I suggest if you are interested in this system you make
 a folder and drag over all the many future messages on this
 subject otherwise delete it.

I finally found a copy of my 1979 IEEE paper on
the real time road test system.

http://www.osti.gov/bridge//product.biblio.jsp?query_id=0&page=0&osti_id=6172343

Interesting reading for anybody trying to write
the software and understand how a real time
computer works. This was one of the first, if not
the first, example of an embedded processor.
Years ahead of its time and in some ways more
advanced than the Atmel 1280. Particularly in
the way it handled hardware interrupts.
Too bad I can no longer buy the parts :)

I uploaded it to the web site so it can be downloaded.
http://www.rotaryeng.net/IEEE-road-test-sys.pdf

Here is the abstract.

"A microprocessor-based, road-test system for measuring and
recording roll-down and acceleration data has been designed
and built. The system provides for rapid testing of
vehicles, can be operated by a single individual, and
allows detailed data acquisition when required. Digital
data storage and output capability allows direct exchange
of data with other computers or calculators for data
analysis and reduction. System input is distance from a
fifth wheel and elapsed time. The microcomputer system
records time to the nearest 0.01 second, distance to the
nearest foot, and calculates velocity to the nearest 0.1
mile per hour. Data can be stored at specified time,
distance, and velocity intervals. Current time, distance,
and velocity are displayed on a liquid crystal display
panel. A printing calculator prints a summary of the run.
Detailed data is stored in RAM and is output to magnetic
tape at the end of the run. The tapes are used to obtain
plots and as input for data reduction programs that
calculate rolling friction and aerodynamic drag. The
road-test system has been used to test a number of
vehicles. In most of the tests one person drove the vehicle
and operated the system."

Including the Rutan Voyager around the world non stopped
un refueled aircraft with a liquid cooled Continental O-200.
Rutan wanted to measure the acceleration to determine
the take off distance requirements when the aircraft
was fully loaded with fuel.

Paul Lamar