Scientific-Atlanta has donated the equipment to ECE for a two-way digital CATV communications research laboratory. The Scientific-Atlanta system, which consists of a satellite antenna and digital receivers, digital network control system, broad-band integrated gateway, head-end QSPK and QAM modulators, DAVIC controller, and several explorer digital home communications terminals with facilities for software development, is located in the GCATT Building.
In addition to the equipment donation, Scientific-Atlanta will contribute $50,000 a year for the next three years to fund coordinated research projects. Scientific-Atlanta has also agreed to double its support of contributions to the Georgia Tech Capital Campaign made by Georgia Tech alumni who are Scientific-Atlanta employees for the same time period. These funds will assist in the continued maintenance of the lab and continued support of graduate students. The research program and supporting gifts were announced at a breakfast hosted by Scientific-Atlanta for Georgia Tech alumni working for the company.
Shown in photo: Dr. Roger Webb, ECE Chair, Dr. H. Allen Ecker, S-A CTO and Pres. Subscriber Networks Sector, Burchall Cooper, S-A VP Eng Digital Subscriber Networks, Dr. John Copeland, ECE Weitnauer Chair and Dir. Communications Systems Center.
"Scientific-Atlanta is very enthusiastic about our new collaborative research program with Georgia Tech," said H. Allen Ecker, president, subscriber networks sector of Scientific-Atlanta. "We believe that the combination of an equipment donation of a digital interactive network platform and monetary contributions to support research will make a dramatic impact on the way entertainment, information, and communication are delivered to consumers in the home through broadband networks," Dr. Ecker said.
(from the School of Electrical and Computer Engineering newsletter, Feb. 1999)