RICHMOND, British Columbia, January 15, 2009 — The Honourable Tony Clement, Minister of Industry, has demonstrated the Canadian government's commitment to stimulating the Canadian economy through investments in innovation. Today, he announced a repayable investment in Norsat International Inc. (Norsat) to research and develop the next generation of portable ground satellite telecommunications technologies.
“These technologies are going to help military personnel, emergency response teams and disaster recovery missions communicate better during a crisis,” said Minister Clement. “They are also going to help Norsat develop a better project. This investment demonstrates the government's commitment to promoting excellence and accelerating innovation in Canada's aerospace and defence industries.”
“In the recent Speech from the Throne, the Government of Canada recognized the strategic importance of the Canadian manufacturing sector and the challenging financial conditions and global competitiveness it faces,” Minister Clement added. “That is why we are implementing specific measures to strengthen these industries.”
Based in Richmond, British Columbia, this $17-million-eligible R&D project will expand Norsat's technical capabilities in several ways, improving the effectiveness of satellite communications used in the field. Norsat's R&D activities include developing components that allow ground satellite systems to operate reliably over significant temperature ranges and in extreme environmental conditions, examining flat antenna technologies to increase satellite system portability, and integrating automatic control consoles that make it possible for non-technical users to operate ground-based satellite equipment. Under this project funding, Norsat will also design products that operate over wireless communications networks.
“This partnership with the federal government is key for Norsat because it enables us to pursue the R&D necessary to enhance and expand our product portfolio, furthering the technology leadership of our portable satellite terminals,” said Dr. Amiee Chan, President and CEO of Norsat.
Norsat will also collaborate with Simon Fraser University graduate students on this project for the research and design of certain components, promoting knowledge and technology transfer in the region.
“Having involvement in this project presents a valuable opportunity for Simon Fraser University,” said Dr. Rodney Vaughan, Professor of the School of Engineering Science. “It creates opportunities for our engineering students to gain practical experience, which is indispensable as they look toward entering Canada's workforce.”
Today's repayable investment totalled $5.97 million. This investment is being made through the Strategic Aerospace and Defence Initiative (SADI), which supports strategic industrial research and pre-competitive development projects in the aerospace, defence, space and security industries. SADI is managed by the Industrial Technologies Office, a special operating agency of Industry Canada with a mandate to advance leading-edge R&D by Canadian industries.
For further information (media only), please contact:
Pema Lhalungpa
Press Secretary
Office of the Honourable Tony Clement
Minister of Industry
613-995-9001
Media Relations
Industry Canada
613-943-2502
Backgrounder
Minister of Industry Invests in Innovative Research and Development Projects for Emergency Services
The Government of Canada has made a repayable investment of $5.97 million in an industrial research and pre-competitive development (R&D) project being undertaken by Norsat International Inc. (Norsat) of Richmond, British Columbia, to develop next-generation technologies for portable ground-based satellite systems.
The $17-million eligible R&D project focuses on several areas of ground-based satellite technology. These include designing products that operate over a larger range of frequency bands and over wireless communications networks, and improving upon current antenna technologies to aid in the portability of ground satellite systems. Norsat will develop satellite capabilities that allow non‑technical users to set up and operate ground-based satellite systems, eliminating the need for communications technicians or engineers to be on site. This is especially useful if a portable ground satellite system must be deployed quickly without notice, as in an emergency or defence situation. This project also seeks to improve the quality of telecommunications over portable ground-based satellite systems and increase the reliability of these systems for operation over large temperature ranges and in extreme environmental conditions.
The main benefit of the government's investment is that it will help the company continue to expand its portfolio of portable satellite systems for use in the field by military personnel, emergency response teams and disaster recovery missions.
Throughout the project, Norsat will work with other small and medium-sized companies in British Columbia, fostering knowledge and technology transfer in the region. In addition, collaboration with Simon Fraser University will contribute to the professional development of engineering students, helping to strengthen Canada's knowledge-based workforce.
Advances in science and technology are essential to strengthening the competitiveness of Canada's economy. This investment in R&D undertaken by Norsat demonstrates the Government of Canada's commitment to set the right conditions for business innovation, promoting prosperity for all Canadians.
Norsat designs and develops ground-based satellite equipment for high-speed transmission of data, audio and video information. With 40 employees at its head office in Richmond, Norsat has additional offices in Seoul, South Korea and Rome, Italy. The company also has two wholly owned subsidiaries in the United States and the United Kingdom.
The Strategic Aerospace and Defence Initiative (SADI), launched in April 2007, supports private sector industrial research and pre-competitive development in Canada's aerospace, defence, security and space industries through repayable investments. For more information about SADI, please visit the Industrial Technologies Office's website.
