ChampionChip
Encyclopedia
ChampionChips are a brand name of one type of passive RFID transponder
s, marked with a unique identification number, used in active sports events, to keep track of the competition times of participants. It is one manufacturer's implementation of transponder timing
.
ChampionChip transponders are waterproof glass capsules that contain a silicon chip and an energizing coil. This coil is inactive until moved into a magnetic field
, generated by a send antenna
in a mat (used to mark the start and finish lines of a race). The transponder then transmits its unique identification number to a receive antenna in a mat.
Transponder timing is used in sport
ing events around the world, including running
races, marathon
s, triathlon
s, cycling
and mountain biking
competitions, in-line skating and cross-country skiing
. Chips are either rented for use at a given event, or some participants purchase a chip for successive uses at events timed by ChampionChip mats. (The chips are incompatible with other timing systems.) In either case, the serial number of a participant's chip is stored in a database for an event allowing the recorded times to be matched with participants' names. Although a chip might transmit its number several times while the athlete is crossing the mat, special software is used to eliminate all but the first time recorded for each chip at each timing point.
In general, transponder timing is economic only for larger events of more than 1,000 participants. For smaller events, it is less expensive to time participants using manually operated hand-held computers.
When transponder timing first appeared, the running community hoped that there would be a single nationwide United States standard for transponders which could be used at all races. However, the distributor of ChampionChip in the United States has sought to limit the number of timing systems sold, resulting in different event timing companies purchasing incompatible transponder systems from other manufacturers. Since 2008, systems using disposable transporders have replaced ChampionChips at a number of events.
ChampionChip was a Nijmegen, The Netherlands based company, started in 1993 with a group of students to improve the time tracking in the Zevenheuvelenloop
. In 2008, ChampionChip was merged together with AMB i.t. to form a new company called MYLAPS Sports Timing.
Transponder
In telecommunication, the term transponder has the following meanings:...
s, marked with a unique identification number, used in active sports events, to keep track of the competition times of participants. It is one manufacturer's implementation of transponder timing
Transponder timing
Transponder timing is a technique for measuring performance in sport events. A transponder working on a radio-frequency identification basis is attached to the athlete and emits a unique code that is detected by radio receivers located at the strategic points in an event.Prior to the use of this...
.
ChampionChip transponders are waterproof glass capsules that contain a silicon chip and an energizing coil. This coil is inactive until moved into a magnetic field
Magnetic field
A magnetic field is a mathematical description of the magnetic influence of electric currents and magnetic materials. The magnetic field at any given point is specified by both a direction and a magnitude ; as such it is a vector field.Technically, a magnetic field is a pseudo vector;...
, generated by a send antenna
Antenna (radio)
An antenna is an electrical device which converts electric currents into radio waves, and vice versa. It is usually used with a radio transmitter or radio receiver...
in a mat (used to mark the start and finish lines of a race). The transponder then transmits its unique identification number to a receive antenna in a mat.
Transponder timing is used in sport
Sport
A Sport is all forms of physical activity which, through casual or organised participation, aim to use, maintain or improve physical fitness and provide entertainment to participants. Sport may be competitive, where a winner or winners can be identified by objective means, and may require a degree...
ing events around the world, including running
Running
Running is a means of terrestrial locomotion allowing humans and other animals to move rapidly on foot. It is simply defined in athletics terms as a gait in which at regular points during the running cycle both feet are off the ground...
races, marathon
Marathon
The marathon is a long-distance running event with an official distance of 42.195 kilometres , that is usually run as a road race...
s, triathlon
Triathlon
A triathlon is a multi-sport event involving the completion of three continuous and sequential endurance events. While many variations of the sport exist, triathlon, in its most popular form, involves swimming, cycling, and running in immediate succession over various distances...
s, cycling
Cycling
Cycling, also called bicycling or biking, is the use of bicycles for transport, recreation, or for sport. Persons engaged in cycling are cyclists or bicyclists...
and mountain biking
Mountain biking
Mountain biking is a sport which consists of riding bicycles off-road, often over rough terrain, using specially adapted mountain bikes. Mountain bikes share similarities with other bikes, but incorporate features designed to enhance durability and performance in rough terrain.Mountain biking can...
competitions, in-line skating and cross-country skiing
Cross-country skiing
Cross-country skiing is a winter sport in which participants propel themselves across snow-covered terrain using skis and poles...
. Chips are either rented for use at a given event, or some participants purchase a chip for successive uses at events timed by ChampionChip mats. (The chips are incompatible with other timing systems.) In either case, the serial number of a participant's chip is stored in a database for an event allowing the recorded times to be matched with participants' names. Although a chip might transmit its number several times while the athlete is crossing the mat, special software is used to eliminate all but the first time recorded for each chip at each timing point.
In general, transponder timing is economic only for larger events of more than 1,000 participants. For smaller events, it is less expensive to time participants using manually operated hand-held computers.
When transponder timing first appeared, the running community hoped that there would be a single nationwide United States standard for transponders which could be used at all races. However, the distributor of ChampionChip in the United States has sought to limit the number of timing systems sold, resulting in different event timing companies purchasing incompatible transponder systems from other manufacturers. Since 2008, systems using disposable transporders have replaced ChampionChips at a number of events.
ChampionChip was a Nijmegen, The Netherlands based company, started in 1993 with a group of students to improve the time tracking in the Zevenheuvelenloop
Zevenheuvelenloop
Zevenheuvelenloop is an annual 15 kilometres road running race held in Nijmegen, the Netherlands. It was first organised in 1984 and has grown to be one of the largest road races in the Netherlands; it attracted over 30,000 runners in 2008...
. In 2008, ChampionChip was merged together with AMB i.t. to form a new company called MYLAPS Sports Timing.