Jun 17, 2022Ed. Note: A version of this article originally appeared at IoP Journal.
Keeping radio frequency identification (RFID) readers performing at their best during marathon events is part of Race Result's primary goals, as the German company is among the world's leading providers of sports-timing technologies. Race Result's challenge is to ensure that all competitors have access to a reliable timing system and can obtain their race times.
In addition to meeting each runner's expectations, the company must be able to track individual participants through a marathon crowd. Thus, the reader equipment needs to function completely reliably so that it can avoid failures. To ensure a first-class timing system with a lifespan of several years, simple-to-handle test equipment was required for outbound inspection and for RFID reader performance checks alongside existing production tests.
Race Result's challenge is to ensure that all competitors have access to a reliable timing system and can obtain their race times.
Enabling Quick Performance Checks
The two companies worked together to develop a solution using CISC's handheld RAIN RFID Reader Checker.
The solution that Race Result created was achieved in partnership with CISC, a company specializing in communication technologies aimed at increasing the performance, compliance, interoperability, security and privacy of equipment, such as RFID systems. The two companies worked together to develop a solution using CISC's handheld RAIN RFID Reader Checker.
According to the companies, the product provides a quick and effective performance check of a reader during outbound and onsite inspection prior to the start of an event. The equipment has enabled Race Result to offer its customers a test procedure that is easy to use. This has allowed it to become more independent of the test bench at its head office, saving time and money.
Light-emitting diodes (LEDs) indicate whether a reader is suitable for use in the application. If a red LED signal on the Reader Checker indicates a problem, further investigation is made possible by connecting the reader to the computer to find out if the issue was due to output power, sensitivity, incorrect frequency, read rate or a parameter of the air interface.
Reducing Decoder Downtimes
Nikias Klohr
Overall, using the RAIN RFID Reader Checker and its basic performance checks ensure that only non-suspicious decoders from distributors are shipped, and that decoder downtime can be avoided. As a result, Race Result was able to ensure time savings, lower shipping and decoder downtime costs, increase reliability and performance for customers, and detect problems earlier.
"We are a global leader in sports-time innovation," says Nikias Klohr, Race Result's CTO. "Our application area pushes RFID technology to its limits. A reader that works perfectly is essential for us. With the RAIN RFID Reader Checker, we can quickly and easily check if the readers in our decoders are okay—especially because the device is so small and handy, we can test dozens of rental devices in our warehouse in no time."
Race Result offers a complete hardware and software package for sporting events of all sizes. In addition to employing approximately 50 workers at its head office, the company maintains seven distributors on three continents. Without ceasing to be profitable, the firm reports that it has increased its customer base and turnover tenfold within the last four years, achieving a total revenue of €13 million ($13.9 million) in 2019.
Key Takeaways:
- Race Result sought to ensure that competitors would have access to a reliable timing system and be able to obtain race times.
- The company offers customers an easy-to-use test procedure, while saving it time and money.
