Laboratory to lead comms technology research

New lab to provide focus for industrial collaborators who will help shape the future direction of the research and extend teaching and training.

The University of Strathclyde is setting up a GBP 2 million laboratory to boost its world-class research into communications technology.

The state of the art facility will be used by researchers at the university's Institute of Communications and Signal Processing to develop and enhance communications networks.

Their goal is to improve the technology to cater for faster, more reliable multimedia services through multiple channels such as computers, PDAs and mobile phones, and to allow them to be used in any location at any time.

The announcement comes in the same month Glasgow was chosen to host the IEEE International Conference on Communications - the world's biggest event of its kind - which attracted some of the world's top engineers, academics and researchers to Scotland.

Ivan Andonovic, ITI Techmedia Professor of Broadband Networks, says: "Over the last two decades, the communications industry has moved at a rapid pace".

"Businesses and home computer users are demanding faster, more reliable services comprising a mix of rich content, and above all, are available for use any time, any place".

"Our research concentrates on how we can develop the networks to cater for the next generation of networks".

"We expect to see mobile networks shared by a number of service providers and so we are looking at the challenges of enhancing those networks and managing resource".

"This new lab will allow us to expand our unique research and expertise base".

"With communications technology playing an ever-more important part in the global economy, this is a timely and exciting investment, and we look forward to working closely with industry, helping to ensure Scottish technology remains firmly on the world stage".

The Intelligent Dynamic Communications Network Laboratory, named after the late Professor Geoffrey Smith, will house wireless and wired communications network test equipment, as well as related software and hardware technology.

In addition to facilitating long term research, the lab will provide a focus for industrial collaborators who will help shape the future direction of the research and extend teaching and training.

Prof Andonovic adds: "Professor Smith was instrumental in setting up the Institute of Communications and Signal Processing".

"His hard work and vision for the field were inspirational, and we are delighted his family will formally open the lab".

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