OTA Antenna Array Calibration for Power and Phase Alignment
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Solution Overview
Problem
In 5G wireless communication systems, calibrating the power amplification and phase characteristics of antenna arrays is inefficient and often results in inaccurate calibration due to the need for separate verification and calibration of each antenna element, leading to suboptimal signal transmission and reception efficiency.
Innovation Solution
An electronic device is designed with an antenna array, power amplifiers, phase shifters, and a processor that uses an over-the-air (OTA) method to calibrate power amplification and phase characteristics, allowing for simultaneous adjustment of power gains and phase parameters across multiple antenna elements, thereby improving calibration accuracy and efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If separate verification and calibration is performed for each antenna element, then individual calibration can be completed, but calibration efficiency decreases and accuracy deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple antenna elements into a single antenna array for unified calibration. Instead of calibrating each antenna element separately, the system performs joint calibration of the entire array, merging the calibration process to improve both efficiency and accuracy while maintaining individual element performance.
Solution Approach 2:
The calibration system is designed to handle multiple antenna elements simultaneously with a single calibration framework. The power amplifier and phase shifter configuration enables the system to perform universal calibration across all antenna elements, eliminating the need for separate calibration procedures for each element.
2Manufacturing precision
If power gain is adjusted for each power amplifier individually, then precise power control can be achieved, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the power control functions of multiple power amplifiers into a unified control system. By adjusting power gains collectively rather than individually, the system achieves precise power control while reducing the complexity associated with managing each amplifier separately.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the control parameters from individual power amplifier settings to array-level power gain adjustments. This parameter transformation simplifies the control architecture while maintaining the ability to achieve precise power control through coordinated adjustment of all amplifiers.
3Measurement precision
If phase parameters are adjusted for each phase shifter separately, then accurate phase control is achieved, but calibration time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the phase adjustment operations of multiple phase shifters into a single coordinated process. By adjusting phase parameters collectively across all shifters rather than sequentially, the system achieves accurate phase control while significantly reducing the total calibration time required.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary coordination of phase parameters across all phase shifters before final calibration execution. This preliminary action establishes the correct phase relationships in advance, enabling faster and more accurate calibration without requiring sequential adjustment of each shifter.
Data Source
AI summary
An electronic device is provided. The electronic device includes an antenna array configured to include a plurality of antenna modules, a communication circuit configured to include a plurality of power amplifiers connected with the plurality of antenna elements and a plurality of phase shifters, at least one processor operatively connected with the communication circuit, and a memory operatively connected with the at least one processor and includes instructions.