Antenna Pattern Estimation Using Far-Field Measurements
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing antenna measurement systems are inefficient and costly, particularly for in-field testing and calibration, as they require sophisticated equipment and extensive sampling, and are often tailored to specific antenna types, limiting their applicability and flexibility.
Innovation Solution
A system and method that uses a small number of far-field measurements to estimate antenna patterns, exploiting a priori knowledge of the antenna's design to diagnose malfunctions and adjust electrical excitations, accommodating various antenna types with minimal calibration and equipment complexity, and capable of handling nonlinearities and symmetries.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If traditional antenna measurement systems are used with extensive sampling and sophisticated equipment, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system applies a priori knowledge of the antenna's design specification before measurement, using it to constrain and guide the pattern estimation process. This preliminary information allows the system to achieve accurate measurements with fewer samples and less complex equipment, as the design specification provides a framework for interpreting the measurement data.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the measurement approach from extensive angular sampling to a reduced set of measurements combined with design specification parameters. By incorporating design specification as an additional parameter, the system achieves complete antenna pattern characterization with fewer physical measurements, reducing equipment complexity while maintaining precision.
2Reliability
If traditional antenna testing requires removing antennas from field locations, then measurement reliability is improved, but loss of time and productivity decrease
Solution Approach 1:
The system enables antennas to be tested in their operational field locations without removal, allowing the antenna to serve its communication function while simultaneously undergoing characterization. This self-service approach eliminates downtime and maintains productivity while achieving reliable measurements through the integration of design specification knowledge with field measurements.
3Measurement precision
If antenna measurement systems are tailored to specific antenna types, then measurement precision is improved, but adaptability decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses a universal approach by incorporating design specification as a common parameter that can represent different antenna types. The design specification serves as a multi-functional input that adapts to various antenna configurations, enabling the same measurement system to accurately characterize different antenna types without requiring type-specific customization.
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention is directed to a system and method for providing an estimated design specification as a function of a number of spatially separated far-field measurements and a predetermined design specification. The predetermined design specification corresponds to an antenna being in a properly configured and a properly excited state. The system maps the spatially separated far-field measurements into an estimated far-field antenna pattern of the antenna based on the estimated design specification. The system provides difference data based on a comparison of the predetermined design specification and the estimated design specification and can adjust the electrical excitation signals of the antenna in accordance with the difference data or the estimated far-field antenna pattern.