Phased Array Antenna Calibration Using Delay-Weighted Coupling Signals
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Solution Overview
Problem
Phased array antennas face performance deterioration due to fluctuations in amplitude phase precision of antenna channels, leading to poor calibration quality and applicability, as existing calibration methods have limited coverage and poor signal-to-noise ratio.
Innovation Solution
A method involving grouping service antenna elements into subarrays with independent calibration antenna elements, where test signals are transmitted and received to obtain coupling signals, which are then delayed and combined to compensate for amplitude and phase differences across channels, ensuring equal amplitudes and phases for optimal signal-to-noise ratio.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a single calibration antenna element is used to cover an area on the phased array antenna, then the device complexity is reduced, but the measurement precision and calibration quality deteriorate due to poor coverage and varying coupling degrees
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the calibration system into multiple independent calibration antenna elements, each responsible for calibrating specific service antenna elements in its coverage area. This segmentation allows each calibration antenna element to maintain stable coupling with its target service antenna elements, improving calibration precision without requiring a single complex omnidirectional calibration system.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from a single-point calibration approach to a distributed multi-point calibration approach by deploying multiple calibration antenna elements at different spatial positions. This dimensional expansion in the spatial domain enables simultaneous calibration of multiple service antenna elements with stable coupling, resolving the contradiction between device complexity and calibration precision.
2Adaptability or versatility
If calibration antenna elements are deployed to cover all service antenna elements, then the calibration coverage is improved, but the device complexity and number of calibration components increase
Solution Approach 1:
Each calibration antenna element is designed to serve multiple service antenna elements within its coverage area, making the calibration system more versatile. The calibration antenna elements can calibrate different service antenna elements by adjusting beamforming weights, achieving wide coverage without proportionally increasing the number of calibration components.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent assigns different calibration responsibilities to different calibration antenna elements based on their spatial positions and coverage areas. Each calibration antenna element is optimized for calibrating specific service antenna elements in its local region, achieving comprehensive coverage while maintaining manageable system complexity through localized specialization.
3Measurement precision
If multiple calibration antenna elements are used to improve calibration quality, then the measurement precision is improved, but the device complexity and calibration process complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the calibration functions of multiple calibration antenna elements through beamforming technology. By appropriately weighting and combining the signals from multiple calibration antenna elements, the system achieves improved calibration precision while managing the complexity of having multiple calibration components through unified signal processing.
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 enhances the calibration quality and reliability of phased array antennas, improving performance stability and applicability by ensuring equal amplitudes and phases across channels, thus maintaining an optimal signal-to-noise ratio.
Implementation Method 1
transmitting any test signal through the transmit channel n, where the test signal is radiated by a service antenna element (for example, a service antenna element n) corresponding to the transmit channel n and is received by a calibration antenna element in the phased array antenna
Data Source
AI summary
One example method includes transmitting a test signal through the transmit channel n, where the test signal is radiated by a service antenna element n corresponding to the transmit channel n and is received by a calibration antenna element in the phased array antenna. N coupling signals received by N calibration antenna elements coupled to the service antenna element n can then be obtained. Delay weighting can then be performed on the N coupling signals based on relative positions of the service antenna element n and each of the N calibration antenna elements to obtain N calibration signals. The N calibration signals can then be combined into the calibration signal corresponding to the transmit channel n. Calibration signals corresponding to all transmit channels in the phased array antenna can then be obtained. At least one of amplitudes or phases of the transmit channels can then be compensated for.