JP6439488B2 - Antenna calibration apparatus and antenna calibration method - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an antenna calibration apparatus and an antenna calibration method.

Conventionally, there is an antenna device in which an element selection unit selects one element antenna from each subarray antenna. The phase shift amount changing unit changes the set phase shift amount for each selected phase shifter selected by the element selection unit. For example, if the phase shifter is a phase shifter in which the phase shift amount can be set at a power of 2k, the minimum step width Δφ of the phase shift amount that can be set is Δφ = 360 ° / 2 ^k . The phase shift amount changing unit first sets the phase shift amount of all the selected phase shifters to Δφ. Next, the phase shift amount changing unit sets the phase shift amount of all the selected phase shifters to 2Δφ. In this way, the phase shift amount changing unit changes the phase shift amounts of all the selected phase shifters in increments of Δφ to (2 ^k −1) Δφ (see, for example, Patent Document 1, Abstract, Paragraph 0024).

JP 2008-205645 A

By the way, since the conventional antenna apparatus performs the measurement by changing the phase shift amount of all the selected phase shifters to (2 ^k −1) Δφ in increments of Δφ, there is a problem that the number of times of measurement when obtaining the calibration value is large. There is.

  It is an object of the present invention to provide an antenna calibration apparatus and an antenna calibration method that reduce the number of measurements when obtaining a calibration value.

In one aspect, an antenna calibration apparatus distributes a transmission signal output from a signal source to a plurality of transmission signals, and a plurality of shifts that shift phases of the plurality of transmission signals input from the distributor. A plurality of phase shifters each having a resolution of M (M is a natural number) bits, and provided on the output side of each of the plurality of phase shifters, the phases being shifted by the plurality of phase shifters; An antenna calibration device for calibrating an antenna device including a plurality of transmission antennas that respectively radiate the plurality of transmission signals, wherein the plurality of transmission signals radiated from the plurality of transmission antennas are combined Based on the phase of the combined signal received by the receiving antenna that receives the signal, the phase shift amount in the plurality of phase shifters and the amplitude of the transmission signal radiated by the transmitting antenna And a phase shift in a phase shifter connected to a transmission antenna other than the calibration target when one of the plurality of transmission antennas is a calibration target. With the amount fixed at a predetermined amount, the phase shift amount of the phase shifter connected to the calibration target transmission antenna is set to (360 / X) degrees with respect to the value X satisfying 3 ≦ X ≦ 2 ^M−1. Obtaining the amplitude value of the combined signal at X operating points obtained by changing the phase amount corresponding to each of the two operating points, the two operating points having relatively large amplitude values among the X operating points, or A phase where the amplitude value of the combined signal is maximized or minimized is detected between two operating points having relatively small amplitude values, and the maximum or minimum value of the amplitude value of the combined signal is detected. The phase where the amplitude value of the signal is maximized or minimized is 180. Obtains the difference between the amplitude values at different operating points, and phase amplitude value becomes maximum or minimum of the combined signal, based on said difference, obtaining a calibration value of the amplitude value and the phase shift amount.

  As one aspect, it is possible to provide an antenna calibration device and an antenna calibration method that reduce the number of measurements when obtaining a calibration value.

1 is a diagram showing a state where an antenna calibration apparatus 100 according to Embodiment 1 is connected to an antenna apparatus 101. FIG. 6 is a diagram for explaining a calibration method according to Embodiment 1. FIG. 3 is a flowchart illustrating a calibration process executed by the antenna calibration apparatus 100 according to the first embodiment. It is a figure which shows the state which connected the antenna calibration apparatus 100A by the modification of Embodiment 1 to the antenna apparatus 102. FIG. 6 is a diagram for explaining a calibration method according to Embodiment 2. FIG. 10 is a flowchart illustrating a calibration process according to the second embodiment. It is a figure explaining how to obtain | require a gravity center point.

  Embodiments to which the antenna calibration apparatus and the antenna calibration method of the present invention are applied will be described below.

<Embodiment 1>
FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a state in which the antenna calibration apparatus 100 according to the first embodiment is connected to the antenna apparatus 101.

  The antenna device 101 includes a distributor 120, phase shifters 130-1, 130-2, ..., 130-N, element antennas 140-1, 140-2, ..., 140-N, and phase shifters. A control circuit 150 is included. A signal source 110 is connected to the antenna device 101.

  The antenna calibration apparatus 100 includes a phase setting circuit 160, a reception antenna 170, and a reception apparatus 180. In the antenna calibration apparatus 100, the phase setting circuit 160 calibrates the antenna apparatus 101 using the reception antenna 170 and the reception apparatus 180 while being connected to the antenna apparatus 101.

  The antenna calibration device 100 is detached from the antenna device 101 when the calibration work is completed. After the calibration is completed, the antenna device 101 can be used alone.

  Here, although the antenna calibration apparatus 100 demonstrates the form containing the phase setting circuit 160, the receiving antenna 170, and the receiving apparatus 180, you may handle the phase setting circuit 160 as the antenna calibration apparatus 100. FIG.

  Hereinafter, the phase shifters 130-1 to 130-N are referred to as phase shifters 130 when they are not distinguished. Further, when the element antennas 140-1 to 140-N are not distinguished, they are referred to as element antennas 140.

  The signal source 110 is a signal generator that generates a high-frequency signal radiated from the element antenna 140. The high-frequency signal is, for example, 1 GHz to 50 GHz microwave or millimeter wave. The high frequency signal generated by the signal source 110 is input to the distributor 120 as a transmission signal.

  The distributor 120 is provided between the signal source 110 and the phase shifters 130-1 to 130-N, and distributes the transmission signal input from the signal source 110 to the phase shifters 130-1 to 130-N. Then transmit. The distributor 120 may be a power distributor that can equally divide the transmission signal in the same phase. The distributor 120 may be, for example, a Wilkinson distributor.

  Ideally, the distributor 120 equally distributes the transmission signal input from the signal source 110 to the phase shifters 130-1 to 130-N, but in reality, the amplitude value of the transmission signal after distribution is used. Variations can occur. For this reason, the antenna calibration apparatus 100 calibrates the variation in the amplitude value of the transmission signal.

  The phase shifters 130-1 to 130-N are provided between the distributor 120 and the element antennas 140-1 to 140-N. The phase shifters 130-1 to 130-N are digital phase shifters having a resolution of 5 bits, and shift (adjust) the phase of the transmission signal (input signal) distributed by the distributor 120 to adjust the element antenna 140. -1 to 140-N.

  A shift amount (adjustment amount) by which the phase shifters 130-1 to 130-N shift (adjust) the phase of the transmission signal (input signal) distributed by the distributor 120 is set by the phase setting circuit 160, and the phase shift is performed. It is controlled by the bit value output from the controller control circuit 150. The bit value is set by the phase shifter control circuit 150. Note that the shift amounts by which the phase shifters 130-1 to 130-N shift the phase are φ1, φ2,.

  The phase shift amounts φ1 to φN by the phase shifters 130-1 to 130-N actually include variations. For this reason, the antenna calibration apparatus 100 calibrates variations in the phase shift amounts φ1 to φN by the phase shifters 130-1 to 130-N. Specifically, the antenna calibration apparatus 100 calibrates the bit value output from the phase setting circuit 160.

  Since the resolution of the phase shifter 130 is 5 bits, the phase shifter 130 detects 360 degrees by breaking it down into 32 points. When 360 degrees is divided into 32, it is 11.25 degrees.

  The element antennas 140-1 to 140-N are N element antennas arranged at equal intervals, and construct an array antenna for transmission. The element antennas 140-1 to 140-N are examples of the first antenna.

  The element antennas 140-1 to 140-N may be manufactured with, for example, one wiring board. For example, it can be produced by processing a substrate obtained by laminating a glass epoxy resin and a copper foil according to the FR-4 (Flame Retardant type-4) standard, or a substrate obtained by laminating a ceramic and a metal foil.

  The radio waves radiated from the element antennas 140-1 to 140-N may be either circularly polarized waves or linearly polarized waves.

  The phase shifter control circuit 150 controls the bit value based on the shift amounts φ1 to φN set by the phase setting circuit 160. The shift amounts φ1 to φN by which the phase shifters 130-1 to 130-N shift the phase are controlled by the phase shifter control circuit 150. The phase shifter control circuit 150 is a circuit that can calculate N bit values based on the shift amounts φ1 to φN input from the phase setting circuit 160 and output them to the phase shifters 130-1 to 130-N. That's fine.

  Phase setting circuit 160 includes a calibration calculation unit 160A. The calibration calculation unit 160A is an example of a calibration unit. The phase setting circuit 160 receives a received signal received from the receiving device 180 by the receiving antenna 170. The phase setting circuit 160 sets the shift amounts φ1 to φN based on the received signal input from the receiving device 180, and outputs the shift amounts φ1 to φN to the phase shifter control circuit 150.

  The calibration calculation unit 160A calculates the calibration values of the shift amounts φ1 to φN based on the reception signal input from the reception device 180. The calculation method of the calibration value by the calibration calculation unit 160A will be described later.

  When the calibration value is calculated by the calibration calculation unit 160A, the phase setting circuit 160 outputs the shift amounts φ1 to φN calibrated using the calibration value to the phase shifter control circuit 150. The phase setting circuit 160 can be realized by, for example, a PC (Personal Computer).

  Here, the phase setting circuit 160 includes the calibration calculation unit 160A, and when the calibration value is calculated by the calibration calculation unit 160A, the shift amounts φ1 to φN calibrated using the calibration value are supplied to the phase shifter control circuit 150. The form to output is demonstrated.

  However, the calibration value calculated by the calibration calculation unit 160A is stored in the memory of the calibration calculation unit 160A or the phase setting circuit 160, and the operator of the phase setting circuit 160 reflects the calibration value manually. A bit value may be input.

  Further, the calibration calculation unit 160A may be provided outside the phase setting circuit 160, and may be realized as a device different from the phase setting circuit 160.

  The receiving antenna 170 is a receiving antenna that receives a combined signal in which radio waves radiated from the element antennas 140-1 to 140-N are combined. The receiving antenna 170 is an example of a second antenna. The reception antenna 170 may be any antenna that can receive radio waves as a combined signal, and may be any type of antenna.

  The receiving device 180 is connected to the receiving antenna 170, and amplifies the synthesized signal received by the receiving antenna 170 and outputs it to the phase setting circuit 160. The receiving device 180 may be, for example, an RF (Radio Frequency) receiving circuit.

  FIG. 2 is a diagram for explaining the calibration method of the first embodiment. This calibration method is executed by the calibration calculation unit 160A and the phase setting circuit 160. Since the calibration calculation unit 160A is included in the phase setting circuit 160, it will be described here that the phase setting circuit 160 executes the calibration process.

  The calibration process is performed for each of the shift amounts φ1 to φN corresponding to the element antennas 140-1 to 140-N. Here, as an example, the shift amount φ1 corresponding to the element antenna 140-1 is performed. The case of obtaining the calibration value of will be described.

  Here, as an example, a description will be given of a mode in which the calibration value is obtained while shifting the shift amount φ1 by 90 degrees.

  The horizontal axis in FIG. 2 represents the shift amount φ1, and the vertical axis represents the amplitude of the combined signal received by the receiving antenna 170.

  First, the phase setting circuit 160 sets the shift amount φ1 to φ0 in a state where the shift amounts φ2 to φN corresponding to the element antennas 140-2 to 140-N other than the element antenna 140-1 to be calibrated are fixed to a predetermined value. Set to. φ0 may be any value, but here it is assumed to be an initial value when the phase shifter 130-1 is powered on.

  With the phase setting circuit 160 thus setting the shift amounts φ1 to φN, radio waves are radiated from the element antennas 140-1 to 140-N and received by the receiving antenna 170. At this time, it is assumed that the amplitude of the synthesized signal is L1. The operating point when the shift amount φ1 is φ0 is P1 shown in FIG.

  Next, the phase setting circuit 160 shifts the shift amount φ1 by +90 degrees in a state where the shift amounts φ2 to φN are fixed to a predetermined value, and radiates radio waves from the element antennas 140-1 to 140-N. Receive at. At this time, it is assumed that the amplitude of the synthesized signal is L2. The operating point when the shift amount φ1 is φ0 + 90 degrees is P2 shown in FIG.

  Next, the phase setting circuit 160 further shifts the shift amount φ1 by +90 degrees in a state where the shift amounts φ2 to φN are fixed to a predetermined value, and radiates radio waves from the element antennas 140-1 to 140-N. Receive at 170. At this time, it is assumed that the amplitude of the combined signal is L3. The operating point when the shift amount φ1 is φ0 + 180 degrees is P3 shown in FIG.

  Next, the phase setting circuit 160 further shifts the shift amount φ1 by +90 degrees in a state where the shift amounts φ2 to φN are fixed to a predetermined value, and radiates radio waves from the element antennas 140-1 to 140-N. Receive at 170. At this time, it is assumed that the amplitude of the combined signal is L4. The operating point when the shift amount φ1 is φ0 + 270 degrees is P4 shown in FIG.

  Next, the phase setting circuit 160 extracts two operating points having relatively large amplitudes from the operating points P1 to P4. Here, the operating points P3 and P4 are extracted.

  Then, while the shift amounts φ2 to φN are fixed to predetermined values, the element antennas 140-1 to 140- are swept while shifting the bit value of the shift amount φ1 one by one between the operating points P3 and P4. The radio wave radiated from N is received by the receiving antenna 170, and the value φA of the shift amount φ1 at which the amplitude becomes the maximum value Lmax is obtained.

  Sweeping the shift amount means shifting all the shift amounts between two operating points having relatively large amplitudes by shifting the bit values of the shift amount φ1 one by one and using shift amounts having different bit values one by one. Is to measure the amplitude of the synthesized signal and the shift amount.

  Then, the phase setting circuit 160 sets the amplitude of the operating point (here, the operating point of φB of φA−180 °) where the shift amount φ1 is shifted by 180 ° from the φA with the shift amounts φ2 to φN being fixed to a predetermined value. Ask. The operating point where the shift amount φ1 is φB is an operating point at which the amplitude becomes the minimum value Lmin.

  Then, the phase setting circuit 160 obtains a difference between the maximum value Lmax and the minimum value Lmin. This difference is obtained by shifting the phase of the radio wave radiated from the element antenna 140-1 by 360 degrees while radiating from the element antennas 140-2 to 140-N with the shift amount φ2 to φN fixed at a predetermined value. Represents the total amplitude of signal variation. This variation is shown as a sine wave in FIG.

  As described above, a synthesized signal obtained by shifting the phase of the radio wave radiated from the element antenna 140-1 by 360 degrees while radiating from the element antennas 140-2 to 140-N while fixing the shift amounts φ2 to φN to predetermined values. , The value φA of the shift amount φ1 at which the amplitude becomes the maximum value Lmax, and the value φB of the shift amount φ1 at which the amplitude becomes the minimum value Lmin are obtained.

  Further, by making each of the element antennas 140-2 to 140-N to be calibrated by a similar method, the maximum amplitude Lmax, the shift amount at which the amplitude becomes the maximum value Lmax, and the amplitude of the shift amount φ2 to φN. A shift amount at which the minimum value Lmin and the amplitude become the minimum value Lmin is obtained.

  Then, if the maximum amplitude value Lmax, the shift amount at which the amplitude becomes the maximum value Lmax, the minimum amplitude value Lmin, and the minimum amplitude value Lmin are used for the element antennas 140-1 to 140-N, a method similar to the conventional technique is used. Thus, the calibration values of the shift amounts φ1 to φN of the phase shifters 130-1 to 130-N corresponding to the element antennas 140-1 to 140-N can be obtained.

  FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing a calibration process executed by the antenna calibration apparatus 100 according to the first embodiment. Here, description will be made using the element number k of the element antennas 140-1 to 140-N. k takes a value from 1 to N.

  First, the element number k is set to 1 (k = 1), the shift amount φk corresponding to the element number k is set to an initial value, and the shift amount corresponding to the element antennas 140 other than the calibration target is set to a predetermined value. Then, the amplitude of the synthesized signal is measured (step S1).

  This is because when the element number k is 1, the shift amounts φ2 to φN corresponding to the element antennas 140-2 to 140-N other than the element antenna 140-1 to be calibrated are fixed to a predetermined value. This corresponds to measuring the amplitude of the combined signal in a state where the quantity φ1 is set to φ0.

  Next, the amplitude of the combined signal is measured while shifting the shift amount φk to 0 degrees, 90 degrees, 180 degrees, and 270 degrees (step S2).

  This corresponds to measuring the amplitude of the combined signal at the operating points P1, P2, P3, and P4.

  Next, two operating points having a relatively large amplitude are extracted, and the maximum value Lmax of the amplitude of the combined signal is changed while shifting the shift amount one by one (sweeping) between the two operating points. A shift amount giving the value Lmax is obtained (step S3).

  This corresponds to obtaining the maximum value Lmax of the amplitude and the value φA of the shift amount φ1.

  Next, the shift amount and amplitude of the operating point obtained by shifting the shift amount by 180 degrees are obtained (step S4).

  This corresponds to obtaining the shift amount φB and the amplitude Lmin of the operating point (the operating point of φB) obtained by shifting the shift amount φ1 by 180 degrees from φA.

  Next, it is determined whether k ≧ N is satisfied (step S5). This is to determine whether the maximum value Lmax corresponding to all of the element antennas 140-1 to 140-N, the shift amount that gives the maximum value Lmax, the minimum value Lmin, and the shift amount that gives the minimum value Lmin have been obtained.

  If k ≧ N is not satisfied in step S5 (S5: NO), the element number k is incremented (k = k + 1), and the flow is returned to step S1.

  In step S5, if k ≧ N is established (S5: YES), the process proceeds to step S6, and calibration values for the element antennas 140-1 to 140-N are obtained (step S6). The calculated calibration value may be stored in the PC memory.

  The process of step S6 is performed using the maximum amplitude value Lmax, the shift amount at which the amplitude becomes the maximum value Lmax, the minimum amplitude value Lmin, and the minimum amplitude value Lmin obtained for the element antennas 140-1 to 140-N. This corresponds to obtaining the calibration values of the shift amounts φ1 to φN of the phase shifters 130-1 to 130-N corresponding to the element antennas 140-1 to 140-N by the same method as in the past.

  As described above, according to the first embodiment, the amplitude of the combined signal at four points where the shift amount is shifted by 90 degrees is measured, and two operating points having relatively large amplitudes are extracted, and the interval between the two operating points is extracted. Thus, the maximum value Lmax of the amplitude of the combined signal and the shift amount that gives the maximum value Lmax are obtained while shifting the bit value of the shift amount one by one.

  Further, the minimum amplitude Lmin and the shift amount at which the amplitude becomes the minimum value Lmin are obtained at an operating point that is 180 degrees out of phase with the shift amount giving the maximum value Lmax.

  By performing such a process for each of the element antennas 140-1 to 140-N as a calibration target, the phase shifters 130-1 to 130-N corresponding to the element antennas 140-1 to 140-N Calibration values of the shift amounts φ1 to φN can be obtained.

  That is, according to the first embodiment, when obtaining the maximum value Lmax, the minimum value Lmin, and the shift amount that gives the maximum value Lmax and the minimum value Lmin, two relatively large amplitudes are obtained. It is only necessary to sweep the shift amount between operating points.

  Therefore, as in the prior art, the shift amount that gives the maximum value Lmax, the minimum value Lmin, the maximum value Lmax, and the minimum value Lmin of the amplitude of the combined signal while sweeping the shift amount in all sections of 0 degrees and 360 degrees. The number of measurements can be greatly reduced compared to the case where

  Therefore, according to the first embodiment, it is possible to provide an antenna calibration device and an antenna calibration method that reduce the number of times of measurement when obtaining a calibration value.

  In the above description, the amplitude of the combined signal at the four operating points shifted by 90 degrees in step S2 is measured. However, the number of operating points for measuring the amplitude of the combined signal is four. It is not limited.

  Moreover, although the phase shifter 130 demonstrated 5 bits, the resolution of the phase shifter 130 should just be 4 bits or more.

  Here, if the resolution of the phase shifter 130 is M bits, the number X of operating points may be set as a natural number satisfying the following expression (1).

3 ≦ X ≦ 2 ^M-1 (1)
That is, the shift amount of the phase shifter 130 connected to the element antenna 140 to be calibrated is (360 / X) in order to obtain the shift amount of the value X operating points satisfying the equation (1) and the amplitude of the combined signal. The amplitude value and the shift amount of the combined signal at X operating points may be obtained by changing the phase amount corresponding to the degree.

  Depending on the value of M, the phase shifter 130 may not be able to detect the angle given by (360 / X) degrees. In such a case, among the angles that can be detected by the phase shifter 130, the angle closest to the angle given by (360 / X) degrees may be set.

  The phase shift amount corresponding to (360 / X) degrees means that the phase shifter 130 cannot detect the angle given by (360 / X) degrees in addition to the angle given by (360 / X) degrees. This means that the angle that can be detected by the phase shifter 130 includes the angle closest to the angle given by (360 / X) degrees.

Compared to the case where the amplitude and shift amount of the combined signal are measured at all 2 ^M operating points in the M-bit phase shifter 130, all the phase differences when measured by the calibration method of the first embodiment are calculated. The ratio of the number of times of measurement with respect to the case where the number of times of measurement is 100% can be obtained using the following equation (2). Here, X operating points are used.

When formula (2) is transformed, formula (3) is obtained.
{1 / X + X / 2 ^M } × 100 [%] (3)
The first numerator of equation (2) represents X operating points, the second term represents the number of sweep operating points between two operating points having a large amplitude, and the third term represents one operating point for reading the minimum amplitude value. The denominator is the number of operating points when all operating points are swept.

  For example, when the 5-bit phase shifter 130 is used at four operating points, the number of measurements for obtaining the calibration values of the shift amounts of all the element antennas 140 can be reduced to about 37.5%.

  In this case, for example, when the number (N) of the element antennas 140 is 256 elements, 8192 measurements are required to obtain the calibration values of the shift amounts of all the element antennas 140. On the other hand, the number of measurements can be reduced to 3072 in the calibration method of the first embodiment.

  In addition, when the 5-bit phase shifter 130 is used at six operating points, there are four or five points between two operating points having relatively large amplitudes, and the phases are shifted by 180 degrees. Since there is one point, the measurement points are reduced to 11 or 12 out of 32 points. For this reason, it is possible to reduce the number of measurements to 11 or 12/32 = 34.4 or 37.5%.

When the phase is shifted at six operating points, the term (2 ^M -X) / X in equation (2) becomes indivisible. In this case, equation (4) or equation (5) may be used instead of equation (2).

  Here, floor is a function that rounds to an integer in the negative direction, and ceil is a function that rounds to an integer in the positive direction.

  When the phase shifter 130 is 5 bits, the number of times of measurement is the smallest when X = 6 (when there are 6 operating points). In addition, when the phase shifter 130 is 4 bits, the number of times of measurement is the smallest when X = 4 (when there are four operating points). When the phase shifter 130 is 6 bits, the number of times of measurement is the smallest when X = 8 (when there are 8 operating points). When the phase shifter 130 is 7 bits, the number of times of measurement is the smallest when X = 12 (when there are 12 operating points). When the phase shifter 130 is 8 bits, the number of times of measurement is the smallest when X = 15 (when there are 15 operating points). When the phase shifter 130 is 9 bits, the number of times of measurement is the smallest when X = 23 (when there are 23 operating points). When the phase shifter 130 is 10 bits, the number of times of measurement is the smallest when X = 32 (when there are 32 operating points).

  Further, depending on the resolution (M bits) of the phase shifter 130 and the number of operating points (X), a shift amount that gives at least a part of the X operating points, and the phase shifter 130 In some cases, the angle obtained with a resolution of 1 may not match. In such a case, the shift amount may be corrected to an angle closest to the shift amount among the angles obtained with the resolution of the phase shifter 130.

  In the above description, the mode in which two operating points having relatively large amplitudes are extracted in step S3 has been described. However, even if two operating points with relatively small amplitudes are extracted in step S3 and the shift amount is swept between the two operating points, the minimum value Lmin and the shift amount that gives the minimum value Lmin are obtained. Good. In this case, the maximum value Lmax of the amplitude of the combined signal and the shift amount that gives the maximum value Lmax may be obtained in step S4.

  In the above description, a mode has been described in which the shift amount φ corresponding to the element antenna 140 to be calibrated is shifted by 90 degrees while the shift amount φ corresponding to the element antenna 140 other than the calibration target is fixed to a predetermined value.

  If the element antennas 140-1 to 140-N use the same value for each of the element antennas 140-1 to 140-N when the element antennas 140-1 to 140-N are not subject to calibration, The predetermined value of the shift amount φ of each of the element antennas 140-1 to 140-N may be different from each other.

  In the above description, the mode of calculating the calibration value of the shift amount of the element antenna 140 as the transmission antenna has been described. However, the calibration value of the shift amount of the reception antenna may be calculated.

  FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating a state where the antenna calibration apparatus 100A according to the modification of the first embodiment is connected to the antenna apparatus 102.

  The antenna device 102 includes a combiner 120A, phase shifters 130-1 to 130-N, a phase shifter control circuit 150, receiving antennas 170-1 to 170-N, and a receiving device 180.

  The antenna calibration apparatus 100A includes a phase setting circuit 160. The antenna calibration apparatus 100A shown in FIG. 4 is realized by the phase setting circuit 160, and uses the element antenna 140A connected to the signal source 110 when calibrating the antenna apparatus 102.

  The overall configuration of the antenna calibration apparatus 100A and the antenna apparatus 102 shown in FIG. 4 is obtained by replacing the N element antennas 140-1 to 140-N shown in FIG. 1 with one element antenna 140A and replacing one reception antenna 170 with N. The receiving antennas 170-1 to 170-N are replaced.

  Furthermore, a synthesizer 120A, phase shifters 130-1 to 130-N, a phase shifter control circuit 150, a phase setting circuit 160, and a receiving device 180 are provided on the receiving antennas 170-1 to 170-N side. is there.

  The transmission signal transmitted from the element antenna 140A is received by the reception antennas 170-1 to 170-N, and the combined signal obtained by combining the N reception signals by the combiner 120A is the process described with reference to FIGS. If the same processing is performed, the calibration value of the shift amount in the phase shifters 130-1 to 130-N corresponding to the receiving antennas 170-1 to 170-N can be obtained.

<Embodiment 2>
FIG. 5 is a diagram for explaining the calibration method according to the second embodiment. The antenna calibration apparatus of the second embodiment has the same calibration as that of the antenna calibration apparatus 100 of the first embodiment, and the calibration method by the calibration calculation unit 160A is partially different. For this reason, apparatus calibration will be described with reference to FIG. In the following, the description will focus on the differences.

  The horizontal axis in FIG. 5 represents the shift amount φ1, and the vertical axis represents the amplitude of the combined signal received by the receiving antenna 170.

  The process is the same as the calibration method of the first embodiment until the shift amount and the amplitude of the operating points P1 to P4 are obtained and two operating points having relatively large amplitudes are extracted from the operating points P1 to P4.

  The phase setting circuit 160 sets the shift amount φ1 to the center value of the shift amount between the operating points P3 and P4 (the average value of the two shift amounts) in a state where the shift amounts φ2 to φN are fixed to a predetermined value. The radio waves radiated from the element antennas 140-1 to 140-N are received by the receiving antenna 170, and the amplitude is measured. If the operation point at the center value of the shift amount between the operation points P3 and P4 is P5, this process is a process for obtaining the shift amount of the operation point P5 and the amplitude of the combined signal.

  Then, the phase setting circuit 160 extracts two operating points having relatively large amplitudes from the operating points P3, P4, and P5, and repeats the same processing. For example, when the two operating points having relatively large amplitudes among the operating points P3, P4, and P5 are P4 and P5, the shift amount φ1 is set to the shift amount between the operating points P4 and P5. The radio wave radiated from the element antennas 140-1 to 140-N is received by the receiving antenna 170, and the amplitude is measured. If the operating point at the center value of the shift amount between the operating points P4 and P5 is P6, this process is a process for obtaining the shift amount of the operating point P6 and the amplitude of the synthesized signal.

  The phase setting circuit 160 determines which bit value of the phase shifter 130 corresponds to the shift amount of each operating point, and performs three operations corresponding to three phase shift amounts represented by three consecutive bit values. Repeat the process until points are obtained.

  Here, for example, when two operating points having relatively large amplitudes among the operating points P4, P5, and P6 are P5 and P6, the shift amount φ1 is set as the shift amount between the operating points P5 and P6. The radio wave radiated from the element antennas 140-1 to 140-N is received by the receiving antenna 170, and the amplitude is measured. If the operating point at the center value of the shift amount between the operating points P5 and P6 is P7, this process is a process for obtaining the shift amount of the operating point P7 and the amplitude of the combined signal.

  The operating points P5, P7, and P6 obtained in this way are assumed to be three operating points corresponding to three phase shift amounts represented by three consecutive bit values in this order.

  When three operating points corresponding to three consecutive bit values are obtained in this way, the amplitude of the combined signal at any of the three consecutive operating points is the maximum value Lmax.

  Two operating points with relatively large amplitudes are extracted from three operating points (for example, P3, P4, P5), the midpoint of the two extracted operating points is extracted, and three new points including the midpoint are extracted. Two operating points (for example, P7) having a relatively large amplitude are extracted from the operating points (for example, P4, P5, P6). This is because by repeating such processing and obtaining three operating points corresponding to three phase shift amounts represented by three consecutive bit values, it is possible to sandwich the shift amount that gives the maximum value Lmax. .

  The finally obtained operating points P5, P7, and P6 are three consecutive operating points with different shift amounts for each resolution (11.25 degrees) of the phase shifter 130, and the 5-bit phase shifter 130. This is an operating point detected at three consecutive points out of 32 points that can be detected.

  After obtaining the amplitude of the maximum value Lmax and the shift amount that gives the maximum value Lmax in this way, as in the first embodiment, if the amplitude of the operating point shifted by 180 degrees is obtained, the amplitude is the minimum value Lmin. The shift amount and amplitude at the operating point can be obtained.

  Further, by making each of the element antennas 140-2 to 140-N to be calibrated by a similar method, the maximum amplitude Lmax, the shift amount at which the amplitude becomes the maximum value Lmax, and the amplitude of the shift amount φ2 to φN. A shift amount at which the minimum value Lmin and the amplitude become the minimum value Lmin is obtained.

  Then, if the maximum amplitude value Lmax, the shift amount at which the amplitude becomes the maximum value Lmax, the minimum amplitude value Lmin, and the minimum amplitude value Lmin are used for the element antennas 140-1 to 140-N, a method similar to the conventional technique is used. Thus, the calibration values of the shift amounts φ1 to φN of the phase shifters 130-1 to 130-N corresponding to the element antennas 140-1 to 140-N can be obtained.

  FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing the calibration process of the second embodiment.

  First, the element number k is set to 1 (k = 1), the shift amount φk corresponding to the element number k is set to an initial value, and the shift amount corresponding to the element antennas 140 other than the calibration target is set to a predetermined value. Then, the amplitude of the synthesized signal is measured (step S21). The process of step S21 is the same as the process of step S1 of the first embodiment.

  Next, the amplitude of the combined signal is measured while shifting the shift amount φk to 0 degrees, 90 degrees, 180 degrees, and 270 degrees (step S22). The process of step S22 is the same as the process of step S2 of the first embodiment.

  Next, two operating points with relatively large amplitudes are extracted, set to the center value of the two shift amounts (average value of the two shift amounts), and the combined signal amplitude and shift amount are obtained (step S23). .

  Next, it is determined whether or not three operating points corresponding to three phase shift amounts represented by three consecutive bit values have been obtained (step S24). Since the three operating points corresponding to the three phase shift amounts represented by the three consecutive bit values include the operating point at which the amplitude of the combined signal is the maximum value Lmax, the processing in step S24 is This is a process for determining whether or not an operating point at which the amplitude of the combined signal reaches the maximum value Lmax is detected.

  If three operating points corresponding to the three phase shift amounts represented by the three consecutive bit values are not obtained in step S24 (S24: NO), the flow returns to step S23, Step S23 is repeated until three operating points corresponding to three phase shift amounts represented by three bit values are obtained (S24: YES).

  When three operating points corresponding to three phase shift amounts represented by three consecutive bit values are obtained (S24: YES), the shift amount and amplitude of the operating point obtained by shifting the shift amount by 180 degrees are obtained (step S25). The process of step S25 is the same as the process of step S4 of the first embodiment.

  Next, it is determined whether k ≧ N is satisfied (step S26). This is to determine whether the maximum value Lmax corresponding to all of the element antennas 140-1 to 140-N, the shift amount that gives the maximum value Lmax, the minimum value Lmin, and the shift amount that gives the minimum value Lmin have been obtained. The process of step S26 is the same as the process of step S5 of the first embodiment.

  If k ≧ N is not satisfied in step S26 (S26: NO), the element number k is incremented (k = k + 1), and the flow is returned to step S21.

  If k ≧ N is satisfied in step S26 (S26: YES), the process proceeds to step S27, and calibration values for the element antennas 140-1 to 140-N are obtained (step S27). The calculated calibration value may be stored in the PC memory.

  The processing of step S27 is performed using the maximum amplitude value Lmax, the shift amount at which the amplitude becomes the maximum value Lmax, the minimum amplitude value Lmin, and the minimum amplitude value Lmin obtained for the element antennas 140-1 to 140-N. This corresponds to obtaining the calibration values of the shift amounts φ1 to φN of the phase shifters 130-1 to 130-N corresponding to the element antennas 140-1 to 140-N by the same method as in the past. The process of step S27 is the same as the process of step S6 of the first embodiment.

  As described above, according to the second embodiment, the amplitude of the combined signal at four points where the shift amount is shifted by 90 degrees is measured, two operating points having relatively large amplitudes are extracted, and the two operating points are shifted. The shift amount of the operating point at the center value of the quantity and the amplitude of the synthesized signal are obtained. Such a process is repeated until three operating points corresponding to three phase shift amounts represented by three consecutive bit values are obtained.

  Then, the minimum amplitude Lmin and the shift amount at which the amplitude becomes the minimum value Lmin are obtained at an operating point that is 180 degrees out of phase with the shift amount that gives the maximum value Lmax.

  By performing such a process for each of the element antennas 140-1 to 140-N as a calibration target, the phase shifters 130-1 to 130-N corresponding to the element antennas 140-1 to 140-N Calibration values of the shift amounts φ1 to φN can be obtained.

  That is, according to the second embodiment, when obtaining the maximum value Lmax, the minimum value Lmin, and the shift amount that gives the maximum value Lmax and the minimum value Lmin, two amplitudes having relatively large amplitudes are obtained. The shift amount of the operating point at the center value of the shift amount of the operating point and the amplitude of the synthesized signal are obtained.

  Then, two operation points having a relatively large amplitude are extracted from three operation points obtained by adding the operation point at the center value to the two operation points having a relatively large amplitude, and the operation at the center value of the shift amount is extracted. The point shift amount and the amplitude of the synthesized signal are obtained.

  Such a process is repeated until three operating points corresponding to three phase shift amounts represented by three consecutive bit values are obtained.

  Therefore, as in the prior art, the shift amount that gives the maximum value Lmax, the minimum value Lmin, the maximum value Lmax, and the minimum value Lmin of the amplitude of the combined signal while sweeping the shift amount in all sections of 0 degrees and 360 degrees. The number of measurements can be greatly reduced compared to the case where

  Further, according to the second embodiment, the number of measurements can be further reduced as compared with the calibration method of the first embodiment. This is because the phase shifter 130 is not swept in order to detect an operating point where the amplitude becomes maximum between two operating points having a relatively large amplitude as in the calibration method of the first embodiment. .

  Therefore, according to the second embodiment, it is possible to provide an antenna calibration apparatus and an antenna calibration method that reduce the number of measurements when obtaining a calibration value.

  In the above description, a mode has been described in which two operating points having relatively large amplitudes are extracted and the shift amount of the operating point at the center value of the shift amounts of the two operating points and the amplitude of the combined signal are obtained.

  However, instead of obtaining the shift amount of the operation point at the center value of the shift amount of the two operation points having a relatively large amplitude and the amplitude of the synthesized signal, the shift of the centroid point of the two operation points having the relatively large amplitude is performed. The quantity and the amplitude of the combined signal may be obtained.

  FIG. 7 is a diagram for explaining how to obtain the barycentric point.

  Assume that the shift amount at the operating point P3 is φC, the amplitude of the combined signal at the operating point P3 is L3, the shift amount at the operating point P4 is φD, and the amplitude of the combined signal at the operating point P4 is L4.

  In this case, the shift amount φw of the center of gravity Pw between the operating points P3 and P4 can be obtained by the following equation (6).

  Such a barycentric point Pw may be obtained instead of the operating point at the center value of the shift amount of two operating points having a relatively large amplitude.

Although the antenna calibration apparatus and the antenna calibration method according to the exemplary embodiments of the present invention have been described above, the present invention is not limited to the specifically disclosed embodiments, and Various modifications and changes can be made without departing from the scope.
Regarding the above embodiment, the following additional notes are disclosed.
(Appendix 1)
A distributor for distributing a transmission signal output from a signal source to a plurality of transmission signals;
A plurality of phase shifters for shifting the phases of the plurality of transmission signals inputted from the distributor, each having a resolution of M (M is a natural number) bits;
Antenna calibration for calibrating an antenna device including a plurality of transmission antennas respectively provided on the output sides of the plurality of phase shifters and radiating the plurality of transmission signals whose phases are shifted by the plurality of phase shifters A device,
Based on the phase of the combined signal received by the receiving antenna that receives the combined signal obtained by combining the plurality of transmission signals radiated from the plurality of transmitting antennas, the phase shift amount in the plurality of phase shifters, and Including a calibration unit for obtaining a calibration value with the amplitude of the transmission signal radiated by the transmission antenna;
The calibration unit is
When one of the plurality of transmission antennas is to be calibrated, 3 ≦ X ≦ 2 in a state where the phase shift amount in the phase shifter connected to the transmission antenna other than the calibration target is fixed to a predetermined amount. X operating points obtained by changing the phase shift amount of the phase shifter connected to the transmitting antenna to be calibrated by a phase amount corresponding to (360 / X) degrees with respect to the value X satisfying ^M−1. The amplitude value of the combined signal is obtained, and among the X operating points, between two operating points having a relatively large amplitude value or between two operating points having a relatively small amplitude value And detecting the phase at which the amplitude value of the combined signal is maximized or minimized,
Find the difference between the maximum or minimum value of the amplitude value of the synthesized signal and the amplitude value at an operating point that is 180 degrees different from the phase at which the amplitude value of the synthesized signal is maximized or minimized,
An antenna calibration apparatus that obtains a calibration value between the phase shift amount and the amplitude based on the phase at which the amplitude value of the combined signal is maximized or minimized and the difference.
(Appendix 2)
The calibration unit is connected to the transmitting antenna to be calibrated between two operating points having a relatively large amplitude value or between two operating points having a relatively small amplitude value. The antenna calibration apparatus according to appendix 1, wherein the phase of the operating point at which the amplitude value of the combined signal becomes maximum or minimum is detected by sweeping the phase shift amount of the detector.
(Appendix 3)
The calibration unit is configured to calculate the center value of the phase of the two operation points between two operation points having a relatively large amplitude value or between two operation points having a relatively small amplitude value. The antenna calibration apparatus according to appendix 1, wherein a phase at which an amplitude value of the synthesized signal is maximized or minimized is obtained by obtaining an operating point or a center of gravity of the two operating points.
(Appendix 4)
A plurality of receiving antennas for receiving transmission signals radiated from the transmitting antenna;
A plurality of phase shifters that shift phases of a plurality of reception signals received by the plurality of reception antennas, each having a resolution of M (M is a natural number) bits;
An antenna calibration device for calibrating an antenna device including a synthesizer that synthesizes a plurality of received signals whose phases are shifted by the plurality of phase shifters,
A calibration unit for obtaining a calibration value of the phase shift amount in the plurality of phase shifters and the amplitude of the received signal received by the receiving antenna based on the phase of the synthesized signal synthesized by the synthesizer;
The calibration unit is
When one of the plurality of receiving antennas is to be calibrated, 3 ≦ X ≦ 2 in a state where the phase shift amount in the phase shifter connected to the receiving antenna other than the calibration target is fixed to a predetermined amount. X operating points obtained by changing the phase shift amount of the phase shifter connected to the receiving antenna to be calibrated by a phase amount corresponding to (360 / X) degrees with respect to the value X satisfying ^M−1. The amplitude value of the combined signal is obtained, and among the X operating points, between two operating points having a relatively large amplitude value or between two operating points having a relatively small amplitude value And detecting the phase at which the amplitude value of the combined signal is maximized or minimized,
Find the difference between the maximum or minimum value of the amplitude value of the synthesized signal and the amplitude value at an operating point that is 180 degrees different from the phase at which the amplitude value of the synthesized signal is maximized or minimized,
An antenna calibration apparatus that obtains a calibration value between the phase shift amount and the amplitude based on the phase at which the amplitude value of the combined signal is maximized or minimized and the difference.
(Appendix 5)
A distributor for distributing a transmission signal output from a signal source to a plurality of transmission signals;
A plurality of phase shifters for shifting the phases of the plurality of transmission signals inputted from the distributor, each having a resolution of M (M is a natural number) bits;
A plurality of transmission antennas each provided on the output side of the plurality of phase shifters and radiating the plurality of transmission signals whose phases are shifted by the plurality of phase shifters, respectively. An antenna calibration method for calibrating phase shift amounts in the plurality of phase shifters based on a phase of the combined signal received by a receiving antenna that receives a combined signal obtained by combining the plurality of transmission signals radiated from an antenna. There,
When one of the plurality of transmission antennas is to be calibrated, 3 ≦ X ≦ 2 in a state where the phase shift amount in the phase shifter connected to the transmission antenna other than the calibration target is fixed to a predetermined amount. X operating points obtained by changing the phase shift amount of the phase shifter connected to the transmitting antenna to be calibrated by a phase amount corresponding to (360 / X) degrees with respect to the value X satisfying ^M−1. The amplitude value of the combined signal is obtained, and among the X operating points, between two operating points having a relatively large amplitude value or between two operating points having a relatively small amplitude value And detecting the phase at which the amplitude value of the combined signal is maximized or minimized,
Find the difference between the maximum or minimum value of the amplitude value of the combined signal and the amplitude value at an operating point that is 180 degrees different from the phase where the amplitude value of the combined signal is maximum or minimum
An antenna calibration method for obtaining a calibration value between the phase shift amount and the amplitude based on a phase where the amplitude value of the combined signal is maximized or minimized and the difference.

100, 100A Antenna calibration apparatus 110 Signal source 120 Divider 120A Synthesizer 130, 130-1 to 130-N Phase shifter 140, 140-1 to 140-N Element antenna 150 Phase shifter control circuit 160 Phase setting circuit 160A Calibration Arithmetic unit 170, 170-1 to 170-N receiving antenna 180 receiving device

Claims (5)

A distributor for distributing a transmission signal output from a signal source to a plurality of transmission signals;
A plurality of phase shifters for shifting the phases of the plurality of transmission signals inputted from the distributor, each having a resolution of M (M is a natural number) bits;
Antenna calibration for calibrating an antenna device including a plurality of transmission antennas respectively provided on the output sides of the plurality of phase shifters and radiating the plurality of transmission signals whose phases are shifted by the plurality of phase shifters A device,
Based on the phase of the combined signal received by the receiving antenna that receives the combined signal obtained by combining the plurality of transmission signals radiated from the plurality of transmitting antennas, the phase shift amount in the plurality of phase shifters, and Including a calibration unit for obtaining a calibration value with the amplitude of the transmission signal radiated by the transmission antenna;
The calibration unit is
When one of the plurality of transmission antennas is to be calibrated, 3 ≦ X ≦ 2 in a state where the phase shift amount in the phase shifter connected to the transmission antenna other than the calibration target is fixed to a predetermined amount. X operating points obtained by changing the phase shift amount of the phase shifter connected to the transmitting antenna to be calibrated by a phase amount corresponding to (360 / X) degrees with respect to the value X satisfying ^M−1. The amplitude value of the combined signal is obtained, and among the X operating points, between two operating points having a relatively large amplitude value or between two operating points having a relatively small amplitude value And detecting the phase at which the amplitude value of the combined signal is maximized or minimized,
Find the difference between the maximum or minimum value of the amplitude value of the synthesized signal and the amplitude value at an operating point that is 180 degrees different from the phase at which the amplitude value of the synthesized signal is maximized or minimized,
An antenna calibration apparatus that obtains a calibration value between the phase shift amount and the amplitude value based on the phase at which the amplitude value of the combined signal is maximized or minimized and the difference.   The calibration unit is connected to the transmitting antenna to be calibrated between two operating points having a relatively large amplitude value or between two operating points having a relatively small amplitude value. The antenna calibration apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the phase of the operating point at which the amplitude value of the combined signal is maximized or minimized is detected by sweeping a phase shift amount of the detector.   The calibration unit is configured to calculate the center value of the phase of the two operation points between two operation points having a relatively large amplitude value or between two operation points having a relatively small amplitude value. The antenna calibration apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a phase at which an amplitude value of the combined signal is maximized or minimized is obtained by obtaining an operating point or a center of gravity of the two operating points. A plurality of receiving antennas for receiving transmission signals radiated from the transmitting antenna;
A plurality of phase shifters that shift phases of a plurality of reception signals received by the plurality of reception antennas, each having a resolution of M (M is a natural number) bits;
An antenna calibration device for calibrating an antenna device including a synthesizer that synthesizes a plurality of received signals whose phases are shifted by the plurality of phase shifters,
A calibration unit for obtaining a calibration value of the phase shift amount in the plurality of phase shifters and the amplitude of the received signal received by the receiving antenna based on the phase of the synthesized signal synthesized by the synthesizer;
The calibration unit is
When one of the plurality of receiving antennas is to be calibrated, 3 ≦ X ≦ 2 in a state where the phase shift amount in the phase shifter connected to the receiving antenna other than the calibration target is fixed to a predetermined amount. X operating points obtained by changing the phase shift amount of the phase shifter connected to the receiving antenna to be calibrated by a phase amount corresponding to (360 / X) degrees with respect to the value X satisfying ^M−1. The amplitude value of the combined signal is obtained, and among the X operating points, between two operating points having a relatively large amplitude value or between two operating points having a relatively small amplitude value And detecting the phase at which the amplitude value of the combined signal is maximized or minimized,
Find the difference between the maximum or minimum value of the amplitude value of the synthesized signal and the amplitude value at an operating point that is 180 degrees different from the phase at which the amplitude value of the synthesized signal is maximized or minimized,
An antenna calibration apparatus that obtains a calibration value between the phase shift amount and the amplitude value based on the phase at which the amplitude value of the combined signal is maximized or minimized and the difference. A distributor for distributing a transmission signal output from a signal source to a plurality of transmission signals;
A plurality of phase shifters for shifting the phases of the plurality of transmission signals inputted from the distributor, each having a resolution of M (M is a natural number) bits;
A plurality of transmission antennas each provided on the output side of the plurality of phase shifters and radiating the plurality of transmission signals whose phases are shifted by the plurality of phase shifters, respectively. An antenna calibration method for calibrating phase shift amounts in the plurality of phase shifters based on a phase of the synthesized signal received by a receiving antenna that receives a synthesized signal obtained by synthesizing the plurality of transmission signals radiated from an antenna. There,
When one of the plurality of transmission antennas is to be calibrated, 3 ≦ X ≦ 2 in a state where the phase shift amount in the phase shifter connected to the transmission antenna other than the calibration target is fixed to a predetermined amount. X operating points obtained by changing the phase shift amount of the phase shifter connected to the transmitting antenna to be calibrated by a phase amount corresponding to (360 / X) degrees with respect to the value X satisfying ^M−1. The amplitude value of the combined signal is obtained, and among the X operating points, between two operating points having a relatively large amplitude value or between two operating points having a relatively small amplitude value And detecting the phase at which the amplitude value of the combined signal is maximized or minimized,
Find the difference between the maximum or minimum value of the amplitude value of the synthesized signal and the amplitude value at an operating point that is 180 degrees different from the phase at which the amplitude value of the synthesized signal is maximized or minimized,
An antenna calibration method for obtaining a calibration value between the phase shift amount and the amplitude value based on the phase at which the amplitude value of the combined signal is maximized or minimized and the difference.

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