Located on the Shirleys Bay campus in Ottawa, the Communications Research Centre Canada (CRC) is the government’s primary laboratory for advanced telecommunications R&D. With research expertise built up over more than 50 years, CRC has an extensive track record of success in the field.

CRC has been involved in some of the most significant developments in communications in Canada. From the Alouette satellite, which made Canada the third nation in space, to the first Canadian link to the ARPANET, which was the predecessor to the Internet, CRC has helped Canada lead the way in communications.

Today, CRC has been divided into four main research branches, looking at broadband network technologies, terrestrial wireless technologies, satellite communications and radio propagation, and broadcast technologies. Each of these branches conducts research activities that are looking ahead – beyond today’s "technology horizon" and into the future.

The results of the research activities at CRC are far reaching. The technologies being developed as a result of CRC research have been licensed to organizations and companies around the world, being included in products that are used every day.

But CRC’s impact goes even further. The expertise and knowledge developed as a result of that research is applied to other areas as well. CRC provides program management for major satellite communication projects and it creates partnerships with Canadian and international organizations. It also acts as an independent source of technical advice for telecommunication policy and regulatory decisions made by the government.

“From Alouette...to ARPANET,....
CRC has helped Canada lead the way in communications”

Technology Transfer & Commercialization

The commercialization of technology is at the heart of the government’s plan for Canada. Taking the R&D being carried out in Canadian labs and universities and bringing them to market has been identified as one of the key ways that Canada can continue to grow its economy. But it’s more than just the economy that benefits from commercialization. Without it, the potential benefits of new Canadian technologies, benefits to communities and all Canadians, will never be realized.

CRC is a leader in technology transfer and commercialization for the government. With over 330 licenses and 230 patents, CRC has over 90 distinct technologies available for use by the private sector. The revenues brought in by these technologies are used to help continue the research at CRC, contributing to even more developments in the future.

Working with Partners in Canada and Around the World

One of CRC’s key advantages is the links it has established with Canadian and international partners. Over the years, CRC has worked with dozens of academic institutions, private sector companies, and government departments and agencies from around the world. CRC has extremely close ties with many Canadian government departments, often partnering with them on important research areas of mutual interest and conducting research on their behalf. CRC researchers contribute to many international standards organizations, and regularly participate in international tests and trials to develop those standards.

Through collaborative agreements, CRC also participates in many joint R&D projects with organizations from around the world, working to further develop important technologies that will benefit everyone.

CRC Innovation Centre

The foundation of Canada’s economy is the success of small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). Through the CRC Innovation Centre, SMEs in the information and communication technologies sector have a partner they can count on to help them succeed.

The Innovation Centre helps out start-up companies, as well as some more established ones, by providing work space and access to CRC experts, helping them develop and test their technologies. This close link to one of the largest concentrations of top technology researchers in Canada means that these companies have a unique opportunity to benefit from CRC’s accumulated knowledge and expertise.

Supporting Research Activities

CRC offers many corporate services to support its R&D activities and to promote the results of these activities. In addition to functions such as human resource management and finance related activities, researchers have access to services such as the model shop, creative and visual services, communications services and the technology transfer office.

CRC also acts as the landlord for the Shirleys Bay campus, with a number of other departments and agencies taking advantage of the concentration of expertise and services located on site. As such, CRC is responsible for ensuring the maintenance of the campus as well as the health and safety of staff working on site.