Antenna simulation and effects in digital communication systems

This paper shows how to predict antenna effects in digital

communication system (DCS) software by modelling the

antenna as a subsystem. This technique was applied to Vivaldi

and commercial dual-band antennas. Initially, a finite impulse

response (FIR) model was derived for each S-parameter

measurement in an anechoic chamber to derive a system

model. This model was then included in DCS software, which

enables the estimation of the antenna’s effect in a DCS.

Symbol-scattering experiments using an arbitrary waveform

generator and an oscilloscope were also performed in an

anechoic chamber and then verified using a DCS simulation

model. Equivalent noise caused by the radio frequency

components was also considered in the simulation. The

increase in error vector magnitude (EVM) due to the antennas

was found to be similar between the simulations and the

experiments. The results also showed that the scattering and

EVM changes were dependent on the antenna type employed.