Contactless punching system AIR+

To enable contactless punching (i.e. punching at a distance from the control), SPORTident offers the extension AIR+ to the existing (classic) stations. The stations operate in beacon mode and the runners need to use a SIAC (SPORTident ActiveCard) within a punching range of about 50 cm with common stations. Beacons are hardware transmitters, that broadcast their identifier to nearby portable electronic devices.

The tip of the SIAC flashes when a punch has been recorded and the SIAC emits an audible beep. The flashing continues while the SIAC is in the field of the control. The SIAC records a second punch if it has been outside of the beacon station’s active field for at least 17 seconds and then is moved back in.

This SIAC can hold 128 punches with code and time (intermediate times) plus start, finish, check and clear times. The SIAC is compatible with the classic system as it can also be used for direct punching.

SI-Stations in beacon mode will NOT give a feedback signal when a SIAC registers a contactless punch. In this case, the SIAC’s optical and acoustic feedback signals confirm to the athlete that the control code and timestamp have been successfully written to the SIAC. A contactless punch is not recorded in the backup memory of the station.

As an active device, the SIAC contains a battery. It is important to check the SIAC’s battery performance before the event. The expected life time of the battery is about 4 years. The SIAC’s AIR+ feature is not always active so that power consumption can be reduced, and the battery can last longer. The AIR+ functionality becomes active if the athlete punches the CHECK station (after clearing the card) or the SIAC ON station. The SIACs AIR+ feature is switched off by punching a FINISH station. This is why it is important to avoid that runners pass the finish area accidentally while they are racing. SIACs also can be switched off by using a field station configured as SIAC OFF.

SPORTident AIR+ is fully backward-compatible with the classic system. Stations like BS7/8/9 used in AIR+ mode implement the AIR+ functionality in addition to the classic direct punching. This means that passive cards (series 5/6/8/9/10/11) can be used for classic direct punching and SIAC can be used for contactless punching in the same event.

A direct punch with a SIAC is a fallback option to register at controls if for any reason a station would not be in beacon mode. The SIAC will always work in direct punching mode, even if its battery is empty. To read out the data of the SIAC in this case the SI-Card needs the firmware 4.0 and higher.

A SI-Station used in AIR+ mode uses about ten times more power than a similar station used only for direct punching. A BSF8/9 with a brand-new battery will operate for about 1500 hours (120 events) before the battery needs to be changed, a BSF7 about double that time. To reduce power consumption, it is strongly recommended to turn the stations into standby mode by using the instruction card SERVICE/OFF immediately after the event.

In Foot-O, the use of AIR+ is beneficial in particular in urban sprint and sprint relays where a whole group of competitors may arrive at a control at the same time with little space to place multiple punching units. The AIR+ system allows several runners to punch a single control at the same time.

In Ski-O and MTBO, it is a little awkward for competitors to use traditional punching and it is easier for them to use contactless punching. The special BS11 stations are the ideal solution. Of course, for other sports with check points that are not easily accessible or with many participants, AIR+ offers many advantages.

With a CLEAR station, the SIAC’s memory is cleared. With a CHECK station, this process is verified and the SIAC is switched on. The SIAC remains active for about 20 hours if it is not switched off. This timer is reset with each direct or proximity punch. The SIAC indicates an active state with a slowly blinking green LED (about every 4 seconds). The SIAC is deactivated by a FINISH punch (with a classic punch or in the contactless way in beacon mode). The SIAC can also be turned off by a SIAC OFF station.

The AIR+ signal indicator is a measuring device for displaying the received signal strength. With the signal indicator, organisers can check the setup of their Si-Station and ensure that all participants enter the field of the SI-Station. The signal indicator is similar to the SIAC in function, both have the same housing shape.

Use of AIR+ signal indicator

The BS7/8/9 stations can be used for contactless punching. The operating mode of the stations has to be changed with Config+ in the same way as for the classic system (see section Config+ / Basic configuration). The stations must be programmed in beacon mode. Possible operating modes are: Start (BC STA), Finish (BC FIN) and Control (BC CN).

Identification at check points in outdoor sport disciplines like trail, biking and skiing is slightly different than in orienteering. In general, passing speed is higher. The BS11 stations are specially adapted for these applications by enabling identification over a larger distance. With the BS11-BL station, the SIAC can register the intermediate and start/finish times in a range of up to 3 metres.

The BS11-BS (beacon small) and BS11-BL (beacon large) stations allow contactless registration of time records over a distance of up to 1.8 and 3 metres, respectively. Both stations can easily be carried around and set up. They can be integrated in the AIR+ system without any special measures. These stations are mounted vertically on a holder instead of horizontally as the classic stations. The bigger antenna with an area of 185 mm x 240 mm generates a powerful low frequency radio field while keeping the power consumption low. This enables a highly mobile and flexible setting of the stations at any course and at any location without the need of any additional external equipment.

The BS11-BS/BL can be configured as start or finish or as a control point on the track. They are typically mounted at the side of the track and operate unattended once set up and switched on. The stations work with an unlimited number of SIACs simultaneously. The stations are especially useful as a start and finish for all sports and as a control in sports with a big number of participants (for example trail, running, etc.) or for sports where the distance of 50 cm for contactless punching (as for the normal stations) is too small to avoid stopping at the control to get into the data transfer range (for example MTBO, Ski-O, etc.).

They are the perfect solution for sports with different stages in terrains where it is difficult to install a lot of equipment (for example MTB Enduro). In most cases, the BS11-BS are used at the start of a stage and the BS11-BL at the finish. The functioning of the stations is basically identical to the classic stations. The control codes and time records are transmitted and registered on the SIACs. There is no need to modify the timing software either.

Alternatively, a loop antenna (BS11-LA) can be used for lanes with widths of up to 9 metres, e.g. in ski orienteering. The loop antenna is put directly at the finish line and buried in the snow or covered with a thin carpet (no metal objects can be used as they would disturb the magnetic field).