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RLS' LA11 encoder improves Dynisma's motion simulator for motorsport applications

"Initially we approached Renishaw for a specific requirement on a previous system where they recommended the RLS LA11 encoder. Since then, we realised it was also a great fit for DMG-1."

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Dynisma develops motion simulators for the elite motorsport and automotive sectors. It is key that the company manufactures simulators that provide realistic results and feedback, to optimise a car’s performance. One way to ensure reliable, realistic results is by implementing low latency.

Latency is the delay between sending motion commands to the motion simulator and the actuation of the commanded motion. This is important in the motorsport and automotive sectors because a driver can only correct oversteer as quickly as the motion system provides feedback. Low latency in a simulated car provides the most accurate driving experience (e.g., handling and ride comfort), and in motorsport low latency allows a racing driver to push the car to its limit. Whereas, in scenarios where the latency is higher, extra understeer may be added to the programme to make the simulated car more controllable when driving.

“Latency is a key USP for us,” said Joshua Bell, DMG-1 Engineering Lead at Dynisma. “The whole round-trip latency is important – any latency in our feedback is then going to feed through to the driver.”

The motion system of the DMG-1 is split into two separate parts, a high-frequency platform (HFP) and a low-frequency platform (LFP). The former delivers high fidelity and high bandwidth motion, while the latter enables larger movements. And with the addition of a visual system, which can be synchronised with the motion system, the driver can receive visual cues.

About Dynisma Ltd

Dynisma was first established in 2017 by former Formula One simulation engineer Ash Warne, who has previously worked with McLaren and Ferrari in his previous role. The company is active in the elite motorsport and automotive sectors and is most well-known for developing the DMG-1, a motion generator that claims to accurately simulate motion cues in minute detail, to provide an immersive driving experience.

Overall, Dynisma’s goal is to develop high-performance driving simulators which will provide realistic vehicle motion cues for both Formula One world champions and automotive engineers.

How will an encoder improve Dynisma's product offering?

To enable precise position control of the belt-driven actuators, Dynisma opted to adopt RLS’ (a Renishaw-associated company) LA11 absolute linear encoder. The driving simulator developer hopes that the new technology will drive the LFP responsible for large movements (excursions).

The LFP has three belt-driven actuators (ground rails) which interface with the tri-base of the HFP via three passive radial rails. Additionally, the rails enable motion with three degrees of freedom (lateral, longitudinal, yaw) over a large excursion. In comparison, the HFP enables six degrees of freedom via six actuators, in a smaller motion envelope but with higher fidelity.

 “The LA11 encoders are all on the low-frequency platform. So, on our demonstrator system we have got six on the three ground rails, which are the ones that go radially outwards, and on the customer systems we have nine,” said Bell. “The encoder's output to Beckhoff safety slices which feed into our safety program where we monitor the position and velocity of the system. As a result, we can safely shut down any system that exceeds its safe performance envelope.”

RLS’ encoder claims to provide short response and recovery times due to its electronic design. Also, the LA11 encoder features communication interface options, enabling dual output of position readings via serial communication and incremental position readings.

“The main requirement for DMG-1 was that we needed an encoder that gave absolute feedback and incremental feedback in the same readhead. We essentially wanted direct feedback to the safety system for both the position and velocity of the relevant axis; if we had to do that with an encoder that only gave us an absolute signal then we would need to fit a different encoder for an incremental signal which takes up more packaging space. The LA11 was ideal because it minimised our space requirements by producing both absolute and incremental signals from one readhead and scale tape,” concludes Bell.

Key specs of RLS' LA11 absolute magnetic linear encoder:

How has the LA11 impacted the DMG-1?

Both Renishaw and RLS worked collaboratively to provide Dynisma with technical support to help the company find and implement the right encoder solution. The motion simulator developer has announced that the DMG-1 is making an impact on its customers and that the future development of the simulator is looking promising.

“Initially we approached Renishaw for a specific requirement on a previous system where they recommended the RLS LA11 encoder. Since then, we realised it was also a great fit for DMG-1,” said Bell. “We are delivering three DMG-1 systems to customers in the automotive and motorsport sector over the next 6 to 12 months and beyond that we have future orders in the pipeline, so we expect to continue that relationship with Renishaw and RLS.”

“Dynisma delivers projects across the world for our customers in both motorsport and automotive, in Europe, North America and beyond. So, there is already a strong market for new Dynisma products such as DMG-1,” said Warne. “We have a very strong working relationship with Renishaw and RLS - their products match our requirements and use cases very well. We have also received excellent product selection help and technical support from both businesses. Dynisma is always focused on developing and expanding our product development roadmap, so we have plans to continue to develop our technology for years to come and we look forward to working with Renishaw and RLS on our future products.”

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