huupe, which has created the first smart basketball hoop, with a full-size backboard that doubles as a display, has selected the Quectel FC900E Wi-Fi 5 and Bluetooth 5.0 module across its intelligent basketball products. Using huupe hoops, players train with real workouts, see their stats in real time, and stream content from the hoop itself. The huupe mini, which is sold through major retailers, brought that experience to a retail price point, and the huupe arena scales it up for larger spaces and facilities.

Each system combines a full-size backboard with an integrated display, on-board shot tracking, and a connected training platform so players can train with guided workouts, track makes and misses automatically, stream content, and compete with other players remotely. The product needs reliable, low-latency Wi-Fi for streaming video and cloud-connected training, but it is packaged inside a large metal-framed structure that is unfriendly to radio frequency (RF). Board space near the system-on-chip (SoC) is also limited, and a key requirement was for the design to clear FCC certification on an aggressive retail schedule.

huupe therefore selected the Quectel FC900E Wi-Fi 5 and Bluetooth 5.0 module, paired with a Quectel flex antenna. The module’s 12mm x 12mm LCC footprint, SDIO host interface, and dual-band 2.4/5GHz radio fit the embedded Linux platform on the huupe mini, occupying minimal board area. Once the FC900E was proven in retail volume on the huupe mini, the identical module and antenna were carried straight into the huupe arena, avoiding a second RF design and certification cycle.

Automatic shot tracking with smart basketball hoops

Players using the huupe products get an always-connected training experience that includes automatic shot tracking and stats, guided workouts and drills, streamed games and content, remote competition with other players and app control from a phone, all delivered over Wi-Fi with no cabling to the hoop itself. Firmware and content are updated over the air, so the product keeps improving after purchase.

huupe selected the Quectel FC900E Wi-Fi 5 and Bluetooth 5.0 module and accompanying flex antenna thanks to the module’s compact footprint, minimal board area requirements, and SDIO interface. It was also attracted by proven Linux driver support and straightforward bring-up on an embedded SoC platform. Competitive cost at retail volumes, a single supplier for both module and antenna, and the availability of supply were also key requirements alongside Quectel’s high-quality field application engineer support.

“Quectel’s FC900E gave us a compact, dependable Wi-Fi and Bluetooth solution that we could prove out on the huupe mini and carry straight into the huupe arena without redesigning our connectivity,” says Paul Anton, CEO at huupe. “That consistency lets our engineers focus on the training experience instead of the radio. We plan to keep building on the same platform as we expand the product line.”

huupe had been looking for a single supplier for both the module and the antenna that offers a broad Wi-Fi and Bluetooth portfolio with consistent footprints, solid documentation, and Linux driver packages, as well as a responsive support team. The combination made it low risk for huupe to standardize on one connectivity design across multiple products. A single, proven Wi-Fi and Bluetooth design now ships across the huupe product line.

“We’re delighted that huupe has chosen the Quectel FC900E plus our flex antenna for both the huupe mini and huupe arena products,” said Brandon Oakes, NA Director of Sales, GNSS and Short-Range at Quectel Wireless Solutions. “We look forward to playing our part in helping basketball players improve their shots, layups, and assists with the smart capabilities huupe delivers. It really is a slam dunk.”