Rohde & Schwarz, in collaboration with IMST, has developed an antenna digital twin solution that offers reduction in cost and time for antenna suppliers and manufacturers by combining measurements and simulations.
The process is divided into three steps. The first involves the characterization of physical antennas using Rohde & Schwarz test equipment, including an anechoic chamber, an R&S ZNA vector network analyzer, and the R&S AMS32 software.
The second step focuses on the creation of a digital twin by involving the easy to use Near Field to Far Field Transformation Algorithm (FIAFTA). This is followed by a 3D EM simulation of a virtual scenario using EM-Twin software from IMST.
The antenna digital twin solution from Rohde & Schwarz and IMST offers many benefits. Apart from significant savings in cost and time through the front-loading of antenna validation by combining measurements and simulations, it also ensures accurate and consistent characterization of physical antennas using anechoic chambers and vector network analyzers in conjunction with the R&S AMS32 automation software.
Vehicle manufacturers face several challenges when integrating antennas outside or inside their vehicles. Performing antenna simulations is complex and time consuming, and simulation results must be proven by physical measurements. A combination of measurements and simulation is needed to eliminate this, and this solution aims to plug that gap.
Additionally, the solution significantly reduces development time as EM-Twin simulation results are available within hours. The performance of the antenna can be enhanced as production tolerances and reflections from the vehicle bodies are considered. Meanwhile, the patented EM-Twin digital antenna twin source technology provides an exceptional high level of modeling accuracy.
The solution also enables the optimal location of the antenna to be found before the physical vehicle is available, thereby avoiding expensive and time-consuming development cycles.
Rohde & Schwarz and IMST states that the patented antenna digital twin solution can accelerate design cycles and optimizes the location of antennas on vehicles, thereby improving coverage and performance before prototypes and chassis become available.