Running two tracks and want to combine them

[ManagerBen]

We have two tracks at our facility, one for club members exclusive use and the other for club members and rentals. We have Raceamerica lights on both. There are times we will host a weekend event where we use both tracks connected together. We have two laptops sitting side-by-side so we can duplicate flag conditions trackwide.

Any suggestions how we can manage the lights easier? Two laptops is double the work and if the operator makes a mistake, we end up with different flags on each of the tracks which is a big problem when running a race with a single combined longer track.

[raceamerica]

Currently, you are operating each track with a 4520 USB Wireless Unit connected between a USB port on the computer and the Omni Whip antenna. Each 4520 contains a wireless optimizer code to communicate with the lights on one track. When you run both tracks together, you duplicate everything in the tower, two computers, two 4520's, two antennas.

Replacing the 4520's with 4525 IP Antennas will perform the same task when running two separate tracks. Each 4525 will duplicate the wireless optimizer code for each track. The 4525 connects to the computer through an IP network connection, either the IP network at the track or a standalone setup with a simple router not connected to the internet or the track network as shown in the illustration of Separate Tracks.

SEPARATE TRACKS CONTROLLED BY SEPARATE COMPUTERS

To combine tracks, simply replace one of the 4525 IP Antennas with a third 4525 configured so the computer can communicate with both 4525's. Result is a single computer controlling both sets of lights as a single track. Set full track green and both sets of lights on both tracks change to green. The illustration below shows how both 4525's connect to the same router and a single computer.

BOTH TRACKS COMBINED CONTROLLED BY ONE COMPUTER

[ManagerBen]

I noticed the routers do not have antennas. Are they wireless routers? If not, how do they communicate with the wireless lights?

[raceamerica]

The router's sole purpose is to create an IP network connecting the computer to the 4525 IP Antennas. The wireless communications to the lights is handled by the IP Antennas. If the router had wireless capabilities, the wireless would not be used by the Electronic Flagging System. Think of the IP network with 4525's to be the equivalent to the USB cable with the 4520's.

If the router were connected to a larger network at the track, the IP Antennas could be located away from the computers since the track network would connect the two. This makes it convenient when the Omni Whip Antennas will be on tall buildings and the computer may be located in race control. The diagrams is an example of a standalone network not connected to the track's network. This installation is usually all in the same building due to cable length limitations.

[ManagerBen]

I showed the track owner the diagrams and explained how it would simplify combining tracks. She saw the expense savings with less equipment and less personnel to operate the combined track days. I gave her your main office number to get a quote.

Thanks for the explanation and the diagrams, the picture was worth a thousand words!

[Dakimmer]

This is a great idea. Can we trade in the USB wireless black box for a 4525?

[raceamerica]

The existing 4520's should be used as backup for the 4525 in the event something unexpected happens. The 4520's will still work with the same software using the WIRELESS DATACOMM communications option while the 4525 uses the NETWORK ANTENNA option.