The Institute for Electronics, Communications and
Information Technology (ECIT) has set up a new high-tech research
centre in Belfast.
ECIT was formed in 2003 to commercialise expertise in a variety
of digital communications technologies at the schools of electrical
and electronic engineering and computer science at Queen’s
University Belfast.
The institute aims to provide a focus for extending the global
links the university has already established with major partners
and research centres.
The 40,000 square foot facility is located at the Northern
Ireland Science Park on Belfast’s waterfront.
ECIT received funding to build the facility from the European
Union, Invest Northern Ireland and the Department for Employment
and Learning, Northern Ireland.
The institute plans to focus initially on broadband wireless
communications, data security and telecoms software, among
others.
The facility is staffed by 120 academics, researchers and
administrators and has financial backing from companies including
BT and Infineon.