Multi-channel TR assembly channel gain phase measurement method

Abstract

The invention discloses a channel gain phase measurement method for a multi-channel TR assembly. The method comprises the following steps: setting a target channel as reference attenuation and a reference phase; setting non-target channels except the target channel as high attenuation and a first phase; measuring a synthesized output signal of the multi-channel TR assembly to obtain a first complex number measurement result; the reference attenuation and the reference phase of the target channel are kept unchanged, the high attenuation of the non-target channel is kept unchanged, the non-target channel is set as a second phase, and the second phase is opposite to the first phase; measuring the synthesized output signal of the multi-channel TR assembly again to obtain a second complex number measurement result; carrying out vector averaging on the first complex number measurement result and the second complex number measurement result to obtain a complex number signal vector; calculating the modulus value of the complex signal vector to obtain the gain of a target channel; and solving the phase angle of the complex signal vector to obtain the phase of the target channel. And the accuracy of channel gain and phase measurement is ensured.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention belongs to the field of communication and array antennas, and relates to a method for measuring the channel gain and phase of a multi-channel TR component. Background Technology

[0002] Multi-channel beamforming (TR) components are directly interconnected with the antenna array to jointly achieve the wireless signal beamforming function of the array antenna. To ensure the accuracy of the array antenna beamforming, the multi-channel TR components need to undergo gain and phase measurements before leaving the factory, and channel compensation is performed using the measurement results before subsequent beamforming work can proceed. If the measurement results are inaccurate, it will cause phase shifts or amplitude deviations between the channels on the TR component. When the signals are superimposed in space, unexpected interference phenomena will occur: phase errors will cause the beam pointing to deviate from the design direction, while amplitude unevenness may cause the main lobe to broaden, the side lobe level to increase, or even beam splitting.

[0003] A typical structure of a TR component is as follows: Figure 1 As shown, a TR (Transceiver Unit) assembly consists of several parts, including a multi-channel power divider, transceiver switches, a low-noise amplifier, a phase shifter, an attenuator, a power amplifier, and connectors. Due to differences in component performance, circuit design, and manufacturing processes, inconsistencies in amplitude, phase, and delay exist between channels of the TR assembly. These inconsistencies must be compensated for through calibration before shipment. The general practice for calibration compensation is to first measure the gain and phase of each channel using a vector network analyzer. After measurement, gain differences are compensated using an adjustable attenuator, and phase differences are compensated using a phase shifter. However, accurate measurement of the gain and phase of each individual channel is a prerequisite for calibration compensation.

[0004] To improve measurement efficiency and avoid repeated cable connections, when measuring the channel gain and phase of TR components, a combiner board is typically used to combine multiple TR components and connect them to both ends of the vector network analyzer (VNA). The combiner board is designed to ensure that all channels are of equal amplitude and in phase. Then, software is used to control the opening and closing of individual channels for channel-by-channel measurement, directly reading the gain and phase. However, as the number of TR component channels increases, to save circuit area and reduce the number of control switches, multiple channels of the TR component share a power supply, making it impossible to open or close any single channel. In this case, during channel-by-channel measurement, other non-target channels cannot be completely closed. Interference signals from non-target channels are combined with the signal from the target channel and output to the VNA, causing the VNA readings to not accurately reflect the gain and phase information of the desired channel, thus affecting the gain and phase measurement results of the target channel. Summary of the Invention

[0005] The purpose of this invention is to overcome the shortcomings of the prior art and provide a method for measuring the channel gain and phase of a multi-channel TR component. This method can eliminate interference from other channels to the target channel when the multi-channel TR component cannot achieve the opening or closing of any channel, thus ensuring the accuracy of channel gain and phase measurements.

[0006] To achieve the above objectives, the present invention employs the following technical solution: A method for measuring the channel gain and phase of a multi-channel TR component includes the following steps: S1, set the target channel as the reference attenuation and reference phase; S2, set non-target channels other than the target channel to high attenuation and first phase; S3, Measure the synthesized output signal of the multi-channel TR component to obtain the first complex measurement result; S4, keep the reference attenuation and reference phase of the target channel unchanged, keep the high attenuation of the non-target channel unchanged, set the non-target channel as the second phase, and the second phase is out of phase with the first phase; S5, measure the synthesized output signal of the multi-channel TR component again to obtain the second complex measurement result; S6, perform vector averaging on the first complex measurement result and the second complex measurement result to obtain the complex signal vector; S7: Calculate the modulus of the complex signal vector to obtain the gain of the target channel; calculate the phase angle of the complex signal vector to obtain the phase of the target channel.

[0007] Optionally, the reference attenuation is zero attenuation and the reference phase is zero-degree phase.

[0008] Optionally, high attenuation is the maximum attenuation for non-target channels.

[0009] Optionally, the first phase is a zero-degree phase.

[0010] Optionally, the specific process of S3 is as follows: read the first gain and the first phase through a vector network analyzer; convert the first gain and the first phase into a first complex measurement result.

[0011] Optionally, the specific process of S5 is as follows: read the second gain and the second phase through a vector network analyzer; convert the second gain and the second phase into a second complex measurement result.

[0012] Optionally, the specific process of S6 is as follows: add the first complex measurement result and the second complex measurement result into a vector; divide the result of the vector addition by two to obtain the complex signal vector.

[0013] Optionally, before measuring the synthesized output signal of the multi-channel TR component, connect the power divider input of the multi-channel TR component to the port of the vector network analyzer; connect the multi-channel output of the multi-channel TR component to the input of the combiner board; and connect the synthesized output of the combiner board to another port of the vector network analyzer.

[0014] Optionally, the combiner board is an N-channel combiner board, and all channels of the N-channel combiner board satisfy the requirements of equal amplitude and in-phase.

[0015] Optionally, the feature is that steps S1-S7 are performed on each of the N channels of the multi-channel TR component to obtain the gain and phase of each channel in sequence.

[0016] Compared with the prior art, the present invention has the following beneficial effects: This invention provides a method for measuring the channel gain and phase of a multi-channel TR component that can eliminate inter-channel interference. During measurement, when individual TR channels cannot be turned on or off independently, signals that should be transmitted in other branches may be incorporated into the target channel, resulting in insufficient measurement accuracy. Without changing the hardware (no need to control individual channel opening or closing), a two-measurement combined with phase cancellation method is used to improve the accuracy of channel measurement. This method uses an N-channel combiner board for combining, reducing the labor cost of repeated wiring during measurement and improving measurement efficiency. Attached Figure Description

[0017] Figure 1 This is a typical structural diagram of a multi-channel TR component; Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the gain and phase measurement principle of a multi-channel TR component according to an embodiment of the present invention; Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of a 4-channel combiner board structure according to an embodiment of the present invention; Figure 4 This is a flowchart of the measurement method according to an embodiment of the present invention. Detailed Implementation

[0018] To enable those skilled in the art to better understand the present invention, the technical solutions of the present invention will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings of the embodiments of the present invention. Obviously, the described embodiments are only some embodiments of the present invention, and not all embodiments. Based on the embodiments of the present invention, all other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art without creative effort should fall within the scope of protection of the present invention.

[0019] It should be noted that the terms "first," "second," etc., in the specification, claims, and accompanying drawings of this invention are used to distinguish similar objects and are not necessarily used to describe a specific order or sequence. It should be understood that such data can be interchanged where appropriate so that the embodiments of the invention described herein can be implemented in orders other than those illustrated or described herein. Furthermore, the terms "comprising" and "having," and any variations thereof, are intended to cover a non-exclusive inclusion; for example, a process, method, system, product, or apparatus that comprises a series of steps or units is not necessarily limited to those steps or units explicitly listed, but may include other steps or units not explicitly listed or inherent to such processes, methods, products, or apparatus.

[0020] This embodiment provides a method for measuring the channel gain and phase of a multi-channel TR component. A typical analog phased array component includes one power divider to distribute the power of one RF signal to N RF channels, such as... Figure 2 As shown, in this embodiment, during measurement, N RF channels are combined into a single channel signal using a combiner, and the input of the power divider and the output of the combined signal are connected to the two ends of the vector network.

[0021] The general measurement process for a single RF channel is as follows. Taking the gain and phase measurement of the i-th channel as an example, the measurement process is as follows: 1) Open the i-th channel; 2) Close other unwanted channels; 3) Use an instrument to directly read the gain and phase of the output signal of the i-th channel.

[0022] The main problem in the above measurement process is in step 2). To reduce circuit complexity, some multi-channel TR components share a power switch. This makes it impossible to individually turn on a single channel of the entire N-channel TR component. Instead, an adjustable attenuator is used to attenuate the TR channels not involved in the measurement to their maximum (e.g., 30dB). However, the channels not involved in the measurement cannot be completely turned off. When there are many channels, these multiple weak signals will be superimposed on the signal of the desired channel and output to the vector network, thus affecting the measurement results of the desired channel.

[0023] This embodiment addresses the situation where the TR channel cannot be turned off independently. By controlling the phase of the undesired channel, the influence of the weak signal from the undesired channel on the desired channel is eliminated through cancellation, thereby improving the accuracy of channel measurement.

[0024] The method is as follows: When measuring the i-th channel, set the attenuation and phase of the i-th channel to 0°, set the attenuation of the remaining channels to the maximum, and set the phase to 0°. Record the gain and phase on the current vector network. Then, reverse the phase of the remaining channels by 180°, and record the phase and gain again through the vector network. Average the two results and calculate the desired gain and phase using software.

[0025] Taking an N=4 channel TR module as an example, the specific implementation of the present invention will be described. The TR module comprises three core parts: a 4-channel power divider, a 4-channel amplitude and phase control module, and a 4-channel transmit and receive amplifier. The TR module is interconnected with a combiner board, and then the two ends of the vector network analyzer are connected to the power divider input and the combiner output of the channels. The vector network analyzer is used to measure the system.

[0026] The structure of an N-channel combiner board is shown below. When designing the combiner board, ensure consistency in phase and attenuation across the four channels. The channels should be routed symmetrically on the RF traces. A symmetrical routing structure for a 4-channel combiner board PCB is shown below. Figure 3 As shown.

[0027] Taking the measurement of the i-th channel as an example, the measurement process is as follows (represented by a flowchart for i=1~4). See the flowchart for the steps of performing the measurement method for all four channels. Figure 4 .

[0028] 1) Set the attenuation of the i-th channel to 0 and the phase to 0°.

[0029] The purpose of this step is to configure the target channel (i.e., channel i) as the reference measurement state. Setting the attenuation to 0 (or the minimum setting) ensures that the signal from the target channel passes through with its maximum (or known) amplitude, providing the strongest effective signal for the measurement and improving the signal-to-noise ratio. Setting the phase to 0° establishes a known initial phase reference for the target signal vector of this channel. This setting makes the target signal vector the target vector that needs to be accurately separated and solved in subsequent calculations.

[0030] 2) Set the attenuation of other channels to maximum and the phase to 0°.

[0031] This step configures all non-target channels (i.e., interference channels). Setting the attenuation to maximum (e.g., 30dB) is an attempt to suppress these channels to the greatest extent possible in hardware, simulating a shut-off state. However, due to circuit limitations (such as shared power supply), the signal cannot be completely cut off, resulting in leakage signals. The key is to uniformly set the phase of all non-target channels to 0°, which causes their respective weak leakage signals to superimpose in phase at the combiner. This in-phase superposition forms a stable and predictable interference vector. The sum of the target signal vector and the interference vector is a composite vector. This step sets the measurement conditions for the composite vector for the first measurement.

[0032] 3) Read the gain of the vector network, denoted as .

[0033] The first measurement is performed. The vector network analyzer (VNA) measures the total signal synthesized by the combiner. This total signal is the vector sum of the target channel vector and the interference vector. Therefore, it is the magnitude (amplitude) of the composite vector. Due to the presence of the interference vector, This is not the actual gain of the i-th channel.

[0034] 4) Read the phase of the vector network, denoted as .

[0035] This step is performed simultaneously with step 3) to obtain the phase information of the first measurement. It is the phase angle of the composite vector. and Together, they constitute the complete complex (vector) result of the first measurement. This result is recorded for subsequent cancellation calculations.

[0036] 5) Keep the settings of the i-th channel unchanged, keep the attenuation of other channels unchanged, and set the phase to 180°.

[0037] Keep the i-th channel settings unchanged: This ensures the target signal vector remains constant between the two measurements, which is the basis for subsequent vector operations. Keep the attenuation of other channels constant: This ensures the leakage signal amplitude of each non-target channel remains consistent with that in step 2). Set the phase to 180°: Invert the phase of all non-target channels. This operation inverts the phase of each leakage signal by 180°, therefore, their interference vectors are also inverted by 180° as a whole. This step sets the measurement conditions for the second measurement, creating an interference state symmetrical to the first measurement.

[0038] 6) Read the gain of the vector network, denoted as .

[0039] Perform a second measurement. The vector network analyzer measures the vector sum of the target signal vector and the inverted interference vector. Therefore, It is the magnitude of the new composite vector.

[0040] 7) Read the phase of the vector network, denoted as .

[0041] Obtain the phase information from the second measurement. It is the phase angle of the new composite vector. and This constitutes the complete complex result of the second measurement.

[0042] 8) Calculate the average of the two results. .

[0043] The formula first combines the amplitude and phase of the two measurements ( , and , The interference vectors are converted back to their complex vector form, and then averaged. By adding the two measurements as vectors, the positive and negative interference vectors cancel each other out, resulting in a sum of zero. A subsequent division by 2 restores the superimposed target channel vectors to a single target channel vector. Calculation results (A complex number) mathematically precisely isolates the true, interference-free complex signal vector of the i-th channel.

[0044] 9) To Calculate the modulus to obtain the desired gain.

[0045] The modulus of a complex number represents the length or magnitude of the vector. The result obtained by calculating the modulus is the true signal amplitude of the target channel. This amplitude value is the desired gain, which completely eliminates the measurement error introduced by leakage signals from other channels.

[0046] 10) To Find the phase angle to obtain the desired phase.

[0047] The phase angle of a complex number represents the phase of the vector. The result obtained by calculating the phase angle is the true signal phase of the target channel. This phase value is the desired phase. Combined with the desired gain obtained in step 9), we obtain accurate measurement results of the gain and phase of the i-th channel, which can be used for subsequent channel consistency compensation.

[0048] The main innovation of this invention compared to the traditional gain and phase measurement method for TR components is as follows: 1) High measurement accuracy: Through two measurements and complex averaging, measurement interference caused by undesirable channels is eliminated.

[0049] 2) Low hardware requirements: No switch is needed to control the opening or closing of individual channels in the TR component, allowing the TR component to adopt a common power supply and common switch design, thereby saving circuit area and reducing hardware complexity and cost.

[0050] 3) High testing efficiency: Through the use of a combiner board and phase cancellation and phase angle control to resist interference, the measurement process does not require frequent replacement of channel cables. Only one hardware connection is needed to start the software to automatically complete the measurement of all N channels. This avoids the large amount of labor and time costs required by repeatedly replacing channel cables in traditional single-channel measurements, and greatly improves the testing efficiency of multi-channel TR components in mass production.

[0051] The sequence numbers of the embodiments in this application are for descriptive purposes only and do not represent the superiority or inferiority of the embodiments.

[0052] In the above embodiments of this application, the descriptions of each embodiment have different focuses. For parts not described in detail in a certain embodiment, please refer to the relevant descriptions of other embodiments.

[0053] In the several embodiments provided in this application, it should be understood that the disclosed technical content can be implemented in other ways. The device embodiments described above are merely illustrative; for example, the division of units can be a logical functional division, and in actual implementation, there may be other division methods. For instance, multiple units or components may be combined or integrated into another system, or some features may be ignored or not executed. Furthermore, the displayed or discussed mutual coupling, direct coupling, or communication connection may be through some interfaces; the indirect coupling or communication connection between units or modules may be electrical or other forms.

[0054] The units described as separate components may or may not be physically separate. The components shown as units may or may not be physical units; that is, they may be located in one place or distributed across multiple units. Some or all of the units can be selected to achieve the purpose of this embodiment according to actual needs.

[0055] The above description is only a preferred embodiment of this application. It should be noted that for those skilled in the art, several improvements and modifications can be made without departing from the principle of this application, and these improvements and modifications should also be considered within the scope of protection of this application.

[0056] It should be understood that the above description is for illustrative purposes and not for limitation. Many embodiments and applications beyond the provided examples will be apparent to those skilled in the art upon reading the above description. Therefore, the scope of this patent should not be determined by reference to the above description, but rather by reference to the foregoing claims and the full scope of their equivalents. For purposes of completeness, all articles and references, including patent applications and publications, are incorporated herein by reference. The omission of any aspect of the subject matter disclosed herein in the foregoing claims is not intended as a waiver of that subject matter, nor should it be construed as an indication that the applicant has not considered that subject matter as part of the disclosed inventive subject matter.

Claims

1. A method for measuring the channel gain and phase of a multi-channel TR component, characterized in that, The process includes the following: S1, set the target channel as the reference attenuation and reference phase; S2, set non-target channels other than the target channel to high attenuation and first phase; S3, Measure the synthesized output signal of the multi-channel TR component to obtain the first complex measurement result; S4, keep the reference attenuation and reference phase of the target channel unchanged, keep the high attenuation of the non-target channel unchanged, set the non-target channel as the second phase, and the second phase is out of phase with the first phase; S5, measure the synthesized output signal of the multi-channel TR component again to obtain the second complex measurement result; S6, perform vector averaging on the first complex measurement result and the second complex measurement result to obtain the complex signal vector; S7: Calculate the modulus of the complex signal vector to obtain the gain of the target channel; calculate the phase angle of the complex signal vector to obtain the phase of the target channel.

2. The method for measuring channel gain and phase of a multi-channel TR component according to claim 1, characterized in that, The reference attenuation is zero, and the reference phase is zero-degree phase.

3. The method for measuring channel gain and phase of a multi-channel TR component according to claim 1, characterized in that, High attenuation refers to the maximum attenuation of the non-target channel.

4. The method for measuring channel gain and phase of a multi-channel TR component according to claim 1, characterized in that, The first phase is the zero-degree phase.

5. The method for measuring channel gain and phase of a multi-channel TR component according to claim 1, characterized in that, The specific process of S3 is as follows: read the first gain and the first phase through the vector network analyzer; convert the first gain and the first phase into the first complex measurement result.

6. The method for measuring channel gain and phase of a multi-channel TR component according to claim 1, characterized in that, The specific process of S5 is as follows: read the second gain and the second phase through a vector network analyzer; convert the second gain and the second phase into the second complex number measurement result.

7. The method for measuring channel gain and phase of a multi-channel TR component according to claim 1, characterized in that, The specific process of S6 is as follows: add the first complex measurement result and the second complex measurement result into a vector; divide the result of the vector addition by two to obtain the complex signal vector.

8. The method for measuring channel gain and phase of a multi-channel TR component according to claim 1, characterized in that, Before measuring the synthesized output signal of the multi-channel TR component, connect the power divider input of the multi-channel TR component to the port of the vector network analyzer; connect the multi-channel output of the multi-channel TR component to the input of the combiner board; and connect the synthesized output of the combiner board to the other port of the vector network analyzer.

9. The method for measuring channel gain and phase of a multi-channel TR component according to claim 8, characterized in that, The combiner board is an N-channel combiner board, and all channels of the N-channel combiner board satisfy the requirements of equal amplitude and in-phase.

10. The method for measuring channel gain and phase of a multi-channel TR component according to claim 1, characterized in that, For each of the N channels of the multi-channel TR component, steps S1-S7 are performed to obtain the gain and phase of each channel in sequence.

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