The Texas Instruments half duplex 134kHz transponder is a litte miracle. The 'batteryless' internal circuit derives power from the electromagnetic field generated from a special antenna in the mat. After powering the transponder up, the mat antennas listen for the transponders unique tag code transmission. This is achieved in 50 milliseconds in all environmental conditions. Transponders can even be read under water!

Transponder timing bands can be bought outright from any TI distributer and there are no further lease fees associated with their use. The one transponder times all types of events so you don't have to fork out for a different type of transponder if you want to time a triathlon. You can choose where and when you use them in your events. If you need a larger number of transponders for a particular event we can hire these out to most countries.

The transponders are embedded in a tough plastic housing so that they cannot be damaged. The housings are either threaded onto a soft neoprene ankle band or can be tied onto the shoelace. The whole neoprene ankle band weighs less than 15g and is barely noticeable by the athlete whether they are swimming, running or cycling. Many years of research and development have led to a neoprene band that causes absolutely no chafing.

UHF Battery Assisted Passive (BAP) Tags

Ultra uses a new tag that is designed to stick to the back of a race bib or number plate. These tags are low cost (typically less than USD$1.50) and therefore disposable thereby eliminating a lot of handling of the transponder before and after the race. The BAP made by PowerID is a very special tag indeed because, as the name suggests, the tag uses a novel thin liquid battery to power the tags IC. Energy that is normally captured to wake up the IC can now be redirected back to the UHF reader (backscatter) and this greatly improves the read performance of the tag in less than ideal conditions. There is even a disposable solution for road bikes where the tag loops around the bike seat post for hassle free performance. For more details on the BAP see the PowerID website.