5G Antenna Array OTA Calibration for Power and Phase Alignment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Calibrating the power amplification and phase characteristics in 5G antenna arrays is inefficient and often results in inaccurate calibration due to the need for separate calibration of each antenna element, which is time-consuming and prone to errors.
Innovation Solution
An electronic device is designed to calibrate power amplification and phase characteristics using an over-the-air (OTA) method, where measurement and control information is obtained from an external device to ensure accurate and efficient calibration across multiple antenna elements.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If separate calibration is performed for each antenna element in an antenna array, then individual element calibration accuracy may be improved, but calibration time and complexity increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the calibration process from individual element level to antenna array level by using OTA (over-the-air) calibration. Instead of calibrating each antenna element separately through complex internal measurements, the system performs unified calibration at the array level by measuring actual radiated signals, thereby reducing calibration time while maintaining accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary measurement system that captures the actual radiated signals from the antenna array in over-the-air conditions. This intermediary measurement approach allows the system to obtain comprehensive calibration data without requiring separate calibration procedures for each element, thus reducing overall calibration time while preserving measurement precision.
2Reliability
If separate calibration is performed for each antenna element, then individual element characteristics can be verified, but calibration complexity and error probability increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple individual element calibrations into a single unified OTA calibration process for the entire antenna array. This merging approach reduces the number of separate calibration operations, thereby lowering process complexity and minimizing the accumulation of errors that would occur through multiple sequential calibrations.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs self-calibration by measuring its own radiated signals through the OTA method. The electronic device calibrates itself by comparing measured signals against expected characteristics, eliminating the need for complex external calibration equipment and procedures for each element, thus reducing overall system complexity while maintaining reliability.
3Productivity
If traditional calibration methods are used for 5G antenna arrays, then existing calibration processes can be maintained, but calibration efficiency and accuracy deteriorate due to the large number of antenna elements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces traditional mechanical/internal calibration methods with an over-the-air electromagnetic measurement approach. By substituting physical contact-based calibration with wireless signal measurement, the system achieves both higher efficiency (by calibrating the entire array simultaneously) and higher accuracy (by measuring actual radiated characteristics) for 5G antenna arrays with large numbers of elements.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions the calibration measurement from the internal circuit domain to the external electromagnetic wave domain. By measuring signals in the over-the-air dimension rather than through internal connections, the system can efficiently and accurately characterize the entire antenna array performance, including phase and amplitude relationships across all elements simultaneously.
Data Source
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AI summary
An electronic device is provided. The electronic device includes an antenna array configured to include a plurality of antenna modules, a communication circuit configured to include a plurality of power amplifiers connected with the plurality of antenna elements and a plurality of phase shifters, at least one processor operatively connected with the communication circuit, and a memory operatively connected with the at least one processor and includes instructions.