JP2006093871A - Array antenna receiver, array antenna transmitter, array antenna communication apparatus, and correction method - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To perform calibration for the entire transmission system and the entire reception system without using a measurement instrument other than an apparatus and by using an adaptive array antenna itself. <P>SOLUTION: One of antenna cables 103a, 103b is connected to an external terminal 102 outside the apparatus and a calibration signal switching means 110 is operated to output a calibration signal to one of calibration signal input means 104a, 104b from the terminal 102. Further, the calibration signal switching means 110 is operated to apply the calibration signal to a branch selection means 111 and to output the calibration signal to a branch selected by a branch selection means 111. A reception calibration processing means 108 obtains respective gains and phase amounts of the entire reception system in both the cases and obtains a gain and a phase error amount from a calibration signal input means to an antenna end. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to an array antenna receiving apparatus, an array antenna transmitting apparatus, an array antenna communication apparatus, and a calibration method.

  The adaptive array antenna type communication device uses an array antenna composed of a plurality of antenna elements, weights the amplitude and phase of the transmission output and reception output of each antenna, and synthesizes them so that the directivity of the array antenna as a whole Can be given. Also, the directivity of the array antenna can be changed by changing the weighting. If an adaptive array antenna is applied to mobile communication and weighting is changed according to a predetermined algorithm to realize a good directivity pattern, interference between other stations can be effectively suppressed.

  However, in general, a radio unit provided for each antenna element has different amplitude (gain) fluctuations and phase fluctuations based on variations in amplifier elements and the like. They also change over time. These variations in amplitude fluctuation and phase fluctuation cause a difference between the directivity pattern that is expected to be obtained by the control by the algorithm and the directivity pattern that is actually obtained, so that interference between other stations can be effectively suppressed. It becomes an obstacle.

  Therefore, for example, in Patent Document 1, in order to correct this variation, each wireless reception unit receives a known signal, measures the amplitude variation and phase variation amount of each, and feeds back the results to the weighting synthesis unit. A technique called reception calibration that calibrates and extracts a part of the output signal of each wireless transmission unit and compares it with the input signal to each wireless transmission unit to measure the amplitude fluctuation and phase shift of each, and the result And a technique called “transmission calibration” that feeds back to the weighting synthesis unit for calibration. The outline will be described below with reference to FIGS.

  FIG. 12 is a block diagram showing a configuration example of a conventional array antenna receiving apparatus. The conventional array antenna receiving apparatus shown in FIG. 12 includes antenna elements 1201a and 1201b constituting a receiving adaptive array antenna, switches 1202a and 1202b provided corresponding to each antenna element, and reception provided corresponding to each switch. Means 1203a, 1203b, a reception calibration calculation unit 1204 that receives the output of each reception unit, a signal processing unit 1205 that receives the output of the reception calibration calculation unit 1204, a reception calibration calculation unit 1204, and switches 1202a, 1202b. And known signal output means 1206.

  As shown in FIG. 12, in the conventional array antenna receiving apparatus, calibration (reception calibration) of each branch of the receiving adaptive array antenna can be performed by the receiving apparatus alone. That is, the known signal output from the known signal output means 1206 is input to the receiving means 1203a and 1203b via the switches 1202a and 1202b, respectively, and the error information 1207 such as the amplitude and phase of each branch is obtained by the reception calibration calculation unit 1204. . This is given to the signal processor 1205 to calibrate fluctuations occurring in the receiving means 1203a and 1203b.

  FIG. 13 is a block diagram showing a configuration example of a conventional array antenna transmission apparatus. The conventional array antenna transmission apparatus shown in FIG. 13 includes antenna elements 1301a and 1301b constituting a transmission adaptive array antenna, directional couplers 1302a and 1302b provided corresponding to the respective antenna elements, and directional couplers. A transmission calibration calculation unit 1304 that receives a branch output, transmission units 1303a and 1303b provided corresponding to each directional coupler, and a signal processing unit 1305 provided between the transmission calibration calculation unit 1304 and each transmission unit. I have.

  As shown in FIG. 13, in the conventional array antenna transmission apparatus, calibration (transmission calibration) of each branch of the transmission adaptive array antenna can be performed by the transmission apparatus alone. That is, the output signals of the transmission means 1303a and 1303b are branched by the directional couplers 1302a and 1302b and input to the transmission calibration calculation unit 1304, and the transmission calibration calculation unit 1304 causes errors such as the amplitude and phase of each branch. Information 1306 is obtained. This is given to the signal processing unit 1305 to calibrate fluctuations occurring in the transmission means 1303a and 1303b.

  Here, it is generally known to obtain initial variations of the receiving means and the transmitting means by using the reception calibration function and the transmission calibration function. However, in the calibration method using the switch and the directional coupler as shown in FIGS. 12 and 13, the amplitude and phase errors of each branch between the antenna element and the switch and between the antenna element and the directional coupler. Is not calibrated, the example of the method shown in FIG. 13 has a problem that the transmission waves between the branches output from the antenna element are not aligned in amplitude and phase.

  Thus, for example, Patent Document 2 discloses a technique for preparing an apparatus different from the array antenna apparatus and correcting the error from the directional coupler to the antenna in order to correct this error. Hereinafter, the outline will be described with reference to FIG.

  FIG. 14 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration example of a conventional array antenna transmission apparatus. The conventional array antenna transmission apparatus shown in FIG. 14 includes an array antenna apparatus 1400 and a reception apparatus 1420.

  In the configuration shown in FIG. 13, the array antenna apparatus 1400 replaces the transmission calibration calculation means 1304 with a branch selection means 1401 that receives the branch outputs of the directional couplers 1302a and 1302b and a reception that receives the output of the branch selection means 1401. Means 1402 is provided, and a signal processing unit 1403 is provided instead of the signal processing unit 1305.

  The reception device 1420 includes an antenna element 1421 that captures transmission radio waves from the antenna elements 1301a and 1301b, and a reception unit 1422 that receives a detection signal from the antenna element 1421 and notifies the signal processing unit 1403 of the detection result.

  In the conventional array antenna transmission apparatus shown in FIG. 14, the inter-branch amplitude phase error from the directional couplers 1302a and 1302b to the antenna elements 1301a and 1301b can be corrected as follows.

  In FIG. 14, before the operation, transmission signals are sequentially given from the signal processing unit 1403 of the array antenna apparatus 1400 to the transmission units 1303a and 1303b. Transmission signals output from the transmission means 1303a and 1303b are sent to the antenna elements 1301a and 1301b via the directional couplers 1302a and 1302b, and are transmitted in turn from the antenna elements 1301a and 1301b. At this time, the directional couplers 1302a and 1302b provide part of the transmission signal to the branch selection unit 1401.

  Signals sequentially transmitted from the antenna elements 1301a and 1301b are received by the antenna element 1421 of the reception device 1420. The reception unit 1422 gives each reception signal input from the antenna element 1421 to the signal processing unit 1403 of the array antenna device 1400. The signal processing unit 1403 generates and stores amplitude phase value data from each received signal input from the receiving unit 1422.

  Further, the branch selection unit 1401 of the array antenna apparatus 1400 selects one of the branch outputs of the directional couplers 1302a and 1302b and supplies the selected branch output to the signal processing unit 1403 via the reception unit 1402. The signal processing unit 1403 generates and stores amplitude phase value data in the branch selected by the branch selection unit 1401.

Then, the signal processing unit 1403 compares the two amplitude phase value data generated and stored as described above, and obtains the amplitude phase difference of each branch from the directional couplers 1302a and 1302b to the antenna elements 1301a and 1301b.
JP 2001-185933 A JP 2003-142920 A

  An array antenna transmitter having a function of correcting the fluctuation difference between branches during conventional operation cannot calibrate the amplitude phase difference of each branch between the antenna element and the directional coupler. If there is an error, there is a problem that even if calibration is performed, the amplitude and phase of the transmission wave of each branch output from the antenna element is not uniform between the branches.

  In order to solve this, there is a method of providing a measuring device outside the apparatus for measuring the inter-branch deviation between the antenna element and the directional coupler. However, this method increases the cost, and the calibration accuracy deteriorates when a deviation occurs between a measuring device outside the apparatus and an internal measuring device (calibration function).

  Further, in the conventional calibration method, when there is an error between the directional coupler and the branch selection means in each branch, the gain and phase values of each branch are accurately measured using the calibration function before operation. I can't. For this reason, even if calibration is performed, there is a problem in that the transmitted wave of each branch output from the antenna element does not have the same amplitude phase between the branches.

  In addition, when the conventional calibration method is performed using the device external terminal and the calibration cable, in addition to the switch, the branch selection means, the directional coupler, etc., the calibration signal is used for transmission and reception. Since two switching means and two device external terminals are required, the cost increases. Further, since there are two device external terminals for transmission and reception, it is necessary to reconnect at the time of calibration, and there is a problem that workability deteriorates.

  The present invention has been made in view of such points, and it is possible to calibrate the entire apparatus including the path from the apparatus to each antenna element and each path in the apparatus using the adaptive array antenna itself. An object of the present invention is to provide an array antenna receiving apparatus, an array antenna transmitting apparatus, an array antenna communication apparatus, and a calibration method.

  In order to solve such a problem, an array antenna receiving apparatus according to the present invention includes a plurality of elements constituting the adaptive array antenna in order to input a calibration signal provided from another in the array antenna receiving apparatus provided with the adaptive array antenna. Calibration signal input means inserted and arranged on the input end side of each of the plurality of array receiving means provided corresponding to the antenna element, and one of the plurality of array receiving means is selected, and the selected array reception Branch selection means for supplying a calibration signal to the calibration signal input means for the means, an apparatus external terminal for outputting the calibration signal to the outside of the apparatus, the calibration signal as the apparatus external terminal and the branch selection To any of the means Calibration signal switching means for calculating the signal error in each of the plurality of array receiving means by comparing the calibration signal to be transmitted and the output signals of the plurality of array means, A reception calibration processing means for correcting an error between branches including between the calibration signal input means is adopted.

  According to this configuration, it is possible to calibrate the entire receiving system including the calibration signal input means from the antenna end with high accuracy, and to provide a small and low-cost array antenna receiving apparatus with a simple configuration. Can do.

  In the array antenna receiving apparatus according to the present invention, in the above invention, the reception calibration processing means includes the calibration signal input means in addition to an error between branches including between the antenna end and the calibration signal input means. And a function of correcting a branch error between the branch selection means.

  According to this configuration, it is possible to calibrate the entire receiving system including the calibration cable that connects between the calibration signal input unit and the branch selection unit.

  The array antenna receiving apparatus according to the present invention employs a configuration in which the other end of the antenna cable whose one end is connected to the calibration signal input means is connected to the apparatus external terminal in the above invention.

  According to this configuration, since the calibration signal can be input from the other end of the antenna cable, that is, the antenna end, the phase amount from the antenna end to the calibration signal input means can be obtained.

  In the above-described invention, the array antenna receiving apparatus according to the present invention adopts a configuration in which the other end of an antenna cable having an antenna element connected to one end is connected to the apparatus external terminal.

  According to this configuration, since the calibration signal can be input from the antenna element, the phase amount from the antenna end to the calibration signal input means can be obtained.

  The array antenna transmission apparatus according to the present invention is provided in correspondence with a plurality of antenna elements constituting the adaptive array antenna in order to distribute the calibration signal to be output to the other in the array antenna transmission apparatus provided with the adaptive array antenna. A calibration signal distribution unit that is inserted and arranged on the output end side of each of the plurality of array transmission units, and one of the plurality of array transmission units is selected, and the calibration signal distribution to the selected array transmission unit A branch selection unit that captures a calibration signal distributed by the unit, a device external terminal for capturing the calibration signal from outside the device, a calibration signal that is input from the device external terminal, and a calibration that is output by the branch selection unit. Show A calibration signal switching means for taking out one of the signals, a calibration signal to be transmitted to the plurality of array transmission means, and a calibration signal taken out by the calibration signal switching means to compare the calibration signal. A configuration is provided that includes transmission calibration processing means for calculating a signal error in each of the plurality of array transmission means and correcting an error between branches including the antenna end and the calibration signal distribution means.

  According to this configuration, it is possible to calibrate the entire transmission system including the calibration signal distribution unit from the antenna end with high accuracy, and to provide a small and low-cost array antenna transmission device with a simple configuration. Can do.

  The array antenna transmission apparatus according to the present invention is the array antenna transmission device according to the above invention, wherein the transmission calibration processing means includes the calibration signal distribution means in addition to an error between branches including between the antenna end and the calibration signal distribution means. And a function of correcting a branch error between the branch selection means.

  According to this configuration, it is possible to calibrate the entire transmission system including the calibration cable that connects between the calibration signal distribution unit and the branch selection unit.

  The array antenna transmission apparatus according to the present invention employs a configuration in which, in the above invention, the other end of the antenna cable whose one end is connected to the calibration signal distribution unit is connected to the apparatus external terminal.

  According to this configuration, since the calibration signal is taken out from the other end of the antenna cable, that is, from the antenna end, the phase amount from the calibration signal distributing means to the antenna end can be obtained.

  The array antenna transmission apparatus according to the present invention employs a configuration in which, in the above invention, the other end of an antenna cable having an antenna element connected to one end is connected to the apparatus external terminal.

  According to this configuration, since the calibration signal can be transmitted from the antenna element, the phase amount from the calibration signal distribution means to the antenna end can be obtained.

  An array antenna communication apparatus according to the present invention is an array antenna communication apparatus in which an array receiving means and an array transmitting means are arranged in parallel through a duplexer for each antenna element constituting an adaptive array antenna. A plurality of distributing / combining means that are arranged in between and input calibration signals to the array receiving means connected to the duplexer and take out the calibration signals transmitted by the array transmitting means connected to the duplexer; A calibration signal transmitting means for transmitting the calibration signal; a calibration signal receiving means for receiving the calibration signal; an apparatus external terminal for exchanging calibration signals with the outside of the apparatus; and the plurality of distributions -Select one of the coupling means and the selected distribution A branch selection unit that exchanges a calibration signal with a coupling unit, a calibration duplexer to which an output terminal of the calibration signal transmission unit and an input terminal of the distribution / coupling unit are connected, the apparatus external terminal, and the device Calibration signal switching means for connecting either one of the branch selection means and the input / output terminal of the calibration duplexer, the calibration signal to be transmitted to the calibration signal transmission means, and the outputs of the plurality of array means A signal calibration in each of the plurality of array receiving means by comparing the signal, a reception calibration processing means for correcting an error between branches including the antenna end and the distribution / coupling means based on the signal error; and Calibration to send to multiple array transmission means A signal error in each of the plurality of array transmitting means is calculated by comparing the calibration signal and the calibration signal received by the calibration signal receiving means, and includes between the antenna end and the distributing / combining means based on the calculated signal error. A configuration including transmission calibration processing means for correcting an error between branches is adopted.

  According to this configuration, since the device external terminal can be shared by the transmission calibration and the reception calibration, the initial error of the reception system and the transmission system of one branch can be achieved by performing only one connection operation to the device external terminal. A correction value can be obtained. As a result, workability can be improved, and miniaturization and cost reduction can be achieved.

  The array antenna communication apparatus according to the present invention is the array antenna communication device according to the above invention, wherein the reception calibration processing means includes the distribution / coupling means and the error in addition to an error between branches including between the antenna end and the distribution / coupling means. A configuration having a function of correcting a branch error between the branch selection means is adopted.

  According to this configuration, it is possible to calibrate the entire receiving system including the calibration cable that connects between the distributing / combining means and the branch selecting means.

  The array antenna communication apparatus according to the present invention is the array antenna communication device according to the above invention, wherein the transmission calibration processing means includes the distribution / coupling means and the error in addition to an error between branches including between the antenna end and the distribution / coupling means. A configuration having a function of correcting a branch error between the branch selection means is adopted.

  According to this configuration, it is possible to calibrate the entire transmission system including the calibration cable that connects between the distribution / combination means and the branch selection means.

  In the above-described invention, the array antenna communication apparatus according to the present invention employs a configuration in which the other end of the antenna cable whose one end is connected to the distribution / coupling means is connected to the apparatus external terminal.

  According to this configuration, the calibration signal can be taken out and input from the other end of the antenna cable, that is, the antenna end, so that the phase amount from the distribution / coupling means to the antenna end can be obtained.

  In the above-described invention, the array antenna communication apparatus according to the present invention employs a configuration in which the other end of an antenna cable having an antenna element connected to one end is connected to the apparatus external terminal.

  According to this configuration, since the calibration signal can be transmitted and received from the antenna element, the phase amount from the distributing / combining means to the antenna end can be obtained.

  The calibration method in the array antenna receiving apparatus according to the present invention includes a calibration signal from the at least one antenna element side end of the plurality of antenna elements constituting the adaptive array antenna to the corresponding array receiving means via the antenna cable before operation. And a first step for obtaining a gain / phase amount from when a calibration signal is transmitted to when the array receiving means outputs, and among a plurality of array receiving means provided corresponding to the plurality of antenna elements. The at least one array receiving unit is configured to obtain a gain / phase amount from when a calibration signal is input and a calibration signal is transmitted until the array receiving unit outputs the second signal. Process, gain / phase amount determined in the first step and gain / phase amount determined in the second step From obtains the gain and phase error amount from the antenna element side end to the input end of the receiving means, and so includes a third step of providing as the offset value, the it to the signal output from each array receiving means.

  According to this method, an appropriate offset value can be given in advance to the signal output from each array receiving means.

  The calibration method for the array antenna receiver according to the present invention is the calibration method according to the present invention, wherein, in operation, a calibration signal is selected by selecting one of the plurality of array receivers provided corresponding to the plurality of antenna elements. Input and obtain the gain / phase fluctuation amount from the output signal of the array receiving means for all array receiving means, and obtain the inter-branch error from the difference with the gain / phase fluctuation amount in the reference array receiving means A fourth step of compensation is provided.

  According to this method, an error between branches can be compensated for during operation.

The calibration method in the array antenna transmission apparatus according to the present invention corresponds to a calibration signal transmitted by at least one of a plurality of array transmission means provided corresponding to a plurality of antenna elements constituting the adaptive array antenna before operation. A first step of receiving at the antenna element side end via an antenna cable and obtaining a gain / phase amount of a signal path; and a plurality of array transmitting means provided corresponding to a plurality of antenna elements constituting the adaptive array antenna A second step of receiving a calibration signal transmitted by at least one of the above at the output side end of the array transmitting means, and determining a gain / phase amount until the calibration signal is received;
From the gain / phase amount obtained in the first step and the gain / phase amount obtained in the second step, a gain / phase error amount from the transmitting means to the antenna element side end is obtained and input to the array transmitting means. And a third step of giving the signal as an offset value.

  According to this method, an appropriate offset value can be given to a signal input to each transmission unit in advance.

  The calibration method in the array antenna transmission apparatus according to the present invention is the calibration that is transmitted by one of a plurality of array transmission means provided corresponding to the plurality of antenna elements constituting the adaptive array antenna during operation in the above invention. The signal is received at the output side end of the array transmission means, and the gain / phase fluctuation amount until reception is obtained for all array transmission means, and the gain / phase fluctuation amount at the reference array transmission means And a fourth step of determining and compensating for an inter-branch error from the difference between.

  According to this method, an error between branches can be compensated for during operation.

  According to the present invention, the entire apparatus including the path from the apparatus to each antenna element and each path in the apparatus can be calibrated using the adaptive array antenna itself.

  The gist of the present invention is to enable calibration of the entire apparatus including the path from the apparatus to each antenna element and each path in the apparatus using the adaptive array antenna itself without using a measuring instrument outside the apparatus. .

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

(Embodiment 1)
1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of an array antenna receiving apparatus according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. An array antenna receiving apparatus 100 shown in FIG. 1 includes antenna elements 101a and 101b that constitute an adaptive array antenna 101, and an apparatus external terminal 102 used when performing calibration.

  As an internal configuration of the apparatus, calibration signal input means 104a and 104b in which antenna elements 101a and 101b are connected to one input terminal via antenna cables 103a and 103b, and output terminals of calibration signal input means 104a and 104b are input. Receiving means 105a, 105b connected to the terminal, signal correcting means 106 in which the output terminals of the receiving means 105a, 105b are connected to the input terminal, and signal processing means in which the output terminal of the signal correcting means 106 is connected to the input terminal 107, the reception calibration processing means 108, the calibration signal transmission means 109 in which the output terminal of the reception calibration processing means 108 is connected to the input terminal, and the apparatus external terminal 102 is connected to one of the switching output terminals and the calibration signal. Transmission means 109 The calibration signal switching means 110 whose output terminal is connected to the switching input terminal, the other switching output terminal of the calibration signal switching means 110 is connected to the input terminal, and the two output terminals are calibration signal input means 104a and 104b. Branch selection means 111 connected to the other input terminal.

  The signal correction unit 106 operates to correct an error between the branches of the signals from the reception units 105a and 105b based on the correction signal provided from the reception calibration processing unit 108. The signal processing means 107 performs signal processing such as array processing for weighting and synthesizing the output signal of the signal correction means 106 according to a predetermined algorithm.

  The reception calibration processing unit 108 has a reception system initial error correction function, and obtains an inter-branch error amount based on the signal output to the calibration signal transmission unit 109 and the signal input from the signal processing unit 106. The calibration signal switching unit 110 operates to output the signal input from the calibration signal transmission unit 109 to either the device external terminal 102 or the branch selection unit 111. The branch selection unit 111 operates so as to supply a calibration signal input from the calibration signal transmission unit 109 via the calibration signal switching unit 110 to any one of the calibration signal input units 104a and 104b.

  With the array antenna receiving apparatus 100 according to the first embodiment configured as described above, the reception system can be calibrated as follows. FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a configuration example (No. 1) when the calibration in the array antenna receiving apparatus 100 is performed before operation.

  Before operation, the calibration signal switching means 110 is operated to connect the output terminal of the calibration signal transmission means 109 and the apparatus external terminal 102. As shown in FIG. 2, for example, the antenna cable 103a is removed from the antenna element 101a and connected to the device external terminal 102. That is, the apparatus external terminal 102 is connected to the input terminal of the calibration signal input means 104a through the antenna cable 103a.

  Then, the reception calibration processing unit 108 is caused to output a calibration signal from the calibration signal transmission unit 109. As a result, the calibration signal is transferred to the reception calibration processing unit 108 in a round of the apparatus external terminal 102 → the antenna cable 103a → the calibration signal input unit 104a → the reception unit 105a → the signal correction unit 106 → the reception calibration processing unit 108. input.

  Further, the apparatus external terminal 102 is connected to the input terminal of the calibration signal input means 104b via the antenna cable 103b, and the calibration signal is similarly transmitted. Then, the calibration signal is inputted to the reception calibration processing unit 108 in a round of the apparatus external terminal 102 → the antenna cable 103b → the calibration signal input unit 104b → the reception unit 105b → the signal correction unit 106 → the reception calibration processing unit 108. To do.

  As a result, the reception calibration processing means 108 receives the receiving system (105a, 105b) connected to the device external terminal 102, the antenna cables (103a, 103b) which are elements outside the device, and the calibration system (104a, 104b, 109, 110, 111) and the phase amount A can be obtained.

  Next, the calibration signal switching unit 110 is operated to connect the output terminal of the calibration signal transmission unit 109 and the input terminal of the branch selection unit 111, and the calibration signal is input to the branch selection unit 111.

  As a result, the calibration signal is inputted to the reception calibration processing unit 108 in a cycle of branch selection unit 111 → calibration signal input unit 104a → reception unit 105a → signal correction unit 106 → reception calibration processing unit 108.

  Further, the data is inputted to the reception calibration processing means 108 in a round of branch selection means 111 → calibration signal input means 104b → reception means 105b → signal correction means 106 → reception calibration processing means 108.

  As a result, the reception calibration processing unit 108 includes the gain and phase amount including the entire reception system (105a, 105b) and calibration system (104a, 104b, 109, 110, 111) selected by the branch selection unit 111. B can be obtained.

  The reception calibration processing unit 108 calculates the difference between the gain, the phase amount A and the gain, and the phase amount B obtained by the above-described method, so that the antennas 101a and 101b of the antenna elements 101a and 101b are calculated from the calibration signal input units 104a and 104b. The gain and phase error amount up to the cable connection end (hereinafter referred to as “antenna end”) can be obtained.

  Here, even if the characteristics of the calibration signal transmission means 109 fluctuate for some reason during the calculation of the gain and phase error amount from the calibration signal input means 104a and 104b to the antenna end, the gain and phase amount A Since the difference between the gain and the phase amount B is calculated, there is also an effect that the accuracy from the calibration signal input means 104a and 104b to the antenna end does not deteriorate the accuracy of the gain and phase error amount.

  The gains and phase error amounts (reception system initial error values) from the calibration signal input means 104a and 104b of each branch thus obtained to the antenna end are offset to the signals output by the reception means 105a and 105b before operation. Give it as a value.

  In operation, the calibration signal switching unit 110 is connected to the output terminal of the calibration signal transmission unit 109 and the input terminal of the branch selection unit 111, and the calibration signal is input to the branch selection unit 111. The reception calibration processing unit 108 can obtain the gain and phase fluctuation amount of the reception system (105a, 105b) selected by the branch selection unit 111 as described above.

  Accordingly, the reception calibration processing means 108 obtains gains and phase fluctuation amounts for the receiving means 105a and 105b of all branches, and calculates the difference between the gain and phase fluctuation amount of the reference receiving means, thereby receiving the receiving means 105a. , 105b can be obtained an inter-branch error that occurs during operation, and the accuracy of the adaptive array antenna function can be prevented from deteriorating by operating to compensate for this error.

  As described above, in the array antenna receiving apparatus according to Embodiment 1, the entire receiving system including the error amount from the calibration signal input means to the antenna end is calibrated without using a measuring instrument outside the apparatus. Can do. At this time, even if the characteristics of the calibration signal transmission means fluctuate for some reason during the calculation of the error amount from the calibration signal input means to the antenna end, the error amount from the calibration signal input means to the antenna end Measurement accuracy is not degraded.

  Therefore, according to the first embodiment, it is possible to provide an array antenna receiving apparatus that can calibrate the entire receiving system including the calibration signal input means from the antenna end with high accuracy with a small and low-cost configuration. it can.

  FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a configuration example (No. 2) in the case where the calibration in the array antenna receiving apparatus shown in FIG. 1 is performed before operation. 2 shows an example in which the antenna cables 103a and 103b are connected to the device external terminal 102. However, as shown in FIG. 3, the antenna 122 is connected to the device external terminal 102 via the antenna cable 121, and the antenna 122 is connected. Calibration may be performed by causing the antenna elements 101a and 101b to receive signals transmitted from the antennas 101a and 101b.

  In the first embodiment, the branch selection unit and the calibration signal switching unit are configured separately. However, a switch is provided in the branch selection unit, and the branch selection unit and the calibration signal switching unit are combined into one switch. You may make it comprise by.

  Further, although the number of branches is two in FIG. 1, the same effect can be obtained even when the number of branches is three or more. In addition, the gain and phase error amount from the calibration signal input means to the antenna end are used as the reception system initial error value. However, if there is variation in the receiving means of each branch, the value including the error between the receiving means is received. It may be a system initial error value.

(Embodiment 2)
FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing a configuration of an array antenna receiving apparatus according to Embodiment 2 of the present invention. In FIG. 4, the same or equivalent components as those shown in FIG. 1 (Embodiment 1) are denoted by the same reference numerals. Here, the description will focus on the parts related to the second embodiment.

  As shown in FIG. 4, the array antenna receiving apparatus 400 according to the second embodiment includes a reception calibration processing unit 401 in place of the reception calibration processing unit 108 in the configuration shown in FIG. 1 (first embodiment). Is provided. Further, the other input terminal of the calibration signal input unit 104a and one output terminal of the branch selection unit 111 are connected via a calibration cable 402a, and the other input terminal of the calibration signal input unit 104b and the branch are connected. The other output terminal of the selection unit 111 is connected via a calibration cable 402b.

  The reception calibration processing unit 401 has a calibration system initial error correction function in addition to the reception system initial error correction function. The calibration cables 402a and 402b have different pass phase characteristics.

  With the array antenna receiving apparatus 400 according to Embodiment 2 configured as described above, the reception system can be calibrated as follows. FIG. 5 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration example in the case where calibration in the array antenna receiving apparatus 400 is performed before operation.

  Before operation, the calibration signal switching means 110 is operated to connect the output terminal of the calibration signal transmission means 109 and the apparatus external terminal 102. As shown in FIG. 5, for example, the antenna cable 103a is removed from the antenna element 101a and connected to the device external terminal 102. That is, the apparatus external terminal 102 is connected to the input terminal of the calibration signal input means 104a via the antenna cable 103a, and the calibration signal is input to the calibration signal input means 104a via the antenna cable 103a. Further, the apparatus external terminal 102 is connected to the input terminal of the calibration signal input means 104b via the antenna cable 103b, and the calibration signal is input to the calibration signal input means 104b via the antenna cable 103b.

  As described in the first embodiment, the reception calibration processing unit 401 includes the reception system (105a, 105b) connected to the device external terminal 102, the antenna cables 103a, 103b that are elements outside the device, and the calibration. The gain and phase amount of the entire system (104a, 104b, 109) can be obtained. In the reception calibration processing unit 401, the antenna cables 103a and 103b of each branch are connected to the apparatus external terminal 102 to obtain the gain and phase fluctuation amount for all branches, and the gain and phase fluctuation amount of the reference branch are calculated. By calculating the difference, it is possible to obtain an inter-branch error (reception system initial error value) of the entire reception system including errors of elements outside the apparatus.

Here, the reception system initial error value obtained by the reception calibration processing unit 401 will be specifically described. In FIG. 5, for example, the passing phase characteristic of the first branch receiving means 105a is A °, and the passing phase characteristic of the antenna cable 103a is B °. The passing phase characteristic of the second branch receiving means 105b is A + 1 °, and the passing phase characteristic of the antenna cable 103b is B + 1 °. When the first branch is the reference branch, the reception system initial error value of the second branch is −2 ° from the equation (1).
Initial error value of receiving system of second branch = first branch measured value−second branch measured value = (A ° + B ° + D °) − {(A + 1) ° + (B + 1) ° + D °} = − 2 ° ( 1)

  Next, the calibration signal switching unit 110 is operated by setting the reception system initial error value as an offset to connect the output terminal of the calibration signal transmission unit 109 and the input terminal of the branch selection unit 111, and the branch selection unit A calibration signal is input to 111.

  The reception calibration processing unit 401 can obtain the gain and phase amount of the entire calibration system including the reception system (105a, 105b) selected by the branch selection unit 111 and the calibration cables 402a, 402b. Then, the reception calibration processing unit 401 calculates a difference between the gain of the reference branch and the amount of phase variation, thereby calculating an inter-branch error (calibration system initial stage) including the calibration cable error. Error value).

For example, in FIG. 5, the passing phase characteristic of the calibration cable 402a of the first branch is C °. The passing phase characteristic of the calibration cable 402b of the second branch is C + 2 °. When the first branch is a reference branch, the calibration system initial error value of the second branch is −1 ° from the equation (2).
Second branch calibration system initial error value = first branch measurement value− (second branch measurement value + reception system initial error value)
= (A ° + C ° + D °) − {(A + 1) ° + (C + 2) ° + D ° −2} = − 1 ° (2)

  Next, in operation, the calibration signal switching unit 110 is operated to connect the output terminal of the calibration signal transmission unit 109 and the input terminal of the branch selection unit 111. The reception calibration processing unit 401 gives the calibration system initial error value as an offset to the signal input to the calibration signal transmission unit 109. Such a calibration signal is input to the branch selection unit 111. In the reception calibration processing unit 401, the reception system initial error value is given as an offset to the signals output from the reception units 105a and 105b and is captured.

  As a result, the reception calibration processing unit 401 can obtain the gain and phase fluctuation amount of the reception system (105a, 105b) selected by the branch selection unit 111. The reception calibration processing unit 401 obtains the gain and the phase fluctuation amount for the reception units 105a and 105b of all branches, and calculates the difference between the gain and the phase fluctuation amount of the reception unit as a reference, thereby receiving the reception units 105a and 105b. It is possible to obtain an inter-branch error that occurs during operation, and to perform an operation to compensate for this error, it is possible to suppress deterioration in accuracy of the adaptive array antenna function.

  As described above, the array antenna receiving apparatus according to the second embodiment includes the entire apparatus including the error amount from the calibration signal input means to the antenna end and the error amount of the calibration cable without using a measuring device outside the apparatus. Can be calibrated.

  Therefore, according to the second embodiment, there is provided an array antenna receiving apparatus capable of performing calibration of the entire apparatus including the calibration signal input means and the calibration cable from the antenna end with a small and low-cost configuration. can do. In the second embodiment, the calibration system initial error value is obtained from the equations (1) and (2). However, the calibration system initial error value may be obtained, and other calculation methods may be used.

(Embodiment 3)
FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing a configuration of an array antenna transmission apparatus according to Embodiment 3 of the present invention. An array antenna transmission apparatus 600 shown in FIG. 6 includes antenna elements 601a and 601b that constitute the adaptive array antenna 601 and an apparatus external terminal 602 that is used when performing calibration.

  As an internal configuration of the apparatus, calibration signal distribution means 604a and 604b in which antenna elements 601a and 601b are connected to one output terminal via antenna cables 603a and 603b, and one input terminal of calibration signal distribution means 604a and 604b Transmission means 605a, 605b to which the output terminal is connected, signal correction means 606 whose output terminal is connected to the input terminal of the transmission means 605a, 605b, and signal whose output terminal is connected to the input terminal of the signal correction means 606 The processing means 607, the transmission calibration processing means 608 whose output terminal is connected to the input terminals of the transmission means 605a and 605b, and the calibration signal receiving means 609 whose output terminal is connected to the input terminal of the transmission calibration processing means 608 And calibration signal A calibration signal switching means 610 in which the input terminal of the receiving means 609 is connected to the switching output terminal and the apparatus external terminal 602 is connected to one switching input terminal, and the other switching input of the calibration signal switching means 610 is the output terminal. And a branch selection unit 611 having two input terminals connected to the other output terminals of the calibration signal distribution units 604a and 604b.

  The signal processing unit 607 performs signal processing such as array processing that weights the output signal to the signal correction unit 606 according to a predetermined algorithm. The signal correction unit 606 operates to correct an error between the branches of the output signals to the transmission units 605a and 605b based on the correction signal supplied from the transmission calibration processing unit 608.

  The transmission calibration processing unit 608 has a transmission system initial error correction function, and obtains an inter-branch error amount based on an output signal to the transmission units 605a and 605b and a signal input from the calibration signal reception unit 609. The branch selection unit 611 operates to select one of the calibration signal distribution units 604a and 604b and to supply the calibration signal switching unit 610 with a signal output from the corresponding transmission unit 605a and 605b. The calibration signal switching unit 610 operates to output a signal input from either the device external terminal 602 or the branch selection unit 611 to the calibration signal receiving unit 609.

  In array antenna transmission apparatus 600 according to Embodiment 3 configured as described above, transmission system calibration can be performed as follows. FIG. 7 is a block diagram showing a configuration example (No. 1) in the case where calibration in the array antenna transmission apparatus 600 is performed before operation.

  Before operation, the calibration signal switching unit 610 is operated to connect the input terminal of the calibration signal receiving unit 609 and the device external terminal 602. Also, as shown in FIG. 7, for example, the antenna cable 603a is removed from the antenna element 601a and connected to the device external terminal 602. That is, the apparatus external terminal 602 is connected to one output terminal of the calibration signal distribution unit 604a via the antenna cable 603a.

  Then, the transmission calibration processing unit 608 is caused to output a calibration signal from the transmission unit 605a. As a result, the calibration signal is inputted to the reception calibration processing means 608 in a round of calibration signal distribution means 604a → antenna cable 603a → device external terminal 602 → calibration signal receiving means 609 → transmission calibration processing means 608. .

  Further, the apparatus external terminal 602 is connected to one output terminal of the calibration signal distribution means 604b via the antenna cable 603b, and similarly, a calibration signal is transmitted. Then, the calibration signal is inputted to the reception calibration processing means 608 in a round of calibration signal distribution means 604b → antenna cable 603b → device external terminal 602 → calibration signal receiving means 609 → transmission calibration processing means 608.

  As a result, the transmission calibration processing means 608 includes a transmission system (605a, 605b) connected to the device external terminal 602, an antenna cable (603a, 603b) that is an element outside the device, and a calibration system (604a, 604b, 609, 902a, and 902b), the gain and the phase amount A can be obtained.

  Next, the calibration signal switching unit 610 is operated to connect the output terminal of the branch selection unit 611 and the input terminal of the calibration signal receiving unit 609, and the transmission calibration processing unit 608 is calibrated from the transmission units 605a and 605b. A signal is output, and the branch selection means 611 is made to select an arbitrary branch. As a result, the transmission signal (calibration signal) of the branch selected by the branch selection unit 611 is input to the transmission calibration processing unit 608 via the calibration signal reception unit 609.

  Therefore, in the transmission calibration processing unit 608, the gain and phase amount B including the entire transmission system (605a, 605b) and calibration system (604a, 604b, 609, 902a, 902b) selected by the branch selection unit 611. Can be requested.

  The transmission calibration processing unit 608 calculates the difference between the gain, the phase amount A and the gain, and the phase amount B obtained by the above-described method, so that the antennas of the antenna elements 601a and 601b from the calibration signal distribution units 604a and 604b. The gain and phase error amount up to the cable connection end (hereinafter referred to as “antenna end”) can be obtained.

  Here, even if the gain and phase error amount from the calibration signal distribution means 604a and 604b to the end of the antenna is being calculated and the characteristics of the calibration signal reception means 609 fluctuate for some reason, the gain and phase amount A Since the difference between the gain and the phase amount B is calculated, there is also an effect that the accuracy of the gain and the phase error amount from the calibration signal distribution means 604a, 604b to the antenna end does not deteriorate.

  The gains and phase error amounts (transmission system initial error values) from the calibration signal distribution means 604a and 604b of each branch thus obtained to the antenna end are offset to the signals input to the transmission means 605a and 605b before operation. Give it as a value.

  In operation, the calibration signal switching unit 610 is connected to the output terminal of the branch selection unit 611 and the input terminal of the calibration signal receiving unit 609, and the transmission calibration processing unit 608 is calibrated from the transmission units 605a and 605b. The branch selection means 611 selects an arbitrary branch. As a result, the transmission signal (calibration signal) of the branch selected by the branch selection unit 611 is input to the transmission calibration processing unit 608 via the calibration signal reception unit 609. The transmission calibration processing unit 608 can determine the gain and phase fluctuation amount of the transmission system (605a, 605b) selected by the branch selection unit 611.

  Therefore, the transmission calibration processing means 608 calculates the gain and phase fluctuation amount for the transmission means 605a and 605b of all branches, and calculates the difference between the gain and phase fluctuation amount of the reference transmission means, thereby transmitting the transmission means 605a. , 605b, an inter-branch error that occurs during operation can be obtained, and the accuracy of the adaptive array antenna function can be prevented from deteriorating by operating to compensate for this error.

  Thus, in the array antenna transmission apparatus according to the third embodiment, the entire transmission system including the error amount from the calibration signal distribution means to the antenna end is calibrated without using a measuring instrument outside the apparatus. Can do. At this time, even if the characteristic of the calibration signal receiving means fluctuates for some reason during the calculation of the error amount from the calibration signal distributing means to the antenna end, the error amount from the calibration signal distributing means to the antenna end Measurement accuracy is not degraded.

  Therefore, according to the third embodiment, there is provided an array antenna transmission apparatus that can calibrate the entire transmission system including the calibration signal distribution unit from the antenna end with high accuracy with a small and low-cost configuration. can do.

  FIG. 8 is a block diagram showing a configuration example (part 2) in the case where the calibration in the array antenna transmission apparatus shown in FIG. 6 is performed before operation. FIG. 7 shows an example in which the antenna cables 603a and 603b are connected to the device external terminal 602. As shown in FIG. 8, the antenna 622 is connected to the device external terminal 602 via the antenna cable 621, and the antenna element 601a is connected. , 601b may be received by the antenna 622 for calibration.

  In the third embodiment, the branch selection unit and the calibration signal switching unit are configured separately. However, the branch selection unit is provided with a switch, and the branch selection unit and the calibration signal switching unit are combined into one switch. You may make it comprise by.

  Furthermore, although the number of branches is two in FIG. 6, the same effect can be obtained even if the number of branches is three or more. In addition, the gain and phase error amount from the calibration signal distribution means to the antenna end is used as the transmission system initial error value. However, if there is variation in the transmission means of each branch, the value including the error between the transmission means is transmitted. It may be a system initial error value.

(Embodiment 4)
FIG. 9 is a block diagram showing a configuration of an array antenna transmission apparatus according to Embodiment 4 of the present invention. In FIG. 9, the same reference numerals are given to the same or equivalent components as those shown in FIG. 6 (Embodiment 3). Here, the description will be focused on the portion related to the fourth embodiment.

  As shown in FIG. 9, the array antenna transmission apparatus 900 according to the fourth embodiment is different from the configuration shown in FIG. 6 (third embodiment) in that the transmission calibration processing means 901 is replaced with the transmission calibration processing means 608. Is provided. The other output end of the calibration signal distribution unit 604a and one input end of the branch selection unit 611 are connected via a calibration cable 902a, and the other output end of the calibration signal distribution unit 604b and the branch are connected. The other output terminal of the selection means 611 is connected via a calibration cable 902b.

  The transmission calibration processing means 901 has a calibration system initial error correction function in addition to the transmission system initial error correction function. The calibration cables 902a and 902b have different pass phase characteristics.

  With the array antenna transmission apparatus 900 according to Embodiment 4 configured as described above, the transmission system can be calibrated as follows. FIG. 10 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration example in the case where the calibration in the array antenna transmission apparatus 900 is performed before operation.

  Before operation, the calibration signal switching means 610 is operated to connect the apparatus external terminal 602 and the input terminal of the calibration signal receiving means 609. Also, as shown in FIG. 10, for example, the antenna cable 603a is removed from the antenna element 601a and connected to the device external terminal 602. That is, the apparatus external terminal 602 is connected to one output terminal of the calibration signal distribution unit 604a via the antenna cable 603a, and the calibration signal is input to the calibration signal reception unit 609 via the antenna cable 603a. Further, the apparatus external terminal 602 is connected to one output terminal of the calibration signal distribution unit 604b via the antenna cable 603b, and the calibration signal is input to the calibration signal reception unit 609 via the antenna cable 603b.

  As described in the third embodiment, in the transmission calibration processing unit 901, the transmission system (605a, 605b) connected to the device external terminal 602, the antenna cables 603a, 603b which are elements outside the device, calibration The gain and phase amount of the entire system (604a, 604b, 609, 902a, 902b) can be obtained. In the transmission calibration processing unit 901, the antenna cables 603a and 603b of each branch are connected to the apparatus external terminal 602 to obtain the gain and phase fluctuation amount for all branches, and the gain and phase fluctuation amount of the reference branch are calculated. By calculating the difference, it is possible to obtain an inter-branch error (transmission system initial error value) of the entire transmission system including errors of elements outside the apparatus.

  Next, the calibration signal switching unit 610 is operated by setting the transmission system initial error value as an offset to connect the output terminal of the branch selecting unit 611 and the input terminal of the calibration signal receiving unit 609, and the branch selecting unit From 611, a calibration signal of an arbitrary branch is input to the calibration signal receiving means 609.

  The transmission calibration processing unit 901 can obtain the gain and phase amount of the entire calibration system including the transmission system (605a, 605b) selected by the branch selection unit 611 and the calibration cables 902a, 902b. By calculating the difference between the gain of the reference branch and the amount of phase fluctuation, an error between the branches of the entire calibration system including the errors of the calibration cables 902a and 902b (calibration system initial error value) can be obtained. it can.

  Next, in operation, the calibration signal switching unit 610 is operated to connect the output terminal of the branch selection unit 611 and the input terminal of the calibration signal receiving unit 609. The transmission calibration processing unit 901 gives the transmission system initial error value as an offset to the signals input to the transmission units 605a and 605b. Such a transmission signal (calibration signal) is input to the calibration signal reception unit 609 via the branch selection unit 611. The transmission calibration processing unit 901 captures the signal output from the calibration signal receiving unit 609 by giving the calibration system initial error value as an offset.

  As a result, the transmission calibration processing unit 901 can obtain the gain and phase fluctuation amount of the transmission system (605a, 605b) selected by the branch selection unit 611. The transmission calibration processing unit 901 obtains gains and phase fluctuation amounts for the transmission units 605a and 605b of all branches and calculates the difference between the gain and phase fluctuation amount of the reference transmission unit, thereby transmitting units 605a and 605b. It is possible to obtain an inter-branch error that occurs during operation, and to perform an operation to compensate for this error, it is possible to suppress deterioration in accuracy of the adaptive array antenna function.

  As described above, the array antenna transmission apparatus according to the fourth embodiment includes the entire apparatus including the error amount from the calibration signal distribution unit to the antenna end and the error amount of the calibration cable without using a measuring device outside the apparatus. Can be calibrated.

  Therefore, according to the fourth embodiment, there is provided an array antenna transmission apparatus capable of performing calibration of the entire apparatus including the calibration signal distribution means and the calibration cable from the antenna end with a small and low-cost configuration. can do.

(Embodiment 5)
FIG. 11 is a block diagram showing a configuration of an array antenna communication apparatus according to Embodiment 5 of the present invention. In the fifth embodiment, the array antenna communication apparatus used in the communication system that performs communication using different frequencies for transmission and reception is the same as the array antenna reception apparatus described in the first to second embodiments. An example in which the array antenna transmission apparatus shown in the third to fourth embodiments is combined is shown.

  An array antenna communication apparatus 1100 shown in FIG. 11 includes antenna elements 1101a and 1101b that constitute an adaptive array antenna that is shared for transmission and reception, and an apparatus external terminal 1102 that is used when performing calibration.

  As the internal configuration of the apparatus, directional couplers 1104a and 1104b in which antenna elements 1101a and 1101b are connected to one input / output terminal via antenna cables 1103a and 1103b, and the other input / output terminal is the other of directional couplers 1104a and 1104b. The duplexers 1105a and 1105b are connected to the input / output terminals.

  The output terminal of the duplexer 1105a is connected to the input terminal of the receiving means 105a, and the output terminal of the receiving means 105a is connected to the signal correcting means 1106. Further, the output terminal of the transmission means 605a is connected to the input terminal of the duplexer 1105a, and the input terminal of the transmission means 605a is connected to the signal correction means 1106 and the calibration processing means 1108.

  The output terminal of the duplexer 1105b is connected to the input terminal of the receiving means 105b, and the output terminal of the receiving means 105b is connected to the signal correcting means 1106. The output terminal of the transmission unit 605b is connected to the input terminal of the duplexer 1105b, and the input terminal of the transmission unit 605b is connected to the signal correction unit 1106 and the calibration processing unit 1108.

  A signal processing unit 1107 and a calibration processing unit 1108 are connected to the signal correction unit 1106. The calibration signal output terminal of the calibration processing means 1108 is connected to the input terminal of the calibration signal transmission means 109, and the calibration signal input terminal is connected to the output terminal of the calibration signal reception means 609. The output terminal of the calibration signal transmission unit 109 is connected to the input terminal of the calibration duplexer 1109, and the input terminal of the calibration signal reception unit 609 is connected to the output terminal of the calibration duplexer 1109.

  The input / output terminal of the calibration duplexer 1109 is connected to the switching control terminal of the calibration signal switching means 1110. The apparatus external terminal 1102 is connected to one switching input / output terminal of the calibration signal switching means 1110, and one of the three input / output terminals of the branch selection means 1111 is connected to the other switching input / output terminal. The remaining two input / output terminals of the branch selection unit 1111 and the directional terminals of the directional couplers 1104a and 1104b are connected via calibration cables 1112a and 1112b.

  The signal processing unit 1107 performs array processing on the signals input from the signal correction unit 1106 and combines them, and outputs the arrayed signal to the signal correction unit 1106. The signal correcting unit 1106 corrects the error between the branches of the output signals of the receiving units 105a and 105b based on the correction signal given from the transmission calibration processing unit 1108, and between the branches of the input signals to the transmitting units 605a and 605b. Operates to correct for errors.

  The calibration processing unit 1108 has the functions of the reception calibration unit 401 shown in the second embodiment and the transmission calibration unit 901 shown in the fourth embodiment. The calibration signal switching unit 1110 operates to connect the calibration duplexer 1109 to either the device external terminal 1102 or the branch selection unit 1111. The branch selection unit 1111 operates to select any one of the directional terminals of the directional couplers 1104a and 1104b of all branches via the calibration cables 1112a and 1112b and to connect to the calibration signal switching unit 1110. The calibration cables 1112a and 1112b have different pass phase characteristics.

  Generally, in a communication apparatus, a reception signal and a transmission signal are connected to a common antenna using a duplexer. In a communication apparatus including a receiving apparatus and a transmitting apparatus having a calibration function, a calibration transmission signal and a calibration reception signal (transmission signal output from the transmission means) are multiplexed on a common transmission path using a calibration duplexer. By sharing the directional line of the directional coupler placed between the antenna and the duplexer, the calibration signal switching means, branch selection means, and calibration cable can be used in common. Cost can be reduced.

  In addition, the initial error correction values of the reception system and transmission system of one branch can be obtained by performing the connection operation between the antenna end and the device external terminal only once, so that the workability can be improved.

  As described above, according to the fifth embodiment, the calibration signal switching means, the apparatus external terminal, the branch selection means, and the calibration cable used for reception calibration and transmission calibration can be shared. The initial error correction value of the reception system and transmission system of one branch can be obtained by performing the connection operation between the device and the device external terminal only once. As a result, workability can be improved, and miniaturization and cost reduction can be achieved.

  The present invention is suitable for performing calibration of the entire transmission system and the entire reception system using the adaptive array antenna itself without using a measuring instrument outside the apparatus.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of an array antenna receiving apparatus according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a configuration example (part 1) when calibration is performed in the array antenna receiver shown in FIG. 1 before operation; FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a configuration example (part 2) in the case where the calibration in the array antenna receiving apparatus shown in FIG. 1 is performed before operation; The block diagram which shows the structure of the array antenna receiver which concerns on Embodiment 2 of this invention The block diagram which shows the structural example in the case of implementing the calibration with the array antenna receiver shown in FIG. 4 before operation | use. The block diagram which shows the structure of the array antenna transmitter which concerns on Embodiment 3 of this invention. FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing a configuration example (part 1) in the case where the calibration in the array antenna transmission apparatus shown in FIG. 6 is performed before operation. FIG. 6 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration example (No. 2) when calibration is performed in the array antenna transmission device illustrated in FIG. 6 before operation; The block diagram which shows the structure of the array antenna transmitter which concerns on Embodiment 4 of this invention. The block diagram which shows the structural example in the case of implementing calibration with the array antenna transmitter shown in FIG. 9 before operation. The block diagram which shows the structure of the array antenna communication apparatus which concerns on Embodiment 5 of this invention. The block diagram which shows the structural example of the conventional array antenna receiver The block diagram which shows the structural example of the conventional array antenna transmitter The block diagram which shows the structural example of the conventional array antenna transmitter

Explanation of symbols

100, 400 Array antenna receiving device 101, 601 Adaptive array antenna 101a, 101b, 601a, 601b, 1101a, 1101b Antenna element 102, 602, 1102 Device external terminal 103a, 103b, 603a, 603b, 1103a, 1103b Antenna cable 104a, 104b , 604a, 604b Calibration signal input means 105a, 105b Reception means 106, 606, 1106 Signal correction means 107, 607, 1107 Signal processing means 108, 401 Reception calibration processing means 109 Calibration signal transmission means 110, 610, 1110 Calibration Switching signal switching means 111, 611, 1111 Branch selecting means 402a, 402b, 902a, 902b key Ribbling cable 600, 900 Array antenna transmission device 604a, 604b Calibration signal distribution means 605a, 605b Transmission means 608, 901 Transmission calibration processing means 609 Calibration signal reception means 1100 Array antenna communication device 1104a, 1104b Directional coupler 1105a 1105b duplexer 1108 calibration processing means 1109 calibration duplexer

Claims (17)

In an array antenna receiving apparatus including an adaptive array antenna,
Calibration signal input means inserted and arranged on the input end side of each of the plurality of array receiving means provided corresponding to the plurality of antenna elements constituting the adaptive array antenna in order to input calibration signals given from others When,
Branch selection means for selecting one of the plurality of array receiving means and supplying a calibration signal to the calibration signal input means for the selected array receiving means;
A device external terminal for outputting the calibration signal to the outside of the device;
Calibration signal switching means for outputting the calibration signal to either the device external terminal or the branch selection means;
The signal error in each of the plurality of array receiving means is calculated by comparing the calibration signal to be transmitted with the output signals of the plurality of array means, and based on that, between the antenna end and the calibration signal input means is included. An array antenna receiving apparatus comprising: reception calibration processing means for correcting an error between branches.   The reception calibration processing means has a function of correcting a branch error between the calibration signal input means and the branch selection means in addition to an error between branches including between the antenna end and the calibration signal input means. The array antenna receiving apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising:   3. The array antenna receiver according to claim 1, wherein the other end of an antenna cable having one end connected to the calibration signal input means is connected to the device external terminal.   3. The array antenna receiving apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the other end of an antenna cable having an antenna element connected to one end is connected to the apparatus external terminal. In an array antenna transmission apparatus including an adaptive array antenna,
In order to distribute the calibration signal to be output to another, the calibration signal distribution means inserted and arranged at the output end side of each of the plurality of array transmission means provided corresponding to the plurality of antenna elements constituting the adaptive array antenna When,
A branch selection unit that selects one of the plurality of array transmission units and takes in a calibration signal distributed by the calibration signal distribution unit for the selected array transmission unit;
A device external terminal for capturing the calibration signal from the outside of the device;
Calibration signal switching means for taking out one of a calibration signal input from the device external terminal and a calibration signal output from the branch selection means;
A signal error in each of the plurality of array transmission units is calculated by comparing a calibration signal to be transmitted to the plurality of array transmission units and a calibration signal extracted by the calibration signal switching unit, and based on the calculated signal error, And an array antenna transmitting apparatus for correcting an error between branches including between the calibration signal distributing means.   The transmission calibration processing means has a function of correcting a branch error between the calibration signal distribution means and the branch selection means in addition to an error between branches including an antenna end and the calibration signal distribution means. 6. The array antenna transmitter according to claim 5, further comprising:   7. The array antenna transmission apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the other end of an antenna cable having one end connected to the calibration signal distribution means is connected to the apparatus external terminal.   7. The array antenna transmission apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the other end of an antenna cable having an antenna element connected to one end is connected to the apparatus external terminal. In an array antenna communication device in which array receiving means and array transmitting means are arranged in parallel via a duplexer for each antenna element constituting an adaptive array antenna,
Distributing / extracting the calibration signal transmitted from the array transmitting means connected to the duplexer by inputting the calibration signal to the array receiving means connected between the antenna element and the duplexer. A plurality of coupling means; calibration signal transmitting means for transmitting the calibration signal;
Calibration signal receiving means for receiving the calibration signal;
A device external terminal for exchanging calibration signals with the outside of the device;
A branch selection unit that selects one of the plurality of distribution / combination units and exchanges a calibration signal with the selected distribution / combination unit;
A calibration duplexer to which an output terminal of the calibration signal transmitting means and an input terminal of the calibration signal receiving means are connected, any one of the apparatus external terminal and the branch selecting means, and the calibration duplexer Calibration signal switching means for connecting the input / output terminals of
A signal error in each of the plurality of array receiving means is calculated by comparing the calibration signal to be transmitted to the calibration signal transmitting means and an output signal of the plurality of array means, and the antenna end and the distribution / Reception calibration processing means for correcting errors between branches including between the combining means;
A signal error in each of the plurality of array transmitting means is calculated by comparing a calibration signal to be transmitted to the plurality of array transmitting means and a calibration signal received by the calibration signal receiving means, and an antenna end and An array antenna communication apparatus comprising: a transmission calibration processing unit that corrects an error between branches including the distribution / combination unit.   The reception calibration processing unit has a function of correcting a branch error between the distribution / combination unit and the branch selection unit in addition to an error between branches including an antenna end and the distribution / combination unit. The array antenna communication apparatus according to claim 9.   The transmission calibration processing unit has a function of correcting a branch error between the distribution / combination unit and the branch selection unit in addition to an error between branches including the antenna end and the distribution / combination unit. The array antenna communication apparatus according to claim 9.   The array antenna communication device according to claim 9, wherein the device external terminal is connected to the other end of an antenna cable whose one end is connected to the distribution / coupling means.   12. The array antenna communication device according to claim 9, wherein the device external terminal is connected to the other end of an antenna cable to which an antenna element is connected at one end. Before operation, the calibration signal is input to the corresponding array receiving means via the antenna cable from at least one antenna element side end of the plurality of antenna elements constituting the adaptive array antenna, and the calibration signal is transmitted after the calibration signal is transmitted. A first step of obtaining a gain / phase amount until the array receiving means outputs,
Gain from selecting one of a plurality of array receiving means provided corresponding to the plurality of antenna elements, inputting a calibration signal, and transmitting the calibration signal to output from the array receiving means A second step of determining the phase amount for at least one array receiving means;
From the gain / phase amount obtained in the first step and the gain / phase amount obtained in the second step, the gain / phase error amount from the antenna element side end to the input side end of the receiving means is obtained, and this is obtained for each array. And a third step of giving an offset value to the signal output from the receiving means.   During operation, one of a plurality of array receiving means provided corresponding to the plurality of antenna elements is selected, a calibration signal is input, and a gain / phase fluctuation amount is obtained from an output signal of the array receiving means. 15. A fourth step is carried out for all array receiving means, and a fourth step is performed for determining and compensating for an inter-branch error from the difference between the gain and phase fluctuation amount in the reference array receiving means. Calibration method for an array antenna receiving apparatus. Before operation, a calibration signal transmitted by at least one of a plurality of array transmission means provided corresponding to a plurality of antenna elements constituting the adaptive array antenna is received at the antenna element side end via a corresponding antenna cable. A first step of determining the gain / phase amount of the signal path;
The calibration signal transmitted by at least one of the plurality of array transmitting means provided corresponding to the plurality of antenna elements constituting the adaptive array antenna is received at the output side end of the array transmitting means, and until the reception A second step for obtaining a gain / phase amount;
From the gain / phase amount obtained in the first step and the gain / phase amount obtained in the second step, a gain / phase error amount from the transmitting means to the antenna element side end is obtained and input to the array transmitting means. And a third step of giving the signal as an offset value, and a calibration method in the array antenna transmission apparatus.   During operation, a calibration signal transmitted by one of a plurality of array transmitting means provided corresponding to a plurality of antenna elements constituting the adaptive array antenna is received at the output side end of the array transmitting means, and is received. A fourth step of calculating the gain and phase fluctuation amount until all the array transmission means and obtaining and compensating for an inter-branch error from the difference from the gain and phase fluctuation amount in the reference array transmission means. The calibration method for an array antenna transmission apparatus according to claim 16, wherein:

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