D.V. Grachev1, A.P. Kovalev2, А.G. Martynov3, A.O. Slavyanskiy4

1,3,4 JSC “Central radio-research institute named after academician A.I. Berg” (Moscow, Russia)

2 JSC “Arsenal Design Bureau named after M.V. Frunze” (Moscow, Russia)

When designing multi-element active electronically scanned arrays (AESA), the task arises of controlling the phase distribution in the opening after final assembly to compensate for the departure of values as a result of the superposition of the tolerance for phase deviation in various nodes.

The proposed work is devoted to the description of the developed control and verification equipment of multi-element AESA, methods for monitoring the parameters of lattice elements and the choice of calibration method

The AESA consisting of modules of beam formation and control is considered. The phase distribution inside each of the channels has a random character with a spread of values from 0 to 2π, which complicates the task. Two calibration methods are considered.

In the first variant, the statistical method of phase front alignment is used. The phase distribution for an ideal lattice is assumed to be in-phase. In a real AESA, it is technologically possible to provide an identical phase in the channels only with an accuracy up to the minimum discretion of the phase shifters. The mathematical expectation of the phase distribution between groups of modules is equalized by increasing the introduced phase shift by one discrete value of the phase shifters and finding the maximum gain of the module.

As a second calibration option, it is assumed to consider the preliminary measurement of the amplitude-phase characteristics of the antenna array division system and transmitting modules. By making measurements in this way, it is possible to obtain the amplitude-frequency response and phase-frequency response of each divider channel, taking into account the transmitting module.

Based on the results of the research, the methods of calibration of AESA elements and the antenna array as a whole are considered. Structural and functional schemes of various variants of control and verification equipment of multi-element AESA have been developed.

The main calibration method adopted is the method of indirect measurement of the gain with iterative reduction of the phase distribution in the opening to an equalized one due to the speed of obtaining the result. An additional and more accurate calibration method is the element-by-element adjustment.

In the future, it is planned to manufacture and operate the developed control and verification equipment for ground-based experimental testing of antenna elements of promising airborne radar complexes and complexes of high-speed radio lines.

Grachev D.V., Kovalev A.P., Martynov А.G., Slavyanskiy A.O. Control and verification equipment of the active electronically scanned arrays. Radiotekhnika. 2022. V. 86. № 5. P. 72−79. DOI: https://doi.org/10.18127/j00338486-202205-09 (In Russian)

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