SKY IS NOT THE LIMIT FOR GLASGOW-BASED WIDEBLUE

Space-Comm Expo Scotland

SEC, Glasgow

11-12 September 2024

Stand: H14A

 

Leading product design consultancy, Wideblue, based in Glasgow, will be showcasing its space technology expertise at Space-Comm Expo Scotland.

 

Wideblue and sister company A2E are collaborating with the Glasgow-based Fraunhofer Centre for Applied Photonics (CAP) on an ambitious project to develop an optical communications system with very low size, weight and power requirements for use with high-altitude pseudo-satellites (HAPS).

 

HAPS are light-weight, unmanned aerial vehicles offering prolonged flight at altitudes into the stratosphere. They can be deployed quickly and provide persistent coverage over large areas. Applications include disaster relief, remote sensing/monitoring and providing telecommunication services to remote areas. Optical communications are key to enabling communications between the HAPS and other platforms/ground stations as the radio frequency spectrum is becoming too crowded and bandwidth requirements are becoming ever higher.

 

The project uses the latest breakthroughs in micro-LED light sources and single photon detectors pioneered by the University of Strathclyde’s Institute of Photonics over the past two decades.

 

Wideblue is also working with RAL Space and their partners on developing a highly secure sat-comms system which uses Quantum Key Distribution technology. The system can be used to transmit and receive encrypted messages across large distances to convey highly sensitive data/information. The system uses security keys based on single photons of light making it mathematically hacker proof.

 

Under a Science & Technology Facilities Council contract Wideblue is using its experienced optical and mechanical design team to make a compact beam combiner for multiple wavelengths of light with different polarisations.

 

Mark Sansom, Group Engineering Director at A2E/Wideblue said: “These have been fantastic projects to work on and have made full use of our skills in the areas of optics, photonics, mechanical design, electronics, FPGA and software design.”

 

Wideblue and A2E are part of the Pivot International group of companies (www.pivotint.com). The HAPs project, co-funded by Innovate UK, also has the following partners — TAO Tech UK Ltd and Kubos Semiconductor.

 

The RAL project has been funded by EPSRC’s Quantum Communications Hub (https://www.quantumcommshub.net/), part of the UKRI’s National Quantum Technologies Programme.

 

For further information about Wideblue please visit: www.wide-blue.com

 

For further information about A2E please visit: About » A2E : A2E (a2etech.com)

 

For further information about Fraunhofer CAP please visit: www.cap.fraunhofer.co.uk

 

About RAL Space: https://www.ralspace.stfc.ac.uk/Pages/home.aspx

Back to content