Antenna Phase Center Estimation from Baseband Data
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional methods for determining antenna phase centers in fully functioning systems, such as those used in radar and GNSS, are impractical and disrupt the integrity of the measurement, especially in MIMO radar systems, as they require physical access to antenna feed ports which is often not feasible.
Innovation Solution
A method using the output of the radio transceiver to estimate phase centers without physical access to the antenna feed ports, employing digital signal processing to determine the phase centers of virtual arrays formed by the convolution of real receiver and transmitter arrays, utilizing algorithms like particle swarm optimization and simulated annealing to minimize the Laplacian of the antenna response vector field.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If traditional methods are used to determine antenna phase center by separating the antenna from the system and placing it in an anechoic chamber, then measurement precision can be achieved, but device complexity and ease of operation deteriorate due to requiring physical separation and manual adjustments
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs self-calibration by using its own transmitted signals and received responses to automatically determine phase centers through mathematical processing, eliminating the need for external anechoic chambers and manual measurement procedures
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces physical mechanical measurement systems (anechoic chambers, physical antenna separation) with computational methods that process baseband data and complex vector responses to determine phase centers mathematically
2Measurement precision
If traditional methods separate the antenna from the RF and baseband systems for measurement, then measurement precision is maintained, but reliability deteriorates due to disrupting system integrity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the antenna measurement process with the fully functioning radar system by processing baseband data from the actual operational configuration, merging what were previously separate measurement and operation modes into a unified process
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses baseband data as an intermediary to extract phase center information without requiring physical access to antenna feed ports, allowing measurement while maintaining the integrity of the RF and antenna subsystems
3Measurement precision
If repeated physical movements and trial-and-error measurements are performed to determine phase center, then measurement precision can be achieved, but productivity deteriorates due to time-consuming iterative process
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary mathematical setup by defining the relationship between baseband data, complex vector responses, and phase centers, allowing direct calculation without iterative trial-and-error movements
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces iterative mechanical movement and physical adjustment with computational algorithms that directly calculate phase centers from baseband data through mathematical optimization
Data Source
AI summary
One or more aspects of the present disclosure relate to the configuration and management of sensor components. More specifically, one or more aspects of the present application relate to the management of the operational parameters of radar sensors mounted on a vehicle. The radar sensors illustratively are configured with multiple input, multiple output based radar components that provide a phased array. A control component obtains and processes the measured complex response of an antenna array and utilizes the processing results to determine the phase center and optimize the operation of the radar sensor components.