Antenna Array Calibration Using Multivalued Phase Modulation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current antenna calibration methods require extensive time due to the need for multiple measurements across many antenna elements and increased complexity with higher bit phase settings, particularly in millimeter waveband communication systems.
Innovation Solution
A processing device that performs multivalued phase modulation using an expanded Hadamard matrix to derive correlation values, allowing for simultaneous calibration of multiple antenna elements with reduced measurement time by setting phase values from control information.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a two-valued phase value (0° and 180°) is used for phase modulation on each antenna element, then the calibration method can be implemented with simple phase settings, but the measurement needs to be performed multiple times to reflect phase errors of all phase values, increasing the calibration time
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the phase modulation parameter from two-valued (0° and 180°) to four-valued (0°, 90°, 180°, 270°) phase settings. This allows the calibration to capture phase errors across the full phase range in a single measurement, eliminating the need for multiple measurements while maintaining comprehensive calibration coverage.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent performs preliminary phase modulation with four distinct phase values before the actual measurement. By pre-setting multiple phase values and measuring all of them in advance, the system obtains complete phase error information in one go, avoiding repeated measurements during the calibration process.
2Measurement precision
If the number of bits of phase setting unit increases, then the phase control precision is improved, but the number of phase value combinations increases exponentially (2m−1 groups), causing calibration time to increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the phase modulation approach from binary phase values to four-valued phase settings. This allows the system to maintain high phase control precision (equivalent to or exceeding what would require more bits) while reducing the measurement groups from exponential 2m−1 to a manageable four measurement groups, significantly cutting calibration time.
3Measurement precision
If calibration is performed on all antenna elements with successive phase value changes, then comprehensive amplitude phase deviation measurement is achieved, but the calibration process requires a long time
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple phase measurement operations into a single comprehensive measurement by applying four different phase values (0°, 90°, 180°, 270°) simultaneously across all antenna elements. This combines what would otherwise require multiple separate measurements into one unified calibration process, maintaining measurement completeness while reducing time.
Data Source
AI summary
In order to enable a reduction in the time required to calibrate the amplitude phase of an antenna device, this processing device is provided with: a setting unit group which performs setting from a predetermined three or more-valued phase value regarding the phase value of a signal received by each of a plurality of antenna elements or a signal transmitted from each of the antenna elements with respect to a calibration signal, on the basis of information extracted from one control information, and derives set signals that are signals on which the setting has been performed; and a computing unit which outputs a correlation value that is a value indicating a correlation between the sum of the set signals and the control information.