FEATURE
SENSORS & SENSING SYSTEMS A COST EFFECTIVE
SENSOR SOLUTION FOR AERODYNAMIC TESTING IN MOTORSPORT
Traditionally, aerodynamic testing has been inaccessible for motorsport teams outside F1 and similar due to the high costs and manpower required for methods like
computational uid dynamics (CFD) and particle image velocimetry (PIV). Max Stancliffe, engineer at PPS, explains how the company’s AeroStrip sensor can provide a cost-effective solution to motorsport teams beyond the elite level
I
n the automotive industry, measuring aerodynamics is crucial as it helps engineers optimise designs to improve
vehicle stability and performance. CFD and PIV are gold standard when testing aerodynamics, but the labour-intensive nature, expense and time-consuming elements mean it is often impractical for smaller teams outside of Formula 1. High-level motorsport sees teams
undertake particle image velocimetry where they study tiny areas of the car, occupying immense time and manpower. These factors mean students or university teams are unable to access the equipment required and therefore cannot test aerodynamics at all. Even if they turn to CFD modelling, the lack of on-track data means designs won’t always translate to track performance, and the process itself slows development. So, to help teams overcome the
challenges of traditional aerodynamic testing methods, PPS has developed AeroStrip, a low-profile, non-invasive, pressure sensing strip.
WHAT IS AEROSTRIP? AeroStrip consists of a flexible strip of high- density pressure sensors that can be mounted directly onto vehicle surfaces, such as rear wings or bodywork, to gather precise, real- time pressure data. It is designed for fast, accurate, aerodynamic
testing in real-world conditions and enables racing teams to capture high-resolution pressure data directly from real-world test environments – something that was previously difficult, time-consuming or cost-prohibitive. Instead, teams can access usable, accurate
aerodynamics in a matter of hours. AeroStrip is available in three variations: the
20 and 25mm pitch sensors are used to capture general airflow trends, while 8mm pitch sensors provide higher-definition profiles to resolve peaks and troughs in surface pressure. The sensor is capable of measuring surface pressure distributions in real time. University of Strathclyde Motorsport (USM)
has trialled the sensor in its wind tunnel. For the first time, the team was able to collect experimental aerodynamic data to continuously improve its CFD simulation models – helping bridge the gap between
36 DESIGN SOLUTIONS SEPTEMBER 2025
simulation and reality. The measurements specifically evaluated which turbulence models best matched experimental results. Observers have recognised that the compact
design of the sensor strip allows for easy deployment and minimises the effect on a vehicles’ aerodynamic drag.
LOOKING TO THE FUTURE The Formula Student event showcased AeroStrip’s credentials and provided an opportunity to build relationships with other motorsport manufacturers and developers. There is, however, potential for AeroStrip beyond Formula Student, including Formula E, endurance racing and grassroots motorsport. In addition to motorsport, however,
AeroStrip is a promising solution for other automotive applications, such as active aerodynamic control systems. There is room for further development
on the racetrack too. The next step is to transition to dynamic on-track testing and comparing it against wind tunnel results. Air turbulence and separation will make a difference in real-life settings. By replicating CFD-style rolling road
conditions, PPS could install AeroStrip on live race cars and gather pressure data from specific areas such as the front wing, rear wing, endplates and undertray during car runs. Data accuracy can be validated against CFD simulations thanks to detailed pressure readings from each sensor, captured through USB interface and Chameleon software. In addition, CAN (Controller Area Network)
integration is under development to allow AeroStrip to feed real-time pressure data directly into a vehicle’s data network, synchronising it with other performance metrics such as speed, steering angle and throttle position. Race engineers could then monitor live aerodynamic behaviour during a lap, enabling in-pit validation of simulations under track conditions. Currently AeroStrip provides real-time data
over wireless Bluetooth connection, but with a limited range. PPS is therefore developing a more compact hardware package, with the data acquisition unit and tablet integrated into an integrated system for greater convenience. Based on customer demand, the active sensing
area could also be customised, depending on the strip orientation, providing either a long strip, a wide pad, or distributed sensing as required.
PPS https://pressurepro
le.com
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52 |
Page 53 |
Page 54 |
Page 55 |
Page 56 |
Page 57 |
Page 58 |
Page 59 |
Page 60
