Further details emerge on the introduction of the second flow meter wanted by the FIA. In fact, although the current technical regulation indicates only one sensor for measuring the fuel flow rate, through a technical directive the Federation has imposed the introduction of a second flow meter on all cars starting from the 2020 season. The choice is aimed at impediment of the exploitation of the instants of non-measurement of the fuel flow to raise it beyond the regulatory limit and obtain an advantage in terms of power.
Just the issue of fuel flow may have been at the center of the investigations conducted by the FIA on the Ferrari Power Unit, although no confirmations or denials have ever arrived. In the same way, it has never been officially stated whether the second flow meter was specifically introduced to deal with a possible irregular operation of the Maranello engines.
In our previous analysis we had explored the hypotheses circulating on which aspects of the Ferrari Power Unit may have been at the center of the investigations. Among these was also the exploitation of the aliasing technique.
The aliasing phenomenon
The flow meter checks that the fuel flow never exceeds the allowed limit, which over 10500 rpm corresponds to 100 kg / h . The sensors of the cars, made by Sentronic, have a sampling frequency of 2200 Hz, i.e. they do not make a continuous recording, but 2200 measurements per second. While ignoring its technological realization, theoretically there would be room for motorists to increase the flow of fuel beyond the limit in the very short instants of non-measurement of the flow meter. The solution would lead to a significant increase in fuel consumption, therefore its application should be limited to a few occasions, such as in qualifying.
Aliasing therefore consists in exploiting an insufficient sensor measurement frequency, to register a fuel flow value lower than the actual average.
A completely new sensor
Starting from 2020 (whenever that will be), all teams must install an extra flow meter compared to last season. We initially assumed that this solution was aimed at doubling the measurement frequency, making the exploitation of aliasing more difficult.
However, some statements by Sentronic on the new sensor, reported by the RaceFans.net editorial staff, illustrate how its operating principle is slightly different from what was expected: the flow meter from 2019, in addition to having a sampling frequency of 2.2 kHz, was able to make measurements in a temperature range between -20 ° C and + 120 ° C, with an accuracy of +/- 0.25% and a repeatability of +/- 0.05%. However, the new sensor has a fundamental difference compared to the previous one:
“The new device incorporates anti-aliasing technology and full data encryption,” according to Sentronics. “The anti-aliasing technique randomises when the device makes its measurements, ultimately making it impossible to synchronise any ancillary parts to the measurement frequency. Full encryption ensures the authenticity of the data and privacy to the FIA. This eliminates the possibility of the data being used as part of a feedback system to gain a competitive advantage.”
This new variant of the FlowSonic fuel flow meter is not only one of the most technologically advanced currently available, but is an important step forward in improving the FIA’s policing of the maximum fuel flow regulations in F1,” said Sentronics managing director Neville Meech – “We’re proud to lead the market in solid-state fuel flow meters, and to demonstrate our ability to develop world-class technology in rapid timeframes.”
The new flowmeter therefore does not measure at regular intervals like its predecessor, but rather at random ones, making it much more difficult to periodically raise the flow of fuel beyond the limit without it being intercepted by the sensor. The second precaution also means that the data is not available to the teams, but only to the Federation, avoiding that on the basis of these the teams can implement a live fuel flow correction system based on the behavior of the flow meter.
Although there is no indication as to whether what has been done by the FIA and Sentronic is a consequence of a practice put in place by Ferrari, the new generation of flow meters will surely guarantee greater transparency in the future, going to illuminate an aspect long left in the shadows.
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