Simon Fraser University’s (SFU) research and development of wireless technology is set to receive $325,000 in government funding. The aim of the funding is to help foster collaboration between academia and industry, and for SFU to establish an advanced antenna testing and measurement facility.
“This initiative will help grow British Columbia’s emerging wireless sector and increase its ability to compete in the global market,” said Abbotsford MP Ed Fast in a released statement.
The federal funding will allow SFU to establish a state-of-the-art laboratory through the purchase of specialized equipment, including an antenna measurement chamber, a near field scanner and an optical spectrometer. The advanced research facility will boost the competitiveness of the B.C. wireless sector, and foster the design and development of new wireless technology prototypes and products.
“SFU will be the only university in North America with on-site access to this equipment, helping to raise the profile of SFU in the global research community, attracting international scholars and visiting researchers,” said Dr. Mario Pinto, Professor and Vice President of Research Simon Fraser University.
The SFU wireless facility is designed to accommodate multiple research teams and development engineers from industry partners. The new antenna testing and measurement laboratory is expected to be up and running by summer 2008.
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