UK-China Science Bridges: R&D on 4G Wireless Mobile Communications

Digital Economy has been identified as one of the four priority research themes in the recent EPSRC Delivery Plan (2008-11), to respond to the challenges facing UK society and the economy. As the key enabler for Digital Economy, information and communication technologies (ICT) play an indispensable role in modern society. Wireless communications is a, perhaps the, critical element in future global ICT strategy, underpinning many other industries. It is therefore extremely important to ensure that the profile and global influence of the UK is sustained in this area. There has been extensive research on the fourth generation (4G) wireless communication technologies. The standardisation process of 4G is expected to be finalised at the end of 2009 and the deployment of 4G systems may begin around 2012. Different countries have their own visions on 4G systems. It is crucial and timely, therefore, that the UK forms effective collaborations with leading countries in 4G, such as China. This project will focus on building science bridges between the UK and China in 4G wireless communications. China is an ambitious and increasingly significant country that influences the international standardisation process of 4G wireless communications, due to its huge potential market and strong support from the Chinese government. There is currently no long-term joint research initiative between the UK and China in wireless communications. The aim of this project is to create, initially, a UK-China panel within Mobile VCE and, ultimately, a UK-China Joint R&D Centre for 4G Wireless Mobile Communications, enabling long-term sustainable collaboration between the UK and China by supporting collaborative research, mutual visits, exchange of researchers, and rapid technology transfer and commercialisation.The proposal has involved 13 Chinese Consortium members (7 universities and 6 companies) and 29 UK Consortium members (10 universities, Mobile VCE, and 18 industrial members of Mobile VCE), largely based on the existing substantive collaborations among the UK and Chinese Consortium members. The China consortium consists of 7 academic partners, which are key academic players in China for 4G wireless research, and 5 industrial partners led by Shanghai Research Centre for Wireless Communications (SHRCWC), which is recognised by the Ministry of Science and Technology (MOST) in China as the international centre for wireless collaborative research. In the UK consortium, there are 6 academic partners led by Heriot-Watt University, while Mobile VCE leads the industrial partners involving 18 industrial members. In addition, 6 researchers from 4 top UK universities and BT will serve as the associate members.By the proposed collaboration activities, such as mutual visits, joint-organisation of international workshops, and developing prototypes of 4G wireless technologies, the consortium members can pool key competencies and combine complementary strengths through collaboration, which will certainly accelerate knowledge transfer and commercialisation and impact future standardisation process of 4G wireless mobile communications.