RF Transmit/Receive System Propagation Time Calibration
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Solution Overview
Problem
Radio frequency transmit/receive systems face challenges in achieving simultaneous energy arrival across multiple signal paths due to propagation time mismatches, leading to reduced bandwidth and field of view, which existing methods address inadequately by requiring external equipment and partial measurements.
Innovation Solution
A method and system that utilizes mutual coupling among antenna elements to measure and calibrate propagation times within the same hardware and signal paths, eliminating the need for external equipment and ensuring simultaneous energy arrival across all signal paths.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If propagation time matching or calibration is not employed, then the system can operate without additional calibration procedures, but the bandwidth or field of view is reduced to the limits permitted by propagation time mismatches
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses its own transmitted signal and receiver to measure propagation times through mutual coupling, eliminating the need for external measurement equipment. The signal transmitted by the system couples back to itself through mutual coupling, allowing self-calibration of propagation times across multiple signal paths.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention converts mutual coupling, which is typically considered a nuisance or harmful effect in antenna systems, into a beneficial measurement mechanism. By utilizing the mutual coupling between antenna elements, the system can measure propagation times through the same hardware and signal paths used for normal operation.
2Measurement precision
If prior approaches with external measuring equipment are used, then propagation time measurement can be performed, but additional external equipment and dedicated measurement circuitry are required
Solution Approach 1:
The same antenna elements and signal paths that are used for normal transmit/receive operations are also used for propagation time measurement. The system performs dual functions: normal communication/radar operations and self-calibration, eliminating the need for dedicated measurement hardware.
Solution Approach 2:
The system measures its own propagation times using its own transmitted signal and receiver components. The measurement process is self-contained, requiring no external equipment to inject test signals or capture measurements.
3Measurement precision
If bypassing and feeding signals specially between system portions for measurement is used, then propagation time measurement can be performed, but only a portion of the system signal paths is measured rather than entire lengths
Solution Approach 1:
The measurement process utilizes the complete operational signal paths including all antenna elements, transmission lines, and processing components. The same hardware that processes operational signals is used for measurement, ensuring that entire signal path lengths are calibrated.
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 instantaneous bandwidth performance by accurately calibrating propagation times across all signal paths, allowing for maximum energy transfer and increased bandwidth without additional hardware or equipment.
Implementation Method 1
these systems display the phenomenon known as 'mutual coupling' among multiple antenna elements, wherein a portion of the signal being transmitted from a radiating element is coupled directly back into a receiving element
Data Source
AI summary
A method and system use the mutual coupling property of multiple antenna elements for measuring differences in propagation time among various signal paths involving antenna elements in a radio frequency transmit/receive system. The method and system alleviate the need for external test equipment by using the same hardware used in standard operation of the transmit/receive system for performing propagation time measurement through the generation, mutual coupling, and acquisition of a specially selected reference signal. In an embodiment involving calibration of various signal paths to realize matched propagation times, the signal energy returned through these various paths during standard system operation arrives for acquisition more closely coincident in time, increasing the instantaneous bandwidth of the system.