- The Black Box -

Event Data Recorder - Incident Data Recorder - Accident Data Recorder
 

In the aviation field black box flight recorders assist investigators in determining the series of events leading up to, during and following incidents or accidents in which people may be killed or injured.

Many more people are killed or injured each year simply traveling in motor vehicles or on public transport. Not to mention the value of damaged and destroyed property.

To help determine the cause of, and therefore to find ways of avoiding, traffic accidents, Government authorities and Insurance companies are becoming increasingly interested in Event Data Recorders for use in motor vehicles to assist in event reconstruction.

Circuitlink International has developed an Event Data recorder (EDR) capable of recording High Resolution Data for accurate Event Reconstruction.

The Tacholink Black Box EDR continuously monitors and records a vehicles speed and other data including exceptions (when variable, pre-determined limits are exceeded) and up to 8 digital inputs. Vehicle speed can be polled as often as every second and all data is stored in virtually incorruptible Flash Memory Modules.

Vehicle Inputs that can be monitored include:

• School Lights
• Brake Activations
• Turn Signals
• Headlights
• Sirens
• Emergency Lights
• And so on…..

While these features make the Tacholink Black Box EDR an extremely competent Fleet Management tool, it is as an Event Data Recorder that the Tacholink Black Box EDR is perhaps without equal.

Critical applications include:

• School Buses
• Coaches
• Heavy Vehicles
• Flammable and Dangerous Goods Carriers
• Emergency Service Vehicles
• Mining and Construction Equipment
• And so on…..

What makes the Tacholink Black Box Event Data Recorder different?

The Tacholink Black Box EDR does not rely on an external trigger, such as air-bag deployment or sudden and extreme deceleration, to switch on an otherwise passive device. This is the case with some factory-fitted and aftermarket event data recorders.

As well as active standard recording, the Tacholink Black Box EDR continuously stores up to 40 seconds of data in a High Resolution Buffer. Data is recorded at up to 40 times per second and stored in a temporary memory.

The Tacholink Black Box EDR can be configured with 2 Accelerometer devices allowing it to detect and record G forces in 3 axes, front/rear – left/right – up/down.

The High Resolution Buffer is permanently stored if one of the following occurs:

• One of the Accelerometers detects a G force greater than a preset threshold
• A decrease in vehicle speed is detected which is greater than a preset threshold
• A vehicle driver presses the manual Trigger Button

There are trigger thresholds for each axis and also for when the vehicle is moving or stationary. As soon as a threshold is exceeded the Tacholink Black Box EDR is triggered and the High Resolution Data Buffer is stored permanently in Flash Memory.

The period of data stored before and after the event is variable and can be configured depending on whether the vehicle was moving or stationary, and also on which trigger was activated.

Other event data recorders that begin recording AFTER an event has started miss the most valuable information needed for accident reconstruction.

The Tacholink Black Box EDR already has the crucial PRE-Event data stored. The trigger merely causes the High Resolution Event Data to be stored in a permanent, safe, accessible memory.

ABOUT THE UNIT

The TACHOLINK BLACK BOX is a self-contained Data-Logger, Event Data Recorder and Digital tachograph. The Tacholink Black Box is the on-board computer for effective Event, Vehicle and Fleet management…..

Designed to discreetly monitor and record vehicle data, the Tacholink Black Box is placed unobtrusively in the vehicle. You can Set, and Forget. All recorded data is transferred to a PC for viewing, report generating and printing. Data transfer can be by cable or by using our Download Smart Module (DSM). The optional Circuitlink Dash Box can be used to house a Driver Tag Port, a manual Event Trigger, a Buzzer (to indicate exceptions) and a communications port for downloading the DSM. Remote data transfer is also possible by using the optional RF Module. The unit as pictured above, together with a small Dash Box and the DSM, comprise the entire standard product. With the Tacholink Black Box, Circuitlink has integrated total Fleet Management capability with the security of detailed data recording for Event analysis.

FEATURES

• Complies with NSW Government Regulation 531
• Self-contained unit
• Rigid, tamper resistant Aluminum housing
• Up to 8 digital inputs eg Power Take Off, Brake activation, siren etc
• Continuously records data, including speed and odometer
• Can be configured to log speed every second
• Exception Logging of:

» RPM
» speed
» idle time
» fast acceleration
» heavy braking

FAQ's

Where can the Tacholink Black Box be installed?
The Tacholink should be installed “out of sight” in the cabin of the vehicle. Possible locations include
• under the dashboard
• under a front seat
• in the boot

What voltage range does the Tacholink Black Box operate within?
The Tacholink will operate between 10 and 30V DC.

Is the Tacholink Black Box affected by power surges?
No, the Tacholink is not affected by power surges within the operating voltage range.

Should the Tacholink Millennium be disconnected when welding is being carried out on the vehicle?
No, this is not necessary.

Does the Tacholink Black Box lose calibration if the vehicle battery goes flat?
No, the Tacholink configuration is stored in non-volatile memory that is not affected by loss of external power.

If the driver disconnects the Tacholink Black Box will it lose any data?
No, the Tacholink data is stored in non-volatile memory that is not affected by loss of external power.

How is the Tacholink Black Box mounted?
The Tacholink housing is fabricated with integrated mounting points which will allow easy fixing in most locations. If this design is not suitable by itself the installer can fabricate a mounting kit specific to the vehicle.

Who normally installs the Tacholink Black Box?
Tacholink is normally installed by authorized personnel from Circuitlink or their distributors. Providing there are no legal considerations preventing this, training can be given to enable companies or institutions to do their own installations.

How long does it take to install the Tacholink Black Box?
Installation and calibration normally takes one to two hours for an electronic speedometer vehicle and slightly longer for a mechanical speedometer vehicle.

Does the company obtain any certification of the calibration?
If an approved installer does the installation then a certificate of calibration is provided.

Can the Operator or Driver change the Calibration?
No, calibration can only be performed by a trained and authorised person equipped with Tacholink Configuration software.

How is the Tacholink Black Box configured?
The Tacholink is configured using a Laptop computer and Circuitlink supplied software. It is not possible for the user to configure the unit.

Can the Tacholink Black Box be moved from one vehicle to another?
Yes, it is possible however the unit would need to be installed and calibrated by an authorized installer.

Is it necessary for the unit to be sealed?
This is not necessary because the Tacholink is a solid state electronic device and cannot be physically tampered with.

Does the Tacholink Black Box require additional modules behind the dashboard?
The standard Tacholink installation does not require any additional modules. However, there is provision for expansion modules, for example:
• GPS Receiver
• GSM modem
• RF Modem
These units can be mounted out of sight and connected into the Tacholink wiring harness.

Can the Tacholink Black Box software be updated?
Yes, the software in the Tacholink is stored in Flash memory and can be updated using a laptop computer and supplied soft