Why the decision for Rohde & Schwarz is a decision for technological and digital sovereignty

Digital resources are now critical to security and international competitiveness. Companies, organizations and governments around the globe face urgent questions surrounding their own technological and digital sovereignty. The Rohde & Schwarz technology group provides answers to these questions with its entire product line – from test & measurement to network and cybersecurity solutions to the system business in the aerospace, defense and security industries.

Autonomous driving, smart networked traffic, or Industry 4.0

Digital technologies are changing our lives. Whether it’s smart homes or smart cities, ePayment or eMobility, we live in an increasingly digitalized environment and already rely on electronic devices in almost every area of our lives. In the future, 5G wireless communications will be indispensable for autonomous driving within smart networked traffic infrastructures and for Industry 4.0 – and the race to 6G has already begun.

High-performance electronics are a prerequisite – or even the backbone – of all these technological advances. Rohde & Schwarz plays a key role in shaping the development of these electronics. The company’s test and measurement equipment is used throughout the wireless communications ecosystem, gets autonomous vehicles on the road and makes smart industrial systems a reality.

Keeping pace internationally in the development of key technologies

The requirements imposed on electronic products and digital infrastructures in terms of connectivity, functionality and energy efficiency are constantly growing. The result? Developers across all industries are faced with increasingly complex challenges, such as when designing and developing integrated board architectures and intelligent software.

The common foundation for all these fields is microelectronics. In our highly digitalized world, it determines the pace of technical progress like no other key technology. It is therefore vital for companies and governments across the globe to successfully shape the development of microelectronics and set their own standards instead of following the standards of others.

On an equal footing internationally

But it’s not just microelectronics that is decisive for innovation and progress. The same applies to other key areas such as the second generation of quantum technology, i.e. quantum computing and quantum communications. Keeping pace internationally in the development of key technologies requires reliable test and measurement solutions that for both R&D and production.

A reliable and secure digital ecosystem is more important than ever before

Operating and maintaining quantum computers requires a wide range of specialized T&M solutions that can generate and measure RF signals with extremely high precision. Quantum computer control systems are part of the product portfolio of Zurich Instruments, a Rohde & Schwarz subsidiary.

The success of digital transformations depends on the security of the information and communications systems used. Especially in times of political and economic uncertainty, a reliable and secure digital ecosystem is more important than ever before. The objective is to protect everyday digital activities as well as critical infrastructures and data against unauthorized access and manipulation.

Retail, public, or energy sector

In the retail sector, being able to pay at supermarket checkouts using a smartwatch requires failsafe IT infrastructures. In the public sector, network technology and IT infrastructures are critical for digitizing sensitive data such as business or social information and even details of criminal proceedings, and for protecting this information in the digital realm. Another good example is the energy sector. Here, digital technologies are helping continually improve the efficiency of energy generation and distribution.

Digital sovereignty has special significance for national security issues

Dependable network and security solutions are essential to strengthen the resilience of companies and organizations that are subject to special security and certification requirements. The Rohde & Schwarz subsidiary LANCOM Systems offers such solutions. The company’s routers, gateways, access points, switches and firewalls are entirely free of backdoors, i.e. secret eavesdropping interfaces. LANCOM’s products and solutions are developed and manufactured in Germany and elsewhere in Europe, and are subject to strict requirements under the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR). Cloud management is also hosted in Germany.

Nowadays, digital sovereignty has special significance for national security issues. Our technology-driven world is creating new opportunities – and new challenges – for government authorities, armed forces, critical infrastructure operators as well as leading companies in the aerospace and defense industries. Rohde & Schwarz is specifically addressing these challenges with its comprehensive portfolio of communications, reconnaissance and security solutions.

From individual chips to integrated systems

A high level of R&D investment over the long term enables us to continuously deliver innovative products to private customers as well as to authorities and governments. Our high degree of vertical integration, which includes semi-finished parts and components, allows us to react quickly and flexibly to changing conditions and requirements. Since all production phases are in-house, we can ensure the highest quality and security standards. From individual chips to integrated systems, Rohde & Schwarz provides everything you need from a single source.