Chip start-up founded

Vega Grieshaber

Inka Krischke, 10.09.2024, 10:13

Chip start-up founded

The start-up milli IC from Karlsruhe specializes in the development of ASICs - and Vega Grieshaber is 'on board' to ultimately develop radar measuring devices with radar frequencies of more than 100 GHz.

The start-up milli IC specializes in the design of innovative microchips in the high-frequency range.

With the two managing directors Esref Turkmen and Alexander Haag and KIT professor Ahmet Cagri Ulusoy in an advisory capacity, three experts in the field of millimeter wave and high-frequency technology have joined forces. The three circuit engineers met at the Institute for High Frequency Technology and Electronics (IHE) at the Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT). Vega is the fourth partner involved and, as a manufacturer of measurement technology for filling level and pressure, contributes not only know-how in this field but also specific areas of application for the microchips.

Vega already uses a specially designed chip for its radar measuring devices up to 80 GHz. Now higher frequencies are to follow. "The chip is the heart of a radar device," says Thomas Deck, Head of Research and Development at Vega, emphasizing the importance of ASICs. Being able to help develop these right from the start is an exciting task and a great opportunity to further improve radar sensors and help shape technological progress. Higher radar frequencies of more than 100 GHz enable a narrower beam angle, along with an improved focus, higher performance and smaller mechanical components. This leads to more compact sensors and also reduces production costs.

milli IC is now starting work. However, a little patience is required before the first market-ready chips can be expected. "It will certainly take around two and a half years," says Thomas Deck.

The start-up milli IC, based in Karlsruhe, is a spin-off of the Institute of High Frequency Technology and Electronics (IHE) at KIT Karlsruhe and specializes in the design of RF and millimetre-wave ICs for sensors and communication systems, focusing on silicon-germanium-based technologies.

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