To strengthen the semiconductor industry in Europe, the European Commission announced the Important Project of Common European Interest (IPCEI) at the beginning of June, enabling funding of around 100 European projects. The technology company Rohde & Schwarz is taking part in the initiative with a project at four of its German locations: Munich, Memmingen, Teisnach and Duisburg. It is one of 31 projects funded in Germany by the German Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Action (BMWK) under the IPCEI ME/CT. Rohde & Schwarz will also back the project with its own research and development R&D investments.

Andreas Pauly, executive vice president test and measurement at Rohde & Schwarz, said, "Microelectronics defines technical progress in our digitalized world like no other key technology. Innovative, efficient test and measurement equipment such as the solutions from Rohde & Schwarz is a core element of every value chain in the microelectronics industry. It enables the development and production of microelectronic components and systems."

That is why the Rohde & Schwarz project aims to develop a new, highly competitive European test and measurement solution for the mmWave range. A major part of this development work will be the creation of a state-of-the-art European GaN/SiC semiconductor technology.

This technology and the test and measurement solution based on it will be indispensable for developing and testing future microelectronic components. Wide-ranging application fields in the communications industry include next generation mobile communications standards (6G), sensors, automotive radar applications, the IoT and Industry 4.0.

There is a consensus in politics and industry about the importance of Europe’s and Germany's technological and digital sovereignty. Essentially, it is about maintaining or even expanding national capabilities to shape key technologies. Rohde & Schwarz has championed research, development and production in Germany for 90 years.