G.A. Verba¹, E.V. Korotetskiy², А.М. Shitikov³

1,3 Moscow Institute of Physics and Technology (National Research University) (Dolgoprudny, Russia)

2,3 PJSC «Radiofizika» (Moscow, Russia)

Some specific problems arise when calibrating large stationary phased array antennas. The main option here is to use a pilot signal source on a special tower located nearby. It is almost impossible in this case to exclude the control signal reflections from the underlying surface. 

It was shown in our previous paper, for a simple case of source antenna placed at a very big distance, that some distortions can appear in the radiation pattern formed after such a calibration. Namely, one or two distorting lobes arise in antenna pattern, with the maximum directions which is defined by the direction of reflection to the virtual pilot source in the underlying surface. Maximum distortion value is defined by reflection coefficient. Here, more practical case is described with antenna placed nearby. 

Reasonable value of reflection coefficient has also been taken into account. Where are more distorting lobes in this case, with value which is proportional to reflection coefficient. 

Methods for estimating maximum value of these distortions, as well as the angular directions in which they arise, are proposed. Several methods for suppressing these distortions have been proposed. With the appropriate location of the calibration tower and calibration in several positions of the PAA with subsequent averaging, it is possible to suppress distortions to an acceptable level.

Verba G.A., Korotetskiy E.V., Shitikov А.М. Array antenna calibration in presence of control signal reflections. Radiotekhnika. 2021. 

V. 85. № 4. P. 34−44. DOI: https://doi.org/10.18127/j00338486-202104-05 (In Russian)

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