Why is transponder becoming essential ?

Timing system with transponders

The transponder is necessary for an automatic and accurate timing.
Let's take as an example a very long race such as the 24 Heures du Mans. When the timing is done "manually", for every lap, each competitor's number and their time have to be noted down. This requires a constant attention during all the race and the presence of 4 to 10 people is necessary to do so. Besides, the timing staff has to be able to communicate and justify quickly the results of the race in case of potential complaints. One competitor may not agree with his time, his position at one precise moment in the race...

To avoid these problems, CHRONELEC has designed a timing system composed of transponders, a decoder and a timekeeping software.

Our transponders have different shapes and characteristics depending on the type of sport

If you wish to use a transponder for :

• cars racing or motorcycle racing, a powerful transponder will be required so that the detection loop placed on the track receives the transponder's data. The high speed of the vehicles, the position of the transponder on the car and the fact that several vehicles can pass over the loop in the same thousandth of second have to be taken into account. The Protime Elite transponder is absolutely adapted to this kind of speed as it can be detected by the loop when the speed is up to 360 km/h (225 mph) even if the Protime Elite transponder is placed high (2,80 m max = 9 ft)



• motocross races, the Protime LS transponder is recommended. Its height detection is powerful (2,80 m max = 9 ft) although the speed of the vehicles is lower (max. 200 km/h).
  
  
• karting races or rental kartings, the Protime LH transponder is appropriate. Its height of detection is 1,80 m (6 ft) maximum, for a maximum speed of 180 km/h (110 mph).



• cycle races, the Protime R.C.S transponder is the appropriate one. Its small dimensions and its lightness will not disturb the cyclists.



• water sports, the Protime RF transponder is perfect because it does not require the installation of a loop between two buoys. This transponder has the same characteristics as the Protime LS transponder

All our timing systems with transponders have a precision of 0.001 s.
The decoder receives the data sent by the loop(s) placed on the track.
12 vehicles can be detected altogether when they pass over the loop(s) simultaneously at a maximum speed of 360 km/h (225 mph).

These figures have been checked during famous events such as Les 24 heures du Mans (cars and motorbikes).

All our products (transponders, decoders, software) are constantly improved to meet our client's needs.
You are welcome in our premises located in Norges La Ville, 5 minutes away from Dijon, to show you our range of products.

The different timing systems

To finish with our explanation of timing system with transponders, let us propose to you this comparative description of the possible timing solutions :

• Identification of passive TAGS (stickers in general) :
  The passive TAGS are activated when they enter in the field of an antenna transmiting a frequency of 125 KHz or 13,56 MHz (depending on the tags used)
  This type of system enables the recognition of objects or people
  The responding time of a sticker is about 20 ms (0.020 s) s when only one sticker is in the field of the antenna. If two or three stickers are in the field of the antenna, there is a problem of collision which is solved to the detriment of the responding time. The responding time may be 100 ms (0.100 s).
  Obviously, this system is not appropriate for a very precise timing (0.001 s).
  In general, these systems are used for marathons. Several antennas are placed on the finish line in order to have as few collisions as possible and to get closer to a 100% reliability (which is not an easy thing to do).



• Identification by radio-frequency transmitter :
  Each vehicle is equipped with a small radio-coded transmitter with a unique number. This type of system copes with collisions' problems when 1 or more vehicles are in the field of the antenna. But it is not very precise because of the radiation omnidirectional of receiver antenna. With this kind of system, disturbances are possible (GSM, transmitting TV, various remote controls etc...).
  This type of material is not adapted to time in disturbed medium (automobile or other motorized vehicles).



• Identification by transponder (induction system) :
  This system is composed of a loop placed on the ground. This loop receives the data of the transponder as it passes over. The detection is very precise as the transponder is equipped with a small antenna.
  This system can identify up to 12 transponders at the same time on the loop (in general, the situation where 2 cars or 3 motorbikes are passing the finish line in the same thousandth of second is very rare).

The transponder's identification fits with motorized vehicles' timing because of the following points :

• precise detection


• fast detection


• very good immunity against radio-frequency perturbations

Visit the website of the company ITS RFID presenting RF Check System made by CHRONELEC.