Correct use of a backup control point

A backup line is an additional antenna that can be placed before or after the main line. It is usually a reinforcement for the start or finishline where you need a higher level of accuracy.

The way it works is as follows: in case an athlete does not have a reading on the main line, copérnico will use the backup reading to calculate an athletes passing time.

This calculation is made by subtracting or adding the backup line time, which you have configured in the section "Time in seconds to the point." This time is an approximation for the Live timing.

The use of a backup line has various advantages: 

1. Security, in case something happens to the main line, you will have a backup reading.
2. Accuracy of the backup line, since the reading time will be adjusted automatically if a reading is lost in the main line, the process is transparent and helps generate correct times.

See how to setup a backup line in the following article: ARTICLE

To correctly use a backup, keep in mind the following points: 

• Utilize the backup to achieve accurate reads, its use is intended for start or finish locations.

• If your race is not an official event, for which you need a high level of accuracy, we don't recommend you use a backup line. In this case, add all of the devices to the location start or finish.

• Configure the backup before or after the main line, depending on the direction of passage, indicating an approximate time (in seconds) it takes to pass between the two antennas. At the end of the race or to publish results, copérnico will calculate an average and apply it to each of the participants with the maximum adjustment. For example, if you have set the time between the 2 lines to be 3 seconds and copérnico calculates that the time is 2.1 seconds, it will make this adjustment to the final times. This is a very exaggerated example, in the 5 meters that we recommend to place the backup lines, there can be a deviation of +/- 0,1 or 0,2 sec.

• Do not use a backup in a lap race in which participants pass through the same location several times. Due to the complexity of lap race calculations, we advise against a backup as it complicates your logisitics.

• It is not possible to back up two 4m lines with the same 8-port device. To achieve this automatic time adjustment you will need different devices, as they are different locations.

• Physically, place the lines at least 5m apart. Never place two antenna lines next to each other

• If you use side antennas for backup, you must respect the same distance between the lines and setup the devices with side antennas in the appropriate channel. You can check how to do it in this article.