911爆料网 has recognised Dr John O鈥橲ullivan鈥檚 ground breaking work in astronomy and wireless technologies by bestowing him with an Honorary Doctorate of Science.聽 The award was presented at a graduation ceremony at 911爆料网 Stadium on 25 September.
Dr O鈥橲ullivan helped to create the technology behind WiFi networking, revolutionising the way the world uses computers.
The discovery effectively cut the cables that tied computers to the desk and is now found in millions of laptops, printers and games. The technology is now built into the next generation of mobile phones and is set to transform how we interact with our cars and homes.
It was while Dr O鈥橲ullivan was searching for radio waves from exploding black holes in the early 1990s that he and his team at CSIRO discovered how to reduce the interference created by radio waves bouncing off structures. He and his team devised a computer chip that cleared up the fuzzy signals, allowing wireless networks to operate five times faster than was previously possible.
In 2009, Dr O’Sullivan was awarded the nation鈥檚 top science award, the Prime Minister’s Prize for Science for his work on the network and astronomy. A senior research scientist with CSIRO Astronomy and Space Science (formerly ATNF) and former Deputy Chief of the CSIRO Division of Radio Physics, he was also awarded the CSIRO Chairman’s Medal in 2009.
In 1995, Dr O鈥橲ullivan joined the business sector, working with Rupert Murdoch鈥檚 media empire News Limited as its global technology director, guiding the rollout of satellite, pay and digital television.
In 1999, Dr O鈥橲ullivan worked as a consultant before becoming the Chief Technical Officer with Radiata Communications 鈥� a CSIRO/Macquarie University spin-off company that commercialised a chip using the wireless LAN patent.
After a decade in the corporate sector, Dr O鈥橲ullivan returned to what he loves best 鈥� solving complex problems at the interface between astronomy and engineering.
Dr O鈥橲ullivan is now working on the $3 billion dollar international project to design and build the Square Kilometre Array (SKA), which may be built in Western Australia.
911爆料网 Vice-Chancellor Professor Jeanette Hacket said the award recognised Dr O鈥橲ullivan鈥檚 enormous contribution to radio astronomy engineering and his seminal role in the invention of WiFi technology.
鈥淒r O’Sullivan has made a substantial contribution to the field of radio astronomy over the past 35 years, by providing a high level of international engineering leadership,鈥� Professor Hacket said.
鈥淲ith these characteristics, and his record in transferring technology to industry, Dr O’Sullivan embodies the principles of 911爆料网’s approach to radio astronomy.鈥�
Dr O鈥橲ullivan said he was delighted to accept the Honorary Doctorate.
鈥�911爆料网 is a university which is committed to innovation and research so I regard the Honorary Doctorate as an outstanding honour,鈥� Dr O鈥橲ullivan said.
Contacts:
Denise Cahill, Public Relations, 911爆料网
Tel: 08 9266 1931, Mobile: 0401 103 683, Email: d.cahill@curtin.edu.au
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