SPORTident Station BS7-S "Sprinter"

Description

• The SPORTident-Station BS7-S is an active RFID-reader/interrogator. Combined with SPORTident-Cards, it forms a solution that can identify persons at control points in addition to recording the time of the identification.
• Additionally, the BS7-S features an external trigger input. Each trigger pulse, generated by a light barrier, a start gate or a manual push button, generates an additional time record.
• In the preferred application the BS7-S is used for accurate remote timing at start/finish lines. This is done by producing the time stamp based on a signal at stations trigger input and attaching the runner by means of an SI-Card based identification process.
• All data records are stored in stations internal memory, but can also be transmitted online to computers connected.

Overall product features

• The BS7-S station belongs to the BS7 station family and is compatible with the existing SPORTident-System parts and can be used mixed with other equipment.
• Furthermore the time trigger functionality is an extension to the standard functionality. So the BS7-S can be used in every operating mode like a SPORTident main station.
• The Sprinter station consists of:
  • BS7 station with serial interface (RS232) and 2 cables with banana plugs
  • length of cables: 14 m
  • RS232 to USB adapter
  • manual hand push unit

Main features

• The BS7-S station is “always on” and works in a low power Stand-by Mode. There is no need to switch on the station or to make any special preparations before the unit can be used. Also in Stand-by Mode the station is ready to process SPORTident-Cards. The maximal wake up time is 1 second. The station is switched from Stand-by Mode to Active Mode when the first SI-Card is inserted or with the first instruction sent from the PC by using the serial interface. That’s why the BS7-S station can work with the shortest possible Active Mode period of 2 minutes. Once the station is in Active Mode the reaction time to the insertion of subsequent SI-Cards is very quick. After an adjustable period without a SI-Card being inserted, the station drops back to Stand-by Mode.
• The BS7-S communicates at 4800 baud COM Port speed by default.
• The BS7-S station feature with an on-board service display visible from the back side. The display shows quickly main station’s settings like real time and code number. Each SI-Card number is displayed for 3 seconds after punching.
• Using the Service/OFF-Card the stations can also be switched to Service Mode. In Service Mode the station’s LCD display offers additional information like serial number and firmware version. Information about station’s battery is given both by measuring the battery voltage and by computing the station’s battery consumption in relation to the battery performance. Service Mode is automatically terminated after 5 minutes or earlier if the Service/OFF-Card is used.
• The station’s real time clock system is calibrated and temperature compensated. This offers higher accuracy also at very high and very low temperatures. The internal time resolution is 1/256 s, approximately 4 ms.

Performance and application hints

Resolution

The station’s real time clock system is calibrated and temperature compensated (starting with firmware V5.53). This offers higher accuracy also at very high and very low temperatures. The internal time resolution is 1/256 s, approximately 4 ms. This resolution is used to trigger events, so a signal at station’s external trigger input. Station’s internal real time clock accuracy is usual less than 2 seconds a week. Based on these two features the BS7-S is able to serve in events where a running time resolution of 0.1 second is required.

Performance

Data records are stored in station’s memory and transmitted to a computer in discrete time intervals according to station’s scan cycle for active mode. The active mode scan cycle is typically 40 ms (time resolution value). In addition the data record transmission time has to be considered. It is about 40 ms for a data record at a transmission speed of 4800 Baud. Applying both values the guaranteed minimal trigger cycle is 80 ms. So a minimal start/finish interval of about 100ms can be managed.

Additional delays can occur if a SI-Card is processed by the station. The handling time is up to 115 ms for SI-Card8/9, and up to 60 ms for SI-Card10/11 and SIAC. Please note that only the transmission of the data record would be delayed while the trigger time always is captured correctly.

In case of higher performance needs a second SPORTident-Station can be used to read the IDs of the SI-Cards.

Trigger input

The external trigger input is always active in the operating modes “STT start with time trigger” and “FIT finish with time trigger”. Please always connect the manual hand push unit, a start gate or a light barrier / photo cell at the trigger input cable. Do not leave the cables open ended.

Active period

Because a trigger signal at station’s external trigger input immediately activates the station and produces a valid data record there is no need to configure the station for longer active working periods. The station can be adjusted to the shortest active period which is 2 minutes.

Handling and service

The BS7-S features a connector cable length of 14m. That’s why the COM-port communication speed should be adjusted to 4800 baud.

BS7-S as start trigger

• Configure the BS7-S station as “STT start with time trigger”
• Connect the BS7-S with RS232-USB-Adapter to your PC with the evaluation software, choose the baud rate of 4800
• Connect the start gate (or the manual hand push unit) with the trigger input (banana plugs) of the BS7-S
• Connect your “start PC” with the result PC network
• Decide whether you want do the assignment of participants manually or by punching the BS7-S station (first punch, then start)

BS7-S as finish trigger

• Configure the BS7-S station as “FIT finish with time trigger”
• Connect the BS7-S with RS232-USB-Adapter to your PC with the evaluation software, choose the baud rate of 4800
• Connect a photo cell (or the manual hand push unit) with the trigger input (banana plugs) of the BS7-S
• Connect your “finish PC” with the result PC network
• Decide whether you want do the assignment of participants manually (via evaluation software; an operator has to work close to the start line at the PC) or by punching the BS7-S station (first participant cross the finish line, then punch the BS7-S station)

Service

• The BS7-S stations only need minimal service. In typical application cycles only the station’s real time has to be monitored.
• Station’s settings can be changed by using PC-software SPORTident Config+. In the inductive coupling process between a SPORTident master station and a slaved station a coupling stick should be used to improve data transmission.
• To achieve highest synchronism in the station’s real time clock it is recommended to adjust station’s real time by using the SPORTident Station BS8 SI-Master (coupling stick needed).
• The battery has a capacity of 2000 mAh. This value should not be changed in the setups.
• The Stations feature with an easy firmware upgrade mechanism. Station’s firmware can be uploaded by the user directly from the PC. This feature keeps the station up to date and enables the implementation of additional functionality.

Specifications

Property	Details
Internal power supply	1 x Lithium AA cell, no rechargeable
Battery capacity	2000 mAh
Durability	4 - 7 years
Battery exchange	by SPORTident GmbH and authorized SPORTident partners
Operating range	-20°C to +50°C
International protection class	IP 64 (DIN EN 60529) No protection against water
Dimensions	115 mm x 62 mm x 32 mm
Weight	210 g
Accuracy at normal temperature	less than +/- 20 seconds a month
Switch on time	< 1 second (standard)
Backup memory	maximum number of punches: 21802 maximum number of SI-Cards data records: 1022