CRC Office of Business Development

The Communications Research Centre (CRC) is focused on wireless research and innovation, aiming to develop groundbreaking technology solutions to address Canada’s spectrum management challenges. They offer collaborative opportunities, leveraging advanced research facilities and intellectual property for academia, industry, and government to optimize wireless communication technologies, particularly in the realms of dynamic spectrum management and 5G development.

The Communications Research Centre (CRC) in Canada is dedicated to advancing the nation's capabilities in wireless communication through cutting-edge research and development. The CRC aims to tackle significant challenges in spectrum management, integrate new technologies, and foresee future trends in wireless communication. This comprehensive initiative is designed to foster a collaborative environment where academia, industry, and government entities work together to push the boundaries of current wireless technologies and applications. **1. CRC's Research Priorities** The CRC organizes its research priorities into several key areas: **Grand Challenge Research and Development:** The primary aim is to generate a strategic capability demonstration or a proof-of-concept that influences Canada's spectrum management and usage significantly. This type of R&D is often best accomplished through strategic collaborations, which CRC actively seeks to foster with various partners as their Grand Challenges evolve. **Direct Client Support:** CRC's dedicated R&D focuses on addressing critical wireless communication issues for clients in the federal government, particularly those within the Spectrum and Telecommunications Sector (STS) of Innovation, Science, and Economic Development Canada. This involves collaborating with clients to identify and resolve policy-based, regulatory, standards-based, or operational issues through technical fixes or in-depth research. **Wireless Technology Foresight:** The foresighting function collects both internal and external information to provide government with insights into ongoing and emerging trends and issues in wireless technology. This includes sourcing data from scientific, technical, and market sources both domestically and internationally, as well as utilizing results from CRC's own research projects and the expertise of their scientific staff. **2. CRC's Expertise and Collaboration Opportunities** CRC’s wealth of expertise spans various domains: **Wireless Technologies:** The center boasts comprehensive knowledge in network technologies, propagation and antennas, and information processing. **Applications and Performance:** CRC specializes in performance evaluation, radio technologies, and network applications. **Chief Technology Office:** This office is equipped with cross-cutting expertise and systems knowledge that unify and bolster CRC's overarching R&D priorities. CRC extends its research capacity and innovation potential by collaborating with academia, industry, research labs, and institutes. Partners may gain access to CRC’s world-class research facilities, internationally recognized scientists, and a robust intellectual property portfolio, which can facilitate faster product development and release. Some specific areas of technological advancement and collaboration include: **Dynamic Spectrum Management Solutions:** This involves real-time adjustment and optimization of frequency use, which is crucial for honing efficiency in wireless communication systems. **Millimetre-Wave Propagation Measurements and Modelling:** This line of research supports the evolution to the fifth generation (5G) of broadband wireless communication technologies. **Antenna Design and Optimization:** By advancing designs, especially for 5G arrays, CRC supports the development of next-gen wireless technologies. **Spectrum Monitoring:** Enhancing spectrum monitoring capabilities, particularly through CRC's Spectrum Explorer® software, is another key area of collaboration. **Printed Electronics and Engineered Surfaces:** By innovating in this realm, CRC is pushing forward new applications and efficiencies in wireless communications. **3. Research Facilities and Resources** CRC offers access to several specialized research facilities. Two notable examples include: **5G Test Site in Ottawa:** Developed in partnership with the City of Ottawa, this outdoor test site at City Hall demonstrates 5G mobile devices' capability to communicate via millimetre waves. It explores methods to extend 5G coverage without additional transmitters, a crucial aspect of future urban communication networks. **Big Data Analytics Centre (BDAC):** This facility utilizes big data analytics, cloud computing, crowdsourced information, data fusion, and state-of-the-art visualization to enable unprecedented levels of research. It supports sustainable spectrum management and the exploitation of vast amounts of spectrum data. **4. Importance of Strategic Collaborations** The CRC’s collaboration strategy is to complement its internal skills and knowledge by joining forces with external partners. This symbiosis not only enriches the CRC’s research prowess but also provides partners with invaluable resources and expertise: **Access to Cutting-Edge Facilities:** Partners can utilize CRC’s world-class research and testing facilities, which are instrumental for advancing studies in dynamic spectrum management and 5G technologies. **Interaction with Leading Scientists:** Collaborators benefit from working alongside CRC’s team of internationally recognized experts, which can substantially boost the calibre of research and outcomes. **Intellectual Property Portfolio:** CRC's extensive portfolio comprises patents, licensable software, data, and technical know-how, available under various terms. Access to this intellectual property can greatly expedite the development and release of new products. **Case Studies of Successful Collaborations:** - CRC has worked with industry partners to enhance designs of 5G arrays, pivotal for the next generation of wireless communications. - Collaborations with universities have led to the development of advanced design techniques for reflect-array antennas and new methods to leverage big data analytics for spectrum knowledge. **5. Opportunities for Academia and Industry** Academics and industry professionals have a unique opportunity to engage with CRC on diverse research projects and technological advancements: **5G Networking and Applications Development:** Organizations with expertise in these areas can collaborate using the CRC-City of Ottawa test site, furthering the real-world application and development of 5G technologies. **Big Data and Machine Learning in Spectrum Analysis:** Universities and research institutes can partner with CRC to explore innovative uses of big data, AI, and machine learning for spectrum management and beyond. **Practical Applications:** Any organization looking to optimize wireless technology designs and implementations, enhance radio and network technologies, or develop cutting-edge technological solutions stands to benefit greatly from partnering with CRC. In conclusion, the CRC is at the forefront of wireless technology research and development in Canada. Its focus on dynamic spectrum management, 5G advancements, and collaborative projects positions it as a leading hub for innovation. By engaging with CRC, academia, industry, and government agencies can leverage their extensive facilities, intellectual property, and expertise to propel Canada's wireless communication capabilities into the future.