Reference number : GC-2017-Q2-04286, amendment number : , agreement type : G, recipient legal name : Brun del Re, Riccardo (Algonquin College), recipient country : CA, recipient province : nan, recipient city : Ontario, recipient postal code : nan, program name english : Applied Research and Development Grants (<$75k), program name french : Subventions de recherche et développement appliquée (<75,000 $), program purpose english : Canada's vast and rugged geography has always challenged the vision of Canada as one connected nation._x000D_
Today, many Canadians who live away from population centres have limited access to broadband Internet and_x000D_
the digital services that depend on it. Sparse populations, challenging terrain, and lack of basic infrastructure_x000D_
limit ground-based wireless infrastructure in many remote areas. Satellite communications are theoretically_x000D_
able to solve this problem, however the cost and complexity of satellite services is high, resulting in services_x000D_
that are more cumbersome, less affordable, less reliable, and less mobile than their terrestrial counterparts._x000D_
In this applied research project, Algonquin College's professor Wahab Almuhtadi will partner with TELUS to_x000D_
investigate novel, cost-effective ways to increase the reach of terrestrial infrastructure to better serve rural_x000D_
communities. The project will explore three innovative approaches:_x000D_
1) Low-cost options for (a) network 'backhaul' and (b) small-scale local power generation. These could reduce_x000D_
the deployment cost of cellular infrastructure in remote regions._x000D_
2) Use of novel aerial platforms such as 'kytoons' (kite-balloons) and other 'uncrewed' aircraft as means to_x000D_
increase base-station height._x000D_
3) Use of long-reach communications techniques, including "Internet of Things" interfaces, low rate_x000D_
error-control codes, and high-gain antennas, to extend range without increasing power._x000D_
The project will provide experiential learning opportunities for Algonquin students under a variety of_x000D_
disciplines, under the supervision of prof Almuhtadi. The outputs of the project will help TELUS to expand its_x000D_
geographical and population coverage, bringing a range of safety, health, and economic benefits to Canadians., program purpose french : Canada's vast and rugged geography has always challenged the vision of Canada as one connected nation._x000D_
Today, many Canadians who live away from population centres have limited access to broadband Internet and_x000D_
the digital services that depend on it. Sparse populations, challenging terrain, and lack of basic infrastructure_x000D_
limit ground-based wireless infrastructure in many remote areas. Satellite communications are theoretically_x000D_
able to solve this problem, however the cost and complexity of satellite services is high, resulting in services_x000D_
that are more cumbersome, less affordable, less reliable, and less mobile than their terrestrial counterparts._x000D_
In this applied research project, Algonquin College's professor Wahab Almuhtadi will partner with TELUS to_x000D_
investigate novel, cost-effective ways to increase the reach of terrestrial infrastructure to better serve rural_x000D_
communities. The project will explore three innovative approaches:_x000D_
1) Low-cost options for (a) network 'backhaul' and (b) small-scale local power generation. These could reduce_x000D_
the deployment cost of cellular infrastructure in remote regions._x000D_
2) Use of novel aerial platforms such as 'kytoons' (kite-balloons) and other 'uncrewed' aircraft as means to_x000D_
increase base-station height._x000D_
3) Use of long-reach communications techniques, including "Internet of Things" interfaces, low rate_x000D_
error-control codes, and high-gain antennas, to extend range without increasing power._x000D_
The project will provide experiential learning opportunities for Algonquin students under a variety of_x000D_
disciplines, under the supervision of prof Almuhtadi. The outputs of the project will help TELUS to expand its_x000D_
geographical and population coverage, bringing a range of safety, health, and economic benefits to Canadians., agreement title english : Bridging Canada's Broadband Gap: Novel Solutions for Expanding Cellular Coverage to Rural and Remote Communities, agreement title french : Bridging Canada's Broadband Gap: Novel Solutions for Expanding Cellular Coverage to Rural and Remote Communities, agreement number : CARD2, agreement value : 225000.0, agreement start date : 2017-09-20, agreement end date : nan, description english : nan, description french : nan, expected results english : nan, expected results french : nan, additional information english : Grant or Award spanning more than one fiscal year (2017-2018 to 2020-2021)., additional information french : Subvention ou bourse octroyée s'appliquant à plus d'un exercice financier (2017-2018 à 2020-2021)., owner organization : nserc-crsng, owner organization title : Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada | Conseil de recherches en sciences naturelles et en génie du Canada