Low-Cost Bluetooth Low Energy Positioning and Timing System for Sports Events ^†

Timing points used in running races and other competition events are generally based on radio-frequency identification (RFID) technology. Athletes’ times are calculated via passive RFID tags and reader kits. Specifically, the reader infrastructure needed is complex and requires the deployment of a mat or ramps which hide the receiver antennae under them. Moreover, with the employed tags, it is not possible to transmit additional and dynamic information such as pulse or oximetry monitoring, alarms, etc. In this proposal, we present a system based on Bluetooth Low Energy which allows complete real-time position monitoring of the users using mobile phones on the organizer side and BLE sensors on the participants’ side. Along with the proposal, we present a complete architecture and an extensive analysis of metrics which are determinant for evaluating the performance of the proposed system: detection probability, range, mobility patterns of runners in real races, detection delay, packet collision, energy consumption, performance under high sensor density, etc. All these results, obtained through both experimental measurements and computer simulation, will demonstrate the viability and benefits of the system against other alternatives for the intended application.