Advanced positioning technology is essential for modern vehicle testing, autonomous system development and motorsport applications. The RD 50Hz GPS CAN Sensor from Metis Engineering delivers laboratory-grade accuracy in a compact, vehicle-ready package designed specifically for research and development environments.
Real-Time Position Data at Racing Speeds
Traditional GPS sensors update position data at 1Hz or 10Hz, creating gaps in coverage during high-speed testing. The RD 50Hz GPS CAN Sensor captures position, velocity and trajectory data up to 50 times per second, providing the granular detail required for advanced vehicle dynamics analysis, autonomous vehicle validation and performance testing.
Operating at the recommended 40Hz update rate delivers optimal positional accuracy whilst maintaining real-time data transmission. This configuration balances measurement precision with system responsiveness, making it ideal for circuit testing, proving ground validation and dynamic manoeuvre analysis.
Seamless CAN Bus Integration
The sensor features a fully configurable CAN interface that integrates directly into existing vehicle networks without requiring additional hardware or complex conversion systems. Engineers can access critical navigation data including latitude, longitude, altitude, course over ground and speed through standard CAN messaging protocols.
The standalone design eliminates dependencies on external data loggers or processing units. Once connected to the vehicle CAN bus, the sensor begins transmitting formatted position data immediately, reducing setup time and simplifying test procedures.
Built for Vehicle Testing Environments
Research and development applications demand equipment that performs reliably across varying conditions. The RD 50Hz GPS CAN Sensor accepts a wide input voltage range, accommodating different vehicle electrical architectures from passenger cars to commercial vehicles and off-highway machinery.
The compact form factor and minimal weight allow flexible mounting positions without affecting vehicle dynamics or requiring structural modifications. This versatility proves particularly valuable when instrumenting prototype vehicles where space constraints and weight distribution are critical considerations.
Precision Data for Advanced Applications
High update rate GPS data supports sophisticated analysis techniques across multiple disciplines. Vehicle dynamics engineers use sub-20-millisecond position updates to correlate lateral acceleration with trajectory changes during limit handling tests. Autonomous system developers validate path planning algorithms by comparing intended routes with actual vehicle position at high temporal resolution.
The sensor provides essential ground truth data for sensor fusion systems, enabling calibration and validation of vision-based positioning, inertial measurement units and other navigation technologies. Motorsport teams leverage the precise speed and position data for driver coaching, lap time optimization and vehicle setup refinement.
Technical Specifications Designed for Engineering Work
The RD 50Hz GPS CAN Sensor outputs comprehensive navigation data including GPS time, UTC date and time stamps, geographical coordinates with sub-metre accuracy, altitude measurement, course over ground and instantaneous velocity. This complete dataset supports diverse analysis requirements without requiring multiple sensor systems.
Documentation includes detailed specification sheets, user manuals, DBC files for CAN integration and technical drawings. This comprehensive support package accelerates integration and reduces engineering time during test system development.
Reliable Performance for Professional Testing
Metis Engineering manufactures the RD 50Hz GPS CAN Sensor specifically for professional research and development applications. The unit undergoes rigorous testing to ensure consistent performance across temperature ranges, vibration profiles and electromagnetic environments typical of vehicle testing.
Standard lead time of up to 15 working days ensures availability for planned test programmes, whilst expedited delivery can be arranged for urgent requirements. Volume pricing is available for fleets, test facilities and research institutions deploying multiple units.
Applications Across the Automotive Industry
The sensor serves diverse applications throughout vehicle development cycles. Advanced driver assistance system validation requires precise position and speed data to verify collision avoidance, lane keeping and adaptive cruise control functions. Electric vehicle testing benefits from accurate speed measurement for powertrain efficiency mapping and regenerative braking calibration.
Autonomous vehicle developers use high-frequency position updates to validate localisation algorithms and assess system performance in complex scenarios. Motorsport teams rely on the GPS data for telemetry systems, providing engineers and drivers with detailed performance feedback.
Professional Support for Research Applications
Metis Engineering provides technical support throughout the integration process, from initial specification review through to data acquisition system configuration. Bespoke electronics and sensor packaging services are available for specialized applications requiring custom interfaces or environmental protection.
The RD 50Hz GPS CAN Sensor represents proven technology deployed across automotive testing facilities, proving grounds and motorsport teams worldwide. Its combination of high update rate, CAN integration and robust construction delivers the reliability and accuracy that professional engineers require.
Invest in Precision Positioning Technology
Accurate position and velocity measurement forms the foundation of effective vehicle testing and development. The RD 50Hz GPS CAN Sensor provides the data quality, integration simplicity and operational reliability that modern engineering programmes demand.
For detailed specifications, technical documentation or volume pricing enquiries, contact Metis Engineering directly. The sensor is priced from £299.00 to £394.00 (excluding VAT), representing exceptional value for laboratory-grade positioning technology designed specifically for automotive research and development applications.
