Microgate Hilink User manual

User Manual
Firmware Version: 1.1.1
Manual Version: 1.0.1
Issue Date: 17/03/2022

HiLink User manual EN –v 1.0.1 2
Contents
1 HiLink general description........................................................................................................................... 4
2 Management software................................................................................................................................ 7
2.1 New Session......................................................................................................................................... 7
2.1.1 Header bar................................................................................................................................... 8
2.1.2 Area of the currently selected settings ....................................................................................... 8
2.1.3 The bib number that will be transmitted .................................................................................... 8
3 Settings........................................................................................................................................................ 9
3.1 Mode ................................................................................................................................................... 9
3.1.1 Method of use (Mode) ................................................................................................................ 9
3.1.2 HiSmart Trigger.......................................................................................................................... 10
3.2 Lines................................................................................................................................................... 10
3.3 Radio.................................................................................................................................................. 11
3.3.1 Radio Transmission.................................................................................................................... 11
3.3.2 Radio Frequency........................................................................................................................ 11
3.3.3 Group ID .................................................................................................................................... 11
3.4 GPS and Time Zone............................................................................................................................ 12
3.4.1 GPS Synchronization Mode ....................................................................................................... 12
3.4.2 Time Zone.................................................................................................................................. 12
3.4.3 GPS Status.................................................................................................................................. 12
3.5 Test radio signal................................................................................................................................. 12
3.6 Brightness.......................................................................................................................................... 13
3.6.1 Battery Saver ............................................................................................................................. 13
3.6.2 Auto Brightness (ON/OFF)......................................................................................................... 13
3.6.3 Set Brightness............................................................................................................................ 13
3.7 Set Synchronization........................................................................................................................... 13
3.8 Synchronization Output..................................................................................................................... 14
3.9 Language............................................................................................................................................ 14
3.10 System Status .................................................................................................................................... 14
3.11 Test Time Base Calibration................................................................................................................ 15
3.12 Internal Time Base Calibration .......................................................................................................... 15
3.13 HiSmart Bib........................................................................................................................................ 16
3.14 HiSmart RSSI Threshold ..................................................................................................................... 16
3.15 Reset Default ..................................................................................................................................... 17

HiLink User manual EN –v 1.0.1 3
4 Battery charging and operating time ........................................................................................................ 18
5 Connection to the ReiPro and RTPro Stopwatches................................................................................... 19
5.1 RTPRO-HiLink Connection via Bluetooth........................................................................................... 20
6 RTPro and Hilink Usage Configurations..................................................................................................... 22
6.1 Free RTPro and HiLink along the route.............................................................................................. 23
6.1.1 The connection to the stopwatch by cable ............................................................................... 23
6.1.2 The connection to the stopwatch via Bluetooth....................................................................... 23
6.1.3 The setting of the transmission devices.................................................................................... 24
6.2 RTPro and HiLink with connection at start or finish.......................................................................... 25
6.3 RTPro and HiLink used in conjunction with EncRadio MF transmitters............................................ 25
6.4 RTPro and HiLink used in conjunction with EncRadio SF and Polifemo Radio SF transmitters......... 27
6.5 Racetime 2 and HiLink used as transmitter....................................................................................... 28
6.6 Racetime 2 and HiLink used as receiver via cable ............................................................................. 30
7 HiSmart the automatic system for the recognition of athletes ................................................................ 32
7.1 Switching On and Off......................................................................................................................... 34
7.2 Charging HiSmart............................................................................................................................... 35
7.3 Battery life......................................................................................................................................... 35
7.4 Sleep Mode and Hardware RESET..................................................................................................... 35
8 Annex Connectors (pin out)....................................................................................................................... 36
8.1 Chronometer ..................................................................................................................................... 36
9 Appendix Radio Frequencies..................................................................................................................... 37
9.1 HiFamily Radio Frequency Table –434 MHz Band............................................................................ 37
9.2 LinkGate Radio MF compatible Radio Frequency Table –434 MHz Band ........................................ 38
9.3 LinkGate Radio SF compatible Radio Frequency Table –434 MHz Band.......................................... 38

HiLink User manual EN –v 1.0.1 4
1HILINK GENERAL DESCRIPTION
TNC connector for antenna
USB C connector for power supply
and PC connection
Touch display
Keyboard
Status LED
Line input
Connector for cable connection
to the stopwatch

HiLink User manual EN –v 1.0.1 5
DOWN Arrow button
ENTER button for confirming
(menu) and sending manual
radio signal (main menu)
Microgate ON/OFF and Home
button
LINE 2 socket
Earth socket (GND)
LINE 1 socket
Connector for stopwatch
connection cable
UP Arrow button

HiLink User manual EN –v 1.0.1 6
HiLink is the new Microgate radio transmission system that incorporates both the transmitter (EncRadio) and
receiver (DecRadio) feature using a transceiver module operating in the 433 MHz band. The compact size
(60x119x33 mm), extended temperature range (-30°C +70°C), temperature-compensated time base of ±1 ppm
over the entire temperature range make it the ideal instrument for the radio transmission of timing pulses in
all operating situations.
HiLink is not only a radio transmitter/receiver, but is de facto for all intents and purposes a stopwatch, being
able to use both Microgate protocols and time-of-day transmission.
HiLink also has a GPS module for synchronizing the time base with the satellite signal which can turn it into a
synchronizer using one of its external lines.
The narrow-band radio module can be configured via software or remotely on one of the 68 available
frequencies and can be supplied in the 10 mW power version as well as in the 500 mW version.
HiLink has a Bluetooth module for communication with ReiPro and RTPro stopwatches and for receiving
information about HiSmart-equipped competitors using Smart Identification protocols.
The system can also be used as a radio receiver connected by cable to all the old generation Microgate
stopwatches (Rei2 and Racetime2) being fully compatible with the LinkGate EncRadio systems or as a
transmitter in the presence of an old generation LinkGate DecRadio.
BASIC CHARACTERISTICS
EMBEDDED EncRadio and DecRadio functionality
DIMENSIONS (WxHxD) 60 x 119 x 33 mm
TEMPERATURE RANGE -30°C +70°C
TIME BASE temperature compensated oscillator + GPS PPS
TIME MEASUREMENT UNIT selectable down to 1/10,000 sec.
TIME ACCURACY 1/50,000 of a second
BT LE CONNECTIVITY 433MHZ radio with 68 user selectable frequencies, 10 mW and 500 mW
user selectable output power
INTERACTION WITH HiSmart Tag for Smart Identification

HiLink User manual EN –v 1.0.1 7
2MANAGEMENT SOFTWARE
Once the system is turned on using the Microgate ON/OFF button, the home screen gives us two options:
1. Start a new session
2. Enter the settings menu
2.1 NEW SESSION
The screen gives us the following information:
Header bar
Current settings
Number

HiLink User manual EN –v 1.0.1 8
2.1.1 Header bar
The following are displayed:
•the time of day
oRed if not synchronized
oWhite if the system has been synchronized
•the Bluetooth symbol
oOnly present when connected to another device
•the satellite symbol
oWhite if not used
oRed if enabled and a valid signal for synchronization has not yet been received
oGreen if enabled and a valid synchronization signal has been received
•the battery symbol with the marks for the current charge
2.1.2 Area of the currently selected settings
•GID (Group ID): represents a value that allows radio pulses to be received only from systems
that have set the same Group ID. Equivalent to the old radio channel concept of the old
LinkGate EncRadio systems
•FREQ: The frequency number set in transmission and reception (see table in appendix for
matching frequencies and settings of old Linkgate EncRadio/DecRadio systems)
•The type of pulse being transmitted (START-STOP- LAP1...LAP14)
You can change this information in the various menus in the Settings
2.1.3 The bib number that will be transmitted
The number can be changed with the UP and DOWN arrows (press and hold to fast forward) or by touching
the tens or hundreds of units for a faster change.

HiLink User manual EN –v 1.0.1 9
3SETTINGS
In the SETTINGS menu we have 4 pages for complete system configuration. Pages are scrolled by using the
Next or Back arrows highlighted on the Touch screen.
3.1 MODE
The mode describes how HiSmart devices operate and are used.
3.1.1 Method of use (Mode)
•Normal: this is the default value and means that the radio protocol used in transmission is
that of the HiLink new generation
•EncRadio: if “EncRadio” mode is selected, the transmission protocol is that of the old
generation of LinkGate EncRadio transmitters. In this mode HiLink can be used as a transmitter
in conjunction with Rei2 and Racetime2 systems with DecRadio receivers. The “Send Device
Status” (On/Off) feature can also be enabled.
•Modem: the system functions as a radio modem (for example for transmitting to a
scoreboard) See Annex Connectors (pin out)

HiLink User manual EN –v 1.0.1 10
3.1.2 HiSmart Trigger
This setting allows determining at what distance HiLink will consider HiSmart devices to be in the area, and
therefore the number in transmission. The possible settings are:
•0= Disabled
•1= Immediate Range; approximate receiving distance 20cm (used for example at the start in skiing)
•2= Near Range; approximate receiving distance 3m
•3= Far Range; approximate receiving distance 30m
•2= Very Far Range; approximate receiving distance 60m
3.2 LINES
This menu makes it possible to define the type of pulse (logic channel) to be transmitted (START-STOP-
LAP1...LAP14) when a signal is received on the Green (Line 1) and Red (Line 2) sockets. If the pulse is
transmitted by pressing the Enter button (bottom left), the logic channel of Line 1 will be transmitted. You can
also specify whether the timing line is to be configured to accept “Normally Open” or “Normally Closed”
signals. The HiLink system, unlike the old EncRadio systems, allows simultaneously transmitting the two timing
lines by using a new data protocol. With this perspective, for example, two starts or finishes of a parallel can
be transmitted using a single transmitter or the two pulses of a speed base (which in this case will be
configured as an average speed on two different laps).