How Infinity Cable Products Supports Oregon State & DHBW Formula Racing
Behind every successful race car is more than horsepower, aerodynamics, and precision engineering. Modern racing vehicles also rely on advanced electronics, sensors, and communication systems working together in real time.
At Infinity Cable Products, we're proud to support Global Formula Racing (GFR), an international Formula Student racing team representing Oregon State University in the United States and DHBW Ravensburg in Germany.
Through our partnership, Infinity Cable Products supplied shielded Cat6A Ethernet cable and slim Ethernet patch cables used in GFR's first Ethernet wiring harness. These cables help connect critical vehicle electronics, autonomous driving sensors, onboard computing systems, and telemetry equipment.
As Global Formula Racing celebrates another successful season in 2026, we're excited to highlight the team's history, achievements, and the role our Ethernet cabling plays in its innovative racing technology.
The History of Global Formula Racing
Founded in 2009, Global Formula Racing brought together Oregon State University's Beaver Racing Team and Germany's DHBW Ravensburg BA Racing Team to create an international engineering program.
Working across two continents, students collaborate to design, manufacture, test, and race advanced Formula Student vehicles. The program gives future engineers practical experience in mechanical engineering, electrical systems, software development, and automotive technology.
GFR quickly established itself as a leading competitor, winning three consecutive Formula SAE Michigan championships from 2010 through 2012.
Over the years, the team has expanded beyond traditional combustion engines, embracing electric powertrains and autonomous driving technology.
A Championship 2026 Season
GFR's 2026 results continued that legacy, with an outstanding season across major international Formula Student competitions:
- Formula SAE Michigan Electric: Championship Winner
- Formula SAE Michigan Driverless Cup: Inaugural Champion
- Formula Student Spain: 9th Place
- Formula Student Germany: 7th Place, one of the team's strongest recent performances at the competition
These achievements reflect years of engineering development, innovation, and dedication from students working to push the boundaries of automotive technology.
How Our Cat6A Cable Is Used
Modern electric and autonomous race cars depend on fast, reliable communication between electronic systems.
Global Formula Racing incorporated shielded, stranded Cat6A Ethernet cable and slim Ethernet patch cables from Infinity Cable Products into its first Ethernet harness, supporting several essential vehicle functions.
Vehicle Control Unit and Motor Inverter
Our Cat6A cable connects the vehicle control unit to the motor inverter, transmitting commands that control the car's electric drive system.
This connection plays an important role in coordinating vehicle operation, especially in an environment where electronic systems must perform under demanding racing conditions.
LiDAR and Autonomous Driving
GFR's autonomous system uses LiDAR technology to detect and understand its surroundings.
The Ethernet harness connects the LiDAR sensor to an onboard NVIDIA Jetson computer, which processes sensor information used by the vehicle's autonomous driving system.
Reliable data communication is essential for supporting the vehicle's ability to interpret its environment.
Ethernet Cameras and RTK GPS
Two Power over Ethernet (PoE) cameras mounted above the driver connect through the team's Ethernet network, providing visual information to the onboard computing system.
The harness also connects Real Time Kinematic (RTK) GPS equipment, supporting the precise positioning data required for advanced autonomous applications.
Wireless Telemetry and Testing
Ethernet cabling also supports GFR's wireless telemetry equipment, helping connect the vehicle's onboard systems with its pit station communication infrastructure.
In addition to bulk cable, the team uses our slim Ethernet patch cables for shorter connections inside the vehicle and for testing electronic components on the workbench.
These compact connections provide flexibility in an environment where available space and cable routing are important considerations.
Why Shielded Cat6A?
A Formula Student race car presents unique challenges for Ethernet cabling. High voltage electrical systems, constant vibration, tight installation spaces, and mechanical movement require careful cable selection.
GFR selected shielded, stranded Cat6A cable to address these conditions.
Shielded construction helps reduce electromagnetic interference (EMI) from nearby electrical equipment when properly installed and grounded, an important consideration around the vehicle's high voltage motor system.
Stranded copper conductors offer greater flexibility than solid conductors, making them suitable for shorter connections where vibration and movement are concerns.
Slim patch cables provide convenient connectivity in confined spaces and during component testing.
The team also encountered an important engineering challenge when an intermittent LiDAR dropout was traced to cable fatigue at a tight bend.
GFR resolved the issue by improving cable strain relief and implementing cable inspections before vehicle runs.
The experience demonstrates that reliable Ethernet performance depends not only on cable construction but also on proper routing, bend radius, termination, and mechanical protection.
Supporting Future Engineers
For Infinity Cable Products, supporting Global Formula Racing goes beyond supplying Ethernet cable.
It's an opportunity to contribute to an educational program where students develop practical engineering skills and work with technologies shaping the future of transportation.
From autonomous navigation and sensor integration to electric vehicle electronics and communication networks, the experience gained through Formula Student prepares students for careers across the automotive, robotics, and engineering industries.
We're proud that our cabling is part of a championship team's engineering infrastructure and grateful for the opportunity to support its continued development.
Looking Ahead to GFR27
Following an outstanding 2026 season, Global Formula Racing is preparing for its next generation of electric and autonomous race cars.
Infinity Cable Products looks forward to continuing our partnership and supporting the team as it develops new technologies, improves its vehicle systems, and pursues future championships.
Congratulations to everyone at Global Formula Racing, Oregon State University, and DHBW Ravensburg on another remarkable season.
We're excited to see what comes next.
Explore Our Ethernet Cable Solutions
At Infinity Cable Products, we supply high quality Ethernet cables and connectivity products for networking, industrial automation, and specialized engineering applications.
Explore our Cat6A Ethernet Cable and Ethernet Patch Cable solutions, or visit Global Formula Racing to learn more about the team and its engineering achievements.
