20 years “Microelectronics News“ – Throwback 2007

Highlights of 2007 / Fraunhofer IMS

Keeping an eye on the traffic

© Fraunhofer IMS
The novel camera determines the distance and three-dimensional shape of an object.

Modern on-board electronics prevent many traffic accidents. Nevertheless, the systems are not perfect. Especially the crossing traffic causes problems. Objects, but also pedestrians, who approach quickly from the side, are hardly detectable. The Fraunhofer IMS developed a small, robust and, above all, inexpensive camera to monitor the blind spot in cars.

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We would like to invite you to join us for a small time travel through the highlights of 20 years of Microelectronics News, and we hope you enjoy reading our selection of research and development from the member institutes of the Fraunhofer Group for Microelectronics.

Highlights of 2007 / Fraunhofer HHI

Mirror, mirror on the wall

© Fraunhofer HHI
Spoilt for choice: The decision for the most beautiful pair of shoes cannot (yet) be made by the virtual mirror

Fashionwise Paris has always set trends. In addition to extravagant cuts and fine fabrics, the Champs Elysées now has yet another attraction: In the Adidas store, a virtual mirror from Fraunhofer HHI eliminates the need for tiresome fitting.

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Highlights of 2007 / Fraunhofer IAF

Strategic Technology Alliance for Europe

© Fraunhofer IAF
Fraunhofer IAF has been conducting research and development in the field of GaN technology since the early 1990s.

Gallium nitride (GaN) semiconductor chips are key components for modern mobile communications. They can be used to build particularly energy-efficient and flexible base stations for future radio networks. The companies NXP and UMS joined forces together with the Fraunhofer IAF in Freiburg to create an independent European source for this strategic technology.

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Highlights of 2007 / Fraunhofer IZM

Future technologies for secure identification

© Fraunhofer IZM
Flexible smart card with integrated antenna: The RFID chips are so thin that they can be easily integrated into paper and the contacts are so fine that they can be wired with an antenna that is no longer visible. In addition, the hardware is designed to be so reliable that it can withstand daily use.

The chips that could be used for ID cards and smart cards are 10 times thinner than a hair. The German Federal Printing Office and Fraunhofer IZM have joined forces to research technologies for chip-based ID security documents. On July 11, 2007, the “SecurityLab“, which was set up specifically for this purpose, opened in Berlin.

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