CSIRO’s breakthrough invention that paved the way for fast high data rate wireless networking (often referred to today as Wi-Fi) is now an internationally known Australian success story that, to date, has returned to our national research agency more than $430 million in royalties.
Researchers at Macquarie University played a critical role in helping translate this invention into a prototype for a commercial integrated circuit.
That chapter of collaboration was recognised recently with the receipt by Macquarie of a cheque for the final payment under a 2005 royalty sharing arrangement with CSIRO for Macquarie’s share of proceeds from the licensing of jointly developed wireless microcircuit chip technology.
Macquarie Vice-Chancellor, Professor S Bruce Dowton, said recognition of the University’s important role in the early development of high-speed wireless LAN was important as Macquarie prepared to celebrate its 50th birthday next year.
“For a young institution we have an incredibly strong record of achievement in a range of research fields, not least electronics and engineering,” he said. “Despite intense international competition, at that time CSIRO and Macquarie scientists were at the forefront of telecommunications technology research anywhere in the world. Twenty years later we are exceptionally proud of the achievements of those scientists and of the foresight shown by the administrators who supported their work with significant investment.”
Chief Executive of CSIRO, Dr Megan Clark, said: “We’ve had a long history working in wireless technology, and that experience is well known around the world. We’ve been working with Macquarie University for many years and are thrilled to recognise the part that it played in the history of wireless technology. We look forward to our ongoing work, and hope to make many more announcements in the future.”
Researchers at Macquarie University played a critical role in helping translate this invention into a prototype for a commercial integrated circuit.
That chapter of collaboration was recognised recently with the receipt by Macquarie of a cheque for the final payment under a 2005 royalty sharing arrangement with CSIRO for Macquarie’s share of proceeds from the licensing of jointly developed wireless microcircuit chip technology.
Macquarie Vice-Chancellor, Professor S Bruce Dowton, said recognition of the University’s important role in the early development of high-speed wireless LAN was important as Macquarie prepared to celebrate its 50th birthday next year.
“For a young institution we have an incredibly strong record of achievement in a range of research fields, not least electronics and engineering,” he said. “Despite intense international competition, at that time CSIRO and Macquarie scientists were at the forefront of telecommunications technology research anywhere in the world. Twenty years later we are exceptionally proud of the achievements of those scientists and of the foresight shown by the administrators who supported their work with significant investment.”
Chief Executive of CSIRO, Dr Megan Clark, said: “We’ve had a long history working in wireless technology, and that experience is well known around the world. We’ve been working with Macquarie University for many years and are thrilled to recognise the part that it played in the history of wireless technology. We look forward to our ongoing work, and hope to make many more announcements in the future.”
