RFID stands for Radio Frequency Identification. It basically encompasses all electronic components that can transmit a unique code to a electronic reader using a particular carrier frequency. A typical RFID system consists of a reader, and antenna and a transponder. In sports timing the transponder stays with the athlete and the reader + antenna combination are stationed at a timing point. There are several frequency bands devoted to RFID and we use several different technologies to capture the time of an athlete as they cross the timing point.

Pictured to the right is a low frequency (134 kHz), transponder used in our HDD and Dual Antenna Systems. The transponder consists of an IC, a copper coil and a capacitor to store energy coupled from a reader antenna. These transponders have no moving parts or batteries and are quite low in cost from a couple of dollars.

We use Texas Instruments (TIRIS) RFID modules and transponders in the HDD system. These components have a proven track record and are used extensively in other sports timing systems around the globe. Many IAAF events use the TIRIS system to time the major marathons and fun-runs of the world. The 134kHz frequency transponders are particularly well suited to sports timing since their read range is very good (up to 1.2 metres above the mats) and the antennas are well focussed so that accurate times can be recorded to within 0.1 seconds resolution. The TIRIS components have almost remained unchanged since their introduction in 1994 which demonstrates the longevity of the TIRIS system.

In the last 5-6 years, most of the worlds research has focussed on UHF technology for RFID because tag cost can be minimised and reader performance can be improved in the UHF band between 800 to 950Mhz. Higher frequencies mean more tags read per second and reading 200 tags in a small box in several seconds with the one reader is quite achieveable. Until now, RFID Race Timing Systems has not seen UHF technology offer much to sports timing. However with the advent of the Battery Assisted Passive tag from Power-ID, we are now pleased to release a sports timing solution for running and cycling that utilises all those years of R&D into the ultimate timing system for 2010. We call this system Ultra.