Agilent Technologies Inc. and Tyndall National Institute at University College Cork, Ireland opened a new laboratory for research and teaching in next-generation wireless communications. This state-of-the-art laboratory at Tyndall will enable advanced training and research on radio frequency integrated circuits for high-speed wireless data communications for video applications and contactless sensors for biomedical and security applications.
The laboratory is named after the 1909 Nobel prize-winning Italian scientist, Guglielmo Marconi (also known as the father of wireless communications), who moved to Ireland to carry out his research.
“We welcome the €800,000 investment from Agilent and the Higher Education Authority (HEA) of Ireland, in the Marconi Laboratory at Tyndall,” said Kieran Drain, CEO Tyndall National Institute. “This laboratory houses the latest industry-standard equipment and will ensure that the research team and students led by Dr. Domenico Zito continue the excellent work in emerging RF Communications at Tyndall.
At the opening of the Marconi Laboratory, Julian Brecknock, Agilent UK sales manager, said, “Agilent has always been committed to working with and supporting academic institutions to help develop the next generation of engineers, our participation with this lab and this institute will help to give current and future students valuable experience on cutting-edge equipment. This experience can only serve them well in the long run and I congratulate the Tyndall Institute on setting up such a facility.”
The Agilent equipment in the Marconi Lab includes a four-port PNA-X with ultra-low-noise receiver and five extension modules; a signal source analyzer with microwave down-converter and six extension modules; a millimetre-wave source module; and a small arsenal of very expensive cables, devices and units, up to 110 GHz.
Dr. Zito commented, “Having a laboratory equipped with a unique set of Agilent instruments for high-frequency, low-noise measurements up to 110 GHz is of great value to our researchers and students. We are very grateful to Agilent for their donation in CAD tools and instruments and the HEA investment in establishing the Marconi Lab as a worldwide centre of excellence in low-noise, high-frequency measurements.”