Calibrating Sectorized Active Antennas via Sum-Sector Disparity Correction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Sectorized active antennas face challenges in calibration and measurement due to the need to optimize multiple channels simultaneously, leading to increased measurement time and precision requirements, which existing technologies struggle to address effectively.
Innovation Solution
A method for calibrating sectorized active antennas involves measuring the response of each active channel simultaneously on both the sum and sector channels, computing disparities, and using these measurements to form and correct computational beamforming signals, employing a multiport array analyzer and switching system to enable efficient and precise data collection.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If sectorized active antennas measure response of each active channel on multiple channels simultaneously, then measurement precision is improved, but measurement time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the calibration process into two distinct phases: a measurement phase where responses are captured on both sum and sector channels simultaneously, and a computation phase where disparities are calculated and corrections applied. This segmentation allows high-precision multi-channel measurements to be performed without extending total calibration time, as the computationally intensive processing occurs after data collection.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent performs preliminary measurements of the response of each active channel on both the sum channel and sector channels during the measurement phase. These preliminary data collections enable subsequent disparity computations to be performed efficiently without requiring additional measurement time, thus resolving the contradiction between measurement precision and measurement time.
2Reliability
If sectorized active antennas optimize multiple channels simultaneously, then beamforming quality is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a computer as an intermediary that performs the complex computation of disparities between sum channel and sector channel responses. This intermediary handles the mathematical processing and generation of correction factors, thereby reducing the complexity burden on the physical antenna system while maintaining high beamforming quality through precise computational corrections.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces complex physical calibration mechanisms with computational methods. Instead of using additional physical devices or complex mechanical adjustment systems to optimize multiple channels simultaneously, the invention uses computer-based algorithms to calculate disparities and generate correction factors, substituting mechanical complexity with computational processing.
3Ease of operation
If sectorized active antennas use conventional calibration methods, then ease of operation is maintained, but manufacturing precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism where the computer calculates disparities between measured responses on sum and sector channels and generates correction factors based on these disparities. These correction factors are then applied to the active channels to compensate for manufacturing variations, allowing conventional calibration methods to be used while achieving high precision through iterative feedback and correction.
Data Source
AI summary
An electronic-scanning antenna composed of radiating elements each forming an active channel in which the signals arising from the channels are grouped together to form deviometry signals, each deviometry signal forming a deviometry channel, and are grouped together according to sectors to form a sector-based signal forming a sector channel, a computation-based beam being formed on the basis of the signals arising from each of the sectors, the method comprises the following steps: measuring the response to a calibration signal of each active channel at one and the same time on the sum deviometry channel and on the sector channel to which it belongs, the responses on the sum channel to obtain the calibration of the sum channel; computing, for each active channel, the disparity between the mean of the responses measured on the sum channel and the mean of the responses measured on the sector to which it belongs; in the operational phase, forming the beam by computation on the basis of the measurements of the signals arising from the sector channels calibrated with the calibration obtained for the sum channel, and correcting the computation of the beam as a function of the disparity.