The Wireless & Cable (WiCa) research group is a part of the Information Technology Department of the University of Ghent. WiCa carries out basic research in the domains of 'Services in the area of ineractive digital television', 'characterisation of the physical properties of wireless networks', 'characterisation of the physical properties of cable networks', 'The study of test solutions, and the development of standards for cable and wireless networks'.

WiCa developed a number of specialisations in these domains:

Research of services in the area of interactive digital television (iDTV)

• iDTV middleware technologies and set-top boxes (MHP - Multimedia Home Platform, Open Cable Application Platform) and handhelds;
• Application development for MHP: Electronic Program Guides, Personal Video Recorder, T-learning, interactive advertising, etc.;
• Integration of electronic identity cards (eID) on MHP.

Characterisation of the physical properties of wireless networks

• Performance and coverage of a wireless systems for, for instance WiMax, DVB-H, etc.;
• Propagation characteristics, such as reflections and delay times;
• Interference between wireless systems in the same frequency band;
• The influence of the human body on propagation characteristics;
• Absorption of electromagnetic radiation in the human body; potential health risks

Characterisation of the physical properties of cable networks

• Propagation characteristics, such as reflections and group delays;
• Interferences, such as ingress and pulse noise.

The study of test solutions, and the development of standards for cable and wireless networks

• Participation in the standardisation of cable networks (CENELEC, ETSI);
• Test solutions for the characterisation of access networks.

Projects

WiCa has worked closely together with many different companies in Flanders during the last few years, such as Alcatel-Bell, Barco, Base, Belgacom, Framatome Connectors International, Mobistar, Philips, Proximus and Telenet. Such contract research was concerned primarily with the physical characteristics of cable and wireless systems, including networks.

WiCa participated in a whole series of European projects, amongst others within the framework of Eureka, a pan-European network of market-oriented industrial research and similar development projects.

The research group carries out projects within the framework of the standardisation programme of the Belgian Federal Science Policy (previously DWTC). It participates in IWT projects with industry.

Contactgegevens:

Website: http://www.wica.intec.ugent.be