Sensors

Sensors measure physical properties, and convert their measurements into electrical signals to be captured by the data logger and used for running the vehicle, diagnosing the vehicle, verifying that the vehicle is running properly, and/or helping to tune the vehicle.

Common Sensors

Sensing location/movement of vehicle

These sensors are used to tell where the vehicle is, and how it is moving. Dataloggers often have some or more of these sensors built in. With these sensors, where they are mounted on the car may change how useful the data is. For instance, you may find that you want to mount them as close to the center of gravity as possible.

Accelerometer

Measures its acceleration in one or more axes. This may or may not be the actual acceleration of the vehicle, depending on how it's mounted.

Gyroscope

Measures its angular velocity (change in an angle over time) on one or more axes. Again, you'll probably want these axes to line up with those of the vehicle.

Magnetometer

Measures the strength and direction of the magnetic field. Useful for measuring yaw if your accelerometer does not measure yaw information.

IMU

Standing for Inertial Measurement Unit, it measures orientation, velocity, and acceleration in all three axes, utilizing accelerometers, gyroscopes, and magnetometers.

GPS Receivers

Obtains GPS data. This is usually used for logging the position of the car, so that you can see where the car is going and compare lines through corners.