Debus reflected upon the need for an open-systems approach and a company emphasis to avoid a "monoculture of components" which are too specialized and too critical. In both sensors and cockpit display systems, 2D has to work with ECUs from all players--Magneti Marelli, Honda and Mitsubishi, among others--and flexibility in interface design is key to serving multiple teams.
A signal-to-noise ratio of 1:20 requires great care in component selection, along with clever software. When asked about whose accelerometers and gyros work best, Debus wouldn't name names, but indicated a reliance on German parts in his GP-sensor boxes.
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image to enlarge. |
 Click on image to enlarge. |
I was amused when Debus answered the question of "Toughest thing to deal with?" with a quick reply: "The Riders!" As an engineer Debus can understandably struggle with the vagaries of human feedback but, as a rider himself, he can perhaps uniquely and legitimately get away with saying such things.
It was surprising to see a relatively small enterprise have such a presence in the well-heeled world of MotoGP. How did 2D Systems succeed in a land of giants? Again a quick response by Debus summed up the company's perceived edge nicely: "Knowledge, experience and passion!"
Good assets for almost any effort, really.
To the finish line
My thanks to the folks at Kawasaki, Suzuki, 2D Systems and Yamaha, who shared time to peel back some of the mystery of electronics technology in MotoGP. A nod also to Neil Spalding, author of the definitive book on MotoGP technology development, for help in formulating the right questions. If you want more technical detail, buy the gentleman's book--you can't go wrong. Finally, thanks to Dave Clegg, my motorcycle-riding (and engineering) colleague who helped with picture-taking and talking points. Collectively, these folks helped paint a crisper picture of what's going on with electronics engineering in the pinnacle of motorcycle racing. Rest assured, there are plenty of secrets unspoken in the massive technology push for MotoGP--maybe next year.
David Carey is president of Portelligent, a TechInsights company that produces teardown reports and related industry research on wireless, mobile and personal electronics.
