$3.42 million joint Industrial Chair will explore next-generation cell phone technology

The University of Calgary is launching a $3.42 million research project into next-generation cell phone technology, as a result of the creation of a new jointly funded Chair.
The iCORE/NSERC/TRLabs Industrial Chair award will support Dr Jim Haslett's development of a research program called the Wireless Science and Technology Initiative. This is the Alberta Informatics Circle of Research Excellence’s (iCORE’s) first award in its new Industrial Chair Establishment program and also a first for joint sponsor Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC). The two funding organizations will work with TRLabs to create this position.

“The Alberta Government's commitment to research and technology development is diversifying our economy by continuing to grow our knowledge-based sector,” said Victor Doerksen, Minister of Alberta Innovation and Science. “Knowledge is the most important renewable resource and the Alberta government is working with others to attract, establish, grow and retain top researchers and companies in Alberta.”

“This kind of collaborative program is a model for initiatives that will establish the highest standards of achievement in Canadian research,” NSERC President Dr Tom Brzustowski said.

Dr Jim Haslett is full professor of electrical and computer engineering at the University of Calgary. His research program will concentrate on the development of advanced radio frequency integrated circuits for next-generation wireless products. His research has potential industry application in a wide array of devices – anything using cell phone technology.

“The main thrust of the research is to improve on today’s low bandwidth, glitch-prone technologies for cellular phones, personal digital assistants, and the like. Eventually worldwide, truly mobile, rather than merely portable, computing with full multimedia capability will be achieved by this industry. Short range wireless communication will permeate all aspects of our lives, from grocery shopping to vehicle operation, position and repair,” Dr Haslett explains.

The research will be carried out in direct collaboration with TRLabs and its industrial sponsors, intended to allow a direct transfer of the appropriate technology and trained personnel to industry.