Radar Phase Shifter Characterization Using Weighted Phase Differences
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional techniques for characterizing phase shifters in radar devices require prior knowledge of actual phases, leading to increased costs due to tight manufacturing tolerances and external measurements, and often result in unacceptably high phase measurement errors.
Innovation Solution
A method and device that determine actual phase shifts of a phase shifter by receiving measurement signals from multiple phase settings of two phase shifters, calculating phase difference values, and using a weighted average to estimate the actual phase shifts without requiring prior knowledge of the phase settings, thereby reducing measurement points and data acquisition time.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If conventional characterization techniques are used with prior knowledge of actual phases, then manufacturing precision can be maintained, but costs increase due to tight tolerances and external measurements
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses self-service by having the phase shifter characterize itself through internal measurement signals generated within the radar device. The phase shifter applies different phase settings to measurement signals and the system determines actual phase shifts through signal processing, eliminating the need for external characterization equipment and reducing manufacturing costs while maintaining precision
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes parameters by measuring phase shifts across multiple different phase settings (n different settings) and using a weighted average of phase difference values. This approach allows determination of actual phase shifts without requiring tight manufacturing tolerances on individual phase settings, thereby reducing manufacturing costs while maintaining accuracy
2Measurement precision
If conventional characterization techniques are used, then phase measurement can be performed, but measurement errors are unacceptably high
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements feedback by determining actual phase shifts based on measured phase difference values and using this information to identify and correct phase errors. The controller compares expected phase differences with actual measured differences and uses weighted averaging to compensate for errors, thereby improving measurement reliability and reducing phase measurement errors
Solution Approach 2:
The system applies partial action by measuring phase differences at multiple phase settings (n settings) rather than requiring complete characterization at all possible settings. By using a weighted average of phase difference values from these partial measurements, the system achieves acceptable measurement accuracy without the excessive complexity of complete characterization, thereby improving reliability
3Measurement precision
If multiple measurement points are used for characterization, then accuracy can be improved, but data acquisition time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses partial action by selecting a limited number of phase settings (n settings) that are sufficient to determine actual phase shifts through weighted averaging of phase difference values. This partial measurement approach achieves acceptable accuracy without requiring measurements at all possible phase settings, thereby reducing data acquisition time while maintaining precision
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes parameters by using a weighted average calculation that gives different weights to phase difference values from different phase settings. This allows the system to achieve accurate phase shift determination with fewer measurement points by strategically weighting the most informative measurements, thereby reducing data acquisition time while maintaining precision
Data Source
AI summary
A controller may receive first measurement signals associated with n phase settings of a first phase shifter and while a phase setting of a second phase shifter is a first phase setting of k phase settings. The controller may receive second measurement signals associated with the n phase settings of the first phase shifter and while the phase setting of the second phase shifter is a second phase setting of the k phase settings. The controller may determine n phase difference values based on the first measurement signals and the second measurement signals. The controller may determine two or more actual phase shifts of the second phase shifter based on a weighted average value of the n phase difference values.