On November 11, 2010, the Faculty of Engineering, Khon Kaen University, the Committee for the National Telecommunications and the Telecommunications Research and Industrial Development Institute (TRIDI) joined together to hold a seminar on “Fiber Optic Technology and Wireless Sensing Networks.” The joint activity is under the MOU for the Excellence 2008 Plus 3 Project signed in 2008. On this occasion, the industrial research laboratory was opened for seminar participants and the press to see the research potential and the development of fiber optic wireless equipment. The production will meet the needs of Thai’s future telecommunication industry and will emphasize manufacturing for domestic consumption and exporting. 120 participants attended the seminar from both the private and governmental sectors including a number of media reporters.      

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Somnuk Theerakulpisut, the Dean of the Faculty of Engineering, said that Khon Kaen University is supported by TRIDI due to the Faculty’su expertise in data communications. This support encourages the researchers to conceptualize their schema. TRIDI awarded a scholarship for the design of micro-strip antennae for a wireless computer network to Asst. Prof. Dr. Nantakan Wongkasem and Asst. Prof. Dr. Boonying Chaaroen, lecturers at the Department of Electrical Engineering. The aim of this project is to miniaturize antenna and at the same time increase their effectiveness in transmitting and receiving signals. What has been achieved is a small micro-strip antenna of high quality that can be used in the frequency range of a wireless computer network. Being wireless equipment, there is a high potential of market demand and commercial extension in the future. Therefore, TRIDI assisted in the application of international property rights for PCT on June 15, 2010.  

 “Lecturers and researchers usually do not know the application procedures for patenting or the importance of intellectual properties. There are complications, and at the same time, we lacked information related to laws. Therefore, it is fortunate that TRIDI encouraged the researchers to see the importance of this so that we were able to register our property rights. Thai researchers have innovative ideas and potential to conduct research comparable to our counterparts abroad. Patenting means protection of the rights and benefits of Thai people and our country,” said the Dean. 

This seminar provided information on data communication technology, the Faculty of Engineering’s expertise. The major elements of this technology include the speed of data communication, the capacity of data space, and area coverage. Fiber optics enables high-speed communication and availability of space for data. In terms of coverage, wireless communication is a technology that can accommodate the demand for communication with great flexibility in movement and installation. Therefore, its role is increasing, especially in incorporating the surrounding information as part of the assessment by the wireless sensor. In addition, the capacity in wireless sensor networks is also increased to enable communications within the network and hence provide greater coverage.

 The seminar topics are as follows:

       1.       “Multi-agent Space, In-situ Volcano Sensorweb” by Steve Chien, Ph.D., Jet Propulsion Laboratory, California Institute of Technology, California, USA.

       2.       “Optical Communications Fundamental and Applications” by Assoc. Prof. Dr. Rangsan Thongtha, the Department of Communications Engineering, the University of Technology Suranaree.

       3.      “Innovative Fiber Optic solution with 10G Technology” by Khun Nattakawee Nimjirawat, Business Development Director, CDNN Corporation Company Limited. 

       4.      “Thailand’s Opportunity and Industrial Needs in Wireless Sensor Network Technology” by Khun Kan Opatjamraskit, R&D Manager, Silicon Craft Technology, Co. Ltd.