ChampionChip
ChampionChips are a brand name of miniature RFID transponders, marked with a unique identification number, used in many ACTIVE sports events, to keep track of the competition times of participants. It is one manufacturer's implementation of transponder timing.
ChampionChip transponders are waterproof glass capsules that contain a silicon chip and an energizing coil. This coil is inactive until moved into a magnetic field, generated by a send antenna in a mat (used to mark the start and finish lines of a race). The transponder then transmits its unique identification number to a receive antenna in a mat.
These chips are used in many sporting events around the world, including running races, marathons, triathlons, cycling and mountain biking competitions, in-line skating and cross-country skiing. Chips are either rented for use at a given event, or some participants purchase a chip for multiple uses. In either case, the serial number of a participant's chip is stored in a database for an event allowing the recorded times to be matched with participants' names.
In general, transponder timing is economic only for larger events of more than 2,000 participants. For smaller events, it is less expensive to time participants using manually operated hand-held computers.
When transponder timing first appeared, the running community hoped that there would be a single worldwide standard for transponders which could be used at all races.
ChampionChip is a Nijmegen, The Netherlands based company. Its basis lies in 1993 with a group of students with the intention to improve the time tracking in the Zevenheuvelenloop.
See also
- Transponder timing
External links
de:ChampionChip