Phase detection system, phase detection method, and program

Abstract

This contributes to the rapid detection of phase changes and phase differences occurring in the signal in each of the multiple transmitting and receiving modules included in the array antenna. [Solution] The phase detection system according to this disclosure comprises an antenna element, a transmitting device and a receiving device that share the antenna element, a phase detection transmitting device, and a processor. The processor causes the transmitting device to transmit a carrier wave signal, causes the receiving device to receive the carrier wave signal reflected by the antenna element, detects a first phase change amount that has occurred in the carrier wave signal in the transmitting device and the receiving device, and detects a second phase change amount that has occurred in the carrier wave signal from the phase detection transmitting device in the receiving device that has received the carrier wave signal transmitted by the phase detection transmitting device.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] This disclosure relates to a phase detection system, a phase detection method, and a program. [Background technology]

[0002] An array antenna is known in which the antennas of multiple integrated transceiver modules (hereinafter referred to as "transceiver modules"), each comprising a transmitting circuit for transmitting radio signals, a receiving circuit for receiving radio signals, and an antenna, are arranged on a single plane. However, in the transmitting and receiving devices included in the multiple transceiver modules that make up the array antenna, phase differences may occur due to tolerances in the dimensions of the components that make them up and errors that occur during the manufacturing process. Furthermore, even if the dimensions of multiple identical components are exactly the same, phase differences may occur due to individual differences in each of the multiple components. Moreover, changes in the environment, such as temperature and humidity around the array antenna, and changes over time, can also cause phase differences between the multiple transceiver modules.

[0003] Therefore, it is necessary to detect and eliminate the phase difference between multiple transmitting and receiving modules included in an array antenna. For example, a method is known in which one of the transmitting and receiving modules included in the array antenna transmits a calibration signal, and the other transmitting and receiving modules use the calibration signal to detect the phase difference between the transmitting and receiving modules (Patent Document 1). [Prior art documents] [Patent Documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2023-088050 [Overview of the project] [Problems that the invention aims to solve]

[0005] The disclosures in the above prior art documents are incorporated into this document by reference. The following analysis was performed by the inventors.

[0006] However, the above-described method for detecting the phase difference between transmitting and receiving modules requires a calibration circuit in each module, which increases the number of components in the array antenna and complicates the configuration of the transmitting and receiving modules. Consequently, the size, weight, and power consumption of the array antenna increase.

[0007] The purpose of this disclosure is, in view of the above-mentioned problems, to contribute to preventing an increase in the size, weight, and power consumption of the array antenna in order to detect the amount of phase change and phase difference occurring in the signal in each of the multiple transmitting and receiving modules included in the array antenna. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] A phase detection system is provided according to a first perspective of this disclosure. The phase detection system comprises a plurality of transceiver modules, each including an antenna element, a transmitting device and a receiving device that share the antenna element, a phase detection transmitter, and one or more processors, wherein the one or more processors are configured to cause the transmitting device of one or more of the transceiver modules to transmit a carrier signal, to cause the receiving device to receive the carrier signal reflected by each of the antenna elements of one or more of the transceiver modules, including the transmitting device that transmitted the carrier signal, to detect a first phase change amount that has occurred in the carrier signal in each of the one or more transceiver modules, including the transmitting device that transmitted the carrier signal, to cause the phase detection transmitter to transmit the carrier signal to the antenna elements of all of the transceiver modules, and to detect a second phase change amount that has occurred in the carrier signal from the phase detection transmitter in the receiving device of at least one or more of the transceiver modules, including the transmitting device that transmitted the carrier signal.

[0009] A phase detection method is provided in a phase detection system comprising an antenna element, a plurality of transmitting and receiving modules each including a transmitting device and a receiving device that share the antenna element, and a phase detection transmitting device. The phase detection method includes causing the transmitting device of one or more of the transmitting and receiving modules to transmit a carrier signal, causing the receiving device to receive the carrier signal reflected by each of the antenna elements of one or more of the transmitting and receiving modules, including the transmitting device that transmitted the carrier signal, detecting a first phase change amount that has occurred in the carrier signal in the transmitting device and the receiving device in each of the one or more of the transmitting and receiving modules, including the transmitting device that transmitted the carrier signal, causing the phase detection transmitting device to transmit the carrier signal to the antenna elements of all of the transmitting and receiving modules, and detecting a second phase change amount that has occurred in the carrier signal from the phase detection transmitting device in the receiving device of at least one or more of the transmitting modules, including the transmitting device that transmitted the carrier signal.

[0010] A third perspective of this disclosure provides a program for a phase detection system comprising an antenna element, a plurality of transmit / receive modules each including a transmit / receive device and a receiver that share the antenna element, a phase detection transmitter, and one or more processors. The program causes one or more processors to execute the following processes: causing the transmit device of one or more of the transmit / receive modules to transmit a carrier signal; causing the receiver to receive the carrier signal reflected by each of the antenna elements of one or more of the transmit / receive modules, including the transmit device that transmitted the carrier signal; detecting a first phase change amount that has occurred in the carrier signal in the transmit device and the receiver in each of the one or more of the transmit / receive modules, including the transmit device that transmitted the carrier signal; causing the phase detection transmitter to transmit the carrier signal to the antenna elements of all of the transmit / receive modules; and detecting a second phase change amount that has occurred in the carrier signal from the phase detection transmitter in the receiver of at least one or more of the transmit / receive modules, including the transmit device that transmitted the carrier signal. This program can be recorded on a computer-readable storage medium. The storage medium may be a non-transitory medium such as semiconductor memory, hard disk, magnetic recording medium, or optical recording medium. This disclosure can be embodied as a computer program product. [Effects of the Invention]

[0011] Each viewpoint of this disclosure can help prevent an increase in the size, weight, and power consumption of the array antenna in order to detect the amount of phase change and phase difference occurring in the signal in each of the multiple transmitting and receiving modules included in the array antenna. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0012] [Figure 1] Figure 1 illustrates an example of a phase detection system according to one embodiment. [Figure 2]Figure 2 illustrates one example of the array antenna configuration of the communication device shown in Figure 1. [Figure 3] Figure 3 illustrates one example configuration of one of the n transmit / receive modules that make up the array antenna shown in Figure 2. [Figure 4] Figure 4 illustrates an example of the approximate positional relationship between the antenna of the phase detection transmitter shown in Figure 1 and two adjacent transmitting and receiving modules. [Figure 5A] Figure 5A is a diagram illustrating an example of the transmission and reception of radio signals in the transceiver module shown in Figures 2 and 3, as well as the transmission, reflection, and reception timing of a CW signal, using the phase angle of the CW signal as the unit. [Figure 5B] Figure 5B illustrates an example of the timing of transmission and reception of radio signals between the phase detection transmitter and the transceiver module, and the output of CW data in the transceiver module, using the phase angle of the CW signal as the unit. [Figure 6A] Figure 6A illustrates an example of a reference signal point in the IQ plane of a CW signal that is received in either the transmit or receive module to provide a reference for the amount of phase change occurring in the transmit or receive signal, and which serves as the reference for the phase difference. [Figure 6B] Figure 6B illustrates an example of a signal point in the IQ plane of a CW signal that is compared to the reference signal point shown in Figure 6A. [Figure 7] Figure 7 illustrates an example of a process (S10) in which the phase detection device of the phase detection system detects the amount of phase change and phase difference occurring in the transmitting and receiving devices of the transmission and reception modules of the communication device, and calculates calibration values. [Figure 8] Figure 8 illustrates an example of the hardware configuration of an information processing device capable of performing the processing illustrated in Figure 7. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0013] Embodiments of this disclosure will be described below with reference to the drawings. However, this disclosure is not limited to the embodiments described below. In each drawing, the same or corresponding elements are appropriately denoted by the same reference numerals, and the same or corresponding processes and communications are appropriately denoted by the same reference numerals. Furthermore, it should be noted that the drawings are schematic, and the dimensional relationships and proportions of each element may differ from reality. Also, the dimensional relationships and proportions may differ between drawings. In addition, the connecting lines between blocks in the drawings and other documents referred to in the following description include both bidirectional and unidirectional lines. Unidirectional arrows schematically indicate the flow of the main signal (data) and do not exclude bidirectionality.

[0014] Figure 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of a phase detection system 1 according to one embodiment. Figure 2 is a diagram illustrating an example configuration of the array antenna 140 of the communication device 2 shown in Figure 1. Figure 3 is a diagram illustrating an example configuration of one transceiver module 20-i among the n transceiver modules (transceiver devices) 20-1 to 20-n that constitute the array antenna 140 shown in Figure 2 (n≧2, n≧i≧1). Although Figure 3 shows the configuration when modulation and demodulation are performed analogously, among the components shown in Figure 3, components that perform processing that can be realized by digital calculations can be replaced as appropriate with components that perform signal processing digitally using a DSP (Digital Signal Processor) and FPGA (Field Programmable Gate Array), etc.

[0015] As shown in Figure 1, the phase detection system 1 comprises a communication device 2, a phase detection device 4, and a phase detection transmitter 6. The communication device 2 is, for example, a base station for a mobile phone system or a communication device for an artificial satellite, and as shown in Figure 2, comprises an array antenna 140 and transmit / receive modules 20-1 to 20-n, all of the same configuration and capable of performing the same operation, and further comprises a GPS (Global Positioning System) device (not shown) for measuring the latitude and longitude indicating the position of the communication device 2. In the phase detection system 1, the same device as that used in the communication device 2 may be used instead of the phase detection transmitter 6. In the phase detection system 1, the transmit / receive modules 20-1 to 20-n are arranged and fixed linearly or planarly inside the array antenna 140 along the surface 142 on which radio wave signals are transmitted and received in the array antenna 140.

[0016] As shown in Figures 2 and 3, the transmit / receive module 20-i comprises an antenna element 200-i, an antenna circuit 22-i, and a transmit / receive circuit 24-i, which are positioned on the surface 142 through which radio wave signals are transmitted and received in the array antenna 140. The antenna circuit 22-i includes a low-pass filter (LPF) 220-i and a circulator 222-i. Insofar as the quality of the transmitted signal in accordance with the Radio Law can be maintained, the low-pass filter 220-i may be replaced with a bandbus filter when various transmission signal interferences and reflections occur around the array antenna 140.

[0017] The transmitting / receiving circuit 24-i comprises a transmitting circuit 26-i and a receiving circuit 28-i. The transmitting circuit 26-i comprises a carrier data generation circuit 260-i, a digital-to-analog converter (DAC) 262-i, a modulation circuit 264-i, and a transmitting amplifier circuit 266-i. The receiving circuit 28-i comprises a receiving amplifier circuit 280-i, an attenuator (ATT) 282-i, a demodulation circuit 284-i, and an analog-to-digital converter (ADC) 266-i.

[0018] Of the components of the transmit / receive module 20-i, the transmitting circuit 26-i, antenna circuit 22-i, and antenna element 200-i, through which the transmitted signal passes, are defined as the transmitting device. Also, of the components of the transmit / receive module 20-i, the antenna element 200-i, antenna circuit 22-i, and receiving circuit 28-i, through which the received signal passes, are defined as the receiving device. In other words, in the transmit / receive module 20-i, the transmitting device and the receiving device share the antenna circuit 22-i and antenna element 200-i. However, if the transmit / receive module 20-i is configured to include a low-pass filter in each of the transmitting circuit 26-i and receiving circuit 28-i, and to connect the transmitting circuit 26-i and antenna element 200-i during transmission and the receiving circuit 28-i and antenna element 200-i during reception using relays or the like, then the transmitting device and the receiving device do not need to share the antenna circuit 22-i.

[0019] As shown in Figure 3, in the transmit / receive module 20-i, the path of the transmitted signal from the carrier data generation circuit 260-i to the antenna element 200-i, via the digital / analog conversion circuit 262-i, modulation circuit 264-i, transmit amplification circuit 266-i, and antenna circuit 22-i, is defined as path a. In addition, the path of the transmitted signal from the carrier data generation circuit 260-i to the circulator 222-i, via the digital / analog conversion circuit 262-i, modulation circuit 264-i, and transmit amplification circuit 266-i, is defined as path c.

[0020] Furthermore, the path of the transmitted signal from the input to the circulator 222-i, through the circulator 222-i and the low-pass filter 220-i, to the antenna element 200-i is defined as path d. Therefore, in the transmit / receive module 20-i, the phase change amount a applied to the transmitted signal by the transmitting device including the transmit circuit 26-i, the antenna circuit 22-i, and the antenna element 200-i is the sum of the phase change amount c applied to the transmitted signal in path c and the phase change amount d applied to the transmitted signal in path d (phase change amount a = phase change amount c + phase change amount d).

[0021] The phase difference (see Figures 5A, 5B, etc., and will be described later) and the phase change amount are N·2π+θ x It can be defined as follows: Here, N is a non-negative integer, and θ x θ is a real number between 0 and 2π, for example, as will be discussed later. i , θ ti and Δθ tri1 It is one of the following. However, the N·2π component of the phase difference and phase change does not affect the position of the signal point in the IQ space (see Figures 6A and 6B, which will be described later). Therefore, the phase difference and phase change are N·2π+θ x As the value obtained by removing the component N·2π (N=0), simply θ x It can also be defined as follows. In the following description, unless otherwise specified, the phase difference and the amount of phase change are θ. x The following is a specific example of how it is defined. Unless otherwise specified, the units of angles such as angle θ are radians (rad; 1 rad = π / 180°).

[0022] On the other hand, in the transmit / receive module 20-i, the path of the received signal from the antenna element 200-i, through the antenna circuit 22-i, the receiving amplifier circuit 280-i, the attenuator 282-i, and the demodulation circuit 284-i, to the output from the analog / digital conversion circuit 286 is defined as path b. Also, in the transmit / receive module 20-i, the path of the received signal from the antenna element 200-i, through the low-pass filter 220-i, to the output of CW data indicating the CW signal from the circulator 222-i is defined as path e. A CW signal is a signal generated as a result of CW modulation of a carrier signal, for example, by outputting (ON) the carrier signal on the rising edge of a square wave signal and stopping (OFF) the output of the carrier signal on the falling edge. Furthermore, for the sake of simplicity, in the following explanation, unless otherwise specified, the case of transmit / receive modules 20-1 to 20-n transmitting and receiving CW signals will be used as a concrete example.

[0023] However, it is not necessary to use a CW signal to detect the phase change and phase difference occurring in the transmitting and receiving devices of the transmitting and receiving modules 20-1 to 20-n. A signal with a waveform that can distinguish between a carrier signal reflected by the antenna of the same transmitting and receiving module 20 and a carrier signal reflected by the antenna of another transmitting and receiving module 20 is sufficient. Such a signal could be, for example, a pulse signal in which the carrier signal is output for a very short period and the output of the carrier signal is stopped for other periods.

[0024] Furthermore, the path of the received signal from the output of the circulator 222-i, through the receiving amplifier circuit 280-i, the attenuator 282-i, and the demodulation circuit 284-i, to the output of the analog / digital conversion circuit 286 is defined as path f. Therefore, in the transmitting / receiving module 20-i, the phase change amount b given to the received signal by the receiving device including the antenna element 200-i, the antenna circuit 22-i, and the receiving circuit 28-i is the sum of the phase change amount e given by path e and the phase change amount f given by path f (phase change amount b = phase change amount e + phase change amount f; where the phase change amounts b, e, and f are real numbers between 0 and 2π and correspond to θx in the above definition of phase change amount).

[0025] For the sake of clarity, when any of the multiple possible components, such as "transmit / receive modules 20-1 to 20-n," are indicated without specific designation, subscripts such as "-1" may be omitted, and the module may simply be referred to as "transmit / receive module 20." Furthermore, the following describes how the communication device 2 operates according to the control of the phase detection device 4, and how the phase detection device 4 detects the phase difference occurring in the antenna circuit 22 and the transmit / receive circuit 24 of the transmit / receive module 20. Unless otherwise specified, the operation of the communication device 2 as a communication device for a base station or satellite is not described.

[0026] As described above, the array antenna 140 has a configuration in which the antenna elements 200 of the transmitting / receiving module 20 are arranged on its surface 142. When the communication device 2 operates as a base station or a satellite communication device, the directional characteristics of the array antenna 140, in particular the width, gain, and direction of the main lobe appearing in the directional characteristics, can be changed by controlling the phase of the radio wave signals transmitted from the transmitting / receiving module 20 and the radio wave signals received by the transmitting / receiving module 20. The low-pass filter 220 of the antenna circuit 22 attenuates components of the radio wave signal received by the receiving circuit 28 that have a frequency higher than the frequency of the radio wave signal received by the receiving circuit 28 (e.g., 50 MHz to several tens of GHz) and outputs them to the circulator 222. The low-pass filter 220 also attenuates components of the radio wave signal transmitted by the transmitting circuit 26 that have a frequency higher than the frequency of the radio wave signal transmitted by the transmitting circuit 26 and outputs them to the antenna elements 200.

[0027] The circulator 222 outputs the received signal, which is input via the low-pass filter 220, to the receiving circuit 28. The circulator 222 also outputs the transmitted signal, which is input from the transmitting circuit 26, to the low-pass filter 220. The received signal input to the circulator 222 from the antenna element 200 via the low-pass filter 220 is output to the receiving circuit 28 with almost no attenuation. Similarly, the transmitted signal input to the circulator 222 from the transmitting circuit 26 is output to the low-pass filter 220 with almost no attenuation. On the other hand, the received signal input to the circulator 222 from the antenna element 200 via the low-pass filter 220 is output to the transmitting circuit 26 with significant attenuation.

[0028] Furthermore, the transmission signal input from the transmission circuit 26 to the circulator 222 is significantly attenuated before being output to the receiving circuit 28. In other words, there is isolation between the terminal of the circulator 222 connected to the transmission circuit 26 and the terminal of the circulator 222 connected to the receiving circuit 28. Due to this isolation, the receiving circuit 28 is protected from damage by the transmission signal output by the transmission circuit 26, and can receive radio signals via the antenna element 200 even while the transmission circuit 26 is outputting a transmission signal.

[0029] The transmitting circuit 26 and its components operate according to the control of the phase detection device 4 via the control signal 120. The carrier data generation circuit 260 generates carrier data in digital format that represents the carrier signal transmitted by the transmitting circuit 26. However, the transmitting circuit 26 may be included in the phase detection device 4, in which case the carrier data generated by the carrier data generation circuit 260 in both the communication device 2 and the phase detection device 4 is synchronized, and there is no phase difference in the carrier signals generated in the communication device 2 and the phase detection device 4. Alternatively, when the phase change amount and phase difference occurring in each of the transmitting and receiving modules 20-1 to 20-n are detected in the communication device 2, the carrier data generation circuit 260 generates a CW signal by outputting / stopping carrier data according to the control signal input from the phase detection device 4, and outputs it to the digital / analog conversion circuit 262.

[0030] More specifically, a square wave signal, which is ON for a period of time width tw and OFF for the rest of the time, is input as a control signal 120 from the phase detection device 4 to the transmission circuit 26. The carrier data generation circuit 260 outputs carrier data to the digital / analog conversion circuit 262 only while the input square wave signal is ON, and stops outputting carrier data to the digital / analog conversion circuit 262 while the square wave signal is OFF.

[0031] The digital-to-analog conversion circuit 262 converts the CW data or carrier data representing a continuous carrier signal input from the carrier data generation circuit 260 from digital to analog with sufficiently high resolution and a sampling frequency sufficiently high relative to the carrier signal frequency. Here, "sufficiently high frequency" means a frequency of four times or more the carrier signal frequency, according to the general sampling theorem. The CW signal obtained as a result of the digital-to-analog conversion is output to the modulation circuit 264. The digital-to-analog conversion circuit 262 also perfectly matches the phase of the CW signal, or matches it with sufficient precision for detecting the amount of phase change and phase difference. The operation of the digital-to-analog conversion circuit 262 and the analog-to-digital conversion circuit 286 also needs to be synchronized with similar precision.

[0032] When the modulation circuit 264 receives the transmission data 122 as modulation data from the phase detection device 4, it modulates the carrier signal input from the digital-to-analog conversion circuit 262 with the modulation data and outputs it as a transmission signal to the transmission amplifier circuit 266. On the other hand, when the modulation circuit 264 does not receive the transmission data 122 as modulation data from the phase detection device 4, it outputs the carrier signal as a transmission signal to the transmission amplifier circuit 266 without modulating it. Also, when the modulation circuit 264 receives a CW signal or a pulse signal from the digital-to-analog conversion circuit 262, it outputs the CW signal as a transmission signal to the transmission amplifier circuit 266 without modulating it. The transmission amplifier circuit 266 power-amplifies the transmission signal and outputs it to the circulator 222 of the antenna circuit 22. The modulation circuit 264 can modulate the carrier signal using various modulation schemes, such as QPSK (Quadrature Phase Shift Keying) modulation, 16QAM (16 Quadrature Amplitude Modulation) modulation, or OFDM (Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplex) modulation.

[0033] The receiving circuit 28 and its components also operate in accordance with the control of the phase detection device 4 via the control signal 120, similar to the transmitting circuit 26 and its components. As mentioned above, the receiving amplifier circuit 280 can also operate while the transmitting circuit 26 is outputting a transmission signal to the circulator 222 of the antenna circuit 22. Therefore, while the transmitting circuit 26 is outputting a transmission signal, the receiving circuit 28 receives the radio wave signal via the antenna element 200 and also receives the transmission signal attenuated by the circulator 222. In such a case, the receiving circuit 28 uses as its received signal a signal that is a superposition of the radio wave signal received via the antenna element 200 and the attenuated transmission signal.

[0034] The receiving amplifier circuit 280 amplifies the received signal input from the circulator 222 with low noise and outputs it to the attenuator 282. When the communication device 2 communicates with other communication devices (not shown), the received signal is a modulated signal generated by modulating the carrier wave with modulation data as transmission data 122. The attenuator 282 applies an attenuation amount to the received signal input from the receiving amplifier circuit 280 according to the control of the phase detection device 4 via the control signal 120 and outputs it to the demodulation circuit 284.

[0035] When the received signal input from the attenuator 282 is a modulated signal, the demodulation circuit 284 performs demodulation processing on the modulated signal to generate demodulated data 126 corresponding to the modulated data as transmitted data 122, and outputs it to the phase detection device 4, etc. For example, when the phase detection transmitter 6 modulates the carrier signal using position data detected by GPS as the modulated data as transmitted data 122 and transmits it to the communication device 2, the modulated data as transmitted data 122 indicates the position of the phase detection transmitter 6. Whether or not demodulated data 126 is generated from the received signal, the demodulation circuit 284 outputs the received signal that was the target of demodulation processing to the analog / digital conversion circuit 286.

[0036] In other words, when the received signal is a CW signal, the demodulation circuit 284 outputs a CW signal to the analog / digital conversion circuit 286. Also, when the received signal is a modulated carrier signal, the demodulation circuit 284 outputs the modulated carrier signal to the analog / digital conversion circuit 286. Also, when the received signal is an unmodulated carrier signal, the demodulation circuit 284 outputs the carrier signal to the analog / digital conversion circuit 286.

[0037] The analog-to-digital conversion circuit 286 converts the analog-format received signal input from the demodulation circuit 284 from analog to digital with the same resolution and frequency as the digital-to-analog conversion circuit 262. However, if the operation of the digital-to-analog conversion circuit 262 and the operation of the analog-to-digital conversion circuit 286 are synchronized, the frequency and resolution of the analog-to-digital conversion in the analog-to-digital conversion circuit 286 do not need to be the same as the resolution and frequency of the digital-to-analog conversion in the digital-to-analog conversion circuit 262. When the received signal input from the demodulation circuit 284 is a CW signal, the analog-to-digital conversion circuit 286 restores the CW data used to generate the CW signal and outputs it to the phase detection device 4.

[0038] The phase detection transmitter 6 (Figure 1) operates according to the control of the phase detection device 4 via the transmission control signal 110. To detect the phase difference occurring in the receiving circuit 28 of the transmitting / receiving module 20, the phase detection transmitter 6 transmits a radio signal 100 to the array antenna 140 of the communication device 2 via the antenna 60. The intensity of the radio signal 100 received by the receiving device of the transmitting / receiving module 20 is very small compared to the intensity of the CW signal transmitted by the transmitter. Therefore, the radio signal 100 does not have to be a CW signal; it may be a pulse signal or a continuous carrier signal.

[0039] Furthermore, when the communication device 2 transmits and receives radio signals using Time Division Multiple Access (TDMA), the timing at which the phase detection transmitter 6 transmits the radio signal 100 may be known to the communication device 2. Therefore, in such cases, controlling the timing of the transmission of the radio signal 100 to the phase detection transmitter 6 via the transmission control signal 110 from the phase detection device 4 is not essential.

[0040] The radio signal 100 may be, for example, a CW signal, a pulse signal, or a continuous carrier signal. Alternatively, it may be a carrier signal modulated with position data indicating the position of the antenna 60 of the phase detection transmitter 6 in terms of latitude and longitude, as measured by the GPS device (not shown) of the phase detection transmitter 6. The demodulation circuit 284 of the transceiver module 20 can demodulate the modulation data, such as position data, as transmission data 122 from the modulated carrier signal and output it to the phase detection device 4.

[0041] Figure 4 illustrates an example of the approximate positional relationship between the antenna 60 of the phase detection transmitter 6 shown in Figure 1 and two adjacent transmit / receive modules 20-i, 20-(i+1). As shown in Figure 4, the antenna 60 of the phase detection transmitter 6 and the adjacent transmit / receive modules 20-i, 20-(i+1) of the communication device 2 are separated by a distance D. The angle θ of the radio wave signal 100 is incident from the antenna 60 of the phase detection transmitter 6 onto the surface 142 of the array antenna 140. The angle θ of the radio wave signal 100 can be accurately calculated and defined from the latitude and longitude of the position where the antenna 60 of the phase detection transmitter 6 is located, the latitude and longitude of the previously measured position where the array antenna 140 of the communication device 2 is located, and the previously measured direction of the surface 142 of the array antenna 140. The exact distance d between the transmitting / receiving modules 20-(i-1) and 20-i may also be known or can be measured in advance.

[0042] The following example considers the case where the distance D between the array antenna 140 and the antenna 60 of the phase detection transmitter 6 is so long that it can ignore the distance d between the antenna elements 200-i and 200-(i+1) of adjacent transmitting and receiving modules 20-i and 20-(i+1), and the length and width of the surface 142 of the array antenna 140 (D >> d). In this example, it can be assumed that the radio wave signal 100 is incident on all of the antenna elements 200-1 to 200-n at an angle θ, and the distance between antenna 60 and antenna element 200-(i+1) is longer than the distance between antenna 60 and antenna element 200-i by d·sinθ ("·" indicates multiplication).

[0043] Therefore, by performing a correction by subtracting the phase change amount 2π·d·sinθ / λ(rad) corresponding to the path length d·sinθ in air or vacuum from the phase change amount generated in the transmit / receive module 20-(i+1), the phase change amount generated in transmit / receive module 20-(i+1) can be made equal to the phase change amount generated in transmit / receive module 20-(i+1). Here, in the phase change amount 2π·d·sinθ / λ(rad), λ is the wavelength of the carrier signal of the CW signal in air or vacuum. Furthermore, by performing a correction by subtracting the phase change 2π·α·d·sinθ / λ(rad) corresponding to α·d·sinθ from the phase change amount generated in transmit / receive module 20-(i+α) (where α is an integer, i+α=1 to n), the phase change amount generated in transmit / receive module 20-(i+α) can be made equal to the phase change amount generated in transmit / receive module 20-(i+α). Thus, the phase change and phase difference are equivalent to the path length in air, vacuum, and the components of the transceiver module 20-i, and are also equivalent to the time it takes for the CW signal to pass through these path lengths. However, the path and time in the components of the transceiver module 20-i can vary due to individual differences, even if the dimensions of identical components are exactly the same.

[0044] On the one hand, there may be a case where the length and width of the surface 142 of the array antenna 140 and the distance d are not negligible compared to the distance D, which is not long enough. In such a case, it cannot be considered that the radio wave signal 100 is incident at the same angle on all of the antenna elements 200-1 to 200-n. Even in such a case, the angles θ1 to θ n at which the radio wave signal 100 from the antenna 60 is incident on each of the antenna elements 200-1 to 200-n can be calculated. In the process described later with reference to FIG. 7, by performing correction using the calculated angles θ1 to θ n , the phase differences generated in the transmission circuits 26 and the reception circuits 28 of the transmission and reception modules 20-1 to 20-n can be accurately calculated.

[0045] Here, the method for detecting the phase difference in the phase detection system 1 will be described in detail with reference to FIGS. 5A, 5B, 6A, and 6B. FIG. 5A is a diagram illustrating an example of the transmission and reception of the radio wave signal 100 in the transmission and reception module 20-i shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, and the transmission, reflection, and reception timings of the CW signal, with the phase angle of the CW signal as the unit. FIG. 5B is a diagram illustrating an example of the transmission and reception of the radio wave signal 100 between the phase detection transmission device 6 and the transmission and reception module 20-i, and the output timing of the CW data in the transmission and reception module 20, with the phase angle of the CW signal as the unit. In FIGS. 5A and 5B, the unit of the phase angle is radian (rad), and only the unit of the pulse width tw of the rectangular wave signal is time (s; second).

[0046] Note that Figures 5A and 5B show the operation of two transceiver modules 20-1 and 20-i (1 ≠ i in the explanation of Figures 5A and 5B) for the sake of clarity. On the other hand, all transceiver modules 20-1 to 20-n can simultaneously perform the operations shown in Figures 5A and 5B so that the phase change amount and phase difference in each of the transceiver modules 20-1 to 20-n can be detected within a short measurement time. In other words, the operations shown in Figures 5A and 5B are the operations of two specific transceiver modules 20-1 and 20-i, as well as the operations of all transceiver modules 20-1, 20-2 to 20-n. As described above, while the transmitters of each of the transceiver modules 20-1, 20-2 to 20-n transmit radio signals via their respective antenna elements 200-1 to 200-n, the receivers of each of the transceiver modules 20-1 to 20-n can receive radio signals via their respective antenna elements 200-1 to 200-n. In the following description, the components of the transmit / receive modules 20-1, 20-2 to 20-n will be referred to as transmit / receive modules 20-1, 20-i, etc.

[0047] As shown in Figure 5A, denoted by the symbol a, the phase detection device 4 generates a square wave signal that is ON for a period of time width tw in each cycle and OFF for the rest of the period, and outputs this as a control signal 120 to the carrier data generation circuits 260-1 and 260-i of the transmit / receive modules 20-1 and 20-i. The time width tw of the square wave signal pulse is set to be greater than or equal to the time width required to generate the number of CW data necessary to generate signal points on the IQ plane of the CW signal from the CW signal received by the receiver of the transmit / receive module 20-i.

[0048] The carrier data generation circuit 260-1,260-i generates carrier data that indicates a carrier signal only while the input square wave signal is ON, and outputs it to the digital-to-analog conversion circuit 262-1,262-i. The digital-to-analog conversion circuit 262-1,262-i converts the carrier data input from the carrier data generation circuit 260-1,260-i into an analog carrier signal. Through the operation of the carrier data generation circuit 260-1,260-i and the digital-to-analog conversion circuit 262-1,262-i in this manner, a CW signal is generated and output. The CW signal is output as a transmission signal to the antenna element 200-1,200-i via the modulation circuit 264-1,264-i, the transmission amplifier circuit 266-1,266-i, and the antenna circuit 22-1,22-i.

[0049] As shown in Figure 5A, denoted by symbols b and d, the transmission signals output from the transmission circuits 26-1 and 26-i are reflected by the antenna elements 200-1 and 200-i. The reflected transmission signals are received by the reception circuits 28-1 and 28-i via the antenna circuits 22-1 and 22-i, and become the received signals. These received signals are CW signals generated by the transmitting device. As shown in Figure 5A, denoted by symbols c and e, the analog / digital conversion circuits 286-1 and 286-i of the reception circuits 28-1 and 28-i generate received data 124-1 and 124-i by converting the received CW signal with a time width tw from analog to digital, and output it to the phase detection device 4. The phase detection device 4 stores the received data 124-i with a time width tw that is input from the transmit / receive modules 20-1 and 20-i.

[0050] As shown in Figure 5A, denoted by symbols a and b, the amount of phase change that occurs in the carrier signal from the rising edge of the square wave signal used for CW modulation of the carrier signal until the transmitted signal is input to the antenna circuit 22-1 of the transmit / receive module 20-1 and begins to be reflected is the amount of phase change θ that occurs in the transmitting device of the transmit / receive module 20-1. t1This is defined as follows. Furthermore, as shown in Figure 5A with labels a and d, the amount of phase change that occurs in the carrier signal from the rising edge of the square wave signal used for CW modulation of the carrier signal until the transmitted signal is input to the antenna circuit 22-i of the transmit / receive module 20-i and begins to be reflected is the amount of phase change θ that occurs in the transmitting device of the transmit / receive module 20-i. ti It is defined as follows.

[0051] As shown in Figure 5A, labeled with symbols a, b, and c, the amount of phase change that occurs in the carrier signal from the time the transmitted signal is input to the antenna circuit 22-1 of the transmitting / receiving module 20-1 and begins to be reflected, until the analog / digital conversion circuit 286-1 of the transmitting / receiving module 20-1 begins to output the received data 124-1, is the amount of phase change θ that occurs in the receiving device of the transmitting / receiving module 20-1. r1 This is defined as follows. On the other hand, the amount of phase change that occurs in the carrier signal from the rising edge of the square wave signal used for CW modulation of the carrier signal until the analog / digital conversion circuit 286-1 of the transmit / receive module 20-1 starts outputting the received data 124-1 is defined as the amount of phase change θ that occurs in the transmit signal and the received signal in the transmit and receive devices of the transmit / receive module 20-1. tr1 It is defined as follows.

[0052] Phase change amount θ tr1 In the transmitting device of the transmitting / receiving module 20-1, indicated by the symbol b in Figure 5A, the phase change amount θ occurs in the transmitted signal. t1 In the receiving device of the transmitting / receiving module 20-1, indicated by the symbol c in Figure 5A, the phase change amount θ occurs in the received signal. r1 It is nothing other than the sum of (θ tr1 =θ t1 +θ r1 ). In other words, the phase change amount θ tri This is equal to the sum of the phase change amounts a and b of the CW signal in path a shown in Figure 3 (phase change amount a + phase change amount b = phase change amount c + phase change amount d + phase change amount e + phase change amount f; where phase change amounts a and cd are real numbers between 0 and 2π and correspond to θx in the above definition of phase change amount).

[0053] Similarly, as shown in Figure 5A with labels a, d, and e, the amount of phase change that occurs in the carrier signal from the time the transmitted signal is input to the antenna circuit 22-i of the transmitting / receiving module 20-i and begins to be reflected, until the analog / digital conversion circuit 286-i of the transmitting / receiving module 20-i begins to output the received data 124-i, is the amount of phase change θ that occurs in the receiving device of the transmitting / receiving module 20-i. ri This is defined as follows. On the other hand, the amount of phase change that occurs in the carrier signal from the rising edge of the square wave signal used for CW modulation of the carrier signal until the analog / digital conversion circuit 286-i of the transmit / receive module 20-i starts outputting the received data 124-i is defined as the amount of phase change θ that occurs in the transmit signal and the received signal in the transmit / receive module 20-i's transmitter and receiver. tri It is defined as follows.

[0054] Phase change amount θ tri In the transmitting device of the transmitting / receiving module 20-i, indicated by the symbol d in Figure 5A, the phase change amount θ occurs in the transmitted signal. ti In the receiving device of the transmitting / receiving module 20-i, indicated by the symbol e in Figure 5A, the phase change amount θ occurs in the received signal. ri It is nothing other than the sum of (θ tri =θ ti +θ ri Furthermore, as shown in Figure 5A with denotations f and g, the phase change amount θ tr1 and phase change amount θ tri The difference is the phase difference Δθ in the carrier signal. tri1 It is defined as follows.

[0055] As shown in Figure 5B, denoted by the symbol f, the phase detection transmitter 6 (Figure 1), in accordance with the control of the phase detection device 4, transmits a CW signal or a continuous carrier signal with a time width of tw or more to the communication device 2 via the antenna 60. Here, the case in which the phase detection transmitter 6 transmits a CW signal is given as a specific example. The reason why the phase detection transmitter 6 may transmit a continuous carrier signal to the communication device 2 is as described above.

[0056] As shown in Figure 5B, denoted by symbols f, g, and h, the CW signal propagates as a radio wave signal from the phase detection transmitter 6 to the antenna elements 200-1, 200-i of the communication device 2. As described above with reference to Figure 4, the distance D between the antenna 60 of the phase detection transmitter 6 and the antenna elements 200-1, 200-i is long enough that the distance d between the transmitting and receiving modules 20-1, 20-i is (i-1) times longer (d·(i-1)), which can be ignored (where "·" indicates multiplication). On the other hand, as shown in Figure 5B, denoted by symbols g and h, a phase difference of 2π·d·(i-1)·sinθ / λ (rad) occurs between the timing when the radio wave signal 100 begins to be received by the antenna elements 200-1, 200-i of the transmitting and receiving modules 20-1, 20-i, due to the difference in path length in air or vacuum (d·(i-1)·sinθ), as explained with reference to Figure 4.

[0057] Furthermore, as shown in Figure 5B with descriptive signs i and j, the amount of phase change that occurs from the time the radio wave signal begins to be received by the antenna element 200-1 until the analog / digital conversion circuits 286-1 and 286-i begin to output the received data 124-1 and 124-i, which represent the CW modulated carrier signal, is the uncorrected phase change amount θ' that occurs in the received signal in the receiving device of the transmitting / receiving modules 20-1 and 20-i. r1 ,θ' ri This is defined as follows. The correction here is the correction explained with reference to Figure 4. Note that the phase change amount θ' before correction r1 The value of the correction value 2π·d·(i-1)·sinθ / λ(rad) that should be subtracted by the correction is 0 if i=1, so the value of the phase change θ' before correction is 0. r1 and the corrected phase change amount θ r1 This is equal to (θ' r1 =θ r1). Note that sinθ can take on either positive or negative values, so the start timing of the CW data output shown with the sign i in Figure 5B may be the same as, earlier than, or later than the start timing of the CW data output shown with the sign j in Figure 5B. In addition, in addition to the correction explained with reference to Figure 4, if a correction is made to accurately cancel the phase change that occurred in the radio wave signal 100 between the antenna 60 of the phase detection transmitter 6 and the antenna elements 200-1, 200-i, the phase change amount θ ri This is equal to the phase change amount b shown in Figure 3 (phase change amount b = phase change amount e + phase change amount f).

[0058] Figure 6A illustrates an example of a signal point (reference signal point z1) in the IQ plane of a CW signal (reference signal) that is received in either the transmit and receive modules 20-1 to 20-n, providing a reference for the amount of phase change occurring in the transmit and receive signals, and serving as a reference for the phase difference. Figure 6B illustrates an example of a signal point in the IQ plane of a CW signal that is compared with the reference signal point shown in Figure 6A. Note that Figure 6A shows an example where the CW signal received by transmit / receive module 20-1 is used as the reference signal. Figure 6B shows the reference signal point, the signal point of the CW signal received by any of the transmit / receive modules 20-2 to 20-n (20-k; k=2 to n), and the phase difference (Δθ) between the reference signal and the CW signal received by transmit / receive module 20-k. k1 =θ k This shows that -θ1)

[0059] For example, as shown in Figures 6A and 6B, the reference signal point z1 in the IQ plane is expressed using a complex number as z1(z1=|z1|·(cosθ1+j·sinθ1)). Here, j represents a complex number, |z1| represents the norm of the complex number z1, and θ1 represents the argument when the reference signal point z1 is expressed as a complex number. On the other hand, the CW signal (reference signal z) received by the transmit / receive module 20-k k Signal point z in the IQ plane of ) k Similarly, using complex numbers, z k (z k =|z k |·(cosθ k +j·sinθk It is expressed as )), where |z k | represents the complex number z k The norm (length) of θ is shown, k The signal point is z k (This shows the argument when expressed as a complex number.)

[0060] The phase change amount θ that occurs in the transmitted signal and the received signal in the transmitting and receiving devices of the transmitting and receiving module 20-i. i This represents the signal points of the transmitted and received signals that have passed through the transmitting and receiving devices of the transmitting and receiving module 20-i as a complex number (z i It is expressed as (z), and its argument is arc(z i It can be calculated by using the formula shown below. However, arc(z i ) is a complex number z i This indicates the phase angle. Similarly, the amount of phase change θ that occurs in the received signal in the receiving device of the transmitting / receiving module 20-i. i Furthermore, the signal point of the received signal that has passed through the receiving device of the transmitting / receiving module 20-i is a complex number (z i It is expressed as (z), and its argument arc(z) i It can be obtained by calculating ).

[0061] Furthermore, by To Moivre's theorem, z k / z1=(|z k | / |z1|)·(cos(θ k -θ1)+sin(θ k -θ1))). Therefore, the amount of phase change θ that occurs in the transmitted signal and the received signal in the transmitting and receiving devices of the transmitting and receiving module 20-i. i The phase difference Δθ between the amount of phase change θ1 that occurs in the transmitted signal and the received signal in the transmitting and receiving devices of the transmitting and receiving module 20-1. i1 Also, Δθ i1 =arc(z i It can be obtained by calculating ( / z1).

[0062] Similarly, the amount of phase change θ that occurs in the received signal in the receiving device of the transmitting / receiving module 20-i iAnd the phase difference Δθ between the phase change amount θ1 that occurred in the received signal in the receiving device of the transmitting / receiving module 20-1 and the received signal. i1 Also, Δθ i1 =arc(z i This can be obtained by calculating the phase difference Δθ ( / z1). i1 For this, as explained with reference to Figure 4, in order to correct the phase difference caused by the difference in path length of the radio signal (i-1)·d·sinθ, the phase difference Δθ i1 It is necessary to subtract the amount of phase change that occurs as the radio signal passes through the difference (i-1)·d·sinθ (corrected phase difference Δθ). i1 =Δθ i1 -The phase change amount corresponding to the path length (i-1)·d·sinθ).

[0063] The above describes a method for determining the phase change and phase difference occurring in the transmitted and received signals, or in the received signal, in the transmit / receive modules 20-1 to 20-n by mapping signal points to the IQ plane. However, mapping signal points to the IQ plane is not essential for determining the phase change and phase difference. For example, when the conversion frequency of the analog / digital conversion circuits 286-1 to 286-n is 180 times the frequency of the carrier signal, the phase change and phase difference in the transmit / receive modules 20-1 to 20-n can be detected with a resolution of approximately 0.0174 rad by comparing the rising edge timing of the rectangular signal (indicated by a in Figure 5A) with the timing at which the CW data begins to be output (indicated by c in Figure 5A).

[0064] The following describes the phase change amount θ that occurs in the transmitting and receiving modules 20-1 to 20-n of the communication device 2. t1 ~θ tn , phase difference Δθ t21 ~Δθ tn1 and phase difference Δθ r21 ~Δθ rn1The calculation process will be described. FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating an example of a process (S10) for detecting the amount of phase change and the phase difference generated in each of the transmission devices and reception devices of the transmission / reception modules 20-1 to 20-n of the communication device 2 by the phase detection device 4 of the phase detection system 1 and calculating a calibration value.

[0065] As shown in FIG. 7, in S100, the operator of the phase detection system 1 operates the phase detection device 4 (FIG. 1). In response to the operation from the operator, the phase detection device 4 controls all of the transmission / reception modules 20-1 to 20-n of the communication device 2 (FIGS. 2 and 3) and causes them to transmit CW signals as transmission signals simultaneously. In S102, the reception devices of the transmission / reception modules 20-1 to 20-n receive the CW signals reflected by the antenna elements 200-1 to 200-n respectively as reception signals, and the analog / digital conversion circuits 286-1 to 286-n generate and output CW data from the CW signals. The phase detection device 4 stores only the amount of data sufficient for the process of mapping (expanding) the CW data output from the analog / digital conversion circuits 286-1 to 286-n into the IQ space, for example, the amount of data included in a time width tw.

[0066] In S104, the phase detection device 4 processes the stored CW data and maps it into the IQ space (FIGS. 6A and 6B). In S106, the phase detection device 4, as described with reference signs a, c, e in FIG. 5A, detects the amount of phase change θ t1 ~θ tn generated in the CW signal as the transmission signal in each of the transmission devices of the transmission / reception modules 20-1 to 20-n and the amount of phase change θ r1 ~θ rn generated in the CW signal as the reception signal, and the sum θ tr1 ~θ trn thereof (θ tr1 ~θ trn =θ t1 +θ r1 ~θ tn +θ rn ).

[0067] In S120, the phase detection device 4 controls the transmission device 6 for phase detection via the transmission control signal 110, and causes a CW signal to be transmitted as a radio wave signal to the antenna elements 220-1 to 220-n of the communication device 2 via the antenna 60. In S122, the receiving devices of the transceiver modules 20-1 to 20-n receive the CW signals reflected by the antenna elements 200-1 to 200-n as received signals, and the analog / digital conversion circuits 286-1 to 286-n generate and output CW data from the CW signals. The phase detection device 4 stores only the amount of data sufficient for the process of mapping the CW data output from the analog / digital conversion circuits 286-1 to 286-n to at least the IQ space (FIGS. 6A and 6B), for example, the amount of data included in the time width tw.

[0068] In S124, the phase detection device 4 processes the stored CW data and maps it to the IQ space as described with reference to FIGS. 6A and 6B. In S126, the phase detection device 4, as described with reference to FIG. 5B with reference numerals i and j attached, detects the amounts of phase change θ' r1 ~θ' rn before correction that occur in the CW signal as the received signal in the receiving devices of the transceiver modules 20-1 to 20-n, respectively. In S128, the phase detection device 4 performs correction by subtracting the amounts of phase change 0, 2π·d·2·sinθ / λ, ~, 2π·d·(i-1)·sinθ / λ, ~, 2π·d·(n-1)·sinθ / λ that occur at the path lengths 0, d·1·sinθ, d·2·sinθ, ~, d·(i-1)·sinθ, ~, (n-1)·d·sinθ in air or vacuum, respectively, from the amounts of phase change and phase differences detected by the processes of S120 to S126. The phase detection device 4 generates the correction values θ r1 ~θ rn by this correction.

[0069] In S140, the phase detection device 4 determines whether it is unnecessary to perform the processes in S100 to S128 and whether it is acceptable to terminate the processes in S100 to S128. If it is acceptable to terminate the processes (Y in S140), the phase detection device 4 proceeds to the process in S142; if it is not acceptable to terminate the processes (N in S140), it returns to the process in S100.

[0070] In S142, the phase detection device 4 adjusts the correction value θ as shown in Figures 6A and 6B. r2 ~θ rn Correction value θ r1 By subtracting this, the phase difference Δθ r21 ~Δθ rn1 It detects θ. Similarly, the phase detection device 4 detects θ t2 ~θ tn From θ t1 By subtracting this, the phase difference Δθ t21 ~Δθ tn1 It detects the phase change θ'. r1 ~θ' ri In contrast, a correction can be made to accurately cancel the phase change that occurs in the radio signal 100 between antenna 60 and antenna elements 200-1, 200-i. The phase change θ' corrected in this way r1 ,θ' ri Furthermore, when the correction shown in Figure 4 is applied, the receiving device of the transmitting / receiving modules 20-1 and 20-i receives a correction value θ equal to the phase change that occurred in the CW signal as the received signal. r1 ,θ ri Therefore, when these corrections are made, the sum θ tr1 ~θ trn (θ t1 +θ r1 ~θ tn +θ rn ) From each of these, the correction value θ r1 ~θ rn By subtracting each of them, the phase change amount θ that occurred in the CW signal as the transmitted signal in the transmitting devices of the transmitting and receiving modules 20-1 to 20-n is obtained. t1 ~θ tn Detection is possible.

[0071] The phase detection device 4 detects these phase change amounts θ. t1 ~θ tn ,θ r1 ~θ rn ,θ tr1 ~θ trn and phase difference Δθ t21 ~Δθ tn1 ,Δθ r21 ~Δθ rn1 ,Δθ tr2 ~Δθ trn One or more of these values ​​are output from a display and printer (not shown) to the operator of the phase detection system 1, which performs adjustment and calibration of the transmit / receive modules 20-1 to 20-n. Here, an example is given in which the phase difference generated in the transmit and receive circuits of transmit / receive modules 20-2 to 20-n is determined based on the amount of phase change generated in the transmit and receive circuits of transmit / receive module 20-1. However, the phase difference between the amount of phase change generated in any one or more of the transmit / receive modules 20-1 to 20-n and the amount of phase change generated in the other transmit / receive modules 20 can also be determined based on the amount of phase change generated in any one or more of the transmit / receive modules 20-1 to 20-n. Furthermore, the phase difference between any two or more amounts of phase change generated in the transmit / receive modules 20-1 to 20-n can also be determined.

[0072] The phase detection device 4 outputs one or more of the phase differences and their correction values ​​generated as described above, for example, via a display or printer, to the operator of the communication device 2, as calibration values ​​to be referenced when calibrating the transmitting and receiving modules 20-1 to 20-n of the communication device 2. However, the phase detection device 4 does not have to generate or output all of the phase change amounts, phase differences, and their correction values ​​shown here; it may generate and output one or more of them as needed.

[0073] The process shown in Figure 7 can be implemented as one or more programs, or as subprograms contained within one or more programs. Figure 8 is a diagram illustrating one example of the hardware configuration of an information processing device 8 capable of executing the process illustrated in Figure 7. As shown in Figure 8, the information processing device (computer) 8 has a configuration in which one or more CPUs (processors) 800, a main memory 802, an auxiliary memory 804, and an interface (IF; Interface) device 806 are connected to each other via a bus or the like, which enables them to communicate information and data.

[0074] In other words, the phase detection device 4 can perform the processes S100 to S142 (S10) shown in Figure 7 by executing a program that realizes the functions of the phase detection device 4 on an information processing device (computer) 8 employing the hardware configuration shown in Figure 8. However, the example hardware configuration of the information processing device 8 shown in Figure 8 is just one example of a hardware configuration that realizes the processes S100 to S142, and does not limit the hardware configuration of the information processing device 8. The information processing device 8 may include components not shown in Figure 7.

[0075] The CPU (Central Processing Unit) 800 executes each instruction included in the phase detection program run by the information processing device 8. The main memory 802 includes storage devices such as RAM (Random Access Memory) and ROM (Read Only Memory), and temporarily stores various programs run by the information processing device 8, as well as information and data required for the execution of those programs.

[0076] The auxiliary storage device 804 includes, for example, non-volatile computer-readable storage devices such as HDDs (Hard Disk Drives), SSDs (Solid State Drives), and flash memory. The auxiliary storage device 804 stores various programs executed by the information processing device 8 and information and data required for the execution of these programs for the medium to long term. Various programs, such as the programs executed by the information processing device 8 that realize the processes of S100 to S142, may be provided as program products recorded on a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium.

[0077] The IF device 806 provides an interface for inputting and outputting, for example, control signals 120, transmission data 122, and reception data 124 between the phase detection device 4 and the communication device 2. The IF device 806 also provides an interface for inputting and outputting, for example, transmission control signals 110, etc., between the phase detection device 4 and the phase detection transmitter 6.

[0078] In the phase detection system 1 described above, the array antenna 140 of the communication device 2 can have its main lobe width and gain optimized in its directional characteristics, thereby improving the signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) of the radio signal received by the communication device 2. Also for the same reason, the spatial separation of the radio signal can be optimized, resulting in more efficient use of radio resources. Also for the same reason, the range of the radio signal transmitted from the communication device 2 is increased. Furthermore, since the phase detection device 4 can be implemented by a program executed in the information processing device 8 shown in Figure 8, its performance can always be kept at its best by updating the program as needed. In addition, since the transmitting devices of the transmitting and receiving modules 20-1 to 20-n of the communication device 2 transmit CW signals simultaneously to detect the amount of phase change and phase difference occurring in the transmitting and receiving devices, the time required to detect the amount of phase change and phase difference is reduced. Furthermore, the phase detection system 1 does not increase the size, weight, or power consumption of the array antenna in order to detect the amount of phase change and phase difference occurring in the signal in each of the multiple transmitting and receiving modules 20 included in the array antenna 140.

[0079] Some or all of the above embodiments may also be described as follows, but are not limited to the following: [Note 1] (See the first perspective above) [Note 2] The phase detection system described in Appendix 1, which causes the transmitting devices of all the transmitting and receiving modules to simultaneously transmit the carrier signal having the same phase. [Note 3] The phase detection system according to Appendix 1, wherein at least the transmitting device transmits the carrier signal which is turned ON / OFF by a rectangular wave signal. [Note 4] A phase detection system according to Appendix 1, which detects the first phase change amount based on a first timing at which the transmitting device starts transmitting the carrier signal and a second timing at which the receiving device receives and outputs the carrier signal. [Note 5] The phase detection system according to Appendix 1, which detects a third phase change amount generated in the carrier signal in the transmitting device by subtracting the second phase change amount from the first phase change amount. [Note 6] The phase detection system according to Appendix 1, which corrects the second phase change amount based on the incidence angle of the carrier signal from the phase detection transmitter to the array antenna formed by the antenna elements of the plurality of transmitting and receiving modules, and the spacing between the antenna elements of the plurality of transmitting and receiving modules. [Note 7] The phase detection system according to Appendix 1, further detecting a first phase difference between the first phase change amount detected in any one of the plurality of transmitting and receiving modules and the first phase change amount detected in any module other than the plurality of transmitting and receiving modules, and further detecting a second phase difference between the second phase change amount detected in any one of the plurality of transmitting and receiving modules and the second phase change amount detected in any module other than the plurality of transmitting and receiving modules. [Note 8] The phase detection system according to Appendix 7, which detects one or more of the first phase change amount, the second phase change amount, the first phase difference, and the second phase difference by mapping the carrier signal received by the receiving device onto the IQ plane. [Note 9] (See the second perspective above) [Note 10] (See the third perspective above) It goes without saying that any combination of the forms described in the appendices of this disclosure, or any combination of the elements described in each perspective and embodiment (including the non-selection of some elements), can be made from time to time by those skilled in the art, in accordance with the basic concepts of this disclosure.

[0080] Furthermore, each disclosure of the above-mentioned patent documents and other materials cited is incorporated into this publication by reference. Within the framework of this disclosure (including the claims), further modifications and adjustments to the embodiments or examples are possible based on their fundamental technical concept. Also, within the framework of this disclosure, various combinations or selections (including partial deletions) of various disclosed elements (including each element of each claim, each element of each embodiment or example, each element of each drawing, etc.) are possible. In other words, this disclosure naturally includes various modifications and changes that a person skilled in the art could make in accordance with the entire disclosure, including the claims, and the technical concept. In particular, the numerical ranges described in this publication should be interpreted as specifically describing any numerical value or sub-range included within that range, even if not specifically noted. Furthermore, each disclosure of the above-mentioned cited documents is deemed to be included in the disclosures of this application, which may be used in part or in whole as part of this disclosure, in accordance with the spirit of this disclosure, as necessary. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0081] 1. Phase detection system 100 radio signals 110 Transmission control signal 120 Control signals 122 Transmitted data 124 Received data 126 Demodulation data 140 Array Antenna 142 sides 2. Communication device 20 Transceiver Module (Transceiver Device) 200 Antenna Elements 22 Antenna Circuit 24 Transmit / Receive Circuit 220 Low-pass filter (LPF) 222 Circulator 24 Transceiver 26 Transmitter Circuit 260 Carrier data generation circuit 262 Digital / Analog Conversion Circuit 264 Modulation Circuit 266 Transmitter Amplifier Circuit 28 Receiving Circuit 280 Receiving Amplifier Circuit 282 Attenuator 284 Demodulation Circuit 286 Analog / Digital Conversion Circuit 4 Phase detection device 6. Transmitter for phase detection 60 Antennas 8. Information Processing Device 800 CPU 802 Main storage 804 Auxiliary storage 806 Interface (IF) device

Claims

1. A plurality of transmitting and receiving modules, each including an antenna element and a transmitting and receiving device that share the antenna element, A transmitter for phase detection, A phase detection system comprising one or more processors, The one or more processors described above are: The transmitting device of one or more of the transmitting / receiving modules is made to transmit a carrier wave signal. The carrier signal reflected by each of the antenna elements of one or more of the transmitting and receiving modules, including the transmitting device that transmitted the carrier signal, is received by the receiving device. In each of the one or more transmitting / receiving modules, including the transmitting device that transmitted the carrier signal, the transmitting device and the receiving device detect the first phase change amount that occurred in the carrier signal. The phase detection transmitting device is instructed to transmit the carrier signal to all of the antenna elements of the transmitting and receiving modules. The receiving device of one or more of the transmitting / receiving modules, including at least the transmitting device that transmitted the carrier wave signal, detects a second phase change amount that occurred in the carrier wave signal from the phase detection transmitting device. A phase detection system configured as follows.

2. The transmitting devices of all the transmitting and receiving modules are to simultaneously transmit the carrier signal with the same phase. The phase detection system according to claim 1.

3. At least the transmitting device is made to transmit the carrier signal which is turned ON / OFF by the square wave signal. The phase detection system according to claim 1.

4. The first phase change amount is detected based on a first timing when the transmitting device starts transmitting the carrier signal and a second timing when the receiving device receives and outputs the carrier signal. The phase detection system according to claim 1.

5. The transmitting device detects a third phase change amount generated in the carrier signal by subtracting the second phase change amount from the first phase change amount. The phase detection system according to claim 1.

6. The second phase change amount is corrected based on the incidence angle of the carrier signal from the phase detection transmitter to the array antenna formed by the antenna elements of the plurality of transmitting and receiving modules, and the spacing between the antenna elements of the plurality of transmitting and receiving modules. The phase detection system according to claim 1.

7. Further detection of a first phase difference between the first phase change amount detected in any one of the multiple transmitting / receiving modules and the first phase change amount detected in any module other than the multiple transmitting / receiving modules, Further detection of a second phase difference between the second phase change amount detected in one of the multiple transmitting / receiving modules and the second phase change amount detected in a module other than one of the multiple transmitting / receiving modules. The phase detection system according to claim 1.

8. The carrier signal received by the receiving device is mapped onto the IQ plane to detect one or more of the first phase change amount, the second phase change amount, the first phase difference, and the second phase difference. The phase detection system according to claim 7.

9. A phase detection method in a phase detection system comprising an antenna element, a plurality of transmitting and receiving modules each including a transmitting device and a receiving device that share the antenna element, and a phase detection transmitting device, To cause the transmitting device of one or more of the transmitting / receiving modules to transmit a carrier signal, The carrier signal reflected by each of the antenna elements of one or more of the transmitting and receiving modules, including the transmitting device that transmitted the carrier signal, is to be received by the receiving device. In each of the one or more transmitting / receiving modules, including the transmitting device that transmits the carrier signal, the transmitting device and the receiving device detect a first phase change amount that occurs in the carrier signal. The phase detection transmitting device is configured to transmit the carrier signal to all of the antenna elements of the transmitting and receiving modules. The receiving device of each of the transmitting and receiving modules, including at least one transmitting device that transmits the carrier signal, detects a second phase change amount occurring in the carrier signal from the phase detection transmitting device. A phase detection method including the following.

10. A phase detection system comprising an antenna element, a plurality of transmitting and receiving modules each including a transmitting device and a receiving device that share the antenna element, a phase detection transmitting device, and one or more processors, A process of causing one or more of the transmitting modules to transmit a carrier signal, A process of causing the receiving device to receive the carrier signal reflected by each of the antenna elements of one or more of the transmitting and receiving modules, including the transmitting device that transmitted the carrier signal; In each of the one or more transmitting / receiving modules, including the transmitting device that transmits the carrier signal, a process is provided for detecting a first phase change amount that occurs in the carrier signal in the transmitting device and the receiving device. A process of causing the phase detection transmitting device to transmit the carrier signal to all of the antenna elements of the transmitting and receiving modules, A process for detecting a second phase change amount occurring in the carrier signal from the phase detection transmitter in the receiving device of each of the transmitting and receiving modules, which includes at least one transmitting device that transmits the carrier signal; A program that causes one or more of the aforementioned processors to execute it.

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