IABM announces Rohde & Schwarz’s Manfred Reitmeier as Technology Leader of the Year 2019

Earlier this summer, Manfred Reitmeier became Vice President Transmitter and Amplifier Systems at Rohde & Schwarz. Spanning 30 years, his career within the company has encapsulated many quantum progressions in terrestrial transmission technology and business practices: Reitmeier has honed his exceptional team leadership capabilities throughout this period, first building a team of gifted and talented technologists and product designers and then creating visionary product roadmaps.

Manfred Reitmeier joined Rohde & Schwarz as a development engineer in 1989. He enjoyed much success in his previous positions as Director of R&D Software, Senior Director of R&D Transmitter Systems and Senior Director of Product Management Transmitter Systems. He has over 20 years' management experience in the field of terrestrial transmitter systems.

Manfred Reitmeier’s Magnum Opus: 5G Broadcast

Every great artist or composer has his or her Magnum Opus: for Manfred Reitmeier, this is 5G Broadcast for mobile TV. Several years ago, Manfred and his team set themselves the goal of intelligently linking the strengths of broadcasting with the broad capabilities of mobile networks. “Quality of experience for the user is a major consideration in the evolution of 5G Broadcast for mobile TV,” commented Manfred Reitmeier. “As a sports loving commuter, it nearly drives me crazy when I can’t watch a Champion’s League match live on the train.”

Reitmeier recognized that if their vision was to become reality, his team would need to collaborate, both internally within Rohde & Schwarz and also externally with other like-minded organizations. In June 2017, Rohde & Schwarz joined the pioneering research project – 5G Today – as a partner.

Under the leadership of Germany’s Institute for Broadcast Technology (IRT), and in co-operation with antenna manufacturer, Kathrein, Rohde & Schwarz is evaluating broad-area TV transmission using the latest technologies. Also, 5G TODAY is supported by mobile network operator, Telefonica O2, and the Bavarian Broadcasting Corporation (BR).

A milestone for 5G TODAY was reached in December 2018 when Rohde & Schwarz put the world’s first high-power, high-tower (HPHT) transmitter for 5G Broadcast into operation at the BR Wendelstein transmitter station in the Bavarian Alps. The R&S THU9evo high-power transmitter has a transmit power of 100 kilowatts effective radiated power (ERP) in FeMBMS broadcast mode and covers an area in excess of 60 km.

“Successfully putting the transmitter into operation was a real breakthrough for our Rohde & Schwarz team,” commented Manfred Reitmeier. The team showcased its 5G Broadcast solution at the Mobile World Congress this February. Then, in April, Rohde & Schwarz gave a debut to the world’s first end-to-end solution for LTE/5G Broadcast at NAB.

“Rohde & Schwarz has provided me with a platform to achieve all my goals and dreams as a broadcast technologist. Together with some truly inspirational colleagues, we have made, and continue to make a real difference to broadcasters and consumers worldwide. And with 5G Broadcast, the best is still to come,” concludes Manfred Reitmeier.