Phased array antenna and calibration board for phased array antenna

Abstract

The present invention provides a phased array antenna [100], comprising: a plurality of dual- polarized radiating elements [101], each integrated with a power divider [104], wherein the power divider [104] has a pre-determined amplitude and phase; and a plurality of antenna columns [106] arranged in a pre-defined pattern to improve cross-polarization Ratio (CPR), wherein the antenna columns [106] are separated by metallic walls [108] for port-to-port isolation and beam width improvement; and a calibration board [200] to calibrate the plurality of antenna columns [106].

Description

PHASED ARRAY ANTENNA AND CALIBRATION BOARD FOR PHASED ARRAY ANTENNA FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The present invention generally relates to an antenna of a wireless communication system. In particular, the present invention relates to an architecture of a massive multiple-input- multiple-output (MIMO) antenna of a wireless communication system. BACKGROUND

[0002] The following description of related art is intended to provide background information pertaining to the field of the invention. This section may include certain aspects of the art that may be related to various features of the present invention. However, it should be appreciated that this section be used only to enhance the understanding of the reader with respect to the present invention, and not as admissions of prior art.

[0003] Currently, fifth generation (5G) communication technology is being deployed, promising faster data speeds, low latency, and the ability to connect multiple devices simultaneously. In these technologies, communication devices have started to utilize higher communication bands in order to support higher data-flow rates. A 5G Macro-Cell is a part of a radio access network (RAN) and provides radio coverage for a cellular network. It transmits and receives radio signals using a Massive multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) antenna. The antenna design is based on various critical antenna parameters like Gain, Side-lobe levels (SLL), Cross-polarization Discrimination (XPD) in the entire vertical and horizontal steering range required to cover a sector of a macro cell. Currently available massive MIMO antennae have limitations of low cross-polarization discrimination (XPD) and lower sidelobe suppression levels over the entire horizontal and vertical beam steering ranges of the antennae.

[0004] Thus, there is a requirement in the art for a massive MIMO antenna that has improved cross-polarization discrimination and higher lower sidelobe suppression levels over the entire horizontal and vertical beam steering ranges of the antenna. OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION

[0005] Some of the objects of the present invention, which at least one embodiment disclosed herein satisfies are listed herein below.

[0006] An object of the present invention is to provide a phased array antenna for massive multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) applications that provide enhanced network coverage.

[0007] Another object of the present invention is to provide a phased array antenna that exhibits improved cross-polarization discrimination over the entire horizontal and vertical beam steering ranges.

[0008] Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a phased array antenna with improved sidelobe suppression levels over the entire horizontal and vertical beam steering ranges. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0009] This section is provided to introduce certain implementations of the present invention in a simplified form that are further described below in the detailed description. This summary is not intended to identify the key features or the scope of the claimed subject matter.

[0010] According to an aspect of the present invention, a phased array antenna is disclosed. The phased array antenna includes a plurality of dual-polarized radiating elements, each integrated with a power divider. The power divider has a pre-determined amplitude and phase. The phased array antenna includes a plurality of antenna columns arranged in a pre-defined pattern to improve cross- polarization Ratio (CPR). The antenna columns are separated by metallic walls for port-to-port isolation and beam width improvement.

[0011] In an exemplary aspect, the power divider has a 1:4 design structure.

[0012] In an exemplary aspect, the phased array antenna comprises at least 4-radiating elements subarray design with the 1:4 power divider.

[0013] In an exemplary aspect, the phased array antenna is simulated with at least a radome design.

[0014] In an exemplary aspect, the pre-defined pattern corresponds to a zigzag pattern.

[0015] In an exemplary aspect, the phased array antenna includes at least an 8x8 phased array antenna design.

[0016] In an exemplary aspect, the phased array antenna includes at least a 32T32R phased array antenna design.

[0017] In an exemplary aspect, the phased array antenna includes a calibration board to calibrate the plurality of antenna columns. The calibration board includes a 1:2 stripline-based power divider, a power divider with 32 ports comprising a first 1:16 power divider for a first polarization and a second 1:16 power divider for a second polarization, a directional coupler integrated with each port of the power divider, stitching vias across the stripline to prevent electromagnetic field leakage, and a C-shaped shorting structure to improve return loss performance. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0018] The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated herein, and constitute a part of this invention, illustrate exemplary embodiments of the disclosed methods and systems in which like reference numerals refer to the same parts throughout the different drawings. Components in the drawings are not necessarily to scale, emphasis instead being placed upon clearly illustrating the principles of the present invention. Some drawings may indicate the components using block diagrams and may not represent the internal circuitry of each component. It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that invention of such drawings includes invention of electrical components, electronic components or circuitry commonly used to implement such components.

[0019] FIG.1A illustrates a schematic layout view of a phased array antenna, in accordance with exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0020] FIG. 1B illustrates a schematic sectional profile view of the phased array antenna, in accordance with exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0021] FIG. 2 illustrates a schematic layout view of a calibration board for a phased array antenna, in accordance with exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0022] The foregoing shall be more apparent from the following more detailed description of the disclosure. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0023] In the following description, for the purposes of explanation, various specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of embodiments of the present disclosure. It will be apparent, however, that embodiments of the present disclosure may be practiced without these specific details. Several features described hereafter may each be used independently of one another or with any combination of other features. An individual feature may not address any of the problems discussed above or might address only some of the problems discussed above.

[0024] The ensuing description provides exemplary embodiments only, and is not intended to limit the scope, applicability, or configuration of the disclosure. Rather, the ensuing description of the exemplary embodiments will provide those skilled in the art with an enabling description for implementing an exemplary embodiment. It should be understood that various changes may be made in the function and arrangement of elements without departing from the spirit and scope of the disclosure as set forth.

[0025] Specific details are given in the following description to provide a thorough understanding of the embodiments. However, it will be understood by one of ordinary skill in the art that the embodiments may be practiced without these specific details. For example, circuits, systems, processes, and other components may be shown as components in block diagram form in order not to obscure the embodiments in unnecessary detail. In other instances, well-known circuits, processes, algorithms, structures, and techniques may be shown without unnecessary detail in order to avoid obscuring the embodiments.

[0026] The word “exemplary” and / or “demonstrative” is used herein to mean serving as an example, instance, or illustration. For the avoidance of doubt, the subject matter disclosed herein is not limited by such examples. In addition, any aspect or design described herein as “exemplary” and / or “demonstrative” is not necessarily to be construed as preferred or advantageous over other aspects or designs, nor is it meant to preclude equivalent exemplary structures and techniques known to those of ordinary skill in the art. Furthermore, to the extent that the terms “includes,” “has,” “contains,” and other similar words are used in either the detailed description or the claims, such terms are intended to be inclusive in a manner similar to the term “comprising” as an open transition word—without precluding any additional or other elements.

[0027] As discussed in the background section, the current known solutions have several shortcomings. The present disclosure aims to overcome the above-mentioned and other existing problems in this field of technology by providing an architecture for a phased array antenna.

[0028] FIG. 1A illustrates a schematic layout view of a phased array antenna

[0100] , in accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure. In an embodiment, the phased array antenna

[0100] is implemented for massive multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO)-based communication devices. The phased array antenna

[0100] includes a plurality of dual-polarized radiating elements

[0101] , a power divider

[0104] for each subarray, a plurality of antenna columns

[0106] , and metallic walls

[0108] . Also, in FIG.1A only a few components are shown, however, the phased array antenna may comprise multiple components as required to implement the features of the present disclosure.

[0029] As used herein, subarray refers to a subset or a part of the phased array antenna to simplify the control and operation of the phased array antenna. The subarray may include a predefined number of radiating elements. For example, the predefined number of radiating elements may correspond to 2 radiating elements, 4 radiating elements, 6 radiating elements, and the like. In an exemplary implementation, a 1:4 subarray design may consist of a group of 4 radiating elements.

[0030] One column (e.g., column 106a) of the phased array antenna may include a top subarray power divider and a bottom subarray power divider. The top subarray power divider refers to a first power divider integrated with a first set of radiating elements, positioned in the top position, in an antenna column. The first set of radiating elements may form a top subarray. The bottom subarray power divider refers to a second power divider integrated with a second set of radiating elements, positioned in the bottom position, in the same antenna column. The second set ofradiating elements may form a bottom subarray. In an example, the first column of the phased array antenna may include the first 4 radiating elements (hereinafter referred to as 1stradiating element, 2ndradiating element, 3rdradiating element, 4thradiating element) in the top position, and the second 4 radiating elements (5thradiating element, 6thradiating element, 7thradiating element, 8thradiating element) in the bottom position.

[0031] As used herein, the phased array antenna refers to a type of antenna consisting of the plurality of dual-polarized radiating elements to independently control the phase and amplitude of the signal it transmits and receives. In other words, the phased array antenna refers to an array of radiating elements that creates a beam of radio waves that may be electronically steered to point in different directions without moving the position of the antennas. In an implementation of the present disclosure, the phased array antenna may include at least an 8*8 phased array antenna design. The 8*8 phased array antenna design refers to the presence of a maximum of 8 radiating elements in the horizontal directions per row and the presence of a maximum of 8 radiating elements in the vertical directions per column. There may be 8 columns of top and bottom subarrays. In an implementation of the present disclosure, the phased array antenna may include at least a 32T32R phased array antenna design. The 32T refers to 32 transmitters and 32R refers to 32 receivers in the phased array antenna. In another implementation of the present disclosure, the phased array antenna may include any suitable number of transmitters and receivers in the array based on the requirement.

[0032] As used herein, dual-polarized radiating element refers to the transmission or reception of electromagnetic waves by a radiating element in two different polarizations (e.g., +45° & -45° polarizations) simultaneously. In a non-limiting exemplary embodiment, the dual-polarized radiating element facilitates increased capacity, improves signal quality, optimizes spectrum utilization, and the like.

[0033] As used herein, the plurality of antenna columns refers to the number of columns in a phased array antenna. Each column has a pre-defined number of radiating elements. In an exemplary implementation, each column has 8 radiating elements. In other non-limiting implementations, each column may have 2, 4, 6, or more radiating elements.

[0034] As used herein, a power divider is used to divide or split a single input signal into multiple output signals. The 1:4 power divider may operate to split a single input signal into four equaloutput signals. In the antenna arrays, a power divider is used to divide the power between various radiating elements of the array.

[0035] As used herein, the metallic wall refers to a layer of metal between at least two columns for port-to-port isolation and beam width improvement.

[0036] As used herein, a balun (‘bal’anced to ‘un’balanced) refers to an electrical device that enables conversions between a balanced signal and an unbalanced signal. In a non-limiting embodiment, the function of the balun includes but is not limited to impedance matching, conversion of balanced signals to unbalanced signals, prevent feed line radiations, and reduction of unwanted current and radiations.

[0037] As used herein, cross-polarization discrimination (XPD) refers to a ratio of a co-polar component having a specified polarization to a co-polar component having an orthogonal polarization over a beam steering range of an antenna. For example, XPD refers to a ratio of a co- polar component having a +45 degrees polarization to a co-polar component having a -45 degrees polarization over the entire vertical and horizontal beam steering range.

[0038] As used herein, port-to-port isolation refers to a property of a phased array antenna that limits signals from one port of the phased array antenna from interfering with signals from another port of the phased array antenna. For example, port-to-port isolation refers to limiting interference between signals from radiating elements of an antenna column, and signals from radiating elements of an adjacent antenna column.

[0039] As used herein, return loss of a signal may be an amount of power returned or reflected due to a discontinuity in the path of transmission of the signal. Further, the return loss may be defined as a ratio of incident or input power to the reflected or return power of a signal, and the return loss may be measured in decibels.

[0040] As used herein, radome refers to a protective enclosure to protect the phased array antenna from environmental elements (weather conditions, physical hazards) to prevent signal attenuation or signal distortion.

[0041] As shown in the FIG. 1A, the phased array antenna

[0100] includes the plurality of dual- polarized radiating elements

[0101] . Each of the plurality of dual-polarized radiating elements

[0101] is integrated with a power divider

[0104] . The power divider

[0104] has a pre-determined amplitude and phase. In an exemplary implementation, the amplitude and phase values used in a top subarray power divider [105a] and a bottom subarray power divider [105b] are provided below: Top Subarray Power DividerBottom Subarray PowerDivider1st2nd3rd4th5th6th7th8thradiati radiati radiati radiati radiati radiati radiati radiati ng ng ng ng ng ng ng ng eleme eleme eleme eleme eleme eleme eleme eleme nt nt nt nt nt nt nt nt Amplit ude0.6 0.75 0.9 1 1 0.9 0.75 0.6Phase 0 -30 -60 -90 0 -30 -60 -90

[0042] The values of amplitude and phase may vary based on various factors such as but not limited to vertical spacing between the radiating elements, beam tilt, and required sidelobe levels. The power divider

[0104] has a 1:4 design structure. The 1:4 design structure refers to the division of power from a single source to multiple sources (i.e., 4). In a non-limiting implementation, the power divider

[0104] may have at least one from among a 1:2 design structure, 1:4 design structure, 1:6 design structure, 1:8 design structure, 1:10 design structure, and the like.

[0043] The phased array antenna

[0100] includes the plurality of antenna columns

[0106] . The plurality of antenna columns

[0106] is arranged in a pre-defined pattern to improve the cross- polarization discrimination (XPD). The pre-defined pattern corresponds to a zigzag pattern. As used herein, the zigzag pattern refers to an arrangement of radiating elements

[0101] such that the positions of the radiating elements

[0101] along the length of the corresponding antenna column are offset relative to adjacent antenna columns. For example, the radiating elements

[0101] in a column [106a] are offset relative to corresponding radiating elements

[0101] in an adjacent column [106b], along the length of the respective columns [106a, 106b]. As shown in FIG.1A, the adjacent column [106b] also separately illustrates the subarray design comprised of 4 radiating elements. In an exemplary implementation, the XPD of the phased array antenna is more than 18 decibels (dB). In another exemplary implementation, the range of the XPD may vary as per the requirement of the phased array antenna

[0100] .

[0044] FIG. 1B illustrates a schematic sectional profile view of the phased array antenna

[0100] , in accordance with exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure. Referring to FIGs. 1A and 1B, the phased array antenna

[0100] includes the metallic walls

[0108] . The antenna columns

[0106] are separated by the metallic walls

[0108] for port-to-port isolation and beam width improvements. In an embodiment, the port-to-port isolation occurs within a single column and between columns. In an exemplary implementation, each metallic wall

[0108] in between adjacent antenna columns is made of aluminium and has a wall height of 8 millimeters (~λ / 10) and thickness of 1 millimeter. In another exemplary implementation, the material, height, and thickness of the metallic walls

[0108] may vary based on the requirement and design. The phased array antenna also includes a radome

[0109] to protect the phased array antenna from environmental elements (weather conditions, physical hazards) to prevent signal attenuation or signal distortion.

[0045] FIG. 1B further illustrates an exploded view of a radiating element

[0101] . The radiating element

[0101] is arranged on top of a reflector

[0110] . The reflector

[0110] is located on a surface of a printed circuit board (PCB) and is adapted to reflect antenna signals. The radiating element

[0101] includes the radiator

[0102] (the top surface of the radiator as also shown in FIG.1A) and the balun

[0114] . The balun

[0114] includes one or more traces

[0112] that are adapted to supply electric power from the power divider

[0104] (shown in FIG. 1A) to the radiator

[0102] . Also, in FIG. 1B only a few components are shown, however, the radiating element assembly may comprise multiple components, as required to implement the features of the present disclosure.

[0046] In an implementation, the phased array antenna

[0100] comprises at least a 4-radiating element-based antenna subarray design. In other words, a subarray of the phased array antenna

[0100] comprises at least 4 radiating elements

[0101] . In other non-exemplary implementations, the phased array antenna

[0100] comprises at least 1-radiating element, 2-radiating elements, 3- radiating elements, 5-radiating elements, 6-radiating elements subarray design, or combinations thereof.

[0047] In an implementation, the polarization mode of the radiating elements

[0101] is ±45-degree polarization. In another implementation, the radiating elements can be single-polarized. In yet another implementation, the polarization mode is alternatively horizontal or vertical polarization or left-hand or right-hand circular polarization.

[0048] Each subarray has a feed point. The radiating elements

[0101] of each subarray are adapted to receive power through a power divider

[0104] . For an array comprising 4 radiating elements

[0101] , the power divider

[0104] has a 1:4 design structure. In other words, the power divider

[0104] is adapted to divide a received power 4-ways, each to one of the radiating elements

[0101] . In an implementation, the power divider

[0104] is a -T-junction power divider. In another non-limiting implementation, the power divider

[0104] is selected from a group consisting of a Wilkinson power divider, a series-feed power divider, and combinations thereof.

[0049] In an implementation, the phased array antenna

[0100] comprises at least an 8x8 phased array antenna design. In another implementation, the phased array antenna

[0100] may comprise an x*x phased array antenna design, wherein the x may be selected from a group comprising 2, 4, 6, 10, 12, 14, and the like.

[0050] In an implementation, the phased array antenna

[0100] comprises at least a 32T32R phased array antenna design. In another non-limiting implementation, the phased array antenna

[0100] is selected from a group comprising 8T8R, 16T16R, and 64T64R phased array antenna designs or combinations thereof.

[0051] In an implementation, the phased array antenna design is adapted for massive MIMO radio in the n78 band. In another implementation, the band may vary as per the requirements.

[0052] In an implementation, the phased array antenna

[0100] is simulated with at least a radome design. In another implementation, the phased array may be simulated with another antenna simulation technique.

[0053] FIG. 2 illustrates a schematic layout view of a calibration board

[0200] for the phased array antenna

[0100] , in accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure. Referring to FIGs. 1A to 2, the calibration board

[0200] is adapted to calibrate each radiating element

[0101] in the plurality of antenna columns

[0106] of the phased array antenna

[0100] . The calibration board

[0200] is useful for adjusting the phase and amplitude of the various radio frequency paths (e.g., 32 numbers) by the massive MIMO radio before forming the beam in the desired direction.

[0054] The calibration board

[0200] includes a 1:2 stripline-based power divider

[0202] , and a power divider

[0204] with 32 ports. The power divider

[0204] with 32 ports includes a first 1:16power divider [204a] for a first polarization and a second 1:16 power divider [204b] for a second polarization. The calibration board

[0200] further includes a directional coupler

[0206] integrated with each port of the power divider

[0202] . Further, the calibration board

[0200] has a stitching vias

[0208] across the stripline to prevent electromagnetic field leakage. Moreover, the calibration board

[0200] has a C-shaped shorting structure

[0210] to improve return loss performance. Also, the calibration board

[0200] has an antenna coupler port

[0212] in each of the ports of the power divider. Also, in FIG. 2 only a few components are shown, however, the calibration board may comprise multiple components as required to implement the features of the present disclosure.

[0055] As used herein, a stripline-based power divider includes a stripline, which is a type of transmission line where electromagnetic waves (such as electric signals) propagate in a transverse electromagnetic mode. As a result, the stripline-based power divider has reduced signal distortion and loss. In an implementation, the stripline-based power divider (e.g., Wilkinson Power Divider) has a 1:2 configuration, which refers to the stripline power divider having a single input and two major outputs. In other words, the single electrical input received by the stripline is split into two.

[0056] As used herein, the power divider is utilized to divide or split a single input signal into multiple output signals. The power divider includes 32 ports. In implementation for an 8*8 array, i.e., 64 radiating elements, 32T32R radio configuration, one such 32-port power divider may be used. The 32-port power divider has two 1:16 configured power dividers. A first 1:16 power divider [204a] is for the first polarization, and a second 1:16 power divider [204b] is for a second polarization. The first 1:16 power divider and the second 1:16 power divider form a 1:32 power divider. In an exemplary implementation, the 1:32 power divider is a Wilkinson Power Divider.

[0057] As used herein, a directional coupler is coupled to each port of the power divider and is adapted to sample the signals from the associated port with a predetermined degree of coupling, with high isolation between the ports. The directional coupler is adapted to allow for measurements of the sampled signals for analysis of the signal flow in the power divider. In other words, the directional coupler in the context of a calibration board is a component used for the calibration of the phased array antenna. In an exemplary implementation, the calibration board includes a 4-port directional coupler design. In another implementation, the number of directional couplers may vary as per the requirement of the phased array antenna.

[0058] As used herein, stitching vias are a periodic array of vias that are generally grounded across a printed circuit board (PCB) stack. The stitching vias serve as connections for essential zones on the PCB, such as, without limitations, ground planes, power nets, and signal paths.

[0059] As used herein, the C-shaped shorting structure is used to improve return loss performance. The return loss performance is defined as the degree of effectiveness of an antenna to handle and minimize the reflection of signals back toward the signal source.

[0060] As used herein, the antenna coupler port in a power divider acts as an interface to couple the RF power from the connected phased array antenna structure for calibration purpose.

[0061] In an implementation of the present disclosure, the 1:2 stripline-based power divider is a Wilkinson Power Divider (WPD).

[0062] In continued reference to FIGs.1A to 2, in an embodiment, the calibration board

[0200] is adapted to be integrated with the phased array antenna

[0100] . In an implementation, the integration of the calibration board

[0200] with the phased array antenna

[0100] includes the step of coupling the first power divider [204a] and the second power divider [204b] to the phased array antenna

[0100] . In an implementation, antenna coupler ports

[0212] of the first power divider [204a] and antenna coupler ports

[0212] of the second power divider [204b] are connected to the phased array antenna

[0100] . In an example, the connections between the antenna coupler ports and the first and / or second power divider [204a, 204b] are via any one or a combination of a direct solder, and a connector mechanism.

[0063] In an exemplary implementation of the phased array antenna, the soldering of +45 / -45 balun to the radiator

[0102] is performed. As used herein, the balun is an electrical device to convert between balanced and unbalanced signals in transmission lines. The balun may ensure that the Radio Frequency (RF) transmission lines of the sub-array power divider

[0104] may be interfaced without disrupting the RF signal performance.

[0064] The integration of the phased array antenna

[0100] further includes the step of soldering the plurality of radiating elements on the power divider

[0104] of the phased array antenna

[0100] . More particularly, mounting of the plurality of radiating elements on the 1:4 power divider feeding structure.

[0065] The integration of the phased array antenna

[0100] further includes the step of arranging the antenna columns

[0106] which includes the assembly of sub-arrays consisting of radiating elements on top of the power divider

[0104] . Each antenna column

[0106] in the top position includes four radiating elements

[0101] .16 antenna columns are arranged in a top-and-bottom configuration over a reflector

[0110] to provide an 8*8 massive MIMO phased antenna array. More particularly, the integration involves the step of placing sixteen 1:4 sub-arrays in top and bottom fashion over the reflector to provide an 8*8 massive MIMO phased antenna array.

[0066] Lastly, the integration of the calibration board

[0200] with the phased array antenna

[0100] includes the step of integrating the calibration board

[0200] with the phased array antenna

[0100] of the present disclosure. In an implementation, the antenna coupler ports of the calibration board are connected to the phased array antenna

[0100] sub-array power divider input ports either by direct solder or through connector mechanism.

[0067] As is evident from the above description, the present invention provides the phased array antenna

[0100] and the calibration board

[0200] adapted to be integrated with the phased array antenna

[0100] . The phased array antenna

[0100] is adapted to facilitate enhanced network coverage over a wider bandwidth due to its reduced RF signal leakage that is facilitated by the presence of metallic walls

[0108] between the antenna columns

[0106] . Further, due to the integration of the calibration board

[0200] with the phased array antenna

[0100] , the phased array antenna

[0100] exhibits better performance in beam steering. Furthermore, the zigzag arrangement of the radiating elements

[0101] in the antenna columns

[0106] facilitates an improved cross-polarization ratio. The phased array antenna

[0100] meets the required critical antenna parameters like Gain, Side-lobe levels (SLL), and Cross-polarization Discrimination (XPD) in the entire vertical and horizontal steering range required to cover a sector of a macro cell.

[0068] It should be noted that the terms "first", "second", "primary", "secondary", "target" and the like, herein do not denote any order, ranking, quantity, or importance, but rather are used to distinguish one element from another.

[0069] While considerable emphasis has been placed herein on the disclosed implementations, it will be appreciated that many implementations can be made and that many changes can be made to the implementations without departing from the principles of the present disclosure. These andother changes in the implementations of the present disclosure will be apparent to those skilled in the art, whereby it is to be understood that the foregoing descriptive matter to be implemented is illustrative and non-limiting.

Claims

We Claim:

1. A phased array antenna [100], comprising: ^ a plurality of dual-polarized radiating elements [101], each integrated with a power divider [104], wherein the power divider [104] has a pre-determined amplitude and phase; and ^ a plurality of antenna columns [106] arranged in a pre-defined pattern to improve cross- polarization Ratio (CPR), wherein the antenna columns [106] are separated by metallic walls [108] for port-to-port isolation and beam width improvement.

2. The phased array antenna [100] as claimed in claim 1, wherein the power divider [104] has a 1:4 design structure.

3. The phased array antenna [100] as claimed in claim 1, comprises at least a 4-radiating element antenna subarray design with the 1:4 power divider.

4. The phased array antenna [100] as claimed in claim 1, wherein the phased array antenna [100] is simulated with at least a radome design.

5. The phased array antenna [100] as claimed in claim 1, wherein the pre-defined pattern corresponds to a zigzag pattern.

6. The phased array antenna [100] as claimed in claim 1, comprises at least an 8x8 phased array antenna design.

7. The phased array antenna [100] as claimed in claim 1, comprises at least a 32T32R phased array antenna design.

8. The phased array antenna [100] as claimed in claim 1, comprises a calibration board [200] to calibrate the plurality of antenna columns [106], wherein the calibration board [200] comprises: ^ a 1:2 stripline based power divider [202];^ a power divider [204] with 32 ports comprising a first 1:16 power divider [204a] for a first polarization and a second 1:16 power divider [204b] for a second polarization; ^ a directional coupler [206] integrated with each port of the power divider; ^ stitching vias [208] across the stripline to prevent electromagnetic field leakage; and ^ a C-shaped shorting structure [210] to improve return loss performance.

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