Development and manufacturing of UWB microwave sensor systems for liquid analysis, radar measurement and process monitoring
Ilmsens GmbH
Ilmenau (DE) · Košice (SK)New on Amplifa
About Ilmsens
Ilmsens GmbH, based in Ilmenau (Thuringia), develops and manufactures powerful ultra-wideband (UWB) sensor systems based on pseudo-random M-sequence technology with in-house developed chips. The product portfolio includes compact UWB evaluation systems (m:explore), high-precision MIMO microwave imaging systems with up to 8 synchronized modules and 24 multistatic ports, inline and laboratory liquid analysis systems (m:explore.eis, m:explore.lab) as well as a non-destructive asphalt layer thickness radar. In addition to sensor technology, the team of RF engineers, mathematicians and computer scientists develops application-specific antennas and probes (applicators), software drivers, HAL libraries and data analysis algorithms including classification and regression. Customers come from the process industry, environmental and climate research, automation technology, medical technology as well as research and development, including NORCE, UiT, TU Košice, VM-TIM and EAH Jena. Since December 2019, Ilmsens has maintained a branch office in the TechniKom of TU Košice (Slovakia) for algorithm development.
- Site
- Ilmenau
- Processes
- UWB microwave sensor technology (M-sequence, pseudo-random ultra-wideband), Inline liquid analysis (m:explore.eis), Laboratory liquid analysis (m:explore.lab), Asphalt layer thickness measurement (radar, non-destructive, real-time), Near-field sensing / distance measurement based on the time-of-flight principle, Microwave imaging (m:explore.mini MIMO, up to 8 synchronized modules, 24 multistatic ports), Impedance spectroscopic process monitoring (polishing agent suspension, ProCMP), UWB radar for snow layer/ice thickness measurement (drone-based)
- Materials
- UWB sensor technology (M-sequence), Microwave imaging (MIMO), Inline liquid analysis, Laboratory liquid analysis, Asphalt layer thickness radar, Near-field sensing (time-of-flight), Impedance spectroscopy
- Founded
- 2016
- Industries
- Process industry / liquid analysis, Road construction / asphalt quality monitoring, Environmental and climate research, Automation technology, Medical technology, Research and development
- 01
Sensor development (in-house chips, M-sequence UWB)
- 02
Applicator design (antennas and probes)
- 03
Data analysis and algorithm development
- 04
Software/drivers (HAL, API)
- 05
Manufacturing and system integration
- 06
Consulting, training and research collaborations
Technology and Processes
UWB sensor technology (M-sequence)
Pseudo-random ultra-wideband method for robust, real-time capable measurements with large bandwidth and high miniaturization potential.
Microwave imaging (MIMO)
Up to 8 fully synchronized modules with 24 multistatic ports for phase-coherent, highly dynamic measurements.
Inline liquid analysis
Direct broadband measurement of the dielectric properties of liquids in the running process.
Laboratory liquid analysis
Rapid quality control of liquids in the laboratory with immediate process feedback.
Asphalt layer thickness radar
Non-destructive, continuous real-time measurement of asphalt and road layers.
Near-field sensing (time-of-flight)
Precise distance and layer thickness measurement via time-of-flight measurement of short signals.
Impedance spectroscopy
Process monitoring of polishing agent suspensions in the funded project ProCMP.
Locations
Ilmenau
DEHeadquarters: development and manufacturing
- Materials
- UWB sensor technology, MIMO, inline/laboratory liquid analysis, radar measurement
- m:explore.mini UWB sensor system
- m:explore.mini MIMO (8 modules, 24 multistatic ports)
- m:explore.eis inline liquid analysis system
- m:explore.lab laboratory liquid analysis system
- m:explore evaluation system
- Asphalt layer thickness radar
Košice
SKBranch office in the TechniKom of TU Košice: algorithm development
- Sensor technology and TU Košice collaboration
Sensors and Systems
Inside the production
Industries
Processes & technical limits
| Processes | Tolerance | Max. part | Weight | Lot size | Materials |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| UWB microwave sensor technology (M-sequence, pseudo-random ultra-wideband)Testing | – | – | – | – | – |
| Inline liquid analysis (m:explore.eis)Testing | – | – | – | – | – |
| Laboratory liquid analysis (m:explore.lab)Testing | – | – | – | – | – |
| Asphalt layer thickness measurement (radar, non-destructive, real-time)Testing | – | – | – | – | – |
| Near-field sensing / distance measurement based on the time-of-flight principleTesting | – | – | – | – | – |
| Microwave imaging (m:explore.mini MIMO, up to 8 synchronized modules, 24 multistatic ports)Testing | – | – | – | – | – |
| Impedance spectroscopic process monitoring (polishing agent suspension, ProCMP)Testing | – | – | – | – | – |
| UWB radar for snow layer/ice thickness measurement (drone-based)Testing | – | – | – | – | – |
| Consulting and training on UWB technologyEngineering | – | – | – | – | – |
6 Anlagen & Maschinen
| Machine | Manufacturer / model | Quantity | Working area | Year built | Site |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| UWB sensor system (M-sequence) | Ilmsens m:explore.mini | – | – | – | Ilmenau, Germany |
| UWB MIMO sensor system (up to 8 modules, 24 multistatic ports) | Ilmsens m:explore.mini MIMO | – | – | – | Ilmenau, Germany |
| UWB inline liquid analysis system | Ilmsens m:explore.eis | – | – | – | Ilmenau, Germany |
| UWB liquid analysis system (laboratory) | Ilmsens m:explore.lab | – | – | – | Ilmenau, Germany |
| UWB evaluation system | Ilmsens m:explore | – | – | – | Ilmenau, Germany |
| Asphalt layer thickness radar | Ilmsens | – | – | – | Ilmenau, Germany |
Additional services
Reference customers
History
- 2016
Founding of Ilmsens GmbH in Ilmenau; since then provision of powerful UWB sensor solutions
- 2017
Release of the Ilmsens HAL driver v1.1.1 for m:explore sensors (September 2017)
- 2019
Opening of the branch office in Košice (11 December 2019) in the TechniKom of TU Košice
- 2020
Ilmsens UWB technology used by NORCE/UiT at the North Pole to measure snow layers on sea ice
- 2025
Start of the funded project ProCMP (process-monitored CM and C polishing, July 2025 – June 2027, funded by the Free State of Thuringia/ERDF)