Contact:
Michelle Sparks

Data-Linc Group
(425) 882-2206

For immediate release

Wireless Data Communications Pivotal in Solar Car Challenge

September 26, 2001–Redmond, WA–Data-Linc Group, the leader in industrial wireless data communications, today announced the successful application of serial data communications by the University of Michigan (U of M) in the American Solar Challenge. The U of M’s M-Pulse solar car earned first place in this international racing event.

The U of M solar car team designs, builds, tests and races a new solar car every two years. One of the challenges is the collection of telemetry data from the race vehicle to the control team.

The design of the M-Pulse incorporated solar cells covering the canopy with only a small visor through which the driver could see. This meant that whatever means of data transmission to be used would be buried deep within the vehicle, with no clear line-of-sight. The Data-Linc Group license-free, wireless SRM6000 serial modem was employed to overcome these difficulties.

The U of M team found the ideal balance of power consumption, size, weight, functionality and robustness by using the Data-Linc SRM6000 radio modem. The SRM6000 continually provided essential, unbroken data transmission from the race vehicle to the chase car throughout the race.

"The radio modems were one of the few things on the car we never really had a problem with, " said Michael Yagley, team strategist. "Everyday we just plugged them in and didn't touch them again until the end of the day." This provided the team's strategists with the vital information they needed to plan race strategy and ultimately help drive the team to its first place finish in the American Solar Challenge.

"We saw some of the worst roads in the US while driving from Chicago to LA along the race," stated Greg Thompson, M-Pulse team member. "The heat was pretty bad— nearly 115 degrees at times—which meant it was even hotter in the car. The modems never hiccupped the whole way. We were relieved to have a piece of equipment we didn't have to worry about."

About Data-Linc Group
Founded in 1988, Data-Linc Group is the leading provider of industrial data communication solutions. Data-Linc designs and manufactures high performance, superior quality modems for a broad range of industrial applications. Their complete line of industrial grade modems and networking products consistently provide reliable, robust data communications even in the most demanding environments. For more information, please contact us via , visit www.data-linc.com or call (425) 882-2206 Pacific Coast Time.

###

Data-Linc Group
3535 Factoria Blvd. SE, Suite 100 • Bellevue, WA 98006 USA
Tel (425) 882-2206 • Fax (425) 867-0865 •