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.

“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 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