Michael Lahrsen, Senior Manager Wireless Telecommunication Technology

Michael Lahrsen

Senior Manager Wireless Telecommunication Technology

Tell us about yourself

After obtaining my German Dipl.-Ing. in Communication Engineering with a focus on RF and antennas, I’ve been hooked on telecommunication technology. As a telecommunication industry veteran, I have worked with four generations of global cellular telecommunication systems starting with GSM / (E)GPRS, evolving via WCDMA and LTE to 5G NR, always complemented by ubiquitous short-range radio technologies including Bluetooth and Wi-Fi. I worked hands-on in certification test labs and subsequently moved into laboratory management roles.

Before joining TÜV SÜD, I was responsible for the regulatory compliance and industry certification testing of smartphones as a Senior Director of the BlackBerry labs in Canada. To date, I have over 30 years of professional experience of test engineering leadership and operational excellence in the field of EMC testing and RF testing.

I joined the team to bring in my experience so TÜV SÜD’s global EMC and RF test laboratories can integrate new test solutions and benefit from the massive growth in wireless communication as driven by the mobile IoT and the adoption of 5G in vertical industries.

I provide internal consultancy services to our EMC/RF community on a continuous basis, ie standards interpretation and regulatory compliance guidance, management of test system upgrades for technology evolutions, implementation of test efficiency improvements and helping customers with their radio technology integrations and associated compliance testing.

During my 7 years at TÜV SÜD, I have built test services for integration testing of end user devices using all the above-mentioned radio technologies and implemented a system for 5G base station testing. I’ve also provided training to our global EMC engineering community in RF testing fundamentals and test methodologies, and write for our testing and certification blog, just to name some of my most important activities.

Why did you choose to join TÜV SÜD?

After managing ISO 17025 accredited device manufacturer labs for more than 18 years, I decided to join a team where I can apply my experience and help to grow a leading global network of ISO 17025 accredited third-party labs for EMC and RF testing.

Where do you work?

I work from home and from global laboratory sites that I support on-site with theoretical and hands-on test implementation guidance.

What are your main areas of expertise?

Test engineering for regulatory compliance and industry certification for today’s leading RF technologies with a particular passion for cellular radio technologies.

What does your role involve?

Close tracking of radio technology evolutions, associated test methodologies and test systems to enable integration into TÜV SÜD’s global test capability matrix, always having the best service for our customers in mind.

What most excites you about your role?

I am excited by the never-ending innovation strength of the cellular telecommunication industry led by standards developments organisations (SDOs) like 3GPP, which developed the first completely digital global cellular system in 1991 (GSM) and is currently optimising the 5G Advanced system for vertical industry usage in its Rel-19 Technical Specifications.

In general terms, I am privileged to be allowed to work on interesting RF test challenges that are usually brought to me after local lab teams have run out of ideas.

What future trends do you see developing in your area of work?

Vertical industry use cases like automated factories and automated driving that require the tight integration of functional safe communication utilising the mobility of radio technologies with fully digitised systems that involve digital twins and disciplines like artificial intelligence / machine learning.

What do you see as the top perk of working for TÜV SÜD?

Working with a global network of laboratory experts from a diverse technology background as well as business people from the transportation, energy and medical device industries.

How have TÜV SÜD supported you?

TÜV SÜD has supported my international relocation from Canada to Germany and has allowed a flexible choice of work locations that best suit the needs of my role.