ACST

What ACST does

ACST GmbH is a German deep-technology company founded in April 2006 as a spin-off of Technische Universität Darmstadt to provide a European-independent source of Schottky diodes for millimeter-wave and terahertz (THz) applications. Headquartered in Hanau with an 11–50 person organization, ACST develops and manufactures components and modules based on its proprietary Film-Diode (FD) Process—ultra-low-parasitic transferred-membrane diodes—and its Diamond Diode architecture, which delivers up to 10x the power-handling capability of conventional GaAs-based diodes. The portfolio spans discrete Schottky varactor, varistor, and low-barrier diodes; frequency multipliers, mixers, up/down converters, transceivers, AMC-based signal generator extenders, VNA frequency extenders, ZBD detectors, waveguide switches, and a passive waveguide component line, covering frequency ranges from 50 GHz to above 2.5 THz.

The company monetizes primarily through direct B2B sales of hardware components and customized modules, supplemented by custom development and manufacturing services, a rental/evaluation channel, and space-business qualification and reliability testing services. ACST sells globally to a concentrated set of institutional and enterprise customers—including ESA and its prime contractors (OHB Sweden, AAC Omnisys on the Arctic Weather Satellite), Airbus, Nikon, and leading research universities (UCL, University of Duisburg-Essen, TU Darmstadt)—with go-to-market built on direct field sales, technical consultation, and participation in THz-focused industry conferences. R&D has been co-financed over more than 15 ESA projects and through EC (FP7, H2020) and German federal (BMBF, BMWI) programs, anchoring ACST's positioning as a leading European supplier of THz components with a uniquely in-house development chain from diode fabrication to fully integrated systems.

Name

ACST

Legal name

ACST GmbH

Website

https://acst.de

Company type

Private

Founded year

2006

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

ACST GmbH is a German deep-tech company that designs and manufactures Schottky-diode-based components and modules for millimeter-wave and terahertz applications, serving space agencies (notably ESA), prime contractors (Airbus, OHB Sweden, AAC Omnisys), industrial OEMs (Nikon), and university research groups across Europe, North America, and Asia.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

mm-wave and terahertz electronic components

NAICS

Semiconductor and Other Electronic Component Manufacturing (33441), Instrument Manufacturing for Measuring and Testing Electricity and Electrical Signals (334515)

SIC

Semiconductors & Related Devices (3674), Instruments For Meas & Testing Of Electricity & Elec Signals (3825), Electronic Components, Nec (3679)

akta.pro primary industry

Diodes & Rectifiers (Standard/Fast/Schottky) (HDAHAHAD)

akta.pro secondary industries

Passive Filters & RF Passives (LC Filters/Diplexers/Baluns/Attenuators) (HDAHANAG), Passive Components (Resistors, Capacitors, Inductors, Ferrites) (IMAGAJAA)

Keywords

• Mm-wave components
• Schottky diodes
• Terahertz technology
• Frequency multipliers
• THz systems

Headquarters

HQ city

Hanau

HQ country

Germany

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Personnel, Technology or R&D, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Component Sales: Sale of Schottky diodes, frequency multipliers, mixers, transceivers, and passive components. Products range from single diodes to fully integrated modules and systems.
2. Custom Development and Manufacturing: Development and manufacturing of customized solutions for diode structures, functional models, and mm-wave diodes. Includes diode structures, submounts, functional modules, and assembly services.
3. Rental Service: Rental model allowing customers to test products before purchase. Includes accompanying controlling and consulting services to optimize cost-benefit.
4. Space Business and Reliability Testing: Product qualification and reliability testing services at component, module, and system level for space and commercial applications.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

ACST designs, fabricates, and sells mm-wave and terahertz (THz) electronic components and systems built on proprietary Schottky diode technology, including discrete varactor/varistor/low-barrier diodes, frequency multipliers and mixers, THz sources and transceivers, waveguide switches, zero-bias detectors, and passive waveguide components. It complements these products with space-qualification services, custom development, and a rental option for customer evaluation.

Product overview

ACST GmbH is a leading European supplier of components and systems for high-frequency electronics specializing in terahertz (THz) technology. The product portfolio spans from discrete Schottky barrier diodes (varactor, varistor, and low barrier types) to fully integrated THz systems. Core product categories include: (1) THz Sources including High Power Sources, Broadband Sources, and Compact Economical Sources for terahertz radiation generation; (2) THz Signal Generator Extenders (AMC) in Broadband, High Power, and Compact variants for extending signal generator capabilities into THz frequencies; (3) Transceivers at 300 GHz and 340 GHz for radar and communication applications; (4) Frequency Extenders for VNA enabling mm-wave/THz measurements; (5) Frequency Multipliers (doublers and triplers) and Frequency Mixers for frequency conversion; (6) High-Speed Waveguide Switches (550x Series) covering 50-330 GHz; (7) Detector products including WBD Based ZBD Detectors and Quasi-Optical ZBD Detectors; (8) MM-Wave Schottky Barrier Diodes in various series (5VA, 4VSF, 15VA, 3MAS, 4RSF, 2MAF, 2DSF, 3DSF, 4DSF) for frequency multiplication and mixing; and (9) Passive WG Components including attenuators, calibration kits, directional couplers, horn antennas, and waveguide sections. ACST also offers Space Business services for aerospace reliability testing, Development and Customization services for tailored solutions, and Rental services for flexible product evaluation.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• THz Sources High-power and broadband terahertz radiation sources for mm-wave and THz applications, including solid-state sources for frequencies from 100 GHz to over 1 THz. Available in high-power, broadband, and compact economical variants for laboratories, industry, and space programs.
• THz Signal Generator Extenders (AMC) Amplifier-Multiplier-Converter modules that extend signal generator capabilities into the THz frequency range, available in broadband, high-power, compact broadband, and compact high-power variants.
• Transceivers THz transceiver modules supporting both transmission and reception at specific frequency bands (300 GHz and 340 GHz models) for radar and wireless communication applications.
• Frequency Extenders for VNA Modules that extend Vector Network Analyzer measurement capabilities into the mm-wave and THz frequency range for laboratory and production testing.
• Frequency Multipliers Frequency doubler and tripler modules based on Schottky diode technology for efficient frequency upconversion into the mm-wave and THz range.
• Frequency Mixers Sub-harmonic and broadband mixers for THz signal downconversion and frequency translation in receiver and instrumentation applications.
• Up & Down Converters Millimeter-wave frequency conversion modules for both upconversion and downconversion signal processing applications.
• High-Speed Waveguide Switches (550x Series)

Quantifiable outcome

• 180 Gbps wireless communication achieved at 0.3 THz using low-barrier mixers that require 10 times less LO power compared to traditional GaAs state-of-the-art mixers
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers7 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature6 records

Partnerships

Five partnerships are on record, tiered core.

• AAC OmnisyscoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2024Cooperation on the Arctic Weather Satellite project. ACST implemented the 89GHz direct detection receiver in cooperation with AAC Omnisys and OHB Sweden as prime contractor. The satellite has passed final tests and was prepared for launch.
• OHB SwedencoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2024Prime contractor for the Arctic Weather Satellite project. ACST's 89GHz direct detection receiver was implemented in this ESA mission through cooperation with AAC Omnisys and OHB Sweden.
• UCL (University College London)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2024Collaborative research partnership on 180 Gbps wireless communication at 0.3 THz. UCL contributed to development of low-barrier mixers that require 10 times less LO power compared to traditional GaAs state-of-the-art mixers.
• UDE (University of Duisburg-Essen)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2024Collaborative research partnership on 180 Gbps wireless communication at 0.3 THz, contributing to the development of efficient mixers for high-frequency domains.
• ESA (European Space Agency)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLong-standing partnership with ESA for space missions. ACST was founded as part of ESA's technology strategy to create European independence from technology sources outside ESA countries. First R&D project placed by ESA in 2008. ACST has led or contributed to more than 15 R&D projects and space missions for ESA.

Scale indicators8 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• RPG Radiometer Physics GmbH: Meckenheim-based manufacturer of THz and mm-wave components including mixers, multipliers and Schottky-based receivers for atmospheric and space research; competes with ACST for European space and atmospheric-sensing programs.
• Menlo Systems GmbH: German precision photonics company selling THz frequency combs, sources and detection systems for spectroscopy, astronomy and 6G research; overlaps with ACST's THz source and detection product lines.
• QMC Instruments Ltd: UK supplier of mm-Wave and THz instrumentation (mixers, multipliers, receivers, complete spectrometers) to astronomy, atmospheric and security customers directly comparable to ACST's modules and detectors portfolio.
• Virginia Diodes Inc. (VDI): US-based manufacturer of Schottky diodes, frequency multipliers, mixers, detectors and complete THz systems — ACST was explicitly founded as the European alternative to VDI, making them the closest head-to-head competitor.

Emerging players

• AdvR LLC / AdvR Inc. US-based photonic and THz component maker with custom diode fabrication and waveguide devices; competes for similar defense, research and industrial THz sockets.
• Spacek Labs Inc. US-based designer and manufacturer of mm-Wave/THz subassemblies, multipliers and Schottky-based instruments for radar and space; comparable niche positioning to ACST.
• Microtech Instruments Inc. US manufacturer of THz instrumentation including Schottky-based receivers, mixers and VNA extenders; partial overlap with ACST's frequency-extension and mixer products.
• TeraView Ltd: UK-based THz imaging systems company serving security, industrial NDT and biomedical inspection; comparable end-application focus to ACST's industry & security segment.

Broad incumbents

• Anritsu Corporation: Global test-and-measurement incumbent selling VNA extenders and signal generators reaching into THz; competes at the instrument-system layer that ACST's VNA frequency extenders and AMC modules address.
• TOPTICA Photonics AG: Large German laser and photonics supplier with a THz systems business serving spectroscopy, imaging and quantum research; broader portfolio than ACST but addresses the same scientific and industrial THz customer base.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/acst-gmbh

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles12 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about ACST