A high-precision phase measurement method and system for phased array channels based on drones

Abstract

The present invention relates to a high-precision phase measurement method and system for a phased array channel based on an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV), belonging to the field of radio. The measurement method comprises: a transmitting channel of a large phased array antenna array actively transmits a test signal to the UAV, and after receiving the return signal from the UAV, records the phase information #imgabs0# of the received signal; the UAV actively transmits a test signal to a large phased array antenna array on the ground, and after the large phased array antenna array receives the signal, records the phase information #imgabs1# of the signal at this time; the inherent phase of the transmitting channel of the large phased array antenna array is obtained based on the obtained phase information #imgabs2# and #imgabs3#; the next transmitting channel is switched to transmit the test signal, and the above operation is repeated until each transmitting channel is measured. By comparing the phase difference between the two modes, the present invention effectively eliminates the influence of the distance change between the UAV and the large phased array on the measurement result, and significantly improves the measurement accuracy of the phase of the transmitting channel of the large phased array.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to the field of radio, and in particular to a high-precision measurement method and system for phase of a phased array channel based on an unmanned aerial vehicle. Background Art

[0002] Large phased arrays achieve rapid beam scanning and shaping by precisely controlling the phase of the signals in each transmit channel, necessitating precise testing of the phased array. Traditionally, phase testing has been performed in a darkroom environment. However, large phased arrays often need to be deployed in the field, and the phase typically changes after disassembly and assembly, necessitating in-situ phase testing. In in-situ testing, elevated tower testing is susceptible to ground multipath effects, so it's best to position the antenna at a high elevation or flat angle, with a drone positioned directly above the antenna for phase testing. However, the drone's positional distance accuracy can vary from tens to several dozen centimeters, resulting in phase test errors of up to several wavelengths, severely impacting measurement accuracy and phase consistency calibration. Summary of the Invention

[0003] The purpose of the present invention is to overcome the shortcomings of the prior art and provide a high-precision phase measurement method and system for phased array channels based on drones, which solves the shortcomings of the prior art.

[0004] The purpose of the present invention is achieved through the following technical solutions: a high-precision phase measurement method for a phased array channel based on an unmanned aerial vehicle, the measurement method comprising:

[0005] Step 1: A certain transmitting channel of the large ground phased array antenna array actively transmits a test signal to the drone, and after receiving the return signal from the drone, records the phase information of the signal received by the large phased array antenna array at this time. ;

[0006] Step 2: The UAV actively transmits a test signal to the large phased array antenna array on the ground. After the large phased array antenna array receives the signal, it records the phase information of the signal at this time. ;

[0007] Step 3: Phase information obtained through steps 1 and 2 and , eliminate the distance phase error related to the distance R between the UAV and the large phased array antenna array, and obtain the inherent phase of the transmission channel of the large phased array antenna array;

[0008] Step 4: Switch to the next transmit channel to transmit the test signal, and repeat steps 1 to 3 until each transmit channel is measured.

[0009] The step 1 specifically includes the following contents:

[0010] A drone equipped with a DRFM module is deployed above the large phased array antenna array to be tested, and the drone remains stable. The DRFM module stands for Digital Frequency Memory Module.

[0011] A transmission channel of the large phased array antenna array to be tested transmits a test signal toward the UAV. The DRFM module on the UAV receives the signal through the antenna, digitally stores and processes it, and then immediately forwards the processed signal back to the large phased array antenna array to be tested on the ground through the antenna.

[0012] The large phased array antenna array to be tested receives the signal forwarded by the drone and records the phase information of the signal received by the large phased array antenna array at this time .

[0013] The second step specifically includes the following contents:

[0014] Within a microsecond interval after step 1, the DRFM module on the UAV switches to active transmission mode or another signal source actively transmits a test signal to the large phased array antenna array to be tested on the ground through the antenna;

[0015] The large phased array antenna array to be tested receives the signal actively transmitted by the drone and records the phase information of the signal received by the large phased array antenna array at this time .

[0016] The step three specifically includes the following contents:

[0017] Phase information It contains the 2R distance information and the inherent phase of the transmission channel of the large phased array antenna array. , the fixed delay phase introduced by the DRFM module ,Right now , R is the distance between the UAV and the large phased array antenna array, c is the transmission speed of electromagnetic waves in the air;

[0018] Phase information It contains the distance information of R and the inherent phase of the drone signal source ,Right now ;

[0019] By calculation To eliminate the range phase error related to R, the inherent phase of the transmitting channel of the large phased array antenna array is obtained. , where π represents the circular constant and f is the carrier frequency.

[0020] A high-precision phase measurement system for phased array channels based on an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV), comprising a main transmitter and forwarder module, a UAV main transmitter module, a phase difference calculation module, and a multi-channel measurement module;

[0021] The main transmitting and forwarding module is configured as a transmitting channel of a large ground phased array antenna array to actively transmit a test signal to the UAV, and after receiving the return signal from the UAV, it records the phase information of the signal received by the large phased array antenna array at this time. ;

[0022] The UAV main transmission module is configured to actively transmit a test signal to the large phased array antenna array on the ground. After the large phased array antenna array receives the signal, it records the phase information of the signal at this time. ;

[0023] The phase difference calculation module is configured to obtain the phase information from the main transmission and forwarding module and the UAV main transmission module. and , eliminate the distance phase error related to the distance R between the UAV and the large phased array antenna array, and obtain the inherent phase of the transmission channel of the large phased array antenna array;

[0024] The multi-channel measurement module is configured to switch to the next transmission channel to transmit a test signal, and repeat the operations of step 1 to step 3 until each transmission channel is measured.

[0025] The main sending and forwarding module is used to implement the following functions:

[0026] A drone equipped with a DRFM module is deployed above the large phased array antenna array to be tested, and the drone remains stable. The DRFM module stands for Digital Frequency Memory Module.

[0027] A transmission channel of the large phased array antenna array to be tested transmits a test signal toward the UAV. The DRFM module on the UAV receives the signal through the antenna, digitally stores and processes it, and then immediately forwards the processed signal back to the large phased array antenna array to be tested on the ground through the antenna.

[0028] The large phased array antenna array to be tested receives the signal forwarded by the drone and records the phase information of the signal received by the large phased array antenna array at this time .

[0029] The main transmission module of the UAV is used to realize the following functions:

[0030] In the microsecond interval after the main transmission and forwarding modules end, the DRFM module on the UAV switches to the active transmission mode or another signal source actively transmits a test signal to the large phased array antenna array under test on the ground through the antenna;

[0031] The large phased array antenna array to be tested receives the signal actively transmitted by the drone and records the phase information of the signal received by the large phased array antenna array at this time .

[0032] The phase difference calculation module is used to implement the following functions:

[0033] Phase information It contains the 2R distance information and the inherent phase of the transmission channel of the large phased array antenna array. , the fixed delay phase introduced by the DRFM module ,Right now , R is the distance between the UAV and the large phased array antenna array, c is the transmission speed of electromagnetic waves in the air;

[0034] Phase information It contains the distance information of R and the inherent phase of the drone signal source ,Right now ;

[0035] By calculation To eliminate the range phase error related to R, the inherent phase of the transmitting channel of the large phased array antenna array is obtained. , where π represents the circular constant and f is the carrier frequency.

[0036] The present invention has the following advantages:

[0037] 1. High-precision measurement: By comparing the phase difference between the two modes, the influence of the distance change between the UAV and the large phased array on the measurement results is effectively eliminated, significantly improving the measurement accuracy of the phase of the large phased array transmission channel.

[0038] 2. Eliminate multipath effects: The drone is located above the antenna for measurement, which can effectively avoid interference from ground multipath effects.

[0039] 3. Fast and efficient: The entire measurement process can be completed within hundreds of milliseconds, enabling rapid measurement and phase consistency assessment of all transmit channels. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0040] Figure 1 Schematic diagram of the process of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0041] In order to make the purpose, technical solutions and advantages of the embodiments of the present application clearer, the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present application will be clearly and completely described below in conjunction with the drawings in the embodiments of the present application. Obviously, the described embodiments are only a part of the embodiments of the present application, rather than all the embodiments. The components of the embodiments of the present application generally described and shown in the drawings here can be arranged and designed in various different configurations. Therefore, the detailed description of the embodiments of the present application provided below in conjunction with the drawings is not intended to limit the scope of protection of the present application for which protection is claimed, but merely represents the selected embodiments of the present application. Based on the embodiments of the present application, all other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art without making creative work are within the scope of protection of the present application. The present invention is further described below in conjunction with the drawings.

[0042] The present invention specifically relates to a high-precision phase measurement method for phased array channels based on drones, aiming to solve the problems of insufficient phase measurement accuracy of large phased array channels in the existing technology and susceptibility to distance changes and multipath effects. By utilizing two modes: the echo simulation signal of the drone-mounted DRFM module and the drone's active transmission signal, and comparing their phase differences, the influence of distance changes can be eliminated, thereby achieving accurate measurement of the phase of large phased array channels.

[0043] like Figure 1 As shown, specifically including the following:

[0044] Step 1: The large phased array antenna transmits signals to and from the drone;

[0045] 1. Drone Deployment: A drone equipped with a DRFM (Digital Radio Frequency Memory) module is deployed above the large phased array antenna to be tested. The drone should be kept as stable as possible, but slight movement within an acceptable range is permitted.

[0046] 2. Large phased array antenna array transmission and drone reception: A transmit channel of the large phased array antenna array to be tested transmits a test signal (e.g., pulse or continuous wave) toward the drone. The DRFM module on the drone receives the transmitted waveform through the antenna.

[0047] 3. DRFM module processing and forwarding: The DRFM module digitally stores and processes the received waveform (for example, performing a fixed, known delay), and then immediately forwards (transmits) the processed signal back to the large phased array antenna array under test on the ground through the antenna.

[0048] 4. Large phased array antenna array reception and data recording: The large phased array antenna array to be tested receives the signal forwarded by the drone and records the phase information of the signal received by the large phased array antenna array at this time .

[0049] In this mode, electromagnetic waves are emitted from the large phased array transmitter, propagated to the drone, and then forwarded by the drone and propagated back to the large phased array receiver. The propagation distance is 2R (where R is the instantaneous distance from the large phased array to the drone), so the phase of the received signal is It includes the distance information of 2R, the inherent phase ϕradar of the transmission channel of the large phased array antenna array, and the fixed delay phase ϕdrfm introduced by the DRFM module.

[0050] Step 2: The drone actively transmits a signal to the large phased array antenna array;

[0051] 1. UAV signal source start-up: Immediately after the large phased array transmit-UAV forwarding mode ends (usually within a microsecond interval, so that the distance R between the UAV and the large phased array can be considered unchanged in this extremely short time), another signal source on the UAV (or the DRFM module switches to active transmit mode) actively transmits a test signal through the antenna to the large phased array antenna array under test on the ground.

[0052] 2. Large phased array antenna array reception and data recording: The large phased array antenna array to be tested receives the signal actively transmitted by the drone and records the phase information of the signal received by the large phased array antenna array at this time .

[0053] In this mode, electromagnetic waves are emitted from the active transmitter of the drone and propagate to the receiving end of the large phased array antenna array. The propagation distance is R. Therefore, the phase of the received signal is Contains the distance information of R and the inherent phase of the drone signal source .

[0054] Step 3: Phase difference calculation and channel intrinsic phase acquisition;

[0055] By pre-calibrating the fixed delay phase of the DRFM module and the inherent phase of the drone signal source , the true phase value of the transmission channel of the large phased array antenna array to be tested can be accurately calculated from the phase information; since steps 1 and 2 are performed in a very short time interval, the distance R between the UAV and the large phased array antenna array can be considered constant. Therefore, Including the range phase contribution of 2R, Contains the range phase contribution of R. By calculating , which can effectively eliminate the distance phase error related to R.

[0056] Therefore, by , The inherent phase of the transmitting channel of the large phased array antenna array can be obtained Where π is the circular constant and f is the carrier frequency.

[0057] Step 4: Multi-channel sequential measurement and phase consistency realization;

[0058] 1. Channel switching: After completing the phase measurement of a single transmit channel, the large phased array antenna array to be tested switches to the next transmit channel.

[0059] 2. Repeated measurement: Repeat steps 1 through 3 to measure each transmit channel of the large phased array. The channel switching interval is typically in the millisecond range, and the entire measurement process can be completed within a few hundred milliseconds.

[0060] 3. Phase consistency analysis and calibration: Analyze the measurement results of all transmit channels to obtain the precise phase value of each channel. Based on these measurement results, the overall phase consistency of the large phased array antenna array can be evaluated and corresponding phase calibration can be performed to ensure that all channels have a consistent phase reference when transmitting, thereby optimizing the beamforming and scanning performance of the large phased array antenna array.

[0061] Another embodiment of the present invention relates to a high-precision phase measurement system for phased array channels based on a UAV, which includes a main transmission and forwarding module, a UAV main transmission module, a phase difference calculation module, and a multi-channel measurement module;

[0062] Among them, the main transmission and forwarding module is configured as a transmission channel of the large ground phased array antenna array to actively transmit the test signal to the drone, and after receiving the return signal from the drone, it records the phase information of the signal received by the large phased array antenna array at this time. ;

[0063] UAV main transmitter module: It is configured so that the UAV actively transmits test signals to the large phased array antenna array on the ground. After the large phased array antenna array receives the signal, it records the phase information of the signal at this time. ;

[0064] Phase difference calculation module: configured to obtain phase information through the main transmission and forwarding module and the drone main transmission module and , eliminate the distance phase error related to the distance R between the UAV and the large phased array antenna array, and obtain the inherent phase of the transmission channel of the large phased array antenna array;

[0065] The multi-channel measurement module is configured to switch to the next transmitting channel to transmit the test signal and repeat the operations of steps 1 to 3 until each transmitting channel is measured.

[0066] Furthermore, the main sending and forwarding modules are used to implement the following functions:

[0067] A drone equipped with a DRFM module is deployed above the large phased array antenna array to be tested, and the drone remains stable. The DRFM module stands for Digital Frequency Memory Module.

[0068] A transmission channel of the large phased array antenna array to be tested transmits a test signal toward the UAV. The DRFM module on the UAV receives the signal through the antenna, digitally stores and processes it, and then immediately forwards the processed signal back to the large phased array antenna array to be tested on the ground through the antenna.

[0069] The large phased array antenna array to be tested receives the signal forwarded by the drone and records the phase information of the signal received by the large phased array antenna array at this time .

[0070] Furthermore, the drone's main transmitter module is used to implement the following functions:

[0071] In the microsecond interval after the main transmission and forwarding modules end, the DRFM module on the UAV switches to the active transmission mode or another signal source actively transmits a test signal to the large phased array antenna array under test on the ground through the antenna;

[0072] The large phased array antenna array to be tested receives the signal actively transmitted by the drone and records the phase information of the signal received by the large phased array antenna array at this time .

[0073] Furthermore, the phase difference calculation module is used to implement the following functions:

[0074] Phase information It contains the 2R distance information and the inherent phase of the transmission channel of the large phased array antenna array. , the fixed delay phase introduced by the DRFM module ,Right now , R is the distance between the UAV and the large phased array antenna array, c is the transmission speed of electromagnetic waves in the air;

[0075] Phase information It contains the distance information of R and the inherent phase of the drone signal source ,Right now ;

[0076] By calculation To eliminate the range phase error related to R, the inherent phase of the transmitting channel of the large phased array antenna array is obtained. , where π represents the circular constant and f is the carrier frequency.

[0077] The foregoing description is merely a preferred embodiment of the present invention. It should be understood that the present invention is not limited to the form disclosed herein and should not be construed as excluding other embodiments. Rather, the present invention is capable of various other combinations, modifications, and improvements, and is capable of modifications within the scope of the concepts described herein, through the above teachings, or through techniques or knowledge in the relevant fields. Modifications and variations made by those skilled in the art that do not depart from the spirit and scope of the present invention are intended to be within the scope of the appended claims.

Claims

1. A high-precision phase measurement method for phased array channels based on an unmanned aerial vehicle, characterized by: The measuring method comprises: Step 1: A certain transmitting channel of the large ground phased array antenna array actively transmits a test signal to the drone, and after receiving the return signal from the drone, records the phase information of the signal received by the large phased array antenna array at this time. ; Step 2: The UAV actively transmits a test signal to the large phased array antenna array on the ground. After the large phased array antenna array receives the signal, it records the phase information of the signal at this time. ; Step 3: Phase information obtained through steps 1 and 2 and , eliminate the distance phase error related to the distance R between the UAV and the large phased array antenna array, and obtain the inherent phase of the transmission channel of the large phased array antenna array; Step 4: Switch to the next transmission channel to transmit the test signal, and repeat steps 1 to 3 until each transmission channel is measured; The step 1 specifically includes the following contents: A drone equipped with a DRFM module is deployed above the large phased array antenna array to be tested, and the drone remains stable. The DRFM module stands for Digital Frequency Memory Module. A transmission channel of the large phased array antenna array to be tested transmits a test signal toward the UAV. The DRFM module on the UAV receives the signal through the antenna, digitally stores and processes it, and then immediately forwards the processed signal back to the large phased array antenna array to be tested on the ground through the antenna. The large phased array antenna array to be tested receives the signal forwarded by the drone and records the phase information of the signal received by the large phased array antenna array at this time ; The second step specifically includes the following contents: Within a microsecond interval after step 1, the DRFM module on the UAV switches to active transmission mode or another signal source actively transmits a test signal to the large phased array antenna array to be tested on the ground through the antenna; The large phased array antenna array to be tested receives the signal actively transmitted by the drone and records the phase information of the signal received by the large phased array antenna array at this time .

2. The high-precision phase measurement method for phased array channels based on an unmanned aerial vehicle according to claim 1, characterized in that: The step three specifically includes the following contents: Phase information It contains the 2R distance information and the inherent phase of the transmission channel of the large phased array antenna array. , the fixed delay phase introduced by the DRFM module ,Right now , R is the distance between the UAV and the large phased array antenna array, c is the transmission speed of electromagnetic waves in the air; Phase information It contains the distance information of R and the inherent phase of the drone signal source ,Right now ; By calculation To eliminate the range phase error related to R, the inherent phase of the transmitting channel of the large phased array antenna array is obtained. , where π represents the circumference constant and f is the carrier frequency.

3. A high-precision phase measurement system for phased array channels based on an unmanned aerial vehicle, characterized by: The system includes a main transmission and forwarding module, a UAV main transmission module, a phase difference calculation module and a multi-channel measurement module; The main transmitting and forwarding module is configured as a transmitting channel of a large ground phased array antenna array to actively transmit a test signal to the UAV, and after receiving the return signal from the UAV, it records the phase information of the signal received by the large phased array antenna array at this time. ; The UAV main transmission module is configured to actively transmit a test signal to the large phased array antenna array on the ground. After the large phased array antenna array receives the signal, it records the phase information of the signal at this time. ; The phase difference calculation module is configured to obtain the phase information from the main transmission and forwarding module and the UAV main transmission module. and , eliminate the distance phase error related to the distance R between the UAV and the large phased array antenna array, and obtain the inherent phase of the transmission channel of the large phased array antenna array; The multi-channel measurement module is configured to switch to the next transmission channel to transmit the test signal and repeat the operations of steps 1 to 3 until each transmission channel is measured; The main sending and forwarding module is used to implement the following functions: A drone equipped with a DRFM module is deployed above the large phased array antenna array to be tested, and the drone remains stable. The DRFM module stands for Digital Frequency Memory Module. A transmission channel of the large phased array antenna array to be tested transmits a test signal toward the UAV. The DRFM module on the UAV receives the signal through the antenna, digitally stores and processes it, and then immediately forwards the processed signal back to the large phased array antenna array to be tested on the ground through the antenna. The large phased array antenna array to be tested receives the signal forwarded by the drone and records the phase information of the signal received by the large phased array antenna array at this time ; The main transmission module of the UAV is used to realize the following functions: In the microsecond interval after the main transmission and forwarding modules end, the DRFM module on the UAV switches to the active transmission mode or another signal source actively transmits a test signal to the large phased array antenna array under test on the ground through the antenna; The large phased array antenna array to be tested receives the signal actively transmitted by the drone and records the phase information of the signal received by the large phased array antenna array at this time .

4. The high-precision phase measurement system for phased array channels based on an unmanned aerial vehicle according to claim 3, characterized in that: The phase difference calculation module is used to implement the following functions: Phase information It contains the 2R distance information and the inherent phase of the transmission channel of the large phased array antenna array. , the fixed delay phase introduced by the DRFM module ,Right now , R is the distance between the UAV and the large phased array antenna array, c is the transmission speed of electromagnetic waves in the air; Phase information It contains the distance information of R and the inherent phase of the drone signal source ,Right now ; By calculation To eliminate the range phase error related to R, the inherent phase of the transmitting channel of the large phased array antenna array is obtained. , where π represents the circumference constant and f is the carrier frequency.

Images