Abstract
Project Description The DAESY project (Digital Twin for Active Electronically Scanned Arrays) addresses the growing complexity affecting the design of Active Electronically Scanned Arrays (AESAs), which play a critical role in next generation 5G/6G telecommunications, radar systems, sensing, and wireless power transfer. These arrays electronically steer electromagnetic beams through precise phase control across multiple antenna elements. However, as frequencies reach the millimeter-wave range, designers face increasing challenges due to element integration, strong mutual coupling, nonlinear amplifier behavior, and the high cost and time demands of repeated prototyping as well as over-the-air (OTA) testing. To overcome these issues, DAESY introduces a digital twin, namely, a highly detailed virtual model of a beamforming array that seamlessly integrates hardware-in-the-loop (HIL) active load-pull measurements, full-wave electromagnetic (EM) simulation, and nonlinear device modeling. The project is structured across seven interconnected work packages (A1 to A7), managed by three academic institutions. The University of Bologna (UBO) leads system-level modeling, load-pull measurements, and final OTA validation. The University of Rome “Tor Vergata” (UTV) contributes with radio frequency (RF) power amplifier (PA) design, while the University of Perugia (UPG) is responsible for antenna array layout and EM simulation. Together, these institutions form a cohesive consortium focused on developing a unified design and validation framework. Activity A1 will emulate the dynamic interactions between antenna elements and PAs using active load-pull methods. Activity A2 combines EM and nonlinear circuit simulations to produce a precise system-level model. Activities A3 and A4 focus on the design of load-insensitive amplifier architectures and the optimization of antenna elements, respectively. During Activity A5, these components will be integrated into a comprehensive modeling framework to support beamforming trade-off analysis and topology selection. Hardware prototypes in 1×4 and 2×2 configurations, operating at 28 GHz, will be fabricated in Activity A6 using hybrid monolithic microwave integrated circuit (MMIC) and printed circuit board (PCB) technologies. Finally, Activity A7 will deliver a full OTA validation campaign using an automated test bench. The project timeline is defined by three key milestones: M1 (digital twin deployment), M2 (beamformer topology finalization and prototyping), and M3 (complete experimental validation via OTA measurements). Objectives The primary objective of DAESY is to establish a scalable and accurate digital twin ecosystem for AESA design, leveraging advanced electronic design automation (EDA) tools. Four technical goals drive this mission. First, the project will comprehensively assess how array integration and scaling affect electromagnetic behavior, with a focus on mutual coupling effects and their impact on radiation patterns and amplifier loading. Second, it will analyze and test load-insensitive PA topologies capable of maintaining consistent performance across varying impedance conditions caused by beam steering and inter-element coupling. Third, DAESY will implement hybrid simulation methodologies that combine full-wave EM analysis with behavioral models for nonlinear circuit simulation. This includes an advanced HIL active load-pull platform to realistically emulate antenna and PA interactions without requiring full-array hardware. Fourth, the project will establish fast, model-based procedures for array-level performance prediction and calibration. These will incorporate sensitivity analysis, surrogate modeling, and iterative optimization workflows under realistic 5G modulated signal conditions, enabling precise control over key metrics such as beam pointing accuracy, linearity including error vector magnitude (EVM) and adjacent channel power ratio (ACPR), and energy efficiency. In addition to these technical objectives, DAESY aims to shorten development cycles, reduce prototyping costs, and increase design flexibility. By supporting both academic research and industrial applications, the project will enable simulation-driven AESA deployment and foster cost-effective innovation in RF system design. Expected Results At the conclusion of the project, DAESY will deliver a validated digital twin capable of accurately capturing nonlinear interactions between amplifiers and antenna elements while supporting a variety of array topologies at practical scales. This tool will enable designers to simulate complete system behavior without building full hardware implementations. The development process will yield two physical prototypes, a 1×4 and a 2×2 beamforming array, operating at 28 GHz and built using hybrid MMIC and PCB technology. These will be evaluated using the integrated OTA platform. The OTA setup, developed at UBO under Activity A7, will support fully automated measurement of radiation patterns and performance metrics relevant to telecommunications, such as EVM and ACPR, under realistic wideband modulation. The digital twin's predictive capabilities will be assessed by comparing simulated and measured results. These outcomes will strengthen European digital sovereignty and competitiveness by enabling faster and more affordable prototyping, reducing environmental impact, and accelerating the industrial and academic deployment of advanced AESA technologies.
Dettagli del progetto
Responsabile scientifico: Gian Piero Gibiino
Strutture Unibo coinvolte:
Dipartimento di Ingegneria dell'Energia Elettrica e dell'Informazione "Guglielmo Marconi"
Coordinatore:
ALMA MATER STUDIORUM - Università di Bologna(Italy)
Contributo totale di progetto: Euro (EUR) 244.493,00
Contributo totale Unibo: Euro (EUR) 103.928,00
Durata del progetto in mesi: 24
Data di inizio
30/11/2023
Data di fine:
28/02/2026
