Tactical Software Helps FutureTruck 2002 Competitor Speed Development of Energy-Efficient SUV
NASHUA, N.H.--June 11, 2002--Tactical Software(R) LLC, a dial-out and serial data communications solutions provider, has donated its Serial/IP application to the University of California, Davis (UC Davis) FutureTruck 2002 team, enabling them to acquire and monitor critical data from the key systems controls throughout the vehicle. By eliminating the need for a direct serial connection to each system control, Serial/IP provides UC Davis a method for using existing software programs on a single PC to monitor data in real-time via a wired or wireless network. This system saves the team the time and expense of developing new applications, and removes complicated serial cable wiring.
"Serial/IP offers a simple, cost-effective, more efficient solution to ensure our vehicle controls are working within their design specifications, which is essential for developing a more fuel-efficient, environmentally-conscious SUV," said Christopher Nitta, research assistant, UC Davis FutureTruck team. "Most importantly, it lets us use existing software to monitor our controls, saving us precious time and money--time and money that we have been able to spend preparing our truck for the competition, instead of re-engineering programs to make them work in a suitable network environment."
In order to monitor the functionality of the fuel-efficient truck, the UC Davis team uses microprocessors to record data for each of the key systems controls in the vehicle, such as the powertrain control module, electric motor controller, battery monitoring system and emissions analyzer. Each controller has proprietary software, requiring an individual serial connection to acquire and monitor data. Serial/IP provides access to shared serial lines, via a serial server, to allow network access to all of the serial port controllers via a single PC. By eliminating the need for a direct connection to each device, Serial/IP reduces the web of cables running throughout the truck and cuts the requirement of four laptops down to one--freeing up space in the vehicle and lowering overall cost. More importantly, Serial/IP simplifies the data acquisition process by making it possible to monitor all systems on a single laptop using a wireless application protocol (WAP)-enabled device.
"We are proud to sponsor the UC Davis team in their quest to defend the FutureTruck championship," said Liisa Walsh, president of Tactical Software. "With a limited amount of time to prepare the vehicle for the competition, our redirector software, Serial/IP, gives UC Davis a competitive advantage by bridging the gap between older device monitoring applications and new wireless technology. Our software provides a simple, practical solution that can be quickly implemented to reduce total system cost and decrease time to market--in this case preparing the vehicle for the Future Truck competition."
About FutureTruck 2002
The FutureTruck 2002 competition challenges teams of students from 15 top North American universities to re-engineer a conventional, mid-size Ford Explorer into a low-emissions vehicle with at least 25 percent higher fuel economy--without sacrificing the performance, utility, safety and affordability consumers want. To meet these challenges, students employ cutting-edge automotive technologies, including fuel cells and other advanced propulsion systems, space-age materials, and alternative fuels, such as ethanol and hydrogen. All of the teams in FutureTruck 2002 are implementing hybrid electric design strategies: an internal combustion engine with a battery and electric motor, or a fuel cell with a battery and electric motor.
FutureTruck 2002 is scheduled for June 11-21, 2002. Events will be held at Ford's Arizona Proving Ground in Yucca, Arizona; the California Air Resources Board in El Monte, California; and the California Motor Speedway in Fontana, California. An awards ceremony will close the competition in Los Angeles, California, where the vehicles will be on display.
About Tactical Software
Founded in 1996, Tactical Software delivers dial-out and serial line access solutions worldwide to businesses across all industry segments. Tactical's Windows-based COM port redirector software allows multiple computer users access to shared modems for dial-out and shared serial lines for serial data communications. Using public TCP/IP protocols, Tactical Software's products are compatible with dozens of remote access and serial servers from nearly all manufacturers. Tactical offers a variety of partner programs and is based in Nashua, N.H., as a privately held company.
Tactical Software is a registered trademark of Tactical Software, LLC. Serial/IP is a trademark of Tactical Software, LLC. All other trademarks, brands, and names are property of their respective owners.