Low Noise Factory AB (LNF) was founded in 2005 in Onsala, Sweden, by Niklas Wadefalk, an electrical engineering graduate from Chalmers University of Technology. The company specializes in designing and manufacturing ultra-low noise microwave amplifiers, particularly for cryogenic applications. Wadefalk’s experience includes work at the California Institute of Technology (Caltech) and contributions to the SETI Allen Telescope Array. LNF’s products have been integral to various applications, including radio astronomy, quantum computing, and deep space communication. NASA launched its first CubeSats for the Tropics mission to monitor weather. These CubeSats include many of LNF’s LNAs. The European Space Agency’s Jupiter Icy Moon Explorer (Juice) is launched with LNF’s MMICs inside. The MMICs were integrated into the receiver by our neighbors Omnisys Instruments.
Recent Innovations: LNF has continued to advance its technology portfolio in recent years. In 2023, the company joined the European Union’s Quantity project, collaborating with Chalmers University of Technology and other partners. The project’s goal is to further develop the Indium Phosphide High Electron Mobility Transistor (InP HEMT) Monolithic Microwave Integrated Circuit (MMIC) process for larger-scale production and to demonstrate the miniaturization of low noise amplifiers (LNAs) for next-generation quantum computers.
Additionally, LNF has been involved in the development of ultra-wideband cryogenic LNAs. These amplifiers have achieved input reflections below –15 dB over a 4–20 GHz frequency range, representing a fractional bandwidth of 133% or 2.3 octaves. Such advancements are pivotal for applications requiring broad frequency coverage with minimal noise, including radio astronomy and deep space exploration.
Funding Sources and Amounts: LNF’s recent innovations have been supported by various funding sources:
- Quantity Project: This European Union-funded initiative focuses on scaling up the InP HEMT MMIC process and miniaturizing LNAs for quantum computing applications.
- Cryonoise Project: Funded by Vinnova, Sweden’s innovation agency, this project aims to set a new global industrial standard for the lowest noise in semiconductor electronics. The key innovation is a unique transistor technology that enhances the performance of cryogenic LNAs.
Specific funding amounts for these projects are not publicly disclosed. However, LNF’s active participation in these initiatives underscores its commitment to advancing cryogenic microwave technology and maintaining its leadership in the field.
