Array antenna calibration in presence of control signal reflections

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

doi:10.18127/j00338486-202104-05

Array antenna calibration in presence of control signal reflections

G.A. Verba¹¹, E.V. Korotetskiy²², А.М. Shitikov³³

research article UDC 621.396.67 Pages: 34-44 doi.org/10.18127/j00338486-202104-05

Keywords: Calibration phased antenna array calibration error correction

Abstract

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.

Received: 24.02.2021
Approved after review: 17.03.2021
Accepted: 22.03.2021

How to cite

Верба Г.А., Коротецкий Е.В., Шитиков А.М. Особенности калибровки антенных решеток в условиях переотражения контрольного сигнала // Радиотехника. 2021. Т. 85. № 4. С. 34−44. DOI: https://doi.org/10.18127/j00338486-202104-05

References

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Shitikov A.M., Koroteckij E.V. Kalibrovka mnogokanal'nyh FAR po perekryvajushhimsja gruppam kanalov. Radiotehnika. 2019. T. 83. № 10. S. 9−17 (In Russian).

[1] Bubnov G.G. i dr. Kommutacionnyj metod izmerenija harakteristik FAR. M.: Radio i svjaz'. 1988. 120 s. (In Russian).

[2] Mano S., Katagi T. A method for measuring amplitude and phase of each radiating element of a phased array antenna. Electronics and Communications in Japan (Part I: Communications). 1982. V. 65. № 5. P. 58−64.

[3] Sorace R. Phased array calibration. IEEE Transactions on antennas and propagation. 2001. V. 49. № 4. P. 517−525.

[4] Lee K.M., Chu R.S., Liu S.C. A built-in performance-monitoring/fault isolation and correction (PM/FIC) system for active phased-array antennas. IEEE transactions on antennas and propagation. 1993. V. 41. № 11. P. 1530−1540.

[5] Takahshi T., et al. A simple on-board calibration method and its accuracy for mechanical distortions of satellite phased array antennas. 2009 3rd European Conference on Antennas and Propagation. IEEE. 2009. P. 1573−1577.

[6] Aumann H.M., Fenn A.J., Willwerth F.G. Phased array antenna calibration and pattern prediction using mutual coupling measurements. IEEE Transactions on Antennas and Propagation. 1989. V. 37. № 7. P. 844−850.

[7] Takahashi T., et al. Fast measurement technique for phased array calibration. IEEE Transactions on Antennas and Propagation. 2008. V. 56. № 7. P. 1888−1899.

[8] Li R., et al. An accurate mid-field calibration technique for large phased array antenna. 2017 Sixth Asia-Pacific Conference on Antennas and Propagation (APCAP). IEEE. 2017. P. 1−3.

[9] Long R., et al. Fast amplitude-only measurement method for phased array calibration. IEEE transactions on antennas and propagation. 2016. V. 65. № 4. P. 1815−1822.

[10] He G., Gao X., Zhou H. Fast phased array calibration by power-only measurements twice for each antenna element. International Journal of Antennas and Propagation. 2019.

[11] Shitikov A.M., Bondarik A.V. Multi-element PAA calibration with REV method. 4th International Conference on Antenna Theory and Techniques (Cat. No. 03EX699). IEEE, 2003. V. 2. P. 761−764.

[12] Fan X., Li C., Chen Z. The application of REV method for missile-borne phased array antenna calibration. 2012 International Conference on Microwave and Millimeter Wave Technology (ICMMT). IEEE. 2012. V. 1. P. 1−4.

[13] Korotetskiy Y.V., Shitikov A.M., Denisenko V.V. Phased Array Antenna Calibration with Probe Positioning Errors [Measurements Corner]. IEEE Antennas and Propagation Magazine. 2016. V. 58. № 3. P. 65−80.

[14] Shitikov A.M. Sravnenie metodov obrabotki signala pri kalibrovke cifrovyh priemnyh FAR. Radiotehnika. 2019. T. 83. № 4. S. 40−46 (In Russian).

[15] Shitikov A.M., Sablin A.V., Durandin S.P. Osobennosti kalibrovki fazirovannyh antennyh reshetok metodom REV po dvizhushhemusja istochniku signala. Radiotehnika. 2017. № 4. S. 20−27 (In Russian).

[16] Afanasenkov Ju.M., Shitikov A.M. Kalibrovka fazirovannyh antennyh reshetok v uslovijah pomeh. Radiotehnika. 2010. № 4. S. 46−51 (In Russian).

[17] Shitikov A.M., Koroteckij E.V. Kalibrovka mnogokanal'nyh FAR po perekryvajushhimsja gruppam kanalov. Radiotehnika. 2019. T. 83. № 10. S. 9−17 (In Russian).

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