Transceiver Array Calibration for Amplitude and Phase Drift

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Solution Overview

Problem

Network test devices face challenges in maintaining amplitude and phase accuracy of transceiver arrays due to temperature fluctuations, aging, and the effects of customer cables and attenuators, which degrade overall system performance.

Innovation Solution

A two-phase calibration approach is employed, involving offline calibration to compensate for relative frequency response errors and online calibration to correct for changes in amplitude and phase during normal operation, using a scalable, modular transceiver array with internal couplers and switches, eliminating the need for expensive external equipment.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If a single calibration scheme is used, then the device complexity is low, but the amplitude and phase accuracy deteriorates due to temperature fluctuations and aging

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveamplitude and phase accuracyVSAvoidcalibration scheme complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The calibration process is divided into two distinct schemes: a first calibration scheme that measures and removes relative frequency response errors, and a second calibration scheme that removes changes in relative frequency response due to temperature and aging. This segmentation allows each scheme to target specific error sources, improving overall accuracy without requiring a single overly complex calibration system.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The first calibration scheme is applied in advance to measure and remove relative frequency response errors before the second calibration scheme addresses temperature-induced and aging-related changes. This preliminary action establishes a baseline calibration that prepares the transceiver array for subsequent compensation of environmental variations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Measurement precision

If expensive external calibration equipment is used, then the measurement precision improves, but the manufacturing cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefrequency response measurement accuracyVSAvoidmanufacturing cost

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The transceiver array performs calibration measurements using its own transceivers without requiring external calibration equipment. The first calibration scheme uses transceivers to measure relative frequency response, and the second calibration scheme uses the same transceivers to monitor and correct for temperature and aging effects. This self-service approach eliminates the need for expensive external instruments while maintaining calibration accuracy.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The transceiver array's transceivers serve multiple functions: they perform normal wireless communication tasks and simultaneously conduct calibration measurements for both frequency response characterization and temperature/aging compensation. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for dedicated external calibration equipment, reducing manufacturing costs while maintaining measurement precision.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Reliability

If calibration is not performed, then the device complexity remains low, but the system performance deteriorates due to cable and attenuator effects

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesystem performanceVSAvoidcalibration procedure complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The calibration schemes implement feedback mechanisms where the transceiver array measures its own performance characteristics and automatically adjusts for errors. The first calibration scheme provides feedback on relative frequency response, and the second calibration scheme provides feedback on temperature and aging effects, allowing the system to self-correct and maintain high reliability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The calibration schemes act as intermediaries that mediate between the transceiver array and the external environment (temperature, aging, cables). By introducing these calibration procedures, the system can compensate for environmental factors and hardware variations, improving reliability without requiring changes to the physical hardware configuration.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentUS12556291B2Calibrating amplitude and phase of a transceiver array in a network test device

Publication Date: 2026.02.17 VIAVI SOLUTIONS INC(US)

AI summary

In some implementations, a network test device may apply a first calibration scheme to a transceiver array of the network test device using a first calibration signal, wherein the first calibration scheme is to measure a relative frequency response between transceivers of the transceiver array and remove errors associated with the relative frequency response, where the relative frequency response is associated with an amplitude and a phase. The network test device may apply a second calibration scheme to the transceiver array using a second calibration signal, wherein the second calibration scheme is to remove changes in the relative frequency response, where the changes in the relative frequency response are associated with changes in the amplitude and in the phase. The network test device may evaluate a wireless base station using the transceiver array that is calibrated based on the first calibration scheme and the second calibration scheme.