AccelerComm and the University of Southampton: Accelerating Wireless Communication. 

With the Knowledge Transfer Partnership between the University of Southampton and AccelerComm drawing to a close, there has been positive news resulting from the collaboration. KTP associate Dr. Peter Hailes, who completed a PhD at the University of Southampton, has secured a permanent contract to stay at the wireless communication company as a Senior Architect.

AccelerComm is working to accelerate the next generation of wireless communication by addressing bottlenecks that would otherwise limit the speed of wireless communication. Specifically, the error correction decoding is required to overcome the effects of noise, interference, and poor signal strength. 

Accelerating next-gen communications

The KTP project between the University of Southampton and AccelerComm has been working to address the hardware acceleration of signal processing algorithms of 5G mobile communication. The collaboration saw Peter Hailes working directly with the organisation to address this problem, utilising knowledge built up during his Ph.D. 

His work helped the organisation overcome two very significant related challenges; 

1. the optimisation of the message passing schedule and the hardware

Efficient and flexible implementation of factor graphs, including a knowledge exchange of novel algorithms and hardware architectures, as well as standardisation and commercialisation. 

2. The project transferred research 

Derived knowledge from the University of Southampton to AccelerComm, enabling, expediting, and enhancing the development of new first- to- market and best-in-class IP products. 

‘Win, win for all’ 

AccelerComm has managed to diversify its portfolio of expertise, patents, IP products and innovative working practice, allowing the organisation to grow and realise its ambitions. In addition, the company has strengthened its ties with the academic community through the KTP network.

At the University of Southampton, the project combined research with practical application, helping academics use their expertise to develop commercial grade IP to bring to market. In the case of AccelerComm, the organisation has the expertise and market traction to fully utilise the theoretical knowledge gained from Dr Hailes and the KTP. 

Dr Hailes, the KTP associate, has benefited from unique training and development opportunities, including bespoke training and a generous development budget. Working closely with both AccelerComm and the University of Southampton, Peter has found a real-world application for his PhD. In turn, AccelerComm has pivoted towards doing more work in this area. As AccelerComm founder Professor Rob Maunder describes it, it was ‘win, win, win’

Knowledge Transfer Advisor Stephen Woodhouse noted that:

‘The knowledge and skills embedded by the KTP project will provide a firm foundation for a series of future innovations by AccelerComm supporting exploitation of the 5G standard.  It is fantastic that Peter and the team at AccelerComm have been able to apply the KTP knowledge to support the critical industry scale-up of 5G in a number of exciting new areas.’

About Knowledge Transfer Partnerships

Knowledge Transfer Partnerships are a dynamic three- way collaboration between a business or not for profit organisation, one of the UK’s world- class knowledge bases, and a suitably qualified graduate. 

Working together this partnership powers strategic innovation projects, embeds expertise and drives commercial growth. The partnership is mutually beneficial, designed to result in lasting and transformative performance enhancements for the business; enriched applications of knowledge and research for the university; and an employment opportunity in a highly fulfilling role for the graduate. 

Knowledge Transfer Partnerships are funded by a grant to the university from Innovate UK and other government co-funders, and a cash contribution from the business involved. The programme is delivered by Knowledge Transfer Network, a network partner of Innovate UK. 

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