Whitepapers

simulation@rand.com | RandSIM.com | 888.483.0674 5G antennas deliver a variety of benefits. These include: • Increased data throughput to more users. As higher volumes of data are streamed at higher resolutions, anten- nas are needed to deliver more data to device ICs. • Reduced interference with adjacent wireless devices. This is an advantage of highly directional antennas. • Smaller devices. Shorter wavelengths require smaller antennas. As a result, the form factor of devices can be re- duced. Smaller devices mean that the Internet of Things (IoT) can expand and the market for connected devices will continue to grow. At the same time, 5G technology also introduces new challenges to antenna designers. For example: • Radiation performance and receiver sensitivity. These both must be addressed before a device will be allowed on carrier networks. • Specific absorption rate (SAR). This is a concern for wireless devices of all kinds. Since many mobile devices are carried and used close to the human body, manufacturers must ensure that they aren't transmitting exces- sive energy and causing tissue heating. • The environment in which devices will be deployed. Antennas may require a direct line of sight, especially at mmWave frequencies. Multipath effects can degrade millimeter wave signals or frequencies. RF propagation and interference with the environment also can't be ignored. Fortunately, in all these areas simulation can identify where problems may arise and shed light on potential solutions that will lead to better 5G antenna designs. Here are six examples of how Ansys solutions can help: • Modeling 5G antennas With HFSS's antenna toolkit, designers can specify which type of antenna topology they want to use – such as patch antennas, dipole antennas, conical antennas, or horn antennas. After specifying a frequency of operation, HFSS will script out and generate a complete model, as well as data reports such as input impedance and gain return loss. • Simulating antenna-to-antenna interactions Devices like cell phones often include PCBs with multiple antennas – one for cellular connectivity, one for GPS, and one for Bluetooth or Wi-Fi. Each antenna interacts with the others, even if they don't operate at the same frequencies. Designers must understand the radiation pattern for each antenna. They also need to ensure that the antennas' gain at varying frequencies is adequate. The library within HFSS includes connector and antenna models. Designers can leverage these inside HFSS to model how antennas will impact PCB performance. When implementing multiple antennas on a board, it's important to examine the S-parameter coupling between the antenna and the board. HFSS also includes a com- plete human body model for simulating human exposure. Mastering 5G Technology with Ansys Solutions

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