Analog-digital hybrid array antenna system

Abstract

This invention provides an analog-digital hybrid array antenna system, including a plurality of subarray modules and a control circuit. Each subarray module includes a plurality of antenna elements, a plurality of analog phase shifters, an analog-to-digital signal conversion unit, and a digital data buffer time control unit. The control circuit determines the group delay of each subarray module and the residual phase compensation of each antenna element based on the beam pointing direction. The digital data buffer time control unit provides the group delay by controlling the transmission timing of the digital signals from the subarrays, while the analog phase shifters apply residual phase compensation, so that both correspond to the desired true delay distribution, thereby reducing beam tilt caused by frequency variations in broadband applications or large array antenna applications.