RTK GPS for Motorsport: high precision GPS Telemetry

Up to 1cm accuracy GPS signal. Telemetry in Motorsport takes a step forward with RTK technology.

Anyone who works with racing cars knows how much the accuracy of the data collected with the various devices is essential for carrying out a correct performance analysis. Accuracy and repeatability of the results are the basis for doing a good job.

Since the early 2000s MR Sport Management has supported the use of classic telemetry on racing cars and has developed a data analysis system to measure the driver’s performance in an impeccable way. Since it’s necessary to push forward a constant evolution, MR Sport Management has introduced RTK technology + GPS used on race cars telemetry to offer a level of precision never seen before: accuracy up to 1 cm!

RTK GPS technology for Motorsport: what exactly is

Real-Time Kinematics (RTK) is a technology used for satellite positioning that can deliver centimeter-precise results, which is necessary for the automotive business. The method involves measuring satellite data against a ground station (fixed or mobile), to obtain accurate and correct information in real time.

The fundamental components of an RTK system applied to motorsport are:

• Rover, where our satellite positioning device is installed, in this case the car used for the tests.
• Base station that offers a correction service through the 4G mobile network. These are services offered free of charge or for a fee at a regional and national level. If they are not present, it is possible to use a mobile station that emits a radio signal with the same information.
• GPS satellites that send the information thanks to which it is possible to obtain a generic positioning generally characterized by an accuracy of around 2.5 meters.

The main advantages of an RTK system are:

Superior accuracy: this is the biggest benefit. Compared to satellite data alone, an RTK system offers much higher positioning accuracy, typically on the order of 1 centimeter.
Real-time corrections: while other correction techniques such as PPK correct distorted data and fill in gaps only after flight completion, RTK corrections instead automatically correct errors in real time. This means that the data you see during the flight is data you can trust.

High-precision racing car telemetry for testing and training activity

MR Sport Management’s in-house developed RTK telemetry combines data from the vehicle ECU and applied external sensors (when needed) with the high precision GPS RTK signal to provide the most comprehensive results for an analysis never seen before.

It’s thus possible to visualize the correct racing line followed by the driver with an accuracy of up to 1 cm, to measure exactly where, how and why the performance has produced certain results.

Our telemetry devices have been developed for the demanding Rally world, where the conditions of use require high-profile characteristics, as well as for the Track world. It is therefore possible to work both on open tracks (special stages) and circuits (closed tracks).

The software as well as the configuration and interpretation of the data will be provided to the customer including a training phase.

Contact us to discover the solutions we have developed that share ease of use, installation, transport and at the same time high precision and efficiency.