Filter systems connect experts from two countries

Radio Design Ltd., a company specializing in filter systems, is an excellent example of how specific expertise can bring people together irrespective of place or nationality. The company was founded a year ago. It´s Scottishowned and its head offices are near Leeds, UK. Since July, Radio Design has also had a legal entity and an office in Oulu.

“Oulu has a long tradition in filter systems, due to a number of Oulu companies involved in filter systems design for many years. What´s more, the close relationship between the University of Oulu and businesses offers great opportunities for improving our know-how and finding the right people to work for us,´ says Eric Hawthorn, the Managing Director.

The Oulu unit is headed by Jorma Ohtonen, who adds that customers are another reason why Radio Design came to the city.

Growing markets

Radio Design offers products for the key markets of the cellular, broadcasting and defence sectors. Its team of filter system experts can provide a full product design and development service to any of those sectors.

“Our team consists of experienced, top-rate engineers with over 250 years of accumulated design experience. We work with major operators and original equipment manufacturers and provide them with high quality product design that meets the demands of modern base station requirements,´ Eric Hawthorn says.

Filter systems play an increasingly important role for base stations. “Filters allow several operators to use the same cellsite and antenna systems. This naturally means lower costs and quicker implementation of new technologies,´ Hawthorn says.

New and old technology

The market for filter system design and develoapment is booming and there is plenty of work for Radio Design´s pros. The current challenge for the company is to strike a balance between new product development based on innovation and established know-how. There is a market for both new and old technology. “On the one hand, we must not lose our lead in the technology; we must even stay ahead of our customers in order to provide them with ready-made products as countries adopt new wireless network technologies and frequencies. On the other hand, there are many countries that are only now implementing GSM technologies, which means we have to make sure we have a handle on older technologies, too,´ Eric Hawthorn says.

In the end, however, the required technologies and timetables are decided by ordinary mobile phone users. Their readiness to adopt new technologies and applications determines the speed of progress for Radio Design and the sector at large.