The Technology Scotland team, through the Photonics Scotland network, are pleased to be hosting a shared stand for the first time at The European Conference on Optical Communications (ECOC) exhibition, taking place at the SEC Glasgow from 2nd – 4th October 2023.
Ahead of this exciting event we’re talking to our partners involved to find out some more about them, what they’ll be exhibiting and what they’re looking forward to at ECOC, and lots more.
This week, we’re talking with our member and partner, Fraunhofer UK.
Tell us a bit about your organisation and what you do
Fraunhofer UK is a research and technology organisation (RTO) and it operates it’s centre for Applied Photonics (CAP) based in Glasgow. We’re a not-for-profit company offering industrially relevant applied development services to our customers and partners. We’re a legally independent affiliate of the Fraunhofer Gesellschaft. We have a portfolio of projects on wireless optical communications in air, water and space. These projects include quantum communication as well as classical. Very often we find ourselves accelerating innovation from novel concepts to proof-of-concept deployable systems addressing challenges such as SWaP.
We work with industry in projects funded by government agencies as well as direct contract work.
What attracted you to getting involved in the Technology Scotland stand at ECOC?
It’s great that Technology Scotland have put together this shared stand at ECOC. It gives an opportunity to participate in the exhibition in addition to our demonstrations and talks elsewhere at the event.
Why does representation of the Scottish cluster matter at international events like ECOC?
It’s recognised that Scotland has a significant photonics cluster, and this international event is an opportunity to add more detail to the understanding of international visitors of the activity in communications.
What are you most looking forward to about ECOC?
As ever at these events it’s the serendipitous connections and discussions that are facilitated by an in-person event.
What will you be exhibiting at the TS stand and when can we find you there?
We’ll be showcasing our latest work on free-space optical communications. We’ll be on the shared stand Wednesday morning (4th October) and Tuesday (3rd October) afternoon.