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Dielectric Receives Grant to Develop New Design for
Universal Rural Wireless Broadband Access
June 22, 2009
Source: Dielectric Communications
Wireless Communication Laboratory
at University of Maine to Yield Significant Economic and Technological
Benefits for School and State
Dielectric Communications, a division of SPX and a leader
in broadcast antenna systems, has been awarded a grant in
the amount of $2.2 million from the Maine Technology Institute's
Maine Technology Asset Fund (MTAF) to develop a wireless communication
laboratory at the University of Maine.
In collaboration with the University, Dielectric will work
to expand its cutting-edge wireless technology platform to
new applications — including a more cost-effective method
of delivering wireless broadband services to fixed and mobile
users in rural Maine that can then be applied in other rural
areas worldwide.
"Not only will the MTAF grant provide the foundation
for global growth opportunities for our company, which has
been doing business in Maine for 67 years, but it's a win-win
for the state and the University as well," said Garrett
VanAtta, president of Dielectric Communications. "We
expect the laboratory to evolve into a global center for wireless
innovation, which will attract new federal and industry grant
funds to the University and better prepare engineering students
for high-tech positions. And, since other Maine businesses
will have access to the technology, the promise of wireless
broadband access for all Maine citizens may soon become a
reality."
Within the Maine Wireless Communication Laboratory, Dielectric
and the University of Maine will work to create new capabilities
in environmental testing, high-power RF and microwave circuit
design, and wireless networking and communication system design.
"The establishment of a new state-of-the-art laboratory
at the Electrical and Computer Engineering Department will
allow University researchers and Dielectric engineers to work
toward the creation of the next generation of wireless communications
devices and networks," said Dr. Mohamad T. Musavi, chair
and professor of the ECE Department. The novelty of this collaborative
project is in the development of enhanced design, testing,
and fabrication of complex wireless systems with 10 times
the coverage provided by existing technology.
This improvement in coverage allows a substantial reduction
in the number of cell towers needed. In alignment with a desire
by Dielectric and the University to develop "green"
solutions, the implementation of this technology also results
in significant energy savings.
This technology development is expected to provide many high-tech
jobs to the Maine economy in the near term, in addition to
creating future employment and internship opportunities within
the state for graduating students.
The Maine Wireless Communication Laboratory is expected to
begin operations by the end of 2009.
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