Australian Photonics CRC - Building a photonic future

The Australian Photonics CRC's R&D program is focussed towards technologies for broadband Wavelength Division Multiplexed (WDM) networks in anticipation of the need for higher capacity resulting from demand for broadband services . The CRC's program has led to the establishment of an export oriented start-up company, Indx, which is commercialising WDM components. Industry is increasingly requiring the CRC to shorten the time to commercialisation by rapidly moving proof-of-principle research to development of ruggedised prototypes with performance evaluation in technology demonstrator test beds. The uncertainty of the architecture for future photonic networks makes the preferred upgrade pathway from hybrid-fibre coaxial networks to broadband full service networks difficult to foresee. This uncertainty provides the opportunities for the CRC's R&D effort.