CSIRO is working on enabling technologies for future mobile and wireless communications networks and developing next generation imaging and sensing systems.
We are entering the era of ubiquitous and pervasive communications networks – and this means increased demand for reliable, wide bandwidth wireless connections.
Current wireless networks have problems such as:
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unreliability
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incompatibility
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low data rates.
CSIRO's wireless technologies researchers (some 70 scientists and engineers) are working on innovative solutions to these problems.
Our capabilities
Our research focuses on:
Our Research
Our research is applied in areas such as:
Communications
We are investigating:
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increasing wireless network capacity, throughput and the robustness of signals by, for example, developing antennas that reconfigure themselves to make the most efficient and flexible use of the radio spectrum
Our communications research aims to increase wireless network capacity, throughput and the robustness of signals.
We are particularly interested in cognitive networks.
In cognitive networks, intelligent nodes, equipped with technologies like those detailed above, cooperate among themselves to deliver information with improved link reliability, capacity and coverage – even in rural and remote areas.
Imaging
Our research focuses on terahertz waves, those above millimetre-wave and below the far infra-red (300 gigahertz to 10 terahertz).
Terahertz waves can reveal details of many kinds of concealed objects and are safe for biological material, including humans.
Potential applications include:
Positioning and sensing
We are developing radio technology to locate and track people and assets in technically challenging environments, such as underground and in built-up areas.
Applications include monitoring:
Supporting radio astronomy
Together with CSIRO’s Australia National Telescope Facility, we’re developing antennas and associated technology for the Australian Square Kilometre Array Pathfinder.
Track record
Our major achievements include:
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world's first six Gigabits per second wireless link, for which we won the 2007 CSIRO Chairman’s medal and the Australian Engineering Excellence Award
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the most spectrally efficient and multi-user multiple input, multiple output system in the world, 2006
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smart feed for Australian Square Kilometre Array Pathfinder telescope, 2008
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two-way surface-to-underground mine safety communications, 2006, and technology transfer to MineSite Technologies
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invention and of non-contact radio frequency vital signs sensors licensed to HD Medical, 2005-2007
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high precision ad hoc positioning and tracking system for the Australian Institute of Sport, 2009.
Learn more about CSIRO's work in Broadband for Australia.
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