Performance analysis of an optical distance sensor for roll angle estimation in sport motorcycles

The roll angle is a crucial parameter for motorcycle dynamics. The ability of measuring it reliably in real time is an enabling technology for active control systems design for two-wheeled vehicles and for tire performance assessment. Nonetheless, it is quite difficult to devise the best trade-off between cost and precision and to choose the most appropriate sensor technology and lay-out. This paper analyzes if low-cost non contact optical distance sensors are a viable solution for measuring the roll angle. To use this method in sport applications some basic requirements must be satisfied, first of all the distance measurement must be reliable even at very high speed and under different lighting conditions. Our aim is to test a low cost optical triangulator with a single LED emitter and to show how the interference due to asphalt roughness in a condition of solar lighting and high speed affects the quality of its output.