Phased Array Antenna Calibration with Shared Reference Clock
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional methods for calibrating and measuring transmit phased array antennas with digital beamforming face limitations due to restricted access to digital signals and deterministic latency issues, which hinder precise phase measurement.
Innovation Solution
A method that generates a periodic signal internally and transmits it without breaks, using a vector signal analyzer sharing a reference clock with the antenna, and employing an internal time trigger to maintain time-synchronous and phase-coherent acquisition, eliminating the need for vector network analyzers and additional components.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If conventional vector network analyzers are used for calibration, then measurement capability is provided, but deterministic latency issues and restricted access to digital signals prevent precise phase measurement
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary measurement device that shares a reference clock with the phased array antenna system. This intermediary device acts as a mediator between the antenna elements and conventional measurement equipment, enabling precise phase measurements by synchronizing all measurements to a common time reference, thereby eliminating deterministic latency issues.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the conventional vector network analyzer-based measurement system with a new approach using a measurement device synchronized to a shared reference clock. This substitution eliminates the restricted access to digital signals and deterministic latency problems inherent in conventional systems by using a different measurement architecture that operates in the digital domain with precise timing control.
2Measurement precision
If additional components are added to enable precise measurement, then measurement accuracy improves, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the reference clock universal by having it shared between the phased array antenna system and the measurement device. This multi-functional reference clock serves both the signal generation/beamforming operations and the measurement synchronization, eliminating the need for separate timing components and reducing overall system complexity while maintaining high measurement precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The measurement device performs self-synchronization by using its internal time trigger that is synchronized to the shared reference clock. This self-service capability eliminates the need for external triggering components or additional synchronization hardware, achieving precise phase measurements without increasing device complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
Technologies directed to calibration and measurement of transmit phased array antennas with digital beamforming are described. One method includes a communication device generating a radio frequency (RF) signal and a reference RF signal generated using a first offset value. A processing device sending to a measurement device data indicating a first periodicity of the first RF signal and a first data acquisition parameter. The processing device receives measurement data indicating conditions of the first RF signal and the reference RF signal received at the measurement device. The processing device determines signal characteristics of the first RF signal and the reference RF signal. The processing device sends a command to the communication device. The command indicates a modification of the first offset value to a second offset value. The communication device generates a second RF signal using the second offset value.