An R&D Manager’s Perspective

TechExpoOctober 5, 2004

Presented by: Veena Rawat

www.crc.ca

A Glimpse of CRC

• Primary federal government laboratory for advanced communications R&D – Agency of Industry Canada

• Major clients: Industry Canada, National Defence, Canadian Space Agency, Canadian industry

• $71M annual budget (2003-2004)

• 235 research staff, 180 corporate staff

• Mission – To help identify and close the innovation gaps in Canada’s communications sector by:– engaging in industry partnerships– building technical intelligence– supporting small and medium-sized high-technology

enterprises

www.crc.ca

Main Thrusts

R&D

Long term R&D to strengthen expertise in key technology areas

Major client-driven activities; IC, DND, CSA and industry

Rural and Remote Broadband Access Program

www.crc.ca

Roles of Federal Laboratories

• Support decision-making, policy development and regulations – rural and remote broadband access– S&T policy and horizontal integration– spectrum management

• Support development of standards (e.g. ITU, NATO, IEEE)

www.crc.ca

Roles of Federal Laboratories

• Support public health, safety, environmental and/or defence needs (e.g. 25% CRC business is for Defence)

• Enable economic and social development (e.g. Innovation Centre)

• These roles are supported by the guiding principles:– Alignment– Linkages– Excellence

www.crc.ca

Industry Canada’s Priorities

• Economic Development– lead the development of broad framework and

policies for economic development

• Science and Technology– develop and implement S&T policy and programs to

increase research and commercialization

• Marketplace– set administrative rules for a fair, efficient and

competitive functioning of the Canadian marketplace

www.crc.ca

CRC’s Core Expertise

• CRC maintains a critical mass of expertise in:– wireless systems – communications networks – radio fundamentals – interactive multimedia – photonics

www.crc.ca

R&D Directions

Client Priorities

ExtramuralNetworking

International Technology Trends

Board of Directors

www.crc.ca

Research DriversTechnology Trends and Issues

• Broadband• Wireless• Next Generation Internet• Cyber Defence• Public Safety• Security

www.crc.ca

• Government Priorities– economic, social and security issues

• Client NeedsClient Needs– Industry Canada– National Defence– Canadian Space Agency– Private Industry and Universities

• International Research– main contact point for international S&T

initiatives in the ICT Sector

Business Drivers

www.crc.ca

CRC’s Main Clients

• Industry Canada – Spectrum Research Program

– terrestrial wireless, fixed and mobile satellite services, broadcasting services, electromagnetic compatibility, and telecommunications standards

www.crc.ca

CRC’s Main Clients

• National Defence– R&D conducted for Defence R&D Canada

– projects span several communication layers from physical, through network to application, and addresses growing military requirements in network-centric operations for communications interoperability, increased information flow, and effective mobile communications in complex environments

www.crc.ca

CRC’s Main Clients

• Canadian Space Agency– Satellite Communications Program – Canadian

Space Plan– Program management and technical authority

for domestic satellite communications programs

www.crc.ca

• Private Industry– technology commercialization through IP

CRC’s Main Clients

78%

16%

6%

Licenses

Collaborations

Contracting-in

427 Active Agreements226 Active Patents covering 94 inventions

www.crc.ca

• Private Industry– incubation at CRC’s Innovation Centre

– 40 companies incubated since 1994– eight companies currently on site– recent success stories: Skywave Mobile,

Nimcat Networks, Spotwave Wireless

CRC’s Main Clients

www.crc.ca

R&D Management Process

• Ongoing consultation with clients to define their priorities

• Advice and guidance from CRC’s Board of Directors

• Annual strategic planning exercise• CRC R&D community – opportunities for

collaboration identified

www.crc.ca

R&D Outcomes

• Economic growth through technology transfer and company creation

• Advancement of knowledge - strong scientific knowledge base to maintain global competitiveness

• Increased collaborative efforts on issues and challenges of national and international concern

• Policies and regulations based on informed decision-making

www.crc.ca

As a Public Lab we...

• Know technology trends and issues• Know our research strengths• Respond to government priorities through

collaboration, contracting-in, licensing and incubation

• Stay connected to our external environment• Listen to key players in the S&T community• Turn our knowledge into the right research

decisions

Visit us at

www.crc.ca