Experts in in antennas and electromagnetics from Queen Mary University of London will work with industry partners in a £11.6m project looking at future communications systems for civil aircraft.
The funding, £6.4m of which has been awarded from the Aerospace Growth Partnership (AGP) will support Thales, a global technology leader in the Aerospace, Transportation, and Defence and Security markets.
Professor Yang Hao and Dr Khalid Rajab from QMUL’s School of Electronic Engineering and Computer Science will contribute research to the project, which is looking to develop the radio techniques and technologies for software used in an Integrated Modular Communications (IMC) system for civil aircraft.
The benefit of IMC is smaller, lighter aircraft as less equipment will need to be installed, freeing up critical space, reducing weight and using less power.
For the airlines, reduced weight means reduced costs and improved operational efficiency, and a reduction in fuel burn, noise and carbon dioxide emissions. An IMC would also offer higher reliability, safety and security.
Both Professor Hao and Dr Rajab have a track record of working with industry, and recently made a breakthrough in the development of electrically small antennas by using a type of circuit that allows greater bandwidth of power in a compact form.
Professor Hao said: “We are very excited to be given this opportunity to work with world-leading industrial groups on the design of antennas and communication systems.”
He added: “Such a partnership will ensure that we can transfer our research findings swiftly from blue skies research to industrial use, and places our future research in the context of practical applications and applications.”
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