5G antenna development platform debuts at IMS 2023

This platform enables customers to quickly develop and prototype advanced 5G mmWave systems using AMD Zynq UltraScale+ RFSoC Gen3 and Fujikura’s FutureAccess Phased Array Antenna Module (PAAM), controlled by the Avnet RFSoC Explorer MATLAB dashboard.

Using this RF system-on-chip, mmwave beamforming array, and intuitive software enables quick prototyping with Fujikura’s compact PAAM and AMD RFSoC architecture.

It is available for order now.

“With the acceleration of the 5G market, higher bandwidth applications are driving the need for mmWave technology, especially in the industrial and telecom segments,” said Jim Beneke, vice president of Advanced Applications Group, Avnet. “Through our collaboration with Fujikura, AMD and MathWorks, we’re announcing our new platform that brings together the key building blocks of mmWave radio solutions allowing designers to quickly prototype communications algorithms, reduce engineering time, and get into the 5G market even faster.”

The addition of the easy-to-use Avnet RFSoC Explorer MATLAB application enables smoother development and prototyping of advanced 5G mmWave systems using AMD’s RFSoC Gen3 and Fujikura’s 5G PAAM.

It can be extended to control the entire system from antenna to digital, and it enables customers to implement and test mmWave beamforming applications quickly without HDL or software coding.

“Our collaboration on the Avnet RFSoC Explorer MATLAB app demonstrates how 5G standard waveform generation combined with signal analysis capabilities can help engineers get their wireless designs completed faster,” said Noam Levine, partner manager at MathWorks. “MathWorks and Avnet have enjoyed over a decade of working together on wireless and mmWave applications, and we look forward to working with them and Fujikura on this latest PAAM Development Platform.”

The Fujikura PAAM operates in the 3GPP FR2 frequency bands n257 (28 GHz), n258 (26 GHz), and n261 (27 GHZ) allowing for use in both indoor and outdoor applications.

It is a complete PAAM module with a highly integrated 8x8 antenna element, RF ICs, filter, and optimal TCO. This high level of integration enables compact product design and quick time to market. With high-power efficiency and extremely fast beam switching (<220ns), Fujikura PAAM based systems can obtain industry leading performance.

“Fujikura is committed to 5G mmWave technology which substantially expands the 5G value proposition. Significant 5G mmWave growth is being seen in Fujikura targeted areas of Fixed Wireless Access (FWA), mobile broadband, and high-density indoor coverage systems in venues such as stadiums and shopping malls.” said Dr. Kobayashi, head of Electronic Technologies R&D Center at Fujikura. “We are excited to partner with Avnet, a global leader in technology distribution, and bring Fujikura’s innovative PAAM solutions to a worldwide customer base via this collaboration.” 

The Avnet-Fujikura 5G mmWave PAAM Development Platform will be demonstrated at the Avnet-Fujikura IMS Conference Booth in San Diego (June 13-15).

It will also be used during the IMS Workshop, “Validating a CATR Benchtop OTA Test System for 5G FR2 Phased Array Antenna R&D Testing.”