 2005 - 2008 Track Systems Technologies, LLC Page 8
Traqmate System Components
The Traqmate System has three main components – the Sensor Unit (SU) contains the sensitive
electronics to measure location and G-forces. The Display Unit (DU) contains a graphical display
for viewing laptimes as they happen. The final component is Traqview, the innovative Windows
software that allows you to view your performance in many different ways.
Sensor Unit
In addition to the GPS receiver to measure position and the
accelerometers to measure forces, the Sensor Unit has digital,
analog, and frequency inputs for measuring individual aspects
of vehicle performance such as RPM or steering wheel
position. These are recorded alongside the position and force
data for easy graphing.
Four LEDs indicate power, data collection mode, GPS signal,
and data communications activity. The Sensor Unit can be
used standalone or in conjunction with a Display Unit, in which
case it is entirely remotely controlled. When used alone (Traqmate Basic), the Sensor Unit has a
single red button on the front panel for ON/OFF and for entering and exiting data recording mode.
The Sensor Unit can be customized using the Traqview Analysis Program. You can enter Drivers,
Tracks, and Vehicles and all data is date and time-stamped so there is never any confusion. In
addition, Traqview lets you customize the unit with your name and contact information in case it is
lost or stolen.
Display Unit
The Display Unit (DU) is a major leap in low-cost data
acquisition providing in-car lap timing without a need for
external beacons. The graphical and menu-driven user
interface makes data collection easy and fun. Even more
innovative, the DU is a USB-powered data storage device.
Unclip it from your car and plug it into your PC’s USB port.
The Display Unit powers up and transfers your data right into
Traqview where your sessions are listed by Driver, Track,
and Vehicle.
The DU has a backlit bitmapped screen for easy reading day
or night. The membrane switch has large buttons so it can
be accessed with gloves and is resistant to moisture, dirt, and grease. Mount it anywhere with
Velcro or the accessory quick clip.
With the Traqmate DU, in-car lap timing has never been easier. For each track, press the
SELECT button at the start/finish line to permanently store that information in the DU. The unit
will remember that track in the future. Place the unit in Lapping Mode and watch your laps click
off. The display shows Lap Number, Lap Time, Best Lap, and whether the lap was faster or
slower that the previous lap. Lap Timing continues even if GPS signal is lost or spotty. Review
laps for any session and delete the ones you don’t want.
The Display Unit is attractive enough to use every day. When traveling to the track, turn on the
DU and you will get a nice GPS compass, atomic clock, and a speedometer.

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Traqview
A data acquisition system is only
as good as the analysis program.
Traqview is a new approach that
merges hard-core data analysis
with the fun of a video game. The
track mapping is accurate and
gives an instant read on what is
happening where. Multi-car
playback lets you see graphically
who is faster where.
Record several cars in a race and
replay the entire race in real-time,
slow-mo, or fast forward. See their
speed, G loads, braking and
acceleration for every car on the
virtual dashboard.
Traqview has all the tools you
need to optimize the performance
of both car and driver. For
example, you can display graphs
like Velocity vs. Distance to see who is faster in which corners and then define a sector on the
map and zoom in to see braking points, instantaneous velocities, acceleration points, and transfer
speeds through a corner.
For an added dimension, the optional TraqStudio allows simultaneous synchronized playback of
data and video.
Traqview is your single point of contact for everything in the Traqmate System. Use it to upload
data from Traqmate, analyze the data, configure Tracks, Drivers, Vehicles and optional Sensors,
change the Sampling Rate, and even download future software and feature upgrades into your
Traqmate.

Traqmate User Manual V2.10 May 31, 2008
Copyright © 2005 - 2008 Track Systems Technologies, LLC Page 10
Traqmate System Packages
This diagram will help you identify the
Traqmate Components. Traqmate
comes as two bundled packages.
Each includes everything you need to
collect and analyze your data.
Traqmate Basic
The Traqmate Basic package consists
of a Sensor Unit (SU), GPS antenna,
serial cable, power cable, carrying
box, and compact data disc containing
the Traqview Analysis software and
manual.
Traqmate Complete
The Traqmate Complete package
consists of a Sensor Unit (SU), a
Display Unit (DU), GPS antenna, USB
cable, SU-DU DIN connection cable,
power cable, carrying box, and
compact data disc containing the
Traqview Analysis Software and User
Manual.
Figure 1 - Traqmate System Components
Accessories
Accessories include a TraqPaq Li-ion battery pack and charger, optional power connections,
Display Unit mounting brackets, TraqData analog/digital/RPM input device, TraqTach RPM input
device, Li-ion Rechargeable and AA Alkaline TraqPaq battery packs, ChaseCam video products,
extra antennas for convenient vehicle swapping, and the SU mounting tray.
TraqPaq
Li-ion
Pack
SU Mounting Tray DU Mounting
Bracket TraqAC Power Supply Permanent Power Cable