All eyes on boosting optical technologies

CHIANG MAI : Thailand is increasing its efforts in R&D optical technology in a bid to secure the fibre-to-home and 3G networks and build capacity to reduce import costs and uplift its export manufacturing base.

The Research Centre for Device and Network Technologies in Next Generation Optical Systems.

The recognition of the potential of optical technology to enhance Thailand's telecommunication infrastructure is driving an agreement between the Telecommunications Research and Industrial Development Institute (TRIDI) and Chiang Mai University's Faculty of Engineering to establish a "Research Centre for Device and Network Technologies in Next Generation Optical Systems", said TRIDI Director Dr Supot Tiarawut.

Under the three-year agreement, the agency will provide 14 million baht for the first two years to upgrade laboratory equipment and enhance optical research capabilities, optical communications, high-frequency circuits and systems, and computational intelligence.

The budget will also cover co-research funding as well as human resource capacity training to facilitate more optical experts, especially in the North.

"Optics is one of the strategic technologies in which TRIDI is trying to link network expertise. Chiang Mai University is one of two universities that TRIDI has selected, alongside Chulalongkorn University [in Bangkok]."

He continued that this is the first step towards building Thailand's capabilities in research and development for fiber optic, after which the research laboratory may commercialise the concern by building prototypes and transfering technology and skills to private companies.

Kosol Petchsuwan, TRIDI chairman, adding that the institute's role is to connect universities and private companies, including manufacturers and service providers.

Currently, Thailand is a major export base for fiber optic components. For example, Fabrinet, which is a global engineering and manufacturing services provider of complex optical and electro-mechanical components, uses Thailand as its export base, which is worth 20 billion baht per year.

Kosol said: "If the Kingdom can uplift its R&D capability, it will add more value to the industry supply chain."

The chairman of the National Telecommunications Commission (NTC), General Choochart Promphrasid, said the NTC has allocate funding to promote locally-made fiber optic equipment and encourage the next generation of skilled professionals.

Meanwhile, Dr Ukrit Mankong, of Chiang Mai University's Faculty of Engineering, said one key focus area in the centre relates to Fiber Optic to the Home technologies, or FTTH, to support domestic industry, such as Passive Optical Network (PON) and Radio over Fiber (RoF).

The PON will be used to replace copper wire from the node to end users, while RoF will help combine a wireless link and an optical fiber link.

RoF domestic equipment will also help to reduce the cost of 3G implementation.

In the past, when an optical manufacturing base has experienced technical problems, normally they have to fly in a supplier expert, but now they will be able to consult university specialists. Furthermore, equipment, including component performance testing for optical and wireless technologies, can be improved.

Supot continued that there are many possibilities for domestic manufacturing of fiber optic-related equipment such as splitters and couplers, thereby helping to reduce import costs.

"It's time we built domestic capability for manufacturing this technology and not only rely on imported foreign equipment," he said.

Relate Search: Telecommunications Research and Industrial Development Institute, Chiang Mai University's Faculty of Engineering, Research Centre for Device and Network Technologies in Next Generation Optical Systems, R&D optical technology, 3G networks