Milestones

Since its foundation in 1985 Fraunhofer IIS has grown to be the largest institute within the Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft. This timeline presents a chronology of significant events in the history of Fraunhofer IIS.

December 2017

© University of Passau

Fraunhofer IIS opens site in Passau

The Fraunhofer Institute for Integrated Circuits IIS, headquartered in Erlangen, created a research group at the university devoted to knowledge-based image processing.

Since then, there have been technical and personal connections in that field between the FORWISS Institute at the University of Passau and the Fraunhofer IIS Development Center for X‑ray Technology in Fürth.

The group’s goal is to extract relevant digital information from a wide variety of nondestructive measurement sensor sources – information that permits control or regulation such as is required in process monitoring. This results in increasingly large and highly complex data volumes that can often no longer be processed using traditional digital image processing. The group intends to focus on research and development into image processing strategies and operators with new, intelligent approaches that draw on machine and deep learning.

 
 

June 2015

Die bayerische Wirtschaftsministerin Ilse Aigner unterzeichnet am 16.06.2015 im Ministerium in München zusammen mit Prof. Dr. Albert Heuberger (1. Reihe, l-r), Leiter Fraunhofer IIS, Prof. Dr. Siegfried Russwurm, Mitglied des Vorstands der Siemens AG, Prof. Dr. Lothar Frey, Leiter Fraunhofer IISB (2. Reihe, l-r), Prof. Dr. Joachim Hornegger, Präsident der Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg und Prof. Dr. Alexander Verl, Vorstand der Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft, eine Absichtserklärung über eine strategische Partnerschaft im LZE zwischen der Siemens AG und den beiden Erlanger Fraunhofer-Instituten IIS und IISB. Foto: © Marc Müller/Fraunhofer/dedimag
© Fraunhofer IIS/Marc Müller/LZE/dedimag
Die bayerische Wirtschaftsministerin Ilse Aigner (r.) hält im Ministerium in München neben der Projektleiterin Nadine Lang ein FitnessSHIRT mit zwei integrierten Elektroden sowie einem Atemband zur Messung eines 1-Kanal EKG und der Atemrate in der Hand. Foto: © Marc Müller/Fraunhofer/dedimag
© Fraunhofer IIS/Marc Müller/LZE/dedimag

The Leistungszentrum Elektroniksysteme (LZE) starts in Erlangen

The Leistungszentrum Elektroniksysteme LZE (High Performance Center for Electronic Systems) is a joint initiative of the Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft, Fraunhofer IIS and IISB and Friedrich-Alexander University in Erlangen-Nuremberg, in addition to other non-university research institutes and various industry partners. The center is bundling its activities in two key fields of technology: 
high-performance electronics and low-power electronics.

Leistungszentrum Elektroniksysteme (LZE)

 
 

May 2015

Fraunhofer IIS opens new research campus in Waischenfeld

Employees of the Fraunhofer Institute for Integrated Circuits IIS have been conducting joint research & development activities and seminars at the new Waischenfeld Research Campus in the Franconian Switzerland region of Germany since 2015. Several prominent guests attended the official dedication ceremony held on May 11, including Ilse Aigner, Bavarian Minister for Economic Affairs and Media, Energy and Technology, Stefan Müller, Parliamentary State Secretary at the German Federal Ministry for Education and Research and Prof. Dr. Alfred Gossner, member of the executive Board at the Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft.

May 2014

© Fraunhofer IIS/Kurt Fuchs

JOSEPHS – Die Service-Manufaktur

Involving consumers in the product development process with the opening of "JOSEPHS® – Die Service-Manufaktur" in Karl-Grillenberger Str. 3, the city of Nürnberg boasts a new store where visitors participate in the design of new products or services. Through involvement in the development, implementation and marketing of innovative product and service concepts, consumers can help put the finishing touches on the occasional business idea. In three-month cycles, JOSEPHS® will introduce various products and services grouped under different themes which visitors can test and evaluate. The concept will be launched under the theme "Creativity from Hand to Foot".

 
 
 
 

July 2013

Fraunhofer IIS dedicates new Fraunhofer Development Center for X-ray Technology in Fürth

On July 11, 2013, the Fraunhofer Institute for Integrated Circuits IIS dedicated the opening of the new Fraunhofer Development Center for X-Ray Technology in Fürth-Atzenhof, a facility designed especially for developing and optimizing technologies and processes used in the non-destructive testing of materials. Attending the ceremony was Dr. Wolfgang Heubisch, Bavarian State Minister for Science, Research and Culture.

June 2013

Fraunhofer IIS and University open „Center of Age-Sensitive Services ZAD” in Nuremberg

On June 19, 2013, Fraunhofer IIS and Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg opened the Center of Age-Sensitive Services ZAD in Nuremberg as a new hub for companies and individuals with a joint interest in the topics age(ing) and demographic opportunity.

ZAD will provide companies with custom-tailored product concepts and service solutions as well as practices for corporative age management, while  individuals will find comprehensive information, advisory and consultancy services relating to topics such as aging and memory.

The ZAD research and service center is located close to the Nuremberg city center and provides barrier-free web access at www.zad.nuernberg.de

May 2013

Inauguration of the Fraunhofer Application Center for CT in Metrology at the Deggendorf Institute of Technology

On May 21, 2013, Fraunhofer IIS together with the Deggendorf Institute of Technology and the Wolfgang Pfeiffer Foundation of the industrial partner Intercontect21 opened an application center for contact-free, non-destructive measuring technology based on X-ray computed tomography. The application center was funded in part by the Freistaat Bayern.

April 2013

Test and Application Center L.I.N.K. opened

On April 26, 2013, Fraunhofer IIS opened the gates of the new Test and Demonstration Center L.I.N.K. bundling the flagship technologies positioning, identification, navigation and embedded communication at its location in Nuremberg. Here scientists have 1,400 square meters of hall and laboratory space plus 10,000 square meters of open-air test ground at their disposal to test and integrate their latest positioning and communications technologies like GPS and Galileo satellite navigation, radio-based positioning, RFID and smart object technologies, as well as WLAN and wireless sensor networks – depending on the application, as stand-alone solutions or in combination with current technologies –offering future-oriented technologies across many industries.

July 2012

Cornerstone ceremony for the Research Campus Waischenfeld

The symbolic cornerstone for the Fraunhofer Research Campus Waischenfeld was laid down in a ceremony on July 26, 2012, with Bavarian Minister for Economic Affairs Martin Zeil. Construction has progressed rapidly and is scheduled for completion for 2013.

October 2011

Prof. Albert Heuberger
Dr. Albert Heuberger 7. Mai 2010 Foto: Fotostudio Glasow

New executive director

On October 1, 2011 Prof. Albert Heuberger was named executive director of Fraunhofer IIS and took over the Chair of Information Technologies with Focus on Communication Electronics (LIKE) from Prof. Heinz Gerhäuser. Prof. Gerhäuser retires after 13 dedicated years in office.





September 2011

Spatenstich_Waischenfeld

Groundbreaking for Research Campus Waischenfeld

On September 19, 2011 President of District Government Upper Franconia Wilhelm Wenning turned the first shovel of earth at the groundbreaking ceremony for the Fraunhofer Research Campus Waischenfeld. In 2013 unpacking will begin for the first group of research staff.



June 2011

Grundsteinlegung in Fürth

Research Cornerstone in Atzenhof

Construction for the new Fraunhofer IIS building in Fürth-Atzenhof begins in the summer 2011. It is located directly adjacent to the linear accelerator test center, which was inaugurated in the fall 2010. On June 30, 2011 guest of honor Bavarian Minister of Economic Affairs presided over the laying of the foundation stone ceremony. Construction is scheduled to be completed by 2013.

June 2011

Baubeginn LINK-Halle

Test and Demonstration Center L.I.N.K.

Construction of the Test and Demonstration Center L.I.N.K. marks a new milestone for the Fraunhofer IIS activities at the Nuremberg Nordostpark.



May 2011

Fraunhofer IIS Expands “AudioLabs” International Research Center for Audio & Multimedia Technologies

University professors join team of top scientists to drive research and development of digital processing for audio and multimedia signals.

April 2011

Prof. Albert Heuberger
Dr. Albert Heuberger 7. Mai 2010 Foto: Fotostudio Glasow

Prof. Dr. Albert Heuberger Appointed University Professor

In April Prof. Dr. Albert Heuberger (r.) is appointed a member of the collegial board of directors at Fraunhofer IIS and is appointed university professor at Friedrich-Alexander-University of Erlangen-Nuremberg.

October 2010

Einweihung der LINAC-Halle

Construction at the Fraunhofer linear accelerator test center in Fürth-Atzenhof has been completed after about one year. With 400 square meters of floor space and a ceiling height of 14 meters the test facility is one-of-a-kind in Europe. It will be the home to novel methods for non-destructive computer tomography for large-scale components such as aircraft parts, vehicles, and containers.

October 2010

Sendestart
From October 26 the two Ilmenau-based student associations “ilmenauer studentenfernsehfunk iSTUFF” (college television) and “hsf studentenradio” (college radio) are broadcasting from the radio mast, which rises to a height of 50 meters at the Fraunhofer test facility Am Vogelherd. Thuringian State Secretary for Media Peter Zimmermann together with Prof. Dr. Albert Heuberger and Prof. Dr. Heinz Gerhäuser of Fraunhofer IIS give the starting signal.

June 2009

Spatenstich für Testhalle des Fraunhofer IIS in Fürth-Atzenhof
Spatenstich mit Bagger: EZRT-Leiter Dr. Randolf Hanke (am Steuer) gab mit Dr. Peter Dittrich (Verwaltungsdirektor Fraunhofer IIS), Prof. Heinz Gerhäuser (Leiter Fraunhofer IIS), Fürths Oberbürgermeister Dr. Thomas Jung, Wirtschaftsreferent Horst Müller, Staatssekretär Christian Schmidt, Fraunhofer-Vorstand Dr. Alfred Gossner und Ministerialdirigent Dr. Gerd-Achim Gruppe den Startschuss für die Bauarbeiten in Atzenhof 15. Juni 2009 Foto: Fraunhofer IIS

On June 15 construction work begins for future Fraunhofer projects in Fürth-Atzenhof, which is located in the industrial center Nuremberg Metropolitan Region. Four Fraunhofer IIS facilities will conduct research at this location. The ground-breaking ceremony kicked off construction of a linear accelerator center for non-destructive testing of large components such as aircraft carrier surfaces, rotor blades, entire vehicles or even containers.

June 2009

Spatenstich für Versuchsanlage des Fraunhofer IIS Am Vogelherd in Ilmenau
Hoben den Spaten für den Start der Fraunhofer-Versuchsanlage: Thüringens Kultusminister Bernward Müller, Fraunhofer AST-Leiter Dr. Thomas Rauschenbach, Prof. Albert Heuberger, Leiter der Projektgruppe DVT und Prof. Ulrich Buller (Mitglied des Vorstands der Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft), von links. 12. Juni 2009 Foto: Fraunhofer IIS / Theiß
Fraunhofer IIS builds a radio mast for digital radio at the test facility Am Vogelherd in Ilmenau. Construction began on June 12 with the symbolic first cut of the spade.





July 2008

Luftbild Fraunhofer IIS
On July 31 Fraunhofer IIS celebrates the inauguration of its new extension building in Erlangen-Tennenlohe. Highlights of the new building are the sound laboratory and the fully equipped audio-video recording and postproduction studio for research into advanced audio coding and multimedia technologies. As one of the most important research facilities for Digital Cinema development, the new Fraunhofer building accommodates a “Cinema of the Future” equipped with the Fraunhofer IDMT sound system IOSONO.

2007

20 Jahre Audiocodierung 2007 Fraunhofer IIS
20 Jahre Audiocodierung 24. Mai 2007 Dr. Jürgen Herre_Dipl.Ing. Harald Popp_Staatsminister Dr. G.Beckstein_Prof.Dr.-Ing. Karlheinz Brandenburg_Prof. Seitzer_ Dr.-Ing Bernhard Grill _Prof. Heinz Gerhäuser
The year 2007 marks twenty years of successful audio coding at Fraunhofer IIS. Back in 1987 a breakthrough in audio coding activities was achieved with the introduction of the first real-time implementation of a predecessor of mp3. Fraunhofer IIS commemorates this milestone with a range of events including the release of videocasts. At the ceremony on May 25, 2007 (f.l.): Dr. Jürgen Herre, Harald Popp, both members of mp3 developer team, state minister Dr. Günther Beckstein, Prof. Karlheinz Brandenburg, director Fraunhofer IDMT, Prof. Dieter Seitzer, former director of Fraunhofer IIS, Dr. Bernhard Grill, mp3 developer team, Prof. Heinz Gerhäuser, director Fraunhofer IIS.

February 2007

Eröffnung LOK im NOP 2007 Fraunhofer IIS
Einweihung Themenschwerpunkt »Lokalisierung udn Kommunikation LOK« Nürnberg_2_2_2007 v.l.n.r.: Hans Spitzner, Staatssekretär, Dr. Albert Heuberger, Fraunhofer IIS, Prof. Dr. Klaus Meyer-Wegener, Prodekan der Technischen Fakultät Erlangen, Prof. Heinz Gerhäuser, Insitutsleiter Foto: Fraunhofer IIS
Fraunhofer IIS increases its activities at the “Forschungsfabrik” research laboratory in Nuremberg. The research focus of the 65 staff members is “Localization and Communication”. At the inauguration ceremony (f.l.): Hans Spitzner, State Secretary, Dr. Albert Heuberger, Deputy Director Fraunhofer IIS, Prof. Dr. Klaus Meyer-Wegener, Vice Dean of the Erlangen faculty of engineering, Prof. Heinz Gerhäuser, Director Fraunhofer IIS.

June 2005

20 Jahre Fraunhofer IIS
20 Jahre Fraunhofer IIS Jubiläumsfeier v.l.: Prof. Karl-Dieter Grüske, Rektor der Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, Ministerialdirigent Klaus Jasper, Bayerisches Staatsministerium für Wirtschaft, Infrastruktur, Verkehr und Technologie, Ministerialrat Manfred Dietrich, Bundesministerium für Bildung und Forschung, Prof. Heinz Gerhäuser, Institutsleiter, Gerd Lohwasser, Bürgermeister der Stadt Erlangen, Prof. Heiner Ryssel, Institutsleiter des Fraunhofer IISB, Prof. Hans-Jörg Bullinger, Präsident der Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft, Günter Baumüller, Vizepräsident der IHK Nürnberg für Mittelfranken 30. Juni 2005 Foto: Fraunhofer IIS/Kurt Fuchs
Fraunhofer IIS celebrates its 20th anniversary together with high-ranking guests (f. l.): Prof. Karl-Dieter Grüske, rector Friedrich-Alexander-University Erlangen-Nuremberg, Ministerialdirigent Klaus Jasper, Bavarian Ministry of Economics, Infrastructure, Transportation and Technology, Ministerialrat Manfred Dietrich, Federal Ministry of Culture and Research, Prof. Heinz Gerhäuser, director Fraunhofer IIS, Gerd Lohwasser, mayor of Erlangen, Prof. Heiner Ryssel, director Fraunhofer IISB, Prof. Hans-Jörg Bullinger, president Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft, Günter Baumüller, vice president IHK Nürnberg.

January 2004

2004
The working group on electronic media technology AEMT in Ilmenau has evolved to a independent Fraunhofer Institute Digitale Medientechnologie IDMT (electronic media technology) under the leadership of Prof. Karlheinz Brandenburg.


June 2003

2003
The first live broadcasting of DRM campus radio bit eXpress, a joint project of Friedrich-Alexander-University Erlangen-Nürnberg and Fraunhofer IIS. (from left): Ulrich Rüde, Prodekan of the technical faculty, Prof. Karl-Dieter Grüske, rector of FAU, Prof. Heinz Gerhäuser, head of institute, Peter Senger, Deutsche Welle.

February 2003

2003
Two new project groups are being put together: Hardware-Software-Co-Design, supervised by Prof. Jürgen Teich (right hand side in picture left), and adaptive system software, supervised by Prof. Wolfgang Schröder-Preikschat (picture right).


October 2002

2002
Bundling of former Fraunhofer IIS activities in Nuremberg, and moving into newly built research factory at Nordostpark (from left): Dr. Roland Fleck, economic consultant to the city of Nuremberg, Erwin Huber, Bavarian minister of state, Prof. Heinz Gerhäuser, director of the institute, Prof. Klaus Feldmann, director of the chair of manufacturing automation and production systems at FAU, Dr. Bernd Kottmann, IVG Immobilien AG, and Dr. Ulrich Maly, mayor of Nuremberg.

May 2002

2002

Fraunhofer's own institute building in Erlangen-Tennenlohe is completed and move-in has begun.






May 2001

2001
Visitation of Federal President Johannes Rau (sitting down) at Fraunhofer IIS on the occassion of the award of the Deutscher Zukunftspreis (from left): Elvira Gerhäuser, director of press and public relations, Dr. Siegfried Balleis, mayor of Erlangen, Gerd Lohwasser, vice mayor of Erlangen, Prof. Heinz Gerhäuser, director of the institute, Prof. Karlheinz Brandenburg.

October 2000

2000
Federal President Johannes Rau (3rd from left) awards "Deutschen Zukunftspreis" for MP3 development. Harald Popp, Prof. Karlheinz Brandenburg, and Bernhard Grill (from left) receive it representatively for the team of about 40 developers.


August 2000

2000
Antrittsvorlesung von Prof. Karlheinz Brandenburg an der TU Ilmenau, Thema der Vorlesung: »Audiocodierung und ihre Anwendungen: heute und in Zukunft« li.: Prof. Heinz Gerhäuser, Leiter des Fraunhofer IIS 13. November 2001
Dr. Karlheinz Brandenburg (on right) is appointed professor at technical university Ilmenau.





July 2000

2000
Laying of the cornerstone for first construction stage of own insitute building in Erlangen-Tennenlohe.





February 2000

2000
Fraunhofer workgroup for electronic media technology AEMT launched in Ilmenau, supervised by Dr. Karlheinz Brandenburg.




September 1999

1999
Albert Heuberger is appointed representative director of the institute.





August 1999

1998
Dr. Heinz Gerhäuser is appointed professor at Friedrich Alexander University Erlangen-Nürnberg. Set up of his chair of information technologies with focus on communication electronics begins.



April 1999

1999

Dr. Günter Elst is appointed honorary professor at Technical University Dresden. He is being congratulated by Elvira Gerhäuser, director of press and public relations.




November 1998

1998
Fraunhofer IIS assumes a complex of buildings on Großer Kornberg in the Fichtelgebirge to be set up as a radio test point.




October 1998

1998
Prof. Dieter Seitzer retires from his position as a professor, and withdraws as director of the institute. Dr. Heinz Gerhäuser becomes of Fraunhofer IIS' new director in charge.



January 1998

1998
Headed by Dr. Randolf Hanke, the development center for x-ray technology is launched. The development center is a mutual department of Fraunhofer IIS, Erlangen and Fraunhofer IZFP, Saarbrücken. After 2000, the development center is located in Fürth (picture).

January 1995

1995
Fraunhofer-Center for Applied Research on Traffic Logisitcs and Communication Technology AVK launched in Nuremberg, headed by Prof. Peter Klaus.




November 1993

1993
Dr. Heinz Gerhäuser is called into Fraunhofer IIS' institutional administration.





January 1992

1992
Facilities for automation of circuit and system design EAS, a branch of Fraunhofer IIS, established in Dresden, headed by Dr. Günter Elst.




July 1990

1990
Foundation of Fraunhofer Institute for Integrated Circuits IIS (from left): Prof. Nikolaus Fiebiger, Prof. Gotthard Jasper, vice chancellor of University Erlangen-Nürnberg, August Lang, Bavarian minister of state for economic affairs and commerce, and Dr. Gustl Drechsler, IHK-Präsident (r.), all congratulate director Prof. Dieter Seitzer (2nd from right).

July 1985

1985
The center for microelectronics and information technology ZMI is accepted into the Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft as work group for integrated circuits AIS. The »electronic shoe« is one of the first big projects. It is first presented July 1st, 1985, at the ISPO in Munich by Dipl.-Ing. Ernst Eberlein, F. Rückert und Dr. Heinz Gerhäuser (from left)

March 1984

1984
Förderkreis für die Mikroelektronik e.V. and IHK Nürnberg für Mittelfranken launch the center for microelectronics and information technology GmbH ZMI. Dr. Anton Jaumann, Bavarian minister of state for economic affairs and commerce, presents a symbolic key to CEO Prof. Dieter Seitzer (left).