The Georgia Electronic Design Center conducts research leading to the next generation of communications technologies. The center operates a set of industry-focused testbeds, or highly protected testing environments, to develop and evaluate technologies that will provide the foundation of tomorrow’s advanced communications systems.

These testbeds allow industry and academic researchers to collaborate on how to make the most efficient use of the wireless spectrum, advance optical interconnect technology, address cost and performance challenges, and move ubiquitous wireless networking closer to reality. Funding for the testbeds is provided by the Georgia Research Alliance, Georgia Institute of Technology and industry.  

Worth noting: The center includes several industry-sponsored facilities:

• The Samsung Electro-Mechanics Company Design Center focuses on developing radio frequency integrated circuit (RFIC) technology
• Siemens Communications facility houses research on wireless (3G) products and applications 

Institutions involved: Georgia Institute of Technology  

Research focus: The center is specifically focused on research on mixed-signal systems at the intersection of telecommunications, microelectronics, and analog/radio frequency technologies. Specific projects include:

• Cognitive networks
• Gigabit wireless multimedia distribution
• Low power adaptive sensors
• Adaptive high speed network interfaces
• Millimeter wave RADAR systems
• Multi-band radio frequency identification (RFID) networks
• Collaborative signal processing technologies

GRA investment: GRA has made substantial matching investments in GEDC testbeds and laboratories. 

External funding: The center has generated more than $32 million in federal and industry investment.