To develop “the next generation” of the equipment (routers, network switches, gateways, etc), over the next 13 months, the funding will enable it to recruit up to ten new electronic engineers with the potential to eventually create a further 50 production jobs if the new technology is successful. The high-performance CPE will be aimed at premises that require high band widths without access to alternatives such as fibre optic.
Currently available high-speed CPE units use existing technology for the new 28 GHz bands, says the Birmingham-based company, which may not deliver the full potential of 5G at mmWave frequencies. Novocomms will be using “a combination of next-generation silicon and software, combined with an electronically steerable antenna”.
“We’re delighted to have secured this funding from the SBRI, as it gives us the vital support we need to develop new technologies that will be used across the world,” said Sampson Hu, founder and CEO of Novocomms.
“This is not simply research and development but is linked commercially to our belief that the global market for 5G mmWave devices is enormous. Our predictions on the huge potential for this technology were re-confirmed at this year’s Mobile World Congress, where there was a lot of interest in the adoption of 28 GHz.”
Novocomms plans to deliver its system over the next 13 months.
See also: Novocomms lightens L Band load with NovoSat dual-port antenna
