What Integrated Detector Electronics SA does

Integrated Detector Electronics AS (IDEAS) is a privately held Norwegian semiconductor and instrumentation company founded in 1992 in Oslo by scientists from CERN and the University of Oslo. The company designs and manufactures custom Application-Specific Integrated Circuits (ASICs) and complete radiation detection and imaging subsystems, with a specialization in radiation-hardened front-end electronics and proprietary low-noise readout technology for harsh environments including space, nuclear facilities, and cryogenic conditions.

IDEAS' portfolio spans three integrated product lines: (1) custom integrated circuits including the IDE3380 (SIPHRA) SiPM/PMT readout ASIC, the NIRCA/IDE8410/IDE8420 family of infrared image sensor readout controllers, the VA32TA series of radiation detection readout ICs, and the IDE3466 space radiation monitor ASIC; (2) radiation modules and systems such as the GDS-100 gamma-ray spectroscopy system, SRE4001 readout module, NORM radiation monitor, and Galileo Second Generation Radiation Monitoring Units; and (3) infrared imaging front-end electronics for defense, earth observation, and science. The company also offers ASIC design, production support (packaging, testing, radiation validation), and custom system development services. All ASICs are built to ECSS standards using global foundries, and the company reports 50+ products and 25+ space missions with flight heritage across ESA, NASA, JAXA, CAS, and other major agencies.

IDEAS operates a sales-led B2B model selling directly to space agencies, research institutions (CERN, ESO, Birkeland Centre), and industrial/defense customers (Thales Alenia Space, Kongsberg Defence & Aerospace, Kromek, LYNRED, Northrop Grumman), supplemented by regional resellers in India, South Korea, China, and Japan. Revenue is generated through a mix of one-time ASIC design licenses, hardware sales of detector modules, and professional services for custom system development. The company has no public pricing and revenue is not disclosed, though contract values in the source material range from €800k (individual ESA ASIC development) to multi-million-euro positions within larger EU defense and space programs.

Name

Integrated Detector Electronics SA

Legal name

Integrated Detector Electronics AS

Website

https://ideas.no

Company type

Private

Founded year

1992

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Integrated Detector Electronics AS is a Norwegian semiconductor company founded in 1992 that designs custom radiation-hardened ASICs and complete detection/imaging subsystems for space agencies, scientific research institutions, defense primes, and medical/industrial customers, with flight heritage on 25+ space missions.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Radiation Detection and Imaging Electronics

NAICS

Semiconductor and Other Electronic Component Manufacturing (33441), Search, Detection, Navigation, Guidance, Aeronautical, and Nautical System and Instrument Manufacturing (334511), Analytical Laboratory Instrument Manufacturing (334516)

SIC

Search, Detection, Navagation, Guidance, Aeronautical Sys (3812), Laboratory Analytical Instruments (3826), Optical Instruments & Lenses (3827), X-Ray Apparatus & Tubes & Related Irradiation Apparatus (3844)

akta.pro primary industry

Mixed-Signal ASICs & ASSPs (Custom/Platform Mixed-Signal) (HDAHAIAF)

akta.pro secondary industries

Analog Front-End (AFE) ICs (Sensor/Medical/Industrial AFE) (HDAHAIAJ), Electro-Optical/Infrared (EO/IR) Sensors & Targeting Systems (IMABAGAC), Radiation Detection Instruments & Systems (Portal monitors, spectrometers, contamination monitors) (EUAKAIAK)

Keywords

• Radiation detection systems
• Custom ASIC design
• Radiation-hardened electronics
• Infrared imaging electronics
• Space-grade electronics

Headquarters

HQ city

Oslo

HQ country

Norway

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Personnel, Technology or R&D, Operations, Infrastructure, Supply Chain

Revenue model

1. Custom ASIC Design and Manufacturing: Design and supply of custom application-specific integrated circuits for radiation detection and imaging applications
2. Radiation Detection Modules and Systems: Compact, high-performance, low-power detector modules for X-ray and gamma-ray imaging for science, industry, and space applications
3. Infrared Electronic Systems: Advanced, tailored front-end electronic systems for infrared imaging enabling high-performance sensing in defence, earth observation, industry, and science
4. Production Support Services: Integrated production support with packaging, testing, LAT, and radiation validation services
5. Custom System Development: Complete systems combining ASICs, sensors, firmware, and software with advanced PCB design and proprietary protocols

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels2 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

IDEAS designs and delivers custom application-specific integrated circuits (ASICs), radiation detection modules and imaging systems, and front-end infrared imaging electronics built on proprietary readout technology. The company supplies radiation-hardened, low-noise signal readout ICs and complete subsystems for X-ray and gamma-ray imaging, as well as tailored IR sensor electronics, serving space, scientific, medical, industrial, and defense applications.

Product overview

IDEAS (Integrated Detector Electronics AS) is a Norwegian company founded in 1992 specializing in custom ASICs and radiation detection/imaging systems for space and terrestrial applications. The product portfolio consists of three core product lines: (1) Custom Integrated Circuits including the IDE3380 (SIPHRA) for SiPM readout, NIRCA series for infrared imaging, VA32TA series for radiation detection, and specialized readout ASICs like IDE3466 for space radiation monitors; (2) Radiation Modules and Systems including the GDS-100 spectroscopy system, SRE4001 readout modules, NORM radiation monitors, and Radiation Monitoring Units for Galileo satellites; and (3) Infrared Imaging Electronics for defense and earth observation. The company also offers associated services including ASIC design & development, production support, and custom system development.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Custom ASICs/Integrated Circuits Custom Application-Specific Integrated Circuits (ASICs) for radiation detection featuring precision, low-noise signal readout for scientific, industrial, medical, defense, and space applications. Includes radiation-hardened front-end ICs.
• Radiation Modules and Systems Compact, high-performance, low-power detector modules for X-ray and gamma-ray imaging suitable for science, industry, and space applications.
• Infrared Imaging Electronics Advanced, tailored front-end electronic systems for infrared imaging enabling high-performance sensing in defense, earth observation, industry, and science applications.
• GDS-100 Gamma-ray Detection System
• NORM Norwegian Radiation Monitor Compact radiation monitor for space applications. Electron and proton spectrometer for space weather monitoring, deployed on the ASBM satellites.
• GALAO ROIC/ASIC Development Kit Development kit for ROIC/ASIC evaluation with SiPM arrays, including test board and readout system connecting to a standard PC via Ethernet for characterizing performance with up to 16 SiPMs.
• ASIC Design & Development Services Custom ASICs from concept to prototype—digital, analog, and mixed-signal—built to ECSS standards using advanced tools and global foundries.
• Production Support Services Integrated production support with packaging, testing, LAT, and radiation validation in-house—ensuring reliable, consistent ASIC and detector performance.
• Custom System Development Services Complete systems combining ASICs, sensors, firmware, and software with advanced PCB design and proprietary protocols for robust, tailored solutions.

Quantifiable outcome

• 25+ space missions completed with all major space agencies
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers15 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

AI capability2 records

Feature6 records

Partnerships

16 partnerships are on record, tiered core and secondary.

• LYNRED (France)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2025LYNRED coordinates the SPIRIT (Small Pitch Improved Resolution for Infrared Technology) project, a €39.16 million European Defence Fund initiative to build sovereign European infrared sensor supply chain. IDEAS contributes ROIC design expertise to this 15-partner consortium from 9 European countries.
• Kongsberg Defence & Aerospace AScoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2025Kongsberg is the second Norwegian member of the SPIRIT consortium alongside IDEAS. Kongsberg Defence & Aerospace assembles and tests Radiation Monitoring Units for Galileo satellites at their facility in Horten, Norway.
• Argotec SRL (Italy)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2025IDEAS signed contract with Argotec for Phase A study of ESA SWORD (Space Weather Orbital Radiation Detector). Argotec is prime contractor for the mission study.
• SPARC (Greece)secondaryStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2025IDEAS partners with SPARC (Space Applications & Research Consultancy) for the ESA SWORD mission study and for European Commission NORM data analysis project. SPARC specializes in data science, space research, and machine learning.
• DUTH (Greece)secondaryStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2025IDEAS partners with DUTH (Democritus University of Thrace) for the ESA SWORD mission study alongside SPARC.
• Kromek (UK)secondaryStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2025Kromek hosts the i-RASE (Intelligent RAdiation SEnsors) project consortium meetings at their Sedgefield headquarters. The EIC Pathfinder Open funded project develops radiation sensors with artificial neural networks.
• i-RASE Project ConsortiumsecondaryStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2024European Innovation Council (EIC) Pathfinder Open funded R&D project developing intelligent radiation sensors with artificial neural networks (ANN). IDEAS contributes GDS-100 and IDE3421 technology.
• European Space Agency (ESA)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2023ESA is a primary customer and development partner for multiple missions including Galileo Second Generation satellites, ARRAKIHS science mission, SWORD space weather mission, and various ROIC/ASIC developments.
• Norwegian Space AgencycoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2023Norwegian Space Agency collaborates on ASBM mission with NORM radiation monitor and supports ESA science program partnerships with Norwegian SMEs.
• European Commission (DG DEFIS)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2023European Commission DG Defence Industry and Space contract for analysis and exploitation of NORM space radiation data to support satellite safety and space weather monitoring.
• Eurostars NGSDuo ConsortiumsecondaryStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2017Eurostars project for mixed radiation sensor system combining hyper-spectral gamma imaging and neutron detection. Partners include Innovative Physics Ltd. and Czech Technical University.
• Innovative Physics Ltd.secondaryStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2017Partner in Eurostars NGSDuo project for commercial product development based on IDEAS spectroscopic camera module.
• Czech Technical UniversitysecondaryStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2017Partner in Eurostars NGSDuo project for commercial product development based on IDEAS spectroscopic camera module.
• SINTEFsecondaryStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2017Norwegian research institute collaborating on AD-BANG thermal neutron imager project and iWoRiD2023 workshop hosting.
• Northrop GrummansecondaryImplementation/ SI/ Consulting Partner · 1 January 2017Northrop Grumman built the ASBM satellites for Space Norway, with IDEAS providing NORM radiation monitoring equipment.
• Space Norway AScoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2017Space Norway owns the ASBM satellites hosting the NORM radiation monitor designed and delivered by IDEAS.

Scale indicators7 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Teledyne e2v (Teledyne Technologies): Teledyne e2v designs radiation-tolerant image sensors, ADCs, and ASICs used in space science, astronomy, and defense — closely comparable to IDEAS' VA32TA readouts and CZT-based imaging modules across ESA/NASA programs.
• CAES (Cobham Advanced Electronic Solutions): CAES is a leading supplier of radiation-hardened and space-grade semiconductors, ASICs, and RF/mixed-signal ICs for defense, space, and aerospace — directly overlapping IDEAS' radiation-hardened ASIC portfolio and government space/defense customer base.
• Kromek: Kromek designs CZT-based radiation detection modules, spectroscopic cameras, and homeland-security sensing systems and is an existing IDEAS partner in the i-RASE EIC Pathfinder project — competing in CZT gamma imaging and radiation-sensing subsystems.
• Lynred: Lynred is Europe's leading IR detector supplier and is the lead partner coordinating the SPIRIT €39M consortium alongside IDEAS — a comparator and partner in IR imaging subsystems for defense and Earth observation.
• Hamamatsu Photonics: Hamamatsu manufactures PMTs, SiPMs, MPPCs, and radiation detector modules (including SiPM array readouts targeted at SiPM-based detector systems) — competing in the same radiation and nuclear-medicine imaging markets IDEAS' IDE3380 SIPHRA serves.
• Excelitas Technologies: Excelitas produces IR detectors, SiPM modules, and photonic detection subsystems for defense, security, and scientific markets — directly competing with IDEAS' IR imaging electronics and gamma/X-ray detector modules.

Broad incumbents

• onsemi (formerly ON Semiconductor): onsemi designs and manufactures radiation-hardened ICs, SiPMs, and image sensors across industrial, aerospace, and medical markets — overlapping with IDEAS in radiation detection ICs and SiPM-array readouts but at materially larger scale.
• Microchip Technology: Microchip's Microsemi subsidiary offers a broad catalog of radiation-hardened FPGAs, mixed-signal ICs, and space-grade components, overlapping IDEAS in mixed-signal ASICs and radiation-tolerant electronics but serving a far wider portfolio of space and defense customers.
• BAE Systems Electronic Systems: BAE Systems produces space-grade and radiation-hardened electronic subsystems for defense and intelligence missions — a broad incumbent supplier with comparable space-radiation and ESA-like defense customer franchise to IDEAS.
• Honeywell Aerospace: Honeywell produces rad-hard guidance, navigation, control electronics, and space instrumentation for civil/military aerospace — a broad incumbent in space-grade electronics with overlap to IDEAS' satellite radiation monitoring work.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/integrated-detector-electronics-as

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles6 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds1 record

Investors1 record

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about Integrated Detector Electronics SA