Government of Canada’s client-driven telecommunications research centre – an innovator in wireless telecommunications focused on what is possible and what works
Since 2014, the Communication Research Centre’s (CRC) research has been guided by our Grand Challenges projects, which tackle the fundamental problem of the need for spectrum for our wireless communications so that Canadians will benefit in the digital economy. Leading the world in many research areas, we have achieved some exciting milestones including spectrum monitoring demonstrations, a 5G test site at Ottawa City Hall, and advances in big data analytics, artificial intelligence and machine learning.
The Grand Challenges focus on understanding the use of spectrum, using it better, and increasing its supply – three separate challenges in support of sustainable spectrum management. Now after significant progress in each area, as envisioned, they are evolving into a unified single program with a goal of enabling dynamic spectrum allocation.
CRC's R&D assists in resolving critical wireless communications issues of Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada's Spectrum and Telecommunications Sector (STS). The CRC also works in collaboration with other government, academic or industry clients.
Wireless technologies:
- network technologies
- propagation and antennas
- information processing
Applications and performance:
- performance evaluation
- radio technologies
- network applications
Data Science:
- Big data analytics
- Cloud computing
- AI and machine learning
- Defence and security industries
- Environmental technologies and related services
- Healthcare and social services
- Information and communication technologies and media
Specialized labs and equipment
| Specialized lab | Equipment | Function |
|---|---|---|
| Spirent Vertex Advanced MIMO OTA Emulator | Wireless Communications Equipment: 30 MHz - 6 GHz, 8 x 8 bi-directional MIMO up to 100 MHz and 4 x 4 bi-directional up to 200 MHz bandwidth. Supports classic and geometric channel models. | |
| Ixia Network Traffic Generator Platform (IxLoad and IxNetwork SW) | Wireless Communications Equipment: PerfectStorm Module: 4x 1GE/10GE traffic ports Layer 4-7; Novus Module: 8x 1GE/10GE traffic ports Layer 2-3 | |
| Keysight PXIe Microwave Signal Generator, M9383A | Wireless Communications Equipment: Wideband Vector, 44 GHz, +10 dBm, 1 GHz BW | |
| 2.4-61 GHz double-directional channel sounder | Wireless Communications Equipment: Records and visualizes radio channel characteristics at 2.4, 3.5, 5.8, 13, 26, 38, and 61 GHz | |
| Anechoic chambers | Anechoic chambers for non-reflective, non-echoing, echo-free radio frequency testing | Different configurations for far-field at 1 - 40 GHz, spherical near-field at 2 - 50 GHz, compact range at 2 - 100 GHz, or as a shield room |
| Big Data Analytics Centre | Collaboration, demonstration, interactive and immersive spaces | Over 250 square metres of space including a collaboration area, an interactive learning area with multimedia kiosks, a demonstration area for interactive demos and displaying research, and an immersive area for research, presentations and live demonstrations with a 3 metre by 7 metre screen. |
| Long-Term Evolution (LTE) Testbed | A wireless LTE test network in Ottawa
| A wireless test network with 4 cell sites operating in LTE band 14 at the CRC, Kanata Research Park, Gateway Business Park, and Ottawa City Hall. The network makes use of Evolve Packet Core (EPC), Polaris Network, NetEPC release 11, with LTE eNodesBs |
| City of Ottawa 5G Test Site | Outdoor wireless test site at Ottawa City Hall | In partnership with the City of Ottawa, the CRC has built an outdoor 5G test site at City Hall that can be setup with a millimetre-wave transmitter/base station and Engineered Surfaces to shape wireless coverage. The facility can be used to showcase 5G wireless applications in Ottawa. Models and simulation capabilities complement the equipment placement and operation. The site also has access to Cloud and high-speed transmission capabilities. |
Additional information
| Title | URL |
|---|---|
| Big Data Analytics Centre | http://www.crc.gc.ca/eic/site/069.nsf/eng/00105.html |
| City of Ottawa 5G Test Site | http://www.crc.gc.ca/eic/site/069.nsf/eng/00102.html |
| City of Ottawa 5G Test Site Video | http://www.crc.gc.ca/eic/site/069.nsf/eng/00085.html |
| Communications Research Centre Video | http://www.crc.gc.ca/eic/site/069.nsf/eng/00069.html |