• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer
  • Advertise
  • Subscribe

Connector Tips

Connector Tips has connector and electrical connector news, product highlights and and editorial coverage.

  • Products
    • board-to-board
    • cable-to-board
    • power
    • RF
    • USB
    • wire-to-board
  • Electronics
    • bonding
    • copper
    • fiber
    • gold
    • optical
    • transistor sockets
  • Markets
    • Aerospace
    • Automation
    • Automotive
    • Electrification
    • Electrical & Instrumentation
    • Medical
    • Military
    • Off-Highway
    • Oil/Gas
    • Telecom/Data
  • Learn
    • Basics/FAQs
    • eBooks/Tech Tips
    • EE Training Days
    • EE Learning Center
    • Tech Toolboxes
    • Webinars & Digital Events
  • Resources
    • Design Guide Library
    • Digital Issues
    • Engineering Diversity & Inclusion
    • LEAP Awards
    • White Papers
    • DesignFast
  • Videos
    • EE Videos
    • Teardown Videos
  • Newsletter Subscription
  • Suppliers

Fischer Connectors enables sensor data transmission and connectivity for wind-powered SP80 boat

March 22, 2022 By Mary Gannon Leave a Comment

Fischer Connectors’ solutions support the transmission of sensor data for the wind-powered SP80 boat setting out to reach the phenomenal speed of 80 knots, and thereby break the long-standing world sailing speed record of 65.45 knots.

During the development of its boat that is now close to its final design phase, the SP80 team has chosen Fischer Connectors for the data-transmission solutions interconnecting the various sensors that will equip the boat and its pilot to break the world sailing speed record. The technical challenge is to sail at a speed of 80 knots (148.16 km/h), powered only by the wind. This is 14.55 knots faster than the record of 65.45 knots (121.21 km/h) set in 2012.

3D renderings of the SP80 sailing on water (photo courtesy of SP80)
3D renderings of the SP80 sailing on water (photo courtesy of SP80)

The carbon-fiber SP80 boat looks like a Formula 1 car combined with a fighter jet designed specially to glide on the water, featuring a super-ventilating triangular hydrofoil and towed by a huge kite wing. “Several projects are in the running to break the long-standing world sailing speed record,” said Mayeul van den Broek, CEO of the SP80 startup based in Renens near Lausanne, Switzerland, and created in 2019 by a team of engineers and students from the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology in Lausanne (EPFL). “This technological adventure is fascinating, as we’re confronted with extremely challenging physical laws. That’s why our international team of nearly 50 people, some of whom are now finalizing the innovative design of our boat which is being built in Persico Marine’s shipyard in Italy, is anxious to get the very best in terms of data transmission performance and reliability. These technical requirements are crucial when it comes to interconnecting the various sensors with which our boat and its pilot will be equipped during the launch and the boat’s enhancement runs scheduled for the end of the year, and the record-breaking event scheduled for next year.”

The data collected by the multiple sensors and loggers monitoring the boat’s structure and the pilot’s performance will be transferred through the connectors, associated cables and electronic solutions of Fischer Connectors, the Swiss-headquartered supplier of high-performance connectivity solutions that are world-renowned for their ruggedness and resistance to demanding operating conditions such as marine and underwater, defense & security, medical and test & measurement.

“The technology partnership with Fischer Connectors is a logical step forward in our record-breaking ambition,” explained van den Broek. “The innovations we’re putting in place to enhance our boat’s aerodynamics above water and minimize the friction of its hull and foil under water need to be monitored during the boat’s development phase as well as during the speed run itself. To ensure the efficient transfer of these monitoring data, we need a solutions provider that has not only expertise in signal integrity and data transmission and management, but also a holistic approach to electronic systems in order to provide the end-to-end connectivity solutions required for our sensing system.”

During the design phase, sensors are used to improve and control the robustness of the high-performance materials (carbon, titan, stainless steel) of the boat’s structure. Thanks to the design of the super-ventilated foil, stability is optimized and the impact of cavitation — a phenomenon in which water starts boiling around foils at extreme velocities, slowing the boat down — is avoided. During the speed run, data are collected from the various electronic modules and control sensors directly integrated into the boat, and from the monitoring sensor communications between  the pilot and the technical crew on shore, including biometric data transferred through sensors worn on the pilot’s body such as vital and security parameters.

“The SP80 project is exciting and inspiring,” said Fischer Connectors’ CEO Jonathan Brossard, “as it combines innovation and performance to push the boundaries of physical laws thanks to unique solutions and daring concepts. One member of the SP80 R&D team is part of our own R&D center, making the exchange of expertise all the more efficient and easier. We look forward to discovering the technological breakthroughs on which the SP80 team is working, and which Fischer Connectors is proud to support.”

The final design of the boat for the record will be revealed to the public in spring 2022. The launching of the boat will take place at the end of  2022, while the first tests are scheduled in the South of France for the spring or autumn of 2023 — the two periods of the year that offer the best weather conditions for sailing.

Fischer Connectors
fischerconnectors.com

SP80
www.sp80.ch

You may also like:

  • Fischer MiniMax 3 new products
    High-speed connectivity for high-density miniaturized power and data transmission
  • Military OEM design engineers of wearable devices and tactical vests can simplify their designs and connectivity solutions with quality connectors and cable assemblies, which can optimize soldier productivity at every step of the decision cycle – observing, orienting, deciding and acting.
    Better connections assist soldiers to make better decisions faster

  • Fischer LP360 connector wins two Red Dot Award categories
  • Fischer_Connectors_Ultimate_80_and_size-15_200x90mm_300dpi
    New Fischer UltiMate connectors for extreme environments, high-speed data needs
  • Fischer Connectors Freedom quick detach system for wearable connectivity
    Wearable connectivity solutions now easier to integrate into flexible structures

Filed Under: DW sync, Featured, Industry News, marine, Markets Tagged With: fischerconnectors

Reader Interactions

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

You must be logged in to post a comment.

Primary Sidebar

Featured Contributions

From extreme to mainstream: how industrial connectors are evolving to meet today’s harsh demands

The case for vehicle 48 V power systems

SMP3 vs. SMPS: why two standards?

mmWaves bring interconnect challenges to 5G and 6G

Ensuring integrity in high-performance interconnects with connector backshells

More Featured Contributions

EE TECH TOOLBOX

“ee
Tech Toolbox: 5G Technology
This Tech Toolbox covers the basics of 5G technology plus a story about how engineers designed and built a prototype DSL router mostly from old cellphone parts. Download this first 5G/wired/wireless communications Tech Toolbox to learn more!

EE LEARNING CENTER

EE Learning Center

RSS Current EDABoard.com discussions

  • 21V keeps getting shorted to my UART line.
  • Exporting sensor readings as data...
  • Inconsistent Charge Termination Voltage with battery charger
  • Voltage mode pushpull is a nonsense SMPS?
  • Voltage mode push pull with extra DC blocking capacitor

RSS Current Electro-Tech-Online.com Discussions

  • using a RTC in SF basic
  • Is AI making embedded software developers more productive?
  • Why can't I breadboard this oscillator?
  • Parts required for a personal project
  • Cataract Lens Options?

EE ENGINEERING TRAINING DAYS

engineering
“bills
“connector
EXPAND YOUR KNOWLEDGE AND STAY CONNECTED
Get the latest info on technologies, tools and strategies for EE professionals.

Footer

EE WORLD ONLINE NETWORK

  • 5G Technology World
  • EE World Online
  • Engineers Garage
  • Analog IC Tips
  • Battery Power Tips
  • DesignFast
  • EDA Board Forums
  • Electro Tech Online Forums
  • EV Engineering
  • Microcontroller Tips
  • Sensor Tips
  • Test and Measurement Tips

Connector Tips

  • Subscribe to our newsletter
  • Advertise with us
  • Contact us
  • About us

Copyright © 2025 · WTWH Media LLC and its licensors. All rights reserved.
The material on this site may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, cached or otherwise used, except with the prior written permission of WTWH Media.

Privacy Policy