Designing Next-Gen Distributed 5G Vehicular Antennas

This case study outlines the development of a virtual environment for modeling and simulation of distributed 5G vehicular antennas by Molex Connected Mobility Solutions. The objective is to enhance vehicular antenna technology for 5G communication, specifically for vehicle-to-everything (V2X) applications. The study details the challenges faced, including the transition from traditional antenna designs to more aerodynamic configurations, while addressing physical constraints related to materials and antenna placement. The solution involves integrating a model-based system engineering approach using Keysight SystemVue and the Keysight 89600 Vector Signal Analyzer, enabling rapid and accurate performance analysis across various configurations. The results indicate significant improvements in performance metrics, such as throughput and bit error rate, particularly with a 4x4 MIMO configuration. The virtual environment allows for extensive analysis without the need for physical prototypes, thus saving time and costs in the design process. The case study emphasizes the importance of predictive analysis and simulation in modern antenna design.