Rohde & Schwarz, in partnership with IMST GmbH, has unveiled a patented digital twin solution for antennas, aimed at optimizing automotive connectivity. This innovative technology combines precise antenna measurements with electromagnetic wave simulations to refine design and positioning, ensuring superior Wi-Fi coverage inside vehicles.
The solution addresses the complex challenge of antenna integration in cars, where accurate measurements inside the vehicle are difficult. By combining physical measurements and simulations, the technology allows manufacturers to determine the ideal antenna position, improving connectivity performance.
The process involves three key stages: physical antenna characterization using Rohde & Schwarz’s test equipment, the creation of a digital twin using a Near Field to Far Field Transformation Algorithm (FIAFTA), and a 3D simulation with IMST’s EM-TWINTM software. This streamlined method reduces both costs and development time, delivering simulation results in hours rather than days, and factoring in real-world production tolerances and vehicle reflections.
The digital twin approach enables manufacturers to pinpoint the optimal antenna location even before the physical vehicle is available, reducing costly development cycles. As a result, vehicle manufacturers can ensure reliable in-vehicle wireless coverage and better connectivity.
IMST, a German engineering firm, brings its expertise in wireless communication systems, RF design, and complex antenna systems, while Rohde & Schwarz offers its proven test and measurement solutions to support the entire automotive development process, from pre-production to final testing. Together, they are revolutionizing antenna design for next-generation automotive applications.
Rohde & Schwarz is dedicated to creating a safer and more connected world through its divisions in Test & Measurement, Technology Systems, and Networks & Cybersecurity. For 90 years, this global technology group has been at the forefront of innovation, advancing cutting-edge technologies.
Its high-tech products and solutions help industrial, regulatory, and government customers achieve technological and digital independence. As a privately owned company based in Munich, Rohde & Schwarz operates with long-term sustainability and independence. In the 2022/2023 fiscal year, the company reported net revenue of EUR 2.78 billion and employed around 13,800 people globally as of June 30, 2023.
