Self-phase up of array antennas with non-uniform element mutual coupling and arbitrary lattice orientation

• US 5,657,023 A
• Filed: 05/02/1996
• Issued: 08/12/1997
• Est. Priority Date: 05/02/1996
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Hughes Electronics Corporation (Rtx Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Hughes Electronics Corporation (Rtx Corporation)
• Inventors: Lewis, Gib F., Boe, Eric
• Primary Examiner(s): Blum, Theodore M.
• Application Number:
  US08/642,033
• Time in Patent Office: 467 Days
• Field of Search: 342/174, 342/372, 342/374, 342/360
• US Class Current: 342/174
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 3/2652 Self-phasing arrays
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 3/267 Phased-array testing or checking devices

Abstract

A technique for phase-up of array antennas of regularly spaced lattice orientation, without the use of a nearfield or farfield range. The technique uses mutual coupling and/or reflections to provide a signal from one element to its neighbors. This signal provides a reference to allow for elements to be phased with respect to each other. After the first stage of the process is completed, the array is phased-up into, at most, four interleaved lattices. These interleaved lattices are then phased with respect to each other, thus completing the phase-up process.

Claims

1. A method for achieving phase-up of the radiative elements comprising an array antenna, wherein the elements are arranged in a plurality of spaced, interleaved lattices, comprising the steps of:

(i) transmitting a measurement signal from only a single element of a first interleaved lattice at a time, receiving the transmitted measurement signal at one or more adjacent elements of a second interleaved lattice, and computing phase and gain differences between elements of the second interleaved lattice as a result of transmission from the single elements of the first lattice;

(ii) repeating step (i) to sequentially transmit measurement signals from other elements of said first lattice and receiving the transmitted signals at elements of the second lattice, computing resulting phase and gain differences, and using the computed phase and gain differences from steps (i) and (ii) to compute a first set of correction coefficients that when applied to corresponding elements of the second lattice permit these elements to exhibit the same phase and gain response and thereby provide a phased-up second lattice;

(iii) for each of the remaining lattices of elements, repeating steps (i) and (ii) to provide a plurality of interleaved, phased-up lattices;

(iv) determining a set of ratios of element mutual coupling coefficients for said array; and

(v) using the set of ratios of element mutual coupling coefficients to determine necessary adjustments to elements comprising said array to bring the plurality of interleaved lattices into phase,

wherein phase-up of said array is achieved by transmitting signals through only one element at any given time.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein the lattice orientation is a quadrilateral orientation.

3. The method of claim 2 wherein the quadrilateral orientiation is a parallelogram, and wherein the array comprises four interleaved lattices which are brought into phase.

4. The method of claim 1 wherein the array is a linear array of first and second interleaved arrays of alternating elements.

5. The method of claim 4 wherein the set of ratios of element mutual coupling coefficients comprises ratios of coupling coefficients between adjacent and alternating elements comprising said array.

6. A method for achieving phase-up of the radiative elements comprising an array antenna, wherein the elements are arranged in a regularly spaced, lattice orientation, comprises the steps of:

(i) dividing the array into a plurality of interleaved lattices of elements arranged in respective rows and columns;

(ii) for a given one of the lattices of elements, transmitting from a single element at a time, receiving the transmitted signal at two adjacent elements, and adjusting one of the receive elements to minimize the difference between its received signal and the signal received at the other of the two receive elements;

(iii) repeating step (ii) for each of the other elements in the given one of the lattices of elements to phase up all of the elements within the given lattice;

(iv) for each of the remaining lattices of elements, repeating steps (ii) and (iii) to provide a plurality of interleaved, phased-up lattices;

(v) determining a set of ratios of element mutual coupling coefficients for the array; and

(vi) using the set of ratios of element mutual coupling coefficients to determine necessary adjustments to elements comprising said array to bring the plurality of interleaved lattices into phase,

wherein phase-up of the array is achieved by transmitting signals through only one element at any given time.

7. The method of claim 6 wherein the lattice orientation is a quadrilateral orientation.

8. The method of claim 7 wherein the quadrilateral orientiation is a parallelogram, and wherein the array comprises four interleaved lattices which are brought into phase.

9. The method of claim 6 wherein the set of ratios of element mutual coupling coefficients comprises ratios of coupling coefficients between adjacent and alternating elements comprising said array.

10. A method for achieving phase-up of the radiative elements comprising an array antenna, wherein the elements are arranged in a rhombic lattice, comprising the steps of:

(i) dividing the array into first and second interleaved lattices of elements arranged in respective rows and columns;

(ii) for said first lattice, transmitting from a single element at a time, receiving the transmitted signal at four adjacent, elements in said second lattice, and adjusting three of the receive elements to minimize the difference between their respective, received signals and the signal received at the remaining, fourth element of the four receive elements;

(iii) repeating step (ii) for each of the other elements in the first lattice to phase up all of the elements within said second lattice;

(iv) for said second lattice, transmitting from only a single element, receiving the transmitted signal at four adjacent, elements in said first lattice, and adjusting three of the receive elements to minimize the difference between their respective, received signals and the signal received at the remaining, fourth element of the four receive elements;

(v) repeating step (iv) for each of the other elements in the second lattice to phase up all of the elements within said first lattice;

(vi) determining a set of ratios of element mutual coupling coefficients for said array; and

(vi) using the set of ratios of element mutual coupling coefficients to determine necessary adjustments to elements comprising said array to bring the first and second interleaved lattices into phase,

wherein phase-up of said array is achieved by transmitting signals through only one element at any given time.

11. The method of claim 10 wherein the rhombic lattice is a square lattice.

12. The method of claim 10 wherein the rhombic lattice is a triangular lattice.

13. The method of claim 10 wherein the set of ratios of element mutual coupling coefficients comprises ratios of coupling coefficients between adjacent and alternating elements comprising said array.