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The Orbiter Sports Chip Timing System
The Orbiter is an RFID based timing and lap counting system that uses chips, otherwise known as tags, and a reader to count laps and record race times of runners. The tags are worn by runners and as they pass by the reader their times are recorded and laps counted. Tags can be worn on the shoe, armband, wristband or can be embedded into bibs worn on the torso. The system was developed by the Orbiter LLC company for use in military fitness testing, school physical education and for road racing.

Orbiters patented vertical design is unique in the following ways: all in one construction, 3 minute set up, 100% wireless. These three features allow ease of use as there are no cables or connectors required to operate the system. The Orbiter eliminated the need for an out aide time box, and this reduces cost.

Orbiter, and other road race systems are typically adapted from traditional asset tracking RFID technology. Prior to use, the tags are embedded with a unique internal number. The readers are capable of both sending and receiving signals. When a tag is in the read zone it takes the sending signal from the reader and uses the energy to power the tiny embedded chip. The tag then responds with its unique number and sends out the signal. The reader receives the signal and records the unique number and time. Racer information such as a runners name and other info is stored in a database and is associated with each chip's unique number. During or after an event the race data from the readers is downloaded to the database and race information can be sorted out and displayed.

There are two types of Orbiter chip timing systems:

Passive:
 * Disposable and re-usable chips
 * 15 foot read range
 * UHF GEN II standard based

Active:
 * Re-useable chip
 * 30 foot read range
 * Microwave based, chip is always on, and the battery does not need recharging for 5 years.

See Also:

 * http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Radio-frequency_identification
 * http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Transponder_timing

External Links:

 * http://tagmaster.com/?id=3498
 * http://www.motorola.com/Business/US-EN/Business+Product+and+Services/RFID/FX7400_US-EN
 * http://www.rfidjournal.com/article/view/8357/2
 * http://www.orbiter.com