ICT Innovation Impact: The Prompt 2007-2008 Report

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The Power of Innovation

ICT Innovation Impact: R&D, Results and Return The 2007-2008 Prompt Report

The Power of Innovation

Table of Contents

“Prompt-supported partnerships are an integral part of InterDigital’s corporate research activities. We regard our university-based partners as an extension of our R&D team, complementing our internal advanced technology initiatives. We are enthusiastic about the results of our current collaborations with McGill and Concordia Universities and believe that these initiatives will have a very positive impact on our technology roadmap. Prompt serves as an excellent talent scout for the industry, facilitating access to the wealth of expertise across Québec’s university network.”

Michel Desgagné Vice-President, InterDigital Canada, InterDigital Communications

“Prompt bridges a critical gap between small-tomedium-sized companies, helping to connect industry to the best minds in the academic community and new sources of funding. This allows growing companies such as iBwave to capitalize on knowledge and know-how in universities, applying these to their business. Prompt plays an essential role, as academic researchers do not often speak the same language or share the same perspective as their private sector partners. Prompt bring these two worlds together, in a cost-effective and efficient way.”

Mike Cegelski Executive Chairman and Chief Strategic Officer, iBwave

ICT Innovation Impact: R&D, Results and Return...

Powered by Prompt

2

Prompt at a Glance

4

Letter from the Chair

6

Letter from the President and CEO

8

Information and Communications Technologies…

Creating a ‘Smarter’, More Connected World... and a Stronger Economy

10

University-Industry Major Projects: 2006-2008

12

Highlights: 2007-2008

14

Success Stories

16

Leveraging Scientific Leadership

28

Prompt Board of Directors, 2007-2008

30

Prompt Members, 2007-2008

31

ICT Innovation Impact: R&D, Results and Return...

Powered by Prompt

For the entrepreneur... who aims to develop a working prototype… to demonstrate an exciting new technology to investors who can help bring it to market...

For the small-to-medium-sized company... that requires more R&D capacity...to undertake lucrative next-generation research and fulfill a promise of high return...

For the well-established company... that seeks the next disruptive technology…and the highly qualified people who can turn new ideas into world-class products...

For the university research leader... who strives to gain greater leverage from public research investments and infrastructure...to develop brilliant minds...and to push the boundaries of science...

For the government investor... who pursues cutting-edge ways to stimulate commercialization...to attract foreign investment... and create innovation models that generate real results—and real return...

For the people of Québec... and others around the world...who believe in the power of discovery...in technologies that deliver cleaner air, water and the promise of a healthy future for our children...that accelerate the detection, diagnosis and prevention of disease…that reduce life-threatening errors in the emergency room…that improve the safety of our military heroes as they serve and protect...that bridge us to every corner of the globe.

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Years Prompt $3 million 2003-2005 2006-2008 † $1.8 million 2008-2010 $4 million

Since its inception in 2003, Prompt has stimulated: • A return of more than 2-to-1 for every dollar invested by the Government of Québec, leveraging $14.1 million from the provincial government to stimulate R&D partnerships valued at $30 million in cash contributions to universities, complemented by an additional $4.8 million of in-kind contributions from industry. › Following Prompt’s ‘proof-of-concept’ phase (20032005), this rate of return is steadily approaching 3-to-1.

• A return of more than 7-to-1 for companies engaged in Prompt-supported projects that benefit from additional funding from the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council (NSERC) of Canada and other granting agencies, and scientific research and experimental development (SR&ED) tax credits from provincial and federal governments.

Overview: Cash Investment in Prompt-supported R&D Major Projects, 2003-2010 Years Prompt 2003-2005 $3 million 2006-2008 † $1.8 million 2008-2010* $4 million

Industry $300,000 $2 million $4 million

NSERC $5.1 million $2.1 million $6.5 million

Total $8.4 million $5.9 million $14.5 million

† Includes investment in Canada-China partnership

Years

Total Number of Projects

Number of Companies

Number of Universities

Number of Researches

2003-2005

12

12

11

180

2006-2008

14

15

9

200+

2008-2010*

24

26

11

TBC

Industry $300,000 $2 million $4 million

NSERC $5.1 million $2.1 million $6.5 million

Total $8.4 million $5.9 million $14.5 million

Overview: Prompt-supported R&D Major Projects, 2003-2010 Years

2003-2005

2006-2008

2008-2010*

Number of Major Projects

3

3

3

Total Number of Targeted R&D Partnerships

12

14

22

Number of Companies

12

15

27

Number of Universities

11

9

10

Number of Researches

180

200+

TBC

* Prompt will host an additional Call for Proposals for a Green ICT Major Project in spring 2009, with funds to be allocated by the end of year.

Each Major Project is comprised of several targeted R&D partnerships that address specific challenges in a given area of focus or theme. This ‘Major Project model’ addresses the unique needs of an ICT sector that is comprised of many small-to-medium-sized companies.

By bringing together researchers with complementary skills and requirements in thematic programs, Prompt is helping to establish communities of R&D interest with critical mass. This facilitates partnerships between academic and industrial researchers with ICT competence, and accelerates the development of new expertise.

3

Prompt at a Glance

Prompt is a non-profit corporation that stimulates industry-university R&D partnerships to increase the competitiveness of the Information and Communications Technologies (ICT) sector in Québec.

Leveraging investment from the Government of Québec, the private sector and the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council (NSERC), Prompt facilitates the development of new alliances that increase the R&D capacity of Québec-based companies, maximize public investments in research and enable the development of highly qualified people by: • Providing funding for pre-competitive R&D partnerships that engage at least one company, and two universities...Prompt stimulates collaborative projects that must be completed within two years of funding to ensure synergy with industry timelines and market windows.

• Brokering new relationships amongst researchers, developers and leaders in academia, industry, government and the investment community in Québec—and increasingly across Canada and around the world...Prompt is a catalyst for the creation of dynamic teams, the expansion of business networks, and the stimulation of new opportunities.

• Creating a virtual technology showcase for innovators in Québec...Prompt serves as a key information source and voice for the ICT industry.

Maximizing the impact of three employees, Prompt has stimulated nine Major Projects, comprised of 48 targeted university-industry partnerships. Generating more than $30 million in cash contributions to universities, these R&D collaborations engaged over 40 unique industry partners. Prompt is also leading several pan-Canadian and transcontinental initiatives, with an increasing

“It is often very challenging for companies to identify and attract top R&D talent, particularly promising university students. Prompt provides an effective mechanism to source engineers with relevant expertise and experience. They bolster the ‘research’ side of the R&D equation, generating new ideas that can lead to novel product development. As an industry partner, Ultra Electronics benefits directly from the outcomes of Prompt-funded projects. We gain significant leverage on these initiatives–and have hired some of our best collaborators from universities across Québec.”

Alan Barker President, Ultra Electronics, Tactical Systems

4

number of partners across the United States of America and China.

The partnerships facilitated by Prompt are financed by the private sector, the Government of Québec and the Government of Canada. As these initiatives often receive additional funds from the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council (NSERC) and other granting agencies, and scientific research and experimental development (SR&ED) tax credits from provincial and federal governments, the value of every dollar invested by a company can generate a return of more than a factor of seven.

Building on an injection of more than $6 million from the Government of Québec in February 2008 and an ambitious strategic plan, Prompt will expand the scope and number of its partnerships during 2008-2010. Given the increasing convergence of different technologies and scientific disciplines, Prompt will aim to help companies capitalize on the increasing demand for information and communications technologies in all sectors of the economy—from life sciences to environment, aerospace, automotive, public safety and energy.

These opportunities extend beyond the borders of Québec—and Canada. As global opportunity expands, Prompt is increasing its emphasis on the development of international partnerships that develop and attract new expertise, resources and investment to Québec.

‘000 CAD$ 300 290 280 270 260 250 240 230 220 210 200 190 180 170 160 150 140 130 120 110 100 90 80 70 60 50 40 30 20 10 0

Financial Leverage That Drives Growth Investment

University fees $27,750 NSERC $100,000

Prompt $85,000

Business $100,000

Total amount invested in R&D $257,250 SR&ED related savings $64,566 Cost to business $34,434

X7.26

In the above simulation, the total tax benefits and SR&ED related cost savings can vary according to the size of the company.

An example: A company invests $100,000 in a joint research project with a Quebec-based university. As scientific research and experimental development (SR&ED) tax credits are made available to the company through the Governments of Canada and Québec, the total cost of the project to the company becomes $34,000.

Prompt contributes 85% of the company’s total investment directly to the university, adding $85,000 to the project. NSERC contributes 100% of the company’s investment directly to the university, adding $100,000 to the project. Once the university has deducted standard administration fees for research, the total investment in the university-industry R&D project is about $257,000. The net cost to the company is $34,000.

Because of Prompt’s contribution, and the leverage gained through other investments and tax credits, the value of every dollar invested by a company can be worth more than a factor of seven.

5

Letter from the Chair

The year 2007-2008 has proven to be a year of significant achievement for Prompt. It is a year characterized by leadership and action to build a stronger, more integrated ICT industry that increasingly contributes to many sectors of the economy: by the pursuit of new regional, national and international partnerships that enable Québec-based companies to exploit economic development opportunities and global markets; by the stimulation of new domestic and foreign investment in provincial R&D; and by the development of new collaborations that deliver results—and return—to the citizens of Québec.

Prompt has one focused and important mission: to build university-industry R&D partnerships that give ICT companies a competitive edge in the global economy.

My commitment to Prompt, as Chair, active industry member and project investor, is simple; it is a model that works. This non-profit corporation is adding value to companies of all sizes, from large multinationals such as Ericsson, to medium-sized enterprises and emerging start-ups. Prompt not only funds new industryacademic R&D partnerships—providing significant leverage on every dollar invested—Prompt facilitates new partnerships. This brokering role is invaluable to industry, as it enables companies to identify and work with the ‘right’ partners in a highly cost-effective and efficient way.

And the results are tangible. This report highlights key outcomes of Major Projects undertaken from 2006 to 2008. I encourage you to learn how the results of Prompt-supported projects are influencing corporate strategy and technology decisions; stimulating the development of new products and services; creating

Pierre Boucher Chair of the Board of Directors, Prompt Director, Research and Innovation, Ericsson Canada

6

viable sales and marketing opportunities for companies of all sizes; and enabling the development of highly qualified people required by Québec-based industry.

It is these and other results that garnered an infusion of more than $6 million for Prompt from the Government of Québec in February 2008. This strategic investment will allow the corporation to fulfill its role as an economic development agent in Québec, and to increase the number and scope of collaborative research and development initiatives that we support.

Not only will we aim to deliver even greater value to ICT companies, we will strive to support the R&D undertaken by their collaborators, customers and partners in life sciences, environment, aerospace, automotive, public safety and energy.

the commercialization of ICT solutions and related applications that reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

As we conclude this banner year, I would like to extend sincere thanks to the many stakeholders who contribute to the success of Prompt and the R&D collaborations we stimulate. This includes our investors, Directors, Scientific Advisors, External Expert Committee members, employees—and perhaps most important, the university and industry collaborators who are increasing the competitiveness of Québec—one partnership at a time.

Consistent with our strategic plan, Prompt launched a call for collaborative proposals for Major Projects in new areas such as E-health, Public Safety and Integrated Wireless Optical Networks earlier this year.

The organization brought together R&D leaders from 20 companies, 10 universities and five public research centers and funding agencies to discuss research interests and project ideas this past spring. These activities helped to stimulate more than 30 Letters of Intent for 2008-2010. We have received an increasing number of multidisciplinary and multi-technology research proposals that have potential applications in different sectors of the economy.

Prompt is also demonstrating leadership in new sectors, and addressing key global sustainability issues.

I am particularly proud of our Green ICT initiative that aims to establish a North American network to support

7

Letter from the President and CEO

Aspire—take action—deliver results. These simple, yet focused objectives truly define what has been a landmark year in the history of Prompt. As we launch a new round of partnerships that impact many sectors of the economy—with our greatest investment to date—I am inspired by our collaborators, investors and stakeholders, and what we can achieve together as a community.

From 2006-2008, Prompt stimulated three Major Projects comprised of 14 targeted university-industry R&D partnerships. This includes two partnerships in digital video, four in photonic technologies and networks, and seven in active pervasive networks and enabling technologies; and our first Québec-China partnership. These initiatives engaged a total of nine universities and 15 companies from Québec, across Canada and around the world.

And industry is truly our raison d’être. Prompt-supported partnerships offer a compelling value proposition—and high return on investment—for companies. Prompt contributes the equivalent of 85 percent of company’s investment directly to the university participating in a project. When combined with research funding from other agencies, and government tax credits the value of every dollar invested by a company can be multiplied by a factor greater than seven.

But it is not just the return on investment that differentiates Prompt from other R&D consortia.

Since our inception, our corporation has maintained an entrepreneurial approach, brokering activities, and minimal overhead, now investing less than 10 percent of our total budget in program management and administration. This allows Prompt to commit a majority of its funds to industrially relevant projects that

Charles Despins, Ph.D., Eng. President and Chief Executive Officer, Prompt

8

generate near-term value to corporate partners. With a total of three employees, Prompt does not build R&D partnerships in isolation. Our members and partners take an active role in Prompt’s strategy development and execution, garnering benefits that far exceed our program, our sector, and our province. These innovation leaders volunteer their time and contribute to the operation of Prompt because every stakeholder benefits from this partnership.

It is also a model that positions Prompt as a transparent and impartial broker, enabling all contributors to build projects in a completely neutral environment. Prompt does not seek equity positions in start-ups, intellectual property rights or royalties from licensing agreements.

We provide cash, innovative ideas and the opportunity to connect with potential collaborators. This simplifies the often complex university-industry partnership equation, increasing the confidence of academic and industry participants, and creating a platform to develop a concrete and results-oriented plan.

In addition to facilitating collaboration among universities and companies in Québec, Prompt is developing strategic alliances with organizations across Canada and abroad. We are targeted in our approach, focusing on opportunities that offer mutual benefit and leverage to stakeholders in Québec—and and to their future customers, partners and employees around the world.

Prompt is also building bridges between innovators in Québec and China. This includes the establishment of a transcontinental virtual laboratory between École de technologie supérieure (ÉTS) in Montréal, and the Shanghai Research Center for Wireless Communications (WiCo) in China. With industrial collaboration from Wavesat (Montréal) and ZTE (China), this Remote Research Collaboration Facility is enabling researchers and developers on both sides of the Pacific Ocean to access and operate test equipment remotely.

Moreover, it is the cornerstone of a growing research and innovation relationship between Québec and the Shanghai Municipality, as well as with China more broadly.

Québec has established a distinct innovation ecosystem, with a rich talent pool that is differentiated from other parts of the world. I would like to recognize the many academic, industry and government partners, employees, investors, Directors, Scientific Advisors and Committee Members who demonstrate leadership and actively contribute to the development of this community. Prompt is proud to partner with you to stimulate R&D partnerships that fuel the economy of Québec, and deliver economic and social benefits to its citizens.

For example, Prompt signed an agreement with the Québec Federation of Chambers of Commerce (QFCC) and the Plattsburgh-North Country Chamber of Commerce in June 2008 to increase collaboration between Québec and New York State on homeland security research projects.

9

Information and Communications Technologies…Creating a ‘Smarter’, More Connected World...and a Stronger Economy

Information and Communications Technologies (ICT) are intelligent devices and systems—comprised of hardware and software—that enhance our interaction with each other and the world around us…whether we are in our home, the office or a hospital; traveling by plane, train or automobile; enjoying a rock concert, playing a video game or exploring the natural environment.

These technologies enable the collection, storage, processing, transmission and presentation of information and related services.1 Prompt’s scope covers the broad ICT field ranging from hardware to software, as well as from components to networks and applications. This enables Prompt to build a critical mass of projects in different industry sectors (such as healthcare, public safety etc.).

ICT value chains are increasingly defined along these vertical markets. The major ICT subsectors are: • Microelectronics—the design and manufacture of tiny electronic components made from semiconductors • Photonics—the science of generating and controlling light for applications • Wireless Technologies—the challenge of transmitting and receiving information through the electromagnetic spectrum • Telecommunications Networks and Services—the configuration of communications equipment and ensuing user applications • Software—programs, routines and symbolic languages that drive hardware, creating a myriad of complex applications in various spheres of human activity • Multimedia—combinations of text, audio, still images, animation, video and interactive content

Today, Canada’s ICT sector consists of more than 30,000 companies (largely small-to-medium-sized firms) that generate $140 billion in annual revenues.2 Combined, these companies employ more than half a million people, more than 40 percent of whom hold university degrees. Canada’s ICT sector is not only a major source of job creation, it is also an important contributor to the country’s gross domestic product.

In 2007, ICT-sector companies contributed more than $57 billion to the country’s total output and spent more than $6 billion in R&D—more R&D than one-third of the total money spent on research and development by all of Canada’s private-sector companies.

Québec is a hub for ICT innovation, with 5,000 companies that employ about 140,000 people, invest $600 million in private R&D and generate annual revenues of $26.4 billion.3 These firms have exported more than $5 billion worth of ICT products each year in the past five years. With 17 universities across the province, there is an abundance of talented university graduates who fuel the growth of this sector. This is further enhanced by a strong innovation ecosystem that leverages government labs, innovation agencies and R&D consortia such as Prompt.

The broad scope and pervasive nature of these technologies across different industry sectors—and throughout our lives—enables alliances with those organizations that exploit similar business models in other fields. For example, NanoQuébec has partnered with Prompt to support nanotechnology elements of three projects for 2008-2010. Discussions are also underway with the CRIAQ (aerospace) and Hexagram (multimedia arts) for subsequent partnerships.

“Prompt is a natural partner for NanoQuébec. As part of our mandate to strengthen innovation in nanotechnology, our organization supports the operation of university-based infrastructure across Québec. Many Prompt-supported researchers and industry collaborators already benefit from access to these state-of-the-art laboratories. We are further strengthening our relationship with Prompt by contributing to three recently funded projects that exploit micro- and nanotechnologies.

We look forward to exploring additional initiatives that aim to stimulate continued growth of the micro-nanosystems market in Canada.”

Robert Crawhall President and Chief Executive Officer, NanoQuébec 10

Beyond direct contributions such as aggregate sales or employment numbers, the innovations emerging from Canada’s ICT community are driving economic growth and human progress powerfully, but indirectly, through technological convergence.

These convergent systems enable applications across all sectors, for example: • Life sciences...diagnostic and wireless devices for monitoring the physiology of patients, and the bioinformatics of human genome mapping • Aerospace...advanced advanced avionics and air traffic control systems • Arts and Entertainment...video video games, nextgeneration digital media applications, available ‘on demand’ and increasingly interactive • Environment...information information technology that improves energy efficiency and reduces greenhouse gas emissions • Energy...smart smart metering systems for energy management • Telecommunications...cell cell phones and PDA devices, optical networks that enable videoconferencing for distance education, WiFi • Defence...real-time real-time surveillance and communication systems for military personnel • Automotive...GPS-based GPS-based navigation and emergency response systems

1. http://web.worldbank.org 2. http://www.ic.gc.ca/epic/site/ict-tic.nsf/en/h_it07229e.html 3. http://www.gouv.qc.ca/portail/quebec/international/usa/commerce/ secteurs_economiques/technologies_information_communications/

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Total value of Major Projects, 2006-2008: $6.1 million (includes cash and in-kind contributions)

University-Industry Major Projects Supported by Prompt: 2006-2008†

Prompt investment: $1.6 million

Major Projects Projects • Active, Pervasive Networks and Enabling T Technologies echnologies (APNET) Photonics T Technologies echnologies and Networks Digital Video $ Principal Investigator

Industry Partner

Industry Cash

$

$

$

$

Industry In-kind

Prompt Pr ompt

NSERC

Total T otal Investment

Pattern for T Tactical actical Communication Systems Partnership • Agile Antennas with Reconfigurable Pattern Dr. T Dr. Tayeb ayeb Denidni, Institut national de la recherche echerche scientifique, Énergie, Énergie, Matériaux et T Télécommunications élécommunications

Ultra Electronics Electronics

60,000

60,000

60,000

120,000 *

300,000

Dr. Abdel Razik Sebak, Concordia University Collaborator Dr.

Processing and T Transmission ransmission T Techniques echniques for Wir Wireless eless Communication Networks Partnership • Collaborative Signal Processing Dr. Tho Le-Ngoc, McGill University Dr.

InterDigital

150,000

80,000

150,000

132,000

512,500

20,000

80,000

-

180,000

-

540,000

Dr. Benoit Champagne, McGill University; Reza Mohammad Solemani, Concordia University University Collaborators Dr.

Forensics: Processes, Processes, T Techniques echniques and T Tools ools Partnership • Cyber Forensics: Dr. Mourad Debbabi, Dr. Concordia University Concordia

Bell Canada

80,000

Dr. Rachida Dssouli, Concordia University; Dr Dr.. Nadia T Tawbi, awbi, Université Laval Collaborators Dr.

Frequency Division Multiple Access Strategies Partnership • Evaluation of Mobile Wideband Orthogonal Frequency Dr. François Gagnon, Dr. École de technologie supérieure supérieure

ISR T Technologies, echnologies, Ultra Electronics Electronics

240,000

150,000

150,000

Dr. Ammar Kouki, École de technologie supérieur supérieure; e; Dr Dr.. Jean-Jacques Laurin, École Polytechnique de Montréal; Collaborators Dr. Dr.. Y Dr Yvon von Savaria, École Polytechnique de Montréal; Dr Dr.. Claude Thibeault, École de technologie supérieur supérieure e

Prototyping and Real-World Real-World Evaluation of Multi-Mode Super 3G Antenna-Array T Transceivers ransceivers Partnership • Prototyping Dr. Sofiène Af Dr. Affès, fès, Institut national de la Ericsson Canada recherche echerche scientifique, Énergie, Énergie, Matériaux et T Télécommunications élécommunications

100,000

150,000

100,000

200,000** 200,000

550,000

150,000

220,000

580,000

Collaborator Dr Dr.. Sébastien Roy, Université Laval

Traf raffic raf fic Management and Service Engineering for Next-Generation Networks Partnership • T Dr. Tho Le-Ngoc, McGill University Dr.

Ericsson Canada

150,000

60,000

Collaborators Dr Dr.. Ferhat Khendek, Concordia University; Dr Dr.. Fabrice Labeau, McGill University

Wireless Healthcare: Healthcare: Minimization of Medication Errors Errors in a Québec Hospital Emergency Room Using Wireless Wireless Information Partnership • Wireless Dr. Ber Dr. Bernard nard Segal, McGill University; nard Dr.. Christopher T Dr Trueman, rueman, Concor Concordia dia University; Dr Dr.. Lise Poissant, Université de Montréal Montréal

Nortel, Bell Canada

260,000

70,000

150,000

283,000

Collaborators Dr Dr.. Marc Béique, McGill University Health Centre; Centre; Dr Dr.. Allen Huang, Royal Victoria Hospital; Dr Dr.. Robyn T Tamblyn, amblyn, McGill Universit Universityy

“Prompt invested in the Agile All-Photonic Networks during the early part of the decade when the market for Information and Communications Technologies was declining. This enabled us to increase awareness about the importance of research on optical networks during challenging economic times, and demonstrate Québec’s leadership in photonics research and development.

Prompt has directly contributed to our research objectives and helped to establish a base of photonics expertise in Québec that is second to none.”

David Plant, PhD Scientific Director, Agile All-Photonic Networks Chair, Electrical and Computer Engineering, McGill University 12

763,000

Industry cash: $1.8 million NSERC investment (during the two-year term of Prompt-supported projects): $2.1 million

Principal Investigator Partnership

Industry Partner

$

$

$

$

$

Industry Cash

Industry In-kind

Prompt Pr ompt

NSERC

Total T otal Investment

Optical Code Division Multiple Access for High Capacity Passive Optical Networks–Proof-of-Concept Networks–Proof-of-Concept Dr. Leslie Rusch, Université Laval Dr.

Telus T elus

160,000

29,400

150,000

150,000

489,400

92,400

69,000

92,400

170,000 *

423,800

140,000

160,000

140,000

Collaborator Dr Dr.. David Plant, McGill University Partnership

High-Performance W Wavelength avelength Converters Dr. Roberto Morandotti, Institut national Dr. de la recher recherche echerche scientifique Énergie, Matériaux et Énergie, Télécommunications T élécommunications

Cyrium T Technologies echnologies

Collaborators Dr Dr.. Vincent Aimez and Dr Dr.. Richard Ares, Ares, Université de Sherbrooke Sherbrooke Partnership

Micro-optical Micr o-optical Switches—Thermochromic Switches—Thermochromic VO2 Smart Coating Dr. Mohamed Chaker Dr. Chaker,, Institut national de echerche scientifique, Énergie, la recher recherche Énergie, Matériaux et T Télécommunications élécommunications

MPB Communications

-

440,000

Dr. Joëlle Mar Margot, got, Université de Montréal; Montréal; Dr Dr.. Josée Azana and Dr Dr.. Jean-Claude Kief Kieffer fer, fer, Collaborators Dr. echerche scientifique, Énergie, Institut national de la recher recherche Énergie, Matériaux et T Télécommunications élécommunications Partnership

Topological T opological Design T Tools ools and Ultra-Fast Electro-Optic Devices for Agile All-Photonic Networks Dr. David Plant, McGill University Dr.

Anritsu Electronics, Electronics, BTI Photonics Systems, JDS Uniphase, Nortel, T Telus elus

150,000

150,000

150,000

466,000** 466,000

916,000

200,000 *

440,000

Collaborator Dr Dr.. Mohamed Chaker Chaker,, Institut national de la rrecher echerche scientifique, Énergie, echerche Énergie, Matériaux et T Télécommunications élécommunications Partnership

Personalized Adaptation and Management of Audiovisual Documents Based on Content Dr. Djemel Ziou, Université de Sherbr Dr. Sherbrooke ooke Bell Canada

100,000

40,000

100,000

Dr. François Deschênes, Université de Sherbrooke; Dr Dr.. Douglas O'Shaughnessy, Collaborators Dr. echerche scientifique, Énergie, Institut national de la recher recherche Énergie, Matériaux et T Télécommunications élécommunications Partnership

Design of Computer Modules for Video Pr Processing ocessing and their Interfacing with an Interconnection Interconnection Fabric Dr. Y Dr. Yvon von Savaria, École Polytechnique de Montréal Montréal

Gennum, Tundra T undra Semiconductor

100,000

100,000

100,000

170,000 *

470,000

Collaborator Dr Dr.. Claude Thibeault, École de technologie supérieur supérieure e

† University-industry Major Projects do not include Canada-China projects

* NSERC funding during the two-year term of the project

“I proudly contributed to the co-founding of Prompt in 2003, together with many esteemed colleagues from academia and industry across the province. I can attest to the impact of Prompt on academic research and discovery. Prompt creates multi-disciplinary, multi-sectoral teams that bring together researchers from several universities and the private sector. This increases the research capacity of each individual collaborator, while strengthening the innovation ecosystem in Québec.”

Edwin Bourget, PhD Vice-Rector, Research and Innovation Université Laval

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Highlights: 2007-2008

November 2007—The Power of Innovation: Prompt 2007 Annual Symposium Prompt brought together over 150 leading researchers, industry, academic and government representatives at its Annual Symposium in Montréal, Québec. This flagship event featured technical presentations, discussions on key ICT research and development challenges, overviews of research results, a wealth of networking opportunities, and the launch of Prompt’s new image.

February 2008—Raymond Bachand, Minister of Economic Development, Innovation and Export Trade of Québec, Announces $6.15 Million in Funding for Prompt to Stimulate New Industry-University Partnerships that Increase the Competitiveness of the ICT Sector Prompt will leverage this investment to increase the scope and number of industry-university R&D Major Projects, and undertake new R&D brokering initiatives.

February 2008—Prompt Launches Call for Proposals for 2008-2010: E-health, Public Safety and Integrated Wireless and Optical Networks As part of the Call for Proposals (CFP) for 2008-2010 Major Projects, Prompt conducted three roundtable discussions in E-health, Public Safety and Integrated Wireless and Optical Networks (IWON), featuring presentations from small-to-medium-sized companies such as Parallel Geometry, NEWTRAX and TéléMédic, and well-established multinationals such as RIM, Ericsson and InterDigital. It is an approach that is generating results.

In December 2008, Prompt approved funding for Major Projects in these areas, including seven R&D partnerships in IWON, six in E-Health, and eight in Public Safety.

Prompt also allocated funds to one special project.

Building on its role as broker and investor, Prompt has stimulated new regional, national and international R&D partnerships for researchers and developers in companies and universities across the province. These alliances are increasing the competitiveness of Québec’s ICT sector, enabling the development of new expertise and creating new opportunities in the global market.

June 2008—The Federation of Québec Chamber of Commerce and the Plattsburgh-North Country Chamber of Commerce Join Forces with Prompt to Stimulate New Homeland Security Research Projects Building on the creation of a Québec-New York corridor, this unprecedented agreement aims to stimulate trade and strengthen economic ties between the two communities. Prompt will facilitate new cross-border R&D partnerships that develop niche expertise in public safety areas, such as border protection.

October 2008—Prompt Hosts Workshop on the Development of Green Next-Generation Internet (NGI) Technologies and Applications that Reduce Global Warming This workshop attracted over 70 participants from across North America and focused on the development of environmentally sound Next-Generation Internet architectures and applications that reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

October 2008—California, Canada Campuses and Prompt Combat Greenhouse Gas Emissions with Green IT In one of the first efforts of its kind, the University of British Columbia, the University of California, San Diego and Prompt pledged to work together to reduce greenhouse gas emissions on campuses while developing ‘green cyber-infrastructure’—information technology that improves energy efficiency and reduces emissions. Prompt will facilitate university-industry partnerships that aim to translate ‘green’ research results into viable new commercial opportunities for companies in Québec, across Canada and California.

“To solicit new proposals for 2008-2010 Major Projects, Prompt organized roundtables that brought together a synergistic group of researchers, industry representatives and investors who shared one common objective–collaborative R&D that benefits all partners. I don’t know of any other forum like it. As a medium-sized company, we were looking for effective ways to connect with the research community. We presented our research interest in high performance-computing and simulation, and received very positive feedback from several groups. We are now partnering with Dr. Yvon Savaria and his team at École Polytechnique on a new Prompt-funded project. This event was the catalyst that brought us together.”

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Denis Akzam Chief Executive Officer, Parallel Geometry

(Left to right): Dr. John Hepburn Vice President, Research, University of British Columbia; Dr. Charles Despins President and CEO, Prompt; Mr. Jerry Sheehan Director, Government Program Development, California Institute for Telecommunications and Information Technology

November 2008—Launch of Transcontinental Virtual Laboratory Creates a Platform for Canadian and Chinese Companies to Conduct Collaborative R&D and Exploit New Global Markets Prompt launched the ‘Remote Research Collaboration Facility’ (RRCF), a transcontinental virtual laboratory that provides researchers and developers in Montréal (Canada) and Shanghai (China) with remote access to microelectronics and telecommunications equipment located half a world away. The RRCF supports an R&D partnership between École de technologie supérieure (ÉTS) and the Shanghai Research Center for Wireless Communications (WiCo), along with industry partners Wavesat (Montréal) and ZTE (China).

Looking Forward...

In December 2008, Prompt approved funding for Major Projects in E-health, Public Safety and IWON as well as one special project. Unima, an innovative start-up in Montréal, is among the recipients. Led by Lionel and Pascal Audant, the company is working together with researchers at Université de Montréal, École Polytechnique de Montréal and Nankai University in China on the development of a new translation tool that animates Chinese symbols or characters, helping a user to learn a new language in an entirely different way. Prompt is contributing $450,000 to the project, and helping to establish an interdisciplinary team that brings together expertise in software engineering, linguistics, graphic design, animation and anthropology.

According to Pascal Audant, “Without Prompt, it would be impossible for us to generate a $2 million research project right now. This investment will help to accelerate our product development by at least two years.”

Mr. Pascal Audant Chief Executive Officer, Unima Software

(Left to right) Mr. Song Wang, ZTE; Mr. Yang Yang, WiCo; Dr. Charles Despins, Prompt; Dr. Yves Beauchamp, ÉTS; Ms. Chunni Nie, Science & Technology Commission of Shanghai Municipality; Mr. Francois Bouilhac, Government of Québec

(Left to right) Mr. Raymond Bachand Minister of Economic Development, Innovation and Export Trade, Government of Québec; Dr. Charles Despins President and CEO, Prompt; Mr. Pierre Boucher Chairman, Board of Directors, Prompt

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Wireless Technology Promises to Improve the Productivity of Healthcare Professionals—and Quality of Care for Patients

A multidisciplinary research team aims to boost the productivity of physicians and nurses—and the quality of patient care—by enabling the safe and effective transmission of data over wireless networks in hospitals. The team’s first objective: to reduce medication errors in the emergency room by enabling healthcare practitioners to use wireless, handheld devices to access patient information at the time of assessment, enter the recommended medication, and produce a legible, printed prescription that can be dispensed by the community pharmacist.

In 2005, the Canadian Institute for Health Information reported that the chance of a patient receiving the wrong medication or the wrong dose was about 1 in 10.1 Because hundreds of patients are assessed in a typical emergency room each day, doctors and nurses require more efficient ways to manage information—and to minimize errors that compromise patient care. Research suggests that up to 61 percent of medication errors in hospitals are caused by illegible or inaccurately written prescriptions.2 It is a challenge that inspired Dr. Bernard Segal, Director of Research in Otolaryngology at McGill University and at Jewish General Hospital, to join forces with Dr. Christopher Trueman, Associate Dean, Academic Affairs, Engineering and Computer Science at Concordia University. With critical support from Nortel, Bell Canada and Prompt, the researchers aim to permit a safe, next-generation wireless network that enables more rapid, efficient information exchange and management in hospitals.

It is not an easy feat in a complex environment with millions of anticipated wireless sources. The radiofrequency waves emitted by cellular phones and other ICT-based devices can interfere with the performance of medical equipment. As described by Dr. Trueman, “We are developing computer methods that will allow us to identify when and where interference problems may occur. We need this information to design a wireless network that substantially reduces the risk of interference, and is much safer than technology used today.”

Nortel, a key industrial partner, recognizes the importance of this mandate. “Five years ago,we started

(Left to right) Dr. Bernard Segal Director of Research, Otolaryngology, McGill University and Jewish General Hospital Dr. Allen Huang Physician, Geriatric Medicine, Royal Victoria Hospital Dr. Lise Poissant Professor and Researcher, Faculty of Medicine, Université de Montréal 16

Healthcare innovation... powered by Prompt Dr. Segal emphasizes that Prompt played an essential role in establishing the multidisciplinary team required to tackle this complex challenge.

Dr. Robyn Tamblyn Epidemiologist, McGill University

to investigate how information and communications technologies could add value to healthcare professionals,” says Deborah Stokes, Director of External Research with the Office of the Chief Technology Officer at Nortel. “Prompt enabled us to find partners who wanted to introduce new technology directly to users. This provides the opportunity to evaluate different solutions in the field.” Ms. Stokes says the company will use the outcomes of this project to guide decision-making on potential future product development for the healthcare sector.

To ensure the technology addressed the needs of this community, Drs. Segal and Trueman teamed up with Dr. Lise Poissant, Professor and Researcher in the Faculty of Medicine at Université de Montréal, to assess the usability of wireless devices for healthcare professionals. The team initiated a multi-hospital study at the McGill University Health Centre. As a first step, the researchers provided triage nurses and emergency room physicians with ‘MOXXI’ (Medical Office of the 21st Century—www.moxxi.ca), an electronic prescription, drug and disease-management system developed by Dr. Robyn Tamblyn, Epidemiologist with McGill University.

by the information we receive for every patient. The ability to contextualize that information quickly is vital,” he says. “I am convinced that these types of tools will enable us to improve the quality of healthcare for our patients.” Dr. Huang also contributed to the development of the MOXXI system, and continues to be involved in its evolution and deployment.

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According to Dr. Marc Béïque, Chief of Emergency Medicine at McGill University Health Centre, “This solution garnered positive reviews from staff, as it improved their workflow and productivity. We hope to build on this momentum and introduce new wireless technologies into the ER over the next few months.”

Dr. Allen Huang, a physician specializing in geriatric medicine at Royal Victoria Hospital and a target user of the technology, concurs. “Doctors are overwhelmed

“Prompt’s support and investment were critical to this project. It allowed us to leverage funding from industry and NSERC, and establish a team with diverse expertise—from electrical engineering and computer science, to epidemiology and medicine. This type of interdisciplinary collaboration is required to develop ICTbased solutions that can be applied in the healthcare sector,” says Deborah Stokes.

Dr. Christopher Trueman Associate Dean, Academic Affairs, Engineering and Computer Science, Concordia University

Ms. Deborah Stokes Director of External Research, Office of the Chief Technology Officer, Nortel

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The Sky’s No Limit for Researchers at INRS, Université de Montréal and MPB Communications

Imagine a single device that could enable doctors to analyze human blood for a range of pathogens more quickly and effectively than current diagnostic tools, allow astrophysicists to assess the physical characteristics of never-before-charted planets, and help engineers to improve the speed and reliability of optical switching for the telecommunications industry. Sound impossible?

With critical support from Prompt, a team of researchers from the Institut national de recherche scientifique (INRS), the Université de Montréal, and MPB Communications, is developing novel technology with potential applications in the aerospace, life sciences and ICT sectors. The team has developed a new shutter to improve the performances of MPB’s spectrophotometer—a device that measures light intensity as a function of colour. This shutter is more compact and adaptable than similar technologies on the market today.

Spectrophotometers have many applications, but often the device must be adapted to address the needs of the specific product or end-user,” explains Dr. Mohamed Chaker, Professor at INRS, and Canada Research Chair in Plasma Applied to Micro- and Nano-Manufacturing Technologies.

“Our team focused on the development of spectrophotometers for aerospace application. Given the stringent requirements of this industry, we aimed to reduce the weight of a standard spectrophotometer, while maintaining its performance. Our key challenge— as these devices become smaller, their output resolution is compromised or reduced.”

To overcome this hurdle, the researchers developed a miniaturized spectrophotometer with specialized optical slits—similar to ordinary window shutters that can be opened and closed. Covering these slits is an intelligent material that can automatically vary the opacity of the shutters and manipulate the transmission of light, depending on the end-user requirements. This breakthrough design has enabled the research team to

Dr. Emile Haddad Project Manager, MPB Communications

Knowledge transfer... powered by Prompt Dr. Chaker says the opportunity to learn from MPB has been invaluable for students and professors alike. “We are very much a team that works together on every facet of this project. This has enabled researchers and professors to stay apprised of the key challenges facing industry, and provided students with hands-on experience that will be valued by their future employers,” he says.

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build a prototype spectrophotometer that is small, light and precise enough to function aboard satellites.

According to Dr. Emile Haddad, Project Manager with MPB Communications, this innovation will contribute directly to the development of new products at the company. “With a prototype in hand, we can now begin rigorous testing of the device. We aim to introduce our first product for the aerospace industry in about one year.”

He emphasizes that the results of this project could help to address global challenges such as climate change: “The ability to use these instruments on satellites creates new opportunities to improve the monitoring of carbon dioxide and methane gases that contribute to global warming. There is no product like this on the market today.”

Dr. Haddad adds that the enhanced spectrophotometer could be adapted for other applications in the life sciences and ICT sectors. It could, for example, be used to enhance the characterization of blood and other fluids in diagnostic devices. It also provides a starting point for the development of a new microoptical switch—an endeavour that MPB is considering over the next few years.

Dr. Mohamed Chaker Professor, Institut national de recherche scientifique; and Canada Research Chair in Plasma Applied to Micro- and Nano-Manufacturing Technologies

Dr. Haddad says, “Prompt creates a forum where industry and academics can pool and exchange knowledge, while working together on industrially relevant projects. The Prompt model enables small-to-medium-sized companies to undertake new R&D initiatives that might not otherwise be possible.”

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Bigger, Better, Faster…

Meeting Consumer Demand for Bandwidth-Hungry Applications

In an era where YouTube, Twitter and BlogTV are streaming to more hand-held devices every day, Ericsson is partnering with researchers from McGill and Concordia Universities to design a network solution that boosts the quality and consistency of service for consumers who want high-bandwidth applications ‘on demand’.

It is estimated that TV-based Internet video receivers and connected consumer electronics platforms will drive transactional revenues for premium Internet video services will exceed $6 billion.1 For ICT-based device manufacturers, the ability to offer applications such as games and video-playback capability in products is a key differentiator in competitive, consumer-driven markets. But if these capabilities are not properly supported by network infrastructure that ensures high quality and consistency of service, these features are useless to the customer.

It was this demand that motivated Ericsson, a worldleading provider of telecommunications equipment and related services to mobile and fixed network operators, to partner with Dr. Tho Le-Ngoc, Canada Research Chair in Broadband Access Communications, and Dr. Fabrice Labeau, both of McGill University; and Dr. Ferhat Khendek of Concordia Universiity. The team aims to develop network solutions that will boost the quality of wireless-service delivery, regardless of network condition and type of device (such as a cell phone, PDA or computer) on which the end-user receives the data stream.

Network resource management is one of the key challenges in the delivery of broadband services.

It is particularly difficult for providers to ensure a consistent, high quality of service when providing wireless broadband services. Because the functional capability and speed capacity of different end-user devices varies so dramatically, distributing multimedia services over networks to a consistent quality standard is a complex task. Dr. Le-Ngoc calls this ‘the networkbandwidth challenge’.

Yves Lemieux Researcher, Broadband and Systems Group, Ericsson Canada

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R&D match-making... powered by Prompt Dr. Le-Ngoc believes that Prompt’s involvement in the project inspired researchers at McGill and Concordia to pursue collaboration with a global powerhouse such as Ericsson.

Dr. Tho Le-Ngoc Canada Research Chair in Broadband Access Communications, McGill University

“End-users often get frustrated if a video takes 10 seconds to load,” says Dr. Le-Ngoc. “Video is an application that demands a significant amount of network resources. We need to improve the way this information is managed on wireless networks.”

The project addresses this challenge by examining three different elements that contribute to the network bandwidth problem: the wireless, network and application elements. The team strives to design a network architecture that enhances the management and processing of information for bandwidth-hungry applications such as peer-to-peer interactions and ondemand video.

“We see a clear migration path for the outcomes of this project,” says Yves Lemieux, Researcher with the Broadband and Systems Group at Ericsson. “This is not just a short-term exercise, but a project that will help to shape our long-term research and development.

This team is helping us to understand and address key bottlenecks in the network.”

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“In designing new architecture, we must understand the network layers that support these applications and plan to deliver services accordingly,” says Dr. Le-Ngoc. “We want to identify the optimum network building blocks that will address end user requirements.”

Drawing on the expertise of each member, the team has already developed algorithms and techniques that will help providers manage video more effectively over different devices such as laptops, PDA and HDTV— without sacrificing quality or performance. The team has also determined new ways to deliver these services over the wireless network, regardless of the network condition.

These and other project outcomes will be considered by the R&D team at Ericsson when developing future product architectures.

Dr. Fabrice Labeau Professor, Electrical and Computer Engineering, McGill University

“Building on the results of this project, we aim to establish a long-term relationship with Ericsson and explore new initiatives that can benefit from our combined expertise,” says Dr. Le-Ngoc.

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Novel Nanofabrication Processes Accelerate Solar Cell Development

Researchers at the Université de Sherbrooke and Institut national de la recherche scientifique (INRS) are collaborating with Cyrium Technologies, on novel nanofabrication processes that will accelerate the development of high-efficiency solar cells, while reducing the associated costs.

This Prompt-supported partnership is a key part of Cyrium’s strategy, as the company aggressively pursues the solar photovoltaics market. Valued at more than US$20 billion in 2007, this market is expected to grow to US$74 billion by 2017.1 Solar power represents a highly efficient, cost-effective and renewable energy source—and a wealth of market potential. With a recent injection of US$15 million from investors, Cyrium is preparing to bring photovoltaic solar energy systems for terrestrial applications to market. Drawing on the outcomes of a Promptsupported project, the company hopes to adopt new fabrication techniques and explore new solar cell fabrication technologies that will advance its product development.

Cyrium is partnering with Dr. Roberto Morandotti of INRS, and Drs. Richard Arès and Vincent Aimez, both of the Université de Sherbrooke. Leveraging financial support from Prompt and NSERC, the team has developed high-performance ‘optical waveguides’, devices that transmit optical signals or power.

This includes the development of a prototype using nanofabrication practices—the design and construction of components with dimensions measured in millionths of millimetres. Although the results of this project could influence the development of new applications for the defence, aerospace and telecommunications sectors, it is the fabrication process used to manufacture these complex devices that captured the attention of Cyrium Technologies.

Dr. Vincent Aimez Professor, Electrical Engineering, Université de Sherbrooke Dr. Richard Arès Professor, Mechanical Engineering, Université de Sherbrooke

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Strategic R&D partnerships... powered by Prompt Dr. Aimez says Prompt was essential to the development of a strategic relationship between the Université de Sherbrooke and Cyrium. “The success of this joint project has established a solid foundation for future collaboration.

We are now working with Cyrium on a number of new initiatives,” he says. “Prompt lays the groundwork for longer-term, strategic relationships that deliver value far beyond a single project.”

Dr. Denis Masson Director of Characterization and Fabrication Processes, Cyrium

“The processes we use to develop high-performance waveguides are very similar to those required to develop ultra high-efficiency solar cells,” explains Dr. Aimez, Professor at Sherbrooke. “Our research team has established advanced nanotechnology processes that Cyrium can use in its research and development over the next year.”

Cyrium was drawn to the collaborative initiative because of the high-calibre research talent, the opportunity to use the university’s nanofabrication laboratory to help build and test prototype solar cells, and the financial leverage offered by partners such as Prompt.

Dr. Denis Masson, Director of Characterization and Fabrication Processes at Cyrium, explains that typical manufacturing techniques for solar cells incur costly ‘performance losses’, meaning devices do not achieve the level of performance required for the product. “This research team has devised process improvements that can help reduce the number of steps required to fabricate some of our most complex devices, while achieving the performance required. These improvements will save us time and money. This is important for a young company like Cyrium.”

“We have created waveguides that increase light intensity,” says Dr. Morandotti, Professor at INRS. “It enables us to squeeze so much light into the fibre or the ‘pipeline’ that we can use these waveguides to achieve optical switching at much lower powers—the same level of power used in the average optical network today. Although this represents the first of many milestones required to bring these waveguides into practice for the telecommunications industry, we are also proud to have made an important contribution to Cyrium’s work.”

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Dr. Bruno Riel Director of Epitaxy and Materials, Cyrium

The work of the research team has proven successful on a number of fronts. Not only has the project helped to resolve some of the fabrication issues facing Cyrium, it has enabled the design of a waveguide that is much more efficient and reliable than its predecessors for optical network applications.

Ms. Aline Rugwizangoga Technician, Test & Measurements, Cyrium

According to Dr. Arès, “Many academicindustry R&D partnerships never get off the ground, as companies must benefit directly from project outcomes to justify the investment. Prompt increases the value of every dollar invested by a company, helping to set these initiatives up for success.”

Dr. Simon Fafard Founder and CEO, Cyrium

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Increasing the Reliability of ‘On-the-Move’ Video Applications to Enhance Military Communications— and the Safety of Our Troops

The global military communications market, which includes electronic systems, products and devices used to transmit and receive video, voice and data signals for military operations, is valued at over $300 billion (2008-2017).1 High bandwidth applications such as on-the-move (OTM) video have the potential to enhance military communications and improve the situational awareness of troops in the field.

The reliability of OTM video and OTM battle-management data presents a key challenge for technology designers and end-user clients in the military as they require service in extremely unpredictable and harsh conditions.

With valuable support from Prompt, researchers at École de technologie supérieure (ÉTS), ISR Technologies, and Ultra Electronics,Tactical Systems are joining forces to address this reliability challenge, and propose technologybased solutions that improve real-time communications, provide operational flexibility, and ultimately increase the effectiveness and safety of military personnel. The team aims to improve how the network supports demanding Internet applications such as streaming video, to ensure quality of service in any condition.

In radio-based communications, such as those used by the military, one antenna or communication mast sends a signal to another antenna or mast located many kilometres away. There can be many obstacles and radio channel impairments between the two antennas, including reflections, diffraction and obstructions from man-made structures such as buildings, and naturally occurring structures, such as mountains and trees. Rapidly changing obstacles and reflections frequently interrupt or distort the radio waves that travel from one antenna to the other, scrambling or destroyingthe information during transmission. Multiequalizers help to reconstruct the message and ensure that it is properly received.

Dr. François Gagnon, Professor at ÉTS, elaborates on this challenge: “When you send or receive high-bandwidth communications, many variables affect the quality of the transmission. Distance is one factor. Another is the speed at which the recipient moves toward or away from the

Denis Couillard Product Manager, Ultra Electronics, Tactical Systems

Novel solutions... powered by Prompt Mr. Couillard, Mr. Batani and Dr. Gagnon emphasize the important contribution of Prompt, as a partner and investor on the project. “The funding provided by Prompt enabled our team to create a working prototype and demonstrate how the multi-equalizer could be used to help resolve the OTM-reliability problem,” says Dr. Gagnon. “This helped to increase the commercial potential of our work.”

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Dr. François Gagnon Professor, Electrical Engineering, École de technologie supérieure (ÉTS)

broadcasting source. In short, it is very difficult to ensure the reliability of OTM video over a wireless network.”

Denis Couillard, Product Manager with Ultra, believes the development of reliable, wireless solutions could have a profound impact on military operations. “Most of the communication networks used by the Armed Forces are not able to cope reliably with the demand of providing broadband access to so many people, in so many field conditions,” he says.

He notes that satellite technology has emerged as one potentially suitable, but very costly solution. “If we can develop a better way for the military to share information with its people on the ground, it will help to improve the efficiency and safety of our troops.”

Drawing on the expertise of researchers at ÉTS, ISR and Ultra, the team tackled the reliability challenge by designing solutions that involved multi-equalizers –technology-based adapters that correct, or make equal, the frequency and/or time response of a signal.2 The ÉTS-based research team focused on the development of new algorithms and simulation techniques that could overcome this hurdle.

ISR, a spinoff company from ÉTS, contributed expertise in wireless modem design based on software-defined radio (SDR) to the project. SDR refers to a radio communication system where components that are typically implemented in hardware—such as mixers, filters and amplifiers— are instead implemented on powerful embedded programmable devices using software.3 According to Mr. Naïm Batani, President and CEO of ISR, “We aimed to put the ideas proposed by ÉTS into

practice, and develop a new multi-equalizer hardware platform that could be used by Ultra Electronics. This technology was successful in part in suppressing interference, but did not entirely ensure reliability.

The outcomes of this project represent an important milestone in the development of a more reliable solution for OTM video delivery and other high-bandwidth applications.”

Ultra is carefully assessing the results of this initiative, and the value of this approach. “This multi-equalizer helped to advance our thinking on this issue. We are now considering our next steps,” says Mr. Couillard.

“Although our team has not yet been able to fully test this prototype application in the field, we are already drawing on the outcomes of this project to support our future product development.”

Mr. Couillard says that Ultra is assessing another competing technological approach with the potential to address the complex problem of OTM communication– again with the support of Prompt. As the company has not yet decided on which technology will win the OTM solution race, Ultra is creating a universal product platform that can integrate all of the technologies it has developed to date.

“We need to ensure that whatever technology we develop is capable of integrating with OTM technology in the future,” he says. “The outcomes of our collaborative project with ÉTS and ISR are helping us do this.”

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Mr. Couillard adds that, through Prompt, Ultra has reinforced its ties with ÉTS. “We look forward to working with Dr. Gagnon and his team on this and other projects in future,” he says.

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Canada-China R&D Partnership Generates High Return on Investment and Global Market Opportunity for Wavesat

Wavesat, a Montréal-based fabless semiconductor company and leader in wireless broadband, has engaged in a strategic global partnership with researchers at neighboring École technologie supérieure (ÉTS); the Shanghai Research Center for Wireless Communications (WiCo, China); ZTE (China); and Prompt, to develop new WiMAX technology and to gain further reach into lucrative Asian markets.

WiMAX, or Worldwide Interoperability for Microwave Access, is a telecommunications technology that provides the wireless transmission of data using a variety of transmission modes, from point-to-point links to full mobile cellular-type access. As demand for advanced wireless broadband technologies and networks increases, carriers around the world are progressively testing WiMAX technology as a means to deliver more bandwidth. Wavesat develops highperformance, cost-effective semiconductor solutions for multiple wireless technologies such as WiMAX and XG-PHS today and allows telecommunications carriers to migrate seamlessly to future 4G technologies such as Long Term Evolution (LTE).

The Prompt-supported collaboration is one of the cornerstones in Wavesat’s strategic plan. “This is a truly exciting partnership,” says Alex Suter, VicePresident of Business Development with Wavesat.

“Thanks to the funding provided by Prompt, Wavesat has the opportunity to gain several benefits through this partnership. For example, our collaboration with partners in China opens new doors into the Asian market. We signed a Memorandum of Understanding with ZTE in September 2007 and we are now pursuing the opportunity to supply ZTE, the second largest vendor in the world, with Wavesat’s Odyssey™ products. This relationship was facilitated and promoted by Prompt.”

Drawing on the outcomes of the collaborative project with ÉTS and WiCo, Mr. Suter believes that Wavesat’s new chip design will revolutionize ZTE’s devices. Wavesat’s Odyssey family of chips offers high performance and consumes very little power, allowing the creation of new innovative devices and applications

Alex Suter Vice-President, Business Development, Wavesat

A profitable partnership... powered by Prompt Building a successful partnership among four private sector organizations half a world apart was no easy task. Following a trade mission to China in 2006, Dr. Charles Despins, President and CEO of Prompt, identified the opportunity to bring together researchers at ÉTS and WiCo. He then pursued industry partners that could benefit from the outcomes of the project. There was a strong synergy—and opportunity—for Wavesat and ZTE.

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Dr. François Gagnon Professor, Electrical Engineering, École de technologie supérieure

for WiMAX operators. Wavesat has already initiated interoperability testing with ZTE in China.

“This partnership could stimulate the sale of millions of chips over many years with this global supplier and create new avenues to sell into the Asian market,” adds Mr. Suter.

Throughout the project, a team of researchers at ÉTS and WiCo has supported Wavesat and ZTE. Together with Prompt, they have established a transcontinental virtual laboratory that provides researchers at ÉTS and WiCo with remote access to microelectronics and telecommunications equipment located half a world away.

According to Dr. François Gagnon, Professor of Electrical Engineering at ÉTS, “Students in Montréal are re-programming a base station situated at WiCo, while researchers in Shanghai are injecting software on to hardware based at ÉTS.” In November 2008, the team conducted a live intercontinental demonstration that proved microelectronics equipment located in Shanghai could be managed by students located more than 11,000 kilometres away.

Dr. Gagnon emphasizes the value of partnering with international researchers and world-class companies: “This project gives students the opportunity to tackle industrially relevant research challenges that span Canada and China, while experiencing an entirely different culture,”” says Dr. Gagnon. “It also increases the potential for them to publish and present their results at international conferences, boosting the visibility of the research—and ÉTS—on the global stage.”

“We have created an alliance that promises to stimulate practical—and profitable— research results for both Wavesat and ZTE,” says Dr. Despins. “It demonstrates how the Prompt model can directly impact the growth of Québec-based companies, and help them to access new global markets.”

Ms. Linda Chen, Director of International Relations for WiCo, agrees. “A key part of WiCo’s mission is to create a profitable and efficient platform for our researchers and domestic partners to develop technologies and joint projects with international collaborators,” says Ms. Chen. “This project gives us the chance to draw on the expertise of ÉTS and Wavesat, while collaborating on the development of advanced technologies that will benefit companies in China. We are also learning more about Prompt’s innovative partnership model, and considering how we might put it to work in our domestic R&D projects. This initiative truly creates a win-win proposition for all collaborators.”

Dr. Jianlong Zhao Executive Vice-Director, Shanghai Research Center for Wireless Communications

Ms. Linda Chen Director of International Relations, Shanghai Research Center for Wireless Communications

Dr. Charles Despins President and CEO, Prompt

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Leveraging Scientific Leadership

Prompt’s mission could not be realized without the invaluable contribution academic research leaders from Québec with expertise in Information and Communications Technologies, most notably the following Scientific Advisors: Dr. Omar Cherkaoui (1), Professor, Computer Science, Université du Québec à Montréal; Scientific Advisor in Next-Generation Internet Technology Prompt Scientific Advisors

Dr. François Gagnon (2), Ultra Electronics Chair (TCS) on Wireless Telecommunications; Professor, Electrical Engineering, École de technologie supérieure; Scientific Advisor in Wireless Technologies Dr. David Plant (3), Scientific Director, Agile AllPhotonic Networks; Chair and Professor, Electrical and Computer Engineering, McGill University; Scientific Advisor in Photonic Networks and Technologies Dr. Mohamad Sawan (4), Canada Research Chair in Intelligent Medical Devices; Professor, Electrical Engineering, École Polytechnique de Montréal; Scientific Advisor in Microelectonics Dr. Djemel Ziou (5), NSERC-Bell Canada Industrial Research Chair in Personal Digital Imagery Professor, Université de Sherbrooke; Scientific Advisor in Digital Video Technologies and Applications

Prompt External Experts Committee

Scientific Advisors

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The External Experts Commitee All Letters of Intent and proposals for Major Projects are evaluated by a committee of external experts who bring leadership, knowledge and experience in strategic program areas. Following a systematic review of all applications, this committee provides feedback and funding recommendations to the Prompt Board of Directors. Reporting to the Board, this Committee is composed of seven voting members from outside Québec; a non-voting Chair from the Prompt Board of Directors; one observer from Fonds québécois de la recherche sur la nature et les technologies, and one observer from the Government of Québec.

Committee Chair (Non-voting): Richard Norman, President, Hyperchip Committee Members: Dr. Vijay Bhargava (13), Chair and Professor, Electrical and Computer Engineering, University of British Columbia Dr. Éric Dubois, Director and Professor, School of Information Technology and Engineering, University of Ottawa

Observers: Charles Goyette, Advisor on Information Technologies, Ministry of Economic Development, Innovation and Export Trade, Government of Québec Dr. Paul Fortier (10), Vice-President, Science and Partnerships, Fonds québécois de la recherche sur la nature et les technologies Committee Secretary: Josée Dagenais (6), Director, Administration and Communication, Prompt

Dr. Philippe Gravey (8), École Nationale Supérieure des Télécommunications, France Dr. Khaled Ben Letaief (11), Chair and Professor, Electrical and Computer Engineering, Hong Kong University of Science and Technology Dr. Catherine Rosenberg (12), Professor and Chair, Electrical and Computer Engineering, University of Waterloo Dr. Langis Roy (9), Chair and Professor, Electronics, Carleton University Dr. Evan Steeg (7), Senior Medical Technology Advisor (Ottawa & Eastern Ontario), htx.ca—The Health Technology Exchange

“OSEMI Canada has established a strong partnership with researchers at the Université de Sherbrooke.This relationship will be enhanced by the opening of a new OSEMI R&D office in Sherbrooke, Québec, and the launch of a new collaborative R&D partnership funded by Prompt.

We look forward to working more closely with the research team, capitalizing on the prototyping capability available through the university-based Nanofabrication Lab, and further leveraging Prompt investment in our research. We will also aim to source new graduates with the expertise we require, particularly those who have contributed to industrially relevant projects supported by Prompt. This is an important driver to our growth as a company.”

Christian Dubuc, PhD Director, OSEMI Canada

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Prompt Board of Directors, 2007-2008

Industry

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University

Observers

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1. Pierre Boucher, Chair of the Board of Directors, Prompt; Director, Research and Innovation, Ericsson Canada 2. Alan Barker, President, Ultra Electronics, Tactical Systems 3. Mike Cegelski, Executive Chairman and Chief Strategist, iBwave 4. Michel Desgagné, Vice-President, InterDigital Canada, InterDigital Communications 5. Charles Despins, PhD, President and CEO, Prompt 6. Jacques Mc Neill, President, Technoprise

7. Richard Norman, President, Hyperchip 8. Salvatore Rodi, Consultant 9. Louise Dandurand, PhD, Vice-President, Research and Graduate Studies, Concordia University 10. Claude Bédard, PhD, Dean Research and Technology Transfer, École de technologie supérieure 11. Christiane Piché, PhD, Associate Vice-Rector, Research and Creation, Université Laval 12. Gilles Savard, PhD, Dean, Research and Innovation, École Polytechnique de Montréal

Prompt Members, 2007-2008

Industry Members: Prompt has established relationships with many industry partners through its pre-competitive R&D Major Projects and broker activities. Ten of these companies contribute to the governance of the corporation as industry members.

The following companies are members of Prompt: • Bell Canada • Centre du Genou Emovi

• CMC Électronique • Ericsson Canada • Everclose

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iBwave InterDigital Canada ISR Technologies MPB Communications

• Myca

• Nortel • Osemi Canada Inc.

• Research In Motion • SR Telecom • TeraXion inc.

• Ultra Electronics • Unima

Partner Members from the Innovation Community: To foster collaboration among many organizations that benefit from public investments in research across Québec, the following research centers outside the academic realm are also members of Prompt: • Centre de technologie physique et de photonique de Montréal (CEPHOM) • Centre d’innovation en microélectronique du Québec (CIMEQ) • Centre de recherche informatique de Montréal (CRIM) • Institut national d’optique (INO) • Technopôle Défense et Sécurité (TDS) University Members: • Concordia University • École Polytechnique de Montréal • École de technologie supérieure • Institut national de la recherche scientifique • McGill University • Université Laval • Université du Québec à Trois-Rivières • Université du Québec en Abitibi-Témiscamingue • Université du Québec à Montréal • Université du Québec en Outaouais • Université de Sherbrooke

The following individuals are also founding industrial members of Prompt: Pierre Boucher (Ericsson), Yvan Girard (Flextronics), Alex Kalil (Adtek Photomask), Jacques Mc Neill (Imaginum) and Richard Norman (Hyperchip). Mike Wong (IBM), first Chairman of the Board of Prompt, is an honorary member of the corporation.

13. Sinh LeQuoc, PhD, Scientific Director, Institut national de recherche scientifique 14. Charles Goyette, Advisor on Information Technologies, Ministry of Economic Development, Innovation and Export Trade, Government of Québec 15. Paul Fortier, PhD, Vice-President, Partnerships, Fonds québécois de recherche sur la nature et les technologies

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The Power of Innovation

1155 University Avenue, Suite 903 Montréal (Québec) H3B 3A7 Canada Tel: 514.875.0032 Fax: 514.875.0082 www.promptinc.org