Keysight Technologies Introduces Phased-Array Beamforming Software Module for 5G, Radar, EW Systems

Software Enables Accurate, Dynamic System-Level Analysis of AESA Platforms, Increasing Range, Reducing Interference, Minimizing Power Consumption

Highlights:

• Software predicts performance degradations in 5G, satellite and radar, electronic warfare (EW) systems that use RF-, digital- and hybrid-beamforming architectures
• Consistent platform enables model-based design and verification from nonlinear RF and baseband algorithms up to complete, moving system scenarios

Keysight Technologies, Inc. (NYSE: KEYS) today introduced the W1720EP Phased Array Beamforming Kit, a new add-on software simulation personality for the SystemVue 2016.08 design environment. The software enables researchers and system architects working on platforms using beamforming algorithms for 5G, satellite, NewSpace, radar and EW applications, to reduce interference and power consumption, while increasing physical range.

Active electronically-scanned array (AESA) systems can range from 16 to 256 elements for 5G applications to hundreds of elements in satellite systems, and many thousands of individual baseband and RF signal paths in military systems. Keysight EEsof EDA’s W1720EP Phased Array Beamforming Kit overcomes two key challenges facing AESA systems:

• Engineers can easily model highly parallel architectures across multiple simulation domains, including nonlinear RF simulation, as well as a dataflow system level. This allows multiple teams to use the same tool and make architectural trade-offs not previously possible.
• Engineers can also model the signals as single beams, or maintain access to the individual signals passing through the arrays. This enables multi-function, 3D conformal arrays to be validated in higher-level system scenarios using active signaling between multiple transmitters and receivers.

By incorporating MathWorks’ MATLAB Script, SystemVue seamlessly integrates existing algorithms and extends array design tools to the RF and system design communities. This allows system modelers to explore realistic performance of baseband and RF beamforming architectures to save cost and complexity, and streamlines R&D design efficiency across disciplines.

Keysight EDA’s new W1720EP Phased Array Beamforming Kit provides several benefits, including:

• Ease of design, with a simple use model and ability to quickly simulate sophisticated multi-function arrays and adaptive beamforming algorithms
• Superior 5G and EW accuracy, stemming from the software’s ability to allow beam width, direction and sidelobe levels (e.g., system performance) to account for underlying analog nonlinearities; measured X-parameters*, S-parameters and mismatch; noise, frequency dependence, quantization effects and 3DEM patterns of the RF design
• Lower unit cost, by accounting for statistical variations, more aggressive design margins for a given delivered performance, and estimates of power dissipation
• Lower research and development cost, which comes from uniting several disciplines into a single model-based design cockpit, helping to eliminate specialized in-house tools

“Organizations delivering products with phased-array subsystems typically use five to ten different, unconnected design tools; not counting spreadsheets,” said Daren McClearnon, system-level marketing manager with Keysight EDA. “By bringing together algorithmic research with superior RF, application reference IP in 5G and radar, and links to the latest wideband test and measurement equipment, SystemVue’s new software module allows users to cross-validate both the RF and baseband from proposal to test, using a common framework. This innovative design flow opens up new possibilities for integrating low-cost arrays into the next generation of mobility and security.”

Keysight EDA’s W1720EP Phased Array Beamforming Kit complements any SystemVue environment. The KeysightW1905 Radar and W1906 5G baseband libraries will include the beamforming kit when SystemVue 2016.08 is released. SystemVue users in other beamforming applications, including satellite communications, are encouraged to consider the new W1467 SystemVue Array Architect bundle.

More information about the W1720EP Phased Array Beamforming Kit for SystemVue 2016.08 is available atwww.keysight.com/find/eesof-systemvue-phased-array. More information about SystemVue 2016.08 is available atwww.keysight.com/find/eesof-systemvue2016.08. An image of the new software module is available atwww.keysight.com/find/SV2016_images.

U.S. Pricing and Availability

SystemVue 2016.08 is expected to be available for download in late summer 2016. Pricing for the new Phased Array Beamforming Kit starts at $15,000. Contact Keysight at www.keysight.com/find/contactus to request early access and for more detailed pricing information.

Keysight will demonstrate the W1720EP Phased Array Beamforming Kit, along with other design, simulation and test solutions for wireless communications and aerospace & defense at the IEEE MTT-S International Microwave Symposium (IMS2016), Booth 1239, San Francisco, May 24-26.