Antenna Array RF Path Calibration for Gain and Phase Errors
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing 5G wireless communication systems face challenges in calibrating gain and phase errors in radio frequency integrated circuits (RFICs) due to variations in semiconductor processes and assembly, leading to reduced performance and beam inaccuracies.
Innovation Solution
A calibration circuit and method that measures and corrects gain and phase errors in RFICs by connecting transmit and receive paths with different polarizations, allowing for real-time calibration without additional hardware, using a sequential or joint polarization-based approach.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the number of antenna elements is increased to improve communication performance using massive MIMO technique, then communication performance is improved, but gain error and phase error occur between chains in RFIC
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements self-calibration by having each RF chain measure its own gain and phase errors through receiving calibration signals from other chains. The system uses internal resources (antenna elements, RF chains) to perform measurements and corrections without requiring external calibration equipment, enabling the system to self-correct the errors that arise from having multiple antenna elements
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the calibration approach by measuring gain and phase parameters through reciprocal signal transmission between RF chains. By transmitting calibration signals through different paths (TX-RX and RX-TX) and measuring the received signal characteristics, the system determines the gain and phase errors and adjusts these parameters to correct the errors
2Reliability
If calibration circuits are added to correct gain and phase errors, then error correction capability is improved, but device complexity and hardware footprint increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the RF chains perform multiple functions: they serve both for normal communication and for calibration measurements. The same antenna elements and RF chains used for data transmission are also used to transmit and receive calibration signals, eliminating the need for separate dedicated calibration hardware and reducing overall device complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the calibration function with the existing RF chain structure. Instead of adding separate calibration circuits, the calibration functionality is integrated into the existing RF chains, which both transmit and receive calibration signals and perform measurements, combining multiple functions into a unified system
3Reliability
If traditional calibration methods are used, then gain and phase errors can be corrected, but additional hardware and increased device complexity are required
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs self-calibration using its own internal components. Each RF chain acts as both a transmitter and receiver for calibration purposes, measuring its own errors through reciprocal signal exchange with other chains, thereby eliminating the need for external calibration equipment
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism where the measured gain and phase errors are used to adjust the RF chain parameters. The system continuously monitors the calibration signals and uses the measurement results to correct the errors, creating a closed-loop feedback system that maintains accuracy
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure relates to a pre-5th-Generation (5G) or 5G communication system to be provided for supporting higher data rates Beyond 4th-Generation (4G) communication system such as Long Term Evolution (LTE). An electronic device, in a wireless communication system, may include: a processor, an antenna array, a plurality of first radio frequency (RF) paths related to a first stream, the first RF paths each including a transmit (TX) path and a receive (RX) path, and a plurality of second RF paths related to a second stream, the second RF paths each including a TX path and an RX path, and the processor may be configured to: generate a calibration signal for the antenna array, obtain characteristic information of the antenna array based on a phase difference or a gain difference between one TX path having the first stream and one RX path having the second stream obtained for each of measurement RF paths among the plurality of the first RF paths, and calibrate the plurality of the first RF paths based on the characteristic information.