Product category:
Communications ICs (Wireless)
News Release from: Impinj | Subject: UHF Gen 2 RFID
Edited by the Electronicstalk Editorial
Team on 21 March 2008
RFID is accurate in the long run
RFID-based road race timing system performs flawlessly at the Los Angeles Marathon.
Recently formed ChronoTrack Systems reports that its road race timing system, based on Impinj UHF Gen 2 radio frequency identification (RFID) technology, performed flawlessly at the recent Los Angeles Marathon, held on 2nd March 2008 ChronoTrack's D timing tag allows race organisers to print an integrated bib and tag for each participant, encoding the runner's bib number into the tag's RFID chip at the time of printing
This article was originally published on Electronicstalk on 24 Apr 2008 at 8.00am (UK)
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The peel-off, disposable portion of the bib becomes a tag that runners attach to their shoes.
ChronoTrack's tag solution is lighter, less expensive than previous timing methods, and most important to race organisers and participants - disposable.
Runners no longer need to stand in long lines to "tag check" their timing devices as with previous solutions.
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And after the race, tired participants can avoid yet another line to return expensive tags.
"ChronoTrack's solution contributed to the best LA marathon in its 23 year history and I'm very pleased", said Terry Collier, Executive Race Director of the LA Marathon.
"Our third party timing verifier told us it was the most accurate timing method he'd ever seen, and he compared it against the same method used to time the Olympics".
"Both race setup and clean up were much easier - hours instead of days, we needed fewer volunteers and far less equipment".
"We easily saved between fifteen and twenty thousand dollars, had a smoother race operation, and heard nothing but praise from race participants - definitely a win-win solution for me".
ChronoTrack worked closely with Impinj, a leading supplier of UHF Gen 2 RFID solutions, to create and perfect the timing system that includes proprietary race timing software, Impinj Speedway readers, and specialised UHF reader antennas.
The system provided finish line results and split timing data to runners at the 10km, half marathon and 30km points.
ChronoTrack's system accurately recorded 99.84% of all race participants, easily matching the best results achieved using previous timing solutions.
"The partnership between Impinj and ChronoTrack has produced a unique and highly effective race timing solution", said Mendy Ouzillou, Product Line Director at Impinj.
"This application is a great example of merging Impinj's flexible and high-performance products with our partner's deep domain experience to solve challenging problems with a real and positive impact on the consumer experience".
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