Track Boxes offer the highest flexibility of any timing system, designed to offer a simple, portable setup for capturing additional splits on course. With more split data captured it becomes easier to offer live tracking visualisations and engaging leaderboards for spectators. Single-button operation means that anybody can setup a timing point, in a form factor which can easily be carried to remote timing points.
Due to their design Track Boxes are not intended for use on critical timing points such as Start or Finish lines, they are best suited to on-course splits which do not require such high accuracy.
Track Boxes are available in 2 versions
Active
The Active Track Box provides the easiest way to capture additional times for participants when using ActivePro V2 or MotorKart transponders. Active Track Boxes do not use a loop for activation of transponders but instead receive Track Pings from passing Transponders via the 2.4GHz channel to record the time of passing.
The small form factor, single-button operation, and built-in magnets of the active Track Box allow for the quickest race day setup of any system. With the additional GPS data recorded by Track Boxes more accurate tracking visualisations can also be produced.
Transponder Track Ping activation and Track Box Management can only be done using the Management Box
Passive
The Track Box Passive provides a simple solution for split points for events that are timed using the RACE RESULT passive transponder. The Track Box is an all-in-one solution with the reader, battery, and antenna integrated into a single unit which can be easily transported and set up faster than a conventional decoder and antenna.
The Track Box Passive includes an integrated stand and magnets which allow for a variety of mounting methods and angles.
As the Track Box includes a 2.4GHz module it can also operate as an Active Track Box simultaneously to receive Active Trackpings, using the same setup principals as the Active Track Box.
Track Box Configuration
Insert SIM Card
First, ensure the PIN settings are correctly defined for your SIM cards if required. The Track Box will try and connect as soon as it is on, and if the PIN is not properly setup, your SIM card may be locked by your operator.
Open the Track Box by removing the screws, for the Track Box Passive there are 6 screws on the front which use a 2.5mm hex key, the Track Box Active has 2 screws which use a 4mm hex key.
With the Track Box Active ensure to keep the nuts and O-Rings safe.
The SIM card slot is, marked by a SIM card symbol. Insert the SIM card into the SIM holder according to the orientation of the symbol until it clicks in to place.
Replace the lid of the Track Box ensuring correct orientation of the cover, ensure the O-rings are fitted where applicable, and fasten the screws. Do not fasten too tight.
If you are doing this with several Track Boxes at once, make sure that the serial number on the lid matches the one inside the Track Box.
Once your SIM cards are inserted, you can turn your Track Boxes on. Unless using RACE RESULT SIM cards, Track Boxes do not automatically set the APN settings so you will need to Configure the SIM APN manually. When using RACE RESULT SIM cards then the boxes will automatically configure the PIN and APN.
Track Box Settings
There are some basic parameters which need to be set on the Track Box in order to work correctly.
Key Settings
- Customer ID - Your RACE RESULT customer ID which will be used to access the Track Box data.
- Name - A name for the device can be set for easier identification of devices.
SIM Settings (no configuration needed when using RACE RESULT SIM Cards)
- PIN - The PIN code of your SIM card. If you have disabled the PIN protection on your SIM, you can leave the field blank. If you wish to use your own SIM card with a PIN, you need to configure it through TagTool (using a Management Box).
- APN Domain - APN URL which should be connected to.
- APN User - Username for connecting to the APN if applicable.
- APN Password - Password for connecting to the APN if applicable.
Advanced Settings
- Status URL and Trackping URL - The URLs the Track Boxes are reporting their status and transmitting the trackpings to. By default, these are set to communicate with the RACE RESULT servers. Do not modify these settings unless you want to report directly to your own server.
- Channel ID - The ID of the channel the active Track Boxes are receiving trackpings on. This would normally be configured using Track Box Configuration Rules or the device control in the Timing window of RACE RESULT 12.
These settings can be configured in three different ways.
As settings may be changed remotely, we recommend setting Track Boxes to lock using the Track Box Configuration Rules and only unlock Boxes at the end of an event or to make changes yourself.
Track Box Setup
Due to the nature of how Track Boxes work compared to a conventional timing system, some additional precautions and care should be taken in order to maximize read rates of Track Boxes.
Active Setup
Passive Setup
LED Blink Codes, Button & Beeper
LED Blink Codes
The Track Box has 2 LEDs on the front, the left is red/green and the right is blue, each LED indicates a different function
Red/Green LED
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(Continuous red/green) - Less than 20s (directly after turning on) -> Firmware upgrade in progress |
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(Continuous red) SIM Card error / Battery Under Voltage |
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(Single red) no GPS, Network OK |
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(Single red, double red) no GPS, no network |
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.................... |
(Double red) GPS OK, no network |
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(Single red, triple red) no GPS, network OK Receiving active Track Pings! |
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(Single red, double red, triple red) no GPS, no network Receiving active Track Pings! |
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(Single green) GPS and network OK |
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(Single green, triple green) GPS and network OK Receiving active Track Pings! |
Charging:
Battery full
Battery not yet full
Note: the Track Boxes are always on when charging.
Blue LED (Passive Only)
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On (Solid) - Passive reader active On (Flashing Rapidly) - Passive reader active and detecting transponders Off - Passive reader switched off |
Note: See Orientation of Track Boxes to understand the conditions in which the passive reader will be switched off
Button
Press the button to switch the Track Box on.
Keep the button pressed for 1 second to turn off. If the Track Boxes are stacked, or very close to each other, they will send a shutdown command via 2.4GHz to shut down all boxes in the stack.
You can reset the Track Box by pressing the button for 10 seconds.
If the Track Box is locked via Tracking Box Configuration Rules, the LED will not blink at all and the button won't turn off the box. You can still reset the box by pressing the button for 10 seconds.
Beeper (Passive Only)
The internal beeper will signal a passing similar to the decoder beep. While the decoder beeps as soon as a transponder is in range, the Track Box Passive beeps when the actual passing has been created.
When you hear a continuous beep and see the box blinking red/green, it signals a fatal error (see above).
Error Codes
An error code (indicated by a continuously flashing red/green LED) can indicate one of two possibilities.
Strong reflection in front of the antenna - no beep
In most cases, an alternating red/green LED indicates a strong reflection in front of the antenna and you should check the surroundings of the box.
This can be anything in front of or around the Track Box, Most commonly (too much) metal, but it could be simply a person standing in front of the Track Box. You can easily test this by placing your hand in front of the antenna. The box will immediately start blinking red/green and should stop shortly after the antenna has no objects obstructing its view.
Remove everything in a minimum radius of 50cm (2ft) around the Track Box, particularly on the front side.
Fatal Hardware Error - continuous beep
If the box has no obstructions which could be causing reflections and the error code is always present then this may indicate a fatal hardware error
How Track Boxes Work
Below is some key information about how the Track Boxes work to help maximise the performance of the device.
Battery & Charging
Battery Life
The Track Box Passive contains 3x 4000mAh 3.7V Li-Po batteries with a total capacity of 45Wh, this offers expected battery life between 12-18 hours.
The Track Box Active contains a single 4000mAh 3.7V Li-Po battery with 15Wh capacity offering a battery life of 3-5 days when stationary or 1 day when moving.
Battery life will be reduced if transponders are continuously in range since the reader must process these chip reads and transmit them to the server. For example, if a test transponder is left in the antenna field for the whole day then you should expect shortened battery life.
Battery life can be extended by setting the box to Slow Mode, or by enabling Standby Mode.
To maintain the longevity of batteries, please do not store batteries when almost or completely empty for longer periods of time. For safety reasons, when a battery is deeply discharged (below 3V), it cannot be recharged and will need to be replaced.
Charging
Active
To charge Active Track Boxes the boxes can be stacked in a set of 10, and a charging plate is mounted to the top box which is secured by magnets. The screws in the Track Box Active allow the charge to be distributed throughout the boxes.
Charging time is 5 hours using the provided 15V power supply unit, or 10 hours if using a standard 12V power supply.
If the boxes are not all charging then check the screws are not overtightened, when overtightened they may not make contact with the box below preventing it from charging, this is most common when the O-Rings are not fitted.
Passive
The Track Box Passive uses the same connector type as Loop Boxes and supplied with the Track Box (Active), an additional splitter is provided allowing 2 Track Boxes to be charged simultaneously.
Charging time depends on the status of the reader.
Reader OFF (Standby Mode) - 6 hours
Reader ON (Reading Transponders) - 10 hours
The Track Box can only charge when the temperature is between 0°C and 40°C.
External Power Input
It is possible to connect Track Boxes to an external power supply such as 12v battery or solar panel.
When connected to an external power source the Track Box will completely use the power input before switching back to the internal battery. If using an external battery then the Track Box will stop drawing power when the input drops to 10.5V in order to protect an external PB battery.
It is also possible to connect the Track Box to a solar panel, particularly useful for permanent installations. The Track Box has a dedicated Solar Mode which is further explained in the article below.
Time Synchronisation
Track Boxes have 2 methods for syncrhonisation of the internal clock, Track Boxes are always synchronised to UTC time and the time recorded in your event file will be based on the event time zone. The Track Box will continuously micro-adjust the time using either method to ensure the time is always as accurate as possible.
GPS Time
The Track Box will primarily use the on-board GPS module to synchronise to GPS time, this will provide the most accurate time in all scenarios. Leap Seconds will be automatically accounted for by the firmware to the current default.
NTP Time
In the event that GPS time cannot be retrieved then the box will next attempt to sycnhronise using NTP through GSM. In this case the Track Box will attempt to communicate with 3 different NTP servers to maximise the precision. If the variation between different NTP servers is too great, which may be caused by weak GSM signal and communication delays, the box will continue to communicate with the NTP servers until an accurate time can be achieved.
Detections
Technical Specifications
Track Box Active
Dimensions & Standards |
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Protection Class (Power Connector Plugged in or Closed) |
IP64 -water resistant- |
| Regulatory Conformity and Standards | EN60950 (safety) CE, RoHS, FCC |
| Temperature Range | -20°C to 70°C |
| Dimensions / Weight |
165mm x 102mm x 32mm 400g |
Power & Battery |
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Battery |
4000mAh, 3.7v Li-Po |
| Battery Life* |
Stationary: 3-5 days Moving: 1 day |
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Charging Time (0% - 100%) |
5h (15v / 230mA) 10h (12v / 150mA) |
*Dependent on volume of data transmitted and temperature
RF Characteristics |
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2.4GHz Channel Frequencies (Worldwide compliance) |
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| 2.4GHz TX Power |
3.5dBm |
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2.4GHz Range |
50m - 150m |
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Memory & Connectivity |
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Memory |
10,000 passings (not persistent) |
| Internal GPS | Qualcomm gpsOne Gen8c with GPS, GLONASS |
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29 Band 4G / LTE / 3G / 2G Module Worldwide Coverage** |
FDD: B1 / B2 / B3 / B4 / B5 / B7 / B8 / B12 / B13 / B18 / B19 / B20 / B26 / B28 TDD:B38 / B39 / B40/ B41 WCDMA: B1 / B2 / B4/ B5 / B8 / B6 / B19 GSM: B2 / B3 / B5 / B8 |
| SIM Card | 2FF standard / mini-size |
**Only applicable to devices labelled 4G / LTE, for older models see 2G & 3G Frequencies
Package Contents |
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Includes |
foam padded case with shoulder strap 10 x Track Boxes Track Box charge adapter 15v AC adapter with universal power inlet mains power lead |
| Dimensions / Weight |
390mm x 300mm x 135mm 5.5Kg |
Track Box Passive
Dimensions & Standards |
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Protection Class (Power Connector Plugged in or Closed) |
IP54 |
| Regulatory Conformity and Standards | EN62368 (safety) EN50581:2012 (RoHS) EN302208 (UHF RFID)* EN301489 (2.4GHz)* FCC Part 15.247 (UHF RFID)* FCC Part 15 (2.4GHz)* ARIB-STD-T106 (UHF RFID)* |
| Regulatory Regions |
ETSI_LOW ETSI_HIGH FCC CANADA JAPAN AUSTRALIA CHINA |
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Versions** |
1) 866MHz / ETSI LOW 2) 915MHz / FCC 3) 915MHz / ETSI HIGH, CANADA, AUSTRALIA, CHINA, JAPAN |
| Temperature Range | -20°C to 50°C |
| Dimensions / Weight |
335mm x 160mm x 55mm 1.7Kg |
*Pending
**UHF operates globally on different frequencies (e.g. Europe 865 - 868 MHz, USA 902-968 MHz, AUS 920-925 MHz) with different detailed regulatory requirements. That is why RACE RESULT provides different versions of the system for different regulatory areas. When operating the passive part of the system in another country, make sure it complies with local regulation.
Power & Battery |
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Battery |
3 x 4000mAh 3.7V Li-Po |
| Battery Life** |
12-18h (UHF reader on - blue LED on) 10 days (Standby) |
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Charging Time (0% - 90%) |
6h (UHF reader off - blue LED off) 10h (UHF reader on - blue LED on) |
| Charging Temperature | 0°C - 40°C |
| Power Consumption |
4W (UHF reader on & battery full) 10W (battery charging) |
| DC Power Supply |
12-15VDC (±10%), 800mA (battery charging) 10.8V PB battery undervoltage protection |
| AC Power Supply | 100V - 230V, 50/60Hz |
| Solar Power Supply |
5V - 25V (4W/6W/8W/10W) recommended - 30W - 50W "12V" panel DC > 17V enables solar mode |
**Dependent on volume of data transmitted and temperature
Detections & Passings |
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Memory |
40,000 passings (not persistent) |
| Timing Resolution | 1/10th second |
| Timing Accuracy |
Up to 200ms dependent on speed and distance between box and transponder |
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Detection Rate*** (With clear line of sight to transponders at 5x transponders per second = 300x per minute) |
>99% within 4m of a single box >90% within 8m of a single box >99% between 2 boxes with 8m distance |
| Max Speed |
100km/h = 60mph (single transponder in read zone) |
| Max Simultaneous Transponders | 40x transponder in read zone |
| Max Theoretical Throughput | 300x transponders per minute |
***See Optimising Read Rates
RF Characteristics |
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2.4GHz Channel Frequencies (Worldwide compliance) |
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| 2.4GHz TX Power | 3.5dBm | ||||||||
| 2.4GHz Range | 50m - 150m | ||||||||
| UHF Bands |
ETSI LOW: 865.7 / 866.3 / 866.9 / 867.5 MHz ETSI HIGH / FCC/ CANADA / AUSTRALIA / CHINA / JAPAN: 900 - 930MHz (bands dependent on regional regulations) |
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| UHF TX Power |
36dBm EIRP typical (up to 39dBm EIRP, dependent on regional regulations) |
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| UHF RX Sensitivity | -85dBm | ||||||||
| Integrated UHF Antenna |
6dBi gain 90° beamwidth |
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Connectivity & GPS |
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Internal GPS |
Qualcomm gpsOne Gen8c with GPS, GLONASS, BeiDou/Compass, Galileo and QZSS |
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29 Band 4G / LTE / 3G / 2G Module Worldwide Coverage |
FDD: B1 / B2 / B3 / B4 / B5 / B7 / B8 / B12 / B13 / B18 / B19 / B20 / B26 / B28 TDD:B38 / B39 / B40/ B41 WCDMA: B1 / B2 / B4/ B5 / B8 / B6 / B19 GSM: B2 / B3 / B5 / B8 |
| SIM Card | 2FF standard / mini-size |
| Antennas | internal |
Package Contents |
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Includes |
foam-padded case with shoulder strap 2 x Track Boxes 2 x tripod mounts 2 x stakes 1 x double charge adapter 1 x 12V AC adapter 1 x mains power lead |
| Dimensions / Weight |
390mm x 300mm x 135mm 5Kg |
Track Box FAQs
How much data do I need for a typical event
The total sum depends on different factors such as total duration (the box frequently sends a Status Call), the processing type (Normal, Standby, Fast), and the number of detections. Please note the number of detections can differ a lot from the number of participants and may depend on the Track Box location.
Passive: In our first tests, we found that for ~300k passings the box used ~30 Megabytes.
Active: Stationary use, not receiving any pings: about 1 MB / day. Moving, with many transponders constantly in reach: about 2 MB / hour.
Why is the blue LED not blinking
Most probably you have the box laying flat (Lay-Flat), which will switch off the reader and hence the blue LED doesn't come on. The Track Box can't be used laid flat. The reader will be switched on if you reach a certain angle for around 1 second. If you lay it flat again, the reader will switch off, again.
Does the Track Box support WiFi
No, WiFi is not possible with this hardware.
How can I update the firmware on the Track Box
The firmware will be updated automatically as soon as the Track Box is switched on. With every boot up the Track Box will check if there is an update available and will install it. There is no way to prevent this from happening. A firmware update can take up to 2 minutes. Please never set up your Track Boxes at the last minute.
How much data does a firmware update use
A typical firmware update has a size of less than 1 Megabyte.
How can I get data off Track Box after loss of cellular signal
The Track Box has an internal storage of 30,000 (Passive) or 10,000 (Active) detections and will send data to our servers once cellular coverage has returned. There is no option, other than via GSM upload, to extract data. Once the box has been switched off (either manually or due to a depleted battery) it will clear the storage and data that hasn't been uploaded will be lost.
Can I use my Track Box in a different country
Theoretically yes, but please be aware of different legal frequency bandwidths for the Track Box Passive. We sell the Track Box in an EU and a US version. A sticker on the backside will indicate the bandwidth.
Why are there two antennas inside
The lower antenna is the sender antenna, the upper one the receiving antenna. Make sure to close the lid as the cover antennas are tuned for performance with the lid fitted. Only with the cover installed correctly can we guarantee reliable read rates.
What happens if the battery runs empty
The Passive TrackBox will switch into standby at 3.5V battery voltage indicating 0%. The box will then continue to run until 3.4V, which can be several hours. During this time at some point, the MODEM will stop working and the box may start blinking Red-Red-Red-Red-Red-Red-Red...Stored Passings will not be lost as long as the box is not turned off! Charging for 10 minutes should allow it to connect again.
Can a Track Box be permanently installed with mains power
Yes, charging the Boxes permanently is no problem. The Boxes are designed to run permanently on mains power and there is even a dedicated circuit that makes sure not to damage the batteries. When running permanently on mains power, please use the provided power supply from the manufacturer Meanwell. Other supplies may interfere with the Track Box Passive, leading to reduced detection rates. You can also connect Solar Panels to your Track Boxes to run them permanently in sunny remote places. When using solar panels, please leave enough space between the solar panel and the Track Box not to cause interference.
Can I use my Track Box Passive with reusable transponders or disposable triathlon transponders?
We do not recommend using the Track Box Passive with reusable transponders or the Disposable Triathlon Transponder.
The Track Box Passive has been optimized to read RACE RESULT Bib Transponders, either worn on the chest or in free air (e.g. on MTB Number Plates). This means the Disposable Triathlon Transponder does not work as reliably as the Chip Race Number. The main reason for this is the position at the ankle of an athlete as well as the non-vertical polarization of the transponder - even if in motion it is almost never perfectly aligned vertically.
The Track Box Passive can be used with ankle worn transponders, however, there are certain limitations which should be considered with these.
You can maximize read rates from a resuable transponder or disposable triathlon transponder when the following conditions are met:
- No mass passings - The Track Box is not at all suitable for a mass start, the optimal location is an isolated point with individual passings such as a trail run checkpoint. If participants are passing one at a time you will have better read rates.
- Ensuring the Track Box antennas are pointed directly at transponders - In testing, we found the best read rates with a Track Box pointing downwards towards the feet of participants. The mounting position and the hanging angle depend on the expected distance between Track Box and Transponder.
- The maximum recommended distance between a transponder (either HuTag or Disposable Triathlon Transponder) is 2m (~6ft). Even with the reduced distance, you cannot expect read rates similar to a bib transponder. Beyond 2m you should expect severely reduced read rates.
Why are we making these recommendations?
Primarily, - pure physics - the position on the ground is not an option when a transponder is worn at the ankle if you look at the detection field of the antennas. The Track Box Passive has been tested extensively at a triathlon event with 1,300 participants all wearing HuTags yielding the following results.
At run splits where the maximum distance between participants and Track boxes was up to 4m the best setup (Track Box mounted at head height at an angle of 36 degrees) still only recorded ~70% of reads. Other setups at similar points yielded much worse results.
At bike splits the Track Boxes were setup with a maximum distance of 2m between participants and Track boxes. Here we received >97% read rates with a Track Box mounted at 40cm looking out perpendicular directly at transponders, and >95% with a Track Box standing on the ground normally.
Based on these results we do not recommend using the Track Box Passive with ankle worn transponders for timing, especially if the maximum read distance is greater than 2m.
Mounting Track Box on a Race Result Tripod
The RACE RESULT Track Box Passive Set includes 2x tripod mounts one for each Track Box Passive. The mounts fit on a standard 1/4" UNC thread. In order to use the Race Result Heavy Duty tripod, you will need to purchase two adapters.
The first adapter is from a 35mm pipe (the diameter of the top of the tripod) to a 3/8" male thread. Alternatively, if you can find one that is capable of going from 35mm to a 1/4-20 thread, you would only need one adapter.
For example: Adam Hall SPS 36 M38
The second adapter is a 3/8" female to 1/4" male adapter (the thread size needed for the Track Box mount).
For example: Manfrotto 015 Adapter 1/4" - 3/8"
Can a Track Box be turned off while it's being charged with ext. power?
No, this is not possible. The Track Box hardware is not desgined for being turned off while the Track Box is connected to an ext. power supply. In this situation the box, both passive and active, can not be turned off.