Calibration device for an antenna array, antenna array and methods for antenna array operation
First Claim
Patent Images
1. An antenna array comprising:
- at least one feed connection;
a reflector;
plural antenna elements arranged in plural columns in front of the reflector, the plural columns having inputs;
a beam forming network being connected between the feed connection and the column inputs for N antenna elements arranged in a respective column, N being a natural number;
a calibration device comprising no more than N/2 coupling devices for said N antenna elements, said N/2 coupling devices being associated with only some of said N antenna elements, said coupling devices receiving a small amount of signal received or transmitted by the antenna array for use in antenna array calibration; and
a combination network connected to the N/2 coupling devices, the combination network being designed such that the electrical delay from the input of the respective column to the output of the combination network is of approximately the same value for all the antenna inputs for a single-polarized antenna array or for at least one polarization for a dual-polarized antenna array, over the entire operating frequency band of the antenna array.
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Abstract
An improved calibration device for an antenna array, or an improved antenna array, is of simple construction. If the total number of antenna elements which are provided for a column is N, where N is a natural number, only N/2 or less coupling devices and/or probes are provided, the number of couplers or probes which are provided are associated with only some of the antenna elements; and a combination network is also provided, via which the coupling devices and/or probes which are provided are connected.
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Citations
13 Claims
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1. An antenna array comprising:
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at least one feed connection; a reflector; plural antenna elements arranged in plural columns in front of the reflector, the plural columns having inputs; a beam forming network being connected between the feed connection and the column inputs for N antenna elements arranged in a respective column, N being a natural number; a calibration device comprising no more than N/2 coupling devices for said N antenna elements, said N/2 coupling devices being associated with only some of said N antenna elements, said coupling devices receiving a small amount of signal received or transmitted by the antenna array for use in antenna array calibration; and a combination network connected to the N/2 coupling devices, the combination network being designed such that the electrical delay from the input of the respective column to the output of the combination network is of approximately the same value for all the antenna inputs for a single-polarized antenna array or for at least one polarization for a dual-polarized antenna array, over the entire operating frequency band of the antenna array. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13)
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Specification