Novocomms has secured £1.5 million of funding from Innovate UK (on behalf of the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology) to develop novel switch solutions that will deliver ultra-high speed wireless access. Granted under the Contracts for Innovation initiative, work on the research project has already commenced, with the aim of creating a new generation of high-performance antenna.
The use of switches in sophisticated antennas is an emerging area of interest within communications, especially in the fields of satellites, defence, and fixed wireless access – all industries in which Novocomms has significant experience.
Commenting on the new funding, Colin Tucker, chairman of Novocomms, said: “The components we are developing are based on addressable, low-loss semiconductors which can be used to switch signals to the elements of an antenna array across a wide range of frequencies. This addressability reduces the complexity of the PCB on which the array of elements is mounted and hence reduces the cost of the board. This increase in antenna performance and reduction in cost is vital in the global comms market – giving us as a proud UK company, a tangible competitive advantage.”
The development of this technology is important to the antennas that Novocomms designs and builds, since they can contain large numbers of switches, sometimes running into thousands. These switches represent a large part of the building cost of these antennas and hence significantly influence the cost of the whole RF system. In addition to the cost of the switches, the addressable capability (which is not available from off-the-shelf products) enables the price and complexity of the PCBs on which the switches are mounted to be significantly reduced.
With its headquarters in Birmingham UK, Novocomms, is partnering with Viper RF Limited, to assist in the design and production of the switches. Based in County Durham, Viper RF has significant experience and skill in the development and production of high frequency RF semiconductors.
