Industrial IoT (IIoT) Networks Powered by 5G New Radio

Industry 4.0 is bringing automation of traditional manufacturing and industrial practices, using modern smart technology via the Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT). IIoT technology is making agricultural and mining equipment, trucks, and other heavy industrial assets smarter by adding connectivity. Antennas play a critical role in providing reliable connectivity. During this talk, we will show how advanced electromagnetic (EM) simulation tools can help in the placement and integration of antennas into tractors, heavy-duty trucks, trains, etc. This talk also will showcase, use of wireless propagation simulation tools for network planning and virtual drive test (VDT) scenarios.Presented at the ATCx Heavy Equipment in May 2021.

Speaker: CJ Reddy, VP Business Development–Electromagnetics, Americas, Altair

Duration: 20 minutes

In a world of accelerating technological development, connected products provide the data for manufacturers to stay competitive. Discover how Toggled evolved from manufacturing commoditized lighting products to being a leader in connected building products. See what it takes to design and maintain a connected product ecosystem and the benefits of the data it collects.

In this presentation learn more about how Altair tools are used to teach wireless propagation and radio network as part of the MSc Telecommunication Engineering Programme at Queen Mary University of London. Examples of applications using Altair WinProp are shown, including antennas and propagation, 5G network planning, and mesh networks.

Presented at the 2nd Altair Academic Outreach Event in June 2021

Speaker: Dr. Ramona Trestian, Senior Lecturer in Computing Middlesex University
Duration: 27 minutes

Altair’s portfolio of simulation-driven design solutions covers – amongst many other disciplines – electromagnetics (EM) and electronic design automation (EDA).

The rollout of 5G technology is going to be a boon across many industries globally, with the expansion of IoT and connected devices, and where lower latencies are opening the door to time-critical areas like autonomous vehicles, industrial IoT and healthcare. In this presentation we will share new applications and use cases from different major verticals, showing how organizations are designing innovative products using Altair electromagnetic simulation solutions related to antennas, wave propagation modelling, radio network planning and EMC applications. We will also talk about new solutions we have recently launched, and about what is available and coming in 5G.

Presentation by Hervé Dutruc, Antenna and Communication Expert at Airbus Helicopters.

This presentation will highlight challenges faced by Airbus Helicopters for the antenna installation definition, considering the increase of use of composite materials and the increase of frequency for communication systems. Altair Feko simulations, done in the frame of weather radar investigations notably, will be presented.

Presentation by Dr. Ulrich Jakobus, Senior VP - Electromagnetic Solutions at Altair.

The presentation introduces the latest features implemented in Altair’s high frequency electromagnetic solvers Altair Feko & WinProp. Application of these features to propagation modelling, antenna design, antenna placement and the solution of EMC & radar scattering problems will be shown. In the outlook, a presentation & discussion of the roadmap is envisaged.

Presentation by Vincent Ardon, EMC Engineer at ALSTON Tarbes.

Due to the environment, more and more compact with signaling systems functioning from a few dozen of Hz to GHz close to train motors or traction cases, the prediction of magnetic field emitted by motor cables could help train designers early in the process and avoid EMC problems encountered at the end on the first train tests.

Magnetic field measurements are performed close to motor cables on a test bench with SiC power module generating high dV/dt (up to 11 kV/µs) and a 3-ph motor whose high frequency equivalent circuit (10 k-100 MHz) was established thanks to differential and common mode impedance measurements with Mirafzal method.

Several configurations are tested and modeled in Altair Feko: motor cables length (30 and 45 m), power module source signal (mono-pulse or PWM), and metallic environment (copper and iron plate above cables). Finally, results of comparisons between measurement and Feko simulations on the frequency range 1 k-10 MHz are presented.

Presentation by Nicolas Fagnoni, Cavendish Laboratory, University of Cambridge.

The University of Cambridge and the Cavendish Laboratory are closely involved in the design and development of two new radio-telescopes: the ‘Square Kilometre Array’ (SKA) and the ‘Hydrogen Epoch of Reionization Array’ (HERA). Using different approaches, these two radio-interferometers in particular are going to study the formation of the first structures of the early universe, by measuring the evolution of the distribution of the neutral hydrogen present in the intergalactic medium. Thus, it will be possible to probe a period between 115 million and 1.3 billion years after the Big Bang for HERA, and even up to 2.1 billion years for the SKA.

In this presentation, Fagnoni gives a brief overview of these two radio-telescopes, and explain how we used electromagnetic simulations to design these antennas before building the prototypes for validation.

Presentation by Gilles Vogt, Inteliance Technologies.

When adding a radome to any network antenna, the transparency of the radome is a major concern, especially when the networks is tightly designed. A very large radome (6m long) has been modeled in Altair Feko (full wave MLFMM) in the GHz band to quantify the attenuation due to the radome, but also its impact on signal phase. The model includes an equivalent sandwich material obtained from an optimization based on a 2D infinite plane model using Green’s functions.

Presentation by Dr. Ahmadreza Jafari, Radio Reception and Antenna Expert, & Phillippe Boutier, Référent RadioFréquence at Renault.

In this presentation, different examples of Renault RF simulations regarding antenna applications such as keyless entry and ignition, AM/FM/DAB radio, radar and V2X are explored. Simulations for keyless entry and ignition are performed using Altair Feko at 125 kHz and 433 MHz. The aim is to define antenna placements to achieve the required hand-free detection zone and remote-control range. Concerning AM/FM/DAB radio, rear-screen and foil antenna radiation patterns are simulated to optimize fine tuning validations. For the radar antenna, impact of the environment around the antenna is explored by simulation.

This presentation also deals with a simple and complete simulation approach for V2X, in which WinProp propagation scenarios are combined with various antenna solutions.

In the session there are great presentations from high quality speakers from industry sectors including automotive, aviation, aerospace railway industry, as well research. A wide variety of applications are covered, from antenna design and integration, to influences of radome structures on such systems, virtual test drives, as well as EMC related aspects such as emissions from cables and systems.

Additionally insight is given into fast and easy simulations to design matching networks, e.g. for complex antenna structures, and the session is finished with an insight into Altair’s recent and future development activities on the high frequency EM solution side.

Presentations recorded during the 2018 Global ATC in Paris, France on October 18, 2018.