Difference between revisions of "Set up the miniSim"

Revision as of 16:31, 19 September 2016 (view source) Ciera Headley (Talk | contribs) ← Older edit		Revision as of 16:39, 19 September 2016 (view source) Ciera Headley (Talk | contribs) Newer edit →
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	<li>Volume set to taste (~95%)</li>		<li>Volume set to taste (~95%)</li>
	</ul>		</ul>
−
−	==Using the MiniSim™==
−	===Launching the MiniSim===
−
−	To start the MiniSim application, double-click on the yellow "UTTC MiniSim v1.x.x" icon.
−	<gallery mode="traditional">
−	Image:Minisim_install_UTTC MiniSim v1.x.x|UTTC MiniSim v1.x.x
−	</gallery>
−
−	The MiniSim software will load, but to use it, you may need to use the '''Alt + Tab''' key combination to select '''NADS MiniSim Frontend GUI''' if it is hidden behind other windows. Drag the frontend GUI to the operator display. When launched in the future, the MiniSim GUI will apper in the operator display.
−	'''NOTE:''' Another method to move any window  to the operator display is to use '''Alt + Tab''' to select the window you want to move, then '''Alt + Space''' to show the window properties menu, the '''m''' to select 'move', then hold down the '''Right Arrow''' key, and the selected window will move to the right, and in abour 10 seconds should be visible on the operator display.
−	<gallery mode="traditional">
−	Image:Minisim_install MiniSim Fronted Graphical User Interface(GUI)|MiniSim Fronted Graphical User Interface(GUI)
−	</gallery>
−
−	===Running a Scenario===
−
−	This is a pull down on the GUI for selecting the scenario. It is disabled during the start up.
−
−	<ul>
−	<li>Choose the desired scenario from the list. </li>
−	<li>The '''Start Drive''' button will be enabled by then; click it to start the scenario.  It may take a minute to load the scenario.</li>
−	<li>The operator stops the drive by clicking on the '''Stop Drive''' button on the GUI. The '''Stop Drive''' button replaces the '''Start Drive''' button as soon as the drive is started. </li>
−	<li>To quit the MiniSim, stop the drive first, and then click "Quit" once it is enabled. This will terminate all the processes of the MiniSim cleanly.</li>
−	<li>Scenario files end in *.scn and are located in the '''C:\MiniSim_v1.8.xxx\data'''directory.</li>
−	</ul>
−
−	===Importing a Scenario===
−	<ul>
−	<li>Click the '''Import''' button</li>
−	<li> Navigate to where the scenario(*.scn) is located , such as a thumb drive, and selected it.</li>
−	<li>The scenario file will be copied to the proper locations in the MiniSim folder tree, and necessary additional files will be created automatically. The imported scenario will now appear in the pull down list and ready to be started.</li>
−	<li> When the system imports a scenario, it copies the *.scn file to the '''C:\MiniSim_v1.8.xx\data''' directory. The system also creates an *.eif file of the same name in the '''C:\MiniSim_v1.8.xx\data\RCM''' directory. The files in the RCM directory are the ones that appear on the drop down Current Scenario menu. You may ‘hide’ scenarios by placing the *.efi files in a folder in the RCM directory.</li>
−	</ul>
−	<gallery mode="traditional">
−	Image:Minisim_install MiniSim The "Import Scenario File" dialog|The "Import Scenario File" dialog
−	</gallery>
−
−	===Delete a Scenario===
−	To delete a Scenario, choose the scenario you want to delete in the pull-down menu and click the '''Delete''' button.
−
−	===Settings Button===
−	There are several system behavior settings available. Click on the '''Settings''' button.
−
−	====Screensaver====
−	If the '''Enable Screen Save''' option is checked, when the MiniSim stays in the stopped mode for a prolonged period of time, the screen saver mode will start automatically, with the visuals showing a chase view and replaying a pre-recorded drive. As soon as the “Start Drive” button in the GUI is clicked, the screen saver mode will stop. The Windows desktop screen saver on the visuals computer is automatically disabled when the MiniSim visuals is running.
−
−	If a screensaver file does not exist for your visual database, or you just created a new database, use the following procedure to create a screensaver file:
−
−	====Data Collection Mode and the DAQ Button====
−	The MiniSim data acquisition system (DAQ) runs every time a scenario is run. However, when the MiniSim is placed in Data Collection Mode, the operator must select the Experiment Name and Test Subject ID from a list you create. The Experiment and Test Subject ID selected then restricts the allowable scenarios that can be run according to a matrix defined by the user – ensuring that the data collection conforms to your experimental design. In addition, you may enter notes or comments about a particular test subject or drive and these comments are saved for future reference, Figure 23. You may also manually enter The Experiment and Test Subject ID at runtime.
−
−	<gallery mode="traditional">
−	Image: MiniSim Data Collection Window|: MiniSim Data Collection Window
−	</gallery>
−
−	Every time a scenario is run on the MiniSim a data collection (*.daq) file is created. DAQ files are located in the C:\DAQ folder.  Checking the Data Collection Mode box simply changes how the data collection interface works.
−
−	''With the box un-checked:''
−	<ul>
−	<li> When the '''Data Collection Mode''' is un-checked, all DAQ files are saved in the
−	'''C:\DAQ\Texpr\Tsub''' folder
−	</li>
−	<li>'''TExpr''' stand for ‘Test Experiment’, and '''Tsub''' stands for ‘Test Subject’</li>
−	</ul>
−
−	''With the box checked:''
−	<ul>
−	<li>When the '''Data Collection Mode''' is checked, the DAQ button is used to select the experiment</li>
−	<li> The two pull-down menus for the '''Experiment''' and '''Participant''' are used to select correct participant ID.
−	</li>
−	<li>The participant ID chosen restricts the available scenarios to those specified in your experimental design</li>
−	<li>You create the experimental design using the '''ExperimentConfig.txt''' file located in the '''C:\NadsMiniSim_v1.8.x\Data\Rcm_data''' folder. A sample file is shown below. The first column is the experiment name, the second column is the test subject name, and the third column is a comma-separated list of the allowable scenarios for that participant. Note the use of the ‘Ops’ Experiment to allow use of the calibration and verification scenarios only to the operator.</li>
−
−	<gallery mode="traditional">
−	Image: ExperimentConfig.txt|: ExperimentConfig.txt</gallery>
−
−	<li>When in DAQ mode, the operator may enter notes about the participant or drive, and these are recorded in a text file located in the C:\DAQ\Texpr\Tsub folder. The construction of the filename is as follows:</li>
−	<ul>
−	<li>Scenarioname_timedatestamp_notes.txt</li>
−	</ul>
−	</ul>
−
−	The MiniSim can also be launched from a DOS prompt. This command line options to do this include the option to specify exactly where each DAQ file is to be located. This covered in a later section.
−
−	====Show Report After Drive====

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Revision as of 16:39, 19 September 2016

The miniSim™ is a PC-based research driving simulator that provides a realistic automotive driving environment. The system consists of a single PC for simplicity and reliability, three front channel displays, an instrument panel display, USB steering wheel and pedals, 2.1 audio system, a tactile transducer, and a display for the operator/instructor.

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Place the steering wheel and pedals

Unpack the steering wheel and pedals. Plug in the power supply, pedal, and shifter cables to the underside of the ECCI or G27 wheel per the manufacturer’s instructions.

Logitech G27 wheel

Connect the power supply, shifter, and pedals to the wheel, (Figure 3). Fasten the wheel and shifter to the desktop following the manufacturer’s instructions, and place the pedals on the floor under the table, (Figure 4).

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  Fig 3

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  Fig 4

Place the instrument panel display

CAUTION! Please read the warnings and handling instructions for the LCD displays located in the appendix.

The Instrument Panel LCD attaches to an aluminum bracket that holds the display at a 45 degree angle (Figure 5). Mount the display to the bracket using the supplied thumb screws, being sure the display is upside down (Figure 6). Connect the power and VGA/DVI cable to the display. Place the display on the table directly behind the steering wheel (Figure 7).

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  Figure 5

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  Figure 6

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  Figure 7

In the case of the 3-channel setup with 20” LCDs, attach the LCD to the instrument panel bracket using the 4 thumbscrews. If these are lost, you may replace them with metric screws, 4mm thread and 16mm long (M4x16).

Place the front-channel displays

CAUTION! Please read the manufacturer’s manuals for the LCD displays located in the appendix. Locate the three front channel displays on the tabletop behind the instrument panel as shown. Connect the video (DVI) and power cables to each monitor. The center display should be centered directly behind the instrument panel display, (Figure 8).

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  Figure 8

Place the audio system

Unpack the audio system (Logitech Z-2300). Place the subwoofer under the table, and place the two satellite speakers to the left and right of the instrument panel display, Figure 8. Observe the left and right labels.

Connect the satellite speakers to the appropriate jacks on the rear of the subwoofer. Connect the subwoofer volume control to the subwoofer, Figure 9.

Place the tactile transducer

If your simulator has a tactile transducer, first mount it under the desk under or near the steering wheel with self-drilling screws, Figure 10.

The tactile transducer requires a small audio amplifier (Pyle ProPCA3 shown). Connect one speaker output (Left is shown) to the terminals on the tactile transducer. Polarity (+/-) is not important. Note that we are only using the left channel of the amplifier. Use the RCA to 1/8” headphone ‘Y’ cable to connect the audio amplifier to the PC. Connect the White RCA to the Left input jack on the amplifier and plug the 1/8” headphone plug into the Orange audio output on the PC. Not all Y cables are alike, so use the Realtek Audio Manager test tones to check that the subwoofer (not the center) is being used.

Place the operator display

Locate the operator LCD display near to the front-channel displays. The front-channel displays must be visible from the operator display, as they all form a single desktop. Place the keyboard and mouse in front of the operator display, and stick the USB hub to the Velcro patch on the back of the display, Figure 13. Plug the keyboard and mouse into the USB hub, Figure 14.

Place the PC

Depending on your application, the PC may be stand-alone, or mounted in a shock-isolating rack, or mounted in a MiniSim Cab.

The PC has 3 hard disks configured in a redundant array of inexpensive disks (RAID) for reliability. The technical term for this particular arrangement is a RAID5. Depending on your application, your machine may have solid-state hard disks rather than conventional hard drives. This is commonly done for mobile applications.

Position the PC next to the desk where the steering wheel and monitors will be placed.

CAUTION! Though the PC is in a shock-isolating case, it is still a sensitive and fragile piece of equipment. The primary purpose of the case is to prevent inadvertent damage during handling, not protect it against drops, slams, or rough handling. Use care!

CAUTION! The door on the front of the PC contains a washable air filter. Keep the door closed during use to prevent dust getting inside the PC. Remove, rinse, air dry, and re-install the filter if it gets visibly dusty. A clogged air filter will reduce the flow of cooling air, and may cause the processor(s) to overheat, causing the PC to shut down.

Make the connections

CAUTION! Make ALL connections before powering-up the PC. If the video connections are not made before the PC boots, the desktop and resolution settings will be lost!

When the miniSim is assembled, it is best to make the connections are made in an organized way. This ensures that the system operates as intended the first time and avoids unnecessary troubleshooting, Figure 15.

1. Connect the video cables,
   1. The main video card is where the Matrox and the instrument panel display will be connected. Observe the labels. The Matrox is connected to the port nearest the motherboard, Figure 16.
   2. The lower video card (9500GT) is for the operator display. The operator display is connected to the port nearest the motherboard, Figure 16.
   3. Connect the video cables from the 3 front channel displays to the Matrox video outputs, Figure 17
2. The Matrox Triplehead Adapter has a USB cable – this must be connected to the PC for the Matrox to work properly, Figure 16.
3. The USB MiniSim sofwtare key. The software will not run without it, Figure 16.
4. Plug the USB extension cable into the HUB and into one of the USB ports on the rear of the PC, Figure 16.
5. Connect the 2.1 audio cable to the GREEN audio jack on the rear of the PC, Figure 16.
6. Connect the RCA to 1/8” headphone ‘Y’ cable to the ORANGE audio jack on the rear of the PC, Figure 16.
7. Connect all the power cords to the power strips.

Power up the PC

Note that the desktop spans all 5 monitors in the system. From left to right, they are Left, Center, right, Instrument Panel, and operator Display. The Icons have been moved so that they appear on the operator display. If they have been re-positioned, it is best to move them now to the operator display. The desktop will look similar to Figure 19 below.

Check the desktop and display configuration

If the computer is booted up after the display(s) have been plugged in to the proper video card output(s), the screen configuration in Windows should remain unchanged and valid. In case the configuration has been altered, and the miniSim visuals channels do not appear to render properly, follow the steps below to reconfigure the screen setup.

1. Verify the connections are correct. Review the photos and instructions above. The system uses a Matrox Triple-Head adapter to connect the 3 front channel displays to a single video card output. The Matrox connects to a USB port and to the video card as shown in Error! Reference ource not found. above.
2. On the Matrox unit, note that the Left display connects to the output marked ‘1’, the Center connects to the output market ‘2’ and the Right connects to the output marked ‘3’.
3. Right-click on the desktop. Choose ‘display resolution’. You should see the following settings. Click ‘Identify’ to see if the order of the displays in the window correspond with the labels below. From left to right, the must be Matrox, Instrument Panel, and Operator Display. It is not important what the actual numbers (1, 2, 3) are, what is important is the order.
4. Check the resolution for each channel by clicking on each display icon.
   1. The Matrox resolution must be set to 3840x1024.
   2. The instrument panel is usually 1366x768. On some miniSims must be Landscape (flipped).
   3. The operator display settings are not critical, but should match the display aspect ratio used , 4:3 or 16:9.
5. The NVIDIA video card settings should not change, but if they do, typical configuration settings are shown below. Note that the higher the filtering settings, the more the video processor must work – and depending on the visual database used, this may cause jitter or dropped frames. If this happens, try lowering the filtering and gamma correction settings.

Audio configuration

You may need to adjust the PC’s audio configuration if the cabling is changed. Launch the Realtek Audio Manager. The sound system on the MiniSim is a 2.1 Audio, or leaft and right speakers with a subwoofer. You use the Realtek window to specify what jacks are used for what output.

Most applications use the settings similar to the following:

• No special sound processing effects are used
• Front left and right speakers are full range and assigned to the rear green jack
• Subwoofer assigned to the rear orange jack
• Volume set to taste (~95%)