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NIRCA-ASTRO is the Near Infrared Controller ASIC for Astronomy IDEAS has signed a contract with ESA for the development of NIRCA-ASTRO, i.e., the Near Infrared Readout Controller ASIC for Astronomy, an ESA science activity with IDEAS as prime contractor. The objective of the NIRCA-ASTRO project is to develop a next-generation controller ASIC for advanced near-infrared avalanche photodiode (APD) detector arrays. The technology is intended to support future space missions that will extend observations into the near-infrared spectrum, enabling scientists to study dust-obscured regions of our galaxy and build on the scientific legacy of ESA’s Gaia mission. For IDEAS, this project is very important: It reinforces our position as a leading European developer of advanced mixed-signal and detector readout ASICs for space and infrared applications. Compared to IDEAS NIRCA MkII we aim at lower power, relatively high-frame rate readout, and fully European supply-chain for wafer processing and packaging. The project builds on our design heritage of readout integrated circuits (ROIC) and analog-to-digital converters (ADC) in ultra-deep sub-micron UDSM CMOS (40nm, 28nm, and 22nm nodes).

Integrated Detector Electronics AS (IDEAS) is one of two Norwegian companies selected for SPIRIT, a €39 million European initiative to build a fully European supply chain for high-resolution infrared sensors. We are proud to announce our participation in SPIRIT (Small Pitch Improved Resolution for Infrared Technology), a strategic European project selected under the European Defence Fund (EDF) 2025 call for technologies for optronic sensors. Coordinated by LYNRED (France), the project brings together 15 partners from 9 European countries, covering the entire value chain from readout integrated circuit (ROIC) design to camera demonstration. SPIRIT has a total estimated cost of €39.16 million and will receive a maximum EU contribution of nearly €29 million. The project is scheduled to start at the end of 2026 and will run for four years. A sovereign European supply chain for infrared technology Building on the EDF-funded HEROIC (2021) and ECOSYSTEM (2023) projects, SPIRIT will bring European CMOS-based infrared sensor technology to operational maturity (TRL 6). The consortium will build and deliver infrared image sensors using an advanced CMOS process for high-performance ROICs. The goal is resolutions of 3 megapixels or more and a pixel pitch below 7 µm, supported by a sovereign EU-based supply chain. The sensors will be integrated into camera prototypes tested under real operating conditions, for applications including missile detection, drone detection, naval applications and camouflage detection. These innovations will give European defence forces extended detection ranges, improved counter-UAS capability and easier system upgrades. Norwegian expertise at the heart of European defence technology IDEAS and Kongsberg Defence & Aerospace AS are the two Norwegian members of the consortium, placing Norwegian technology at the core of a European defence programme. For IDEAS, SPIRIT is a natural continuation of its contribution to the HEROIC project, where the company worked alongside European partners on the next generation of European ROICs for infrared sensors. IDEAS will contribute its core expertise in the design of full-custom integrated circuits and ROICs for radiation detection and imaging. Our technology has extensive flight heritage from space missions with all major space agencies around the world, underscoring the quality of our products.

Integrated Detector Electronics AS signs contract with Argotec SRL, Torino, Italy for the Phase A study of the ESA SWORD (Space Weather Orbital Radiation Detector). Argotec is prime for the mission study whereas IDEAS is selected for the payload definition and performance assessment. IDEAS is partnering with SPARC and DUTH, both Greece, for the work. The SWORD mission is designed to improve Europe’s ability to monitor and forecast space weather for satellite safety. This project strengthens IDEAS position as a trusted supplier of space weather instrumentation to the European community. Past and ongoing activities include the Norwegian Radiation Monitor on Space Norway’s ASBM mission and delivery of multiple Radiation Monitoring Units to the EU Galileo Second Generation satellite constellation.

Proud of the achievement: Timo after accepting the award on behalf of the CPT-SCOPE team with the ESA Education mascot Paxi (green). Image credit: SSSA. Two members of the CPT-SCOPE team, namely Anastasiya Dykyy and Timo Stein, presented the preliminary results of the CPT-SCOPE flight-test aboard BEXUS 20 on October 10, 2015, at the 1st Symposium on Space Educational Activities. The event took place in Padova, Italy and gathered more than 200 participants. The CPT-SCOPE findings were summarised in a conference proceedings paper entitled “The Cosmic Particle Telescope Project – First Results” authored by the CPT-SCOPE core team. CPT-SCOPE logo. Image credit: CPT-SCOPE. Throughout the event space activities of students and space agencies were described. Lastly, a big honour was bestowed on the CPT-SCOPE team. Their paper submission was awarded the "CISAS G. Colombo Best Paper Award". Timo also received a conference sponsorship from the German aerospace agency, DLR. The CPT-SCOPE student team has been supported by IDEAS.

Oslo, Norway – October 2025 Integrated Detector Electronics AS (IDEAS) has officially signed a contract with the European Space Agency (ESA) to develop a Near Infrared Interface Electronics Board for the ARRAKIHS instrument, marking a major milestone in Norway’s contribution to ESA’s science missions. IDEAS has previously designed and delivered integrated circuits to multiple science missions, however this project represents the company’s first complete subsystem delivery to the prestigious science program.   The ARRAKIHS payload aims to explore, at unprecedented depth, the predictions of the Λ-Cold Dark Matter (ΛCDM) cosmological model and to assess the significance of the reported tensions between model and observations in the local Universe. The mission will provide key tests with which to probe both the nature of dark matter and baryonic physics currently adopted in state-of-the art galaxy formation models, by using advanced near-infrared imaging techniques.   “This is a result of many years of focused work by IDEAS in close collaboration with both the European and Norwegian Space Agencies and a major step forward for Norwegian contributions to ESA’s science missions,” says Gunnar Maehlum (IDEAS), CEO of IDEAS. “Our team is excited to bring its expertise in microelectronics, radiation detection and system design to a mission that not only advances astrophysics but also strengthens the industrial footprint in Norway, in an industry that is experiencing significant growth globally.”   “We are very happy to see a competent SME like IDEAS included in the ESA science program” said Pål Brekke, Lead Space Science at the Norwegian Space Agency. “The company has a history of developing and delivering top notch technology. This contract is again proving their ability to deliver and we believe more opportunities will come their way.”

The i-RASE project partners gathered for their 4th consortium meeting on 26. and 27. November 2025 at Kromek´s headquarter in Sedgefield (United Kingdom). Funded by Pathfinder Open of the European Innovation Council (EIC), the collaborative R&D project aims at developing intelligent RAdiation SEnsors (i-RASE) with artificial neural networks (ANN). At the meeting, the partners discussed their latest work on radiation detector modelling, physics informed training of ANNs, detector readout ASIC design, and network implementations in resource constrained systems (small and low power). The IDEAS team contributes with new technology for high-resolution x- and gamma-ray spectroscopy ( GDS-100 ) and information about ROIC/ASIC detector readout (IDE3421). The work could greatly improve scientific instruments and equipment for nuclear medicine, radio-protection, nuclear safety and security.   Read more information about the i-RASE project at www.i-rase.dtu.dk Attendees of the 4th i-RASE Project Consortium Meeting.

IDEAS attends SPIE DCS 2016, Defense + Commercial Sensing, Baltimore Convention Center, Baltimore, MD , United States, 17 – 22 April 2016. The company is represented Philip Påhlsson who presents the results from the development of an ASIC for large array infrared detectors. Philip Påhlsson ; David Steenari ; Petter Øya ; Hans Kristian Otnes Berge ; Dirk Meier ; et al. “NIRCA ASIC for the readout of focal plane arrays”, Proc. SPIE 9819, Infrared Technology and Applications XLII, 98192C (May 20, 2016); doi :10.1117/12.2223619

The integrated circuit was developed under contract from ESA and the Norwegian Space Center. The IDEAS IDE3380 is a general purpose integrated circuit (IC) for the readout of silicon photomultipliers (SiPM). The SiPM is a relatively new type of optical sensor for the detection and timing of single photons. While the IC was designed primarily for arrays with many SiPM, it can also read out state-of-the-art photomultiplier tubes (PMT). Like PMT, SiPM and arrays of SiPM can be used for many applications, for example, medical imaging, life sciences, industrial scanning, and range finding. The requirements for this IC were derived from needs in space science, in particular for Gamma-Ray Imaging, Polarimetry and Spectroscopy (GRIPS), scintillating fibers for a gamma-ray telescope (PANGU) and astro-particle missions (HERD). These and many other space-borne instruments are producing results that are essential for our understanding of the universe, the solar system and our planet. Operation in space requires radiation tolerance and low power dissipation. Therefore, special design effort has been on latch-up immunity, single event upset mitigation and error corrections, as well as low-power design and programmable power-down. The circuit covers a wide range of detector technologies and applications in space and terrestrial, for example, high-resolution gamma-ray spectroscopy, detector front-end readout for diagnostic imaging in nuclear medicine, fast photon counting, and timing. IDEAS DEVELOPMENT ENVIRONMENT System developers benefit from the IDE3380 development kit, which helps them to become familiar with IDE3380 and reduces their time-to-product. The IDE3380 development kit contains the IC on a test board and a readout system that connects to standard PC via Ethernet. The software allows one to program the IC and characterize the performance and measure data with up to 16 SiPMs. IDEAS development environment The integrated circuit IDE3380 is ideal for the readout of large arrays of SiPMs. Each readout channel has an input stage for programmable gain and offset adjustment, analogue signal processing and digitization of the signals. These functions have previously been built with discrete devices. The state-of-the-art integrated circuit technology allows engineers to integrate the auxiliary electronics in a system-on-chip and thereby increase the performance and reliability, and significantly reduce power, weight and size. The reduced weight and power is essential for lowering the cost for launch from Earth and operations in space. “For many years IDEAS delivers to scientific experiments in space that are procured by ESA, NASA, JAXA, CAS, ISRO and recently small satellite missions.” said Aage Kalsæg, CMO at IDEAS. IDE3380 IC connected to SiPM   ABOUT IDEAS Integrated Detector Electronics AS (IDEAS) is a privately held, R&D driven, semiconductor company, based in Norway. The company designs application specific integrated circuits (ASIC) and subsystems for radiation detection and imaging, with emphasis on sensor and detector readout. IDEAS ICs enable precise measurements of natural and man-made radioactivity, and has developed Intellectual Property for radiation hardened and extended temperature range. IDEAS was founded in 1992 by scientist and engineers with background from The European Organization for Nuclear Research (CERN) and the University of Oslo. PAPER: D. Meier et al., “SIPHRA 16-Channel Silicon Photomultiplier Readout ASIC”, Proc. AMICSA&DSP 2016, 12-16 June 2016, Gothenburg, Sweden. Available from https://doi.org/10.13140/RG.2.1.1460.8882

The IDEAS team is proud and grateful to have contributed to the mission and wishes the scientists success with their experiments at Mercury. BepiColombo is a joint mission between the European Space Agency (ESA) and the Japanese Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA). BepiColombo is Europe’s first mission to Mercury. It was launched on October 20th 2018 on a journey to the smallest and least explored planet in our Solar System. The journey to Mercury will take about seven years and the spacecraft will enter the orbit around Mercury by end of 2025. Artistic rendering of the BepiColombo spacecraft with its solar arrays extended, orbiting the heavily cratered planet Mercury. BepiColombo consists of two spacecrafts, the Mercury Planetary Orbiter (MPO) provided by ESA and the Mercury Magnetospheric Orbiter (MMO) provided by JAXA. Near Mercury the two spacecrafts separate allowing for simultaneous measurements at different orbital positions. The MPO carries the BepiColombo Radiation Monitor (BERM) designed to measure electrons, protons and ions near the spacecraft. BERM contains the IDEAS VA32TA2_2 ASIC for the readout of silicon sensors. On board the MMO is the Mercury Plasma Particle Experiment (MPPE) that will investigate the plasma/particle environment around Mercury. MPPE is a comprehensive instrument for plasma, high-energy particle and energetic neutral atom measurements. It consists of seven sensors of which the high-energy particle instrument for electron (HEP-ele) and the high-energy particle instrument for ion (HEP-ion) use the IDEAS VA32TA7 ASIC to detect electrons and ions in a silicon strip detector, respectively. The instruments aboard BepiColombo demonstrate IDEAS heritage in integrated circuits for space science missions.

Integrated Detector Electronics AS (IDEAS) is pleased to announce its new contract with The European Commission, DG DEFIS – Defence Industry and Space to support the analysis and exploitation of NORM space radiation data.  This collaboration strengthens efforts to advance space exploration and enhance satellite safety and reliability.  NORM is an electron and proton spectrometer onboard one of the two ASBM satellites owned by Space Norway AS. Under this contract, IDEAS and its collaborators will develop and deliver a flexible, modular platform to process data from the NORM instrument, provide in-depth analysis of selected use cases, and ensure NORM’s long-term data exploitation through research, modelling, testing, demonstrations, and training. The project aims to improve understanding of key phenomena, such as Sun-Earth interactions, refine radiation models across the full range of altitudes covered by highly elliptical orbit (HEO) satellites, and strengthen space weather monitoring and prediction techniques.  Electron (upper graph) and proton (lower graph) flux observed by NORM on ASBM from October 8 to 14, 2024. Electron (upper graph) and proton (lower graph) flux observed by NORM on ASBM from October 8 to 14, 2024. Background  Space radiation can negatively impact satellite electronics and equipment, affecting their operational reliability and lifespan. To counteract these effects, satellite designers, manufacturers and operators employ shielding, radiation-hardened materials, and redundancy strategies.   The European Union’s space infrastructure, including Galileo, EGNOS, SSA, and future programs like IRIS² depends on radiation-sensitive systems, making continuous monitoring radiation levels in the operational orbits of these missions essential to anticipate potential vulnerabilities in electronic equipment and ensure its long-term reliability. This tracking will also help assess the risk of service disruptions.  Radiation measurements in orbit also help study time-variable occurrences, such as geomagnetic storms and solar flares. As we approach the solar cycle peak, increased solar activity raises the likelihood of solar flares and coronal mass ejections, which can release high levels of radiation. By analysing radiation data collected during these events, scientists and researchers can better understand their impact on the radiation environment, enhancing knowledge of space weather and its effects on Earth’s environment.  In August 2024, the Norwegian Space Agency launched the Arctic Satellite Broadband Mission (ASBM) , consisting of two satellites in HEO. To support this mission, the European Commission and the Norwegian Space Agency deployed the Norwegian Radiation Monitoring Unit (NORM) on one of the satellites. NORM, with a minimum five-year lifespan, collects data on energetic particles, trapped electrons in Earth’s radiation belt, and solar and cosmic radiation. The ASBM is in a highly elliptical orbit enabling the instrument to deliver data not available from other European satellites.  Illustration of the Arctic Broadband Satellite Mission (Image credit: Northrop Grumman) IDEAS’ Contribution  Integrated Detector Electronics AS (IDEAS) is a leader in detector electronics, specialising in solutions for radiation detection and imaging in space exploration, medical imaging, and particle physics. Focusing strongly on innovation, reliability, and performance, IDEAS develops advanced integrated circuits and electronic systems tailored to specific project needs.  IDEAS’ expertise aligns with the European Union’s space objectives, enhancing radiation monitoring capabilities for satellites. By integrating IDEAS’ advanced technology, satellites gain improved ability to detect and respond to radiation events, ensuring continuous service and extended operational lifetimes.  Illustration of the Arctic Broadband Satellite Mission (Image credit: Northrop Grumman) Partnership with SPARC  For this project, IDEAS collaborates with Space Applications & Research Consultancy (SPARC), an interdisciplinary team of experts in data science, space research, and machine learning. SPARC specialises in scientific data processing, space weather forecasting, and R&D project management. SPARC will support data processing, analysis, and forecasting of space weather events, strengthening the overall project’s impact.  Industry Impact  “We are thrilled to partner with the European Commission on this crucial initiative,” said Gunnar Maehlum, CEO of IDEAS. “Our team is committed to delivering state-of-the-art solutions to advance space technology. This collaboration will provide valuable data for understanding space radiation and improving satellite resilience.”  Media Contact: Gunnar Maehlum, CEO of Integrated Detector Electronics AS, Gjerdrums vei 19 Email: gunnar@ideas.no

We have started the new Eurostars project NGSDuo – a mixed radiation sensor system for combined hyper-spectral gamma imaging and neutron detection. The Eurostars project will be carried out by Innovative Physics Ltd., Czech Technical University, and Integrated Detector Electronics AS (IDEAS). The project aims at a commercial product based on the partners background and the IDEAS spectroscopic camera module. NGSDuo camera module. Acknowledgements We gratefully acknowledge the support from Eurostars programme, the H2020 programme and the Research Council of Norway.