Systems Engineer Participates in SAE Formula 1 Car Design

May engineering schools participate in the Society of Automotive Engineer's annual student automotive design competition and race. This is typically the domain of Mechanical Engineering departments.



But what many people don't realize is that these days, your average car is stocked with more microcomputers that your average Best Buy. Today's cars use hundreds of feedback control systems, the heart of the systems engineering cirriculum. Everything from cruise control, to anti-lock breaks, an electronic stability control is regulated automatically using sophisticated sensors, and microchips.




Systems Engineer Midn Castenda's original Design Project was to design and implement an automatic, pneumatic shifter into the USNA Formula 1 car. The concept was to have a faster better shifter for the car that was always optimized to the engine and to relieve the driver from another chore that could be automated, and thereby let the driver concentrate on driving. The design worked well on up shifts, with Castenda getting inside the engine’s (Honda 600cc motorcycle engine) ECU and programming it to interrupt fuel for a few microseconds to relieve stress on the gear train to enable smooth up shifts.


For more on how instrumented car have become see for example NYT: 2007 Mercedes-Benz: Leave the Driving to the Microchips ...OK the article starts negatively, but just keep reading onto page 2

Autonomous Resupply Vehicle

Mids Carlton, Jewett and Scarborough (Advised by Prof. Feemster)

Systems Ball 2009

Before there was Battle-Bots, there was System's Ball, this year marked the 19th annual System's Ball robotic combat event.

And it was particularly special. For one of its founders, now retired Prof. Knowles, it was his last Systems Ball (at least in any official capacity). After a particularly eventful round of combat he gave his a humorous last lecture on the engineering principles behind some long secret weapons technology. Farewell Knowles!

Be sure to check out the 2010 Event, which takes place on the last day of class, in Rickover 103.