How is the antenna performance maintained in a complex wireless environment?
With the rise of the latest wireless technologies such as 5G, the Internet of Things, and self-driving cars equipped with advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS), as well as the rapid development of popular applications and performance of existing wireless technologies, related industries have ushered in huge business opportunities. Widespread wireless systems provide continuous mobile communication, navigation, and data services and extend to multiple industries and applications, including personal electronics, home automation, telecommunications, automotive, aerospace, and more. At the same time, designing and deploying so many wireless systems in complex environments is becoming more and more challenging.
In an increasingly connected world, the number of wireless systems has proliferated, and with it the potential for interference and performance degradation. This can have varying degrees of consequences – ranging from inconvenient for personal entertainment to catastrophic for aircraft. To compete, businesses need to quickly design, evaluate and deploy wireless systems that perform well in the intended operating environment. While these systems are operating, other wireless systems may be in the vicinity which may cause interference and degraded performance. In addition, unexpected sources of radio frequency interference (RFI) present in the environment must be considered for a robust system design. By identifying possible interference locations in the early stages of R&D, companies can avoid interference problems, reduce the cost and risk of repairing problems later.
Emulate Wireless Systems
Simulation-driven product development must be performed in the early concept stages of wireless system design to predict wireless system performance in complex environments. The design must include the effects of other wireless devices and RF signal sources in the environment that are not part of the system being designed. Without design for the target environment, it is possible for a system to perform well in lab tests but to degrade after deployment, resulting in costly disruption mitigation and, quite possibly, a business strategy failure.
Simulation of wireless systems in complex environments involves multiple computational domains and solution methods. It requires a workflow not only for analysts but also for design engineers. To ensure design productivity and efficiency, these methods need to be used together in a seamless design workflow that provides a library of multi-fidelity models so that simulation can begin after complete and detailed device information is available. The simulation results should facilitate the realization of performance requirements and component selection.
