As the Canadian government's primary laboratory for advanced communications R&D, CRC provides valuable technical expertise to its main government clients: Industry Canada, Department of National Defence and the Canadian Space Agency.

CRC also works with other government departments on global communications technology issues and challenges. Its partners include Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness Canada, the Canadian Security Establishment, the Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade, Agriculture and Agri-food Canada and the Federal Government's Science & Technology Integration Board.

2003-2004 highlights:

Industry Canada

• CRC provided input for the new UWB, SDR and MIMO technologies described in this report.
• CRC completed technology development for the transmission of RF signals on optical fibre to eliminate re-modulation at the end of an optical fibre distribution system.
• Work continued on the extension of the signal analysis and modulation recognition capabilities of the Spectrum Explorer' for spectrum monitoring.
• Research continued to improve DTV coverage without increasing transmitter power. Work focused on receiver capabilities in a multipath environment and their operation in the presence of on-channel repeaters.
• A digital audio broadcasting (DAB) receiver characterization program was set up to verify the performance of receivers arriving in Canada, and their optimal use within the Canadian DAB frequency allocation plan.
• Research was conducted on the development of low-cost satellite earth terminal antennas designed to use dual feeds or special reflectors to produce specific nulls in their pattern. The technology would accommodate closer satellite spacing in the 12 GHz Fixed Satellite Services band for satellite broadcasting (Star Choice).
• RF fingerprinting of wireless LAN is being developed as a means of enhancing wireless security.

Department of National Defence (DND)

• CRC concluded a major study aimed at improving the efficiency of DND networks over protected military satellite systems. A network interface protocol has been implemented to provide application quality of service, improved file transfer response time and more efficient use of satellite bandwidth.
• Trans-Atlantic demonstrations are providing valuable insight for the design of future global coalition networks. The experiments, conducted as part of the multinational Interoperable Networks for Secure Communications project, examined for the first time the technical and architectural issues associated with the migration from IPv4 to IPv6 for military use. The technical information will help DND develop a national response to recent policy directions for IPv6 migration issued by the U.S.
• CRC is investigating techniques to reduce interference between military tactical VHF/UHF radios co-located on mobile vehicles. In typical operations, close-in high-level RF signals from transmitters can prevent signal reception. Analysis of field-based measurements of antenna coupling of radios was completed and co-site radio interference mitigation techniques have been identified.
• With Defence Research and Development Canada Ottawa, CRC is developing the Military Digital Analysis System (MiDAS-LD) spectrum measurement and monitoring technology under a $1.5M U.S. contract with the U.S. Marine Corps. An extension of the Spectrum Explorer' technology, the technology is better able to address challenges in a tactical military environment.
• CRC's WISELAB demonstrated an effective and reliable network-centric warfare broadband military communications system for the Canadian Forces Experimentation Centre. The system centred on an Uninhabited Airborne Vehicle and involved terrestrial, airborne and marine operations.

Canadian Space Agency (CSA)

• CRC is providing CSA with program and technical expertise for the Payload Flight Demonstration Program. Launched in mid-2004, the Anik-F2 satellite will allow the use of advanced multimedia technologies capable of providing high-speed services anywhere in Canada.
• Under a $2M Memorandum of Understanding with CSA, CRC is providing program and technical management support for the new four-year CSA/Technology Partnerships Canada Cascade Payload Technology Demonstration Program. CRC's efforts will be directed towards the CASSIOPE mission, a joint Canadian science and telecommunications mission scheduled to fly in 2007.