Aston University has launched a three-year partnership with Swindon-based Pulse Power & Measurement to advance radio-over-fibre systems, aiming to extend the technology into new commercial sectors and strengthen the UK’s position in high-speed communications.
The Knowledge Transfer Partnership, funded by Innovate UK, will focus on developing a commercial prototype capable of amplifying and transmitting radio signals over longer distances using fibre optic cables. The approach, which converts analogue radio frequency signals into light before transmitting them through optical fibres, is designed to cut delays and improve signal stability.
Radio-over-fibre is already used in satellite links, data centres and live broadcasting, including in Formula 1, where ultra-fast connections between trackside equipment are essential. The technology offers an alternative to coaxial cables, which can lose quality or suffer dropouts over long distances.
Engineers from Pulse Power & Measurement will work with researchers at the Aston Institute of Photonic Technologies, one of the UK’s largest photonics centres. The institute has contributed to developments ranging from medical lasers to the high-speed communications that underpin the internet, and was part of a collaboration in 2024 that broke the data-transfer speed record using commercially available optical fibres.
Dan Bromley, Technical Director at Pulse Power & Measurement, said the collaboration would allow the company to build new applications on the back of Aston University’s academic expertise. Dr Mingming Tan, Research Fellow at the institute, said the project would translate recent research into a working prototype intended to broaden industry use of radio-over-fibre systems.
The partnership is the second between the university and the electronic components developer. KTPs pair businesses, universities and dedicated researchers to boost competitiveness and productivity through applied innovation. Aston University is currently ranked first in the UK for KTP project quality and joint first for the volume of active projects.
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