KR20240042790A - Method and apparatus for array antenna diagnosis - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to array antenna diagnosis, and includes an input unit for acquiring and storing active element current distribution data and radiation electric field data for each of a plurality of antenna elements disposed in an array antenna; a modeling unit that performs ultra-small dipole modeling based on the radiation electric field data to obtain virtual ultra-small dipole current distribution data; and calculating surface current distribution data of the array antenna based on the virtual minimum dipole current distribution data and the active element current distribution data, and calculating the surface current distribution data of the array antenna based on the relationship between the surface current distribution data and the active element current distribution data. It may include a diagnostic unit that measures the signal applied to each antenna element.

Description

Array antenna diagnosis method and device {METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR ARRAY ANTENNA DIAGNOSIS}

The present invention relates to a technology for diagnosing an array antenna, and particularly to a technology for diagnosing an array antenna using a proximity electric field measurement facility.

Array antennas are widely used in various application fields such as communications and radar. This array antenna operates by arranging multiple antennas and allows individual electronic control of each antenna element. Using this electronic control, it is possible to form and control precise beams at high speed.

In particular, for electronically controlled array antennas, accurate control of each antenna element is essential. When the user inputs the desired amplitude and phase, the corresponding antenna element must radiate electromagnetic waves with the same amplitude and phase. Only when all antenna elements satisfy these conditions can the beam be precisely controlled in the form desired by the user.

However, these conditions cannot be satisfied due to electromagnetic noise and process errors, and a precise diagnosis of the array antenna is required at the factory shipment stage before actually using the array antenna. In particular, when diagnosing an array antenna externally, an accurate diagnosis cannot be made due to external factors, so the diagnosis is mainly performed at an antenna proximity electric field measurement facility where external factors are blocked before shipment from the factory.

Registered Patent 10-0586705, registration notice on June 8, 2006 Registered Patent 10-1298617, registration notice on August 26, 2013

In an embodiment of the present invention, we would like to propose an array antenna diagnosis technology that can precisely obtain the amplitude and phase of the electric field corresponding to the feed portion of the antenna element using current distribution data of the active element of the antenna element.

The problems to be solved by the present invention are not limited to those mentioned above, and other problems to be solved that are not mentioned can be clearly understood by those skilled in the art from the description below. will be.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, an input unit for acquiring and storing active element current distribution data and radiation electric field data for each of a plurality of antenna elements disposed in an array antenna; a modeling unit that performs ultra-small dipole modeling based on the radiation electric field data to obtain virtual ultra-small dipole current distribution data; and calculating surface current distribution data of the array antenna based on the virtual minimum dipole current distribution data and the active element current distribution data, and calculating the surface current distribution data of the array antenna based on the relationship between the surface current distribution data and the active element current distribution data. An array antenna diagnostic device including a diagnostic unit that measures a signal applied to each antenna element can be provided.

Here, the input unit may apply the same voltage to each of the plurality of antenna elements to output amplitude and phase, and obtain the radiation electric field data based on the amplitude and phase.

Additionally, the modeling unit may model the output distribution of the plurality of antenna elements at a preset resolution using a very small dipole current.

In addition, the relational equation is expressed as J=C·S, where J is the surface current distribution data, S is the active element current distribution data, and C may be a beam coefficient applied to each of the plurality of antenna elements. .

Additionally, the beam coefficient may be a complex number having amplitude and phase.

Additionally, the diagnostic unit may measure a signal applied to each of the plurality of antenna elements and detect the amplitude and phase of each of the plurality of antenna elements.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, acquiring and storing active element current distribution data and radiation electric field data for each of a plurality of antenna elements disposed in an array antenna; Obtaining virtual ultra-small dipole current distribution data by performing ultra-small dipole modeling based on the radiation electric field data; calculating surface current distribution data of the array antenna based on the virtual ultra-small dipole current distribution data and the active element current distribution data; and measuring a signal applied to each of the plurality of antenna elements based on a relationship between the surface current distribution data and the active element current distribution data. An array antenna diagnosis method of an array antenna diagnosis device including a step can be provided. .

Here, the step of acquiring and storing the active element current distribution data and radiation electric field data includes applying the same voltage to each of the plurality of antenna elements to output amplitude and phase, and outputting the radiation based on the amplitude and phase. This may be a step of acquiring electric field data.

Additionally, the step of acquiring the virtual minimum dipole current distribution data may be a step of modeling the output distribution of the plurality of antenna elements at a preset resolution using the minimum dipole current.

In addition, the relational equation is expressed as J=C·S, where J is the surface current distribution data, S is the active element current distribution data, and C may be a beam coefficient applied to each of the plurality of antenna elements. .

Additionally, the beam coefficient may be a complex number having amplitude and phase.

Additionally, the measuring step may be a step of detecting the amplitude and phase of each of the plurality of antenna elements by measuring a signal applied to each of the plurality of antenna elements.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, a computer-readable recording medium storing a computer program, wherein the computer program includes instructions for causing a processor to perform an array antenna diagnosis method of an array antenna diagnosis device, the method comprising: , acquiring and storing active element current distribution data and radiation electric field data for each of a plurality of antenna elements arranged in the array antenna; Obtaining virtual ultra-small dipole current distribution data by performing ultra-small dipole modeling based on the radiation electric field data; calculating surface current distribution data of the array antenna based on the virtual ultra-small dipole current distribution data and the active element current distribution data; and measuring a signal applied to each of the plurality of antenna elements based on a relationship between the surface current distribution data and the active element current distribution data.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, a computer program stored in a computer-readable recording medium, wherein the computer program acquires and stores active element current distribution data and radiation electric field data for each of the plurality of antenna elements arranged in the array antenna. step; Obtaining virtual ultra-small dipole current distribution data by performing ultra-small dipole modeling based on the radiation electric field data; calculating surface current distribution data of the array antenna based on the virtual ultra-small dipole current distribution data and the active element current distribution data; and measuring a signal applied to each of the plurality of antenna elements based on a relationship between the surface current distribution data and the active element current distribution data. For a processor to perform an array antenna diagnosis method of an array antenna diagnosis device comprising a. It may contain commands for:

According to an embodiment of the present invention, antenna diagnosis can be performed at high speed for a general-purpose array antenna regardless of the RF control method by diagnosing using proximity electric field data with all antenna elements of the array antenna turned on. In addition, the amplitude and phase of the electric field corresponding to the feeding part of the antenna element can be accurately obtained by utilizing ideal active element current data known in advance. Because of this, it can be used for diagnosis and calibration of communication array antennas that have precision, versatility, and high speed.

1 is a block diagram of an array antenna diagnostic device according to an embodiment of the present invention.
Figure 2 is a flowchart illustrating an array antenna diagnosis method according to an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating active element current distribution for a plurality of antenna elements constituting an array antenna applied to an embodiment of the present invention.
Figure 4 is a diagram for explaining the virtual ultra-small dipole current distribution of an array antenna applied to an embodiment of the present invention.
Figure 5 is a diagram for explaining the relationship between surface current distribution data of an array antenna and active element current distribution data applied to an embodiment of the present invention.
Figure 6 is a diagram for explaining the actual error prediction result when an error of a certain size occurs in a specific antenna element.

The advantages and features of the present invention and methods for achieving them will become clear by referring to the embodiments described in detail below along with the accompanying drawings. However, the present invention is not limited to the embodiments disclosed below and can be implemented in various forms. The present embodiments are merely provided to ensure that the disclosure of the present invention is complete and to those skilled in the art to which the present invention pertains. It is provided to fully inform the person of the scope of the invention, and the scope of the invention is only defined by the claims.

In describing the embodiments of the present invention, detailed descriptions of well-known functions or configurations will be omitted except when actually necessary. The terms described below are defined in consideration of functions in the embodiments of the present invention, and may vary depending on the intention or custom of the user or operator. Therefore, the definition should be made based on the contents throughout this specification.

The following two examples can be used to diagnose an array antenna using a separate proximity electric field measurement facility.

The first method follows the steps below.

First, turn on the power of the antenna element to be diagnosed to radiate, then turn off the power of all other elements or suppress radiation through an attenuator, and position the measurement probe at a distance within the wavelength from the center of one antenna element that is turned on. Record the amplitude and phase.

If it is a normal array antenna, the amplitude and phase of all antenna elements measured and recorded by the probe appear almost uniformly. However, in the case of a problematic array antenna, the amplitude and phase of the problematic antenna element have a large difference compared to the average values of other elements. This difference can be solved by replacing the relevant element or compensating for the difference through electronic control.

The first method is a diagnostic technique suitable for array antennas that can independently control individual antenna elements.

The second method is carried out in the following order.

First, control the amplitude and phase of the array antenna to be diagnosed, measure the radiated electric field distribution over a wide area including the array antenna using scanning of a measurement probe, and perform Fourier transformation on the measured electric field distribution to determine the array antenna opening area. Convert to electric field data.

Through this process, it is possible to image the amplitude and phase of the aperture electric field of the array antenna obtained through backpropagation.

The second method is closer to diagnosis based on these images. If we assume a normal array antenna, the amplitude and phase images obtained in this way appear uniformly with the same amplitude and phase in the array antenna area. In the case of an array antenna with a problem, the amplitude and phase of the problematic element are higher than other surrounding values. A large difference appears, and the difference appears as an uneven singularity in the image.

The second method is a technique for diagnosing array antennas with a single measurement while all antenna elements are equally controlled and turned on. Compared to the first method, diagnosis is possible at a much higher speed, and it also requires individual control of antenna elements. It has high versatility.

Embodiments of the present invention seek to provide an array antenna diagnosis technology that has both the precision of the first method and the versatility and high speed of the second method.

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

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of an array antenna diagnostic device 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention. The array antenna diagnostic device 100 of FIG. 1 includes an input unit 110, a modeling unit 120, and a diagnostic unit 130. may include.

The input unit 110 may acquire and store active element current distribution data (S) and radiation electric field data (E) for each of the plurality of antenna elements disposed in the array antenna.

First, active device current distribution data (S) can be obtained using a separate electromagnetic wave numerical analysis simulation or using an idealized mathematical equation.

When using electromagnetic wave numerical analysis simulation, for the same structure as the array antenna to be measured, only one antenna element corresponding to the feeding position is activated and the remaining antenna elements are deactivated, and the active element current distribution data is transmitted through the input unit 110. (S) can be saved.

When using a mathematical equation, the input unit 110 can store active device current distribution data (S) using a delta (δ) function, which will be discussed in detail in FIG. 2.

This input unit 110 can repeatedly store active element current distribution data (S) for all antenna elements of the array antenna in advance. For example, an array antenna corresponding to 100 antenna elements can be stored as 100 active element current distribution data (S).

Additionally, the input unit 110 may obtain and store radiation electric field data (E) for each of the plurality of antenna elements disposed in the array antenna.

The input unit 110 controls all antenna elements of the array antenna to have the same amplitude and phase while activating them, and uses a separate antenna proximity electric field measurement facility to measure the radiation electric field data (E) of the array antenna. Can be obtained and saved.

Such active device current distribution data (S) and radiation electric field data (E) may be stored in a storage unit (not shown), which stores all types of data that can be read by, for example, a computing system. It may include a recording medium and may be provided in the array antenna diagnosis device 100 or a separate computing system.

The modeling unit 120 may perform ultra-small dipole modeling based on the radiation electric field data (E) of the input unit 110 to obtain virtual ultra-small dipole current distribution data (P). The ultra-small dipole modeling to obtain virtual ultra-small dipole current distribution data (P) will be discussed in detail in FIG. 2 below.

The diagnostic unit 130 determines the surface current of the array antenna based on the virtual ultra-small dipole current distribution data (P) acquired through the modeling unit 120 and the active element current distribution data (S) acquired and stored through the input unit 110. Distribution data (J) can be calculated, and signals applied to each of a plurality of antenna elements can be measured based on the relationship between the calculated surface current distribution data (J) and the active element current distribution data (S). The relational expressions will be discussed in detail in the description below.

Figure 2 is a flowchart illustrating an array antenna diagnosis method according to an embodiment of the present invention.

First, in step S100, the input unit 110, as illustrated in FIG. 3, receives active element current distribution data ( S) can be obtained and stored.

Here, the active element current distribution data (S) can be displayed as a distribution chart for each of the 16 antenna elements as shown in (b) of Figure 3, and can be obtained by using a separate electromagnetic wave numerical analysis simulation or an ideal form of mathematical equation. can be obtained.

When using electromagnetic wave numerical analysis simulation, for the same structure as the array antenna to be measured, only one antenna element corresponding to the feeding position is activated and the remaining antenna elements are deactivated, and the active element current distribution data is transmitted through the input unit 110. (S) can be saved.

When using a mathematical equation, the input unit 110 can store the active device current distribution data (S) using a delta (δ) function as shown in [Equation 1] below.

In [Equation 1] is the active element current distribution data with only the nth antenna element activated and the remaining antenna elements deactivated. Therefore, an array antenna with a total of N antenna elements has N must be stored and retained in advance.

means the polarization direction at the antenna feeder that reflects the design elements of the array antenna to be measured. In general, if the antenna polarization is formed along the x- axis along the coordinate system of the measurement system, Just set it to . means a unit vector with a size of 1 and pointing in the x- axis direction.

represents the position vector of a specific observation point. represents the feeding position vector of the nth antenna. It is possible to simply express mathematically through the delta function and define the area other than the antenna feeding position as 0.

In this way, the input unit 110 can repeatedly store the active element current distribution data (S) for all antenna elements of the corresponding array antenna in advance. For example, an array antenna corresponding to 100 antenna elements can be stored as 100 active element current distribution data (S).

Meanwhile, the input unit 110 may acquire and store radiation electric field data (E) for each of the plurality of antenna elements arranged in the array antenna along with active element current distribution data (S) in step S100. For example, the input unit 110 controls all antenna elements of the array antenna to have the same amplitude and phase while activating all antenna elements, and uses a separate antenna proximity electric field measurement facility to obtain radiation electric field data (E ) can be obtained and stored.

Thereafter, in step S102, the modeling unit 120 may perform ultra-small dipole modeling based on the radiation electric field data (E) of the input unit 110 to obtain virtual ultra-small dipole current distribution data (P).

Minimum dipole modeling to obtain this virtual infinitesimal dipole current distribution data (P) can be implemented by [Equation 2] below.

In [Equation 2], the total number of samples set by the user to model the array antenna at the desired resolution was assumed to be M. This means modeling the measurement array antenna with a total of M extremely small dipole currents. If high-resolution, extremely small dipole modeling is required, it can be set by increasing M.

also The time convention of is the angular frequency, is dielectric constant, is the wave number. This represents the distance between the observation position and the mth smallest dipole. also silver It means the unit vector of .

Finally, the unknowns found through infinitesimal dipole modeling are am. Since we know all the remaining values except for the unknowns, if we convert [Equation 2] to matrix form and then solve the equation, can be obtained.

FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating this virtual infinitesimal dipole current distribution data (P), in which infinitesimal dipole modeling is performed based on the radiation electric field data (E) of an array antenna (a) composed of an arbitrary number (e.g., 16). By performing this, virtual ultra-small dipole current distribution data (P) can be obtained. Figure 4 (b) is a distribution chart for the amplitude of the array antenna (a), and (c) is a distribution chart for the phase of the array antenna (a).

Thereafter, in step S104, the diagnostic unit 130 uses the virtual ultra-small dipole current distribution data (P) acquired through the modeling unit 120 and the active device current distribution data (S) acquired and stored through the input unit 110. Based on this, the surface current distribution data (J) of the array antenna can be calculated.

At this time, the diagnosis unit 130 can measure the signal applied to each antenna element of the array antenna (a) based on the relationship between the surface current distribution data (J) and the active element current distribution data (S) (S106) ).

이라고 명명할 때, 이 값은 의 합으로 표현할 수 있다. 이때

은 N개의 소자에 인가되는 각 빔계수를 의미하며 진폭과 위상값을 갖는 복소수로 표현될 수 있다.Convert surface current distribution data (J) into a matrix

When named , this value is It can be expressed as the sum of . At this time

refers to each beam coefficient applied to N elements and can be expressed as a complex number with amplitude and phase values.

을 얻기 위해서는 아래 [수학식 3]과 같은 행렬식을 구성한 후, 최소자승법을 활용한 최적화 알고리즘을 통해

의 근사값을 구할 수 있다. here,

To obtain, configure the determinant as shown in [Equation 3] below, and then use an optimization algorithm using the least squares method.

An approximate value of can be obtained.

The meaning of the above determinant is explained using a defective array antenna as an example. The surface current distribution on the surface of the defective array antenna is And the active element current distribution of each element constituting the array antenna is , and both values are already known values.

This active device current distribution and surface current distribution on the surface of the array antenna. Analyzing the relationship between the surface current distribution, what beam coefficient should be applied to each element It can be approximated that this is formed, and it is obtained in this way. Through this, the signal applied to each element that makes up the array antenna can be diagnosed very accurately.

For example, for an array antenna composed of 16 elements as shown in Figure 3, first, through electromagnetic wave numerical analysis simulation, the active element current distribution of the array antenna of 16 elements can be obtained and saved.

Finally, using the array antenna diagnosis method according to an embodiment of the present invention for the same array antenna as in FIG. 3, can be derived, and this can be expressed as a relationship between the surface current distribution data (J) of the array antenna (a) and the active element current distribution data (S), as shown in FIG. 5.

Based on this relationship, the signal applied to each antenna element of the array antenna (a), that is, the amplitude and phase, can be measured. For example, as shown in FIG. 6, among the antenna elements of the array antenna (a) By generating an error of 0.3 in the 9th antenna element, the actual error in signal size can be predicted.

Figure 6(b) is a graph comparing a case where an error is predicted using a diagnostic method according to an embodiment of the present invention and a case where an error is predicted using a typical existing technique.

As shown in (b) of FIG. 6, the diagnostic method according to an embodiment of the present invention can predict a value very close to the actual error, while the existing technique has a large difference from the actual error. Here, the existing technique, for example, a Fourier transform-based backpropagation image estimation technique, may be applied.

According to the embodiment of the present invention as described above, antenna diagnosis can be performed at high speed for a general-purpose array antenna regardless of the RF control method by diagnosis using proximity electric field data with all antenna elements of the array antenna turned on. there is. In addition, the amplitude and phase of the electric field corresponding to the feeding part of the antenna element can be accurately obtained by utilizing ideal active element current data known in advance. Due to this, the present invention is expected to enable reliable diagnosis and correction of communication array antennas with precision, versatility, and high speed.

Meanwhile, combinations of each block in the attached block diagram and each step in the flow diagram may be performed by computer program instructions. Since these computer program instructions can be mounted on the processor of a general-purpose computer, special-purpose computer, or other programmable data processing equipment, the instructions performed through the processor of the computer or other programmable data processing equipment are described in each block of the block diagram. It creates the means to perform functions.

These computer program instructions can be stored in a computer-readable or computer-readable recording medium (or memory) that can be directed to a computer or other programmable data processing equipment to implement a function in a specific way, so that the computer can be used. Alternatively, instructions stored in a computer-readable recording medium (or memory) can produce manufactured items containing instruction means that perform the functions described in each block of the block diagram.

In addition, computer program instructions can be mounted on a computer or other programmable data processing equipment, so a series of operation steps are performed on the computer or other programmable data processing equipment to create a process that is executed by the computer and run on the computer or other program. Instructions that perform possible data processing equipment may also provide steps for executing the functions described in each block of the block diagram.

Additionally, each block may represent a module, segment, or portion of code that includes at least one or more executable instructions for executing specified logical function(s). Additionally, it should be noted that in some alternative embodiments it is possible for the functions mentioned in the blocks to occur out of order. For example, it is possible for two blocks shown in succession to be performed substantially at the same time, or it is possible for the blocks to be performed in reverse order depending on the corresponding function.

100: Array antenna diagnostic device
110: input unit
120: Modeling department
130: Diagnosis department

Claims (14)

An input unit that acquires and stores active element current distribution data and radiation electric field data for each of the plurality of antenna elements disposed in the array antenna;
a modeling unit that performs ultra-small dipole modeling based on the radiation electric field data to obtain virtual ultra-small dipole current distribution data; and
Calculate surface current distribution data of the array antenna based on the virtual minimum dipole current distribution data and the active element current distribution data, and calculate the surface current distribution data of the array antenna based on the relationship between the surface current distribution data and the active element current distribution data. Containing a diagnostic unit that measures the signal applied to each element
Array antenna diagnostic device.
According to claim 1,
The input unit applies the same voltage to each of the plurality of antenna elements to output amplitude and phase, and obtains the radiation electric field data based on the amplitude and phase.
Array antenna diagnostic device.
According to claim 1,
The modeling unit models the output distribution of the plurality of antenna elements at a preset resolution using a very small dipole current.
Array antenna diagnostic device.
According to claim 1,
The above relational expression is expressed as J=C·S,
J is the surface current distribution data, S is the active element current distribution data, and C is a beam coefficient applied to each of the plurality of antenna elements.
Array antenna diagnostic device.
According to claim 4,
The beam coefficient is a complex number with amplitude and phase.
Array antenna diagnostic device.
According to claim 1,
The diagnostic unit measures a signal applied to each of the plurality of antenna elements and detects the amplitude and phase of each of the plurality of antenna elements.
Array antenna diagnostic device.
Obtaining and storing active element current distribution data and radiation electric field data for each of a plurality of antenna elements arranged in the array antenna;
Obtaining virtual ultra-small dipole current distribution data by performing ultra-small dipole modeling based on the radiation electric field data;
calculating surface current distribution data of the array antenna based on the virtual ultra-small dipole current distribution data and the active element current distribution data; and
Measuring a signal applied to each of the plurality of antenna elements based on the relationship between the surface current distribution data and the active element current distribution data; comprising
Array antenna diagnosis method of array antenna diagnosis device.
According to claim 7,
The step of acquiring and storing the active element current distribution data and radiation electric field data includes applying the same voltage to each of the plurality of antenna elements to output amplitude and phase, and outputting the radiation electric field data based on the amplitude and phase. The stage of acquiring
Array antenna diagnosis method of array antenna diagnosis device.
According to claim 7,
The step of acquiring the virtual ultra-small dipole current distribution data is a step of modeling the output distribution of the plurality of antenna elements at a preset resolution using the ultra-small dipole current.
Array antenna diagnostic device Array antenna diagnostic method.
According to claim 7,
The above relational expression is expressed as J=C·S,
J is the surface current distribution data, S is the active element current distribution data, and C is a beam coefficient applied to each of the plurality of antenna elements.
Array antenna diagnosis method of array antenna diagnosis device.
According to claim 10,
The beam coefficient is a complex number with amplitude and phase.
Array antenna diagnosis method of array antenna diagnosis device.
According to claim 7,
The measuring step is a step of detecting the amplitude and phase of each of the plurality of antenna elements by measuring the signal applied to each of the plurality of antenna elements.
Array antenna diagnosis method of array antenna diagnosis device.
A computer-readable recording medium storing a computer program,
The computer program is,
Contains instructions for causing a processor to perform an array antenna diagnosis method of an array antenna diagnosis device,
The method is:
Obtaining and storing active element current distribution data and radiation electric field data for each of a plurality of antenna elements arranged in the array antenna;
Obtaining virtual ultra-small dipole current distribution data by performing ultra-small dipole modeling based on the radiation electric field data;
calculating surface current distribution data of the array antenna based on the virtual ultra-small dipole current distribution data and the active element current distribution data; and
Measuring a signal applied to each of the plurality of antenna elements based on the relationship between the surface current distribution data and the active element current distribution data; comprising
A computer-readable recording medium.
A computer program stored on a computer-readable recording medium,
The computer program is,
Obtaining and storing active element current distribution data and radiation electric field data for each of a plurality of antenna elements arranged in the array antenna;
Obtaining virtual ultra-small dipole current distribution data by performing ultra-small dipole modeling based on the radiation electric field data;
calculating surface current distribution data of the array antenna based on the virtual ultra-small dipole current distribution data and the active element current distribution data; and
Measuring a signal applied to each of the plurality of antenna elements based on a relationship between the surface current distribution data and the active element current distribution data; having a processor perform an array antenna diagnosis method of an array antenna diagnosis device comprising: A computer program stored on a recording medium containing instructions for