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AXWare Interface to RaceAmerica T-Link Wireless
Mid year 2006, RaceAmerica introduced a revolutionary Wireless
Timing Solution and together with AXWare Systems, we now offer a
high performance wireless timing system for various forms of competition.
We have several products that utilize the wireless technology and more will
be coming. The wireless solutions are product specific and tailored to each
specific type of racing, although all use the same equipment.
| In generally the T-LINK units consists of industrial
grade wireless components and each contain a CPU that manages timing and
data communications. Essentially each T-LINK is a wireless Timer
(not a trigger mechanism). Timing Solutions consist of several
T-LINKS that exchange and coordinate timing information and provide it
to the PC. The coordination provides synchronization and data
control of the transmissions, including encryption and error recovery
processes, making it a very robust and high performance solution.
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T-LINK Solution (example: Autocross solution)
It consists
of intelligent T-LINK units that are have 100mW transmitter power output and
provide accuracy (a required 1/1000sec), consistency, automated error recovery,
and continuous status feedback. The units have:
- Long range industrial grade wireless transmissions in the 900Mhz range.
- Consists of a CPU that manage independent timing functions and
communications.
- Practical Ranges between 1000-1500ft are fully supported using standard
rubberized antennas. Such ranges were obtained from practical tests with
all units on the ground - which forces the highest constraints on the Wireless
signals.
- Yagi Antennas can be provided that significantly improve the ranges due to
their directional functionality. Nominal 2-3 fold range improvements can
easily be attained using these type of antennas.
- Elevating the units higher off of the
ground also improves the communications levels across wider distances (typical
wireless transmission constraints). Note: Wireless transmission is
greatly affected by solid objects and terrain, thus ranges may vary depending
on your surroundings. In 'noise free' locations, ground units experience
fair signals at ~2000ft ranges (without Yagi Antennas). Quite spectacular.
- Higher power transmitters
will be available in future products and will offer solutions for different forms of racing (Hill Climbs, Rallies etc.).
- Each unit has a rechargeable battery (5 amp hour life) that provides
significantly more than 24 hours of continuous operation.
- Configurable with either an onboard Sensor or a plug in sensor (to support
existing AXWRATS systems sensors). The plug-in sensor configurations utilize existing
Sensor and Emitter technology. As a recommendation the long range
Emitters are recommended to allow a wider gate to keep the system out of harms
way. The Emitters, 5050B or better provide 75ft gate distances and
better. In addition, external sensors allow you to move the T-Link to
higher elevation if necessary. Alternatively, T-LINKs with onboard
sensors can have their range extended using Yagi Antenna's.
- T-LINK 'Z' unit is connected to the PC and acts as a receiver. It continually provides feedback on the activity of the
system, including Battery Levels and Wireless Signal strength, and other
status information.
- T-LINK 'A'-'G' are the sensor side T-LINKs.
- T-LINK 'A' unit is the Synchronization Master and must be active at
all times. It is used to manage all the other T-LINKS in the system and
maintains the data exchange among the units.
- A typical autocrossing setup consists of a 'Start' (T-LINK 'A'), with
a Finish (T-LINK 'B').
- Segment timing can be
achieved easily by introducing T-LINK 'C' & T-LINK 'D' to
provide for a 2 or 3 sector configuration.
- The AXWare Interface also supports Single light operation.
Packages and Pricing
Various packages are offered that provide an upgrade path for
AXWRATS Hardware or the AC4, as well as turn-key solutions that contain
everything you will need. Please visit our online store at
T-LINK Wireless
products.
T-Link Wireless Status Dialog
A status dialog is continually available and tracks the
statuses of battery and signal levels real-time. Once the Timing
interface is activated, the dialog is activated and may be hidden from view
(minimized).
When any status changes, the status bar T-LINK Attention indicator
 , will become visible. Click on the button to
display the status dialog if it is not already displayed. If the dialog
is hidden and a critical condition is detected, the dialog will automatically
display along with the T-LINK Attention indicator. Below is an
example of a 2 sensor configuration.
The Message Area will receive messages based on the status of the
system. Various messages are reported based on status and activity conditions.
The Signal and battery levels are indicated in 10% increments at all times.
In addition, they will be reflected in the Status Bars RF indicators
respective to the 'T-LINK A' and 'T-LINK B' units.
| The RF status bars are normally green for when good RF
signals are detected and red from the top-down with degraded RF signals.
The image below represents 100% RF signals for both the 'A' and 'B' units.
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This is an example of a 100% RF for unit 'A' and approx
50% for unit 'B'.
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T-LINK Attention button
The red dot in the above status bar image, represents the 'T-LINK
Attention button'. When this is displayed the T-LINK status dialog has
pertinent status information. Any status change will force this button
to be displayed. If a critical condition occurs that required immediate
notification, the T-LINK Wireless Status dialog will pop up as well.
Here's a picture of a live T-LINK unit in action. This event was run using
external sensors.
Click for larger picture.
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