MIMO Panel Gain Calibration via Feedback Network
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Solution Overview
Problem
The calibration of multiple transceiver paths in MIMO radio panels coupled with MIMO antenna panels is complex, time-consuming, and prone to errors due to the use of switch boxes, which complicates the process and increases maintenance requirements.
Innovation Solution
A method and apparatus that involve coupling multiple input/output paths of a MIMO antenna panel to corresponding transmit/receive paths of a MIMO radio panel, using a calibration feedback network to measure losses at a common calibration receiver port, and calibrating transmit or receive paths at a known power level, eliminating the need for a switch box by referencing relative losses through the feedback network.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If a switch box is used to calibrate multiple transceiver paths in MIMO radio panels, then calibration can be performed on multiple assemblies, but the switch box becomes more complicated and maintenance becomes more time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the calibration function from the complex switch box architecture and implements it directly at the radio panel level through integrated calibration receivers and feedback networks. This removes the need for external switch boxes while maintaining the ability to calibrate multiple transceiver paths, thereby reducing device complexity while preserving productivity
Solution Approach 2:
The radio panel performs calibration of its own transceiver paths using integrated calibration receivers and feedback networks, eliminating the need for external switch boxes and manual intervention. This self-calibration capability reduces maintenance time and complexity while maintaining calibration throughput for multiple assemblies
2Reliability
If a switch box is used to calibrate multiple transceiver paths, then calibration can be performed, but the process becomes more time-consuming and subject to errors
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements preliminary calibration of individual transceiver paths using integrated calibration receivers before final assembly. This preliminary action ensures that each path is pre-calibrated with known characteristics, reducing the time and complexity of final system calibration while improving overall reliability and reducing errors
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs feedback networks that provide real-time measurement of transmit path losses and enable automatic adjustment of calibration parameters. This closed-loop feedback mechanism improves calibration accuracy while reducing manual intervention time, thereby resolving the contradiction between reliability and time loss
Data Source
AI summary
In some implementations, a MIMO calibrating apparatus may include coupling a plurality of input/output paths of a MIMO antenna panel to a plurality of transmit or receive paths of a MIMO radio panel, and measuring a loss of each of the plurality of input/output paths of the MIMO antenna panel at an input for a common calibration receiver port of the MIMO radio panel. The apparatus may include coupling a calibration feedback network of the MIMO antenna panel to the common calibration receiver port of the MIMO radio panel. The apparatus may include transmitting or receiving at a known power level by the MIMO radio panel, measuring a power output of all transmit or receive paths, and calibrating a transmit gain or a receive loss according to the measured loss at each input/output path of the MIMO antenna panel at the input for the common calibration receiver port.