BERU f1systems Reports Successful F1 Season for Innovative Infra-red TPMS

2009 saw the launch of a radically new technology for acquiring true tyre carcass temperature. BERU f1systems announced their DigiTyre Infrared Tyre Temperature and Pressure Monitoring System (IRTPTMS) as the first opportunity to monitor internal tyre carcass temperature. The system offers excellent resolution (0.25ºC) and accuracy (0.5ºC) across an extended temperature range (-40 ºC to 215ºC). The wheel sensor transmits pressure, air and tyre temperature at 1Hz, via antennae to the ECU. The introduction of slick tyres in 2009 meant engineers were keen to gain a greater understanding of accurate tyre temperature unaffected by heat soak.

“Tyre temperature sensors are normally fitted to the rim as part of the valve,” says managing director John Bailey. “Heat soak from the rim and brakes distorts results leading to incorrect set up. Our system uses IR sensors to measure the inside temperature of the tyre itself, not just the air temperature.”

The firm’s technologies have also been implemented in other formulae with newly developed low-cost alternatives to the Formula One model, including a Lite version. In 2009, this system was used in the World Touring Car Championship and Swedish Touring Car Championship. The cost breakthrough for the Lite systems has been achieved through simplified electronics and feature set, standard installation wiring loom and the use of less exotic materials for packaging the components.

Despite the changes, DigiTyre Lite retains its renowned ability to perform in extreme conditions and is still capable of working in the harshest environments. In 2010, the firm will increase the number of diagnostics tools including Garage Management Software. It offers race and tyre engineers the possibility to simultaneously monitor the pressure and temperature of over 240 tyres from a single location. With complete data from all the tyres available, engineers can quickly identify issues and select the optimum wheel set for the conditions.

“Currently engineers have to interrogate each tyre individually which can be time consuming,” says application engineer James Shingleton. “This new software provides the temperature and pressure of up to 240 tyres in a single location, simplifying the task considerably.” The system can also advise if tyres breach pre-determined minimum and maximum pressures or temperatures, quickly highlighting a tyre which is not in its optimum condition. While suitable especially for endurance racing categories, the system also offers a potential solution for one-make series in which tyres are centralised and distributed to competitors.