MYLAPS CHIPX User Manual

Contents

CHIPX DECODER INSTALLATION/OPERATION..........

1.1 Installation of the decoder...................................

1.2 Operating the decoder........................................

1.2.1 Noise level................................................

1.2.2 Signal Strength.........................................

1.2.3 Number of hits..........................................

1.2.4 Firmware update.......................................

1.3 Menu options explained......................................

1.3.1 MENU: General.........................................

1.3.2 MENU: Net................................................

1.3.3 MENU: Timing...........................................

1.3.4 MENU: Clock.............................................

1.3.5 MENU: Mylaps live.....................................

Appendices

APPENDIX A - FAQs.........................................................

APPENDIX B - EC AND FCC REGULATIONS.........................

APPENDIX C - TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS......................

GUARANTEES & WARRANTIES...........................................

Figures

Figure 1.1 System overview..............................................

Figure 1.2 Connections of the decoder...............................

Figure 1.3 Status display...................................................

Figure 1.4 Decoder with status display...............................

Figure 1.4 Menu...............................................................

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Contact Information

AMB i.t. Europe AMB i.t. America

Amsterdam Atlanta
The Netherlands USA
Tel: [phone] Tel: [phone]
E-mail: E-mail:
[e-mail] [e-mail]

AMB i.t. Asia AMB i.t. Australia
Tokyo Sydney
Japan Australia
Tel: [phone] Tel: [phone]
Email: Email:
[e-mail] [e-mail]

www.amb-it.com

All rights reserved

Copyright © 2006 AMB i.t.

This publication has been written with great care. However,
the manufacturer cannot be held responsible, either for any
errors occurring in this publication or for their consequences.

This publication is to be used for the standard model of the
product of the type given on the cover page.

AMB i.t. Manual: ChipX Decoder/1.2

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1: Decoder Installation/Operation

Transponder

Detec

tion loop

Powe

r

Headphone

Decoder

Computer

Figure 1.1 System overview

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1.1 Installation of the decoder

a)

b)

c)

d)

e)

The decoder is a precision instrument. Therefore please
handle it with care and keep the decoder out of direct sunlight
and avoid high humidity. Take special precautions in case of
thunderstorms by disconnecting all cables (coax, Ethernet
and mains) from the decoder. Nearby lightning strikes can
damage the decoder when these cables are connected.

Figure 1.2 Connections of the decoder

How to connect

a) The detection loop: Connect the supplied 75 Ohm double-

shielded coax cable to the decoder.

b) The auxiliary port: This port can be used to connect a

photocell, external start pulse or a sync pulse. For more
information on how to connect these devices, contact your
nearest AMB i.t. ofce.

c) The serial port: This port can be used to connect the

decoder with the computer with a RS232 cable.

d) The network: Connect the network cable between the

decoder and the network connection port of the computer.

e) Power: Connect the 12 VDC adapter to the decoder and

mains. Since a power interruption will result in a failure
of the timing and scoring system, connecting the 12 VDC
adapter to mains through a UPS (Uninterruptible Power
Supply) is recommended.

f) The headphone: Connect it on the front side of the

decoder. A beep will sound for every passing transponder,
which provides an easy check for proper operation of the
decoder and the transponders on the track.

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1.2 Operating the decoder

The decoder is not equipped with an on/off switch, therefore
connecting the decoder to the mains will switch it on and will
enable timing of transponder passings after approximately 15
seconds. With each detection of a transponder, a beep will
sound in the headphone and received transponder information
is shown on the decoder display.

1.2.1 Noise level

The decoder determines the average background noise. The
noise (and signal strength) has a range of 0 to 255 points.
Noise level, as shown by the AMB i.t. timing software and
also on the decoder screen, should best not exceed 40 points.
If the noise level is higher, the received transponder signal
strength should be 60 points above noise level to ensure
proper functioning of the system. So if the transponder
received signal strength is 120 points, the noise should not
exceed 60 points.

1.2.2 Signal strength

Transponder signal strength, as shown by the AMB i.t. timing
software, should preferably be above 100 points and should at
least be 60 points higher than the indicated background noise.
The closer a transponder is to the track the higher the signal
strength. A higher transponder signal strength gives a higher
immunity against outside interference.

1.2.3 Number of hits

The number of hits, as shown by the AMB i.t. timing software,
is an indication of the number of repeated transponder signal

receipts during a passing. Hit-rate varies with the speed of a
passing transponder. Slower passings yield higher hit counts.
The minimum number of hits should not be below 10 points.

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1.2.4 Firmware update

Our products are in continuous evolution, for new
functionalities and small changes you can check our website
for a decoder rmware update. Please go to

http://support.amb-it.com and follow the instructions.

1.3 Menu options explained

On the front of the decoder, you will nd an information
display, designed to show and change the decoder settings.
The status screen will show the following information:

- a: Decoder date/time, UTC when synchronized to GPS

- b: Timeline name

- c: Blinks when connecting to Mylaps Live, steady
when connected to Mylaps Live

- d: Background noise indication

- e: Indication that hits are received, remains black
when a transponder is being received by the loop.

- f: Strength of last received transponder

- g: Number of received GPS satelites

- h: Blinks when GPS receiver attached, steady when
decoder is locked to UTC time

- i: Message line

Figure 1.3: Status display.

By clicking on the Acknowledge button once, you will nd the
IP address of the decoder. By clicking this button twice, you
will nd the Ethernet Address/Serial number ( see 1.3.2.), by
clicking it three times, it will show the version and type of the
decoder, and by clicking it 4 times it will show the number of
passings stored in the ash memory.

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