Case Study: University of Minnesota boosts real-time solar vehicle telemetry and race performance with Digi XBee SX 900 MHz modules

University of Minnesota solar vehicle reaches 65 mph and 400 miles on Digi International

The University of Minnesota Solar Vehicle Project, a student-run team, needed a reliable way to transmit real-time telemetry data from their solar car to a following pace car during races and testing, especially in remote areas with no cellular service. They turned to Digi International and implemented the Digi XBee SX 900 MHz RF module for this critical wireless communication.

Digi International's solution provided a simple, low-power, and highly reliable wireless link that operated independently of cell service. This allowed the team to monitor hundreds of data points per second, make real-time adjustments to the vehicle, and conduct longitudinal studies. As a result, the university's solar car, Freya, took first place as the top multi-occupant vehicle at the 2021 Formula Sun Grand Prix and second place in its class at the 2021 American Solar Challenge.

University of Minnesota