The Mode set through Track Box Configuration Rules affects the read rate of the UHF antennas, data transmission and thus also has an impact on battery performance. The Track Box Passive supports normal, slow and standby mode. Fast mode is a Track Box Active mode; if it is set on a Track Box Passive the box runs in normal mode instead.. 

	Normal	Slow	Standby
Recommended for	General timing	Slow-moving particpants and only a few transponders in the read field at the same time	Overnights, before or after the event, boxes that are set up buy not yet needed
UHF reader	On, 50 reads per second	On, 10 reads per second	Off, no transponders detected
Dual Track Box synchronisation	Available	Switsched off	Not applicable
Status call	Every 4 minutes, Every 15 seconds while traveling or has many passings waiting	Same as Normal	Every 15 Minutes
GPS	Switched off automatically while the box is not moving	Same as Normal	Switched on shortly before a status call if the box has moved since the last status
Battery use	Normal	Reduced	Lowest

 

Normal

Normal mode is the best compromise for general timing and recommended for most applications. In this mode, the GPS module is shut down if the box does not move and the device status will be updated every 4 minutes, or every 15 seconds while the box is moving or still has passings to upload. 

In normal mode the antennas are reading 50 times per second, and passings will be uploaded in small chunks with smart processing to minimise delay and data consumption accordingly. When two boxes run as a synchronized pair, the read rate of each is reduced — see Track Box Synchronization. If there is no data transmission pending then the modem will disconnect from the network.

Slow

Slow mode reduces the power consumption of the UHF reader while still detecting transponders. Use it where participants move slowly past the timing point and only a few transponders are in the read field at the same time — typical examples are checkpoints on trail runs, hikes or other slow-moving events.

In slow mode the antennas are reading 10 times per second instead of 50, and Track Box Synchronization is switched off. Note that this means slow mode should not be used where two boxes are set up as a synchronized pair. The status interval and GPS module behaviour remain the same as normal mode.

Active Track Pings received by the box are finalized 60 seconds after the strongest Track Ping instead of 10 seconds, or up to 120 seconds for a weak signal, so these pings reach the server considerably later than in Normal mode.

In slow mode, you can expect battery life of over 24 hours from a full charge. 

Standby

In standby the UHF reader is switched off and transponders are not detected, and the box only sends a status call every 15 minutes. See Standby Mode. The box continues to receive Active Track Pings while in standby.

Other read rate reductions

Independently of the Mode, the read rate is reduced if the box runs on a solar panel that delivers little power and the battery is below 75%, where it drops to about 33 reads per second.

Automatic switch to Standby

In some situations the box switches to Standby on its own, regardless of the configured Mode, and returns to the configured Mode once the condition ends:

Auto Standby: During the time window set in the Auto Standby rule of the Track Box Configuration Rules
Low battery: When the battery is almost empty, to keep the box able to report its status and position for longer
Excessive current draw: If the box detects an abnormally high current draw

When does a mode change take effect

The box receives its configuration with each status call, so a new Mode takes effect with the next status call; within up to 4 minutes in Normal mode, or up to 15 minutes from Standby. The box sends a status call as soon as the Mode changes, so the new Mode is visible in RACE RESULT 14 right away. After a restart, the box starts in Normal mode and applies the configured Mode with its first status call.