IMST

What IMST does

IMST GmbH is a privately held German engineering office and system house founded in 1992 and headquartered in Kamp-Lintfort, North Rhine-Westphalia. The company provides full-service design, development, and prototyping across four interlocking technical domains: wireless/radio systems (LoRa, LoRaWAN, mioty, Wireless M-Bus), integrated circuit design (ASIC/ASSP, MMIC, millimeter-wave SiGe), antenna and beamforming systems (including space-qualified active antennas for ESA), and electromagnetic simulation software. Its commercial product brands are EMPIRE XPU (3D EM simulation), EM Twin (patented digital antenna twin tool), Wireless Solutions/WiMOD (LoRa radio modules, USB adapters, LoRaWAN concentrators), and Sentire Radar (24 GHz FMCW radar modules and development kits). An in-house accredited Prüfzentrum handles regulatory testing and certification to international guidelines.

IMST serves national and international industrial companies, IoT system integrators, radar system developers, EDA software users, and the space and aerospace sector. Revenue is generated across five streams: custom development services (quote-based, feasibility-to-production), standardized hardware sales (LoRa modules from ~€14/unit, radar modules from €690, development kits up to €2,990), EDA software licensing (EMPIRE XPU at €8,000 for six-month rental Gold edition), accredited testing and certification services, and LTCC circuit and housing manufacturing. Distribution combines a global e-commerce shop, direct enterprise sales for custom projects, and a regional network of representatives and distributors.

The company maintains core partnerships with the European Space Agency for active antenna systems, the German Federal Ministry of Research (BMBF) for 6G and trusted-electronics programs, the University of Duisburg-Essen under renewed An-Institut status through 2032, and the mioty alliance (joined April 2026). Management expanded in 2026 from one to three Managing Directors (Dr. Peter Waldow, Oliver Litschke, Winfried Simon), and the company received a US patent for its EM-Twin digital antenna twin technology in December 2025.

Name

IMST

Legal name

IMST GmbH

Website

https://imst.de

Company type

Private

Founded year

1992

Operating status

Operating

Short description

IMST GmbH is a German full-service engineering office and system house, founded in 1992, that designs custom RF/wireless systems, chip and antenna hardware, and EDA software for industrial, IoT, radar, and space/aerospace customers worldwide.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Wireless Engineering Services

NAICS

Search, Detection, Navigation, Guidance, Aeronautical, and Nautical System and Instrument Manufacturing (334511), Communications Equipment Manufacturing (3342), Radio and Television Broadcasting and Wireless Communications Equipment Manufacturing (334220), Custom Computer Programming Services (541511)

SIC

Communications Equipment, Nec (3669), Search, Detection, Navagation, Guidance, Aeronautical Sys (3812), Services-Computer Programming Services (7371), Instruments For Meas & Testing Of Electricity & Elec Signals (3825)

akta.pro primary industry

Custom/ASIC & Foundry-Adjacent IDM Services (HDAHAAAL)

akta.pro secondary industries

Analog & Mixed-Signal ICs (HDAHAAAD), Industrial IoT/Edge Electronics Manufacturing (Gateways, Edge Controllers) (IMAGAGAC)

Keywords

• Wireless systems engineering
• Chip design services
• EM simulation software
• IoT radio modules
• Radar module development

Headquarters

HQ city

Kamp-lintfort

HQ country

Germany

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Custom Development Services: Customer-specific developments from feasibility study through product design and development to series production, including consulting and support
2. Hardware Products: Sale of wireless modules (LoRa, LoRaWAN, mioty), radar modules, antenna systems, and accessories
3. EDA Software: Sale of EM simulation software licenses (EMPIRE XPU) including rental options
4. Testing and Certification Services: Accredited testing laboratory for product approvals and certifications according to international regulatory guidelines
5. LTCC Services: Low Temperature Co-fired Ceramics development and manufacturing services

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels4 records

Core offering

IMST GmbH is a full-service engineering office and system house delivering custom wireless systems, chip design (ASIC/ASSP, MMIC, MM-Wave SiGe), antennas, and EDA software to industrial customers. The company sells standardized products under the brands EMPIRE XPU (3D EM simulation software), EM Twin (digital antenna twin tool), Wireless Solutions/WiMOD (LoRa radio modules), and Sentire Radar (24 GHz FMCW radar modules), while also offering project-based custom development from feasibility study through series production and an accredited testing laboratory for international product certifications.

Product overview

IMST GmbH is a full-service engineering and system house for wireless systems, chip design, antennas, and EDA software. The product portfolio is organized around four main product brands: EMPIRE XPU (3D EM simulation software for antenna design), EM Twin (digital antenna twin tool), Wireless Solutions/WiMOD (LoRa radio modules and IoT hardware), and Sentire Radar (24 GHz FMCW radar modules). The company also provides comprehensive services including integrated circuit design (ASIC/MMIC), antenna development, communication system integration, testing/certification, LTCC manufacturing, and consulting. The portfolio supports the entire product lifecycle from feasibility studies through product design and development to series production, with an accredited testing laboratory for international product certifications.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Wireless Solutions: LoRa-based wireless radio modules, USB adapters, and related connectivity solutions
• Sentire Radar
• EMPIRE XPU
• EM Twin
• WiMOD

Products and services

• EMPIRE XPU 3D electromagnetic field simulation software for antenna design, conformal circuits, and RF circuit development. Sold as a perpetual license or 6-month rental to engineering teams designing antennas and RF components.
• EM Twin Digital antenna twin tool that combines precise measurement data with fast simulations to enable realistic digital antenna twins for antenna analysis and optimization. Patented (US Patent received December 2025).
• Wireless Solutions / WiMOD (LoRa Radio Modules) LoRa/LoRaWAN radio modules (iM880B-L, iM881A-XL, iM891A-XL, iM282A-L) operating in 868 MHz, 915 MHz, and 2.45 GHz bands with sensitivities up to -137 dBm and link budgets exceeding 156 dB. Sold per unit with volume discounts and Tape & Reel packaging for series production.
• Sentire Radar 24 GHz FMCW radar modules and development kits for distance, angle, and speed measurements in FMCW or Doppler mode. Features one transmit and two receive channels, Power-over-Ethernet capability, and CE certification.
• ASIC Supply Chain ASIC procurement and supply chain service supporting customers throughout the integrated circuit product lifecycle, from feasibility study to series production.
• Integrated Circuit Design (ASIC/ASSP, MMIC, MM-Wave SiGe) Custom integrated circuit design services covering ASIC/ASSP, MMIC, and MM-Wave SiGe designs for radio frequency and microwave applications across mobile, satellite, and IoT use cases.
• Antennas Simulation-based antenna design using IMST's technologies, ICs, and integration capabilities, with measurement-based verification for wireless applications across mobile, satellite, and space communications.
• Communication Solutions Wireless communication solutions spanning mobile communication, satellite communication, and Short Range Device communication for diverse wireless connectivity needs.
• Test Center (Prüfzentrum) Certification Services Accredited testing laboratory providing product certifications according to international regulatory guidelines (including RED and CE compliance) for wireless products.
• LTCC (Low-Temperature Co-Fired Ceramics) LTCC circuit and housing manufacturing services for high-frequency applications, delivered as part of IMST's hybrid and packaging offerings.
• Consulting and Support Expert consulting for companies and public clients on the use of latest wireless and microelectronics technologies, supporting industrial and public-sector customers in adopting new radio technologies.
• LoRa Starter Kits (SK-iM880B, SK-iM881A-XL, SK-iM282A) Plug-and-play development kits that bundle demo boards, LoRa radio modules, external antennas, USB cables, and WiMOD Studio configuration software for evaluating and prototyping LoRa connectivity. Each kit priced at EUR 249.00.
• Radar Modules (sR-1200e, sR-1030e) and Development Kits (DK-sR-1200e, DK-sR-1030e) 24 GHz FMCW radar modules (sR-1200e from EUR 690.00, sR-1030e) and development kits (DK-sR-1200e from EUR 1,490.00, DK-sR-1030e at EUR 2,990.00), each with Power-over-Ethernet, CE certification, and SenTool configuration software for Windows and Android.
• LoRaWAN Concentrators (iC880A-SPI, iC280A) Gateway concentrators that receive packets from multiple end devices on different spreading factors across up to 8 parallel channels: iC880A-SPI for 868 MHz at EUR 149.00 and iC280A for 2.45 GHz at EUR 139.00.
• USB Radio Adapters (iU891A-XL, iU893A-XL) Compact USB stick radio adapters based on Long Range Radio Modules for 868 MHz, supporting LoRaWAN and Wireless M-Bus protocols for smart metering and other IoT applications.
• Lite Gateway Demonstration and development platform for LoRa technology enabling customers to evaluate and prototype LoRa-based wireless solutions.

Quantifiable outcome

• LoRa modules achieve link budget of more than 156 dB with ranges beyond 15 km in free space at reduced output power
• +1 more outcomes

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration4 records

Feature8 records

Partnerships

Four partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.

• mioty AllianceminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 April 2026IMST GmbH became a member of the mioty alliance on April 1, 2026. The partnership strengthens IMST's involvement in developing and spreading mioty as an innovative LPWAN technology for Massive IoT applications. IMST contributes expertise in wireless communication, RF design, embedded systems, and hardware development to support robust IoT solutions for international markets.
• European Space Agency (ESA)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLong-standing partnership with ESA for antenna development activities. IMST has developed a portfolio of active antenna systems including GNSS antennas with EBG technology, mobile satellite communication terminals, SAR payload antennas, and ADS-B antennas. Current collaboration focuses on innovative, cost-effective antenna apertures for the home segment.
• University of Duisburg-EssencoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerIMST holds An-Institut (associated institute) status at the University of Duisburg-Essen. This status was renewed for another six years starting 2026, enabling ongoing academic collaboration and research partnerships.
• ESA (Antenna Research Activities)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership with ESA spanning multiple antenna research activities. Developed active antenna systems for L- and S-Band through Ka-Band frequencies. Collaboration has produced innovative antenna solutions used in various applications.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Regional players

• Pasternack (Infinite Electronics): Pasternack distributes RF components, antennas, and test equipment, overlapping with the distribution side of IMST's wireless and radar business. Both serve the engineering and prototyping community but with very different business models.

Broad incumbents

• ANSYS: ANSYS is the dominant player in 3D electromagnetic simulation through ANSYS HFSS, directly competing with IMST's EMPIRE XPU and EM Twin products. Both target antenna and RF circuit designers in industrial, aerospace, and automotive markets.
• HUBER+SUHNER: HUBER+SUHNER is a Swiss provider of RF antennas, cables, and connectivity solutions with overlap to IMST's antenna design portfolio. Both serve aerospace, defense, and industrial customers.
• Cadence Design Systems (AWR): Cadence's AWR platform (formerly AWR Microwave Office / Analyst) is a competitor to IMST's EMPIRE XPU for RF/microwave circuit and EM simulation. Both target RF/antenna designers, but Cadence bundles its tools into a much larger EDA portfolio.

Direct peers

• Altair Engineering: Altair owns FEKO, a leading 3D EM simulation solver for antennas and RF components, which directly competes with EMPIRE XPU. Both vendors serve antenna engineers and provide complementary CAD/EDA workflows.
• u-blox: u-blox is a Swiss provider of wireless modules and chips for short-range and positioning IoT, directly comparable to IMST's WiMOD LoRa modules. Both serve industrial IoT customers with pre-certified modules.
• InnoSenT: InnoSenT is a German manufacturer of 24 GHz and 60 GHz radar sensors and modules, directly competing with IMST's Sentire Radar product line. Both serve industrial, automotive, and security radar applications.

Others

• Semtech: Semtech owns the LoRa IP that powers IMST's iM880B/iM881A/iM891A LoRa modules. While not a direct competitor, Semtech is the critical IP supplier for IMST's wireless IoT business and shapes its product roadmap.

Emerging players

• Sivers Semiconductors: Sivers Semiconductors is a Swedish specialist in mmWave and beamforming ICs, overlapping with IMST's mmWave SiGe design and SANTANA Ka-band beamforming work. Both target 5G/6G and satellite communications.
• Silicon Radar: Silicon Radar is a German fabless company specializing in 60 GHz and 120 GHz radar ICs, an emerging alternative to IMST's mmWave radar module approach. Both serve industrial sensing and radar developers.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

Compliance3 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles3 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 IMST