7
RaceAmerica 5820 Wireless SBD Timer
TECHNICAL DETAILS
Connection to a PC or Timer:
The T-Port is a RJ45 connector with 8
conductors. Viewing the T-Port, pin 1 is on the left
side and pin 8 is on the right side of the connector.
For RS232 serial data communications, pin two is
ground and pin one is data sent from the T-Link
unit. All other pins should not be connected to
avoid damage to the T-Link unit.
Data String Protocol:
Data strings are sent from the ID Z T-Link
unit to provide timing timestamps from each
track sensor, battery charge level in each T-Link
unit, and RF Data Integrity level of the wireless
communications between the T-Link units. The
data strings are always terminated by a ‘carriage
return’ (cr) character and are 11 characters in total
length.
<id> is the ID code of the T-Link - A thru G and
Z are valid
<timestamp> is a 9-digit number for timing use
<error code> is a single digit number explained
under Error Codes
<rev level> is a 3-digit number of the Revision
Code of the T-Link
<batC> is a single digit number of the Battery
Charge Level of a T-Link unit
<rfC> is a single digit number of the RF
Integrity Level of a T-Link unit
<id> <timestamp> cr
ZB <batA><batB><batC> 000 <batZ> cr
ZW 00 <rfA><rfB><rfC> 0000 cr
<id> E <error code> 0000000 cr
<id> R <rev level> 00000 cr
All error messages are real time during
normal operation with different levels of urgency.
Errors E1, E3, and E5 indicate local interference
effecting the wireless communications or loss of
signal. These are error messages to alert the user
of intermittent interference and do not effect the
accuracy of the timing system unless the error codes
continue for more than 10 seconds of operation.
Errors E2 and E4 also indicate local interference
effecting the wireless communications or loss of
signal unless these error codes are preceded by 10
seconds of continuous error codes.
MAINTENANCE
To insure uninterrupted operation on race day,
it is suggested to keep track of battery usage hours
so as to have fully charged batteries. To maintain
the highest level of timing accuracy and minimize
false trips, annual preventive maintenance and
calibration should be performed on all system
track sensors and beam emitter units.
SPARE PARTS
Further to minimize race program interruptions,
RaceAmerica recommends some spare parts. A
spare emitter/sensor pair should be available in the
event of an unfortunate accident during a program.
Contact RaceAmerica for availability and pricing
of spares items.
SUPPORT AGREEMENTS
Support agreements are available from
RaceAmerica providing Telephone Assistance on
technical issues and operational questions, repair
and/or replacement of hardware failures, Software
and Firmware updates and bug reporting, and
Annual Preventive Maintenance on all system
track sensors and beam emitter units. Contact
RaceAmerica for more information and pricing
of Support Agreements.
