This project is devoted to development of the electronic timing system for orienteering with inexpensive base stations and cheap tags. It is also possible to use one on rogaining events, adventure races, trail running, wherever time keeping is required. Here are hardware and firmware parts of the timing system. Links to data processing software are placed below.
This project is open and free. Whoever is not afraid of difficulties can try doing it oneself. Just follow the instructions from the wiki. The low cost of the components can be worth your efforts (about USD $10 for one base station and $0.2 per NFC tag).
This development is a hobby. No guarantees are given, various kinds of problems are possible during reproduction. Support is also not guaranteed. So, act at your own risk.
The version consists of three numbers. The first number indicates the version of the hardware. If any changes are made to the circuit or to the PCB, this number is incremented by 1.
The second and third numbers indicates the version of the firmware. If any new function is added to the firmware, the second number is incremented by 1. If the firmware just fixes bugs, the third number in the version is incremented by 1. When a new version of the firmware is released with new functions, the third number is reset to 0.
The base station and the master station have their own versions. The release version is the largest of these two numbers.
The current release version is 2.6.3
The current base station version is 2.6.3
The current master station version is 1.6.3
Sorry, assembly instructions for hardware version > 1 are not translated to English yet. You can translate Russian manual by yourself.
Build the firmware of the base station with #define HW_VERS 1 to install the firmware v6.x on the hardware v1.
Issues and suggested improvements can be posted on Issues page. Please make sure you provide all relevant information about your problem or idea.
You can contribute by writing code. We welcome software for working with the system on a PC via Serial and on Android via Bluetooth or NFC. The data transfer protocol and commands are described in the Manual. With pleasure we will add a link to your developments working with Sportiduino.
It also supports creation of forks, pull requests, developing any new ideas.
You can also help by translatiing the documentation. At this moment the translation is very rough.
The system uses cards Ntag 213 / 215 / 216. As stickers on Chinese web marketplaces they cost $0.1, 0.2, 0.4, respectively. As key fobs the cost is doubled. Memory of these cards can keep 32, 120 and 216 marks, respectively.
Also it is possible to use Mifare Classic 1K cards. These cards are also cheap and come bundled with the RC522 module. The memory of these chips is enough for 42 marks. They work a little slower than Ntag.
The system automatically detects the type of used cards.
The main components of the station are the Atmega328P microcontroller and the MFRC522 module, which operates at a frequency of 13.56MHz. Clock DS3231SN. All powered by 3 AA batteries through the MCP1700T-33 stabilizer. The capacity of the kit of three alkaline AA batteries should be enough for a year of active use. Tested at ambient temperatues from -20 to +50 Celcius.
Totally, the initial components for one base station and the consumables cost about $10 (in 2019).
The master station is simpler than the base station. It consists of Arduino Nano, RFID module, LED and buzzer. It connects with a PC via USB. With the master station you can read and write tags and configure base stations.
There is also a wireless station with the bluetooth module.
There is also an Android application under development.
Cards and stations are configured by SportiduinoPQ program.
The program is based on the special python module and also on the PyQt5 package for creating window applications.
Reading cards is implemented in the SportOrg program.
There is also an Android application under development.
This system and its variants have been used in Russia at a number of events up to approx. 900 participants and approx. 70 check points.
Available from: https://github.com/sportiduino/sportiduino
License: GNU GPLv3