5G mobile network and Internet of Things (IoT for short) are two hot topics in the RF and microwave industries. To make new progress in this type of wireless applications, it is necessary to greatly increase the data transmission rate. At the same time, the source electronically scanned arrays (acTIve electronically scanned arrays, AESA), phased array antennas, and multiple input multiple output mulTIple-input-mulTIple-output (referred to as MIMO) technology has made major breakthroughs. In the prototyping and manufacturing process of the above applications, shortening time and reducing costs are very important. With the help of simulation and App, we can shorten the research and development cycle of wireless communication design.
Advanced computing resources used in the design of 5G phased array antennas
As we discussed in a previous blog post, there are many improvements and design considerations that need to be completed to implement 5G mobile network applications. One of the improvement directions for RF engineers is to increase the antenna gain to provide higher frequencies for 5G operation.
Isotropic low-gain antennas used in early networks are compared to directional high-gain antennas used in 5G.
Another requirement for 5G mobile networks is to improve the phase-forward technology. This technique can be used to form a radiation pattern and guide the direction of the antenna array beam to control the input signal, thereby solving the coverage angle problem.
The monopole phased antenna array can guide the radio wave to the specified direction.
In the design stage, a device called a slot-coupled microstrip patch antenna array can be used to solve this type of coverage angle problem. However, in order to develop devices that optimize the performance of 5G wireless communication, many complex design parameters need to be considered.
It is often difficult to evaluate and apply some physical effects (such as extreme temperature changes, structural deformations, and chemical reactions) through physical prototypes in design laboratories, but simulation is competent. Unfortunately, not every engineer engaged in design is a simulation professional, which requires that whenever the antenna array design or simulation environment changes, the simulation professional must participate in every step of the design process.
The App Builder solves such problems by further expanding the simulation function. Now, a complex and cumbersome numerical model of RF design can be converted into a user-friendly interactive tool, which can be easily used by professionals and end users. Today, let us discuss the slot-coupled microstrip patch antenna array synthesizer simulation app to understand how it helps us optimize the design of phased array antennas for 5G and the Internet of Things.
Using slit-coupled microstrip patch antenna array synthesizer app
Active electronic scanning array, also known as phased antenna array, is usually used in military fields such as radar and satellite. Nowadays, with people's increasing demand for data transmission rate of communication equipment, this kind of array has a new application field-commercial application. In this type of device, the size of a simple component can easily exceed dozens of times the wavelength, which results in a large amount of memory used in the simulation design. The result is that even if we only obtain the approximate values ​​used to evaluate the conceptual model, it will take a considerable amount of calculation time. Faster prototyping helps quickly analyze performance and determine design parameters.
The slot-coupled microstrip patch antenna array synthesizer is based on the full finite element method (FEM) model of a single microstrip patch antenna and is based on a multi-layer low-temperature cofired ceramic (LTCC) ) On the substrate. The initial operating frequency of the device is 30 GHz, and the integration of the radiation pattern and the directivity analysis of the entire array structure is accomplished using COMSOL MulTIphysics and its powerful post-processing functions. The App Builder is a shortcut that provides multiple ways to design and build a user-friendly graphical user interface (GUI), which can transform common mathematical models into intuitive simulation tools.
Top view of slot-coupled microstrip patch antenna.
App developer provides two necessary tools for creating apps: form editor and method editor. With the help of the form editor, we can add form objects to the custom interface to make the GUI have some simple functions. The method editor can help us perform more advanced customization functions than form objects. After accurate simulation of a single microstrip patch antenna, we found the two-dimensional antenna array factor
The two-dimensional array factors correspond to user input such as array size, phase difference sequence, and angular resolution. They are applied to the radiation pattern data of a single antenna (emw.normEfar).
The method editor is not only suitable for simple simulation of the visualization of predefined post-processing variables, but also for further customization.
A preview of the main form used to display form objects.
Use the Method Editor to create custom actions for form objects.
In this app, there are many design parameters that can be used to test the design of microstrip patch antenna arrays, including:
Antenna properties
Patch size
Substrate size
Gap size
Feeder width
Extended feeder length
SMD substrate thickness and relative dielectric constant
Feeder substrate thickness and relative dielectric constant
Array properties
Array size
Advance
spacing
Simulation properties
frequency
wavelength
3D coordinate drawing resolution
Polar coordinate drawing resolution
The array dimensions, phase advancement and spacing, and the distance between each unit are mainly used to characterize the shape and direction of the antenna array radiation pattern. The angular resolution can enhance the visualization of 3D and 2D radiation patterns. Please note that when the antenna directivity is high, the higher resolution helps to accurately depict the side lobes.
The graphical user interface of the "Slit-coupled Microstrip Patch Antenna Array Synthesizer" app.
After the analysis is completed, the App compares the individual antenna design parameters calculated through the S-parameters (S11) with the user's "pass / fail" evaluation criteria before running the simulation, and reports whether they are the best parameters. The App plots the electric field distribution on each dielectric layer and metal layer, and realizes a full-view visualization of the array, allowing App users to have a more intuitive experience of design performance. You can also choose to generate a complete simulation result report and detailed App instructions.
Simulation App provides infinite possibilities for the display of numerical models
With the App Builder, you have unlimited ways to convert models into custom tools, but what can you do next? You can start and use simulation apps with COMSOL Multiphysics® software. As long as you are connected to the Internet, you can use a common web browser to run the app, and you can even deploy the app to colleagues or customers through the COMSOL Server ™ product.
In "Case Download", there are more apps in the fields of electricity, mechanics, fluids, chemistry, etc. waiting for you to download and research. These demo apps can guide you to create your own practical apps.
"Frequency-selective surface periodic complementary open-loop resonator" demo app (right) and "surface plasmon line grating simulator" demo app (left).
Whether you are developing a simulation app for enhanced RF design for 5G networks or dedicated to research in other application areas, start developing a simulation app today to optimize the design workflow and product performance!
Intel Nuc I5,Intel Nuc 11 I5,I5 Mini Pc,Intel Nuc 10 I5
Guangdong Elieken Electronic Technology Co.,Ltd. , https://www.elieken.com