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INNOVATIONS UNPLUGGED – the Rohde & Schwarz technology podcast

INNOVATIONS UNPLUGGED – the Rohde & Schwarz technology podcast

Written by: Rohde & Schwarz
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 Welcome to INNOVATIONS UNPLUGGED - the Rohde & Schwarz technology podcast. Let’s take a behind-the-scenes look at innovations and explore their real-world applications. Think your smartphone, airplane or favorite streaming platform works on its own? Think again! Behind almost every signal – from 5G networks and aerospace systems to artificial intelligence and quantum technologies – there’s an innovation you’ve probably never heard of… but you should. Our guests take you inside the challenges and breakthroughs that drive engineers, researchers and visionaries at Rohde & Schwarz. Whether you’re a high-tech enthusiast, an industry professional or just curious about the invisible engineering shaping our lives – this is the podcast for you. Politics & Government Science
Episodes
  • Quantum revolution beyond the hype: how Zurich Instruments helps build a meaningful quantum computer

    Quantum revolution beyond the hype: how Zurich Instruments helps build a meaningful quantum computer
    Nov 26 2025
    2025 has been the year the second quantum revolution took center stage. With UNESCO’s International Year of Quantum Science & Technology and the 2025 Nobel Prize in Physics spotlighting quantum breakthroughs, the world is watching as theory transforms into reality. In this episode of “Innovations Unplugged”, we embrace a century of quantum innovation – from atomic clocks underpinning GPS to quantum computing’s potential to solve global challenges.
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    21 mins
  • See the unseen: When airport security meets pharma packaging or how to check in on Schrödinger’s cat

    See the unseen: When airport security meets pharma packaging or how to check in on Schrödinger’s cat
    Oct 24 2025
    Let’s imagine being a superhero for a moment. What if you could see through closed containers or sealed packages – without actually opening any of them? What if you could verify what’s in there, find out what’s missing, or even detect hidden threats in seconds – without damaging the box? Metaphorically, millimeter-wave imaging technology is a reality check on Schrödinger’s Paradox. The non-invasive imaging technology is already a game-changer in airport security scanners around the world. Now, curiosity drives Rohde & Schwarz engineers to ask a simple yet powerful question: “What’s next?” In this episode, we’ll take a closer listen to one of their answers and check in with an industry expert on phar-maceutical quality control. **Explore with us** 1. Airport security 2.0: How 100+ images/second enable real-time threat detection in walk-through scanners now certified in Europe. 2. The “first image” moment: Why every new scan is a live experiment and each sample reveals new, real-time data, inspiring innovation. 3. X-Ray vs. millimeter-wave: Why the latter is a solution to verify drug packaging integrity without damaging sensitive biologics. 4. Speed meets precision: Innovations like inverse synthetic aperture radar (ISAR) to process 160 packages/minute in pharma lines. 5. Future-proof tech: From submarine glass to logistics, how mm-wave imaging tech is able to adapt to diverse industries. **Our guest** - Kaspar Widmer-Cantz, industry expert and co-founder of pharma inspection specialist Obviotec, reveals the potential to bridge critical gaps in end-of-line pharmaceutical checks. - Andreas von Lösecke, a Rohde & Schwarz expert for millimeter-wave imaging, breaks down the engineering behind the technology, and explores its potential for future applications across industries. **Our hosts** - Markus Haller, Rohde & Schwarz, blends his expertise as a physicist, former tech journalist, and corporate communications professional to make scientific insights and technological innovations accessible. - Inga Müller-Siedentopp, Rohde & Schwarz, combines a background in economics and political science with experiences in journalism and a passion for corporate storytelling to translate complex technology into stories that stick. **Our topics** mm-wave imaging, pharma quality control, airport security, non-invasive inspection, ISAR technology, Obvi-otec, Rohde & Schwarz, AI, end-of-line testing, material penetration, industrial applications **Join the conversation** Do you have suggestions? What topics are you interested in? We look forward to your email at pod-cast@rohde-schwarz.com **Deep dive** [Find out everything about the R&S Imager and its limitless possibilities](https://www.rohde-schwarz.com/de/loesungen/security/security-screening/imager_256948.html) [Follow the Rohde & Schwarz Automotive channel on LinkedIn to stay up to date on all things imag-ing](https://www.linkedin.com/posts/rohde-schwarz_teaser-rs-mmw-imaging-cluster-activity-7351859581641207808-hIKg?utm_source=share&utm_medium=member_desktop&rcm=ACoAAAhIxg0BXr9YOnO2q2aibCCPNr2rL1Ngi0Y) [Discover Swiss-based pharma inspection specialist Obviotec](https://www.obviotec.com/) [Take a deep dive on security screening solutions and watch the Youtube playlist](https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLKxVoO5jUTlsICJLGT2pN3bjRdemzQSRa) **Even more Rohde & Schwarz to listen to** [SIGNALS - The Defense Podcast | Rohde & Schwarz](https://www.rohde-schwarz.com/us/solutions/aerospace-and-defense/multi-domain/signals-defense-podcast_257904.html) **About us** Rohde & Schwarz is striving for a safer and connected world with its leading-edge solutions. Committed to innovation for more than 90 years, the independent technology group acts long-term and sustainably, making it a reliable partner to its industry and government customers worldwide. [www.rohde-schwarz.com](https://www.rohde-schwarz.com/)
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    24 mins
  • From 6G to quantum computing and AI: How a 1950s invention shapes tech giants of today and tomorrow

    From 6G to quantum computing and AI: How a 1950s invention shapes tech giants of today and tomorrow
    Sep 24 2025
    Ever wondered what makes your smartphone, satellite, or self-driving car function flawlessly? Meet an unsung hero behind it all: the Vector Network Analyzer (VNA). This 75-year-old technology was invented by Rohde & Schwarz pioneers and is an invisible enabler of RF engineering. In this episode, we unravel its journey from analog labs to AI-driven precision, and why it’s more vital now than ever. **Explore with us** - The Birth of a Game-Changer: How the Z-g-Diagraph pioneered Smith chart visualization in 1950 - Everyday Tech, Supercharged: Why to rely on VNAs to test 12M+ smartphone filters per week - Beyond the Lab: About a surprising application in astrophysics to explore black holes - Future-proof innovations: How VNAs adapt to quantum computing, terahertz tech, and AI-driven systems - Culture check: What drives Rohde & Schwarz engineers to continuously push technological boundaries **Our guest** - Michael Fischlein, Vice President Spectrum & Network Analyzers, EMC and Antenna Test Equipment at Rohde & Schwarz, shares firsthand insights into how VNAs have quietly shaped 75 years of innovation, from radar systems to tomorrow’s quantum breakthroughs. **Our hosts** - Markus Haller, Rohde & Schwarz - Inga Müller-Siedentopp, Rohde & Schwarz **Our topics** Vector Network Analyzer (VNA), test and measurement, wireless communications, component testing, mass production, 5G, quantum computing, 6G, Rohde & Schwarz, RF testing, RF engineering, automotive radar, satellite tech, astrophysics, AI-driven systems, terahertz communication **Join the conversation** Do you have suggestions? What topics are you interested in? We look forward to your email at podcast@rohde-schwarz.com **Deep dive** [Find out more about the history of 75 years of vector network analyzers](https://www.rohde-schwarz.com/products/test-and-measurement/analyzers/network-analyzers/75-years-vna_258255.html?bid=2707286) [Discover the full Rohde & Schwarz vector network analyzer portfolio](https://www.rohde-schwarz.com/products/test-and-measurement/network-analyzers_64043.html) [Watch this video learn when to use an LCR meter vs a VNA](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PahPyzaZv2g) **Even more Rohde & Schwarz to listen to** [SIGNALS - The Defense Podcast | Rohde & Schwarz](https://www.rohde-schwarz.com/us/solutions/aerospace-and-defense/multi-domain/signals-defense-podcast_257904.html) **About us** Rohde & Schwarz is striving for a safer and connected world with its leading-edge solutions. Committed to innovation for more than 90 years, the independent technology group acts long-term and sustainably, making it a reliable partner to its industry and government customers worldwide. [www.rohde-schwarz.com](https://www.rohde-schwarz.com/)
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    23 mins
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