Antenna Digital Twin Solution from Rohde&Schwarz and IMST

IMST GmbH, a leading company specializing in wireless communication and electromagnetic (EM) simulation, has developed, together with measurement expert Rohde & Schwarz, a patented Antenna Digital Twin Solution that addresses the unique challenges of automotive connectivity. This pioneering technology combines high-precision measurements and EM-simulations to provide vehicle manufacturers and suppliers with powerful insights for optimizing antenna design and placement to ensure excellent in-vehicle WiFi and wireless services.

Vehicle manufacturers often encounter numerous challenges when integrating antennas in- and/or outside of the vehicles. Conventional measurements inside a vehicle are nearly impossible due to space restrictions and fully detailed simulations of the antenna including the complete vehicle are highly complex and time consuming. To address this, IMST and Rohde & Schwarz have developed an augmented measurement and 3D EM simulation solution.

The three-stage process begins with antenna characterization using Rohde & Schwarz’s state-of-the-art test equipment, including an anechoic chamber, R&S ZNA vector network analyzer, and R&S AMS32 software. The second stage utilizes a Near-Field-to-Far-Field Transformation Algorithm (FIAFTA) to construct equivalent currents on a surface enclosing the antenna. These current sources are imported into IMST’s proprietary EM-TWIN™ software to realize a digital twin creation. Finally, a 3D EM-simulation of the virtual scenario is performed using the EM-TWIN™ software.

The combined IMST/Rohde & Schwarz antenna digital twin solution significantly accelerates design cycles, enabling automotive suppliers to shift antenna validation in advance to a time period where the physical vehicle is not yet available. This approach combines physical measurements with precise simulations, providing vehicle manufacturers with accurate results that reduce development time and costs. EM-TWIN™ simulation results are available within hours, not days as simulating the digital twin is much faster and more efficient than modelling the detailed antenna and its environment. The performance of the antenna can even be further improved as even production tolerances and reflections from the vehicles' bodies are considered.

This innovative, patented approach enables automotive designers to identify optimal antenna locations and ensure reliable in-vehicle wireless coverage. IMST’s EM-TWIN™ technology achieves unparalleled modeling accuracy, helping automotive manufacturers reduce costly development cycles and enhance connectivity performance.

For more information on EM-TWIN™ technology, visit: www.em-twin.de