For immediate release:08 September 2024
SKY IS NOT THE LIMIT FOR GLASGOW-BASED WIDEBLUE
Space-Comm Expo Scotland
SEC, Glasgow
11-12 September 2024
Stand: H14A
Leading product design consultancy, Wideblue, based in Glasgow, will be showcasing its space technology expertise at Space-Comm Expo Scotland.
Wideblue and sister company A2E are collaborating with the Glasgow-based Fraunhofer Centre for Applied Photonics (CAP) on an ambitious project to develop an optical communications system with very low size, weight and power requirements for use with high-altitude pseudo-satellites (HAPS).
HAPS are light-weight, unmanned aerial vehicles offering prolonged flight at altitudes into the stratosphere. They can be deployed quickly and provide persistent coverage over large areas. Applications include disaster relief, remote sensing/monitoring and providing telecommunication services to remote areas. Optical communications are key to enabling communications between the HAPS and other platforms/ground stations as the radio frequency spectrum is becoming too crowded and bandwidth requirements are becoming ever higher.
The project uses the latest breakthroughs in micro-LED light sources and single photon detectors pioneered by the University of Strathclyde's Institute of Photonics over the past two decades.
Wideblue is also working with RAL Space and their partners on developing a highly secure sat-comms system which uses Quantum Key Distribution technology. The system can be used to transmit and receive encrypted messages across large distances to convey highly sensitive data/information. The system uses security keys based on single photons of light making it mathematically hacker proof.
Under a Science & Technology Facilities Council contract Wideblue is using its experienced optical and mechanical design team to make a compact beam combiner for multiple wavelengths of light with different polarisations.
Mark Sansom, Group Engineering Director at A2E/Wideblue said: "These have been fantastic projects to work on and have made full use of our skills in the areas of optics, photonics, mechanical design, electronics, FPGA and software design."
Wideblue and A2E are part of the Pivot International group of companies (www.pivotint.com). The HAPs project, co-funded by Innovate UK, also has the following partners -- TAO Tech UK Ltd and Kubos Semiconductor.
The RAL project has been funded by EPSRC's Quantum Communications Hub (https://www.quantumcommshub.net/), part of the UKRI's National Quantum Technologies Programme.
For further information about Wideblue please visit:www.wide-blue.com
For further information about A2E please visit:About » A2E : A2E (a2etech.com)
For further information about Fraunhofer CAP please visit:www.cap.fraunhofer.co.uk
About RAL Space:https://www.ralspace.stfc.ac.uk/Pages/home.aspx
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Note to editors
A2E and Wideblue are part of Pivot International. Together, they representone of the UK's largest product design groups.
www.a2etech.com
About Pivot International
Founded in Kansas City in 1972, Pivot International started as a product design and development engineering firm. It was one of the first U.S. product development firms to engage with global sourcing, opening a procurement office in Taiwan in 1985 and a manufacturing division in the Philippines in 1989. Pivot offers services in electrical engineering, mechanical engineering, software design, industrial design, project management, contract manufacturing, electronic manufacturing services (EMS), prototyping, supply chain management, data management, business development, and regulatory compliance. Pivot has more than 49 years of expertise in the field of product development and manufacturing. Positioned as a world leader in outsourced product development and manufacturing, Pivot offers the seamless convenience of working with a U.S. company and the financial advantages of utilising its own in-house, offshore, tooling procurement and manufacturing
capabilities.
About Innovate UK
Innovate UK drives productivity and economic growth by supporting businesses to develop and realise the potential of new ideas. Innovate UK connects businesses to the partners, customers and investors that can help them turn ideas into commercially successful products and services and business growth. Innovate UK funds business and research collaborations to accelerate innovation and drive business investment into R&D. Its support is available to businesses across all economic sectors, value chains and UK regions. Innovate UK is part of UK Research and Innovation.
For more information visit www.innovateuk.ukri.org
AboutScience and Technology Facilities Council (STFC)
STFC's mission is to deliver world-leading national and international research and innovation capabilities and, through those, discover the secrets of the Universe. Our major research and innovation campuses at Harwell, Daresbury and research facilities across the UK and overseas support fundamental research in astronomy, physics, computational science and space science.https://www.ukri.org/councils/stfc/
About Quantum Communications Hub
The Quantum Communications Hub, funded through the UK National Quantum Technologies Programme, is a major collaboration of universities, numerous private sector companies and public sector bodies brought together to accelerate the development and commercialisation of quantum secure communications technologies and services at all distance scales.https://www.quantumcommshub.net
Media Enquiries
Mike Reynolds
Integris Communications
M: +44(0)7748 635678
E: mike@integriscomms.co.uk
NB: Hi-res images available on request from Integris as above
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