cSAR3D V5.10: Enhanced Accuracy and Repeatability with X4

The latest release cSAR3D V5.10 – featuring several new features, such as the X4 combiner – catapults array systems to a new level of accuracy, repeatability, and versatility!

Modern array systems offer exceptional speed in specific absorption rate (SAR) measurements but struggle when confronted with highly localized field distributions. SPEAG previously addressed this limitation for frequencies above 6 GHz with the X10 combiner, which improves sensor resolution by combining 15 randomly shifted measurements. However, this approach demands co-registration of each measurement, raises the complexity of the setup, and results in increased testing time. Further, measured exposures of highly localized sources tended to be underestimated.

SPEAG’s latest innovations – the X4 combiner and an improved X10 combiner – address these challenges. Initially designed for the DASY8^3D system, the X4 combiner is now also integrated into cSAR3D V5.10. X4 employs four controlled shifts deployed with either a dedicated mechanical frame or an automated positioner/robot, which eliminates the need for time-consuming co-registration.

The cSAR3D V5.10 software supports access through the pre-installed application programming interface (API) of the Tutorial Jupiter Notebook via the X4 combiner API V2. An additional improvement is the refinement of the combiner algorithm to prevent underestimation. The software is now smarter, indicating to the user when the combiners should be applied for efficient measurements.

Validation Report

The accuracy improvements are confirmed in a broader validation campaign, demonstrating that X4 can reduce variability for phone measurements to typically less than 0.4 dB (10%). X4 also greatly improves the correlation with DASY8 Module SAR to better than 0.76 dB. The validation report is available as a part of the V5.10 manual.

Other Advanced Features

The release brings a refreshed graphical user interface (GUI) with improved “Lilies” layout for easier navigation.

Other key enhancements in V5.10 include:

Measurement Scaling: Custom scaling factors can be applied to all measurement types, e.g., for accurately modeling 5G NSA LTE/NR power-sharing scenarios.
TAS/Non-TAS Test Case Combination: Now users can combine time-averaged SAR (TAS) and regular SAR measurements within the same project.
Enhanced Guidance: The software now automatically recommends the use of X4/X10 combiners for measurements where the SAR distribution is too sharp for a single measurement to be accurate.
Expanded API and Platform Support: New application notes detail API integration for macOS users.
Simplified Licensing: The license is now accessible directly within the application.