Method and apparatus for phased array antenna field recalibration
First Claim
1. A method of calibrating a modular phased array antenna, the modular phased array antenna comprising a replaced sub-array, and a plurality of sub-arrays, each sub-array comprising a plurality of antenna elements, the method comprising:
- determining two or more complex correction coefficients for correcting respective phases and amplitudes of two or more antenna elements in the replaced sub-array;
generating an average correction coefficient of the two or more complex correction coefficients; and
applying the average correction coefficient to a portion of the plurality of the antenna elements in the replaced sub-array to bring the replaced sub-array into calibration with the plurality of sub-arrays.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A system and method for calibrating a modular phased array antenna after replacement of a component of the modular phased array antenna including a plurality of sub-arrays, each sub-array including a plurality of antenna elements. A complex correction coefficient is determined for correcting a phase and amplitude of one antenna element of the antenna elements in a first sub-array of the sub-arrays. This correction coefficient is then applied to a plurality of the antenna elements in the first sub-array. Therefore, automatic calibration of an entire sub-array of an electronically scanned antenna may be accomplished in the field without the requirement for special test equipment, and with a reduced time and energy requirement because calibration of each individual antenna element in the replaced sub-array is not required.
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Citations
12 Claims
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1. A method of calibrating a modular phased array antenna, the modular phased array antenna comprising a replaced sub-array, and a plurality of sub-arrays, each sub-array comprising a plurality of antenna elements, the method comprising:
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determining two or more complex correction coefficients for correcting respective phases and amplitudes of two or more antenna elements in the replaced sub-array; generating an average correction coefficient of the two or more complex correction coefficients; and applying the average correction coefficient to a portion of the plurality of the antenna elements in the replaced sub-array to bring the replaced sub-array into calibration with the plurality of sub-arrays. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
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12. An electronically scanned array antenna comprising:
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an antenna array comprising a plurality of sub-arrays and a replaced sub-array, each sub-array comprising a plurality of antenna elements; a feed network for transmitting signals to or from respective ones of the sub-arrays; and a control unit for determining two or more complex correction coefficients for correcting respective phases and amplitudes of two or more antenna elements in the replaced sub-array, the control unit configured to calculate an average correction coefficient of the two or more complex correction coefficients, and apply the average correction coefficient to a portion of the plurality of the antenna elements in the replaced sub-array to bring the replaced sub-array into calibration with the plurality of sub-arrays.
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Specification