Prof. Dr.-Ing. Albert Heuberger

Fraunhofer IIS Director

Prof. Dr.-Ing. Albert Heuberger is Director of the Fraunhofer Institute for Integrated Circuits IIS in Erlangen and Spokesman of the Fraunhofer Microelectronics Group, the world’s leading research organization for micro- and nanoelectronics applications and systems. He also serves as Chairman of the Steering Committee of the Research Fab Microelectronics Germany (FMD).

His work focuses on promoting an innovative microelectronics ecosystem in Europe, supporting technology transfer, and developing scalable solutions for industrial applications. As a communications engineer with a background in circuit design, he is particularly engaged in advancing micro- and nanoelectronics, sensor systems, and digital technologies, while actively strengthening Europe’s semiconductor capabilities.

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Career path

Academic and professional background

2016–2026	Executive Director of the Fraunhofer Institute for Integrated Circuits IIS
2011–2026	Chair of Information Technology (Communication Electronics) at Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU)
Since 2011	Director of the Fraunhofer Institute for Integrated Circuits IIS
2008–2011	Professor (W3) of Wireless Distribution Systems at Technische Universität Ilmenau
February 2005	Doctorate with a thesis on “Quality of Service in Mobile Channels in Digital Satellite Broadcasting Systems”
Since 1999	Deputy Director of the Fraunhofer Institute for Integrated Circuits IIS
Since 1996	Head of the Communications Systems department
Since 1994	Head of the Telecommunications Department
Since 1992	Head of the RF and Microwave Group
Since 1987	Research scientist at the Fraunhofer Institute for Integrated Circuits IIS
1980–1987	Degree in electrical engineering from Friedrich-Alexander Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU)

Focus areas

Research Focus

Microelectronics

Digital broadcasting systems

Multimedia distribution systems (e.g. European digital broadcasting, WorldSpace satellite radio, satellite radio in the USA)

Telematics systems, particularly for mobile applications

Short-range wireless communication (voice and data)

Communications engineering

RF and microwave engineering

Navigation

Key milestones

Milestones

Since 2020	Spokesman of the Fraunhofer Microelectronics Group and chairman of the Steering Committee of the Research Fab Microelectronics Germany (FMD)
Since 2017	Member of acatech (German National Academy of Science and Engineering)
Since 2013	Member of the Board of Medical Valley, Europäische Metropolregion Nürnberg (EMN)
Since 2000	Work on the Digital Radio Mondiale project, including the development of the first channel simulator and a software-based reference receiver, and contribution to standardization (as Vice Chairman of the Technical Committee)
2000–2002	WorldSpace mobile system (D_H system in ITU Recommendation BO.1130-4)
Since 1997	XM Satellite Radio: work on system concept, specification, and measurement campaigns for channel characterization and system validation
1996/97	Work on the WorldSpace system (satellite-based radio system for portable receivers)
1994/95	Participation in various working groups of the DAB project, e.g. WorldDAB Module 4 (satellite broadcasting), and contribution to standardization
1995	Subproject leader in the JESSI-DAB project (analog front end): development of an integrated circuit for an HF front end for DAB signal reception