What exactly is CanSat, and how can a satellite simulation built by high school students reach an altitude of 1,000 meters?

The CanSat competition invites student teams to design and build a miniaturized satellite the size of a soft drink can. The payload is launched by rocket, deployed at approximately one kilometer, and descends by parachute while transmitting environmental data collected through onboard sensors. More than a technical challenge, the program introduces students to mission planning, systems engineering methodology, verification procedures, and professional-level technical documentation.

The Sat-Elite Assembly Team from Pécs has been competing for the third consecutive year in the Hungarian round organized by the Hungarian Astronautical Society as part of the European Space Agency educational initiative. Their work shows how secondary school students can approach engineering problems with the rigor and mindset typically associated with the aerospace sector.

The Hungarian CanSat program has grown significantly in recent years, expanding from just a handful of teams to more than one hundred participants. Competing in such a field represents a considerable technical achievement.

Teams have six months to define mission objectives, design electronic and mechanical systems, develop embedded software, conduct validation tests, and prepare professional technical documentation. The top ten teams’ CanSats are launched to an altitude of 1,000 meters before descending safely by parachute. Following recovery, students present their flight data and system performance to a professional jury.

Although the launch captures the most attention, recovery often proves to be just as demanding. A descending payload released at one kilometer can drift several kilometers from the launch site depending on wind conditions. In previous competitions, some teams have spent hours locating their CanSat, and in rare cases the payload was never recovered.

To mitigate this risk, the Sat-Elite Assembly Team developed a proprietary radio and GPS-based tracking solution designed to provide accurate post-landing localization. Their goal extends beyond securing their own mission success. They are working toward a robust, reusable system that could support other teams in future competitions as well.

Within the strict size and mass constraints defined by the competition rules, the team continuously enhances the functionality of its satellite. The current configuration incorporates thermal imaging capabilities, calibrated visible-spectrum cameras, temperature and humidity sensors, GPS positioning, and additional environmental measurement units. Structural improvements have been implemented to better withstand launch acceleration loads and landing impact forces.

Throughout the development process, team members have gained practical experience in printed circuit board design, embedded firmware development, mechanical integration, system validation, and formal engineering documentation. A comprehensive Critical Design Review video documents their progression from initial concept through subsystem integration to a flight-ready prototype, offering insight into both hardware architecture and software implementation.

Their achievements in previous competitions created new opportunities. In cooperation with the Budapest University of Technology and Economics, the team contributed to an experimental payload integrated into the HUNITY satellite. The satellite reached a 520-kilometer orbit aboard the SpaceX Transporter-15 mission.

The onboard experiment measures panel temperature, visible and infrared radiation levels, and attitude-related orientation parameters. The collected telemetry is transmitted to ground stations for processing and analysis, transforming classroom engineering into real orbital data acquisition.

Within the team, clearly defined roles reflect real engineering environments. Some members focus on embedded software, others specialize in electronics design, documentation, systems integration, or external communications. They actively participate in professional events and maintain a visible presence in the community, motivated by the belief that access to inspiring technological challenges can shape future career paths.

The final results will be decided in April among the top ten teams. Regardless of the outcome, supporting the Sat-Elite Assembly Team means supporting the next generation of engineers. Investing in young talent today strengthens the foundations of tomorrow’s innovation ecosystem.

Smartphone apps, just like in almost every area of life, have become a natural part of public transportation. Real-time service updates, route planning, and traffic alerts are now just a few taps away.
But is a mobile app really enough to ensure everyone gets the information they need? That’s the question we explore in this article.

Research shows that digital inequality remains a significant issue in Hungary, especially across age, place of residence, and income lines. Older people, those living in rural areas, and lower-income groups have less access to, or are less likely to actively use, digital devices and the internet. These gaps reflect existing social inequalities and often deepen them further.

More than 87% of Hungarians over the age of 16 use a smartphone, but usage varies significantly by age group. Among younger adults aged 16 to 39, smartphone use is nearly 98%, while for those over 40, it drops to around 71%. In a typical Hungarian town with a population of about 3,000, roughly 1,700 people are over 40, and statistically, around 500 of them don’t own a smartphone. This means app-based passenger information alone cannot effectively reach this group.

Accessing real-time schedule information requires not only a smartphone but also a mobile internet connection, and mobile internet use tends to decline with age.

There are also significant regional differences. While smartphone usage is around 90% in Pest County and in the Western and Central Transdanubian regions, it falls below 80% in the eastern and southern parts of the country. Mobile internet usage is also lower in these areas; for example, in the Northern Great Plain region, it’s just 65%.

A reliable and fair passenger information system must be accessible to everyone, regardless of who they are, where they are, or what device they use to get information. That’s why modern passenger information needs to be multichannel. Alongside digital apps, on-site information options must be provided to ensure every passenger can access the information they need.

In the next part of this article, we’ll explore on-site passenger information options. Beyond traditional paper timetable boards, there are many solutions available — like the SmartPage e-paper system. Don’t miss out! Follow us on LinkedIn, Facebook, or YouTube to stay updated on our latest projects, solutions, and the work of our engineers!

The future of public transportation is not only about eco-friendly vehicles — it’s also about how essential information reaches passengers. E-paper display technology is ushering in a new era in urban infrastructure by providing a fast, simple, and sustainable solution for passenger information. Discover how the technology works and what benefits it offers in our article!

The HC Linear SmartPage is an e-paper passenger information display — a low-power, real-time information device designed specifically for outdoor use.

The 13.3-inch electrophoretic (E-INK) displays feature a 1600×1200 pixel resolution, 16 levels of grayscale, and excellent readability even in daylight. At dusk, the built-in light sensor automatically activates the backlight, ensuring the content remains visible at all times. The displayed information stays stable without network power, making the display ideal for autonomous operation, including solar-powered setups.

The display is powered by a 20W solar panel mounted on a pole and a built-in 20Ah battery, which can be optionally expanded. Its energy consumption is minimal, allowing it to operate for up to two weeks without charging, resulting in significant savings in operation and maintenance. This ensures that information is reliably available, regardless of weather conditions or network power supply.

Our displays are compatible with the GTFS-RT standard, enabling real-time display of schedules, delays, early arrivals, and traffic information. The built-in LTE modem, along with optional WiFi, LoRaWAN, and Ethernet interfaces, allow for remote content updates and system monitoring. Accessibility features include physical buttons and 433.92 MHz remote control operation. Additionally, the integrated TTS (text-to-speech) function supports multiple languages and adjustable volume.

Our proprietary, online cloud-based management system, SmartPage, allows content editing anytime, anywhere—requiring only a web browser with internet access, delivered as a SaaS service. The system supports not only the display of transportation information but also the dynamic publishing of announcements, news, local information, and events. Creating online surveys is also simple. Updates are applied instantly, with the option to schedule content in advance. Transparency and ease of use were primary design goals for the system.

Powder-coated steel housing (available in RAL color options), 4 mm thick IK09-rated anti-glare tempered glass, and IP65 protection ensure the durability of the display. It operates reliably in temperatures ranging from -15 °C to +65 °C — whether installed on a platform, bus stop, or information hub. This device is not just hardware, but a reliable, long-lasting element of the digital infrastructure for the cities of the future.

HC Linear’s SmartPage displays, built on e-paper technology, offer a solution that addresses sustainability, economic, and IT challenges simultaneously. By replacing paper-based schedules and notices, maintenance costs are reduced—there’s no need for printing, swapping, or on-site updates anymore. This saves significant resources and fuel while avoiding unnecessary CO² emissions. For passengers, one of the biggest benefits is that information is always accessible, real-time, accurate, and easy to read.

Have any questions? Feel free to contact our expert colleagues at !

HC Linear’s SmartPage system embodies Hungarian engineering excellence, delivering European-quality solutions designed to meet the long-term needs of cities. Our goal is to contribute to a more transparent, sustainable, and livable transportation system.

Follow us on LinkedIn, Facebook, or YouTube, where we share the latest updates on our projects, solutions, and the work of our engineers!

At HC Linear, we develop electronic systems, from research to manufacturing to integration. The reliability of our products depends not only on design but also on precise, high-quality execution. Our technicians play a key role in this process, contributing beyond just repairing units that fail to test.

If you’re curious about what a technician’s workday looks like at HC Linear, the technologies we use, and what you can expect as a professional on our team, read on.

At our research and development center in Pécs, we operate advanced SMT (surface-mount) and THT (through-hole) production lines, along with a dedicated assembly area. These in-house capabilities allow us to respond quickly and flexibly to the needs of our development team—whether it’s prototype manufacturing or small series production. With a broad product range, our technicians are involved in a wide variety of tasks.

As a member of our team, you’ll be involved in various manufacturing and inspection processes throughout your day. The production of our LED displays is a great example of this. Watch our short video to see how it works:

Our technicians perform a wide range of tasks — from preparing components and materials to configuring the conveyor system and carrying out inspections, they oversee and execute the entire production process. At times, they may also be diagnosing a product that has returned for repair.

Of course, we don’t expect you to have experience in every area from day one. Our goal is to involve you in tasks that best match your skills and interests, while also allowing you to explore new technologies and workflows. Our experienced colleagues are happy to support your onboarding — whether it’s learning to operate machinery or getting familiar with software tools. You can always ask questions — we work as a team and never leave anyone on their own.

The workday is made easier by a single-shift schedule, fresh coffee, fruit, and a positive atmosphere. Collaboration is very important to us: regular team-building activities and company events strengthen our sense of community.

If you’re passionate about electronics, enjoy working with precision, and want to be part of a supportive, growth-driven community, this is the place for you. Check out our current job openings and join us!

Innovation shapes the future, particularly in healthcare, where cutting-edge technology can improve diagnostics and streamline patient care. Guided by this belief, we proudly contributed to the Borsóház-Pécs Foundation’s efforts to acquire the R-Gait robotic gait trainer, a state-of-the-art rehabilitation device.

Borsóház-Pécs is dedicated to helping children with neuromotor and musculoskeletal challenges regain their mobility. Their expert therapists work tirelessly to restore lost or weakened motor functions, and cutting-edge technology plays a crucial role in making rehabilitation more effective. By integrating state-of-the-art solutions like the R-Gait system, they provide young patients with better opportunities for recovery and improved quality of life.

Thanks to the collaboration of local organizations and supporters, the R-Gait robotic gait trainer is now available in Pécs, marking a significant milestone in rehabilitation care. This innovative device assists patients in relearning natural walking patterns by providing controlled weight support and pelvic stabilization. Equipped with sensors and haptic feedback, it enhances therapy by offering real-time adjustments to optimize movement.

We are proud to have contributed to the total cost of bringing Hungary’s first R-Gait system to Pécs.

At HC Linear, we see innovation as more than just technological progress—it’s about driving meaningful change. Supporting initiatives like this reinforces our commitment to advancements that make a meaningful difference in people’s lives. The work of Borsóház-Pécs is a powerful example of how innovation can transform rehabilitation and open new possibilities for those in need.

HC HC Linear proudly announces its participation in the metaCCAZE project, funded by Horizon Europe. Together with 43 other partners from 13 European countries, including esteemed entities like Budapest University of Technology and Economics (BME) and Miskolci Közlekedési Vállalat (MVK Zrt.) from Hungary, we’re excited to shape the future of smart urban mobility over the next five years.

At HC Linear, we’re committed to innovating urban mobility. Leveraging our expertise in digital solutions, we’ll collaborate with partners to develop and test cutting-edge solutions, addressing urban mobility challenges like congestion and pollution.

Over the next five years, HC Linear will actively contribute to research, pilot testing, and knowledge sharing within the metaCCAZE project. Together, we’ll revolutionize urban mobility, creating sustainable and efficient transportation systems for cities across Europe.

Join us as we shape the future of urban mobility with metaCCAZE. Stay tuned for updates on our website and social media platforms.

Learn more about metaCCAZE here.