Phased array emission calibration system and method

Abstract

The invention discloses a phased array emission calibration system and method, relates to the technical field of phased arrays, and can measure the amplitude and phase difference of each channel through amplitude detection and phase detection of an emission link and a certain algorithm without a reference circuit so as to further complete amplitude and phase calibration. The method is suitable for a phased array system with different sources of a transmitting link and a detection circuit. Amplitude and phase calibration is carried out on the phased array transmitting channel through the method and the device, so that on the basis of guaranteeing the calibration accuracy, the hardware design is simplified, and the cost is reduced.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to the technical field of phased arrays, and in particular to a phased array transmission calibration system and method. Background Art

[0002] At present, phased array technology has been widely used in fields such as radar and communications. With the advancement of technology, phased arrays have also developed from passive systems to active systems. The transmission beam of a phased array is the vector synthesis of electromagnetic waves radiated by all antenna units in the phased array. The phase difference and amplitude difference of each unit have an important influence on beam formation. The phase difference and amplitude difference of each unit are composed of multiple factors. In the active system, the amplitude and phase of each transmission link from signal generation to signal radiation can be accurately controlled, so the amplitude and phase differences of different transmission links are required to be measurable and calibrated.

[0003] When calibrating the amplitude and phase parameters of different transmission links, the amplitude and phase difference parameters are generally obtained by measuring and comparing each transmission link with the reference link. This requires a detection circuit for the transmission link and a reference circuit to complete the measurement of the amplitude and phase. In this traditional method, the need to add an additional reference circuit makes the system design more complicated and the cost is relatively high. Summary of the invention

[0004] The purpose of the present invention is to provide a phased array transmission calibration system and method, which solves the technical problem that the prior art needs to add a reference circuit, resulting in complex system design and high cost.

[0005] The present invention is achieved through the following technical solutions:

[0006] On the one hand, the present invention provides a phased array transmission calibration system, including: a control module, a coupling module, an amplitude and phase acquisition module, and an amplitude and phase solution module;

[0007] The control module is used to determine a timing control mode, and control the reference channel and the measured channel to send radio frequency signals according to the timing control mode, and synchronize the timing control mode to the amplitude and phase solution module; wherein the reference channel and the measured channel are both TR channels of the phased array;

[0008] The coupling module is used to couple the radio frequency signals sent by the reference channel and the measured channel in the phased array to the amplitude and phase acquisition module;

[0009] The amplitude and phase acquisition module is used to collect the radio frequency signal coupled by the coupling module to obtain the amplitude and phase corresponding to each channel;

[0010] The amplitude-phase solution module is used to determine the amplitude-phase compensation value according to the timing control mode determined by the control module, the amplitude and phase corresponding to each channel, and compensate the amplitude-phase compensation value to the amplitude-phase control value of the phased array to complete the transmission calibration of the phased array.

[0011] In a possible implementation, determining a timing control method includes:

[0012] Receiving a confirmation instruction inputted by human-computer interaction or a preset determination rule, and determining a first timing control mode or a second timing control mode;

[0013] Among them, the number of reference RF signals transmitted by the reference channels corresponding to the first timing control mode and the second timing control mode is different, and the timing difference between two adjacent reference RF signals transmitted by the reference channel in the first timing control mode and the second timing control mode is the same as the timing difference between the measured RF signals transmitted by two adjacent measured channels.

[0014] In a possible implementation manner, the first timing control mode is:

[0015] The reference channel transmits the reference radio frequency signal at least twice, and the timing difference between any two adjacent reference radio frequency signals is the same; the timing difference between any two adjacent reference radio frequency signals transmitted by the reference channel is determined, and the measured channel is controlled to transmit the measured radio frequency signal in an equidistant manner based on the timing difference;

[0016] The second timing control method is:

[0017] Determine a first transmission timing difference corresponding to the reference radio frequency signal and a second transmission timing difference corresponding to the measured radio frequency signal, wherein the first transmission timing difference is the same as the second transmission timing difference;

[0018] According to the first sending timing difference, the reference channel sends the reference radio frequency signal in an equidistant manner;

[0019] According to the second sending timing difference, multiple channels under test are enabled to send the radio frequency signals under test one by one and in an equidistant manner.

[0020] In a possible implementation, the control module includes a timing control submodule and a TR control submodule;

[0021] The timing control submodule is used to determine the timing control mode and transmit the timing control mode to the TR control submodule and the amplitude and phase solution module;

[0022] The TR control submodule is used to control the reference channel and the measured channel to send radio frequency signals according to the timing control method.

[0023] In a possible implementation, the coupling module is also used to, when the coupling characteristics of the measured RF signals emitted by the various measured channels are inconsistent, generate coupling compensation data through the pre-measured amplitude and phase coupling differences of the channels, and transmit the coupling compensation data to the amplitude and phase solution module based on the coupling compensation data for coupling compensation.

[0024] In a possible implementation manner, the amplitude-phase solution module includes an amplitude-phase acquisition submodule, a frequency offset compensation submodule, and an amplitude-phase compensation value calculation module;

[0025] The amplitude and phase acquisition submodule is used to determine the parameter value corresponding to the reference RF signal transmitted by the reference channel and the phase parameter value corresponding to the measured RF signal transmitted by the measured channel based on the reference signal and the timing control method; wherein the parameter value represents the amplitude or the phase;

[0026] The frequency offset compensation submodule is used to determine a frequency offset compensation value based on a parameter value corresponding to the reference RF signal; wherein the frequency offset compensation value represents a frequency offset phase compensation value or a frequency offset amplitude compensation value;

[0027] The amplitude-phase compensation value calculation module is used to determine a parameter deviation value based on the frequency offset compensation value and the phase parameter value corresponding to the measured radio frequency signal, and determine a final phase compensation value according to the phase parameter deviation value, and compensate the amplitude-phase compensation value to the amplitude-phase control value of the phased array to complete the transmission calibration of the phased array; wherein the parameter deviation value represents the phase deviation value corresponding to the measured radio frequency signal, and the amplitude-phase compensation value represents the amplitude compensation value or the phase compensation value.

[0028] In a possible implementation manner, the frequency offset compensation value is determined based on the parameter value corresponding to the reference RF signal:

[0029] A=A m -A m-1

[0030] Among them, A m represents the parameter value corresponding to the mth reference RF signal, A m-1 represents the parameter value corresponding to the m-1th reference RF signal, and A represents the frequency offset compensation value.

[0031] In a possible implementation manner, based on the frequency offset compensation value and the phase parameter value corresponding to the measured radio frequency signal, the phase parameter deviation value is determined as follows:

[0032] C n =(B n -(n-1)*A)

[0033] Among them, B n Indicates the phase parameter value corresponding to the nth measured RF signal, Cn Indicates the phase parameter deviation value corresponding to the nth measured RF signal.

[0034] In a possible implementation manner, determining a final phase compensation value according to the phase parameter deviation value includes: the phase compensation value is D n =-C n , where D n Indicates the phase compensation value of the nth channel.

[0035] On the other hand, the present invention provides a phased array transmission calibration method, characterized by comprising:

[0036] Determine the timing control mode through the control module, and control the reference channel and the measured channel to send radio frequency signals according to the timing control mode, and synchronize the timing control mode to the amplitude and phase solution module; wherein the reference channel and the measured channel are both TR channels of the phased array;

[0037] The RF signals sent by the reference channel and the measured channel in the phased array are coupled to the amplitude and phase acquisition module through the coupling module;

[0038] The RF signal coupled by the coupling module is collected through the amplitude and phase acquisition module to obtain the amplitude and phase corresponding to each channel;

[0039] The amplitude-phase solution module determines the amplitude-phase compensation value according to the timing control mode determined by the control module, the amplitude and phase corresponding to each channel, and compensates the amplitude-phase compensation value to the amplitude-phase control value of the phased array to complete the transmission calibration of the phased array.

[0040] The present invention provides a phased array transmission calibration system and method, which can measure the amplitude and phase difference of each channel through the amplitude detection and phase detection of the transmission link and a certain algorithm without the need for a reference circuit, and further complete the amplitude and phase calibration, and is suitable for a phased array system with different sources for the transmission link and the detection circuit. By performing amplitude and phase calibration on the phased array transmission channel, the present invention simplifies the hardware design and reduces the cost while ensuring the accuracy of the calibration. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0041] In order to more clearly illustrate the technical solutions of the exemplary embodiments of the present invention, the following briefly introduces the drawings required for use in the embodiments. It should be understood that the following drawings only illustrate certain embodiments of the present invention and should not be regarded as limiting the scope. For those of ordinary skill in the art, other relevant drawings can be obtained based on these drawings without creative work. In the drawings:

[0042] Figure 1A schematic diagram of the structure of a phased array transmission calibration system provided by an embodiment of the present invention.

[0043] Figure 2 A flow chart of a phased array transmission calibration method provided by an embodiment of the present invention.

[0044] Figure 3 A schematic diagram of a first timing control method provided in an embodiment of the present invention.

[0045] Figure 4 A schematic diagram of a second timing control method provided in an embodiment of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0046] In order to make the objectives, technical solutions and advantages of the present invention more clearly understood, the present invention is further described in detail below in conjunction with embodiments and drawings. The exemplary embodiments of the present invention and their description are only used to explain the present invention and are not intended to limit the present invention.

[0047] Example 1

[0048] like Figure 1 As shown, an embodiment of the present invention provides a phased array transmission calibration system, including: a control module, a coupling module, an amplitude and phase acquisition module, and an amplitude and phase solution module;

[0049] The control module is used to determine a timing control mode, and control the reference channel and the measured channel to send radio frequency signals according to the timing control mode, and synchronize the timing control mode to the amplitude and phase solution module; wherein the reference channel and the measured channel are both TR channels of the phased array;

[0050] A variety of timing control modes can be pre-set to control the reference channel to transmit multiple reference signals, and control the measured channel to send RF signals in sequence, and complete calibration based on these signals. Different timing control modes indicate that the number of reference RF signals changes and the time relationship between the reference RF signals and the measured RF signals changes.

[0051] The coupling module is used to couple the radio frequency signals sent by the reference channel and the measured channel in the phased array to the amplitude and phase acquisition module;

[0052] Through the coupling effect of the coupling model, the phase and amplitude of the RF signal can be truly understood, so that the final compensation value can be determined, and then the phased array transmission calibration can be completed based on the final compensation value.

[0053] Optionally, the coupling module is also used to generate coupling compensation data through pre-measured amplitude and phase coupling differences of each channel when the coupling characteristics of the measured RF signals emitted by each measured channel are inconsistent, and transmit the coupling compensation data to the amplitude and phase solution module based on the coupling compensation data for coupling compensation.

[0054] The amplitude and phase acquisition module is used to collect the radio frequency signal coupled by the coupling module to obtain the amplitude and phase corresponding to each channel;

[0055] For example, the amplitude and phase information of the radio frequency signal can be obtained in a certain manner. The certain manner can generally obtain a digital signal by down-conversion or direct sampling, and obtain the amplitude and phase by calculation.

[0056] The amplitude-phase solution module is used to determine the amplitude-phase compensation value according to the timing control mode determined by the control module, the amplitude and phase corresponding to each channel, and compensate the amplitude-phase compensation value to the amplitude-phase control value of the phased array to complete the transmission calibration of the phased array.

[0057] The present invention provides a phased array transmission calibration system and method, which can measure the amplitude and phase difference of each channel through the amplitude detection and phase detection of the transmission link and a certain algorithm without the need for a reference circuit, and further complete the amplitude and phase calibration, and is suitable for a phased array system with different sources for the transmission link and the detection circuit. By performing amplitude and phase calibration on the phased array transmission channel, the present invention simplifies the hardware design and reduces the cost while ensuring the accuracy of the calibration.

[0058] In a possible implementation, determining a timing control method includes:

[0059] Receiving a confirmation instruction inputted by human-computer interaction or a preset determination rule, and determining a first timing control mode or a second timing control mode;

[0060] Among them, the number of reference RF signals transmitted by the reference channels corresponding to the first timing control mode and the second timing control mode is different, and the timing difference between two adjacent reference RF signals transmitted by the reference channel in the first timing control mode and the second timing control mode is the same as the timing difference between the measured RF signals transmitted by two adjacent measured channels.

[0061] In a possible implementation manner, the first timing control mode is:

[0062] The reference channel transmits the reference radio frequency signal at least twice, and the timing difference between any two adjacent reference radio frequency signals is the same; the timing difference between any two adjacent reference radio frequency signals transmitted by the reference channel is determined, and the measured channel is controlled to transmit the measured radio frequency signal in an equidistant manner based on the timing difference;

[0063] The second timing control method is:

[0064] Determine a first transmission timing difference corresponding to the reference radio frequency signal and a second transmission timing difference corresponding to the measured radio frequency signal, wherein the first transmission timing difference is the same as the second transmission timing difference;

[0065] According to the first sending timing difference, the reference channel sends the reference radio frequency signal in an equidistant manner;

[0066] According to the second sending timing difference, multiple channels under test are enabled to send the radio frequency signals under test one by one and in an equidistant manner.

[0067] In a possible implementation, the control module includes a timing control submodule and a TR control submodule;

[0068] The timing control submodule is used to determine the timing control mode and transmit the timing control mode to the TR control submodule and the amplitude and phase solution module;

[0069] The TR control submodule is used to control the reference channel and the measured channel to send radio frequency signals according to the timing control method.

[0070] In order to facilitate those skilled in the art to understand the technical solutions described in the embodiments of the present invention, Figure 3 as well as Figure 4 The first timing control method and the second timing control method are described, which may include:

[0071] The first timing control method: first transmit and collect reference TR (at least 2 times), and then transmit TR1, TR2 and other channels at equal intervals. The interval between two reference TRs is T1, and the time between TRs is T2. Generally, T1=T2 is required, and the subsequent explanation is based on T1=T2.

[0072] The second timing control method: the emission and collection timing is required to be transmitted in reference TR, TRN, and reference TR mode. The interval between two reference TRs is T1, and the time between TRs is T2. Generally, T1=T2 is required, and the subsequent explanation is based on T1=T2.

[0073] It is worth noting that the above two timing control methods are only preferred technical solutions of the embodiments of the present invention, and other timing control methods can also be used to implement signal calibration.

[0074] In a possible implementation manner, the amplitude-phase solution module includes an amplitude-phase acquisition submodule, a frequency offset compensation submodule, and an amplitude-phase compensation value calculation module;

[0075] The amplitude and phase acquisition submodule is used to determine the parameter value corresponding to the reference RF signal transmitted by the reference channel and the phase parameter value corresponding to the measured RF signal transmitted by the measured channel based on the reference signal and the timing control method; wherein the parameter value represents the amplitude or the phase;

[0076] The frequency offset compensation submodule is used to determine a frequency offset compensation value based on a parameter value corresponding to the reference RF signal; wherein the frequency offset compensation value represents a frequency offset phase compensation value or a frequency offset amplitude compensation value;

[0077] The amplitude-phase compensation value calculation module is used to determine a parameter deviation value based on the frequency offset compensation value and the phase parameter value corresponding to the measured radio frequency signal, and determine a final phase compensation value according to the phase parameter deviation value, and compensate the amplitude-phase compensation value to the amplitude-phase control value of the phased array to complete the transmission calibration of the phased array; wherein the parameter deviation value represents the phase deviation value corresponding to the measured radio frequency signal, and the amplitude-phase compensation value represents the amplitude compensation value or the phase compensation value.

[0078] In a possible implementation manner, the frequency offset compensation value is determined based on the parameter value corresponding to the reference RF signal:

[0079] A=A m -A m-1

[0080] Among them, A m represents the parameter value corresponding to the mth reference RF signal, A m-1 represents the parameter value corresponding to the m-1th reference RF signal, and A represents the frequency offset compensation value.

[0081] In a possible implementation manner, based on the frequency offset compensation value and the phase parameter value corresponding to the measured radio frequency signal, the phase parameter deviation value is determined as follows:

[0082] C n =(B n -(n-1)*A)

[0083] Among them, B n Indicates the phase parameter value corresponding to the nth measured RF signal, C n Indicates the phase parameter deviation value corresponding to the nth measured RF signal.

[0084] In a possible implementation manner, determining a final phase compensation value according to the phase parameter deviation value includes: the phase compensation value is D n =-C n , where D n Indicates the phase compensation value of the nth channel.

[0085] It is worth noting that if the coupling module determines the coupling compensation data, then after the final amplitude and phase compensation values ​​are determined, the coupling compensation data should also be added to ensure the accuracy of the data.

[0086] Example 2

[0087] like Figure 2 As shown, the present invention provides a phased array transmission calibration method, characterized in that it includes:

[0088] S1. Determine a timing control mode through a control module, and control a reference channel and a measured channel to send radio frequency signals according to the timing control mode, and synchronize the timing control mode to an amplitude and phase solution module; wherein the reference channel and the measured channel are both TR channels of a phased array;

[0089] S2, coupling the RF signals sent by the reference channel and the measured channel in the phased array to the amplitude and phase acquisition module through the coupling module;

[0090] S3, collecting the RF signal coupled by the coupling module through the amplitude and phase acquisition module to obtain the amplitude and phase corresponding to each channel;

[0091] S4. The amplitude-phase solution module determines the amplitude-phase compensation value according to the timing control mode determined by the control module, the amplitude and phase corresponding to each channel, and compensates the amplitude-phase compensation value to the amplitude-phase control value of the phased array to complete the transmission calibration of the phased array.

[0092] The phased array transmit calibration method described in this embodiment is executed based on the phased array transmit calibration system described in Example 1, and its principles and beneficial effects are similar, which will not be described in detail here.

[0093] The specific implementation methods described above further illustrate the objectives, technical solutions and beneficial effects of the present invention in detail. It should be understood that the above description is only a specific implementation method of the present invention and is not intended to limit the scope of protection of the present invention. Any modifications, equivalent substitutions, improvements, etc. made within the spirit and principles of the present invention should be included in the scope of protection of the present invention.

Claims

1. A phased array transmission calibration system, characterized in that: include: Control module, coupling module, amplitude and phase acquisition module and amplitude and phase solution module; The control module is used to determine a timing control mode, and control the reference channel and the measured channel to send radio frequency signals according to the timing control mode, and synchronize the timing control mode to the amplitude and phase solution module; wherein the reference channel and the measured channel are both TR channels of the phased array; The coupling module is used to couple the radio frequency signals sent by the reference channel and the measured channel in the phased array to the amplitude and phase acquisition module; The amplitude and phase acquisition module is used to collect the radio frequency signal coupled by the coupling module to obtain the amplitude and phase corresponding to each channel; The amplitude-phase solution module is used to determine the amplitude-phase compensation value according to the timing control mode determined by the control module, the amplitude and phase corresponding to each channel, and compensate the amplitude-phase compensation value to the amplitude-phase control value of the phased array to complete the transmission calibration of the phased array.

2. The phased array transmission calibration system according to claim 1, characterized in that: Determine the timing control method, including: Receiving a confirmation instruction inputted by human-computer interaction or a preset determination rule, and determining a first timing control mode or a second timing control mode; Among them, the number of reference RF signals transmitted by the reference channels corresponding to the first timing control mode and the second timing control mode is different, and the timing difference between two adjacent reference RF signals transmitted by the reference channel in the first timing control mode and the second timing control mode is the same as the timing difference between the measured RF signals transmitted by two adjacent measured channels.

3. The phased array transmission calibration system according to claim 2, characterized in that: The first timing control method is: The reference channel transmits the reference radio frequency signal at least twice, and the timing difference between any two adjacent reference radio frequency signals is the same; the timing difference between any two adjacent reference radio frequency signals transmitted by the reference channel is determined, and the measured channel is controlled to transmit the measured radio frequency signal in an equidistant manner based on the timing difference; The second timing control method is: Determine a first transmission timing difference corresponding to the reference radio frequency signal and a second transmission timing difference corresponding to the measured radio frequency signal, wherein the first transmission timing difference is the same as the second transmission timing difference; According to the first sending timing difference, the reference channel sends the reference radio frequency signal in an equidistant manner; According to the second sending timing difference, multiple channels under test are enabled to send the radio frequency signals under test one by one and in an equidistant manner.

4. The phased array transmission calibration system according to claim 2 or 3, characterized in that: The control module includes a timing control submodule and a TR control submodule; The timing control submodule is used to determine the timing control mode and transmit the timing control mode to the TR control submodule and the amplitude and phase solution module; The TR control submodule is used to control the reference channel and the measured channel to send radio frequency signals according to the timing control method.

5. The phased array transmission calibration system according to claim 1, characterized in that: The coupling module is also used to generate coupling compensation data through the pre-measured amplitude and phase coupling differences of each channel when the coupling characteristics of the measured radio frequency signals emitted by each measured channel are inconsistent, and transmit the coupling compensation data to the amplitude and phase solution module based on the coupling compensation data for coupling compensation.

6. The phased array transmission calibration system according to claim 5, characterized in that: The amplitude-phase solution module includes an amplitude-phase acquisition submodule, a frequency offset compensation submodule and an amplitude-phase compensation value calculation module; The amplitude and phase acquisition submodule is used to determine the parameter value corresponding to the reference RF signal transmitted by the reference channel and the phase parameter value corresponding to the measured RF signal transmitted by the measured channel based on the reference signal and the timing control method; wherein the parameter value represents the amplitude or the phase; The frequency offset compensation submodule is used to determine a frequency offset compensation value based on a parameter value corresponding to the reference RF signal; wherein the frequency offset compensation value represents a frequency offset phase compensation value or a frequency offset amplitude compensation value; The amplitude-phase compensation value calculation module is used to determine a parameter deviation value based on the frequency offset compensation value and the phase parameter value corresponding to the measured radio frequency signal, and determine a final phase compensation value according to the phase parameter deviation value, and compensate the amplitude-phase compensation value to the amplitude-phase control value of the phased array to complete the transmission calibration of the phased array; wherein the parameter deviation value represents the phase deviation value corresponding to the measured radio frequency signal, and the amplitude-phase compensation value represents the amplitude compensation value or the phase compensation value.

7. The phased array transmission calibration system according to claim 6, characterized in that: Based on the parameter value corresponding to the reference radio frequency signal, a frequency offset compensation value is determined: A=A m -A m-1 Among them, A m represents the parameter value corresponding to the mth reference RF signal, A m-1 represents the parameter value corresponding to the m-1th reference RF signal, and A represents the frequency offset compensation value.

8. The phased array transmission calibration system according to claim 7, characterized in that: Based on the frequency offset compensation value and the phase parameter value corresponding to the measured radio frequency signal, the phase parameter deviation value is determined as follows: C n =(B n -(n-1)*A) Among them, B n Indicates the phase parameter value corresponding to the nth measured RF signal, C n Indicates the phase parameter deviation value corresponding to the nth measured RF signal.

9. The phased array transmission calibration system according to claim 8, characterized in that: The final phase compensation value is determined according to the phase parameter deviation value, including: the phase compensation value is D n =-C n , where D n Indicates the phase compensation value of the nth channel.

10. A phased array transmission calibration method, characterized in that: include: Determine the timing control mode through the control module, and control the reference channel and the measured channel to send radio frequency signals according to the timing control mode, and synchronize the timing control mode to the amplitude and phase solution module; wherein the reference channel and the measured channel are both TR channels of the phased array; The RF signals sent by the reference channel and the measured channel in the phased array are coupled to the amplitude and phase acquisition module through the coupling module; The RF signal coupled by the coupling module is collected through the amplitude and phase acquisition module to obtain the amplitude and phase corresponding to each channel; The amplitude-phase solution module determines the amplitude-phase compensation value according to the timing control mode determined by the control module, the amplitude and phase corresponding to each channel, and compensates the amplitude-phase compensation value to the amplitude-phase control value of the phased array to complete the transmission calibration of the phased array.

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