Phasedarrays Keisight

Daren McClearnon
Keysight EEsof EDA

Agenda
– Motivation: What problems are being solved?
– System-level Architectures
– Design approaches
• RF physical
• RF system
• Dataflow
– Impairments
– Applications
© Keysight Technologies 2016 Page 2

Industry drivers for multi-channel architectures
Goal: Provide higher service levels in less SWaP, at lower OpEx/CapEx
Radar/EW Research 5G Mobility Satellite
Why use beamforming? Why now? Key challenges

• Reduce Interference • Semiconductor advances • Crosses multiple disciplines
• Increase Range • Demand for services • Disjointed tool set
• Multiple, dynamic services • Shorter mm wavelengths • One-directional, not predictive
• Improve security • Difficult to co-validate
• High skill levels, IP
• Time-to-market, Risk
• Low budget for “overhead”

Technology Challenge: Array Design crosses multiple domains
“How many engineers does it take…. to ship a phased array subsystem?”
INERTIAL SCENARIO ALGORITHMS RF SYSTEM ANTENNA ARRAY

Locations of TX RX Multi-function ARCHITECTURES 3D configuration
Velocities Nulling interferers Link budget 3DEM element patterns
Attitudes (rotations) Scanning, tracking Component specs, variations Distribution manifolds
Tapes, Sidelobe mitigation Nonlinearities
Error correction, self-calib Frequency response RF Module / ASIC
SYSTEM LEVEL
Gain/Phase states IMPLEMENTATION
PERFORMANCE
FPGA/DSP / ASIC Noise and SFDR Active/NL performance
BER/EVM Throughput
ADC / DAC quantization Loading, Coupling, Ghosting
Probability of Detection IMPLEMENTATION
DC/PAE efficiency, Thermal
BEAMFORMING
ARCHITECTURES • How many different tools?
RF beamforming • How many different formats?
Digital beamforming • When is the first time you actually integrate design info?
Hybrid beamforming • How do troubleshoot/track changes across the domains?

Suggested approach: System-level flow for Phased Array architectures
A common “cockpit” across multiple disciplines : BB, RF, System, Application, T&M
Application/Scenario Layer Radar Inertial

5G/Comms Multiple WLAN
3rd Party position,
Mod, Coding Satellite WPAN
(Dataflow) Control
TX RX NewSpace environments velocity,
attitude
System / PHY Layer T&M

Connect
(Dataflow) to test
LO
Multi-Channel RF_LINK IN
IN
OUT
LO
LO
OUT
M1 {Mixer@Data Flow Models}
Amplifier
Amplifier
A2 {Amplifier@Data Flow Models} F1 {CustomFIR@Data Flow Models}
(Dataflow)
ConvGain=0 IN
EnableNoise=YES
NoiseFigure=0
M1 {Mixer@Data Flow Models}
Sideband=Lower
ConvGain=0IN
SOIout=1.0e17 W
EnableNoise=YES
M1 {Mixer@Data
TOIout=1.0e17
OUT
LO
OUT
Flow Models}
W ConvGain=0
GainUnit=voltageAmplifier
Gain=1
A2 {Amplifier@Data Flow Models}
GainUnit=voltage
Gain=1
Amplifier
A2 {Amplifier@Data Flow Models}
F1 {CustomFIR@Data Flow Models}
F1 {CustomFIR@Data Flow Models}

N paths
NoiseFigure=0 GainUnit=voltage
Sideband=Lower
EnableNoise=YES Gain=1
SOIout=1.0e17 W
M1NoiseFigure=0
{Mixer@Data Flow Models} A2 {Amplifier@Data Flow Models} F1 {CustomFIR@Data Flow Models}
TOIout=1.0e17 WConvGain=0
Sideband=Lower GainUnit=voltage
SOIout=1.0e17 W
EnableNoise=YES Gain=1
TOIout=1.0e17 W
NoiseFigure=0
Sideband=Lower
SOIout=1.0e17 W
TOIout=1.0e17 W
RF Architecture Layer
(Spectrasys)

Agenda
• RF physical
• RF system
• Dataflow
– Impairments
– Applications

Modeling fundamentals: Phase fronts and beamsteering
Recreating a “plane wave”: Time Delays vs. Phase Shifts
Dpath length
a d
ttotal
delay between phasefront
arrival at first element, vs.
arrival at Nth element
t1 t2

Modeling fundamentals: Phase fronts and beamsteering
Recreating a “plane wave”: Time Delays vs. Phase Shifts
-j2pFcNDt
D Time Delay @Nth element: = e
• Dt = (Dpath length) / (speed of light / er,eff)
Dpath length • More accurate, but freq-dependent
a d
D Phase @Nth element : e-jNDa
• Distances normalized to the spacings (l/2 at Fcenter)
• Constant phase shift at all frequencies in BW
• Easier to implement in DSP/RF, but narrowband
ttotal
delay between phasefront
arrival at first element, vs. Steer array to the side by a=10o :
arrival at Nth element
t1 t2 0o 10o 20o 30o 40o 50o 60o 70o

System-Level Architectures: Array configurations
Uniform Linear Uniform Rect. Triangular Circular 3D/Conformal
4G Basestations SatComm, 5G, Radar Mobility applications >180o coverage

Automotive Radar General purpose

System-Level Architectures: Digital Beamforming (DBF)
Beamforming Mag/Phase applied at Baseband

Baseband
D/A
X SW/
DPX
Precoder A/D X
FBB
𝐹11 𝐹12
𝐹21 𝐹22
⋮
⋯
⋱
𝐹1𝑁
𝐹2𝑁
⋮
D/A
X SW/
• Dedicated ADC/DAC per channel
• High hardware complexity
DPX
𝐹𝑀1𝐹𝑀2 ⋯ 𝐹𝑀𝑁 A/D X
• High power consumption (DC, heat)
…
…
Combiner RF Chains
NS WBB • “N” independent RF up/downconversions
𝑤11 𝑤12 𝑤1𝑁
𝑤21 𝑤22
⋮
⋯
⋱
𝑤2𝑁
⋮ D/A
X
• Large beamforming gains
𝑤𝑀1𝑤𝑀2 ⋯ 𝑤𝑀𝑁 SW/
A/D X
DPX
• Enables multi-stream and multi-user
• Flexible transmission modes

System-Level Architectures: RF/Analog Beamforming (ABF)
Beamforming Mag/Phase applied at RF

Baseband
D/A
X
…
• Single baseband signal
RF precoder : FRF • Suitable for single stream (ie - not MIMO)
…
• Reduced power consumption and complexity
RF combiner : WRF
NS • Single up/downconversion for mm-wave
• Signal processing gain in RX (SNR “improves”)
A/D
X • Analog phase shifters
…
• Constant-amplitude design constraint

• Potentially low-resolution phase shifts

System-Level Architectures: Hybrid Beamforming (HBF)
+ Amplitudes applied at Baseband (MIMO/Tapers)

Baseband
D/A
X + Phases applied at RF (for each beam direction)
…
Precoder
FBB Multiple beams summed at RF (each antenna)
RF Chains
…
…
𝐹11 𝐹12 𝐹1𝑁
⋯
• Reduced hardware complexity
𝐹21 𝐹22 𝐹2𝑁 FRF
⋮ ⋱ ⋮
𝐹𝑀1𝐹𝑀2 ⋯ 𝐹𝑀𝑁
NS
MIMO • Similar performance to DBF architecture
encoder
D/A
X
• Being investigated by 5G
…

Relationship between Near & Far Field, and Weighting (Tapers)
weights
positions
Element-by-element Spatial beam Far Field Far Field

signal amplitudes measurements 3D visualization 2D “cut” view
“weights”

An equal amplitude for all array Therefore…. “ringing”

elements is effectively a “brick wall” (spatial sidelobes)
truncation at the edges of the array occurs in the far field
Near Field Far Field

Key impulse Fourier pattern
concept: relationship
“time” “freq”

“Ringing”
No
window Unwanted
energy waste
(or leakage)
2-D
“Taylor”
window Sidelobe
Suppression
from -12.8dBc
to -27.5dBc
Wider beamwidth
from 12.8o to 16.1o © Keysight Technologies 2016 Page 15
Effect of element spacing:
8x8 array with elements at 0.5l, 1.0l, 2.0l, 4.0l separation

Effect of element spacing:
8x8 array with elements at 0.5l, 1.0l, 2.0l, 4.0l separation
As element spacing increases:
– Effective cross-section area “A” of the array

increases  higher gain, narrower directivity
– Used for multi-function interleaved arrays
– However, unwanted spatial “images” due to

“spatial undersampling” in the near field
 address with dithering throughout the array
– Much more frequency-sensitive

Watch out for IM distortion terms at off-carrier
frequencies leaking into unexpected angles

Effect of scan angle on Beam Width, Sidelobe Levels
Q=0o Q=15o Q=30o Q=45o Q=60o Q=75o Q=90o
BW=28.8o BW=29.4o BW=32.3o BW=36.6o BW=39.0o BW=36.4o BW=34.4o

SLL= -30.3dB SLL= -28.6dB SLL= -26.5dB SLL= -23.7dB SLL= -11.3dB SLL= -2.7dB SLL= 0 dB

Effect of scan angle – secondary effects
As scan angle increases :

– Effective cross-section area “A” of the array
decreases Q=0o
• Less power to main lobe (lower peak gain)
• Less directivity (wider beam)
– PA loading & impedance changes
Q=45o
• Affects the final beam shape
• In extreme cases can create blind spots
– More energy goes to sidelobes (“grating lobes”)
Watch out for unexpected interference (pilot tones,

jamming) and false echoes (clutter) coming from
unwanted directions
Agenda
• RF physical
• RF system
• Dataflow
– Impairments
– Applications

RF Physical Design: 1x4 Transmitter Array in ADS/Momentum
System / Circuit / EM Co-simulation and beam steering
Phase shifters for
Beamsteering
Manual gain taper

for sidelobes

RF Physical Design: ADS Momentum 8x8 patch array
Direct EM solution, with weighted signal excitation in post-processor

ADS Momentum 8x8 pattern, near-resonance (5.1GHz)

ADS Momentum 8x8 pattern, off-resonance (4.8GHz)
Sidelobes are higher; some frequency-dependence

ADS Momentum pattern, Single patch
Another approach: export equivalents to system-level tools
RED Trace – 1 element

directivity approximated
with COS^N function
System-level Dataflow 8x8 beam, using COS^N element pattern
Reasonable results available quickly; additional accuracy is possible
ADS Momentum SystemVue Dataflow

(static EM solution) (allows dynamic beamforming)

System-level Dataflow 8x8 beamforming
Dataflow enables dynamic weighting and element control on each time-step
Raw result
(No taper)
With Taylor
taper

RF System: improvements to support array architectures
Simulator now abstracted for “Phased Array” analysis type
Port_2 {*OUT}
A=0 ° [phase(1)] ZO=50 Ω
•
L=0 dB [taper(1)] RFAmp_1 {RFAMP}
Brute force Spectrasys G=20 dB10 [gain]

NF=3 dB10 [nf]
•
Port_3 {*OUT}
Manually drawn ZO=50 Ω

L=0 dB [taper(2)] RFAmp_2 {RFAMP} A=77.939 ° [phase(2)]
G=20 dB10 [gain]
NF=3 dB10 [nf]
• “M” stages of “N” parallel paths L=0 dB [taper(3)]

Port_4 {*OUT}
RFAmp_3 {RFAMP}A=155.885 ° [phase(3)]
G=20 dB10 [gain]
ZO=50 Ω
•
NF=3 dB10 [nf]
Manually post-processed L=0 dB [taper(4)]

Port_5 {*OUT}
ZO=50 Ω
G=20 dB10 [gain]
NF=3 dB10 [nf]
Port_6 {*OUT}
L=0 dB [taper(5)] RFAmp_5 {RFAMP} A=45 ° [phase(5)]
ZO=50 Ω
G=20 dB10 [gain]
NF=3 dB10 [nf]
Port_7 {*OUT}
ZO=50 Ω
G=20 dB10 [gain]
NF=3 dB10 [nf]
Port_8 {*OUT}
L=0 dB [taper(7)] RFAmp_7 {RFAMP}A=200.885 ° [phase(7)]
ZO=50 Ω
G=20 dB10 [gain]
NF=3 dB10 [nf]
Port_9 {*OUT}
ZO=50 Ω
G=20 dB10 [gain]
NF=3 dB10 [nf]
MultiSource_1 {MultiSource}
Port_10 {*OUT}
S1=CW: 1000 MHz at 0 dBm
ZO=50 Ω
G=20 dB10 [gain]
NF=3 dB10 [nf]
Port_11 {*OUT}
ZO=50 Ω
G=20 dB10 [gain]
NF=3 dB10 [nf]
Port_12 {*OUT}
L=0 dB [taper(11)] RFAmp_11 {RFAMP} ZO=50 Ω
A=245.885 ° [phase(11)]
G=20 dB10 [gain]
NF=3 dB10 [nf]
Split16_1 {SPLIT16} Port_13 {*OUT}

IL=12.11 dB L=0 dB [taper(12)] RFAmp_12 {RFAMP} ZO=50 Ω
A=323.824 ° [phase(12)]
G=20 dB10 [gain]
NF=3 dB10 [nf]
Port_14 {*OUT}
ZO=50 Ω
G=20 dB10 [gain]
NF=3 dB10 [nf]
Port_15 {*OUT}
ZO=50 Ω
G=20 dB10 [gain]
NF=3 dB10 [nf]
Port_16 {*OUT}
A=290.885 ° [phase(15)]
G=20 dB10 [gain]
NF=3 dB10 [nf] © Keysight Technologies 2016 Page 28
Port_17 {*OUT}
A=368.824 ° [phase(16)]
G=20 dB10 [gain]
NF=3 dB10 [nf]
Simulator now abstracted for “Phased Array” analysis type
Port_2 {*OUT}
A=0 ° [phase(1)] ZO=50 Ω
• • Special “Phased Array” analysis mode

Brute force Spectrasys G=20 dB10 [gain]

NF=3 dB10 [nf]
• •
Port_3 {*OUT}
Manually drawn ZO=50 Ω

G=20 dB10 [gain]
NF=3 dB10 [nf]
Drawn once
• “M” stages of “N” parallel paths L=0 dB [taper(3)]
G=20 dB10 [gain]
Port_4 {*OUT}
ZO=50 Ω • Abstracted to handle “M” stages, “N” paths
• •
NF=3 dB10 [nf]
Manually post-processed L=0 dB [taper(4)]

Port_5 {*OUT}
ZO=50 Ω
Pre-defined common array measurements
G=20 dB10 [gain]
NF=3 dB10 [nf]
Port_6 {*OUT}
ZO=50 Ω
G=20 dB10 [gain]
NF=3 dB10 [nf]
Port_7 {*OUT}
ZO=50 Ω
G=20 dB10 [gain] Tx
NF=3 dB10 [nf] Rx
Port_8 {*OUT} RFAmp_1 {RFAMP}
ArrayPort1 {ArrayPort}
ZO=50 Ω RxTx=Tx G=20 dB10 [gain]
G=20 dB10 [gain] NF=3 dB10 [nf]
Freq=1000 MHz ArraySplit1 {ArraySplit} ArrayAttn1 {ArrayAttn} ArrayPhase1 {ArrayPhase} ArrayAnt2 {ArrayAnt}
NF=3 dB10 [nf] InsertionLoss=0.0688 dB InsertionLoss=0 dB OP1dB=60 dBm InsertionLoss=0 dB Configuration=Uniform Rectangular Array
Mode=SubArray Window=None [taperOption] OIP3=70 dBm CalcMode=Auto NumElementsX=4
Port_9 {*OUT} NumRows=4 Theta=30 ° NumElementsY=4
ZO=50 Ω NumCols=4 Phi=60 ° DistanceUnit=Wavelengths
G=20 dB10 [gain] DistanceX_in_Wavelengths=0.5
NF=3 dB10 [nf] DistanceY_in_Wavelengths=0.5
MultiSource_1 {MultiSource} ActiveLoading=None
Port_10 {*OUT} RxTx=Rx
S1=CW: 1000 MHz at 0 dBm
ZO=50 Ω
G=20 dB10 [gain]
NF=3 dB10 [nf] Advantages
•
Port_11 {*OUT}
G=20 dB10 [gain]
NF=3 dB10 [nf]
ZO=50 Ω
Easy to draw
Port_12 {*OUT}
ZO=50 Ω
A=245.885 ° [phase(11)]
• Topology easy to change
• Fast and “tunable”
G=20 dB10 [gain]
NF=3 dB10 [nf]
Port_13 {*OUT}
• 100x100 RF array is ~2 seconds

Split16_1 {SPLIT16}
IL=12.11 dB L=0 dB [taper(12)] RFAmp_12 {RFAMP} ZO=50 Ω
A=323.824 ° [phase(12)]
G=20 dB10 [gain]
NF=3 dB10 [nf]
Port_14 {*OUT}
G=20 dB10 [gain]
ZO=50 Ω • Monte Carlo and failure analysis in minute(s)
NF=3 dB10 [nf]
Port_15 {*OUT}
• Can use X-parameters, measured filters, etc
•
ZO=50 Ω
G=20 dB10 [gain]
NF=3 dB10 [nf] Line-up remains compatible with regular Spectrasys
Port_16 {*OUT}
A=290.885 ° [phase(15)]
G=20 dB10 [gain]
NF=3 dB10 [nf] © Keysight Technologies 2016 Page 29
Port_17 {*OUT}
A=368.824 ° [phase(16)]
G=20 dB10 [gain]
NF=3 dB10 [nf]
Differences in modeling TX vs. RX configurations
Perform TX and RX on the same T/R module

LNA {RFAMP}
G=20 dB10
ArrayAttn2 {ArrayAttn} ArraySplit1 {ArraySplit}
SW1 {SWITCH_Linear2} L
NF=2.5 dB10
InsertionLoss=1 dB
Window=Taylor
SideLobeLevel=-20 dB10
InsertionLoss=1 dB
Mode=SubArray
NumRows=16 [NumEl]
Transmit Case
IL=0.5 dB
1
Lim_1 {MOD_Limiter}
IL=0.2 dB10
Pmax=10 dBm 1
NumBars=2 NumCols=16 [NumEl]
TX 1 input stimulus, “N” channels out:
Rx
 easy to analyze “beam”

2
2 Tx
ArrayAnt1 {ArrayAnt} RxTx=Tx [ArrayState]
SW2 {SWITCH_Linear2} ArrayPhase1 {ArrayPhase}
Configuration=Uniform Rectangular Array Freq=10 GHz [FRxTx]
IL=0.5 dB InsertionLoss=1 dB
NumElementsX=16 [NumEl]
NumElementsY=16 [NumEl] CalcMode=Auto
ActiveLoading=None FinalAmp {RFAMP} DriverAmp {RFAMP} Theta=20 ° [beamTheta]
RxTx=Tx [ArrayState] G=20 dB10 G=15 dB10 Phi=0 ° [beamPhi]
NF=5 dB10 NF=3 dB10
LNA {RFAMP}
G=20 dB10
NF=2.5 dB10 ArrayAttn2 {ArrayAttn} ArraySplit1 {ArraySplit}
SW1 {SWITCH_Linear2}
IL=0.5 dB
L
InsertionLoss=1 dB
Window=Taylor
NumBars=2
InsertionLoss=1 dB
Mode=SubArray
NumRows=16 [NumEl]
NumCols=16 [NumEl] RX Receive Case
“N” input stimuli, 1 channel out:
Lim_1 {MOD_Limiter}
1 IL=0.2 dB10
Pmax=10 dBm 1
2 Rx
 need to sweep over hemisphere

2 Tx
ArrayAnt1 {ArrayAnt} RxTx=Rx [ArrayState]
SW2 {SWITCH_Linear2} ArrayPhase1 {ArrayPhase}
Configuration=Uniform Rectangular Array
(f,q) to observe beam

IL=0.5 dB InsertionLoss=1 dB
NumElementsX=16 [NumEl]
NumElementsY=16 [NumEl] CalcMode=Auto
ActiveLoading=None FinalAmp {RFAMP} DriverAmp {RFAMP} Theta=20 ° [beamTheta]
RxTx=Rx [ArrayState] G=20 dB10 G=15 dB10 Phi=0 ° [beamPhi]
Freq=10 GHz [FRxTx] NF=5 dB10 NF=3 dB10
RxPwrDensity=-50 dBm [RxPwrDensity_dBm]

Pre-defined spatial measurements
Pre-calculated array
measurements
• Gain/Temp (receivers)
• EIRP (transmitters)
• Gain, Directivity
at (fmeas,qmeas)
3D plotting and marker

functions
• Beam direction
• Beam width
• Sidelobes & nulls

System-level estimation of DC, PAE, without needing circuit-level process/fab info
ArraySplit16 {ArraySplit} ArrayAttn {ArrayAttn}
InsertionLoss=1 dB InsertionLoss=1 dB
Mode=SubArray Window=Taylor
TxIn {ArrayPort}
RxTx=Tx
NumRows=4
NumCols=4
NumBars=2
Array level DC, Efficiency
Freq=2000 MHz [Fin] ArrayAnt3 {ArrayAnt}
TxPwrIn=10 dBm [PowerIn] Configuration=Uniform Rectangular Array
NumElementsX=4 Array RF Pout = 26.383 dBm
Tx NumElementsY=4
DistanceUnit=Wavelengths
Rx DistanceX_in_Wavelengths=0.5
DistanceY_in_Wavelengths=0.5
Array DC Diss = 3.149 W
ActiveLoading=None
ADL5545_1 {RFAMP_IP2} RxTx=Tx
PhaseShifter {ArrayPhase} FrequencyDataName=AnalogDevicesInc_data\ADL5545.csv
InsertionLoss=1 dB PSAT_Delta=2 dB10
Array PAE = 13.807
CalcMode=Auto IP2_Delta=23 dB10
Theta=30 ° VSupply=5 V
Phi=270 ° ISupply=56 mA

TxIn {ArrayPort}
RxTx=Tx
NumRows=4
NumCols=4
NumBars=2
Tx NumElementsY=4
ActiveLoading=None
Array PAE = 13.807
Initial analysis of operating point, by node

TxIn {ArrayPort}
RxTx=Tx
NumRows=4
NumCols=4
NumBars=2
Tx NumElementsY=4
ActiveLoading=None
Array PAE = 13.807
Initial analysis of operating point, by node Consult device look-up table Estimate PAE for each path
for Power PAE %
S
Aggregate
PAE on each
path to the
Array level

Dataflow: improvements to support array architectures
unique “Timed Envelope Matrix” datatype
“But how do I
“I can do a
even draw
couple channels.”
1000 channels?”
“The new Envelope Matrix stuff is fantastic. I have

modeled our 16x16 phased array and I love the
speed and snappiness. I’m really impressed by
what it can do.”
Array of “N”
Amplifier
Amplifiers
[]
Control
Amplifier
Amplifier
[][]
I Phase O Amplifier [][] []
Amplifier
Shifter [][]
Amplifier
Amplifier
M28 {PhaseShifter_M@Data Flow Models} M22 {Amplifier_M@Data Flow Models} C7 {Combiner_M@Data Flow Models} UE3 {DigitalDemodE
PhaseShift=(64x1) [0; 124.966; -110.06; 14.905; … GainUnit=dB Mode=FullArray Start=800e-9 s [Start_
…
Gain=0 SymbolRate=250
ResultLe
ModTyp
MeasurementFilte
ReferenceFilte
Alph
© Keysight Technologies 2016 Page 35 SaveSymbo

RF_LINK abstracted to allow dynamic beamforming on “M” stages, “N” RF paths
Dataflow T&M
Algorithmic
(dynamic signals)
RF_LINK
Spectrasys
Phased Array
(static model)
[S] [X]
Farfield
Primary RF Tools Coupling [S]

System Scenarios: design & validate ASEA systems at 3 levels
5G, Radar DOPPLER BINS
Applied
Scenarios
Dynamic,
Beamformed
Platforms
RF

Agenda
• RF physical
• RF system
• Dataflow
– Impairments
– Applications

What Can Possibly Go Wrong?
A quick survey of phased array impairments
Device & Statistical limitations
• Element patterns and active loading
• Monte Carlo & element failures
Architectural limitations
• Gain/phase quantization effects
• Squinting
• Timing skew
Interference
• Self-interference, from multi-uesrs
• External interferers & Jamming

Effect of directional elements on array pattern
• Imperfect element
patterns express
themselves at the
beam level
• Coupling and loading

can worsen internal
mismatches
 Beam degradation
ISO 3DEM  Blind spots

Active loading, and Element to Element Coupling
Changes loading, beam pattern
ArrayCoupling_M
A1 {ArrayCoupling_M@Data Flow Models}

CouplingMatrix=(64x64) [1,-0.096 + 0.053j,0… [couplingMtx]
ArrayAnt3 {ArrayAnt}
Configuration=Uniform Rectangular Array Loaded with 8x8 S-parameters
ActiveLoading=S-Parameter Dataset
DatasetName=8x8_array_touchstone.s64p
from ADS Momentum
RxTx=Tx

Squinting: frequency-dependence of beam direction, shape
10GHz array steered to f=10o – frequency sweep from 5 to 15 GHz
Phase Time
Shifters Delays
ArrayDelay1 {ArrayDelay}
ArrayPhase1 {ArrayPhase}

10GHz array steered to f=10o – frequency sweep from 5 to 15 GHz
Phase Time
Shifters Delays
• “Oversteers” the angle for wider signal BW • Consistent boresight angle for all signal BWs
• Shifted sidelobes • Symmetric sidelobes
• As frequency increases, the beam narrows and sidelobes change  watch for interference/susceptibility
• With chirped Radar systems, the beam “wiggles” during the pulse

No direction errors
using Time Delays
5GHz
Note the under/oversteer

from the Phase Shifters
15GHz
Squinting: An alternative lower-cost architecture
Two-stage design: Coarse (delay) and Fine (phase) stages
STAGE 2 STAGE 1
Conventional Coarse
Gain/Phase Delay

Squinting: alternative architecture
1 : 4x4 1 : 2x2
splitter splitter
8x8 8x8 8x8 2x2

8x8 PA
Antenna Amplitude Fine Coarse TX start
Array
Manifold Taper Phase Delays

Squinting: alternative architecture
2-stage Pure time

design delays
2-stage design provides most of the benefit at lower cost, allowing a conventional DSP architecture

Impairments: Gain & Phase/Delay Quantization
Discrete-valued states limit beam accuracy and sidelobe levels
Dataflow
Control
Amplifier I Phase O
Shifter
Env
A2 {Amplifier_M@Data Flow Models} P1 {PhaseShifter_M@Data Flow Models} D10 {DelayEnv_M@Data Flow Models}
GainUnit=voltage PhaseShift=0 ° Quantization=YES
Quantization=YES InsertionLoss=0 dB10 NumBits=6
NumBits=6 Quantization=YES
StepSize=0.5 s
StepSize=0.5 dB10 NumBits=6
MaxGain=10 dB10 Sensitivity=1 rad
NoiseFigure=0 HilbertFilterLength=64
GCType=dBc1
dBc1out=-10 dBm
RF
ArrayAttn1 {ArrayAttn} ArrayPhase1 {ArrayPhase}
InsertionLoss=1 dB InsertionLoss=1 dB ArrayDelay1 {ArrayDelay}
InsertionLoss=1 dB
Window=Taylor CalcMode=Auto
CalcMode=Auto
SideLobeLevel=-30 dB10 Theta=0 ° Theta=0 °
NumBars=2 Phi=0 ° Phi=0 °
Quantization=YES Quantization=YES Quantization=YES
NumBits=6
NumBits=6 NumBits=6
StepSize=1 ns
StepSize=0.5 dB10 Error=None Error=None
Floating point weights Gain=4bits, Phase=3bits

Impairments: Gain & Phase/Delay Quantization
Discrete-valued states limit beam accuracy and sidelobe levels
Dataflow
Control
Amplifier I Phase O
Shifter
Env
A2 {Amplifier_M@Data Flow Models} P1 {PhaseShifter_M@Data Flow Models} D10 {DelayEnv_M@Data Flow Models}
GainUnit=voltage PhaseShift=0 ° Quantization=YES
Quantization=YES InsertionLoss=0 dB10 NumBits=6
NumBits=6 Quantization=YES
StepSize=0.5 s
StepSize=0.5 dB10 NumBits=6
MaxGain=10 dB10 Sensitivity=1 rad
NoiseFigure=0 HilbertFilterLength=64
GCType=dBc1
dBc1out=-10 dBm
RF
ArrayAttn1 {ArrayAttn} ArrayPhase1 {ArrayPhase}
InsertionLoss=1 dB InsertionLoss=1 dB ArrayDelay1 {ArrayDelay}
InsertionLoss=1 dB
Window=Taylor CalcMode=Auto
CalcMode=Auto
SideLobeLevel=-30 dB10 Theta=0 ° Theta=0 °
NumBars=2 Phi=0 ° Phi=0 °
Quantization=YES Quantization=YES Quantization=YES
NumBits=6
NumBits=6 NumBits=6
StepSize=1 ns
StepSize=0.5 dB10 Error=None Error=None
Floating point weights Gain=4bits, Phase=3bits

Monte Carlo and Element Failures
Directivity Distribution f rom Phase Shif t variances
30
22
Phase Shift 14
Variances
directivityCutSweep (dB)
-2
-10
-18
-26
-34
-42 Directivity Distribution from Attenuator (gain) variance

30
22-50 -90 -72 -54 -36 -18 0 18 36 54 72 90

Angle (deg)
14 directivityCutSweep
Atten/Gain 6
-2
Variances -10
-18
-26
-34
-42
-50
-90 -72 -54Directivity
-36 Distribution
-18 from
0 Element
18 Failures
36 54 72 90
30 Angle (deg)
directivityCutSweep
22
14
6
10dB SLL
Element -10
-2
Failures -18
-26
-34
-42
-50
-90 -72 -54 -36 -18 0 18 36 54 72 90
Angle (deg)
directivityCutSweep

Monte Carlo and Element Failures
Directivity Distribution f rom Phase Shif t variances
30
22
Phase Shift 14
Variances
-2
-10
-18
-26
-34
-42 Directivity Distribution from Attenuator (gain) variance

30
22-50 -90
14
-72 -54
10 dB SLL
-36 -18 0
Angle (deg)
directivityCutSweep
18 36 54 72 90
Atten/Gain 6
Variances -10
-2
variation
-18
-26
-34
-42
-50
-90 -72 -54Directivity
-36 Distribution
-18 from
0 Element
18 Failures
36 54 72 90
30 Angle (deg)
directivityCutSweep
22
14
Element -10
-2
Failures -18
-26
-34
-42
-50
-90 -72 -54 -36 -18 0 18 36 54 72 90
Angle (deg)
directivityCutSweep

Modeling potential issues with physical assembly and test
Anticipate / diagnose sources of errors (calibration)
Example: modeling the effect of 1 Std Deviation of Timing Skew for 8x8 paths
s=0ps s=+/-2ps s=+/-5ps s=+/-10ps
Rules of thumb
• 1mm = 5ps (coax)
• 18o @10GHz = 5ps
Uncalibrated Calibrated
8-channel T&M 8-channel T&M © Keysight Technologies 2016 Page 52
Phased Array Impairments – Nonlinear Interference from Multiple users
4 modulated 4 beamforming Beam measure: De-mod
baseband signals TX angles (f,q) ideal vs. distorted each signal
Signal 1
Signal 2 DBF
Signal 3 Nonlinear RF effects

and AWGN
Signal 4

Phased Array Impairments – Nonlinear Interference from Multiple users
• Large peak from User 1 can

compress array TX amplifiers 
All signals become distorted
• AM-AM : sidelobes
• AM-PM : width, direction Signal quality (EVM)
• Able to monitor the dynamic time- Intended Beam

varying quality of each of
• the 4 beams,
• the 4 signals (EVM, ACLR)
Distorted Beam
Phased Array Impairments – Nonlinear Interference scenarios
Subnetwork2 {DirectionalSource}
THETA=20 [IncidentTHETA]
PHI=0
RECEIVE
NumElements=4 [RXarrayEdge]
Fcenter=28 [FCarrier]
ARRAY
DESIRED 20
16QAM SIGNAL BEAM MEASURE

Subnetwork4 {BeamWatch}
NumElements=4 [RXarrayEdge]
Subnetwork1 {QAM_source}
ModType=4
GainDB=0 [SigPower]
Env
CarrierFreq=28 [FCarrier] Full RX DE-MODD3 {DigitalDemodEnv@Data Flow Models}
SymbolRate=6 MHz
A1 {AddEnv_M@Data Flow Models}
20 ResultLength=200
ModType=256-QAM
MeasurementFilter=Root Raised Cosine
Subnetwork5 {DirectionalReceiver} ReferenceFilter=Raised Cosine
Dig Demod Alpha=0.5
THETA=20 [ReceiverTHETA]
PHI=0 SaveSymbolResults=NO
NumElements=4 [RXarrayEdge] ContinuousMode=YES
Subnetwork7 {DirectionalSource}
Fcenter=2.4
THETA=0 [InterfererTHETA]
Bits_Gain=6
PHI=0 S2 {SpectrumAnalyzerEnv@Data Flow Models}
Bits_Phase=6 Spectrum Analyzer
NumElements=4 [RXarrayEdge] Mode=ResBW
INTERFERER Fcenter=28 [FCarrier]

Dev_Gain=0
Dev_Phase=0
Start=0 s [Start_Time]
ResBW=10 KHz
ContinuousMode=YES
SIGNAL 0 Raw SPECTRUM
Subnetwork6 {JammerCW}
Foffset=6 [Foffset]
InterfererPower=-60 [InterfererPower]

Creating spatial sources of interference
Interactive tunable dashboard, parameterized for convenience
Interferer
Amplitude
& Freq Offset
Interferer
position

In-band interference, coming from an undesired direction
Hey!
My EVM! “I am a
BIG LOUD
emitter”

How many elements/power does it take to get EVM < 3%
“Yes, I can hear you
now, on my 5G phone.”
“Help! Help! I’m

being repressed
by a beamforming
NULL”

Measuring signal quality while accounting for ABF/DBF effects
2D Beam Cut
ARRAY
CONFIG
EVM
DIGITAL
DE-MOD
3D BEAM
SPECTRUM SIDELOBES
& NULLS

Let’s view some of these effects
DEMO

Agenda
• RF physical
• RF system
• Dataflow
– Impairments
– Applications

Radar application – a “tracking” scenario
Beamforming to follow Lat/Long trajectory of aircraft

5G application: OFDM link, using linear TX beamformer
4-layer MIMO signal, 2 GHz bandwidth at 28.5GHz carrier

5G application: OFDM link, using nonlinear TX beamformer (RF_Link)
Power-handling limitations creating system-level effects

5G application: OFDM link, using nonlinear TX beamformer (RF_Link)
Power-handling limitations creating system-level effects
OK to use measured X-parameters

and S-parameters at the “array” level
5G application: ACLR of the “New Radio” (NR)
For a given ACLR level, beamforming enables +40dBm Pout instead of +22dBm
3GPP TSG-RAN WG4

Meeting #80
Gothenburg, Aug, 2016
Document R4-166116
“Consideration on ACLR for 5G NR”
Submitted by CMCC
ftp://ftp.3gpp.org/tsg_ran/WG4_Radio/
……../TSGR4_80/Docs/R4-166116.zip
Without beamforming With beamforming

5G application: an interference scenario

5G application: an interference scenario

Conclusions
– Phased Array designs are transitioning from A/D systems to

common applications; this touches every discipline
– At the same time, the tools and methodologies are maturing to
accurately predict performance of “multi-channel” architectures
– It is now easy to explore architectures and algorithms, along with
their effects on the 5G/Radar/Satellite scenarios
– You can try these examples and explore these effects for yourself!

Some popular Phased Array references
– Radar Handbook, Merrill Skolnik, (ISBN 978-0-07-148547-0)
– Beamforming: Sensor Signal Processing for Defence Applications,

Anthanassios Manikas (ISBN 978-1-78326-274-8)
– Antenna Theory and Design, Stutzman & Thiele (ISBN 978-0-470-57664-9)
– The Application of Taylor Weighting, Digital Phase Shifters, and Digital Attenuators to
Phased-Array Antennas, Billy Brock,
http://www.sandia.gov/RADAR/publications/index.html
– “E Pluribus Unum: An Integrated Design Flow for Phased Arrays”,

Daren McClearnon, Microwave Journal, July 2016

Additional Resources
More Information
http://www.keysight.com/find/eesof-systemvue-phased-array
Tutorial videos (YouTube channel)

– YouTube Channel: http://www.keysight.com/find/eesof-systemvue-videos
– “How to Understand 5G: Beamforming”: Microwave Journal
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jH6eov3h1NM July 2016 cover feature
Try SystemVue
http://www.keysight.com/find/eesof-systemvue-evaluation

www.keysight.com/find/free_trials
www.keysight.com/find/eesof-how-to-videos

Phasedarrays Keisight

Uploaded by

Document Information

Original Title

Copyright

Available Formats

Share this document

Share or Embed Document

Sharing Options

Did you find this document useful?

Is this content inappropriate?

Copyright:

Available Formats

Phasedarrays Keisight

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

Daren McClearnon

Keysight EEsof EDA

© Keysight Technologies 2016 Page 2

Why use beamforming? Why now? Key challenges

© Keysight Technologies 2016 Page 3

INERTIAL SCENARIO ALGORITHMS RF SYSTEM ANTENNA ARRAY

© Keysight Technologies 2016 Page 4

Application/Scenario Layer Radar Inertial

System / PHY Layer T&M

F1 {CustomFIR@Data Flow Models}

© Keysight Technologies 2016 Page 5

© Keysight Technologies 2016 Page 6

© Keysight Technologies 2016 Page 7

t1 t2 0o 10o 20o 30o 40o 50o 60o 70o

© Keysight Technologies 2016 Page 8

4G Basestations SatComm, 5G, Radar Mobility applications >180o coverage

© Keysight Technologies 2016 Page 9

Beamforming Mag/Phase applied at Baseband

© Keysight Technologies 2016 Page 10

Beamforming Mag/Phase applied at RF

• Constant-amplitude design constraint

© Keysight Technologies 2016 Page 11

+ Amplitudes applied at Baseband (MIMO/Tapers)

© Keysight Technologies 2016 Page 12

Element-by-element Spatial beam Far Field Far Field

© Keysight Technologies 2016 Page 13

An equal amplitude for all array Therefore…. “ringing”

Near Field Far Field

© Keysight Technologies 2016 Page 14

© Keysight Technologies 2016 Page 16

– Effective cross-section area “A” of the array

– Used for multi-function interleaved arrays

– However, unwanted spatial “images” due to

– Much more frequency-sensitive

© Keysight Technologies 2016 Page 17

Q=0o Q=15o Q=30o Q=45o Q=60o Q=75o Q=90o

BW=28.8o BW=29.4o BW=32.3o BW=36.6o BW=39.0o BW=36.4o BW=34.4o

© Keysight Technologies 2016 Page 18

As scan angle increases :

Watch out for unexpected interference (pilot tones,

© Keysight Technologies 2016 Page 20

Manual gain taper

© Keysight Technologies 2016 Page 21

© Keysight Technologies 2016 Page 22

© Keysight Technologies 2016 Page 23

© Keysight Technologies 2016 Page 24

RED Trace – 1 element

ADS Momentum SystemVue Dataflow

© Keysight Technologies 2016 Page 26

© Keysight Technologies 2016 Page 27

Brute force Spectrasys G=20 dB10 [gain]

Manually drawn ZO=50 Ω

• “M” stages of “N” parallel paths L=0 dB [taper(3)]

Manually post-processed L=0 dB [taper(4)]

Split16_1 {SPLIT16} Port_13 {*OUT}

• • Special “Phased Array” analysis mode

Brute force Spectrasys G=20 dB10 [gain]

Manually drawn ZO=50 Ω

Manually post-processed L=0 dB [taper(4)]

• 100x100 RF array is ~2 seconds

Perform TX and RX on the same T/R module

 easy to analyze “beam”

 need to sweep over hemisphere