DDA+ and GPS

I just finished installing my DDA GPS kit to my 2018 V4S. I have not yet track tested, but here is my experience.

1. I had my dealer activate the GPS sensor. They had to have it plugged into the bike to activate. I hadn't yet looked too closely at the mounting options, but it was easiest for me to get to the front plug at the shop by pulling my upper fairing off with some Dzus fasteners and two screws (I have all race glass on bike).
2. With the GPS sensor plugged in the front, I would get a grey icon on the dash that would flash while in my garage. If I unplugged the GPS sensor, that icon would go a solid non-flashing red.
3. After looking at the mounting options, I thought about mounting the sensor in the tail. However, I was unable to get the dash to recognize the GPS sensor when plugged in on the tail. Best I can guess is that when they activate the GPS sensor, it is specific to location, maybe something to do with CAN bus addressing? I am speculating out my wazoo here as I barely know enough about CAN bus to be dangerous.
4. I switched gears and then mounted the GPS sensor in the front nose on top of the intake air scoop that I have with the aftermarket fairing stay. I trimmed the provided bracket so it sits flush. The sensor is on an angle, but I don't anticipate that creating an issue (famous last words).
5. I then used the other bracket and rubber strap piece and mounted that external in the tail so I can now access the diagnostic port easily, and plug in the DDA unit easily without removing anything. And it is tucked up out of the way. Again all, aftermarket race tail.
6. To do this, I only used two of the three provided wire connectors.
7. Once I get on track later in year, I'll report back on how it works.

Rooki said:

I just finished installing my DDA GPS kit to my 2018 V4S. I have not yet track tested, but here is my experience.

1. I had my dealer activate the GPS sensor. They had to have it plugged into the bike to activate. I hadn't yet looked too closely at the mounting options, but it was easiest for me to get to the front plug at the shop by pulling my upper fairing off with some Dzus fasteners and two screws (I have all race glass on bike).
2. With the GPS sensor plugged in the front, I would get a grey icon on the dash that would flash while in my garage. If I unplugged the GPS sensor, that icon would go a solid non-flashing red.
3. After looking at the mounting options, I thought about mounting the sensor in the tail. However, I was unable to get the dash to recognize the GPS sensor when plugged in on the tail. Best I can guess is that when they activate the GPS sensor, it is specific to location, maybe something to do with CAN bus addressing? I am speculating out my wazoo here as I barely know enough about CAN bus to be dangerous.
4. I switched gears and then mounted the GPS sensor in the front nose on top of the intake air scoop that I have with the aftermarket fairing stay. I trimmed the provided bracket so it sits flush. The sensor is on an angle, but I don't anticipate that creating an issue (famous last words).
5. I then used the other bracket and rubber strap piece and mounted that external in the tail so I can now access the diagnostic port easily, and plug in the DDA unit easily without removing anything. And it is tucked up out of the way. Again all, aftermarket race tail.
6. To do this, I only used two of the three provided wire connectors.
7. Once I get on track later in year, I'll report back on how it works.

Click to expand...

So have you tested your setup yet?
Everything works?

Cabling...
I trying to fit my DDA kit to a V4S with the original fairing and with the
tail guard from Rizoma. The kit comes with 3 peaces of cabling. One is obvious
because it's the extension to be able to have the stick where it should be. But the
other 2 is my headache. Is it meant that both cables should be used or is one
of them to be used if you don't have any lights on the bike?

I have also kind of hard to see that all cabling will fit in the small compartment
there is in the back of the bike. It was already hard to get the cables from the
Rizoma tail guard to fit.

Anyone know how it's done on a speciale? or have actually installed both a Rizoma tail guard and a DDA kit to a V4?

Hi Guys,
Thanks for sharing real-life DDA experience here, since both prosa.com, DDA+ installation instructions and my V4s manual are quite basic, to put it mildly, refraining from clear, practical user instructions.

Using *.dda data for analysis after a normal street ride looks promising. I will need to find a way to export DDA data to join it with GoPro movie as overlay.

Somewhere on this forum I read about somebody who created an Android app to convert this?

Anyway, I was wondering if anybody knows the sampling rate of the DDA+ GPS module for the V4 for a fact?

Judging from the Ducati Link app using the 1Hz GPS of iPhone:



versus the more granular DDA Graphic Analyser data view of same corner:



…it looks like the DDA-GPS is still only around 5Hz.

I can imagine that if is indeed less then 10Hz this could very well be the problem of the DDA missing out of start-finish markers on (fast) straights: it simply overshoots your set lapmarker on high speed passings, before it is even able to recognise the set marker!

thorny said:

...If you set the reference GPS point/location in an easy corner apex that is easy to hit close every lap ..., it will be counting laps without any issues.
If you set it on the front straight, where you normally overtake people (on the V4, you WILL be overtaking people on the front straight!), it will not click off laps, so don't do it. It is a bit annoying, but not a big deal for me.

Click to expand...

That's why Thorny practically set it to a slow apex instead to enable to allow the DDA-GPS to recognise the lapmarker and count the lap properly.

I also use the 20Hz* VBox Sport and never had problem missing lapmarkers on usually fast start/finish straights, if I allowed my 20Hz GPS to initialise long enough with fixes to at least 6-8 satellites prior to a track-session.
(* - Racelogic recently 'downgraded' the 20Hz satellite sampling-rate of the VBox Sport to 10Hz only in favor of a more robust reception: link with reasoning)

Doing this 'religiously' is crucial to proper GPS logging operation.
How to: you must leave the active GPS module enough time in a fixed place with a clear view to the sky initially for at least 5 minutes at start of each day/ 24hrs and about 2min. before each session during the same day, to achieve sufficient sat fixes and quality logging.

If you don't, you potentially miss out on lapmarkers and with my VBox I loose perfect granular flowing track-logs to allow lap2lap racing line comparison.

Additional issues preventing proper sat fixes are rain, heavy overcast and nearby magnetic fields from the bikes engine/ wiring. On my previous track-bike I even shielded the fairing underneath my VBox with aluminum tape to protect the reception of generally weak satellite signals.

I am looking forward during my next track-day comparing the DDA+ GPS to my VBox GPS!

Hope these practical tips help your DDA experiences?

FYI carbon fiber blocks phone and gps signals. I bought a carbon fiber phone cover a few years ago and was having trouble with weak signals everywhere. Did some research took the cover off and problem solved. Got my money back too..... Why they even made them was beyond me [emoji2955]

Now have a Kevlar cover with a similar look but no signal issues


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

MotoX183 said:

I would think you would want clear line-of-sight for the GPS module for best performance. Installing in the tail would seem to hinder that a bit, yeah?

Click to expand...

Indeed. Leaning over into/ towards the cockpit especially on the straights, a front mounted GPS antenna would have on par or even slightly less LoS compared to a tail-mounted satellite antenna:



Estimating the satellite receiver of the DDA(+) is only sampling at around 5Hz it needs all the LoS for as many satellite locks it can get to log tracks meaningful w.o. choppiness/ corner-cuts.

Practically at least a 6-8 sat-locks I would think.
This effectively means giving the receiver minimally unobstructed ~180o LoS (i.e. w.o. sitting on the bike!) for at least a few minutes before riding away for the track as explained in my previous lengthy post.

1050er said:

Yes, you're basically right. I think i will try the nose mounting tomorrow [...] That's why i considered the tail mounting option.
But as i wrote above, it did not work, no GPS signal...

Click to expand...

Front- or tail-mount shouldn't matter too much for satellite reception quality, looking at available LoS with rider's body in race position blocking similar angled areas from the sky:

Trackmaniak said:

... It seem like carbon fiber blocks the signal
[...] I tried the carbon fiber section again and GPS signal was not working .... again.
I'm pretty sure that's the reason why Ducati offers 2 locations for the GPS sensor, In case you use a carbon fiber bodywork ...

Click to expand...

Indeed. Here's why:
"No, carbon fiber cannot be used as an antenna cover. [...] The RF signal will not pass through carbon fiber easily. Fiber glass, [...] can be used as an alternative."

In fact, make sure anything else which is diverting/absorbing/obstructing the weak satellite signals like (rain)clouds, vegetation, buildings, magnetic-fields (engine/ wiring!) is worked around where you can AND you provide ample 'initialisation' time for static satellite locks (>=6) prior to racing.

stealthblack said:

GPS signal acquisition is almost immediate after Key turn on my R

Click to expand...

Only true if properly initialised as explained above, else you get only a few satellite locks with strongest LoS signals but you easily loose them again during tracking around and therefore this is NOT sufficient for (smooth) track-logging as explained above.

RdashP said:

Hi Guys,
Thanks for sharing real-life DDA experience here, since both prosa.com, DDA+ installation instructions and my V4s manual are quite basic, to put it mildly, refraining from clear, practical user instructions.

Using *.dda data for analysis after a normal street ride looks promising. I will need to find a way to export DDA data to join it with GoPro movie as overlay.

Somewhere on this forum I read about somebody who created an Android app to convert this?

Anyway, I was wondering if anybody knows the sampling rate of the DDA+ GPS module for the V4 for a fact?

Judging from the Ducati Link app using the 1Hz GPS of iPhone:

versus the more granular DDA Graphic Analyser data view of same corner:

"¦it looks like the DDA-GPS is still only around 5Hz.

I can imagine that if is indeed less then 10Hz this could very well be the problem of the DDA missing out of start-finish markers on (fast) straights: it simply overshoots your set lapmarker on high speed passings, before it is even able to recognise the set marker!


That's why Thorny practically set it to a slow apex instead to enable to allow the DDA-GPS to recognise the lapmarker and count the lap properly.

I also use the 20Hz* VBox Sport and never had problem missing lapmarkers on usually fast start/finish straights, if I allowed my 20Hz GPS to initialise long enough with fixes to at least 6-8 satellites prior to a track-session.
(* - Racelogic recently 'downgraded' the 20Hz satellite sampling-rate of the VBox Sport to 10Hz only in favor of a more robust reception: link with reasoning)

Doing this 'religiously' is crucial to proper GPS logging operation.
How to: you must leave the active GPS module enough time in a fixed place with a clear view to the sky initially for at least 5 minutes at start of each day/ 24hrs and about 2min. before each session during the same day, to achieve sufficient sat fixes and quality logging.

If you don't, you potentially miss out on lapmarkers and with my VBox I loose perfect granular flowing track-logs to allow lap2lap racing line comparison.

Additional issues preventing proper sat fixes are rain, heavy overcast and nearby magnetic fields from the bikes engine/ wiring. On my previous track-bike I even shielded the fairing underneath my VBox with aluminum tape to protect the reception of generally weak satellite signals.

I am looking forward during my next track-day comparing the DDA+ GPS to my VBox GPS!

Hope these practical tips help your DDA experiences?

Click to expand...

Would you know how to delete/erase a finish line from the GPS/DDA ?

Trackmaniak said:

Would you know how to delete/erase a finish line from the GPS/DDA ?

Click to expand...

Hi, just had it installed no track experience with it yet.

Ask @Thorny he has ample experience (click) with the DDA+ on track

MotoX183 said:

I would think you would want clear line-of-sight for the GPS module for best performance. Installing in the tail would seem to hinder that a bit, yeah?

Click to expand...

Besides already pointed out comparable LoS between both back and front placing of DDA+ GPS antenna, it looks as Dovi has all communication installed in his tail section.

If I'm not mistaken the square 'UnipolSai' marked device sticking out (marked in yellow) even looks like a satellite receiver to me:

By any chance
anyone did try a std USB stick in the DDA plug,to see if the memory problem of 30 laps could be solved?
Or anyone knows about a higher memory DDA USB dongle?
I am a little concerned about the limits of it during a full track day.
Do you know the Ducati Part Number?
Apparently I cannot even buy some spare-ones

01COCCOBET said:

By any chance
anyone did try a std USB stick in the DDA plug,to see if the memory problem of 30 laps could be solved?
Or anyone knows about a higher memory DDA USB dongle?
I am a little concerned about the limits of it during a full track day.
Do you know the Ducati Part Number?
Apparently I cannot even buy some spare-ones

Click to expand...

The DDA dongle does not connect to the bike via its USB port, it uses the data port under the seat on the V4 and in the tail for the Vtwins. The usb side of the DDA is for connecting to a computer only.

01COCCOBET said:

Do you know the Ducati Part Number?
Apparently I cannot even buy some spare-ones

Click to expand...

DDA+ Partno. for V4(s) incl. GPS module is 96580172B.

Stickered on Box:


Install instructions:


Do you mean with “some spare-ones” that this DDA set is indeed constantly in backorder? My dealership barely could get hold of one after it being unavailable for weeks in Bologna’s ordering-system.

ryanfavro said:

The DDA dongle does not connect to the bike via its USB port, it uses the data port under the seat on the V4 and in the tail for the Vtwins. The usb side of the DDA is for connecting to a computer only.

Click to expand...

Thank you
I didn't know that,I still don't have it in my hands.

This is my understanding till now:

1 DDA dongle has NO part number
2 one part of the DDA has a USB port and one part has 4 pins that get info from the OBD port.
3 the memory is only 16MB(max 30 laps/4 sessions)
4 16MB is the only memory possible(no extra or higher dongle)
5 GPS antenna could be installed under the seat or(if wire is present)under the front windshield(not proven difference)
6 What happens when the memory is full(overwrite or stops?)
7 can you still see the lap times on the dashboard
8 you CAN'T erase only few laps via dashboard
9 you can use a MAC
10 NO APP or WIFI connection
11 high risk of missed lap in some occasion
12 5 Hz gps module

Now I have few questions:
1 can I get the signal of the 4 pins to a bigger USB MEMORY(anybody has the diagram of the signals and wiring)?
2 can I get a higher rate GPS module to work with the DDA?
3 can I over sample the signal to the gopro videos to match?
4 can I get the engine temperature displayed(in the OLD description it says we can,not anymore on the V4 version)

RdashP said:

DDA+ Partno. for V4(s) incl. GPS module is 96580172B.

Do you mean with "some spare-ones" that this DDA set is indeed constantly in backorder? My dealership barely could get hold of one after it being unavailable for weeks in Bologna's ordering-system.

Click to expand...

We need some improvement on this matter

RdashP said:

[..] If I'm not mistaken the square 'UnipolSai' marked device sticking out (marked in yellow) even looks like a satellite receiver to me:

Click to expand...

Rossi and Marquez also seem to have their Satellite receivers and comms on the back of their bikes.

Marked as 1 seems to be a -for all teams similar- Dorna supplied antenna of some sort and 2 for both more of a factory team installed satellite(?) antenna:

mtb said:

Depends on the bike. DDA+GPS on my 899 records throttle position, DTC activation level, position on the track, RPM, speed, gear, and a few other things.

I wrote some software to convert the files to CSV for use with Race Render, etc. to make overlays on my gopro videos. That was my main reason for getting it.

Click to expand...

Great idea looking for same.

Does this work for Apple iOS/ OSX as well?

Which video editing software do use to integrate this dda data as visible skin on top of (gopro) video?

Similarly, I used Garmin's free VIRB edit video tool to integrate my FlySkyHy iOS app data into my GoPro video https://youtu.be/TrQIMeb49ys

@MTB, tx for your help.

01COCCOBET said:

Thank you
I didn't know that,I still don't have it in my hands.

This is my understanding till now:

Click to expand...

[Y] 1 DDA dongle has NO part number [integral part of complete DDA+ set]
[Y] 2 one part of the DDA has a USB port and one part has 4 pins that get info from the OBD port.
[Y/N] 3 the memory is only 16MB(max 30 laps/4 sessions) [I read in the installation instructions it can even with only 16MB easily last a full day(s) of track-riding, @Thorny knows for sure]
[Y] 4 16MB is the only memory possible(no extra or higher dongle)
[Y] 5 GPS antenna could be installed under the seat or(if wire is present)under the front windshield(not proven difference)
[Y] 6 What happens when the memory is full(overwrite or stops?) [stops recording, you need to erase full memory manually]
[?] 7 can you still see the lap times on the dashboard [@Thorny knows!]
[Y] 8 you CAN'T erase only few laps via dashboard
[Y] 9 you can use a MAC
[Y] 10 NO APP or WIFI connection
[Y] 11 high risk of missed lap in some occasion [yet 'manageable' risk, as @Thorny and myself explained before]
[Y] 12 5 Hz gps module

Now I have few questions:
[N] 1 can I get the signal of the 4 pins to a bigger USB MEMORY(anybody has the diagram of the signals and wiring)? [Not PnP, without 'hacking' the Ducati-Prosa technology; the red DDA+ memory stick from Prosa seems proprietary integral part of complete DDA+ set and therefore the only compatible memory option]
[N] 2 can I get a higher rate GPS module to work with the DDA? [Not PnP, without 'hacking' the Ducati-Prosa technology]
[Y] 3 can I over sample the signal to the gopro videos to match? [Refer to my VIRB Edit suggestion and @MTB his TBD tooling]
[N] 4 can I get the engine temperature displayed(in the OLD description it says we can,not anymore on the V4 version)