Rosenberger and Microwave Journal share the fact that they were both founded in 1958. From a small family owned enterprise, Rosenberger has developed into a medium-sized industrial company which operates globally. Currently, what are its key business areas?

Founded by Hans Rosenberger Senior as a locksmith company in 1958, Rosenberger began its growth with the takeover of the Dr. Häberlein RF technology company in 1967, which had become bankrupt. From its origins as a manufacturer of RF coaxial connectors for the German market, Rosenberger has developed into a global player, developing and producing a very diverse product range for a number of industrial application fields.

Today we provide a wide range of connectivity solutions in high-frequency and fiber optic technologies for telecommunications, aerospace engineering, industrial measurement technology, automotive electronics, medical and industrial electronics and data systems. We also develop innovative system solutions for application fields such as the Internet of Things (IoT) and M2M (e.g., telematics projects), which are very fast growing markets.

In the RF and microwave sector, what are Rosenberger’s main areas of technology?

In our traditional sector, we have a strong focus on developing innovative coaxial connectors — small sizes together with surface mount technology, high electrical performance, high number of mating cycles — for challenging applications. Another important area is the mobile communication infrastructure market, where we supply coax and fiber optic "site solution" products for the complete connectivity of radio base stations, including high performance antennas.

Rosenberger operates subsidiaries, manufacturing plants and regional companies and offices all over the world. Why is this worldwide presence so important for Rosenberger’s business development?

Many of our customers are global suppliers and operate from plants and locations all over the world. Our presence nearby gives us the opportunity for fast and competent local service, know-how transfer and fast deliveries to the customer.

Geographically, where does Rosenberger see the key markets for its RF and microwave products?

One of the key markets for mobile connectivity is China. Most of the mobile radio base stations deployed all over the world are produced in China. Taking another viewpoint, the other key markets are where mobile networks are actually deployed. In this field, USA, China, Southeast Asia and India are very active. But this is just to name a few. Due to the boom in mobile data and LTE, the mobile network market is very active currently.

The growth of Rosenberger has been mainly driven by the growth of the mobile communication markets since the early 1990s — and the applicable products. Today’s product range is diversified into other markets. How important is the communication electronics market to Rosenberger now and in the future?

Future technologies, e.g., the IoT or Industry 4.0, open up enormous opportunities for us. Along with electronic systems and equipment for daily use, such as car-to-car communication, smart home applications or the intelligent connection of industrial manufacturing processes, services and systems comes a huge demand for providing high capacity, high performance and reliable mobilcom networks. Developing, designing and producing solutions for such developments is one of our core competences.

A specific market sector that the company is developing is PIM analyzers, which was the focus for Rosenberger at Mobile World Congress (MWC) in February. What prompted the company’s entry into this market?

The reduction of passive intermodulation — in short PIM — in cables, connectors and RF transmitting structures, such as antennas and their components, is one of the key quality indicators for RF products. Therefore, Rosenberger has been one of the first companies participating in international standardization for the application of the scientific and practical results of PIM effects.

To test the quality of RF components and cable assemblies, PIM analyzers and test equipment are required. Unfortunately (or fortunately for Rosenberger), PIM test equipment with the required performance was not available, so we decided to develop our own product.

Today, with the boom of mobile data and to satisfy capacity demand, more and more spectrum is required. With the increasing allocation of spectrum to mobile operators, the PIM performance of their RF components, cable assemblies and antennas becomes increasingly important.

With our expertise in PIM, we are able to produce high quality RF products. Furthermore, with our high performance PIM analyzer portfolio, we are able to identify and solve PIM problems in mobile networks easily.

Tell me more about the PIM Site Analyzer Alpha, which was launched at MWC?

The PIM Site Analyzer Alpha is our latest product in our PIM test equipment portfolio. It is the first PIM analyzer in the world capable of measuring and identifying PIM problems via the coaxial or optical (CPRI) interface. PIM measurement via the optical interface will become increasingly important due to the change in mobile base station architecture, whereby fiber driven remote radio heads are located close to the antenna.

But this is not the only differentiator of the Site Analyzer Alpha. It has a modular ultra-broadband design from 700 MHz up to 2700 MHz, allowing plug and play exchangeable filter units, and no on-site calibration is required. As a site analyzer, it is designed for outdoor use, with a rugged design and simple intuitive user interface.

Furthermore, the Site Analyzer Alpha is capable of measuring VSWR, return loss, spectrum analysis and isolation. The distance to fault function is most accurate. So, the Site Analyzer Alpha is one tool that can be used to test a complete base station site.

Looking to the near future, what technologies or new sectors of the market can you see potential for Rosenberger to exploit in the communication sector?

In the in-cabinet connectivity product sector, we are currently looking into new solutions that support 5G mobile networks and radios. Our newly released VIA connector is just a first step into high performance, cost efficient connectivity solutions. In the field of site solutions, we will further develop and expand our portfolio and delivery capability as an end-to-end solution provider and trusted partner to OEMs and mobile operators in rolling out mobile networks.

Staying with the communication sector, what are Rosenberger’s main goals for the next two to five years?

  • To become number one for high quality, low PIM RF products as well as measurement equipment
  • Maintain our number one market position in RF in-cabinet connectivity solutions and
  • Further grow our site solution business, with the aim of becoming one of the top three players in that field.