Qualinx raises €8m for digital RF technology
Qualinx in the Netherlands has raised €8m to boost development of its low power digital RF technology for a GNSS satellite navigation chip.
The spin-off from Delft University of Technology has developed and tested a radio chip that can receive geo-positioning information from Global Navigation Satellite Systems (GNSS) with a 10 times lower power consumption, smaller chip size and at reduced costs compared to existing solutions. The chip is able to detect signals from all major satellite systems including GPS, to accurately determine location and time.
The Series A investment of €8m comes from Forward.one, InnovationQuarter Capital and Waterman Ventures and follows backing by Delft Enterprises.
The Digital Radio Frequency (DRF) technology moves a significant part of the chip to the digital domain and enables CMOS scaling for GPS-like radios.
“Our next step is to launch the QLX300+, a System-on-Chip featuring the world’s smallest and most power-efficient GNSS sensor”, says Tom Trill, CEO at Qualinx. “The QLX300+ will use as much as 10 times less energy than currently available GNSS devices in the market and will be in mass production next year. As a result of the improved efficiency, the battery life of, for example, fitness trackers and smartwatches can be extended from hours to several days.”
The technology is not just limited to GNSS; it can be implemented to create any radio. For example, Qualinx’s second-generation product, the QLX400, will combine GNSS with an Internet-of-Things (IoT) radio on a single chip, to track and communicate a location while barely consuming any power.
“There is global concern about the security of any asset, especially when it moves,” said Trill. “Shipping a product from warehouse to store without breakpoints in connectivity currently requires a multi-chip solution to provide seamless connectivity between classic GNSS and ground based IoT radios. We offer a single-chip solution that can do both. It is universally applicable, affordable and has an ultra-low power budget.”
“We are proud and excited to partner with Qualinx alongside our co-investors,” says Arjan Göbel, partner at Forward.one. “Not often do we see such a fundamental step-change in technology development addressing a large, global and future proof market. Adding their top-tier and fast-growing team to the equation, we are convinced that Qualinx has the potential to replace all existing GNSS and radio communications technology.”
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