Rohde and Schwarz Expands Power Electronics Testing at PCIM 2026

Rohde and Schwarz introduced a new set of power electronics testing systems during PCIM Expo 2026 in Germany, placing attention on electric vehicles, semiconductor validation, and industrial energy applications. The timing makes sense. Power electronics have become one of the busiest corners of the hardware industry as automakers, chip firms, and factory operators push for faster switching speeds and lower energy losses.

Testing equipment rarely gets public attention compared with consumer gadgets or AI software, but the business behind it is massive. Every electric drivetrain, inverter, charging module, and power semiconductor must be validated under real operating conditions before entering production. Companies that build measurement and testing hardware sit close to the center of that process.

Why PCIM Expo matters to the industry

PCIM Expo has become one of the main trade events for power electronics companies working on semiconductors, energy conversion systems, industrial drives, and electric mobility hardware. Engineers attend to compare switching technologies, thermal management systems, and testing equipment that can keep pace with modern silicon carbide and gallium nitride devices.

Those newer semiconductor materials operate at higher frequencies and temperatures than older silicon-based systems. That creates pressure on testing equipment manufacturers because measurement errors become more expensive as hardware complexity rises. Even small inaccuracies can affect efficiency calculations, thermal stability analysis, and long-term reliability estimates.

Electric vehicle systems are pushing testing demands higher

Electric vehicles are one of the biggest drivers behind the recent surge in power electronics investment. Battery management systems, onboard chargers, traction inverters, and fast charging stations all require detailed electrical validation. Automakers want faster testing cycles because production timelines have tightened across the industry.

Rohde and Schwarz appears to be targeting that pressure directly with tools designed for higher switching speeds and complex waveform analysis. Engineers working on EV systems increasingly need equipment capable of analyzing rapid transitions without introducing signal distortion or measurement instability.

That requirement becomes more difficult with silicon carbide semiconductors. These components improve efficiency and reduce heat generation, but they switch extremely fast. Traditional measurement setups often struggle to capture accurate readings at those speeds.

Industrial power systems are changing too

The testing market extends beyond electric vehicles. Industrial automation systems, renewable energy hardware, and factory power supplies now operate with tighter efficiency targets. Data centers are also pushing demand for advanced power conversion hardware because AI computing infrastructure consumes enormous amounts of electricity.

As a result, companies building oscilloscopes, analyzers, and validation systems are seeing stronger demand from sectors that historically upgraded equipment more slowly. Hardware development cycles have shortened, and manufacturers want faster verification before products move into mass production.

Measurement accuracy has become a competitive issue

Testing equipment companies compete on precision, software integration, and automation support rather than consumer branding. Engineers buying these systems care about repeatable results, data capture quality, and whether the tools fit into existing workflows. Poor measurements can delay certification processes or create expensive redesign work later in production.

Rohde and Schwarz is entering a market where technical accuracy matters more than flashy announcements. PCIM Expo 2026 made one thing clear: power electronics are becoming more demanding, and the companies building testing infrastructure expect that pressure to continue as electric vehicles and industrial AI systems expand over the next few years.