Active antennas have brought a paradigm shift in modern communication systems. Their real-time signal processing capabilities enable adaptive responses to changing network conditions, minimize interference, and maximize signal reliability. The result is improved quality of service, higher data throughput, and reduced latency, all of which are critical for applications like autonomous vehicles, augmented reality, and remote healthcare services.
One of the most prominent applications of active antennas is in mobile communication networks. The advent of 5G technologies has placed greater demands on the reliability and capacity of wireless networks. Active antennas are pivotal in boosting signal strength and ensuring seamless communication, particularly in densely populated urban areas and regions with challenging geographical features. Satellite communication systems also benefit from active antennas due to their ability to enhance signal quality and reliability. In applications where communication with satellites in geostationary orbits is required, active antennas can mitigate signal degradation and interference, contributing to improved global communication capabilities.
This white paper describes a test bench and modeling solution for the accurate modeling of RF beamformers. These systems-on-a-chip (SoC) enable the design of advanced communication systems based on antenna beamforming technologies. Due to the cost of manufacturing such a prototype, the aim is to provide system designers with equivalent behavioral models of the SoC in order to evaluate the performance of the virtual twin before manufacturing the real prototype.