Fraunhofer's Ultra-Low-Power Wake-Up Receiver Technology Now Available as Standard Chip

LZE GmbH, a technology transfer bridge between research and industry, has made Fraunhofer Institute's RFicient ultra-low-power wake-up receiver technology available as a commercial standard chip for the first time. The RFicient IC (FH101RF) resolves a fundamental challenge in battery-powered IoT systems: maintaining continuous wireless connectivity while consuming minimal power. The receiver monitors radio channels at under 3.5 microamperes and responds to wake-up signals within approximately 32 milliseconds, enabling IoT products to operate for years on a single battery without compromising range or response time.

The technology supports multiple unlicensed frequency bands including 433 MHz, 868/915 MHz, and 2.4 GHz, with selective wake-up capabilities through 16-bit addressing. This combination of ultra-low power consumption and rapid response times addresses a critical need across diverse applications—from smart home devices and building automation to industrial sensor networks, condition monitoring, and logistics tracking solutions. The standardized chip format significantly accelerates development cycles, allowing manufacturers to integrate proven technology into production designs rather than developing custom solutions from scratch.

The availability of the RFicient IC as a standard product marks a significant shift in commercializing advanced research. Customers can now order individual chips, cost-effective breakout boards, or complete evaluation kits directly from LZE GmbH and distribution partners EBV Elektronik. This move democratizes access to technology that previously required custom development services, enabling smaller companies and faster product iterations. The RFicient technology was showcased at embedded world 2026 in Nuremberg, reflecting growing industry interest in energy-efficient wireless solutions as IoT deployments scale globally.