Title: Design and development of a Formula Student electric racecar's control system

Authors: Suvarna Kadam; Aman Gaonkar; Pranav Kolte; Chirag Kharche; Sheetal Bhandari; Pramod Sonawane; Prakash Sontakke; Niles Gaikwad; Manish Narkhede

Addresses: Pimpri Chinchwad College of Engineering, Sector-26, Pune, 411044, India ' Pimpri Chinchwad College of Engineering, Sector-26, Pune, 411044, India ' Pimpri Chinchwad College of Engineering, Sector-26, Pune, 411044, India ' Pimpri Chinchwad College of Engineering, Sector-26, Pune, 411044, India ' Pimpri Chinchwad College of Engineering, Sector-26, Pune, 411044, India ' Pimpri Chinchwad College of Engineering, Sector-26, Pune, 411044, India ' Pimpri Chinchwad College of Engineering, Sector-26, Pune, 411044, India ' Pimpri Chinchwad College of Engineering, Sector-26, Pune, 411044, India ' Pimpri Chinchwad College of Engineering, Sector-26, Pune, 411044, India

Abstract: The Formula Student electric racecar 'Thunderblade 4.0' control system developed by Team Kratos Racing Electric at Pimpri Chinchwad Education Trust's Pimpri Chinchwad College of Engineering has undergone significant improvements. Implementing a centralised power distribution unit has resulted in notable wiring harness optimisation. The proposed work has also focused on enhancing the functionality of the circuits. The team incorporated wire fault detection circuits, advanced logic circuits, and test points to improve the vehicle's safety and reliability. In addition to these improvements, it has also incorporated software tools like the Saturn Printed Circuit Board Toolkit and Altium Designer Rule Wizard. These tools have enabled the team to develop better printed circuit board designs. Overall, the control system has successfully analysed the failures of the previous season and proposed solutions to ensure the development of a reliable and competitive vehicle. The control system components are described, and the initiative has achieved its objectives of weight optimisation, power delivery efficiency, and improved functionalities of the circuits.

Keywords: electronics control unit; Formula Student electric racecar; Printed Circuit Board; design; safety circuits; STM32.

DOI: 10.1504/IJVSMT.2024.136759

International Journal of Vehicle Systems Modelling and Testing, 2024 Vol.18 No.1, pp.1 - 32

Received: 26 May 2023
Accepted: 14 Oct 2023
Published online: 20 Feb 2024 *

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