RACE RESULT Ubidium is the most advanced timing solution available on the market, capable of handling both Active and Passive (UHF) timing from a single system.
The Ubidium system is the core of Ubidium and is used to receive data from a range of different timing connections, such as Active Loops, Ubidium Foldable Ground Antenna (to be released) or Impulse Devices, to generate passing data based on the highly-precise on-board clock.
The Ubidium Foldable Ground Antenna is currently under development and will be the next component of Ubidium to be released.
System
The Ubidium System contains the main computing logic and interface for timing with Ubidium.
The system integrates all the components required including batteries and power management, the user-interface with display and keypad, 4G / LTE modem, ports for networking and connectivity, timing connectors and more. No external accessories are needed with Ubidium.
Ubidium stores all data on it's built-in memory, this can then be accessed by scoring software, such as RACE RESULT 12, or uploaded directly to a cloud-based server.
The system ensures uninterrupted operation as it runs independently from any other computer or external power supply.
System Components
Ubidium is an entirely self-contained unit, with all the required components accessible directly on the exterior of the shell. The system is designed to ensure all components are protected from water ingress / damage, and does not require any additional cover or lid.
The system is primarily constructed from a highly durable PLASTIC TYPE, designed to withstand the, sometimes, harsh conditions of sports events.
The base of the system features recessed text "THIS SIDE DOWN" and the system should always be setup accordingly to prevent water ingress. Additionally on the base are 4 mounting screw holes for permanent installations, if mounting to a wall then this should be done with the front side facing down.
Ubidium contains an active ventilation system which will be triggered in hot temperatures or in high humidity environments to prevent the formation of condensation on sensitive components.
A handle on the left side can be used to carry the system.
Power & Battery
Ubidium contains a power management system which is used to charge the batteries and also ensure the system operates without interruption even when power sources are changed.
Some power connectors can also be used to provide a power output to power secondary devices.
Timing
Startup Process
To power on Ubidium, firmly press and hold the power button until the status LED illuminates green.
Ubidium will now commence the startup process, during this time it will load existing passings from the system and search for a GPS signal. Additionally if the system is set to enable a cloud connection during startup then it will begin to attempt to connect via any available network connection.
Pressing the Start button will skip waiting for any additional jobs.
Once the Startup process is complete, skipped, or if the timeout is reached, Ubidium is ready to begin timing and will automatically start recording all passings.
To turn off the system press the power button and then again when prompted to confirm the shutdown.
Note that even in an powered off state Ubidium will show the current battery state on the display, the power drain in this state is minimised so should not impact negatively on the battery life of the system.
User Interface
The main screen of the system when powered on shows some fixed system information, current timing information, and the available menu options. The system time is always displayed when on the main screen.
The top row contains the system name and current battery status, the top and bottom display a preview of the next / previous timing information screen.
Battery Status
The current charge level of each battery is shown.
An arrow indicates the charge status for each battery
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Battery is charging Time remaining until fully charged |
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Battery is discharging Time remaining until empty |
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Battery is not currently in use |
System Data
There are 3 datasets can be displayed in the system data area, these can be cycled using the up/down arrow keys. Additionally a short preview of each hidden view is shown at the top / bottom of the screen.
Loop Information
Current system Loop and Channel IDs are shown with the loop power.
Additional systems on the same channel within range are also shown below.
Loop Boxes in range in repeat mode will be listed below with the Loop ID and Loop Power.
Passive Antenna Information
Currently connected antennas are shown with their corresponding antenna number. A solid antenna indicates the antenna is currently detecting a transponder.
If a letter is displayed instead of the antenna number then the antenna is currently reporting an error, the possible errors are as follows:
- B - Bad: The antenna reports high noise (most commonly from reflections or obstruction)
- ? - Unavailable: A previously connected antenna is no longer communicating with the System
- M - Mute: Can occur shortly after booting before an antenna is ready for opreration
- ! - Unknown Error: This should be reported to RACE RESULT for further diagnosis
Passing Information
Passing information displays the current last reads on the left side. If the detections are within 1 second of the last timestamp displayed then a gap will be shown rather than the full time.
Additionally displayed on the right side is data relating to the current passings file:
- File Number
- Unique Transponders seen
- Active passings recorded
- Passive passings recorded
- Markers recorded
- Total passings recorded
Networking Information
Current connection status for Ethernet, Wi-Fi, Mobile (GSM) and Cloud Connection, for network connections, there are three possible icons.
- Black cloud - This connection is currently being used to connect to the internet
- Cloud outline - This connection has an internet connection available but is not currently being used
- Crossed out cloud - No internet connection is available on this network
When the Cloud upload is enabled then the count of passings which have been uploaded will be displayed below and the status bar will also indicate the percentage of passings which have been uploaded.
Menu Items
From the main screen 4 menu icons are displayed, clicking the corresponding navigation key will open the corresponding menu. Clicking the back key from the main screen will also show the label for each menu.
Inside the menu any sub-menus of that item are shown below, sub-menus and menu items can be accessed by clicking the corresponding navigation key.
If an error has occurred then the General Settings icon may display an exclamation mark, this will be cleared when opening the Error Log.
Text Input (With Keyboard)
Settings which accept a text input will open a keyboard when editing the setting.
The keyboard can be controlled using the keypad on the device. If connected to the same network as Ubidium or to the system Access Point you can scan the on screen QR code to access the system browser interface which will also provide a text input to directly edit the text using your device.
Settings Menus
The settings menus are accessed through the Navigation Buttons, from the main screen of Ubidium there are four menus available.
Firmware Updates
Ubidium firmware updates are automatically downloaded and applied to all systems. When a new version is released, it will be rolled out gradually to systems with increasing availability from the date of release.
When an internet connection is available via either ethernet, Wi-Fi or external SIM card, Ubidium will automatically check for a firmware update every 10 minutes, and will download this update in the background.
When an update is downloaded a prompt will appear on the screen prompting to restart the system to enable the update. If this is cancelled the system will still operate as long as it is switched on and will switch to the new update next time the system is powered on.
In the system Maintenance settings you can choose to whether the system should only download critical updates, or all updates, when connected via external SIM card in order to limit data usage on your SIM card.
It is not possible to completely disable updates for a system.
Technical Specifications
Safety Regulations & Compliance
General Safety Responsibilities
To maintain this condition and to ensure safe operation, the user must observe all instructions and warnings given in this operating manual.
Applicable local and national safety regulations and rules for the prevention of accidents must be observed in all work performed.
FCC Statement
FCC 15.21
Changes or modifications not expressly approved by the party responsible for compliance could void the user’s authority to operate the equipment.
FCC 15.19
This device complies with Part 15 of the FCC Rules. Operation is subject to the following two conditions:
(1) This device may not cause interference.
(2) This device must accept any interference, including interference that may cause undesired operation.
IC Statement
RSS GEN Issue 5
This device contains licence-exempt transmitter(s)/receiver(s) that comply with Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada’s licence-exempt RSS(s). Operation is subject to the following two conditions:
(1) This device may not cause interference.
(2) This device must accept any interference, including interference that may cause undesired operation of the device.
Cet appareil contient des émetteurs / récepteurs exemptés de licence conformes aux RSS (RSS) d'Innovation, Sciences et Développement économique Canada. Le fonctionnement est soumis aux deux conditions suivantes:
(1) Cet appareil ne doit pas causer d'interférences.
(2) Cet appareil doit accepter toutes les interférences, y compris celles susceptibles de provoquer un fonctionnement indésirable de l'appareil.
Warnings and Cautions
The following alerts are used in this manual:
- WARNINGS alert users of potentially dangerous situations.
- CAUTIONS alert users of potential equipment damage.
Warnings and cautions are indicated by:
- the text WARNING or CAUTION,
- a description explaining the hazard and how to avoid it,
- an icon:
Where to Operate the System
The RACE RESULT Active System uses universal frequencies that can be used globally.
Ground Antenna
The Ubidium Ground Antenna is the most advanced antenna for sports timing, and can only be used with the Ubidium System.
The standard configuration consists of 6 segments of 77cm each, giving a length of 4.6 m / 15 ft, and each segment contains an individual Ubidium Antenna Element.
The ground antenna can be shortened to a minimum of 2 segments (1.5 m / 5 ft) or extended up to a maximum of 30 elements (23 m / 75 ft).
Setup Guidelines
The following guidelines describe the correct setup of your Ubidium Ground Antenna to ensure maximum performance and prevent damage to the components.
Additionally, you should be aware of the setup precautions to further optimise the performance of the system.
Connecting to the System
A single connector is used to connect the Ubidium Ground Antenna to the Expansion Port of the Ubidium System.
It is recommended to only connect or disconnect the Ground Antenna when the Ubidium System is powered off.
To connect the Ground Antenna to the Ubidium System, first open the rubber port cover from the Expansion Port and align the red marker on the outer sleeve of the connector with the red marker on the Expansion Port. This will also align the guide pins on the metal sleeve of the connector.
Firmly push the connector in until it clicks in to place, if the connector is correctly inserted it should not be loose inside the Expansion Port.
To remove the Ground Antenna Connector from the system pull on the ridged section of the outer metal sleeve which will release the catch, allowing you to completely remove the connector.
You should always push and pull the connector straight in or out, and at no point should you attempt to twist the connector inside the Expansion Port as this may damage the internal pins.
Components
The Ubidium Ground Antenna is comprised of five key components.
- Black Plastic Base
- Red Plastic Cover
- Ubidium Antenna Element
- Ubidium Connector Cable
- Ubidium Interconnecting Cables
Each component has been carefully designed for maximum performance when used as part of the Ubidium Ground Antenna.
Adding or Removing Segments
The Ubidium Ground Antenna can be shortened down to a minimum of 2 segments (~1.5 meters / ~5 ft) or extended up to 30 segments (~23 meters / ~75.5 ft).
The antenna is designed to be extended or shortened by an even number of segments at a time, the intended splitting points are labelled on the black plastic base of each segment. It is possible to add or remove single segments however this requires additional care and consideration.
Adding or removing segments can be done by opening just 2 individual segments, there is no need to open all the entire length of the antenna.
IMPORTANT: Before adding or removing Antenna Elements - ensure that the Ground Antenna is not connected to an Ubidium System or that the System is shut down.
Opening / Closing The Ground Antenna
To add or remove segments to the Ground Antenna you will need to remove the red plastic covers from the segments at the splitting / joining point.
To remove the covers, lift one edge until the Snap-In buttons release, it should be possible to remove the covers without great force.
Once finished, you must ensure that the covers are correctly fitted to ensure the performance of the system.
To ensure correct fitment, first align the covers and starting on one side push down on the cover to fit the guides joints together then repeat on the opposite side. At the end of each segment it can help to lift the corner of the cover as you are pushing down.
Once the guide joints of both sides are fitted together, start from the middle of the cover and push down moving towards the ends to secure the Snap-In buttons.
Extending the Ground Antenna
To extend the Ubidium Ground Antenna, open the last segment of the existing section and one end of the section to be joined.
Align the 2 sections and connect them using the black plastic hinges, there should be 4 slots to join with hinges.
Remove the interconnecting cables from the parking position on each segment, the coupling joints from each interconnecting cable should be connected to the Antenna Element of the opposite section. Start by gently pushing the plates in to the coupling joint and screw these in by hand to avoid damage to the threads. Once secure then they should be tightened with a screwdriver to ensure they do not come loose.
Only after fitting and securing the coupling joints should you run the cables through the cable channels of the black plastic base, this ensures that there is no additional strain on the coupling joints. The cable channels contain additional slots for slack cable if required.
Shortening the Ground Antenna
To shorten the Ubidium Ground Antenna, open the segments either side of the splitting point.
Start by unscrewing the last coupling joint at the splitting point of the last Antenna Element which will be kept. Similarly unscrew the first coupling joint on the first Antenna Element of the section which is being removed.
The short section of excess cable from each section should be then fitted in to the labelled parking position of the base. This must NOT be looped back and connected to the Antenna Element of the same segment.
To separate the hinges, lift one of the mats to slightly overlap the other and use a slotted screwdriver or similar narrow blunt object to push the hinges out of the joint.
Parking Position
The last interconnecting cable, which will run from the second-last Antenna Element, must not be connected to the last Antenna Element of the same section. This can cause irreparable damage to both the Ubidium System and Antenna Elements.
At the intended splitting point of each segment there is an additional cable channel which runs around the perimeter of the segment with an additional cutout for the coupling joint to be slotted in to. This is additionally labelled with "P" to indicate the parking position.
Removing Single Segments
If removing a single segment from the Ubidium Ground Antenna then the joint will not be a designated splitting point and the base will not contain an additional parking position for the excess cable.
In this situation it is recommended that the additional interconnecting cable is removed from the system to prevent damage, it must not be connected to the last Antenna Element.
Quick Start Guide
Your NEW Ubidium System
Inside your package you should find the following items:
- Ubidium System
- 1 x 98 Wh Ubidium Battery (Pre-Installed)
- 1 x AC Charging Cable
- 1 x 13 m Loop Cable
If you ordered additional accessories or spare parts they may be included separately.
Ubidium Overview
Powering On Ubidium
Ubidium has two battery compartments which are located on the lower front side of the system, each compartment is protected by a transparent plastic cover allowing you to always see the current state of the batteries on the integrated LCD display.
To open a battery compartment turn the center locking knob to align the cut-out edge with the compartment you wish to open.
The batteries can only be installed in the correct orientation with the groove facing upwards to align with the notch in the compartment opening.
We advise fully charging your Ubidium system using the provided AC charging cable, which is plugged in to the AC Charging port below the port flap. The charging status of the installed batteries will be shown on the display even if the system is powered off.
To turn the system on, firmly press and hold the power button on the main keypad, until the status LED illuminates green.
Setting The Time
Ubidium contains a highly accurate Real-Time Clock inside which maintains an accurate time even when the system is powered off.
When starting up Ubidium will automatically search for GPS satellite signal in order to sync the clock with GPS time which provides the most accurate synchronisation available.
You will need to ensure that the Time Zone is correctly set on the system in order to have the correct local time, this is set through the time menu which can be accessed by pressing the first (top) navigation button on the right side the screen.
To change the time zone select the menu item which corresponds to Timezone by using the navigation keys to the right side of the screen.
Scroll up and down this menu using the arrow keys to find the correct time one for your location and press the OK button to store this.
Pressing the Back button will exit any open menus to return to the main timing display.
Connect To The Cloud
If you plan to use Ubidium as an online device to connect to RACE RESULT 12 you'll need to configure some basic settings to connect the system to your account.
From the main timing display, open the network menu by pressing the third navigation button to the right side of the screen.
Depending on how you will be connecting to the internet you may need to configure either the Ethernet, WiFi or Mobile settings in order to establish an internet connection, for more information see Ubidium Network Settings.
If you are using a RACE RESULT SIM card then simply insert this to the SIM port which is located under the flap and this will be automatically configured for you by the system.
Once online, select the Cloud menu item and from there you'll need to set the Customer Number to your RACE RESULT Customer ID. To change the number use the up and down arrow keys to change each digit, and right and left arrow keys to select the digit. Take care that if your Customer ID is less than 6 digits, then the first digit should be set to 0. Press OK once done to save the value.
Once the Customer Number is set, select Enabled and change the value to YES, you can also force this to automatically enable on startup if you choose to.
Start Timing
To start timing with Ubidium you simply need to connect your Active Timing Loop or Ubidium Foldable Ground Antenna to the system.
These are both connected to the corresponding ports on the rear of the system, protected by a rubber cap, note that the banana plugs in the main port compartment are for connecting impulse devices and cannot be used to connect an Active Timing Loop.
When operating as an Active system also make sure to open the 2.4GHz Timing Antenna from it's slot and rotate this so it is pointing up vertically.