LZE GmbH Expands Technology Transfer Portfolio with RFicient® Ultra-Low-Power Wake-Up Receiver for Industrial IoT Applications
LZE GmbH has expanded its technology transfer portfolio by introducing the RFicient® ultra-low-power wake-up receiver technology developed by the Fraunhofer Institute for Integrated Circuits IIS. For the first time, this advanced innovation is available as a standard chip specifically designed for industrial applications close to production. The new solution enables energy-efficient Internet of Things (IoT) designs that remain continuously reachable while consuming only microamps of power—representing a significant advancement for sustainable, low-maintenance IoT products.
The availability of the RFicient® integrated circuit marks an important step in bridging the gap between scientific research and real-world industrial implementation. With its extremely low power consumption and fast wake-up response, the technology addresses one of the key challenges faced by developers of battery-powered wireless systems: maintaining continuous connectivity without significantly draining energy resources.
Accelerating Technology Transfer from Research to Industry
As an organization dedicated to transforming scientific discoveries into practical market solutions, LZE GmbH plays a vital role in enabling companies to access innovative technologies developed within leading research institutions. Through strategic collaborations with research partners, LZE supports the commercialization of advanced technologies and helps businesses quickly integrate them into real-world products.
With the introduction of the RFicient®-IC (FH101RF), LZE once again demonstrates its ability to convert cutting-edge research into commercially viable technology. The chip represents a direct result of research conducted at the Fraunhofer Institute for Integrated Circuits IIS, one of Europe’s leading institutions for applied microelectronics and wireless communication technologies.
For the first time, the RFicient® chip is available for large-scale ordering and can be easily integrated into product development projects that are already close to industrial production. This availability significantly shortens development cycles for manufacturers and enables faster market entry for innovative IoT devices.
Companies developing wireless products can now integrate RFicient® technology into their designs without the need for complex custom development. As a result, manufacturers can focus on product innovation while benefiting from a proven, ready-to-deploy solution.
Enabling Faster Development of Energy-Efficient IoT Products
The introduction of the RFicient® standard chip is expected to accelerate the development of energy-efficient wireless IoT solutions across a wide range of industries. By providing a ready-made hardware component optimized for ultra-low-power communication, developers can rapidly convert wireless concepts into functional products.
This approach reduces the time required for research and prototyping and allows companies to move more quickly from idea to commercial product. Potential applications span multiple sectors, including:
- Smart home devices and connected consumer electronics
- Industrial monitoring and predictive maintenance sensors
- Wireless sensor networks for environmental monitoring
- Logistics tracking and asset management systems
In each of these fields, energy efficiency and long battery life are essential design requirements. RFicient® provides a reliable solution that allows IoT devices to remain responsive while minimizing power consumption.
Technological Breakthrough: Continuous Reception with Ultra-Low Power Consumption
One of the most notable features of RFicient® technology is its ability to continuously monitor wireless communication channels while consuming extremely little energy. Traditional wireless receivers often require significant power to remain active, which can quickly drain batteries in IoT devices.
The RFicient® wake-up receiver solves this problem by maintaining continuous radio monitoring while consuming less than 3.5 microamps (µA) of current. This remarkably low energy requirement enables IoT devices to remain in standby mode for extended periods without sacrificing responsiveness.
When a wake-up signal is detected, the system can react within approximately 32 milliseconds, allowing the main system components to activate only when needed. This selective activation dramatically improves overall power efficiency.
Another important capability is the chip’s support for multiple license-free frequency bands commonly used in wireless communication. These include:
- 433 MHz
- 868 / 915 MHz
- 2.4 GHz
This multi-band compatibility ensures flexibility across global markets and allows developers to design products suitable for a wide range of regulatory environments and wireless ecosystems.
Additionally, the chip supports selective wake-up functionality using a 16-bit identifier (ID). This feature allows specific devices within a network to be activated individually, reducing unnecessary power consumption and improving system efficiency.
As a result, IoT devices equipped with RFicient® technology can potentially operate for many years on a single battery while maintaining reliable communication performance.
Industry and Research Leaders Highlight the Innovation
Dr. Christian Forster, CEO of LZE GmbH, emphasized the company’s role in turning research achievements into practical technologies that benefit industry.
According to Forster, translating scientific discoveries into market-ready solutions is central to the mission of LZE. He highlighted RFicient® as an excellent example of how research innovation can be successfully commercialized.
He explained that industries increasingly demand wireless communication solutions that are not only energy-efficient but also scalable and reliable. By making the RFicient® integrated circuit available as a standard product, LZE enables companies to purchase the technology in large quantities and integrate it directly into their product designs.
This accessibility significantly shortens the development journey from concept to finished product while leveraging the groundbreaking research conducted at Fraunhofer IIS.
Thomas Thönes, Group Leader for RFIC Design at Fraunhofer IIS, also highlighted the technological importance of RFicient®. He explained that the system demonstrates how wireless devices can respond quickly and reliably while maintaining extremely low power consumption.
The ability to continuously detect wake-up signals with energy consumption below 3.5 microamps opens new possibilities for sustainable IoT systems that require minimal maintenance. Thönes described the commercialization of the technology as a natural next step following successful research development.
By partnering with LZE GmbH, Fraunhofer IIS can ensure that the technology reaches industrial users who can integrate it into real-world products.
Wide Range of Industrial and Commercial Applications
RFicient® technology is particularly suitable for applications that demand long operational lifetimes and maximum energy efficiency. These requirements are common across many IoT use cases where devices must operate unattended for extended periods.
Potential applications include:
- Smart home and building automation systems
- Industrial equipment status monitoring
- Wireless environmental sensor networks
- Asset tracking and logistics management
In smart buildings, RFicient® could enable wireless devices such as sensors, switches, and security systems to operate for years without battery replacement. In industrial environments, the technology can support predictive maintenance systems that monitor equipment health without requiring constant power supply.
Similarly, logistics companies can benefit from long-lasting tracking devices that monitor assets across supply chains while minimizing maintenance costs.
RFicient® Featured at Embedded World 2026
Fraunhofer IIS presented its RFicient® technology at Embedded World 2026, one of the world’s leading exhibitions for embedded systems and electronics technologies. The event took place in Nuremberg, Germany, from March 10 to March 12, 2026.
Visitors were able to explore the technology at the joint Fraunhofer booth, where researchers demonstrated how the ultra-low-power wake-up receiver can enhance the performance and efficiency of modern IoT systems.
The exhibition provided an opportunity for developers, engineers, and industry leaders to learn about the technology and evaluate its potential integration into upcoming IoT products.
Availability and Access to the RFicient® IC
The RFicient®-IC (FH101RF) is now directly available through the official online store of LZE GmbH. By making the chip accessible through a standard purchasing platform, LZE aims to simplify the adoption process for companies interested in integrating ultra-low-power wireless technology into their products.
Developers can now obtain the chip, test its capabilities, and incorporate it into commercial designs without lengthy licensing or development negotiations.
About LZE GmbH
LZE GmbH serves as a bridge between scientific research and the commercial marketplace. Working closely with leading research institutions across multiple disciplines, the company participates in numerous applied research projects designed to transform scientific discoveries into practical industrial tools and solutions.
Through its technology transfer activities, LZE helps convert inventions into market-ready innovations that can be deployed across industries.
The company also acts as a marketplace for advanced technologies, providing businesses with access to innovative developments, specialized products, and comprehensive services related to market introduction.
By supporting both technology development and commercialization, LZE plays a critical role in ensuring that groundbreaking research achievements reach the industries and markets that can benefit from them most.