The integrated 4G module (previously 2G or 3G) can be used to upload the detection data to a RACE RESULT database in the Internet. The data can then be downloaded from any place with an Internet connection. In other words, this is an easy way to connect remote timing points.
Upload
To upload the detections using the 4G/LTE module proceed as follows:
- Insert your SIM card in the SIM card slot.
- Go to the menu Upload.
- Enter your RACE RESULT customer number and the PIN of your SIM card
- Leave the mobile APN config setting on "auto". Your provider settings will probably be automatically recognized by the decoder. If not, select "manual" and read the sub-section of this article below to find out how to set up your APN.
- Set the option Enabled to yes.
The modem will go through successive connection stages detailed below as well. Once upload is successfully activated, the upload count on the display should match the current detection count.
You can also upload the data via an Ethernet connection with Internet connectivity. If the the decoder has access to the Internet via one of its Ethernet ports, the IP information on the display is marked with an asterisk. The upload feature automatically uses Ethernet when available, and falls back to 4G if the connection via Ethernet is lost.
Mobile Usage
In the second page of the Upload settings you can set the preference for usage of mobile upload.
There are 3 options for mobile upload.
- Fallback - The mobile GSM will only connect if upload is enabled and no internet connection is available via either the ethernet or via USB Wi-Fi adapter. If the connection drops from a preferred source then the module will attempt connection.
- Hot-Standby - The mobile GSM will connect always even if an alternative internet connection is available. If the connection drops from a preferred source the system will immediately switch to this.
- Preferred - The mobile GSM upload will be used at all times regardless of internet connection via either ethernet or USB Wi-Fi adapter.
Upload Target
In the second page of the Upload settings you can also set the upload target for the data.
As of firmware version 2.58, there are 2 options for upload when working with RACE RESULT 12.
- race result - This uploads via TCP protocols for communication with the Timing Module. This also includes an HTTP fallback in the event that the TCP connection is unstable which will also provide data to the Timing Module.
- race result (obselete) - This uploads data to our HTTP server, this will be fully deprecated at the end of 2021 and should not be used.
Download
When using RACE RESULT 12, you can download the passing data in the Timing Module.
To download the data using your own software, please consult Online Storage Communication Protocol.
GSM connection process stages
If a mobile connection is required, the GSM connection process runs through several stages as briefly described below. If it fails in one of the stages it will restart the process from one of the earlier stages.
Note that the decoder will try to connect to a max. of 20 APNs. If manual APN settings are configured, the manual APN will be tried first. If AUTO APN settings are selected and a connection was already successfully established, the last known successful APN settings (for that SIM/SIM network) will be tried first.
| State as displayed | Meaning | Possible cause of failure |
|---|---|---|
| START | Connection process is starting. | |
| IGNITE | Modem is started. | |
| PORT-SETUP1 | Decoder-modem-communication setup. | |
| MODEM-WAIT | Wait until modem is ready. | |
| PORT-SETUP2 | Decoder-modem-communication setup. | |
| MODEM-TYPE | Detect modem type. | |
| SIM-CHECK | Check for SIM. | No SIM inserted/SIM not readable |
| SIM-INFO1 | Get SIM ID. | |
| PIN-CHECK | Check if a PIN is required. | |
| ENTER-PIN | Enter PIN if required. | Less than 2 PIN tries left. |
| SIM-INFO2 | Get provider information from SIM. | |
| WAIT-READY | Wait until modem is ready. | |
| GET-RSSI | Get signal quality. | |
| SEARCH-NET | Searching for networks. | No network available. |
| APN-LIST | Build list of APNs to use/try. | |
| REGISTER | Register for data communication. | No network available. |
| SET-APN | Set one of the APN settings. | |
| DIAL-UP | Establish data connection. | Invalid APN settings tried/SIM not activated/No low level data transmission possible due to bad reception/Provider issues |
| VERIFY | Verify that data can be transmitted and received. | Invalid APN settings tried/SIM not activated/No data transmission possible due to bad reception/Provider issues |
| CONNECTED | Connection is established. |
Custom APN Configuration
If your SIM card will not connect using auto-apn then it may require custom APN settings in order to connect.
To enter custom APN settings you should connect to the decoder via the Browser Interface, and open the Configuration tab.
Once inside you will see the option to configure settings for 2G/3G.
The list of providers has a list of already supported APNs or the option for a Custom APN, these APN settings should be provided by your GSM provider, they normally consist of an APN name / URL, a username and password, some APN settings only require the APN name and the username / password can be left blank.
Note that GSM providers may have multiple APN settings depending on which service you have subscribed to.
To store these press save and ensure to switch your decoder to use the Custom 2G/3G APN configuration.
