TRLabs and VPI team up to commercialize telecom tool

February 02, 2000 -- TRLabs is partnering with Virtual Photonics Incorporated (VPI), a leading maker of computer-aided telecommunications network design tools, to develop and commericalize transport network design software created at TRLabs.

The deal gives VPI rights to TRLabs intellectual property and research expertise in the field of transport network design. VPI plans to incorporate the TRLabs technology into its new Photonic Network Design Suite that is scheduled for release in March 2000. Also, VPI has joined TRLabs as a Silver Sponsor to take advantage of TRLabs additional research capabilities and network of member organizations.

"The deal is a win-win situation for TRLabs and for VPI. Not only does it enable us to deliver a world-class product to an international audience, it introduces new marketing channels to both companies - VPI gains connections to small and large Canadian businesses, while TRLabs gains international industry contacts through VPI's worldwide customer network," says Dr. Geoff Hayward, TRLabs Technology Transfer Manager.

The transport network design software was invented by TRLabs Chief Scientist Dr. Wayne Grover and developed by a research team under his guidance since 1994. Dr. Grover is considered to be a founding inventor in the field of self-healing and self-organizing telecommunications networks. He recently received the 1999 IEEE (Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers) W.R.G. Baker Prize for the year's most outstanding research paper published in any of the organization's journals worldwide, the Outstanding Engineer Award of IEEE Canada for his contributions to the advancements in telecommunications engineering and the 1999 Alberta Science and Technology Leadership (ASTech) Award for Outstanding Leadership in Alberta Technology.

"We are truly excited about working with a world-class company like VPI," says the project's lead architect, TRLabs Research Scientist and University of Alberta PhD student Dave Morley. "One of the benefits of working in an industry-university collaborative environment is that our research is both innovative and relevant to industry, so it is sought after internationally."

VPI's Vice President for Advanced Tool Development Dr. Harshavardhana says, "We are pleased to be actively collaborating with TRLabs in our product development program, as Wayne Grover's team offers two precious resources - design independence and a constant supply of hot talent."

VPI makes state of the art design tools spanning all layers of the telecommunications network architecture. The company has nine offices in six countries and sells to the world's largest telcos and equipment manufacturers. VPI's physical layer tool, the Photonic Transmission Design Suite (PTDS), received a 1999 OSA Engineering Excellence award. See www.virtualphotonics.com.

TRLabs is Canada's leading information and communications technology (ICT) research consortium. Through industry-university-government collaboration, TRLabs creates innovative technologies and trains students at the graduate and undergraduate levels to enhance Canada's information and communications technology expertise and improve its global competitiveness. TRLabs operates research labs in five cities: Calgary, Edmonton, Regina, Saskatoon and Winnipeg. Its industrial sponsors include telecom carriers, multinational equipment manufacturers, telecommunications service providers and close to 30 small technology businesses throughout Western Canada. University sponsors are the Universities of Alberta, Calgary, Manitoba, Regina and Saskatchewan, and government sponsors are the Governments of Canada, Alberta, Manitoba and Saskatchewan.

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