METHOD FOR CALIBRATING ANTENNA ARRAYS

• US 20100321233A1
• Filed: 06/18/2009
• Published: 12/23/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 06/18/2009
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Alvarion Limited
• Original Assignee: Alvarion Limited
• Inventors: Shechter, David, Ben-Zur, Avra'am, Delishansky, Michael
• Application Number:
  US12/486,905
• Publication Number:
  US 20100321233A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 342/174
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 3/267 Phased-array testing or checking devices

Abstract

A method is provided for use in calibrating a plurality of antennas comprised in an antenna array and wherein the antenna array comprises at least one gain control circuitry. The method comprises: transmitting one or more pre-defined signals by at least one antenna comprised in the antenna array; receiving at one or more of the antennas comprised in the antenna array, a signal derived from a corresponding pre-defined signal transmitted by the at least one antenna; and for each of the one or more antennas, detecting whether there is any difference between the corresponding one or more pre-defined signals transmitted thereto and the respective one or more signals received thereat, and if in the affirmative, applying the detected differences in a process of calibrating the one or more antennas comprised in the antenna array, and wherein the process of calibrating the one or more antennas comprised in the antenna array comprises a step of estimating a ratio of complex transmission coefficients for at least two states of the at least one gain control circuitry.

Claims

1. A method for use in calibrating a plurality of antennas comprised in an antenna array and wherein said antenna array comprises at least one gain control circuitry, said method comprises:

transmitting one or more pre-defined signals by at least one antenna comprised in said antenna array;

receiving at one or more of the antennas comprised in the antenna array, a signal derived from a corresponding pre-defined signal transmitted by the at least one antenna; and

for each of the one or more antennas, detecting whether there is any difference between the corresponding one or more pre-defined signals transmitted thereto and the respective one or more signals received thereat, and if in the affirmative, applying the detected differences in a process of calibrating said one or more antennas comprised in the antenna array,

and wherein the process of calibrating said one or more antennas comprised in the antenna array comprises a step of estimating a ratio of complex transmission coefficients for at least two states of said at least one gain control circuitry.

2. A method according to claim 1, further comprising a step of selecting an antenna from among the plurality of antennas comprised in the antenna array for transmitting the one or more pre-defined signals which would enable achieving improved overall calibration of said antenna array.

3. A method according to claim 1, wherein said process of calibrating said one or more antennas comprised in the antenna array, is a dynamic process adapted to be carried out at the antenna array installation site.

4. A method according to claim 1, further comprising a step of determining whether any of said pre-defined signals and/or their corresponding receive signals are to be conveyed along a path extending between at least two antennas comprised in said antenna array via a cable.

5. A method for use in calibrating a plurality of antennas comprised in an antenna array and wherein said antenna array comprises at least one gain control circuitry, said method comprises:

setting said gain control circuitry according to a pre-defined calibration algorithm;

transmitting one or more pre-defined signals by at least one antenna comprised in said antenna array;

receiving at one or more of the antennas comprised in the antenna array, a signal derived from a corresponding pre-defined signal transmitted by the at least one antenna; and

for each of the one or more antennas, detecting whether there is any difference between the corresponding one or more pre-defined signals transmitted thereto and the respective one or more signals received thereat, and if in the affirmative, applying the detected differences in a process of calibrating said one or more antennas comprised in the antenna array.

6. A method according to claim 5, further comprising a step of dynamically changing said gain control circuitry at a calibration zone during transmitting/receiving one or more pre-defined signals.

7. A method according to claim 5, further comprising a step of estimating a ratio of complex transmission coefficients for at least two states of said at least one gain control circuitry.

8. A method according to claim 7, wherein said complex transmission coefficients comprise complex gain and/or complex coefficients for gain/attenuation and phase.

9. A method according to claim 5, further comprising a step of transmitting one or more pre-defined signals by at least two antenna comprised in said antenna array.