Taging System for RC Cars

[Hennisdk]

Hi

Our club is busy building a track for onroad cars and we want a taging system for seeing whick went over the finish line first.

Any Ideas of what we can use to make this work.

It would be nice if we could use that system to get average speed around the track and lap times.

Any help will be appreciated.

Regards

Hennis

[Malc C]

I think that most commercially available units use a transponer of some sorts in the car, with a receiver over the start / finish line. Once you have the timings for each lap its only a matter of basic maths to work out averages etc once things like track length is programmed into the system.

I'm hoping some of the other guys here will jump in as I have no idea on the technicalities of such a system, but would assume it would use the 2.4Ghz band similar to that used for cameras ??

[vintage1]

I think that what I have seen on go kart tracks is more an inductive loop buried under the road triggered by something going over the top - maybe a coil energised by some sort of tone in the audio band.

Each car has a different tone maybe.

Once these are detected its a simple job in software to do the rest.

[Ironsides]

How about an infrared transmitter on each car. Each car squawks a different code as set up via programming switches/jumpers. The receiving IR module on the Finish Line is shielded so that the IR codes are only received in a very narrow window.

I have absolutely no idea how to build this - just a concept.

David

[Malc C]

David,

Sounds good in principle as a good concept, but wouldn't IR be a tad impractical on an outside circuit on a sunny day ??? - just adding to the debate, not trying to shoot your idea down in flames ;)

I came across this site ( http://www.mad-racer.com/en-RaceStation.htm ) whilst searching for a comercial unit. looks really cool if you are a serious racer :)

Update:
David, looks like you were on the right sort of track (pardon the pun :) ) - have a look at this site ( http://www.infoserve.net/oss/slotcar/rc20/trakmate_rc20.htm ) - they use IR transponders on the cars with an array of receivers over the start finish line. - at $500 for a starter kit it sounds a tad expensive. I'm sure some of the more experienced guys here (Thomas ?? ) could come up with something

[Ironsides]

Malc C:

I don't know the characteristics of IR - my IR remote works to trigger my camera outside - no idea what ranges are possible.

David

[Hennisdk]

Thanks guys, but I am looking for a simpler way of doing.

The problem with IR is that you need a circuit.

The idea that I am thinking of is more in the line of RF ID tags, like the ones the use to tag animals. Its a passive chip. Here is a link to the PDF of the transmitter www.rmfc.co.za/RFID.pdf . My problem is getting the receiver.

But I am still open to ideas.

Thanks for the great replies.

I will look into them aswell.

Regards

Hennis

[Terry S]

Like Malc C said, transponders are used in most cases.

Terry

[thanhTran]

I think if we know the system that a grocery store uses to prevent theft, we can put it to the car & track (the item has a little silver looking tape and when you bring it out to the door, it could activate the alarm)

Also, putting a stop watch on each car that could be started when leaving the starting point and stop when hitting the target. The switch for this stop watch could be a reed switch that is activated by a magnet. Sound low tech isn't it? ;) Once all car stopped, we can look at the watch and the car which has the shortest time is the winner :D. The only problem left is if the car has to run multiple laps. In that case, the magnet on the track could be replaced by electric magnet which could be turned on or off manually???

Thanh

Thanh