This program is a Windows application and
is written in VisualBASIC. At this juncture, the program is quite simple.
We plan to provide it with database features in the future.
The timer to laptop interface is via a simple RS-232C cable and protocol. The TAG Heuer timer sends a string of characters for every timing event. The format of this string is:
CIHH:MM:SS.ssss
where:
C = Channel (one of 16)
I = Input (0 to 1)
HH = Hours
MM = Minutes
SS = Seconds
ssss = The decimal fraction of
a second, to the ten-thousandths of a second
The colons and the period are there for clarity.
The TAG Heuer PTB 605 timer is packaged in a small box. It is powered by internal batteries or optional external 12V DC power. The timer has a female DB 25 connector on the back that allows connection to the 16 input channels. In addition, the first 4 channels can be connected via several "banana" jacks, also on the back. There is also a female DB 9 connector for the RS-232 interface. Finally, there is a 4-pin external power connector and a power switch.
There is a separate connector on the side that connects to a printer, which we do not use.
The top of the timer has several switches to allow manual triggering of the first 4 input channels and several control switches.
The internal batteries
last for up to 60 hours.
We use a TAG Heuer HL2-35 Thru Beam Infrared Detector system with the timer. This system consists of two units, an emitter and a detector. The detector is connected to the timer with a long cable (we have several hundred feet of cable) and is powered by the timer. The emitter is a separate unit and can be located up to 270 feet away from the detector. It sends an invisible 10 kHz infrared beam that the detector receives. When this beam is blocked by a car, the detector sends a signal to the timer. The emitter has two power settings. By selecting the low-power setting, the internal batteries last much longer (we normally use this mode).
The sensor components are rugged and well protected from the weather. The lenses on them must be protected from water...if water drops get on the lenses, they will not focus properly and the range will be limited. We normally place small "A-frame" tents over both units. This also keeps them cooler in the summer.
The cable from the detector to the timer is a simple, 2-conductor wire.
It can be ruined by cars driving over it. Please place pylons along the
wire and instruct all entrants and workers to avoid driving over the wire.
C Davis 1-7-2001