M1 Launch Control
USER GUIDE
Version 1.0 Published: February 2017
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Overview ............................................................................................................. 2
Why Launch Control? .......................................................................................... 2
Aims of Launch Control usage .......................................................................... 2
Interaction with Traction Control System ......................................................... 2
What is needed? ................................................................................................. 3
Wheel Speed Sensors ....................................................................................... 4
Driver Switches ................................................................................................ 4
Operation ............................................................................................................ 5
Launch Control Configuration.............................................................................. 6
Launch Engine Speed ....................................................................................... 6
Launch Activate................................................................................................ 8
Launch Entry .................................................................................................... 8
Launch Exit....................................................................................................... 8
Launch Ignition Timing Limit Advance .............................................................. 9
Launch Fuel Volume Trim ............................................................................... 10
Launch Throttle Limit ..................................................................................... 10
Launch Boost Aim .......................................................................................... 10
Diagnostic Channels .......................................................................................... 11
Driver Switches ................................................................................................. 12
Page 1
OVERVIEW
This guide describes the setup and operation of the Launch Control Function in the MoTeC M1 Packages. It has been
developed using GPR in an M150, but the same information applies to GP M1 Variants and Packages that have Launch
Control enabled.
WHY LAUNCH CONTROL?
Launch Control is used to facilitate consistent acceleration for vehicles using the MoTeC M1 series of ECUs. This system is
very useful for all vehicles. It works by limiting the Engine Speed to a pre-determined value controlled by the Vehicle
Speed. The vehicle’s launch characteristics are defined by the Vehicle Speed versus Engine Speed curves that are
configured by the tuner.
Launch Control is also used with turbocharged engines to allow for the building of boost pressure to assist in getting the
vehicle off the line without bogging down.
When it is optimised for the conditions and the car, the M1 ECU will be able to maximise the vehicle’s acceleration curve
off the line, and can do this consistently and repeatedly.
Launch Control operates primarily by using the ignition system to maintain the aim Engine Speed. It can also use a pre-set
Aim for the Drive By Wire throttle, if fitted. This helps to reduce the amount of ignition retard and cut that is needed to
maintain the Aim Engine Speed, lowering the Exhaust Gas Temperature that may be generated.
The purpose of this document is to assist in the setup and optimisation of Launch Control.
Aims of Launch Control Usage
The aim of a properly tuned Launch Control system is to enable the launching of the vehicle in a manner that maximises its
potential.
This is done through an iterative process that shapes the Engine Speed curve used by the M1 so that the amount of slip at
the tyre interface is optimised for a stable and consistent drive from the starting position. When the Launch Control
system is correctly tuned for the vehicle and conditions, the vehicle should experience a smooth, linear acceleration from
the line that has no dips or rises. Looking at the tyre marks left behind (if possible) there should be two consistent and
even lines as the tyres slip off the line, and then a progressive transition in to the tyres fully gripping up. If there are skips
in the lines left behind, further tuning is required. This will also be felt by the driver as the vehicle will not smoothly launch
from stationary, rather it will accelerate in a series of lurches, as the tyres grip and then slip. You will also be able to see
this in the datalogging traces for the wheel speeds and longitudinal acceleration, which should have smooth, progressive
curves from stationary.
Interaction with Traction Control System
The setting of the Exit Vehicle Speed for the various tables in the M1 Launch Control system has a relationship with the
operation of the Traction Control system. If the Traction Control system is employed, the minimum value that can be used
in the Traction Activate Vehicle Speed is 20km/h (or equivalent speed in alternative units). If there is a difference in the
deactivate speed for the Launch Control System and the activate speed for the Traction Control system, vehicle operation
can be compromised through the transition period.
Page 2
It is recommended that if Traction Control is used in conjunction with Launch Control, then the activate speed used for the
Traction Control, and the highest value used in the Vehicle Speed axis in the Launch Control system should be the same for
a smooth transition between the two systems. The actual transition point can be tuned to suit the vehicle’s Launch and
Traction Control requirements, but care must be taken to ensure a smooth transition between the systems.
WHAT IS NEEDED?
To use the Launch Control Function, wheel speed sensors are a must have, as the exit condition for the Launch Control
system is Wheel Speed. A minimum of two sensors (one each of Driven Wheel and Non-Driven Wheel Speed) is
recommended, so that the optimum level of wheel slip, and thus the engine speed limit curve, can be calculated, with four
wheel speed sensors the preferred option. It is possible to use a single wheel speed sensor on the non-driven wheel in
conjunction with the Launch Control system, however, the tuning of the system is made more difficult.
Due to the difficulty of determining the vehicle’s actual speed (Ground Speed) with an AWD system, the use of a Vehicle
Speed Controlled Launch Control system is not recommended. You can still use Launch Control as a method of building
boost pressure to get the vehicle off the line, or to give a consistent Engine Speed at launch, but the vehicle speed may be
incorrectly calculated from the wheel speed sensors, leading to the Launch Control disabling prior to the vehicle moving
from the line, or after accelerating briefly. This can be minimised by either using a driver-controlled launch button that
disables the Launch Control when released, or by having a higher exit speed for the Launch Control, which needs to be
carefully configured so that the Launch Control does not stay enabled for too long and slow down the vehicle.
A data logged Speed trace of a 600hp RWD race car launching. As can be seen, there is a small amount of slip with the rear wheels, which can be
useful as it stops the engine from bogging down off the line. Also worth noting, and visible in the green trace, is the delay in the GPS Speed signal
compared to the Wheel Speed signals.
Page 3
Wheel Speed Sensors
With the sensors and tone rings, the more teeth on the tone rings the more effectively the launch control system will
work, as it can detect changes to the wheel speeds sooner, and react in a shorter period. GPS Speeds are not suitable for
use with the Launch Control system, as they are prone to wander when stationary - which can cause the Launch Control
system to not engage - and they have a lag in operation when the vehicle speed changes quickly.
If the vehicle originally came with wheel speed sensors and tone rings, then it is recommended that these be used for the
sensing of wheel speeds, or retro fitted from another vehicle from the same range that has them. If the vehicle did not
have wheel speed sensors standard and needs to have them made to suit, then the recommendation is to have a
minimum of 24 teeth, with 48 or more preferred if possible. The number of teeth that can be used will be restricted by the
sensor type and the recommended tooth size and spacing for that sensor, as well as the physical space available to mount
the sensors and tone rings.
If wheel speed sensors are being added, typically a “Hall Effect” style sensor would be used, as these will give a consistent
signal that does not vary in amplitude based on wheel speed.
Warning
If an existing Antilock Braking System is in the vehicle, the wheel speeds MUST BE generated by the ABS module, not by
splicing into the wheel speed sensors directly. Doing so can give false readings to the ABS control module and may result in
the ABS failing to operate in a braking situation.
Driver Switches
A single or multi position switch is also recommended. This allows for the Launch Control system to be disabled if needed,
or in the case of a multi position switch, provides the ability to have a selectable range of Launch Engine Speed Aims to suit
a variety of conditions, i.e. wet, greasy, dry.
See the end of the document for more detail on setting up Driver Switches.
Page 4
OPERATION
The following conditions must all be met for launch to activate:
• Launch Mode must be Enabled.
• Exhaust Temperature must be less than Activate Exhaust Temperature. If Activate Exhaust Temperature is set to 0
this setting is ignored.
• Coolant Temperature must be less than Activate Coolant Temperature. If Activate Coolant Temperature is set to 0
this setting is ignored.
• Vehicle Speed, the X axis of the Engine Speed table, must be less than or equal to the minimum X axis site value.
• Throttle Pedal must be greater than Entry Throttle Pedal.
• Vehicle Speed must be less than the minimum speed set in any of the tables.
Launch will exit if any of the following conditions are met:
• The engine is stopped.
• Vehicle Speed, the X axis of the Engine Speed table, exceeds the maximum X axis site.
• Throttle Pedal is less than Exit Throttle Pedal.
• Exhaust Temperature exceeds Activate Exhaust Temperature. If Activate Exhaust Temperature is set to 0 this setting
is ignored.
• Coolant Temperature exceeds Activate Coolant Temperature. If Activate Coolant Temperature is set to 0 this setting
is ignored.
• Vehicle Speed exceeds the X Axis Value set in Launch Engine Speed.
Page 5
LAUNCH CONTROL CONFIGURATION
Launch Engine Speed
Sets the Launch Engine Speed
The Launch Engine Speed is configured through this section. This can
either be a single axis of Vehicle Speed, or it can be linked to a 9-
position switch, so that different Launch Engine speeds are available to
suit the conditions at the time. The minimum configuration that can be
used in the Launch Engine Speed table if a Driver Launch Switch is not
configured, is as follows, where an entry and exit speed is specified.
If a physical Driver Launch Switch is configured so that the driver must hold the switch in an active position to enable the
Launch Control function, then a single value can be used for the Launch Engine Speed as the Launch Control system will
disable when the button is released.
Limit is the Launch Engine Speed plus Launch Engine Speed Margin. Launch Engine Speed Limit Margin is the amount the
Engine speed can vary around the Aim value whilst using the Launch Ignition Timing Limit Advance, before the Ignition
Timing Cut is applied.
A smaller number in the Launch Engine Speed Limit Margin results in a harsher limiter function, whereas a larger number
softens the cut that is being applied, but also allows for the engine speed to rise further above the Launch Engine Speed
before the full cut is applied to the Ignition. The primary means of Engine Speed control is ignition retard and cut, fuel cut
will also be used if the ignition cut is not maintaining the requested Engine Speed.
While engine speed is above launch Engine Speed, the Ignition Timing Limit Advance system attempts to control engine
speed using closed loop control of ignition timing. If Engine Speed exceeds (launch Engine Speed + Engine Speed Margin),
a hard limit (ignition cut or/and potentially fuel cut) is applied. This allows turbocharged engines to develop boost pressure
prior to launch.
Page 6
Data logging capture showing the Engine Speed being limited by the Engine Speed Limit Ignition during a launch. As can be seen in the magenta trace,
the Ignition Output Cut Count is also increasing at the same time.
With Vehicle Speed in the Launch Engine Speed axis, it is a good practice to have the
minimum value used as a number greater than 0.0. This is so that if the vehicle moves
pre-launch from engaging gear, or there is noise on the speed trace, the M1 will still engage
the Launch Control function.
A recommended minimum starting value for the Launch Engine Speed is 2.0 km/h
To have the Launch Control deactivate automatically once Vehicle Speed has exceeded the
desired Deactivation point, it is necessary to add Vehicle Speed as the X Axis into the Table.
When this is done, once Vehicle Speed exceeds the set speed, Launch Control will
deactivate and the Vehicle is free to accelerate normally. The changeover point should then
be matched into the Traction Control activation point, for a seamless transition into
Traction Control if it is being used. If Traction Control is not being used, raise the exit speed
to a value that is high enough that the vehicle will have gained traction, but not too high that the Launch control system is
interfering with the acceleration of the vehicle, or that gear shifts are affected.
The Driver Launch Aim Switch assigns the Y axis values of the Launch Engine Speed table.
Page 7
Launch Activate
The temperature that the Exhaust Gas Temperature and Coolant Temperature must be below for the Launch Control
function to enable.
These are the maximum limits that the Exhaust Temperature and Coolant Temperature can be for the Launch function to
enable, and have no hysteresis values. This means that if you have 850°C set as the maximum, 849.9°C is OK, and 850°C
will deactivate the Launch Control function. If the temperature of either of these settings starts below the set value, and
then rises above the value, Launch Control will be disabled until they drop back below. If they are set to 0, they are
disabled and not used in the Activation process.
Recommended start values: This will vary on the vehicle being used, a small margin (5% - 10%) above the standard
operating maximums for the engine would be a starting point.
Launch Entry
The Throttle Pedal position must exceed this value to activate Launch Control.
The Throttle Pedal must be over this value to enable Launch Control. Launch Control will remain active once the Entry
Throttle Pedal value has been exceeded, even if the value drops below the set value, as long as the Exit Throttle Pedal
value is not exceeded and all other Parameters remain valid.
Recommended start value: 80%
Launch Exit
Launch Control will disable if the Throttle Pedal drops below this value.
If the Throttle Pedal drops below this position, and presuming that all other enables remain valid, then reopening the
Throttle Pedal will not re-enable Launch Control until the Entry Throttle Pedal value is exceeded again.
Recommended start value: 50%
Page 8
Launch Ignition Timing Limit Advance
Controls the Ignition Timing used by the Launch Control function to maintain Launch Engine Speed.
This sets the Minimum limit of Ignition Timing retard that will be applied by the M1 to control the Engine Speed to the
Aim; the upper limit is set by the timing value set in the Ignition Timing Main table. The Error value reports the amount of
variance from the Launch Engine Speed Aim at that point in time.
Recommended Start value: -10°BTDC
The Proportional and Integral Gains work in the same manner that other P and I functions work in the M1. The tuning of
these will be dependent on the operation of the engine itself, with turbocharged engines requiring more control to be
applied to maintain the Launch Engine Speed that is being targeted.
Recommended start values: Start with 0° and only use if needed.
Page 9
Launch Fuel Volume Trim
Fuel Volume trim is the setting to Add/Remove fuel during the Launch process. This table has an axis based on Vehicle
speed, so the trim can be removed as the Vehicle launches.
Launch Throttle Limit
Used with a DBW system, this sets the Throttle Servo Aim for the launch. This table has a Vehicle Speed axis to blend the
Throttle Servo position back to match the Throttle Pedal Translation table. Set to 100% if not required.
Launch Boost Aim
Sets the Boost aim for Launch; blends back to the Boost Aim Main table with Vehicle Speed on the axis.
These three functions enable as soon as the Launch State goes to Enabled, irrespective of Vehicle Speed.
When configuring the exit point for these trims, it is prudent to ensure that when the trim ends, there is not a step from
the trim end value to the normal value that may cause instability in the operation of the vehicle.
Page 10
DIAGNOSTIC CHANNELS
• Launch State
This indicates that the Launch Control function is enabled, and that all required conditions have been met. The M1 is in
Launch Mode if this State is Enabled.
• Launch Diagnostic
Defines any issues, if present, that are stopping the Launch Control system from enabling. These are Exhaust
Temperature High and Coolant Temperature High values exceeding their Activate Temperatures.
• Launch Enable
Overall state of the system, indicates if the system is switched on through the Driver Switch settings.
Page 11
DRIVER SWITCHES
The Driver Switch, Launch Switch and Launch Aim Switch must be configured to enable the Launch Control system to
work. This can be done without having a physical switch wired into the vehicle. If no switches are used, the Default values
set to On are used to permanently enable the function. For the ability to vary the Launch Engine Speed, a Multi Position
switch needs to be used.
Example Driver Switch setup
Page 12
