- Rohde & Schwarz, in collaboration with IMST, has developed a patented solution based on the digital twin of an antenna to determine its ideal position on board a vehicle.
- This solution combines a measurement phase of antenna characteristics with a simulation process of electromagnetic wave propagation to optimize antenna design and positioning inside the vehicle.
Vehicle manufacturers face several challenges when integrating antennas out- or in-side their vehicles. Performing antenna simulations is complex and time consuming, and simulation results have to be proven by physical measurements. Accurate measurements in-side the vehicle are simply not possible due to the closed vehicle environment. A combination of measurements and simulation is needed in order to achieve the best antenna position and therefore also connectivity performance for the user in-side the vehicle.
Rohde & Schwarz has joined forces with IMST to develop a process, divided into three steps. The first involves the characterization of physical antennas using Rohde & Schwarz test equipment, including an anechoic chamber, a 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 Near Field to Far Field Transformation Algorithm (FIAFTA). This is followed by a 3D EM simulation of a virtual scenario using EM-TWINTM software from IMST.
The antenna digital twin solution from Rohde & Schwarz and IMST brings about a reduction in cost and time for antenna suppliers and vehicle manufacturers through the front-loading of antenna validation by combining measurements and simulations. It ensures the accurate and consistent characterization of physical antennas through the use of anechoic chambers and vector network analyzers in conjunction with the R&S AMS32 automation software.
Moreover, the solution reduces development time as EM-TWINTM simulation results are available within hours, not days. The performance of the antenna can be enhanced as production tolerances and reflections from the vehicles’ bodies are considered.
This solution allows for the optimal location of the antenna to be found before prototypes and chassis become available, thereby avoiding expensive and time-consuming development cycles. The ability to identify the optimal location of the antenna and verify in-vehicle wireless coverage is a significant advantage, particulalry because conventional measurements are extremely difficult and unreliable within the physical contriants of the vehicle.
