Drone Calibration of Phased Array Radar Phase Delays
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Solution Overview
Problem
Phased array radars face challenges in calibration due to varying phase contributions from cable lengths, component variations, and temperature gradients, which existing methods struggle to address with precision and efficiency using external phase references.
Innovation Solution
A method and system utilizing a mobile platform, such as a drone equipped with a software-defined receiver and GPS, to transmit and receive signals, correlate them, and determine phase delays based on relative positions, allowing for precise calibration of antenna elements in phased-array radars.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If external phase reference methods are used for calibration, then calibration can be performed, but precision and efficiency are insufficient due to varying phase contributions from cable lengths, component variations, and temperature gradients
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from static external phase references (fixed radiators or receiver sources) to a dynamic mobile platform that can be positioned at multiple locations around the phased array radar. This mobility enables collection of phase data from multiple geometric perspectives, improving calibration precision while maintaining efficiency through automated signal processing
Solution Approach 2:
The mobile platform serves as an intermediary calibration source that transmits signals to multiple antenna elements simultaneously. This intermediary approach eliminates the need for direct connection to each element and allows indirect measurement of phase contributions through signal correlation, improving both precision and efficiency
2Productivity
If multiple antenna elements are calibrated simultaneously using external references, then calibration time is reduced, but phase ambiguities increase
Solution Approach 1:
The calibration process is segmented into multiple measurement positions around the phased array radar. The mobile platform collects phase data at different locations, and the system processes these segmented measurements to resolve phase ambiguities through geometric diversity, maintaining both speed and precision
3Measurement precision
If precise timing and lab calibration are used to avoid phase ambiguities, then measurement accuracy improves, but calibration time and complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs self-calibration by using the mobile platform to transmit signals and the phased array radar to receive and process them. The correlation between transmitted and received signals automatically provides phase delay information, eliminating the need for external precise timing equipment or labor-intensive lab calibration procedures
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This approach enables more precise and faster calibration of phased-array radars, improving beam formation and sensitivity by using a mobile reference point to accurately measure and adjust phase delays, enhancing overall system performance.
Implementation Method 1
correlating the received signal to the transmitted signal to produce an initial phase delay
Implementation Method 2
determining a difference between the initial phase delay and an expected phase delay, wherein the expected phase delay is based upon a relative position between the antenna element and the mobile platform
Data Source
AI summary
A method of calibrating a phased-array radar includes receiving a signal at one of either a mobile platform or an antenna element of the phased-array radar, the transmission being sent as a transmitted signal from either the mobile platform or the antenna element, correlating the received signal to the transmitted signal to produce an initial phase delay for that antenna element, determining a difference between the initial phase delay and an expected phase delay, wherein the expected phase delay is based upon a relative position between the antenna element and the mobile platform, and saving the difference as a final phase delay for the antenna element. A system for calibrating a phased-array radar includes a phased-array radar having an array of antenna elements, and a mobile platform capable of flying over the phased-array. The mobile platform has an antenna, a transmitter to transmit signals through the antenna, a software defined receiver tuned to operations of the phased-array radar, and a global positioning satellite receiver.