Calibration and integrated beam control/conditioning system for phased-array antennas
US6163296A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jul 12, 1999 |
| Grant date | Dec 19, 2000 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jul 12, 2019 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
- CPC primaryH01Q3/267
- WIPO fieldMeasurement
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
A near-field calibration arrangement for an antenna array determines the phase shifts or attenuation of the elemental control elements of the array. The calibration system includes a probe located in the near field, and a calibration tone generator. The tone generator is coupled to the probe in the case of calibration of a receive antenna, and to the signal port of the array in the case of calibration of a transmit antenna. A code generator generates sets of values, with each set being orthogonal to the others. The codes are applied to the control input port of the array antenna, so that the codes encode the tone passing through the antenna. The encoded tones are applied to a decoder and processor, which processes the signals to determine the phase shift or attenuation associated with each bit of the control signal. A transmit antenna attitude determination or pointing arrangement uses the calibration tone generator in conjunction with a plurality of remote sites.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.