Abstract: IRAM, the Institute for Millimeter Radio Astronomy is currently pursuing a major upgrade of its millimeter wave interferometer at Plateau de Bure in the French Alpes. NOEMA, the NOrthern Extended Millimeter Array will consist of twelve antennas with 15m diameter and employ a completely new and powerful instrumentation technology. After an outline of the NOEMA key specification, its science objectives and timeline, the talk will focus on the applied receiver and backend technology which will give NOEMA its remarkable observing power. The presentation will include a brief description of NOEMAs synergy with the IRAM 30m telescope instrumentation program.