Bosch: Technology just got smarter

In the information age, we expect to know things now. As in, right now. The era of smartphones and data transfer via cellular networks has made that the norm. And the same is true in motorsports, where faster, more consistent data delivered straight from a racecar out on the track to its pit box, hauler, or even back to the race shop can help teams to build a competitive advantage.

But keeping that advantage means staying ahead of the curve when it comes to understanding and implementing the latest in cutting edge technology – which is how Bosch Motorsport has always excelled. Now, using the same data network that powers our smartphones, it's created a telemetry system for its customers that's faster, more reliable and simpler to use.

Bosch's Telemetry System LTE60 is designed for real-time telemetry transmission over a 4G-LTE data network. It permits multiple transmitters and multiple receivers, so not only can the team on the pitwall monitor what's going on with the car, but an engineer at the engine shop could be privy to the same information, too. And thanks to its flexibility and simplicity of operation, teams at all levels of motorsport are finding that it's an essential tool in understanding and enhancing the performance of racecars and their drivers.

"The LTE60 system is different from others in that it uses 4G-LTE as the communications medium, rather than traditional UHF/VHF modems," says Bosch Engineering North America senior engineer Matthew Anderson. "With that, we've minimized dropouts on track. It's a much more reliable transmission medium and it affords the ability to transmit a lot more data at a faster rate to customers without having to rely on an infrastructure that the customer would have to set up."

For teams in the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship, such abilities are becoming critical. From leading Prototype teams, to GT Daytona class competitors such as Viper Exchange Racing, Bosch Motorsport customers are using the system to obtain more information, more consistently than they've been able to in the past.

"The biggest gain we've found is reception," says Ben Levite, technical director for the ViperExchange.com/TI Automotive/Riley Motorsports Dodge Viper GT3-R team in GTD.

"Nationwide, at every track, we can get full track coverage, which was rare with standard UHF and VHF radios. Not only that, but the stream is very close to real time. To have real time plus full coverage is great in helping us to do diagnosis when the car is on track."

Better data doesn't just help in improving the car; it can help drivers as well, which makes it a powerful tool not only for the top echelons of motorsport, but also entry level pros and even club racers, too.

"When you start to receive data every 30 milliseconds, you can look at things in a different way," says Anderson. "That can aid in driver training. You get a much better picture of when a driver is letting off the throttle, or when they're getting on the brakes."

Anderson also finds he can start working on calibration for the Bosch M4 ABS system without having to download data once the car comes to a stop. That means when the car comes into the pits, he can upload the new calibration and it can head straight back out. "It can turn a two-day test into a one-day test," he says.

Another major benefit of the LTE60 system, according to many who've used it, is its simplicity and user-friendly operation.

"The system is essentially plug and play," says Bosch engineer Erich Ohlde. "With a traditional UHF or VHF telemetry system, you have to go and set repeaters up if there are geographical blockages like hills or heavy trees. With this system, you plug it in at the pit box and you start receiving data from the car. That's been the number one thing of which engineers on the teams have been appreciative."

Telemetry may seem like the stuff of science fiction to many amateur and entry level pro racers, but a system like the Bosch LTE60 brings its capabilities within reach. And, bottom line, anything that can help racers to improve their performance goes beyond desirable and into the realm of the essential.

AT A GLANCE: BOSCH TELEMETRY SYSTEM LTE60

The Bosch LTE60 is a 4G-LTE-based telemetry system that can connect to a variety of data acquisition units from Bosch, MoTeC and Cosworth and send it to multiple receivers over an LTE cellular data network.

That means a receiver anywhere within LTE coverage can receive the data, and no line-of-sight communication is necessary. It also means that Bosch engineers can update the system in place, rather than removing it.

The LTE60 uses a standard RS232 connector, and transmits data every 30 milliseconds, compared with 100 or 150 milliseconds from traditional UHF or VHF telemetry systems.

The receiver connects to a computer via ethernet or serial.

This feature was brought to you by Bosch