3db Access, leading the way in ultra-wideband technology, joins forces with Infineon Technologies

06.10.2023 08:00, Rita Longobardi

The Zurich-based ETH spinoff 3db Access is at the forefront of secured low-power Ultra-Wideband (UWB) technology and has earned the coveted status of being the primary IP provider for esteemed names in the automotive industry. 3db Access has officially joined the Infineon Technologies conglomerate, a prominent global leader in semiconductor technology for power systems and IoT, boasting an impressive revenue of EUR 14.2 billion in 2022.

Since 2013, 3db Access has been developing and commercialising secure, ultra-low power and high-precision integrated Ultra-Wideband (UWB) ranging and sensing solutions. It offers integrated products that enable a broad range of applications, including provable secured access to valuable assets (vehicles, buildings), secured proof of proximity for seamless mobile payments and real-time high accuracy and precision localisation of connected, intelligent devices. Major automotive brands are already relying on 3db's solutions.

Infineon, a Germany-based semiconductor company with around 56,200 employees worldwide and EUR 14.2 billion in revenues in the 2022 fiscal year (ending 30 September), is acquiring 100 percent of the 3db Access shares to further strengthen its portfolio for secured smart access, precise localisation and enhanced sensing. Infineon now adds UWB to its connectivity range, including Wi-Fi, Bluetooth / Bluetooth Low Energy and NFC solutions. The first set of IoT use cases includes secured access and authentication, accurate location tracking and indoor navigation, and presence detection utilising UWB radar implementations.

”With Smartphone manufacturers adding UWB capability in the latest and future generations of their products, the demand for UWB-capable devices is expected to grow significantly. Our mission is to open up the best of this technology to smartphones and cars and enable standalone integration in low-power IoT devices,” said Boris Danev, Co-Founder and CEO of 3db Access.

Prior to the acquisition, ETH Zurich spin-off 3db was maintaining a strategic partnership with ETH. Infineon is poised to develop this relationship even further, in addition to intensified collaboration in the relevant standardisation bodies for secured localisation and sensing. Moreover, Infineon's broad market access is backed by extensive R&D activities. With 59 R&D sites worldwide, Infineon currently holds more than 31,000 patents and invests an annual 13 percent of its revenues in R&D.

3db Access was selected as one of the participants for Venture Leaders Technology in 2014 and won Venture Kick Stage 3 in 2013.




Source: Infineon press release