Dr.-Ing. Ralf Stephan, TU Ilmenau

”The RF and Microwave Research Laboratory at Ilmenau University of Technology has been working together with IMMS on a project to develop compact satnav receivers that are highly reliable. The project is named KOMPASSION and involves new concepts and technologies which are based on adaptive group antennas made up of individual elements in close vicinity to each other. The receiving unit developed is only a quarter as big as a conventional group antenna but has the same number of elements and demonstrates the applicability of the jointly designed antennas and receivers.

The multi-channel, low-noise analogue frontend was developed by IMMS. It forms the link between the group antenna and the digital evaluation electronics. The IMMS expertise in RF circuit design, in the actual implementation of the circuit and in measurements to verify the RF properties was particularly important here. As our partners, the Institute’s staff applied themselves consistently and with understanding of the whole system reaching well beyond the ASIC they had themselves developed.

The scientists on both sides achieved valuable mutual support and comprehension, which was of great benefit. As a result, there was not only a successful demonstration the functioning of the satnav receiver system but, furthermore, the TU accepted IMMS’ tender for a subcontract in the KOSERNA project which is to concern itself with the improvement and development of the design for industrial purposes.“