Active Antenna Phase Bias Detection Using Reference Receivers
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Solution Overview
Problem
Controlling phase and amplitude distortions in active antennas for space-division multiple access (SDMA) systems is challenging due to the lack of real-time signal quality monitoring, especially when temperature effects affect radiation patterns, requiring costly anechoic chamber tests for calibration.
Innovation Solution
A method involving beamforming and iterative comparison of power differences between radiating elements and reference receivers to detect phase biases, allowing for real-time identification and correction of defective elements, thereby maintaining signal quality without the need for extensive anechoic chamber testing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If anechoic chamber tests are used to calibrate radiating elements, then manufacturing precision of radiation patterns is improved, but device complexity and cost increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces reference receivers as intermediary devices positioned around the active antenna to measure radiation patterns in situ. These reference receivers act as mediators between the radiating elements and the calibration process, eliminating the need for complex anechoic chambers while enabling precise measurement of radiation patterns in the actual deployment environment.
Solution Approach 2:
The calibration system uses the active antenna itself and its radiating elements to perform self-calibration through iterative measurement and adjustment. The reference receivers capture signals from individual radiating elements, and the system automatically computes correction factors to compensate for phase and amplitude distortions, enabling the system to calibrate itself without external laboratory facilities.
2Stability of the object's composition
If temperature effects are compensated through controlled environment testing, then radiation pattern stability is improved, but loss of time and productivity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary measurements of the actual radiation patterns of each radiating element using reference receivers in the deployment environment. By capturing temperature effects and other environmental factors in advance during the calibration phase, the system pre-computes correction factors that compensate for these effects during operational phases, eliminating the need for time-consuming repeated calibrations.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements a feedback mechanism where reference receivers continuously monitor the radiation patterns of radiating elements. The measured patterns are compared against ideal patterns, and correction factors are automatically adjusted to compensate for temperature drift and other environmental variations, maintaining radiation pattern stability without manual intervention or prolonged calibration periods.
3Measurement precision
If iterative subset modification is performed to identify phase bias, then measurement precision of defective elements is improved, but duration of action increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the set of radiating elements into multiple subsets and uses reference receivers to measure radiation patterns from different subsets iteratively. By segmenting the calibration process into discrete measurement steps with different subset configurations, the system can precisely identify which specific radiating element has phase bias while systematically reducing the search space, thereby improving detection precision without excessive time consumption.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Enables low-cost, real-time determination and correction of phase biases in active antennas, improving signal quality and reducing maintenance costs while maintaining effective communication with satellites.
Implementation Method 1
beamforming by way of dephased combination of the signals emitted by the radiating elements in the direction of each satellite
Implementation Method 2
active antenna on the ground emitting signals into space
Implementation Method 3
measuring a radiation pattern of the radiating elements of the active antenna by means of a set of reference receivers on the ground
Data Source
AI summary
A method for determining a phase bias in the signal transmitted by at least one of the radiating elements of an active antenna on the ground emitting signals into space using a space-division multiple access SDMA method, implementing a step, for each reference receiver, of comparing, to a threshold, the difference between the value of a measurement of the power received by each reference receiver and the sum, out of the radiating elements of the subset beamforming in the direction of the reference receiver, of the differences between the equivalent isotropically radiated power in the direction of the reference receiver and the free-space path loss of each radiating element of the subset.