Accelerate AiP Design Integration

Introduction

The ample bandwidth currently available in the millimeter-wave (mmWave) spectrum is increasing data throughput. However, the process requires innovative technology to reduce the size and cost of wireless systems

Many 5G designs for mmWave deployment use antenna-in-package (AiP) technology to improve radio frequency (RF) performance. Engineers developing AiP at mmWave frequencies must address several key challenges, such as greater path loss, wider bandwidths, and more complex signal generation and analysis

TMYTEK, an AiP company, needed a test solution with high output power, ultra-low phase noise, wide analysis bandwidth, and high dynamic range to perform over-the-air (OTA) testing at mmWave frequencies for 5G and satellite applications

Organization

• TMYTEK

• Designer of hardware and antenna systems

Challenges

• Experiencing high path loss at mmWave frequencies

• Changing technology now uses wider bandwidths

• Challenging to keep up with emerging communication formats

Solutions

• Keysight M9384B VXG microwave signal generator

• Keysight N9042B UXA X-Series signal analyzer

• Keysight PathWave X-Series measurement application software

• Keysight PathWave signal generation software

Results

• Achieved 20% faster design integration time.

• Experienced higher measurement accuracy with better dynamic range and error vector magnitude (EVM).

• Accelerated the time from prototype to commercialization by 30%

The Challenges

Greater path loss at mmWave frequencies

The higher frequency at mmWave bands causes significant transmitting fade loss and reduces signal coverage. However, increasing power to compensate for path loss results in additional testing costs. Millimeter-wave frequencies also introduce a disruptive change in test methods. Measuring device performance using over-the-air (OTA) test methods makes achieving accurate and repeatable results more challenging than a traditional setup

More and wider bandwidth

The 5G mmWave system requires higher bandwidth to boost throughput, as much as 100 MHz to 2 GHz. In addition to licensed bands at 26, 28, and 39 GHz, device makers can also use ultra-high frequency unlicensed bands, including the V (60 GHz) and E bands (70 / 80 GHz), to deliver more advanced applications. These bands require even wider bandwidth

The wider bandwidths also introduce more noise and frequency responses, making the component selection and circuit placement more difficult during the design process. These wider bandwidths can lead to measurement complexity and uncertainty

Complex signal generation and analysis

Wireless technology continues to evolve. Precoding and decoding for modulation and demodulation in hardware and software have become more difficult. Engineers need to consider the hardware design including frequency accuracy, baseband synchronization, and processing large volumes of data. The software also needs to support advanced standard waveforms for specific applications

The Solutions

The Keysight VXG microwave signal generator with Keysight PathWave signal generation software generates high output power and compensates for system loss. The Keysight UXA-Series signal analyzer receives the 5G New Radio (NR) signal through the AiP to analyze the signal

TMYTEK can now confidently characterize the AiP because of its high dynamic range and accurate error vector magnitude (EVM) performance. The Keysight PathWave signal generation and Keysight PathWave X-Series measurement application software support various emerging communication formats to accelerate the design and test workflow

TMYTEK BBox 5G mmWave beamformer transmits the 5G NR signal from the VXG microwave signal generator in the mmWave band with beamforming. TMYTEK’s AiP module provides the signal to the UXA-Series signal analyzer