The MilesTag Project

Razor Team are moving into the 21st century! After more than ten years of using the SEGA Lock-On gear I've decided to move to a more advanced system. I have built 10 MilesTag 5.XX based taggers and am also working on several MicroMT based accessories. The MilesTag system offers: Individual scoring for up to 40 players Different weapon configurations and editable options like - ammo, clips, health, firing rate, reload time, respawns, armor, variable damage, hit delays, overheating. Referee controls including - respawning, starting and stopping games, collecting scores. 360degree hit detection and the ability to detect whether a sensor is connected Variable IR power and IR LED failure detection Using MicroMT based units, grenades, mines and other accessories can be made for the battlefield.

The Sensors:

To begin with I'll be using 2 sensors, one on the front and one on the back of the head. We're still only just getting used to having a rear sensor on the Lock-On gear so I thought I would start with two sensors, which will save some time and money. This will not give us true 360 degree hit capability, but it will do for now and I can add an extra sensor a a latter stage.

Instead of using clear domes with plastic backs I am using small plastic enclosures like the ones used on the Lock-On rear sensors. The TSOP sensor and hit LED will be mounted on the outside of the plastic box and their legs will pass through the lid of the box to the circuit board. The circuit boards for the sensors will be made from normal veroboard with all the necessary components mounted to it. 25mm black elastic will thread through each box and will have a buckle at one end for easy user adjustment. Black 4 core cable will connect each box and an RJ11 socket will be housed in the rear box to allow easy connection of the black curly cord.

I am using Hammond brand ABS enclosures measuring 50x35x20mm for the front and 60x35x20mm for the back. The veroboard measures 25mm square and will be held in place on the back of the lid with hot melt glue. Adhesive hook and loop tape can also be used to hold each sensor box to a hat.

The Guns:

Two G36 type plastic toy guns converted into taggers. The magazines have been removed to allow for the battery holder. Aluminium sheet was used to create  new magazines. A micro switch has been added to the inside of the handle for the main trigger. A DC charging socket is mounted to the right of the fake fire mode selector. A 16x2 LCD screen is mounted in clear view for the operator and the mode and reload button are to the left.
SCAR-H I have built two FN SCAR-H assault rifles. Made from 5 layers of MDF and using electrical conduit for the lens assemblies. A homemade vertical grip can be attached to the front to create a more tactical feel.
G3 SAS Four G3 SAS's have been made. They feature large circular iron sights for quick target aquisition and are lightweight
Here we have the F2000's which have been converted from Lock-On to Milestag, a nice easy job to do since all the hard work was done already. These units still retain their original 50mm lens assemblies and will have the greatest range of all the guns.

Serial Interface:

The serial interface is used to update existing firmware on the PIC chips (It will not program a 'blank' chip). I have designed a veroboard layout for the circuit so that one can easily be constructed. The circuit can run off of the 5 Volt supply from the gun or from an external source. If an external source is used, such a s a 9 volt battery, a 3.5mm stereo plug and socket can be used for the serial connection. Otherwise a four pin connector of some type would need to be used, possibly a 9 pin D connector.

MicroMT:

MicroMT is a simpler, cheaper version of the MilesTag system. It is fully compatible with the 5.XX system, however it does not provide scoring or an LCD display. It can be used to build battlefield accessories like grenades, mines/claymores, medic boxes, ammo boxes, flag stations and more. I have created  veroboard layouts for some of the  MicroMT based accessories .

MicroMT based tagger	MicroMT Grenade (In progress)	MicroMT grenade (in progress)

Mini referee controller schematic	Mini referee controller layout	ref box wiring

Close up of ref box circuit	Ref box buttons	Prototype grenade
Claymore prototype	MicroMT Gcon conversion	Rear view showing power(green) and status (red) leds.
ISD Recorder	ISD add on board	LM386 Audio amp (stand alone)
Functional ISD recorder	Testing the ISD add on board	5.XX Full Referee Box (untested - this is a cut down version of the Rev-G board)
DC socket and keyswitch wiring	Running a red dot scope using the guns power	Plug and socket allows for easy disconnection
Bolt action diagram for the f2000 sniper rifle