GOODBYE GUESSWORK.
Hello VEMRAS.
A Doppler-radar speedometer that reads your speed directly from the road – not from satellites or slipping wheels.
Designed for classic cars, modified vehicles, and drivers who want a speed reading they can actually trust.
Currently, the most commonly available speedometer to retrofit to cars uses a GPS to find the speed from position change over time.
Why Not GPS?
Most retrofit speedometers today rely on GPS. They look modern and convenient, but when you need true precision, GPS has important limitations:
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They depend entirely on a stable satellite connection.
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In dense cities, tunnels, parking structures, or under tree cover, that connection becomes weak or disappears.
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When the signal drops, the GPS stops measuring and starts guessing your speed.
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This causes delays, jumps, or inaccurate readings—especially when conditions change suddenly.
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Even with these issues, many drivers still choose GPS units because there are no better simple retrofit options.
VEMRAS Project
The VEMRAS Project Advantage
VEMRAS was designed for drivers who want a speed reading they can trust every second. Instead of relying on satellites or external signals, VEMRAS measures speed directly from the ground using radar. This allows:
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Consistent accuracy, even with no sky view.
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Zero dependence on GPS or weather conditions.
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A reliable and precise retrofit option for classic cars, modified vehicles, and enthusiasts who demand better performance.
VEMRAS measures a vehicle’s true ground speed in four main steps:
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Transmit: A Doppler radar module sends a microwave signal toward the road surface.
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Receive and Condition: The reflected signal is received, filtered, amplified, and converted into a clean square wave.
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Measure and Calculate: An STM32 microcontroller measures the Doppler frequency using input capture and converts it into vehicle speed.
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Display: The calculated speed is sent to the in-cabin display unit, where it appears as a clear digital readout and on an analog needle gauge.
This architecture allows VEMRAS to provide accurate ground speed without relying on wheel size or GPS.
Radar Is Cool
Hardware: Precision Engineered
VEMRAS uses high-performance components to give a reliable speed reading in real driving conditions. The system uses a 24 GHz Doppler radar to measure the vehicle’s speed directly over the road, avoiding the typical errors of traditional speedometers and GPS units.
MO9062 Doppler Radar Sensor
The signal is processed by a custom electronic circuit and a STM32 microcontroller, chosen for its speed and accuracy. All the electronics are integrated into a robust PCB, designed to handle vibration, moisture, and the harsh environment under a vehicle.
Stm32F446RET6 Microcontroler
Inside the cabin, the display combines a 14-segment digital readout with a motor-driven analog needle, giving the driver a clear, fast, and familiar view of their speed.
14-Segment Alpha-numeric LED FeatherWing
X27 Stepper Motor
Software: Fast, Smart, Instant
VEMRAS uses high-performance components to give a reliable speed reading in real driving conditions. The system uses a 24.125 GHz Doppler radar pointed at the road to measure the vehicle’s true ground speed, avoiding the typical errors of traditional speedometers and GPS units.
The radar signal is filtered, amplified, and cleaned by a custom analog circuit, then read by an STM32 microcontroller using Direct Input Capture. All electronics are integrated into a robust PCB designed to handle vibration, moisture, and the harsh environment under a vehicle.
Inside the cabin, the display unit combines a clear digital readout with a motor-driven analog needle, so the driver can see their exact speed and still enjoy a familiar dashboard look.
PCB design
The VEMRAS PCB was designed in Altium Designer to integrate the radar front-end, signal conditioning, microcontroller, and power supply into a compact and manufacturable layout. The board is planned so the speed recorder and display sections can be separated while keeping all connections clean and serviceable.
Electrical Schematic – Altium Designer schematic view
PCB Layout – Altium Designer PCB view
Manufactured PCB – Assembled board
3D Models and Enclosure
The 3D models show how the VEMRAS electronics are integrated into a compact enclosure that can be mounted under the vehicle and behind the dashboard. These models helped us plan clearances, mounting points, and cable routing before ordering the final PCBs and hardware.
Recorder Module & Antenna – 3D View
Prototype 3D Module – Assembled Recorder
Display Module – 3D View
Prototype 3D Module – Assembled Display
Prototype Modules
Recorder Module
Display Module
VEMRAS Team
VEMRAS was developed by two students from the Electronics & Computer Engineering Technology program at Camosun College. Together, they combined their strengths in embedded systems, PCB design, and power distribution to create a radar-based retrofit speedometer.
Luke Jessen
Capstone Student – Camosun College
Project Manager
Luke focused on the embedded system, radar integration, and firmware. He worked on signal conditioning, input capture, serial communication, 3D design enclosure, and overall system behavior to make sure VEMRAS delivers fast and reliable speed readings.
Leonardo Vivar
Capstone Student – Camosun College
PCB and Website Designer
Leonardo focused on PCB design, and power distribution. He designed the boards, and helped adapt the system so it can survive real automotive environments and be installed as a retrofit solution.
VEMRAS Project Time line
Step 1 – Creation of the VEMRAS Team (September)
Step 2 – Early Bench Tests (September)
First breadboard experiments with the Doppler radar and signal conditioning circuits. Here we tested the basic radar output and different comparator designs to clean the signal.
Step 3 – Input Capture & Firmware (Late September)
Testing the STM32 input capture feature to measure the Doppler frequency with low latency. These tests helped us validate the core measurement method before designing the PCB.
Step 4 – PCB Design in Altium (October)
Designing the VEMRAS PCB in Altium Designer, integrating the radar front-end, analog conditioning, microcontroller, and RS-422 communication into a single board that can be split into recorder and display modules.
Step 5 – 3D Models & Enclosure (October / November)
Creating 3D models of the recorder and display enclosures. These models helped us plan mounting positions, clearances, and cable routing before committing to final hardware.
October 30th, Progress Presentation VEMRAS Team
Step 6 – Assembling the Prototype (November)
Assembling the first VEMRAS prototype with the manufactured PCB, wiring, and temporary enclosures. This is where hardware, firmware, and mechanical design came together.
Step 7 – Testing & Presentation (Late November / December)
Final testing and preparation for the capstone symposium. Here we presented VEMRAS as a radar-based retrofit speedometer for classic and modified vehicles.
Return signal of the road
VEMRAS Manual
VEMRAS Expressing Our Gratitude
We would like to express our sincere gratitude to Camosun College and to the entire faculty, especially the instructors in the Technology and Engineering areas, for providing the theoretical and practical knowledge needed to make the VEMRAS project possible. In particular, we want to thank Mel Dundas, Justin Curran, Wayne Mayes, and Kimberly Lemieux for their constant support, guidance, and willingness to answer questions, help us through difficult moments, and motivate us to go one step further. We also extend our appreciation to the technical staff, whose daily work and assistance in the labs and workshops was essential to take our ideas from paper to a real, working prototype.