National Spectrum Centre’s Mission
The mission of the National Spectrum Centre (NSC) is to future-proof spectrum solutions by accelerating spectrum innovations through research and experimentation.
The Need
The radio spectrum, from VLF to optical frequencies and beyond, is part of a nation’s soft infrastructure and directly contributes to a nation’s social and economic growth through applications such as; mobile communications, radar, telemetry, sensors, broadcasting and navigation system. These systems are used across the whole industrial and consumer base such as:
- manufacturing
- building and construction
- entertainment
- transport
- health
- food and agriculture
- security, defence and emergency services
As the radio spectrum is a finite resource, which is in constant demand, there is a need to be able to test and evaluate and accelerate innovations in: new applications and technologies, spectrum sharing, assurance, spectrum policy; and develop new skills, etc. to meet national economic growth needs.
The National Spectrum Centre is a collaboration between QinetiQ and Aberystwyth University. It aims to use the unique Welsh environments as test ranges and provide easy access to spectrum and user environments, national facilities, capabilities and know-how. It will help organisations research, develop, innovate, train and test spectrum-dependent systems more quickly, thoroughly and at lower cost than ever before.
What we can offer
Ultimately, the Centre’s aim is to support the whole engineering lifecycle of radio systems - from concept, assessments and demonstrations, to assisting with manufacture and in-service support when required, and ultimately disposal. With the Centre’s hub location in mid Wales, it can offer:
- Unique access to remote but accessible natural environments (land, sea and air) and built assets for repeatable experimentation.
- Experimentation management service to design, plan and help conduct complex RF experiments.
- The opportunity to exploit MoD spectrum and “spectrum sandpit” for experimentation.
- The ability to conduct remote experimentation in safe and secure environments.
- The ability to roll out pilot programmes to small user communities in order to reduce risk.
- Functional ability to provide practical training in a safe and secure environment.
- Access to UK technical experts.
Benefits
Benefits of working with the NSC include:
- Reduce capital infrastructure costs.
- Overcome short-term resourcing constraints by tapping into the wider community, including SME’s and academia.
- Mitigate the risk of product development and deployment by providing safe areas for pilot activities.
- Drive spectrum-innovations via the collaborative environment.
- Risk management, manage the risk of complex outdoor experiments.
Contact Details
If you would like to be involved in the development of the Centre or have specific requirements you would like to discuss, please contact:
Dr Anil Shukla
QinetiQ Fellow and Technical Leader
Email: ashukla@QinetiQ.com
Dr Sue Pester
NSC Project Co-ordinator
Email: nspstaff@aber.ac.uk