Calibration device for an antenna array, as well as an associated antenna array and methods for its operation

• US 20040032365A1
• Filed: 06/06/2003
• Published: 02/19/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 08/19/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Telefonaktiebolaget LM Ericsson
• Original Assignee: Kathrein-Werke KG. (Kathrein SE)
• Inventors: Gabriel, Roland, Langenberg, Jorg, Gottl, Maximilian
• Granted Patent: US 7,068,218 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 342/368
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 1/246 specially adapted for base stations
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 3/267 Phased-array testing or checking devices

Abstract

An improved calibration device for an antenna array, or an improved antenna array, is provided by the following features:

if the total number of antenna elements (3, 3′) which are provided for a column (7) is N, where N is a natural number, only N/2 or less coupling devices (111) and/or probes (11) are provided,

the number of couplers or probes (11) which are provided are associated with only some of the antenna elements (3, 3′); and

a combination network (27, 27′, 27″) is also provided, via which the coupling devices (111) and/or probes (11) which are provided are connected.

Claims

1. Calibration device for an antenna array, or for an antenna array which has two or more antenna elements (3, 3′

) which are arranged in two or more columns (7), preferably in front of a reflector (5), in which case a beam forming network (17) can be connected upstream of the column inputs (15) for the antenna elements (3, 3′

) which are arranged in a respective column, characterized by the following features;

if the total number of antenna elements (3, 3′

) which are provided for a column (7) is N, where N is a natural number, only N/2 or less coupling devices (111) and/or probes (11) are provided,

the number of couplers or probes (11) which are provided are associated with only some of the antenna elements (3, 3′

); and

a combination network (27, 27′

, 27″

) is also provided, via which the coupling devices (111) and/or probes (11) which are provided are connected.

2. Calibration device or antenna array according to claim 1, characterized in that the probes (11) or the coupling device (111) emit or emits from the near field of the antenna elements (3, 3′

).

3. Calibration device or antenna array according to claim 2, characterized in that the combination network is designed such that the group delay time from the input (15) of the respective column (7) to the output (S) of the combination network is of approximately the same magnitude for all the antenna inputs for a single-polarized antenna array or for at least one polarization for a dual-polarized antenna array, preferably over the entire operating frequency band.

4. Calibration device or antenna array according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the combination network has lossy components, which contribute to reducing resonances.

5. Calibration device according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that, for a dual-polarized antenna array, the one or more probes (11) which are provided are each suitable for receiving a signal for both polarizations.

6. Calibration device or antenna array according to one of claims 2 to 5, characterized in that one probe (11) or one coupling device (111), or a pair of coupling devices (111) is or are provided for only one antenna element (3, 3′

) per column (7).

7. Calibration device or antenna array according to one of claims 2 to 6, characterized in that only one probe (11) or only one coupling device (111), or only one pair of coupling devices (111) is or are preferably provided in each case for only some of the columns (7), and is or are associated with at least one antenna element (3, 3′

).

8. Calibration device or antenna array according to one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the at least one probe (11) or the two or more probes (11) lie(s) on a vertical plane of symmetry, which passes through the antenna elements (3, 3′

), with respect to the antenna elements (3, 3′

) which are associated with it or them.

9. Calibration device or antenna array according to one of claims 2 to 8, characterized in that, for an antenna array with four columns (7), at least two probes (11), two coupling devices (111) or two pairs of coupling devices (111) are provided, which are each associated with one antenna element (3, 3′

), which is arranged in the two outer columns (7) on the antenna array.

10. Calibration device or antenna array according to one of claims 2 to 8, characterized in that, for an antenna array with four columns (7), two probes (11), two coupling devices (111) or two pairs of coupling devices (111) are preferably provided, which are each associated with one antenna element (3, 3′

), and these antenna elements (3, 3′

) are arranged in the two inner columns (7) of the antenna array.

11. Calibration device or antenna array according to one of claims 2 to 10, characterized in that the probes (11) which are associated with one antenna element (3, 3′

) per column (7) are arranged on the same height line.

12. Calibration device or antenna array according to one of claims 1 to 11, characterized in that one probe (11;

11c, 11d) is in each case provided for two adjacent columns (7) of an antenna array, and preferably has the same coupling loss.

13. Method for operating an antenna array, characterized by the following features:

all paths (columns 7) of the antenna array are measured, by which means it is possible to determine data relating to the phase angle and/or to the group delay times and/or to discrepancies between the phase angles with respect to the individual antenna elements or antenna element groups (3, 3′

),

the measurement results which are determined, and/or the discrepancies which are determined, from an ideal phase angle are measured for all the transmission paths, preferably on the path from the input to the probe or coupling output, and preferably over the entire operating frequency band, and

the data which is determined is stored and is available to a transmitting device during operation of the base station, in order to produce the phase angle of the individual signals electronically.

14. Method according to claim 13, characterized in that the data record which is determined is associated with the serial number of one antenna.