The Communications Research Centre Canada (CRC) opened its doors to two state-of-the-art research laboratories on June 21, 2007.

A small group of guests convened for a networking breakfast and a “sneak peek” of the newly-completed facilities, which include the Photonics Laboratory and the Research in Advanced Antenna Technology Laboratory (RAATLab). The two labs will ensure CRC’s continued research and development (R&D) leadership in the areas of photonics and antenna technologies.

A short opening ceremony was led by CRC President Veena Rawat, with the help of the ADM of Industry Canada’s Spectrum, Information Technologies and Telecommunications Sector, Michael Binder, and the Interim Chair of CRC’s CRC Advisory Council, Tom Hope. Other attending guests included senior representatives from Algonquin College, Nortel, the Canadian Space Agency, Defence R&D Canada and from various universities.

Following the program, guests enjoyed a preview of both labs, guided by researchers who will work in the new facilities under the direction of Bob Kuley, who leads CRC’s photonics group, and Michel Cuhaci, leader of the research team in antenna technologies.

Antenna research is used in the development of any system that is wireless, ranging from cell phones and laptops to major satellite systems. The new RAATLab provides the research team with access to two different modes of antenna measurement – a shielded anechoic far-field antenna measurement chamber (1 to 40 GHz) and a shielded anechoic compact range for antenna measurement (2 to 100 GHz). The group has a well-established research network with several Canadian universities and conducts R&D through a combination of in-house, university and industry participation. The network is used to coordinate research activities and complement the participants’ expertise.

The knowledge base accumulated through the antenna research program is made available to Industry Canada, National Defence and other government departments or agencies for the development of new wireless communication systems, regulations and policies, and to Canadian industry for commercial exploitation. Technology transfer to industry is a primary objective and is achieved through the licensing of prototypes, knowledge transfer as part of collaborative R&D, and on-the-job training of Canadian university students who are later employed by industry.

CRC’s new Photonics Lab is a 40,000 square-foot expanded facility, with new laboratories, equipment and offices for staff and guest workers. Recognized as a Canadian pioneer in optical communications, CRC has been involved in photonics R&D for more than 30 years. Throughout its rich history, CRC has been credited for a number of technological breakthroughs in the field.

One of the most notable milestones is CRC's discovery of UV photosensitivity, which has been recognized as one of the four major milestones in the development of optical communications technology. CRC is also world-renowned for its invention of several types of Fibre Bragg Grating (FBG) components, which generated a FBG fabrication industry essential to the use of optical communications systems today. Nearly 50 companies worldwide, including six Canadian companies and several successful spin-offs, have licensed this technology from CRC. The resulting Intellectual Property (IP) revenues to CRC from FBG since 1994 total more than $10,000,000. Globally, the total sales of FBGs since 1999 is estimated at $800 million, of which Canadian companies account for approximately 20 per cent.

Most recently, CRC patented the ultrafast IR laser technique for Bragg grating inscription, which induces photosensitivity in any transparent optical material. This new technology promises to expand the application of Bragg gratings into crystalline materials for nonlinear optical switches, high-power fibre lasers and high temperature fibre-optic sensors.