Phased array antenna including a distributed phase calibrator and associated method
First Claim
1. A phased array antenna comprising:
- a plurality of antenna radiating elements;
a transmission line network connected to the plurality of antenna radiating elements and including a plurality of taps;
a reference signal generator connected to the transmission line network to provide a reference frequency signal to each of the plurality of antenna radiating elements; and
a phase calibrator to generate a calibration signal on the transmission line network, the calibration signal being reflected at the reference signal generator to create a reflected calibration signal on the transmission line network, to determine a frequency difference between the calibration signal and the reflected calibration signal at each of the plurality of taps, and to output a delay measurement signal to the antenna radiating elements for adjusting a phase of the reference frequency signal.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A phased array antenna includes a transmission line network, e.g. optical or coaxial cable network, and a reference signal generator to provide a reference frequency signal to each of the antenna radiating elements. A phase calibrator generates a calibration signal. e.g. a swept frequency signal, on the transmission line network which is also reflected to create a reflected calibration signal. The phase calibrator determines a frequency difference between the calibration signal and the reflected calibration signal at each of a plurality of taps, and outputs a delay measurement signal to the antenna radiating elements, e.g. via an antenna controller, for adjusting a phase of the reference frequency signal.
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Citations
30 Claims
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1. A phased array antenna comprising:
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a plurality of antenna radiating elements;
a transmission line network connected to the plurality of antenna radiating elements and including a plurality of taps;
a reference signal generator connected to the transmission line network to provide a reference frequency signal to each of the plurality of antenna radiating elements; and
a phase calibrator to generate a calibration signal on the transmission line network, the calibration signal being reflected at the reference signal generator to create a reflected calibration signal on the transmission line network, to determine a frequency difference between the calibration signal and the reflected calibration signal at each of the plurality of taps, and to output a delay measurement signal to the antenna radiating elements for adjusting a phase of the reference frequency signal. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
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13. A phased array antenna comprising:
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a plurality of antenna radiating elements;
a transmission line network connected to the plurality of antenna radiating elements and including a plurality of taps;
a reference signal generator connected to the transmission line network to provide a reference frequency signal to each of the plurality of antenna radiating elements; and
a phase calibrator comprising a direct digital synthesizer (DDS) for generating a swept frequency signal on the transmission line network, the swept frequency signal being reflected at the reference signal generator to create a reflected swept frequency signal on the transmission line network, a phase coasting unit connected downstream of the DDS to linearize the swept frequency signal, and a plurality of frequency measurement units each including a dual direction coupler at a respective one of the plurality of taps to detect the swept frequency signal and the reflected swept frequency signal, and associated circuitry to determine a frequency difference between the swept frequency signal and the reflected swept frequency signal and to output a delay measurement signal to the antenna radiating elements for adjusting a phase of the reference frequency signal. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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21. A method of calibrating phase in a phased array antenna including a transmission line network, having a plurality of taps, and connected to a plurality of antenna radiating elements, and a reference signal generator connected to the transmission line network to provide a reference frequency signal to each of the plurality of antenna radiating elements, the method comprising:
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generating a calibration signal on the transmission line network, the calibration signal being reflected at the reference signal generator to create a reflected calibration signal on the transmission line network;
determining a frequency difference between the calibration signal and the reflected calibration signal at each of the plurality of taps; and
outputting a delay measurement signal to the antenna radiating elements for adjusting a phase of the reference frequency signal. - View Dependent Claims (22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30)
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Specification