KR101021677B1 - Apparatus for correcting error in active phased arrayantenna system and method thereof - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE: An apparatus for correcting an error in an active phased array antenna system and a method thereof are provided to check transmitting/receiving properties of a system in real time to correct an error in a phase or a size of a TR(Transmit/Receive) module, thereby stably maintaining performance of an active phased array antenna system. CONSTITUTION: An apparatus for correcting an error in an active phased array antenna system comprises the following units. A signal generating unit(14) generates a check signal. An electricity feeding device(19) applies the check signal to TR modules. A monitoring device detects an error of each TR module. A controller(15) generates a control signal for correcting the error. A beam steering device(17) corrects an error of the TR module based on the control signal.

Description

ERROR CALIBRATION APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR ACTIVE PHASE ARRAY ANTENNA SYSTEM

The present invention relates to an error correction apparatus and method for an active phased array antenna system.

In general, an active phased array antenna system consists of multiple TR modules. By adjusting the size and phase of each TR module, the shape of the antenna beam pattern and the beam forming direction can be freely adjusted.

In addition, in the case of the existing active array radar, the horn antenna was placed in front of the antenna to check the size and phase of each TR module. However, when the horn antenna is disposed on the front surface, the horn antenna may be affected by the external environment, and error correction may not be performed in real time.

An object of the present invention is to check the transmit / receive characteristics of an active phased array antenna system in real time, and to correct the size or phase error of a TR (Transmit / Receive) module. An error compensating apparatus and a method thereof of a phased array antenna system are provided.

An error correction apparatus of an active phased array antenna system according to embodiments of the present invention includes an active phased array antenna system having a plurality of TR modules, the signal generation unit generating a check signal; A feeder for applying the check signal to the plurality of TR modules; A processing unit for detecting an error of each TR module by comparing a check signal output from the plurality of TR modules with a preset reference value; A controller for generating a control signal for correcting the error; And a beam steering unit that corrects an error of the TR module based on the control signal.

An error correction apparatus of an active phased array antenna system according to embodiments of the present invention includes an active phased array antenna system having a plurality of TR modules, the signal generation unit generating a check signal; A sub-array feeder for applying the check signal to a plurality of TR modules when in the transmission mode; A receiver for converting the check signals output from the plurality of TR modules into intermediate frequency signals; A demodulator for demodulating the intermediate frequency signal into a digital signal; A processing unit for detecting an error of each TR module by comparing the digital signal with a preset reference value; A controller for generating a control signal for correcting the error; And a beam steering unit that corrects an error of the TR module based on the control signal.

An error correction method of an active phased array antenna system according to embodiments of the present invention may include: generating a check signal in an error correction method of an active phased array antenna system having a plurality of TR modules; When in a transmission mode, applying the check signal to a plurality of TR modules; Converting the check signals output from the plurality of TR modules into intermediate frequency signals; Demodulating the intermediate frequency signal into a digital signal; Detecting an error of each TR module by comparing the digital signal with a preset reference value; Generating a control signal to correct the error; Compensating for the error of the TR module based on the control signal.

An error correction apparatus and method of an active phased array antenna system according to an embodiment of the present invention by checking the transmission / reception characteristics of the active phased array antenna system in real time to correct the size or phase error of the TR (Transmit / Receive) module The performance of the active phased array antenna system can be stably maintained.

Hereinafter, an active phased array antenna capable of stably maintaining the performance of the active phased array antenna system by correcting a magnitude or phase error of a TR (Transmit / Receive) module by checking the transmission / reception characteristics of the active phased array antenna system in real time. A preferred embodiment of the error compensating apparatus and method thereof of the system will be described with reference to FIGS.

Prior to this, the specification and terms or words used in the claims should not be construed as being limited to the ordinary or dictionary meanings, and the inventors may appropriately define the concept of terms to describe their own invention. It should be interpreted as meaning and concept corresponding to the technical idea of the present invention based on the principle that the present invention.

Therefore, the embodiments described in the present specification and the configurations shown in the drawings are only the most preferred embodiments of the present invention, and not all of the technical ideas of the present invention are described. Therefore, It should be understood that various equivalents and modifications may be present.

1 is a block diagram showing an error correction apparatus of an active phased array antenna system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

As shown in Fig. 1, an error correction apparatus of an active phased array antenna system according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a signal generator 14 for generating a check signal; A sub-array feeder (19) for applying said check signal to a plurality of TR modules when in transmission mode; A receiver (11) for converting the check signals output from the plurality of TR modules (18) into intermediate frequency signals; A demodulator (12) for demodulating the intermediate frequency signal into a digital signal; A controller (13) for detecting an error of each TR module by comparing the digital signal with a preset reference value; A controller (16) for generating a control signal for correcting the error; It is composed of a beam steering unit 17 for correcting the error of the TR module based on the control signal. Here, the beam steering unit 17 corrects the error of the TR module by transmitting data whose error is corrected to the TR module.

Here, the active phased array antenna system is composed of a plurality of unit modules, each unit module includes a plurality of TR modules, distributors, beam steering.

2 is a view showing the number of the TR module (TRM) of the active phased array antenna system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

As shown in Fig. 2, the active phased array antenna system according to the embodiment of the present invention includes a plurality of TR modules (TRM), for example, the active phased array antenna system is (1,1) to (n). m) up to and including the TR module, the number of the TR module may be changed by the designer.

Hereinafter, an apparatus and a method for correcting an error of an active phased array antenna system in a transmission check mode, a reception check mode, and a receiver check mode will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 5.

Hereinafter, an apparatus for correcting an amplitude or a phase error of a TR (Transmit / Receive) module of an active phased array antenna system in a transmission check mode (transmission mode) will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 3.

3 is a block diagram illustrating an apparatus for correcting an error of a magnitude or a phase of a TR (Transmit / Receive) module of an active phased array antenna system in a transmission mode according to an embodiment of the present invention.

First, the signal generator 14 generates a check signal (Radio Frequency signal) under the control of the controller 16 and applies the generated check signal to the transmit / receive switch module 15.

The transmit / receive switch module 15 outputs the applied check signal to the subarray feeder 19 when in the transmit check mode.

The subarray feeder 19 receives the check signal and applies the received check signal to the TRM 18 (e.g., 1,1). At this time, only the TRM (1, 1) is turned on (Turn-on) state. The check signal output through the turned-on TRM (eg, 1,1) is applied to the check signal feeder 20 through a coupler. Here, the beam steering unit 17 operates all TRMs sequentially by operating TRM 2 after operating TRM 1 and operating TRM after operating TRM 2.

The check signal feeder 20 receives a check signal output through the turned-on TRM (eg, 1,1), and sets the received check signal to the transmission mode (or transmission check mode). Applied to the transmit / receive switch module 15; The check signal feeder 20 receives a check signal output from one TRM and outputs the received check signal to the transmit / receive switch module 15 through a single output terminal.

 The transmit / receive switch module 15 outputs a check signal received from the check signal feeder 20 to the receiver 11.

The receiver 11 changes the check signal (RF signal) received from the transmit / receive switch module 15 into an intermediate frequency signal under the control of the controller 16, and converts the modified intermediate frequency signal into a demodulation processor (or demodulator). To 12). The receiver is composed of a plurality of receivers according to the number of receiving channels. Since the description of the receiver and the distributor is also disclosed in Korean Patent Laid-Open Publication No. 10-2004-0020586 and Korean Patent Publication No. 10-2004-0025113, a detailed description thereof will be omitted.

The demodulation processor (or demodulator) 12 demodulates the check signal received from the receiver 11 into a digital signal under the control of the controller 16, and outputs the demodulated digital signal to the controller 13.

The controller 13 sequentially stores digital signals corresponding to check signals passing through all TRMs from TRM (1,1) to TRM (n, m). For example, the error correction apparatus and method of an active phased array antenna system according to an embodiment of the present invention, applying the check signal sequentially from the first TRM to the last TRM, and outputs from the first TRM to the last TRM Save the check signal.

The controller 13 stores the check signals (status check data) of all the TRMs, and detects the error (magnitude, phase) of the TRMs by comparing the check signals of all the TRMs with previously stored data (initial value or reference value). The detected error is output to the transmission / reception controller (or controller) 14.

The transmission / reception controller (or controller) 16 receives the detected error, generates a control signal (data) for correcting the detected error, and transmits the generated control signal (data) to each unit module beam steering unit ( Output to 17). For example, the controller 16 has the same characteristics (gain and phase) of all TRMs on the assumption that the gain of TRM No. 1 is 20 dB, the phase is 40 degrees, the Gain of TRM No. 21 is 21 dB, and the phase is 35 degrees. To match, match the size (gain) and phase of all other modules based on the gain (magnitude) and phase of TRM 1. That is, the controller 16 reduces the gain of TRM # 2 by 1 dB, generates data for changing the phase up by 5 degrees, and stores the generated data in the memory of the unit module beam steering unit 17. In addition, the controller 16 may change the size and phase of the same TRM adjusted during operation of the system, so if the size and phase of the TRM changes in real time, the error (size and phase) of the TRM changes. The data stored in the beam steering memory is updated in real time based on the data to be corrected.

The beam steering unit 17 corrects an error of the corresponding TRM based on the control signal (data). For example, the beam steering unit 17 controls the variable attenuator and phase shifter installed in the TRM 18 based on the control signal (data) to reduce the gain of the second TRM by 1 dB and to change the phase upward by 5 degrees. Let's do it. Therefore, the magnitude and phase of all TRMs of the antenna system can be kept the same.

Hereinafter, an apparatus for correcting a scale or phase error of a TR (Transmit / Receive) module of an active phased array antenna system in a reception check mode (receive mode) will be described with reference to FIGS. 2 and 4.

4 is a block diagram illustrating an apparatus for correcting an error of a magnitude or a phase of a TR (Transmit / Receive) module of an active phased array antenna system in a reception mode according to an embodiment of the present invention.

First, the signal generator 14 generates a check signal (Radio Frequency signal) under the control of the controller 16 and applies the generated check signal to the transmit / receive switch module 15.

The transmit / receive switch module 15 outputs the applied check signal to the check signal feeder 20 when in the check check mode (receive mode).

The check signal feeder 20 receives the check signal and outputs the received check signal to a plurality of TRMs 18 (a plurality of unit modules). Here, the check signal output through the TRM (eg, 1,1) is applied to the sub-array feeder 19.

The subarray feeder 19 receives a check signal output through the plurality of TRMs 18 and applies the received check signal to the receiver 11.

The receiver 11 changes the check signal received from the sub-array feeder 19 into an intermediate frequency signal under the control of the control unit 16, and converts the changed intermediate frequency signal into a demodulation processor (or demodulator) 12. Output to. Since the description of the receiver and the distributor is also disclosed in Korean Patent Laid-Open Publication No. 10-2004-0020586 and Korean Patent Publication No. 10-2004-0025113, a detailed description thereof will be omitted.

The demodulation processor (or demodulator) 12 demodulates the check signal received from the receiver 11 into a digital signal under the control of the control unit 16, and outputs the demodulated digital signal to the controller 13. .

The controller 13 stores a digital signal corresponding to the check signal passing through all TRMs from TRM (1,1) to TRM (n, m). For example, the error correction apparatus and method of an active phased array antenna system according to an embodiment of the present invention, applying the check signal from the first TRM to the last TRM, the check signal output from the first TRM to the last TRM Save it.

The controller 13 stores the check signals (status check data) of all the TRMs, and detects the error (magnitude, phase) of the TRMs by comparing the check signals of all the TRMs with previously stored data (initial value or reference value). The detected error is output to the transmission / reception controller (or controller) 14.

The transmission / reception controller (or controller) 16 receives the detected error, generates a control signal for correcting the detected error, and outputs the generated control signal to each unit module beam steering unit 17. For example, the controller 16 has the same characteristics (gain and phase) of all TRMs on the assumption that the gain of TRM No. 1 is 20 dB, the phase is 40 degrees, the Gain of TRM No. 21 is 21 dB, and the phase is 35 degrees. To match, match the size (gain) and phase of all other modules based on the gain (magnitude) and phase of TRM 1. That is, the controller 16 reduces the gain of TRM # 2 by 1 dB, generates data for changing the phase up by 5 degrees, and stores the generated data in the memory of the unit module beam steering unit 17. In addition, the controller 16 may change the size and phase of the same TRM adjusted during operation of the system, so if the size and phase of the TRM changes in real time, the error (size and phase) of the TRM changes. The data stored in the beam steering memory is updated in real time based on the data to be corrected.

The beam steering unit 17 corrects an error of the corresponding TRM based on the control signal (data). For example, the beam steering unit 17 controls the variable attenuator and phase shifter installed in the TRM 18 based on the control signal (data) to reduce the gain of the second TRM by 1 dB and to change the phase upward by 5 degrees. Let's do it. Therefore, the magnitude and phase of all TRMs of the antenna system can be kept the same.

Hereinafter, an apparatus for correcting an error of a scale or a phase of a receiver of an active phased array antenna system in the receiver check mode will be described with reference to FIG. 5. Here, the receiver check can be made selectively, which is not necessary.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram illustrating an apparatus for correcting an error of a size or a phase of a receiver of an active phased array antenna system in a receiver check mode according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

First, the signal generator 14 generates a check signal (Radio Frequency signal), and applies the generated check signal to the transmit / receive switch module 15.

The transmit / receive switch module 15 outputs the applied check signal to the receiver 11 in the receiver check mode (receiver mode). Here, the active phased array antenna system includes a plurality of receivers.

The receiver 11 changes the check signal received from the transmit / receive switch module 15 into an intermediate frequency signal under the control of the controller 16, and converts the changed intermediate frequency signal into a demodulator (or demodulator) 12 ) Here, the transmission / reception switch module 15 sequentially outputs the check signal to all receivers.

The demodulation processor (or demodulator) 12 demodulates the check signal received from the receiver 11 into a digital signal, and outputs the demodulated digital signal to the controller 13.

The controller 13 stores a digital signal corresponding to the check signal passed from the first receiver to the last receiver. For example, the error correction apparatus and method of an active phased array antenna system according to an embodiment of the present invention, applying the check signal from the first receiver to the last receiver, the check signal output from the first receiver to the last receiver Save it.

The controller 13 stores check signals (status check data) of all receivers, and detects error (magnitude, phase) of the receiver by comparing check signals of all the receivers with previously stored data (initial value or reference value). The detected error is output to the transmission / reception controller (or controller) 14.

The transmission / reception controller (or controller) 16 receives the detected error, generates a control signal (data) for correcting the detected error, and transmits the generated control signal (data) to each receiver 11. Output For example, the controller 14 equalizes the characteristics (gain and phase) of all receivers, assuming that the gain of receiver 1 is 20 dB, the phase is 40 degrees, the receiver 2 is 21 dB, and the phase is 35 degrees. In order to achieve this, the size (gain) and phase of all other receivers are matched with respect to the gain (magnitude) and phase of the first receiver. That is, the controller 16 reduces the gain of the second receiver by 1 dB, generates data for shifting the phase up by 5 degrees, and outputs the generated data to the corresponding receiver. In addition, the controller 16 may change the size and phase of the receiver to be equally adjusted during system operation, so if the size and phase of the receiver is changed in real time, the error (size and phase) of the receiver is changed. Output the data for correction to the receiver.

The receiver 11 corrects an error based on the control signal (data). For example, the second receiver reduces the gain by 1 dB and changes the phase upward by 5 degrees by controlling the variable attenuator and phase shifter installed therein based on the control signal (data). Therefore, the size and phase of all receivers of the antenna system can be kept the same.

As described in detail above, the error correction apparatus and method of an active phased array antenna system according to an embodiment of the present invention, by checking the transmission / reception characteristics of the active phased array antenna system in real time to the TR (Transmit / Receive) module By correcting for magnitude and phase errors, the performance of an active phased array antenna system can be maintained reliably.

Those skilled in the art will appreciate that various modifications and variations can be made without departing from the essential characteristics of the present invention. Therefore, the embodiments disclosed in the present invention are not intended to limit the technical idea of the present invention but to describe the present invention, and the scope of the technical idea of the present invention is not limited by these embodiments. The protection scope of the present invention should be interpreted by the following claims, and all technical ideas within the equivalent scope should be interpreted as being included in the scope of the present invention.

1 is a block diagram showing an error correction apparatus of an active phased array antenna system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

2 is a view showing a TR number of the TR module (TRM) of the active phased array antenna system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

3 is a block diagram illustrating an apparatus for correcting an error of a magnitude or a phase of a TR (Transmit / Receive) module of an active phased array antenna system in a transmission mode according to an embodiment of the present invention.

4 is a block diagram illustrating an apparatus for correcting an error of a magnitude or a phase of a TR (Transmit / Receive) module of an active phased array antenna system in a reception mode according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram illustrating an apparatus for correcting an error of a size or a phase of a receiver of an active phased array antenna system in a receiver check mode according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

* Explanation of symbols on the main parts of the drawings

 11: receiver 12: demodulator

 13: controller 14: signal generator

 15: transmit / receive switch module 16: controller

        17: beam steering 18: TRM

 19: sub array feeder 20: check signal feeder

Claims (15)

delete delete In an active phased array antenna system having a plurality of TR (Transmit / Receive) module, A signal generator for generating a check signal; A sub-array feeder which applies the check signal to the plurality of TR modules in the transmission mode and receives and outputs the check signals output from the plurality of TR modules in the receiving mode; A receiver for converting the check signals output from the plurality of TR modules into intermediate frequency signals; A demodulator for demodulating the intermediate frequency signal into a digital signal; A controller for detecting a magnitude and a phase error of each TR module by comparing the digital signal with a preset reference value; A controller for generating a control signal for correcting the error; On the basis of the control signal includes a beam steering unit for correcting the size and phase error of each TR module, And the controller checks the size and phase of the TR module in real time and updates the data stored in the beam steering memory in real time when there is a change. delete The method of claim 3, wherein the beam steering, And correcting the size and error of the TR module by controlling the variable attenuator and the phase shifter installed in the TR module based on the control signal. delete The method of claim 3, wherein the receiver, When in the receiver check mode, the check signal is received from the signal generator, the check signal is converted into the intermediate frequency signal, and the intermediate frequency signal is output to the demodulator, wherein the check signal output from the receiver And an error of the receiver by comparing a reference value with a preset reference value. The method of claim 7, wherein the controller, In the receiver checking mode, a control signal for correcting an error of the receiver is output to the receiver, wherein the receiver controls the variable attenuator and phase shifter installed in the receiver based on the control signal. Error correction device of an active phased array antenna system, characterized in that for correcting the error. delete delete In the error correction method of an active phased array antenna system having a plurality of TR (Transmit / Receive) module, Generating a check signal; Applying the check signal to a plurality of TR modules in a transmission mode, and receiving and checking a check signal output from the plurality of TR modules in a reception mode; When in a transmission mode, applying the check signal to a plurality of TR modules; Converting the check signals output from the plurality of TR modules into intermediate frequency signals; Demodulating the intermediate frequency signal into a digital signal; Detecting a magnitude and an error of each TR module by comparing the digital signal with a preset reference value; Generating a control signal for correcting the magnitude and the error of the TR module; Compensating the size and the error of the TR module based on the control signal, In the generating of the control signal, an active phased array antenna system is characterized by checking the magnitude and phase of the TR module and real-time updating data for correcting the magnitude and phase error of the TR module in case of variation. Error correction method. delete 12. The method of claim 11, wherein correcting the size and error of the TR module, Correcting the size and the error of the TR module by controlling the variable attenuator and the phase shifter installed in the TR module based on the control signal. delete The method of claim 11, Outputting a check signal generated by the signal generator to a receiver when in the receiver check mode; Detecting an error of the receiver by comparing the check signal with a preset reference value through the receiver; And outputting a control signal for correcting an error of the receiver to the receiver, wherein the receiver controls a variable attenuator and a phase shifter installed in the receiver based on the control signal. Error correction method of an active phased array antenna system, characterized in that for correcting the error.

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