Calculation software optimises wireless antennas

A PTC - Parametric Technology (UK) product story

Edited by the Engineeringtalk editorial team Jan 19, 2007

SkyCross, a global wireless company providing antenna-centric solutions, is using Mathcad engineering calculation software to optimise design requirements of its wireless antennas.

SkyCross, a global wireless company providing antenna-centric solutions, is using Mathcad, PTC's engineering calculation software to optimise design requirements of its wireless antennas.

Using PTC solutions, SkyCross can quickly respond to market demands for more powerful antennas on ever-smaller wireless products.

Wireless technology is complex.

With hundreds of options available for any particular wireless antenna design, engineers must evaluate which combination will deliver the best customer experience relative to both aesthetics and reception.

Investigating which design options will result in a final product can prove to be time consuming and costly.

Because SkyCross is in the supply chain for device manufacturers and makes several million antennas per year, designing and delivering innovative antennas that address market requirements in the most efficient and cost-effective way is critical to their success.

In 2003 SkyCross began using Mathcad to help its radio frequency engineers perform many signal simulations and complex design computations in a lab setting where mathematical principals and variables can be easily controlled and adjusted.

Before using Mathcad, SkyCross depended on manipulating lab built models for one particular class of antennas, the Quadrifilar Helical Antenna.

Mathcad enabled predictable antenna performance which led to faster development times and reduced costly product development processes.

Now with Mathcad, the company can develop solid initial designs leading to a more efficient product development cycle with fewer errors, fewer iterations and less money and time spent on prototypes.

Additionally, the Mathcad calculation documentation capabilities enable SkyCross radio frequency engineers to communicate engineering calculations easily across its distributed engineering and manufacturing sites in the USA, China and Korea using mathematics, the universal language of engineering.

SkyCross is also using PTC Pro/Engineer, the core design offering within the PTC Product Development System (PDS), as the global CAD/CAM/CAE solution.

Pro/Engineer helps SkyCross ensure that antennas are designed with manufacturing in mind, using practical materials and minimising complicated assembly processes.

Using Pro/Engineer, SkyCross is able to minimise cost with practical materials and clever fabrication techniques.

"We constantly strive to develop and deliver innovative RF and antenna technology", said Dr Chris Morton, CEO of SkyCross.

"PTC solutions enable SkyCross engineers to develop the kind of next-generation designs that the market demands while also enabling us to remain committed to our partners production schedules".

"We look forward to continuing our work with PTC".

SkyCross is currently piloting Mathcad 14.0 and Pro/Engineer integration which will help customers ensure that mathematical parameters derived in Mathcad worksheets can be used to drive Pro/Engineer geometry directly, providing for greater design, development, lower cost and time to market efficiencies.

"PTC solutions enable organisations like SkyCross to continually expand the technology that drives product innovation", said Chad Hawkinson, Vice President Product Strategy, Electronics, PTC.

"The integration between Mathcad and Pro/Engineer supports our commitment to develop technologies that work tightly together to streamline product development processes for our customers".

"We are proud to continue our work with SkyCross as it builds and delivers the technology that sets it apart from competitors".