16 August 2011
PHOENIX PHOTONICS IN KEY EUROPEAN UNION PROJECT FOR NEXT GENERATION TELECOMMUNICATIONS
UK fiber optic leader to look at innovative components for 100-fold increase on today’s technology limits
Phoenix Photonics, the UK-based fiber optics specialists, is taking part in a key European Union collaborative R&D project to investigate the technologies required to achieve a 100-fold increase on current telecommunications optical fiber-based network capacity limits.
Phoenix is focused on the critical components part of the project as the EU looks to create an innovative new platform to keep pace with world demand as the telecommunications market moves relentlessly towards potential gridlock as the physical capacity limitations of single mode fiber transmission is reached.
“Components providing the functionality of a network are the fundamental building blocks of any system,” said Phoenix Photonics’ CEO Dr Ian Giles.
“The new fibers proposed within the project – known as MODE-GAP – to facilitate spatial division multiplexing, demand a whole new range of components. Our role is to address the challenge to provide these advanced fiber components, which will be based on our proven in-house technologies”.
MODE-GAP is a project funded under the EU 7th Framework Programme. It is seeking to provide Europe with a lead in the development of the next generation internet infrastructure. Combining the expertise of eight world-leading photonics partners, MODE-GAP will develop transmission technologies based on specialist long-haul transmission fibers, and associated enabling technologies such as novel rare-earth doped optical amplifiers, transmitter and receiver components and data processing techniques to increase the capacity of broadband networks.
Other organisations involved alongside Phoenix are the University of Southampton’s Optoelectronics Research Centre, ESPCI ParisTech, OFS Fitel Denmark APS, the COBRA Institute at Technische Universiteit Eindhoven, Eblana Photonics Ltd, Nokia Siemens Networks GMBH & Co. KG and the Tyndall National Institute of University College Cork.
For further information, including a photograph of Ian Giles, please contact Brian Dolby or Emma Johnson on +44(0)1636812152 or by email to brian.dolby@proactive–pr.com or emma.johnson@proactive-pr.com.
About Phoenix Photonics
What is Phoenix Photonics?
Phoenix Photonics is a UK based manufacturer and R&D specialist in components and instrumentation for fiber optic technology and applications worldwide.
What part of the market is the company focused on?
Primarily optical fiber test and measurement instrumentation for the telecommunications and sensing industries. Phoenix also supplies University R&D departments and research establishments looking to develop next generation technologies and solutions.
Why is that important?
Telecommunications is a critical part of the fabric of society worldwide and faces enormous challenges such as high-bandwidth broadband provision and next generation networking for both fixed and mobile networks. The Phoenix technology base enables it to support both today’s customers and demands and also to look at developments which will be needed for the next 10-50 years.
What makes you different and differentiates you from your competitors?
The Phoenix technology, people and customer focus. The technology allows Phoenix to provide low-cost high-quality products to truly scalable levels to meet global market demands. This delivery is backed by co-founder experience covering 35 years, with a total commitment to working closely with customers and providing a “partnership” approach in order to match their specific requirements.
What new areas are you looking at in terms of the company’s future?
As R&D specialists Phoenix is concerned to keep its customers in the forefront of market demands. As part of this involvement in the future, CEO Dr Ian Giles is Project Manager for the European Commission’s 7th Framework Collaborative R&D project, MODE-GAP – which is researching and looking to develop the technologies required to manage and operate networks capable of handling up to 100 times greater capacity than is possible with current solutions.
Phoenix is also being supported by the UK Government TSB (Technology Strategy Board) in developing its next generation products and solutions for the worldwide market.
