Wireless Systems

• Spectrum - New research investigated adaptive approaches for spectrum use, particularly at frequencies below 1 GHz. The concept involves the use of non-contiguous unoccupied radio channels in which signal waveforms adapt to the propagation and interference environment. CRC researchers developed a flexible OFDM waveform concept that is highly suited to non-contiguous variable bandwidth operation.
  
• Antenna research - Multi-layered antenna structures were developed to solve transmit/receive isolation issues for multi-beam antenna systems. Spatial power combining techniques were studied in collaboration with universities, and a high gain reflect array structure was developed to generate circularly polarized antenna for small satcom terminals.
  
• Broadband Services - Researchers continued to develop technology for the MILTON system, a new high-speed wireless link technology. Field trials will be conducted near Ottawa in 2004-05. Cognitive software, which includes interference mitigation, network control and power control, will be developed and tested in the second stage of the trial.
  
• Ultra Wideband (UWB) - Evaluation continued on the cumulative effects that UWB device emissions have on the ambient noise levels of the electromagnetic environment. An electromagnetic compatibility assessment methodology was developed to determine the potential interference of UWB devices on radio communication systems, and to measure potential interference of UWB on cell phone systems.
  
• Multi-Input Multi-Output (MIMO) - CRC developed an experimental MIMO system for channel characterization and testing of signal processing concepts for mobile communications. Signal processing advances include the development of adaptive channel-tracking and iterative algorithms for high-capacity MIMO communications, and the evaluation of generic algorithms for multi-user detection using antenna arrays. MIMO systems promise capacity and performance gains for both civilian and military communications applications, particularly in urban areas.
  
• Monolithic Microwave Integrated Circuit (MMIC) - CRC hosted three National Science Council researchers, in collaboration with Taiwan, to study efficiencies in delivering broadband services to rural and remote areas using 30 GHz satellite systems. The team developed several MMIC designs incorporating novel uniplanar structures that demonstrate the feasibility of producing much smaller integrated circuits.
  
• Software Defined Radio (SDR) - CRC continues to gain worldwide recognition for its expertise in SDR, a new radio technology that will help police, firefighters and other emergency personnel communicate with each other during a crisis. Since producing its open-source reference implementation of the Software Communications Architecture (SCA) in 2002, CRC has developed a complete portfolio of software tools for developing SDR technology. Within Canada and abroad, CRC has provided instructional courses to industry, licensed its tools and participated in the improvement of the SDR standards.