Antenna Array Radiation Pattern Measurement Using Aperture Field Synthesis
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for measuring the radiation pattern of antenna arrays are inefficient and require extensive measurement and simulation processes, especially for arrays with a large number of elements, leading to increased measurement times and computational complexity.
Innovation Solution
A method and device that obtain array radiation patterns, center positions, and electromagnetic field measurement data to calculate aperture field excitation, allowing for the determination of the radiation pattern at a target position using amplitude and phase transformation matrices, which simplifies the measurement process and reduces computational load.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If traditional measurement methods are used for antenna arrays with large number of elements, then measurement precision can be maintained, but measurement time and computational complexity increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the antenna array measurement into two independent stages: (1) measuring individual array element radiation patterns separately, and (2) synthesizing the complete array radiation pattern through computational superposition. This segmentation allows each element to be measured independently and stored, then combined mathematically using amplitude and phase transformation matrices, dramatically reducing the total measurement time while maintaining precision through the systematic combination of individual measurements.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent performs preliminary measurements of all array element radiation patterns before the final array synthesis. By pre-measuring and storing the radiation characteristics of each individual element, the system prepares all necessary data in advance, allowing the complete array pattern to be generated through computational processing rather than requiring time-consuming full-array measurements at each configuration change.
2Measurement precision
If traditional measurement methods are used for antenna arrays with large number of elements, then measurement completeness can be ensured, but computational complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces complex mechanical measurement systems with computational methods. Instead of physically reconfiguring and measuring the entire array multiple times for different elements, the system uses mathematical superposition with amplitude and phase transformation matrices to compute the complete array radiation pattern from individual element measurements, significantly reducing computational complexity while ensuring measurement completeness.
3Ease of operation
If individual array elements are measured separately, then measurement process is simplified, but additional measurement and synthesis steps are required
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces amplitude and phase transformation matrices as intermediary computational tools that bridge the gap between individual element measurements and complete array patterns. These matrices serve as the mathematical mediator that systematically combines simplified individual measurements into comprehensive array radiation patterns, making the overall process more manageable despite the additional synthesis step.
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure provides a method and a device for measuring a radiation pattern of an antenna array. The method includes: obtaining a plurality of array radiation patterns corresponding to a plurality of array elements and a plurality of center positions corresponding to the plurality of array radiation patterns; feeding a preset port excitation to the antenna array; obtaining a plurality of sets of measurement data of the antenna array at a plurality of corresponding measurement points in a far field of the antenna array; obtaining an aperture field excitation based on the plurality of array radiation patterns, the plurality of center positions, positions of the plurality of measurement points and the plurality of sets of measurement data; and obtaining a radiation pattern of the antenna array at a target position based on the aperture field excitation, the plurality of array radiation patterns and the plurality of center positions.