Nearfield calibration method used for phased array antennas containing tunable phase shifters
First Claim
1. A method for calibrating a phased array antenna containing a plurality of electronically tunable phase shifters each of which is coupled to a column of radiating elements, said method comprising the steps of:
- characterizing each of the electronically tunable phase shifters;
calculating phase offsets for each column of radiating elements using a nearfield antenna range and the characterized data for each of the electronically tunable phase shifters; and
using the calculated phase offsets in a calibration table to adjust the tuning voltage of each of the electronically tunable phase shifters to cause the columns of radiating elements to yield a uniform beam.
5 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A method for calibrating a phased array antenna and the calibrated phased array antenna are described herein. In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the method for calibrating a phased array antenna containing a plurality of electronically tunable phase shifters each of which is coupled to a column of radiating elements includes the steps of: (a) characterizing each of the electronically tunable phase shifters; (b) calculating phase offsets for each column of radiating elements using a nearfield antenna range and the characterized data for each of the electronically tunable phase shifters; and (c) using the calculated phase offsets in a calibration table to adjust the tuning voltage of each of the electronically tunable phase shifters to cause the columns of radiating elements to yield a uniform beam.
-
Citations
29 Claims
-
1. A method for calibrating a phased array antenna containing a plurality of electronically tunable phase shifters each of which is coupled to a column of radiating elements, said method comprising the steps of:
-
characterizing each of the electronically tunable phase shifters;
calculating phase offsets for each column of radiating elements using a nearfield antenna range and the characterized data for each of the electronically tunable phase shifters; and
using the calculated phase offsets in a calibration table to adjust the tuning voltage of each of the electronically tunable phase shifters to cause the columns of radiating elements to yield a uniform beam. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
-
-
8. A method for calibrating a phased array antenna containing a plurality of electronically tunable phase shifters each of which is coupled to a column of radiating elements and a controller for supplying a tuning voltage to the electronically tunable phase shifters, said method comprising the steps of:
-
applying zero voltage to each of the phase shifters and measuring the phase of each of the plurality of columns of radiating elements in the phased array antenna;
using the measured phase to determine a phase target value for each of the plurality of columns of radiating elements in the phased array antenna;
adjusting a phase shift for each column of radiating elements in the phased array antenna to a value within a predetermined range of the phase target value to generate phase offset data; and
using the phase offset data to produce a calibration table for use in the controller to adjust the tuning voltage of each of the phase shifters to cause the columns of radiating elements to yield a uniform beam. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18)
-
-
19. A phased array antenna containing a plurality of electronically tunable phase shifters each of which is coupled to a column of radiating elements and a controller for supplying a tuning voltage to the electronically tunable phase shifters, said phased array antenna is calibrated by a method including the steps of:
-
applying zero voltage to each of the phase shifters and measuring the phase of each of the plurality of columns of radiating elements in the phased array antenna;
using the measured phase to determine a phase target value for each of the plurality of columns of radiating elements in the phased array antenna;
adjusting a phase shift for each column of radiating elements in the phased array antenna to a value within a predetermined range of the phase target value to generate phase offset data; and
using the phase offset data to produce a calibration table for use in the controller to adjust the tuning voltage of each of the phase shifters to cause the columns of radiating elements to yield a uniform beam. - View Dependent Claims (20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29)
-
Specification