Array Antenna Phase Compensation for Rotation-Center Offset Errors
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for measuring array antennas often result in phase errors due to deflection from the rotation center, leading to beam directivity deviations and reduced test accuracy, with no effective solution currently available to address these issues.
Innovation Solution
A phase compensation method and apparatus that involves establishing a coordinate system based on measured far-field directivity patterns of array units, determining wave path differences, and performing phase compensation to correct for these errors, thereby improving test accuracy.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the array unit is positioned away from the rotation center to simplify measurement setup, then the measurement process becomes easier, but phase errors occur leading to beam directivity deviation and reduced test accuracy
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by performing phase compensation calculations before beam synthesis. The system pre-calculates the phase differences caused by the array unit's position offset from the rotation center, and applies these compensation values to correct the measured phase data before combining signals from multiple array units. This prevents beam directivity deviation from occurring in the first place, rather than attempting to correct it after the fact.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the phase parameter of the signal from each array unit based on its positional relationship to the rotation center. By calculating the path length difference and applying corresponding phase shifts, the system transforms the measured phase data into compensated phase data that accounts for the geometric configuration. This parameter transformation allows accurate beam synthesis even when array units are positioned away from the rotation center.
2Measurement precision
If phase compensation is performed on each array unit to improve test accuracy, then beam directivity accuracy improves, but the measurement process becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces complex mechanical positioning adjustments with computational phase compensation. Instead of requiring precise mechanical alignment of array units to the rotation center, the system uses software-based phase calculations and digital signal processing to achieve the same effect. This substitution of mechanical precision requirements with computational methods simplifies the overall measurement system while maintaining high accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces phase compensation calculations as an intermediary step between raw measurement data and final beam synthesis. This intermediate processing layer corrects phase errors without requiring changes to the physical measurement setup. The compensation algorithm acts as a mediator that translates positional information into phase correction values, enabling accurate measurements while keeping the hardware configuration simple.
3Measurement precision
If the entire antenna position is adjusted to locate in the rotation center to reduce phase errors, then measurement accuracy improves, but test efficiency decreases and test tooling becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary phase compensation calculations for each array unit based on its known position relative to the rotation center. By pre-calculating the required phase corrections before measurement and applying them during data processing, the system eliminates the need for time-consuming mechanical repositioning of the entire antenna assembly. This maintains measurement accuracy while significantly improving test efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the phase compensation process into individual array unit corrections rather than requiring global mechanical adjustment. Each array unit's phase data is independently compensated based on its specific position, allowing parallel processing and eliminating the need to stop and reposition the entire antenna system. This segmented approach maintains accuracy while improving productivity through efficient data processing.
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure provides a phase compensation method and apparatus for measuring an array antenna. The phase compensation method includes: an operation S1 of exporting measured far-field directivity patterns of a first array unit and a second array unit, to establish a coordinate system, so as to determine a spatial geometrical relationship between the first array unit and the second array unit; an operation S2 of determining a wave path difference between the first array unit and the second array unit based on the spatial geometrical relationship between the first array unit and the second array unit; and an operation S3 of performing phase compensation on the second array unit based on the wave path difference.