IMST (Institute for Mobile and Satellite Communication Technology) is an independent research organization located in North Rhine-Westphalia. It was formed as a privately owned company, with limited liability GmbH, in 1992.
IMST is an associated research organization for Mobile and Satellite Communication Technology to the University of Duisburg-Essen, Germany. This connection “enables a direct link to leading edge science and technology research”. The main objective of the company's establishment at the Lower-Rhine area (west of the Rhine-Ruhr industrial zone) was the transfer of scientific and applied research knowledge to the industry, while being a competent partner and companion along the value chain for the industry, mainly in telecommunications.
IMST is an independent organization and acts as a commercial organization. From its own self-image IMST sees itself as a technology-oriented development house for radio systems and microelectronics, with emphasis on contract research and licensing of technology. IMST is heavily involved in the research programs of the European Union as well.
IMST is involved in four primary focus areas.
The scope of IMST's research includes ll areas and applications where wireless technology in some form plays a role, in particular telecommunications and IT, automation, automotive and medical.
IMST has been awarded to build a center for automotive technology ("Das KAT") through funding from the state of North Rhine Westphalia (NRW), co-financed with funds from the European EFRE-programme (European Framework for Regional Development).
IMST was funded by the European Regional Development Fund on September 11, 1992 by the two founders Ingo Wolff and Peter Waldow. Since early 1993, the research activities are in full operation. Priorities are (radio-)communication systems, circuit and antenna technology. Furthermore, an accredited test center facility is related to issues of electromagnetic compatibility (EMC) and research on human safety aspects in electromagnetics. IMST employs approximately 145 people, mostly engineers and scientists. Universities and Colleges of the Lower-Rhine region cooperate with IMST GmbH in form of master, diploma and PhD-theses.