Using Simulation to Overcome Three Millimeter-Wave Design Challenges
White Papers
Radio designers are turning to higher frequencies to solve congestion and bandwidth challenges, and embracing system simulation to reduce design time and ensure their devices meet the 5G NR specification.
Increasing mobile data consumption keeps wireless network operators up at night. Users experience more dropped connections and lower transfer speeds due to overcrowded spectrum. One solution to the bandwidth challenge is adding more spectrum. The 5G ecosystem is turning to higher frequencies and millimeter-wave (mmWave) spectrum to solve over-congestion and bandwidth challenges. mmWave spectrum is a core component of the 5G NR specification, offering large contiguous bands of spectrum between 24 GHz and 300 GHz to support new 5G applications.
Device designers are using techniques such as phased arrays and beamforming to overcome the higher propagation loss of millimeter-wave signals. Implementing these techniques quickly and cost-effectively can be accelerated with simulation throughout the design process. In this paper, we explore three simulation techniques used to overcome mmWave design challenges:
- Signal Visualization and Verification
- Spurious Harmonics and Intermodulation Interference Avoidance
- Connecting Simulated Design with Prototyping