Automotive Suspension Parameter Estimation Using Smart Wireless Sensor Technology

by Hoffman, Samuel Chase

This thesis project demonstrates the feasibility of using a smart sensor system to estimate vehicle parameters. It includes the development of the smart sensor system and the method for which vehicle parameters are estimated using this system. The smart sensor system is a wireless computer controlled sensor array that can be easily installed onto a vehicle. Parameter estimation was accomplished using grey box code in Matlab System Identification Toolbox, a software package from Mathworks. Front and rear suspension damping rates and pitch inertia were estimated on the 2008 Cal Poly SAE Baja Car with good accuracy during testing.