Graz University of Technology - Institute of Microwave and Photonic Engineering

In 2010 at TU Graz the Institute of Microwave and Photonic Engineering (Institut für Hochfrequenztechnik, IHF) was established as a 4th institute of the former large Department of Communications and Wave Propagation. The Institute (IHF) focuses on Wireless Technologies (including Free Space Optics (FSO)), radar techniques and microwaves. The relevant research group has high-quality experience in Atmospheric Wave Propagation with RF and light.

Special programmes enabled the researchers to gain considerable expertise in the areas of advanced modulation and coding, multiple access schemes, free-space optics and fade-countermeasure techniques. The IHF is also very experienced at conducting trials and demonstrations. The institute was a participant of Network of Excellence called SatNEx, COST IC0802, IC1101 and MP1401 (since 2015), and of ESA projects (like Hybrid_PDT).

• Communications for deep space missions
• Optical wireless links
• Propagation experiments (RF and light)
• RF modules

IHF worked on the ESA project "Feasibility Assessment of Optical Technologies and Techniques for Reliable High Capacity Feeder Links". In 2015 IHF joined the COST MP1401 "Advanced fibre laser and coherent source as tools" and is developing a Hybridized RF/optical Payload Data Transmitter for Deep Space mission for ESA's Hybrid_PDT. Currently the IHF is also active with RF modules for ESA, see TUG-online.