en.Wedoany.com Reported - At booth 20088 of IMS 2026, the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), Ansys (a Synopsys company), and Keysight Technologies jointly demonstrated a hardware-in-the-loop demonstration focused on providing communication capabilities for future lunar missions. Shawn Carpenter, Director of 5G/6G and Space Programs at Synopsys, and Robert Stephens, 5G/FutureG/NTN/ISAC Solutions Architect at Keysight Technologies, explained this virtual prototyping environment designed to evaluate communication systems before deployment to the Moon.

The demonstration recreated realistic lunar scenarios by combining RF simulation, propagation modeling, channel simulation, and real-time over-the-air testing. Using NASA's lunar terrain data, the team modeled a 4G network operating at approximately 2200 MHz, consisting of a base station and two mobile user nodes representing lunar rovers moving across the lunar surface. The system enabled end-to-end transmission of multiple high-definition video streams, demonstrating the capability to support high data rate links required for future missions.

The workflow integrated multiple stages: terrain and propagation modeling, antenna and RF system simulation, and ray-tracing-based channel characterization, which captured key RF effects such as scattering, diffraction, and absorption. These modeled conditions were then fed into a channel emulator, where real radio hardware operated in a dynamically changing lunar-like RF environment, enabling real-time verification and performance monitoring.

NASA provided lunar terrain data and mission context, forming the foundation of the simulation. Synopsys provided RF system design and simulation tools, including antenna and system-level modeling. Ansys supported propagation modeling and ray tracing, enabling realistic characterization of signal behavior over lunar terrain. Keysight Technologies provided channel simulation and hardware test platforms, allowing real radio equipment to operate within the simulated environment and enabling continuous monitoring of link performance.

The demonstration showcased how end-to-end verification of lunar communication systems can be achieved by combining simulation, digital modeling, and real hardware testing. This approach highlights the role of virtual prototyping in reducing mission risk and accelerating the development of reliable communication infrastructure for future lunar exploration.

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