WO2021140580A1 - Calibration device, calibration method, calibration program, repeating device, and satellite communication system - Google Patents

Abstract

A calibration device (2) is configured to include: a first antenna (36) that receives radio waves related to a transmission signal radiated from each of a plurality of transmission element antennas (23-1) to (23-M) belonging to a repeater (1) and that outputs a reception signal of the radio waves; and a second antenna (38) for radiating, towards a plurality of reception element antennas (11-1) to (11-K) belonging to the repeater (1), radio waves related to the reception signal output from the first antenna (36). The calibration device (2) is also configured to include: a signal superimposing unit (31) that detects a frequency unused by the repeater (1) from among frequencies in common with a plurality of frequencies that can be used by the repeater (1) as a transmission frequency of radio waves and frequencies that can be used by the repeater (1) as a reception frequency of radio waves, that generates a calibration signal having the unused frequency, and that superimposes the calibration signal on a transmission signal given to each of the plurality of transmission element antennas (23-1) to (23-M); and a calibration unit (39) that calibrates characteristics in each of the plurality of reception element antennas (11-1) to (11-K) by using the reception signal of radio waves received by each of the plurality of reception element antennas (11-1) to (11-K) and that calibrates characteristics in each of the plurality of transmission element antennas (23-1) to (23-M) by using a calibration signal included in the reception signal of radio waves received by each of the plurality of reception element antennas (11-1) to (11-K).

Description

Calibration equipment, calibration methods, calibration programs, relay equipment and satellite communication systems

The present disclosure implements a calibration device, a calibration method and a calibration program for calibrating each characteristic of a plurality of receiving element antennas and each characteristic of a plurality of transmitting element antennas, a relay device provided with the calibration device, and a relay device. It relates to a satellite communication system equipped with a communication satellite.

For example, Patent Document 1 below discloses a mobile communication system including a transmission array antenna for performing transmission digital beamforming (hereinafter, referred to as “transmission DBF”). The transmitting array antenna has a plurality of element antennas. In order to form a transmission beam in a desired direction by the transmission DBF, it is necessary to compensate in advance for variations in characteristics of the plurality of element antennas. The variation in characteristics includes the variation in amplitude and the variation in phase.
In the mobile communication system, the pickup antenna installed in the vicinity of the transmitting array antenna receives the calibration signal transmitted from the transmitting array antenna. Then, the adaptive filter calculates the variation in the characteristics of the plurality of element antennas by performing digital arithmetic processing on the calibration signal received by the pickup antenna. Then, the transmission DBF circuit calibrates the characteristics of each of the plurality of element antennas based on the calculation result of the variation by the adaptive filter.

Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2011-259369

The mobile communication system disclosed in Patent Document 1 is a system for transmitting radio waves, not a repeater for receiving and transmitting radio waves, but is a pickup disclosed in Patent Document 1. It is assumed that each of the antenna, the adaptive filter, and the transmission DBF circuit is applied to the repeater. In this case, even if the characteristics of the plurality of element antennas included in the transmitting array antenna of the repeater can be calibrated, the characteristics of the plurality of element antennas included in the receiving array antenna of the repeater are calibrated. There was a problem that it could not be done.

The present disclosure has been made to solve the above-mentioned problems, and is a calibration device, a calibration method, and a calibration device capable of calibrating each characteristic of a plurality of receiving element antennas and each characteristic of a plurality of transmitting element antennas. The purpose is to obtain a calibration program.

The calibration device according to the present disclosure has a first antenna that receives radio waves related to transmission signals radiated from each of a plurality of transmitting element antennas of the repeater and outputs the reception signals of the radio waves, and a first antenna. A second antenna that radiates radio waves related to the received signal output from the antenna toward the plurality of receiving element antennas of the repeater, and a plurality of antennas that the repeater can use for the transmission frequency of the radio waves. Among the frequencies, among the frequencies common to the frequencies that the repeater can use for the reception frequency of the radio wave, the repeater detects the unused frequency and transmits the calibration signal having the unused frequency. Multiple receiving elements using the signal superimposing unit that generates and superimposes the calibration signal on the transmitting signal given to each of the plurality of transmitting element antennas and the received signal of the radio wave received by each of the plurality of receiving element antennas. A calibration unit that calibrates each characteristic of the antenna and calibrates each characteristic of the plurality of transmitting element antennas using the calibration signal included in the received signal of the radio wave received by each of the plurality of receiving element antennas. It is designed to be equipped with.

According to the present disclosure, it is possible to calibrate each characteristic of a plurality of receiving element antennas and each characteristic of a plurality of transmitting element antennas.

It is a block diagram which shows the relay device which includes the calibration apparatus 2 which concerns on Embodiment 1. FIG. It is a hardware block diagram which shows the hardware in the signal superimposition part 31 and the calibration part 39 of the calibration apparatus 2 which concerns on Embodiment 1. FIG. It is a hardware block diagram of the computer when a part of the calibration apparatus 2 is realized by software, firmware and the like. It is a flowchart which shows each processing procedure in the signal superimposition unit 31 and the calibration unit 39. It is explanatory drawing which shows the characteristic of each part in the relay device shown in FIG. It is a block diagram which shows the relay device which includes the other calibration apparatus 2 which concerns on Embodiment 1. FIG. It is a block diagram which shows the relay device which includes the other calibration apparatus 2 which concerns on Embodiment 1. FIG. It is a block diagram which shows the relay device which includes the calibration apparatus 2 which concerns on Embodiment 2. FIG. It is a hardware block diagram which shows the hardware in the signal superimposition part 31 and the calibration part 39 of the calibration apparatus 2 which concerns on Embodiment 2. FIG. It is a block diagram which shows the satellite communication system which concerns on Embodiment 3.

Hereinafter, in order to explain the present disclosure in more detail, a mode for carrying out the present disclosure will be described with reference to the attached drawings.

Embodiment 1.
FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram showing a relay device including the calibration device 2 according to the first embodiment.
FIG. 2 is a hardware configuration diagram showing the respective hardware in the signal superimposing unit 31 and the calibration unit 39 of the calibration device 2 according to the first embodiment.
In FIG. 1, the repeater 1 includes a receiving array antenna 11, receivers 12-1 to 12-K, a relay processing unit 13, transmitters 22-1 to 22-M, and a transmitting array antenna 23. ing. K is an integer of 2 or more, and M is an integer of 2 or more.
The calibration device 2 includes a signal superimposing unit 31, a first antenna 36, a frequency conversion unit 37, a second antenna 38, and a calibration unit 39.
The calibrator 2 has a plurality of characteristics of the receiving element antennas 11-1 to 11-K of the receiving array antenna 11 of the repeater 1 and a plurality of transmitting array antennas 23 of the repeater 1. The characteristics of the transmitting element antennas 23-1 to 23-M are calibrated. The characteristics here include, for example, an amplitude characteristic and a phase characteristic.

The receiving array antenna 11 includes a plurality of receiving element antennas 11-1 to 11-K.
The receiving element antenna 11-k (k = 1, ..., K) receives the radio wave and outputs the received signal of the radio wave to the receiver 12-k as the receiving _{element signal Rk.}
The receiver 12-k (k = 1, ..., K) performs reception processing on _{the reception element signal R k} output from the reception element antenna 11-k, and relays _{the signal R k'after the reception processing.} The output is output to the demultiplexing unit 14-k, which will be described later, of the processing unit 13.
As reception processing, amplification processing, frequency conversion processing for converting the frequency of the received device signal R _k, filtering of removing high-frequency components and the like contained in the received element signal R _k for amplifying the received element signal R _k, or , Analog-digital conversion processing for converting the receiving element signal _Rk from an analog signal to a digital signal is assumed.

The relay processing unit 13 includes a demultiplexing unit 14-1 to 14-K, a receiving extraction unit 15-1 to 15-K, a receiving DBF (Digital Beamforming) unit 16, and a switch unit (hereinafter, "SW unit"). 17), a transmission DBF unit 18, a transmission extraction unit 19-1 to 19-M, an injection unit 20-1 to 20-M, and a combiner unit 21-1 to 21-M. ..
Demultiplexing unit 14-k (k = 1, ···, K) demultiplexes after reception processing outputted from the receiver 12-k of the signal _{R k} 'at a predetermined frequency division units. If the frequency band of the signal R _{k'after the} reception processing is, for example, f ₁ to f ₁₀ , and the frequency division unit is one tenth of the frequency band, the demultiplexing unit 14-k is _{The signal R k'after the} reception process is demultiplexed into a signal having a frequency f _1, a signal having a frequency f ₂ , and ... a signal having a frequency f ₁₀ .
The demultiplexing unit 14-k outputs the signal Rf _k after demultiplexing to the reception / extraction unit 15-k. The signal Rf _k after demultiplexing is a set of a plurality of signals demultiplexed from each other. For example, a set of a signal having a frequency f _1, a signal having a frequency f ₂ , and ... a signal having a frequency f _10. Is.

The reception extraction unit 15-k (k = 1, ..., K) outputs the signal Rf _k after demultiplexing output from the demultiplexing unit 14-k to the reception DBF unit 16 and the signal superimposition unit 31, which will be described later. It is output to each of the received power calculation unit 32 and the calibration unit 39.

The reception DBF unit 16 distributes each of the _{K demultiplexed signals Rf 1} to Rf K output from the reception extraction unit 15-k (k = 1, ..., K) to J. , K × J reception element signals after demultiplexing, reception demultiplexing signals Rf _{k, j} (k = 1, ..., K: j = 1, ..., J) are generated. J is an integer of 1 or more. That is, the reception DBF unit 16 has K × J reception demultiplexing signals Rf _1,1 to Rf _{K, 1} and reception demultiplexing signals Rf _1,2 to Rf _{K, 2 as a total of K × J reception demultiplexing signals.} , ..., Received demultiplexing signals Rf _{1, J} to Rf _{K, J} are generated.
The receiving DBF unit 16 multiplies _{each of the received demultiplexing signals Rf k, 1} to Rf _{k, J} (k = 1, ..., K) by the calibration value CVr _{k calculated by the calibration unit 39.} , The amplitude and phase of each of the received demultiplexing signals Rf _{1, J} to Rf _{K, J are adjusted.}
Further, the receiving DBF unit 16 attaches _{the receiving element antenna 11- to the received demultiplexing signal Rf k, j} '(k = 1, ..., K: j = 1, ..., J) after adjusting the amplitude phase. Multiply the weight values Wr _{k and j of k. The weight values Wr k and j} of the receiving element antenna 11-k may be stored in the internal memory of the receiving DBF unit 16 or may be given from the outside of the receiving DBF unit 16.
_{The reception DBF unit 16 receives K signals Rf k, j} × CVr _k × Wr _{k, j} (k) related to the j-th received demultiplexing signal among the received demultiplexing signals obtained by multiplying K × J weight values. = 1, ..., K) are added to each other.
The reception DBF unit 16 outputs each of the J added signals to the _{SW unit 17 as a reception beam signal RB j} (j = 1, ..., J).

The SW unit 17 performs a routing process for converting the frequency arrangement of the received beam indicated _{by each received beam signal RB j} output from the received DBF unit 16, _{thereby performing M transmission beam signals TB n} (n = 1). , ..., N) is generated. N is an integer of 1 or more.
The SW unit 17 _{outputs each of the N transmission beam signals TB 1} to TB N to the transmission DBF unit 18.

_{The transmission DBF unit 18 distributes each of the N transmission beam signals TB 1} to TB N output from the SW unit 17 to M, so that M × N transmission beam signals TB _{m, n} (m =). 1, ..., M: n = 1, ..., N) is generated. That is, the transmission DBF unit 18 has transmission beam signals TB _{1, 1} to TB _{M, 1} and transmission beam signals TB _{1, 2} to TB _{M, 2 as a total of M × N transmission beam signals.} -Generate transmission beam signals TB _{1, N} to TB _{M, N.}
The transmission DBF unit 18 multiplies _{each of the transmission beam signals TB m, 1} to TB _{m, N} (m = 1, ..., M) by the calibration value CVt _{m calculated by the calibration unit 39.} The amplitudes and phases of the transmitted beam signals TB _{m, 1} to TB _{m, and N are adjusted.}
Further, the transmission DBF unit 18 multiplies _{the transmission beam signals TB m, n'after the amplitude phase adjustment by the weight values Wt m, n} of the transmission element antenna 23-m when the transmission DBF is performed. _{The weight values Wt m and n} of the transmitting element antenna 23-m may be stored in the internal memory of the transmitting DBF unit 18 or may be given from the outside of the transmitting DBF unit 18.
_{The transmission DBF unit 18 has N (n) signals TB m, n} × CVt _m × Wt _{m, n} (n = 1) related to the m-th transmission beam signal among the transmission beam signals after multiplication of M × N weight values. , ..., N) are added to each other.
The transmission DBF unit 18 outputs each of the M added signals as a transmission element signal Tx _m (m = 1, ..., M) to the transmission extraction unit 19-m. The transmission element signal Tx _m is a signal divided into frequency division units.

If the frequency band of the transmission element signal Tx _m is, for example, f ₃ to f ₁₂ , and the frequency division unit is one tenth of the frequency band, the transmission element signal Tx _m has a frequency f ₃ of. and the signal, and the signal of frequency _{f 4,} which is a set of the signal of ... frequency _{f 12.}

The transmission extraction unit 19-m (m = 1, ..., M) _{calculates the transmission power of the transmission element signal Tx m} output from the transmission DBF unit 18 by the injection unit 20-m and the signal superimposition unit 31, which will be described later. Output to each of the units 33.
_{The injection unit 20-m injects the calibration signal S m} output from the calibration signal generation unit 35 described later of the signal superimposition unit 31 _{into the transmission element signal Tx m} output from the transmission extraction unit 19-m.
Multiplexing section 21-m transmits the transmission element signal Tx m _'after calibration signal injection by injecting section 20-m for multiplexing in the frequency direction.
Transmitting device signal Tx _m after calibration signal injection 'is, for example, a signal of a frequency _{f 3,} and a signal of a frequency _{f 4,} if a set of signals ... frequency _{f 12,} the multiplexing unit 21 m is a signal of a frequency _{f 3,} and a signal of a frequency _{f 4,} and a signal of ... frequency _{f 12} for multiplexing in the frequency direction.
The combiner 21-m outputs the transmission element signal Tx _m "after the combiner to the transmitter 22-m.

_{The transmitter 22-m performs transmission processing on the transmission element signal Tx m} "output from the combiner 21-m, and outputs _{the signal T m} after the transmission processing to the transmission element antenna 23-m as a transmission signal. To do.
As a transmission processing, the transmission element signal Tx m _{"digital-to-analog} conversion for converting an analog signal from the digital signal, the transmitting element signal Tx _m" frequency conversion processing for converting a frequency of, is included in the transmission element signal Tx m _" Filter processing that removes high-frequency components and the like, or amplification processing that amplifies the _{transmission element signal Tx m ”is assumed.}
The transmission array antenna 23 includes a plurality of transmission element antennas 23-1 to 23-M.
The transmitting element antenna 23-m (m = 1, ..., M) radiates radio waves related to _{the signal T m after transmission processing by the transmitter 22-m into space.}

The signal superimposing unit 31 includes a received power calculation unit 32, a transmission power calculation unit 33, an unused frequency detection unit 34, and a calibration signal generation unit 35.
The signal superimposition unit 31 is among a plurality of frequencies that the repeater 1 can use for the radio wave transmission frequency, among the frequencies that are common to the frequencies that the repeater 1 can use for the radio wave reception frequency. , The repeater 1 detects an unused frequency and generates _{a calibration signal S m having an unused frequency.}
Signal superimposing section 31 superimposes the calibration signal _{S m} with a signal supplied to each of the plurality of transmit antenna elements 23-1 ~ 23-M.

The received power calculation unit 32 is realized by, for example, the received power calculation circuit 41 shown in FIG.
The received power calculation unit 32 calculates the power of a plurality of frequency components included in the received signal of the radio wave received by each of the plurality of receiving element antennas 11-1 to 11-K.
That is, the reception power calculation unit 32 calculates the power of a plurality of frequency components included in _{the signal Rf k} after each demultiplexing output from the reception extraction units 15-1 to 15-K.

The transmission power calculation unit 33 is realized by, for example, the transmission power calculation circuit 42 shown in FIG.
The transmission power calculation unit 33 calculates the power of a plurality of frequency components included in the transmission signals given to each of the plurality of transmission element antennas 23-1 to 23-M.
That is, the transmission power calculation unit 33 calculates the power of a plurality of frequency components included in _{the respective transmission element signals Tx m} output from the transmission extraction units 19-1 to 19-M.

The unused frequency detection unit 34 is realized by, for example, the unused frequency detection circuit 43 shown in FIG.
The unused frequency detection unit 34 is a repeater in a common frequency based on each power calculated by the reception power calculation unit 32 and each power calculated by the transmission power calculation unit 33. 1 detects an unused frequency.

The calibration signal generation unit 35 is realized by, for example, the calibration signal generation circuit 44 shown in FIG.
The calibration signal generation unit 35 generates a calibration signal S _m having a frequency detected by the unused frequency detection unit 34.
The calibration signal generation unit 35 outputs the calibration signal S _m to each of the injection units 20-1 to 20-M, thereby supplying the transmission element signal Tx _m output from the transmission extraction unit 19-m for calibration. The signal S _m is superimposed.

The first antenna 36 is a reception pickup antenna that receives radio waves radiated from each of the plurality of transmitting element antennas 23-1 to 23-M and outputs the reception signal of the radio waves to the frequency conversion unit 37.

The frequency conversion unit 37 converts the frequency of the received signal output from the first antenna 36 into a frequency that can be received by the receivers 12-1 to 12-M of the repeater 1, and converts the received signal after frequency conversion into a frequency that can be received. Output to the second antenna 38.
The calibration device 2 shown in FIG. 1 includes a frequency conversion unit 37. However, if the frequency receivable by the receivers 12-1 to 12-M and the frequency receivable by the transmitters 22-1 to 22-M are the same frequency, the calibrator 2 sets the frequency conversion unit 37. No need to implement.
The second antenna 38 is a transmission pickup antenna that radiates radio waves related to the received signal after frequency conversion by the frequency conversion unit 37 toward each of the plurality of receiving element antennas 11-1 to 11-K.

The calibration unit 39 is realized by, for example, the calibration circuit 45 shown in FIG.
The calibration unit 39 uses the received signals of the radio waves received by each of the plurality of receiving element antennas 11-1 to 11-K to calibrate the characteristics of the receiving element antennas 11-1 to 11-K. The calibration value CVr _k (k = 1, ..., K) is calculated.
_{That is, the calibration unit 39 uses the signals Rf k} after each demultiplexing output from the reception extraction units 15-1 to 15-K to set the calibration value CVr _k (k = 1, ..., K). calculate.
The calibration unit 39 calibrates the respective characteristics of the receiving element antennas 11-1 to 11-K by outputting each _{of the calibration values CVr 1} to CVr _{K to the receiving DBF unit 16.}

_{The calibration unit 39 uses the calibration signal Uk} (k = 1, ..., K) included in the reception signal of the radio wave received by each of the plurality of receiving element antennas 11-1 to 11-K. _{, Calculate the calibration value CVt m} (m = 1, ..., M) for calibrating each characteristic of the plurality of transmitting element antennas 23-1 to 23-M.
That is, the calibration unit 39 extracts the calibration signals U _{k included in the signals Rf k} after each demultiplexing output from the reception extraction units 15-1 to 15-K, and the calibration signals U ₁ to _UK. Is used to calculate the calibration value CVt _m (m = 1, ..., M).
The calibration unit 39 calibrates the respective characteristics of the transmission element antennas 23-1 to 23-M by outputting each _{of the calibration values CVt 1} to CVt _{M to the transmission DBF unit 18.}

In FIG. 1, each of the received power calculation unit 32, the transmission power calculation unit 33, the unused frequency detection unit 34, the calibration signal generation unit 35, and the calibration unit 39, which are some components of the calibration device 2, is shown in FIG. It is assumed that it will be realized by dedicated hardware as shown in. That is, it is assumed that a part of the calibration device 2 is realized by the received power calculation circuit 41, the transmission power calculation circuit 42, the unused frequency detection circuit 43, the calibration signal generation circuit 44, and the calibration circuit 45.
Each of the received power calculation circuit 41, the transmission power calculation circuit 42, the unused frequency detection circuit 43, the calibration signal generation circuit 44, and the calibration circuit 45 is, for example, a single circuit, a composite circuit, a programmed processor, or a parallel programming. The processor, ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit), FPGA (Field-Programmable Gate Array), or a combination thereof is applicable.

Some components of the calibration device 2 are not limited to those realized by dedicated hardware, and a part of the calibration device 2 is realized by software, firmware, or a combination of software and firmware. It may be a thing.
The software or firmware is stored as a program in the memory of the computer. A computer means hardware for executing a program, and corresponds to, for example, a CPU (Central Processing Unit), a central processing unit, a processing unit, an arithmetic unit, a microprocessor, a microcomputer, a processor, or a DSP (Digital Signal Processor). To do.

FIG. 3 is a hardware configuration diagram of a computer when a part of the calibration device 2 is realized by software, firmware, or the like.
When a part of the calibration device 2 is realized by software, firmware, or the like, each of the received power calculation unit 32, the transmission power calculation unit 33, the unused frequency detection unit 34, the calibration signal generation unit 35, and the calibration unit 39, respectively. A program for causing the computer to execute the processing procedure is stored in the memory 51. Then, the processor 52 of the computer executes the program stored in the memory 51.

Next, the operation of the relay device shown in FIG. 1 will be described.
First, the operation of the repeater 1 will be described.
The receiving element antenna 11-k (k = 1, ..., K) receives the radio wave radiated from the second antenna 38, and the received signal of the radio wave is used as the receiving element signal _Rk , and the receiver 12-k. Output to.
During actual operation in which the repeater 1 transmits and receives radio waves, the receiving element antenna 11-k receives radio waves transmitted from an external device (not shown) in addition to the radio waves radiated from the second antenna 38. Receive.
Receiver 12-k (k = 1, ···, K) was performed reception processing for the received element signal _{R k} output from the receiving antenna elements 11-k, min signal _{R k} 'after receiving processing Output to the wave section 14-k.

_{When the demultiplexing unit 14-k (k = 1, ..., K) receives the signal R k'after the} reception processing from the receiver 12-k, the demultiplexing unit 14-k (k = 1, ..., K) divides the signal R _{k'after the} reception processing into a predetermined frequency. Demultiplexes in units.
The demultiplexing unit 14-k outputs the signal Rf _k after demultiplexing to the reception / extraction unit 15-k.

When the reception extraction unit 15-k (k = 1, ..., K) _{receives the signal Rf k} after demultiplexing from the demultiplexing unit 14-k, the reception DBF unit 16 receives the signal Rf _{k after demultiplexing.} , Output to each of the received power calculation unit 32 and the calibration unit 39.

_{When the receiving DBF unit 16 receives K signals Rf k} after demultiplexing from the receiving extraction unit 15-k (k = 1, ..., K), each of the K demultiplexed signals Rf _k . Is distributed to J to generate K × J received demultiplexing signals Rf _{k, j} (k = 1, ..., K: j = 1, ..., J).
The receiving DBF unit 16 multiplies _{each of the received demultiplexing signals Rf k, 1} to Rf _{k, J} (k = 1, ..., K) by the calibration value CVr _{k calculated by the calibration unit 39.} , The amplitude and phase of each of the received demultiplexing signals Rf _{1, J} to Rf _{K, J are adjusted.}
Further, the receiving DBF unit 16 multiplies _{the received demultiplexing signal Rf k, j'after the amplitude phase adjustment by the weight value Wr k, j} of the receiving element antenna 11-k.
_{The reception DBF unit 16 receives K signals Rf k, j} × CVr _k × Wr _{k, j} (k) related to the j-th received demultiplexing signal among the received demultiplexing signals obtained by multiplying K × J weight values. = 1, ..., K) are added to each other.
The reception DBF unit 16 outputs each of the J added signals to the _{SW unit 17 as a reception beam signal RB j} (j = 1, ..., J).

When the SW unit 17 receives J received beam signals RB _j from the received DBF unit 16, N units perform a routing process for converting the frequency arrangement of the received beams indicated by the J received beam signals RB _j. Generates the transmitted beam signal TB _n (n = 1, ..., N) of. Since the routing process itself for converting the frequency arrangement of the received beam is a known technique, detailed description thereof will be omitted.
The SW unit 17 _{outputs each of the N transmission beam signals TB 1} to TB N to the transmission DBF unit 18.

When the transmission DBF unit 18 _{receives N transmission beam signals TB 1} to TB N from the SW unit 17, each of the N transmission beam signals TB _n (n = 1, ..., N) is reduced to M. By distributing, M × N transmission beam signals TB _{m, n} (m = 1, ..., M: n = 1, ..., N) are generated.
The transmission DBF unit 18 multiplies _{each of the transmission beam signals TB m, 1} to TB _{m, N} (m = 1, ..., M) by the calibration value CVt _{m calculated by the calibration unit 39.} The amplitudes and phases of the transmitted beam signals TB _{m, 1} to TB _{m, and N are adjusted.}
Further, the transmission DBF unit 18 multiplies _{the transmission beam signals TB m, n'after the amplitude phase adjustment by the weight values Wt m, n} of the transmission element antenna 23-m when the transmission DBF is performed.
_{The transmission DBF unit 18 adds N signals TB m, n} × CVt _m × Wt _{m, n} related to the mth transmission beam signal among the transmission beam signals after multiplication of M × N weight values to each other. ..
The transmission DBF unit 18 outputs each of the M added signals as a transmission element signal Tx _m (m = 1, ..., M) to the transmission extraction unit 19-m. The transmission element signal Tx _m is a signal divided into frequency division units.

The transmission extraction unit 19-m (m = 1, ..., M) outputs the transmission element signal Tx _m output from the transmission DBF unit 18 to the injection unit 20-m and the transmission power calculation unit 33, respectively. ..
When the injection unit 20-m (m = 1, ..., M) _{receives the transmission element signal Tx m} from the transmission extraction unit 19-m, it is output to the transmission element signal Tx _m from the calibration signal generation unit 35. The calibration signal _Sm is injected.
Injection unit 20-m outputs the transmission element signal Tx _m after calibration signal injection 'to the multiplexing unit 21-m.
Multiplexing section 21-m (m = 1, ···, M) is transmitting element signal Tx _m after calibration signal injection by injecting section 20-m ', i.e., transmission elements are divided into frequency division unit multiplexing the signal Tx _m 'in the frequency direction.
The combiner 21-m outputs the transmission element signal Tx _m "after the combiner to the transmitter 22-m.

_{When the transmitter 22-m receives the transmitted element signal Tx m} "after the combined wave from the combining unit 21-m, the transmitter 22-m executes a transmission process for the transmitting element signal Tx _{m " and transmits the signal T m after the transmission process.} Output to the element antenna 23-m.
The transmitting element antenna 23-m (m = 1, ..., M) radiates radio waves related to _{the signal T m after transmission processing by the transmitter 22-m into space.}

Next, the operation of the calibration device 2 will be described.
FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing each processing procedure in the signal superimposing unit 31 and the calibration unit 39.
When the first antenna 36 receives the radio waves radiated from each of the plurality of transmitting element antennas 23-1 to 23-M, the first antenna 36 outputs the received signal of the radio waves to the frequency conversion unit 37.

The frequency conversion unit 37 converts the frequency of the received signal output from the first antenna 36 into a frequency that can be received by the receivers 12-1 to 12-M of the repeater 1.
For example, the frequency band of the received signal output from the first antenna 36 _is a f a ~ _{f b,} a frequency band which can be received receivers 12-1 ~ 12-M is _found is f c ~ _{f d} And.
At this time, for example, if _fa <f _b <f _c <f _d , the second antenna 38 receives the radio wave related to the received signal output from the first antenna 36 with the receiving element antenna 11-k (k). = 1, ..., be radiated toward the K), the receiver 12-k is unable to carry out the reception processing for the received element signal R _k output from the receiving antenna elements 11-k.
Therefore, the frequency converter _37, as _f a ~ f _b frequency after frequency conversion of the _{f a} '~ _{f b',} for _example, the _{f c <f a '<f} b'<f d, the The frequency of the received signal output from the antenna 36 of 1 is converted.
The frequency conversion unit 37 outputs the frequency-converted signal to the second antenna 38.
The second antenna 38 radiates radio waves related to the frequency-converted signal by the frequency conversion unit 37 toward each of the plurality of receiving element antennas 11-1 to 11-K.

When the reception power calculation unit 32 receives the demultiplexed signals Rf ₁ to Rf _K from the reception extraction units 15-1 to 15-K, the demultiplexed signals Rf _k (k = 1, ..., ..., _{The power Pr f} of the plurality of frequency components included in K) is calculated, respectively (step ST1 in FIG. 4).
For example, when the frequency band _{of the signal R k after the reception processing is f 1} to f ₁₀ , and the frequency division unit is 1/10 of the frequency band, the frequency of the frequency division unit is f ₁ , f _{2. ,...,} it is _{f 10.} If the frequency of the frequency division unit is f ₁ , f ₂ , ..., F ₁₀ , the received power calculation unit 32 uses _{the power Pr f of a} plurality of frequency components included in _{the signal Rf k after demultiplexing.} as calculates the power Pr ₁ frequency component of the frequency _{f 1,} a power Pr ₂ frequency components of the frequency _{f 2,} a power _{Pr 10} frequency components ... frequency _{f 10.}
The received power calculation unit 32 outputs the received power information IPr _{f indicating the power Pr f} of a plurality of frequency components to the unused frequency detection unit 34.

_{When the transmission power calculation unit 33 receives the transmission element signals Tx 1} to Tx _M from the transmission extraction units 19-1 to 19-M, the transmission power calculation unit 33 is included in the respective transmission element signals Tx _m (m = 1, ..., M). _{The powers Pt f} of the plurality of frequency components are calculated respectively (step ST2 in FIG. 4).
For example, when the frequency band of the transmitting element signal Tx _{m is f 3} to f ₁₂ , and the frequency division unit is one tenth of the frequency band, the frequency of the frequency division unit is f ₃ , f ₄ , ... _..., it is _{f 12.} If the frequency of the frequency division unit is f ₃ , f ₄ , ..., F ₁₂ , the transmission power calculation unit 33 sets _{the power Pt f} of a plurality of frequency components included in the _{transmission element signal Tx m as the power Pt f.} calculating the power Pt ₃ frequency component of the frequency _{f 3,} the power Pt ₄ frequency component of the frequency _{f 4,} the frequency component of ... frequency _{f 12} and a power _{Pt 12.}
The transmission power calculation unit 33 outputs the transmission power information IPt _{f indicating the power Pt f} of a plurality of frequency components to the unused frequency detection unit 34.

The unused frequency detection unit 34 acquires the received power information IPr _{f output from the received power calculation unit 32 and the transmission power information IPt f} output from the transmission power calculation unit 33.
The unused frequency detection unit 34 is among common frequencies from _{the power Pr f} of a plurality of frequency components indicated _{by the received power information IPr f and the power Pt f} of the plurality of frequency components indicated by the transmission power information IPt _f. Then, the repeater 1 detects an unused frequency (step ST3 in FIG. 4).
The common frequency is a frequency common to the frequencies that can be received by the receivers 12-1 to 12-K among the plurality of frequencies that can be transmitted by the transmitters 22-1 to 22-M.
Hereinafter, the unused frequency detection process by the unused frequency detection unit 34 will be specifically described.

Multiple frequencies that the transmitters 22-1 to 22-M can transmit are, for example, f ₁ , f ₂ , f ₃ , f ₄ , f ₅ , f ₆ , f ₇ , f ₈ , f ₉ , and f ₁₀ . There are multiple frequencies that the receivers 12-1 to 12-K can receive, for example, f ₃ , f ₄ , f ₅ , f ₆ , f ₇ , f ₈ , f ₉ , f ₁₀ , f ₁₁ , f. It is assumed that it is _12. In this case, the common frequencies are f ₃ , f ₄ , f ₅ , f ₆ , f ₇ , f ₈ , f ₉ , and f ₁₀ .
The unused frequency detection unit 34 compares _{the power Pr f (f = 3,4,5,6,7,8,9,10)} of a plurality of frequency components indicated by the received power information IPr f with the threshold value Th.
Further, the unused frequency detection unit 34 compares _{the power Pt f (f = 3,4,5,6,7,8,9,10)} of a plurality of frequency components indicated by the transmission power information IPt f with the threshold value Th. To do. The threshold value Th may be stored in the internal memory of the unused frequency detection unit 34, or may be given from the outside of the unused frequency detection unit 34.

Unused frequency detector 34 in a plurality of frequency component power _Pr f (f = 3,4,5,6,7,8,9,10), for detecting a small power Pr _f than the threshold value Th ..
The unused frequency detection unit 34 is, for example, Pr ₃ <Th, Pr ₆ <Th, Pr ₇ <Th, Pr ₄ ≧ Th, Pr ₅ ≧ Th, Pr ₈ ≧ Th, Pr ₉ ≧ Th, Pr ₁₀ ≧ If Th, the powers Pr _3, Pr _{6, and} Pr ₇ are detected _{as the power Pr f} smaller than the threshold value Th.

Moreover, the unused frequency detector 34 in a plurality of frequency component power _Pt f (f = 3,4,5,6,7,8,9,10), a small power Pt _f than the threshold value Th To detect.
The unused frequency detection unit 34 is, for example, Pt ₃ <Th, Pt ₄ <Th, Pt ₆ <Th, Pt ₅ ≧ Th, Pt ₇ ≧ Th, Pt ₈ ≧ Th, Pt ₉ ≧ Th, Pt ₁₀ ≧. If Th, the powers Pt _3, Pt _{4, and} Pt ₆ are detected _{as the power Pt f} smaller than the threshold value Th.

_{The frequencies of the electric powers Pr 3,} Pr _{6, and} Pr ₇ detected by the unused frequency detection unit 34 are f ₃ , f ₆ , and f ₇ .
_{The frequencies of the electric powers Pt 3,} Pt _{4, and} Pt ₆ detected by the unused frequency detection unit 34 are f ₃ , f ₄ , and f ₆ .
Unused frequency detector 34, a power _{Pr 3, Pr} 6, in each of the frequency _{f 3,} f 6, _{f 7} of Pr _7, power _{Pt 3, Pt} 4, each of the frequency _f 3 of Pt _6, f _4, detects a frequency that is common to _{f 6.}
In this case, the unused frequency detection unit 34 detects the frequency f ₃ and the frequency f ₆ as common frequencies, and determines that the frequencies f ₃ and f _{6 are unused frequencies.}

Calibration signal generator 35, the unused frequency detection unit 34, as an unused frequency, e.g., upon detecting a frequency _{f 3} and the frequency _{f 6,} calibration signal _S m (m = 1 having a frequency _{f 3,} · · ·, M), or to generate a calibration signal _{S m} having a frequency _{f 6} (step ST4 in FIG. 4).
Calibration signal generator 35, by outputting the generated calibration signal _{S m} to each of the injection section 20-1 ~ 20-M, are transmitted from each of the plurality of transmit antenna elements 23-1 ~ 23-M The calibration signal S is superimposed on the signal (step ST5 in FIG. 4).
Each injecting section 20-1 ~ 20-M, the frequency of the calibration signal S _m output from the calibration signal generation unit 35, for example, if the frequency f _3, transmission elements are divided into frequency division unit Signal Tx _m , that is, a signal having a frequency of f _{3 among transmission element signals Tx m} , which is a set of a signal having a _{frequency of f 1,} a signal having a frequency of f ₂ , and ... a signal having a frequency of f _10. to, injecting the calibration signal _{S m.}

The calibration unit 39 calibrates the respective characteristics of the receiving element antennas 11-1 to 11-K and calibrates the respective characteristics of the transmitting element antennas 23-1 to 23-M (step ST6 in FIG. 4).
Hereinafter, the characteristic calibration process by the calibration unit 39 will be specifically described.

FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram showing the characteristics of each part in the relay device shown in FIG.
As shown in FIG. 5, passage characteristics leading to transmitting antenna elements 23-m from the multiplexing unit 21-m is PCt _m, the binding characteristics of the transmitting antenna elements 23-m to the first antenna 36 is a BCT _m To do.
Further, it is assumed that the passing characteristic from the first antenna 36 to the second antenna 38 is PCa.
The binding characteristics of the receiving antenna elements 11-k from the second antenna 38 is BCr _k, passing characteristic leading from the receiving antenna elements 11-k to the demultiplexing unit 14-k is assumed to be PCr _k.
Each binding characteristics BCT _m and binding properties BCr _k, are determined in advance, for example, are stored in the internal memory of the calibration unit 39. However, this is only an example, each of the binding characteristics BCT _m and binding properties BCr _k, or may be given from the outside of the calibration unit 39.

Assuming that the calibration signal injected into the _{transmitter signal Tx m} by the injection unit 20-m (m = 1, ..., M) _{is S m} (t), the transmitter antenna from the transmitter 22-m. The calibration signal included _{in the signal T m} output to 23-m _{is represented as PCt m} × S _m (t). t is a variable indicating time.
The radio wave radiated from the transmitting element antenna 23-m is received by the first antenna 36. Assuming that the signal input to the second antenna 38 after the radio wave is received by the first antenna 36 is g (t), the signal g (t) is expressed by the following equation (1). Will be done.

The radio wave radiated from the second antenna 38 is received by the receiving element antenna 11-k. _{The signal Rf k} (t) after the radio wave is received by the receiving element antenna 11-k and then demultiplexed by the demultiplexing unit 14-k is expressed by the following equation (2).

The calibration process of the characteristics of the transmitting element antenna 23-m (m = 1, ..., M) by the calibration unit 39 is as follows.
_{If the relative relationship between the passing characteristics PCt 1} to PCt _M from the wave combining portion 21-m to the transmitting element antenna 23-m can be grasped, the respective characteristics of the transmitting element antennas 23-1 to 23-M can be calibrated.
As shown in the equation (2), the signal Rf _k (t) after the demultiplexing by the kth demultiplexing unit 14-k includes all of the M calibration signals S _m (t).
The calibration unit 39 extracts the calibration signals V _{k, m from the signal Rf k} (t) after the demultiplexing by the demultiplexing unit 14-k. The calibration signals V _{k and m} are signals included in the signal Rf _k (t) after demultiplexing, and the calibration signal S _m (t) is a signal included in the _{transmission element signal Tx m.}
The calibration signals V _{k and m} can be extracted by using a known element electric field vector rotation method (REV method: Rotating element Electrical Vector method).
_{Further, among the M} calibration signals S ₁ (t) to SM (t), the m-th calibration signal S _m (t) and the calibration signals other than the m-th calibration signal S _h (t) (h ≠ m). ) Are orthogonal to each other, the calibration signal S _m (t) and the calibration signal S _h (t) are multiplied, _{and the multiplication result of the calibration signal S m} (t) and the calibration signal S _h (t) is integrated. By doing so, the calibration signal V _{k, m} (t) can be extracted.
The orthogonal condition between the calibration signal S _m (t) and the calibration signal S _h (t) is expressed by the following equation (3).

Of the M signals Rf ₁ (t) to Rf _M (t) after demultiplexing, the first signal Rf ₁ (t) and the second signal Rf ₂ (t) are the first. calibration signal _{V k,} which is included in th signal _Rf 1 (t) ₁ and each of the calibration signals _{V k, 2} contained in the second signal _Rf 1 (t), the following equation (4 ) (5). Further, the calibration signals V _{k and m} included in the m (m = 3, ..., M) th signal Rf _m (t) are expressed by the following equation (6).

With reference to the first transmitting element antenna 23-1 of the transmitting element antennas 23-1 to 23-M, the variation in the characteristics of the transmitting element antenna 23-2 with respect to the transmitting element antenna 23-1 is as follows. It is expressed as (7).
Further, the variation in the characteristics of the transmitting element antenna 23-m (m = 3, ..., M) with respect to the transmitting element antenna 23-1 is expressed by the following equation (8).

In the calibration unit 39, the coupling characteristics BCt ₁ , the coupling characteristics BCt _2, and the coupling characteristics BCt _m are already values, so from the equations (7) and (8), the relative relationship between the _{passing characteristics PCt 1} to PCt _M Can be grasped.
_{Therefore, the calibration unit 39 sets a calibration value CVt 2} for calibrating the characteristics of the transmission element antenna 23-2 as shown in the following equation (9) with reference to the first transmission element antenna 23-1. calculate.

Further, the calibration unit 39 uses the first transmitting element antenna 23-1 as a reference, and as shown in the following equation (10), the calibration unit 39 of the transmitting element antenna 23-m (m = 3, ..., M). Calculate the calibration value CVt _{m for calibrating the characteristics.}

When the first transmitting element antenna 23-1 is used as a reference, the calibration value CVt ₁ for calibrating the characteristics of the transmitting element antenna 23-1 is 1.
The calibration unit 39 calibrates the _{respective characteristics of the transmission element antennas 23-1 to 23-M by outputting the calibration value CVt m} (m = 1, ..., M) to the transmission DBF unit 18.

The calibration process of the characteristics of the receiving element antenna 11-k (k = 1, ..., K) by the calibration unit 39 is as follows.
If the passage characteristics from the receiving element antenna 11-k to the demultiplexing portion 14-k _{can grasp the relative relationship between PCr 1} to PCr _K , the respective characteristics of the receiving element antennas 11-1 to 11-K can be calibrated. ..

With reference to the first receiving element antenna 11-1 among the receiving element antennas 11-1 to 11-K, the variation in the characteristics of the receiving element antenna 11-2 with respect to the receiving element antenna 11-1 is as follows. It is expressed as (11).
Further, the variation in the characteristics of the receiving element antenna 11-k (k = 3, ..., K) with respect to the receiving element antenna 11-1 is expressed by the following equation (12).

In the calibration unit 39, the coupling characteristic BCr ₁ , the coupling characteristic BCr _2, and the coupling characteristic BCr _m are already values, and therefore, from the equations (11) and (12), the relative relationship between the _{passing characteristics PCr 1} to PCr _K. Can be grasped.
_{Therefore, the calibration unit 39 sets the calibration value CVr 2} for calibrating the characteristics of the receiving element antenna 11-2 as shown in the following equation (13) with reference to the first receiving element antenna 11-1. calculate.

Further, the calibration unit 39 of the receiving element antenna 11-k (k = 3, ..., K) with reference to the first receiving element antenna 11-1 as shown in the following equation (14). Calculate the calibration value CVr _{k for calibrating the characteristics.}

When the first receiving element antenna 11-1 is used as a reference, the calibration value CVr ₁ for calibrating the characteristics of the receiving element antenna 11-1 is 1.
The calibration unit 39 calibrates the _{respective characteristics of the receiving element antennas 11-1 to 11-K by outputting the calibration value CVr k} (k = 1, ..., K) to the receiving DBF unit 16.

In the above-described first embodiment, the radio wave related to the transmission signal radiated from each of the plurality of transmitting element antennas 23-1 to 23-M included in the repeater 1 is received, and the reception signal of the radio wave is output. A second antenna 36 and a second radio wave related to a reception signal output from the first antenna 36 are radiated toward a plurality of receiving element antennas 11-1 to 11-K included in the repeater 1. The calibration device 2 was configured to include the antenna 38. Further, among a plurality of frequencies that the repeater 1 can use for the radio wave transmission frequency, the calibration device 2 has a frequency that is common to the frequency that the repeater 1 can use for the radio wave reception frequency. Then, the repeater 1 detects an unused frequency, generates a calibration signal having an unused frequency, and calibrates the transmission signal given to each of the plurality of transmission element antennas 23-1 to 23-M. Using the signal superimposing unit 31 for superimposing the signals and the received signals of the radio waves received by each of the plurality of receiving element antennas 11-1 to 11-K, each of the plurality of receiving element antennas 11-1 to 11-K. The characteristics of the above are calibrated, and the calibration signals included in the received signals of the radio waves received by each of the plurality of receiving element antennas 11-1 to 11-K are used to calibrate the characteristics of the plurality of transmitting element antennas 23-1 to 23-. It is configured to include a calibration unit 39 for calibrating each characteristic of the M. Therefore, the calibration device 2 can calibrate the respective characteristics of the plurality of receiving element antennas 11-1 to 11-K and the respective characteristics of the plurality of transmitting element antennas 23-1 to 23-M.

In the relay device shown in FIG. 1, the receiving DBF unit 16 multiplies _{the received demultiplexing signals Rf k, j'after the amplitude phase adjustment by the weight values Wr k, j} of the receiving element antenna 11-k.
Receiving and demultiplexing signals Rf k after amplitude and phase _adjusting, among the _{j ',} the weight value Wr k to be multiplied by the signal of the same frequency as the frequency of the calibration signal S _m output from the calibration signal generation unit _35, for _j is , 0 may be set. By setting the weight values Wr _{k and j} to 0, the calibration signal included in the received signal of the receiving element antenna 11-k (k = 1, ..., K) becomes the transmitting element antenna 23-m. It is possible to prevent the radiation from (m = 1, ..., M) again.

The calibration device 2 shown in FIG. 1 includes a first antenna 36, a frequency conversion unit 37, and a second antenna 38. As shown in FIG. 6, the calibration device 2 may further include a variable attenuator 40.
FIG. 6 is a configuration diagram showing a relay device including another calibration device 2 according to the first embodiment. In FIG. 6, the same reference numerals as those in FIG. 1 indicate the same or corresponding parts, and thus the description thereof will be omitted.
The variable attenuator 40 is provided between the frequency conversion unit 37 and the second antenna 38, attenuates the signal after frequency conversion by the frequency conversion unit 37, and outputs the attenuated signal to the second antenna 38. To do.
In the calibration device 2 shown in FIG. 6, a variable attenuator 40 is provided between the frequency conversion unit 37 and the second antenna 38. However, this is only an example, and the variable attenuator 40 may be provided between the first antenna 36 and the frequency conversion unit 37.
When the receiver 12-k (k = 1, ..., K) may be saturated due to the high power of the radio wave radiated from the second antenna 38, the variable attenuator 40 has a frequency. By attenuating the converted signal, saturation at the receiver 12-k can be prevented.

In the relay device shown in FIG. 1, the received power calculation unit 32 is included in a plurality of _{demultiplexed signals Rf k} output from the reception extraction unit 15-k (k = 1, ..., K). The power Pr _{f of the} frequency component is calculated respectively.
Further, in the relay device shown in FIG. 1, the transmission power calculation unit 33 is included in a plurality of _{transmission element signals Tx m output from the transmission extraction unit 19-m (m = 1, ..., M).} The power Pt _{f of the} frequency component is calculated respectively.
However, this is only an example, and as shown in FIG. 7, the received power calculation unit 63 receives the received beam signal RB _{j output from the received beam extraction unit 61-j (j = 1, ..., J). The power Pr f} of a plurality of frequency components included in may be calculated respectively. _{Further, the transmission power calculation unit 64 calculates the power Pt f} of a plurality of frequency components included in _{the transmission beam signal TB m} output from the transmission beam extraction unit 62-m (m = 1, ..., M). Each may be calculated.
FIG. 7 is a configuration diagram showing a relay device including the other calibration device 2 according to the first embodiment. In FIG. 7, the same reference numerals as those in FIG. 1 indicate the same or corresponding parts, and thus the description thereof will be omitted.
The reception beam extraction unit 61-j (j = 1, ..., J) outputs the reception beam signal RB _j output from the reception DBF unit 16 to the SW unit 17 and the reception power calculation unit 63, respectively.
The transmission beam extraction unit 62-m (m = 1, ..., M) outputs the transmission beam signal TB _m output from the SW unit 17 to each of the transmission DBF unit 18 and the transmission power calculation unit 64.
In the relay device shown in FIG. 7, similarly to the relay device shown in FIG. 1, the characteristics of the plurality of receiving element antennas 11-1 to 11-K and the respective characteristics of the plurality of transmitting element antennas 23-1 to 23-M are also used. The characteristics can be calibrated.

In the relay device shown in FIG. 1, when the frequency of the frequency division unit is, for example, f ₁ , f ₂ , ..., F ₁₀ , and the unused frequency is, for example, frequency f ₃ , the calibration device. 2, by using the calibration signal frequency _{f 3,} and calculates the respective calibration values CVr _k and calibration values CVT _m.
Then, the calibration unit 39, by using the calibration value CVr _k, to calibrate the characteristics of the receiving antenna elements 11-k, using the calibration value CVT _m, are calibrated characteristics of transmission antenna elements 23-m.
Each of the calibration values CVr _k and calibration values CVT _m, since a calibration value according to the frequency _{f 3} of the unused calibration unit 39 calibrates accurately the characteristics according to the frequency _{f 3} in the receiving antenna elements 11-k be able to. Further, the calibration unit 39 can be calibrated accurately the characteristics according to the frequency f ₃ in the transmission antenna elements 23-m.
Calibration unit 39, for the characteristics of the frequency other than the frequency f ₃ in the receiving antenna elements 11-k, are calibrated using the calibration value CVr _k. Further, the calibration unit 39, for the characteristics of the frequency other than the frequency f ₃ in the transmission antenna elements 23-m, are calibrated using the calibration value CVT _m.
Therefore, calibration of the characteristic according to a frequency other than the frequency f ₃ in the receiving antenna elements 11-k, the calibration accuracy is lower than the calibration characteristics of the frequency f _3. Further, calibration of the characteristic according to a frequency other than the frequency f ₃ in the transmission antenna elements 23-m, the calibration accuracy is lower than the calibration characteristics of the frequency f _3.
Therefore, if the unused frequencies are, for example, a frequency f ₃ and a frequency f ₆ , the calibration signal generation unit 35 has _{a calibration signal S m having a frequency f 3} and a calibration signal having a frequency f _6. Generate S _m and. Then, the calibration signal generation unit 35 outputs each of the calibration signal _{S m} to each of the injection section 20-1 ~ 20-M in order. Then, the calibration unit 39 calculates a respective calibration value CVr _k and calibration values CVT _m for frequencies _{f 3,} and calculates the respective calibration values CVr _k and calibration values CVT _m for frequencies _{f 6.}
For the calibration values CVr _k and the calibration value CVt _m for frequencies other than the frequencies f ₃ and f ₆ , the calibration unit 39 has the calibration values CV r _k and the calibration value CV t _{m for the frequency f 3} and the frequency f _{6 respectively.} calculated by linear interpolation using the respective calibration values CVr _k and calibration values CVT _m for. Here, the calibration unit 39 calculates by linear interpolation processing, but this is only an example, and may be calculated by, for example, interpolation processing or extrapolation processing.
Thus, for all frequencies of the frequency division units, since each of the calibration values CVr _k and calibration values CVT _m is obtained, also the calibration of the characteristic according to a frequency other than the frequency f ₃ in the receiving antenna elements 11-k, the frequency f A calibration accuracy substantially similar to that of the calibration of the characteristics according to No. _{3 can be obtained.} Further, calibration of the characteristic according to a frequency other than the frequency f ₃ in the transmission antenna elements 23-m is also substantially the same calibration accuracy and calibration characteristics of the frequency f ₃ is obtained.

Embodiment 2.
In the second embodiment, the calibration device in which the signal superimposing unit 31 includes the frequency information acquisition unit 71 and the calibration signal generation unit 72 will be described.

FIG. 8 is a configuration diagram showing a relay device including the calibration device 2 according to the second embodiment. In FIG. 8, the same reference numerals as those in FIG. 1 indicate the same or corresponding parts, and thus the description thereof will be omitted.
FIG. 9 is a hardware configuration diagram showing the respective hardware in the signal superimposing unit 31 and the calibration unit 39 of the calibration device 2 according to the second embodiment.
The frequency information acquisition unit 71 is realized by, for example, the frequency information acquisition circuit 46 shown in FIG.
The frequency information acquisition unit 71 is among a plurality of frequencies that the repeater 1 can use for the radio wave transmission frequency, which are common to the frequencies that the repeater 1 can use for the radio wave reception frequency. Then, the repeater 1 acquires frequency information indicating an unused frequency. The frequency information acquisition unit 71 acquires, for example, from a ground station that transmits frequency information.
The frequency information acquisition unit 71 outputs the acquired frequency information to the calibration signal generation unit 72.
In the calibration device 2 shown in FIG. 9, the frequency information acquisition unit 71 acquires frequency information from, for example, a ground station, but any information can be used as long as it can detect unused frequencies. May be good. For example, the frequency information acquisition unit 71 may acquire the routing information used for the routing process of the SW unit 7 from the ground station and detect the unused frequency from the routing information. The routing information is information indicating before and after the arrangement of frequencies, that is, information indicating the frequency of the receiving beam and the frequency of the transmitting beam. Therefore, routing information is a concept included in frequency information.

The calibration signal generation unit 72 is realized by, for example, the calibration signal generation circuit 47 shown in FIG.
The calibration signal generation unit 72 detects an unused frequency by the repeater 1 by referring to the frequency information acquired by the frequency information acquisition unit 71.
The calibration signal generation unit 72 generates a calibration signal S _m (m = 1, ..., M) having an unused frequency.
Similar to the calibration signal generation unit 35 shown in FIG. 1, the calibration signal generation unit 72 outputs the calibration signal to each of the injection units 20-1 to 20-M, so that the plurality of transmitting element antennas 23- _{The calibration signal Sm} is superimposed on the signals transmitted from each of 1 to 23-M.

In FIG. 8, each of the frequency information acquisition unit 71, the calibration signal generation unit 72, and the calibration unit 39, which are a part of the calibration device 2, is realized by dedicated hardware as shown in FIG. Is assumed. That is, it is assumed that a part of the calibration device 2 is realized by the frequency information acquisition circuit 46, the calibration signal generation circuit 47, and the calibration circuit 45.
Each of the frequency information acquisition circuit 46, the calibration signal generation circuit 47, and the calibration circuit 45 is, for example, a single circuit, a composite circuit, a programmed processor, a parallel programmed processor, an ASIC, an FPGA, or a combination thereof. The thing is applicable.

Some components of the calibration device 2 are not limited to those realized by dedicated hardware, and a part of the calibration device 2 is realized by software, firmware, or a combination of software and firmware. It may be a thing.
When a part of the calibration device 2 is realized by software, firmware, or the like, a program for causing a computer to execute each processing procedure of the frequency information acquisition unit 71, the calibration signal generation unit 72, and the calibration unit 39 is shown in FIG. It is stored in the memory 51 shown in. Then, the processor 52 of the computer executes the program stored in the memory 51.

Next, the operation of the relay device shown in FIG. 8 will be described.
Since the same as the relay device shown in FIG. 1 except for the frequency information acquisition unit 71 and the calibration signal generation unit 72, the operations of the frequency information acquisition unit 71 and the calibration signal generation unit 72 will be described here.
When the frequency information acquisition unit 71 acquires frequency information indicating an unused frequency from, for example, a ground station, the frequency information acquisition unit 71 outputs the frequency information to the calibration signal generation unit 72.
Calibration signal generation unit 72 receives the frequency information from the frequency information acquisition unit 71, by referring to the frequency information, repeater 1 detects the frequency of the unused calibration signal S _m having a detected frequency (M = 1, ..., M) is generated.
Similar to the calibration signal generation unit 35 shown in FIG. 1, the calibration signal generation unit 72 outputs the calibration signal to each of the injection units 20-1 to 20-M, so that the plurality of transmitting element antennas 23- The calibration signal is superimposed on the signal transmitted from each of 1 to 23-M.

In the relay device shown in FIG. 8, similarly to the relay device shown in FIG. 1, the characteristics of the plurality of receiving element antennas 11-1 to 11-K and the respective characteristics of the plurality of transmitting element antennas 23-1 to 23-M are also used. The characteristics can be calibrated.

Embodiment 3.
In the third embodiment, the satellite communication system to which the relay device according to the first and second embodiments is applied will be described.
FIG. 10 is a configuration diagram showing a satellite communication system according to the third embodiment.
The satellite communication system includes a communication satellite 81, a control station 82, a user station 83, and a user station 84. The satellite communication system shown in FIG. 10 includes two user stations 83 and 84. However, this is only an example, and may include, for example, three or more user stations.
The communication satellite 81 is equipped with the relay device shown in FIGS. 1, 6, 7, or 8.
The communication satellite 81 receives the radio wave transmitted from the user station 83, and transmits the radio wave related to the reception signal of the radio wave to the control station 82.
Further, the communication satellite 81 receives the radio wave transmitted from the control station 82, and transmits the radio wave related to the reception signal of the radio wave to the user station 83.
The communication satellite 81 receives the radio wave transmitted from the user station 84, and transmits the radio wave related to the reception signal of the radio wave to the control station 82.
Further, the communication satellite 81 receives the radio wave transmitted from the control station 82, and transmits the radio wave related to the reception signal of the radio wave to the user station 84.
If the relay device mounted on the communication satellite 81 is the relay device shown in FIG. 8, the communication satellite 81 acquires frequency information from the control station 82.

The control station 82 is, for example, a ground station installed on the ground.
The control station 82 transmits and receives radio waves to and from the communication satellite 81.
If the relay device mounted on the communication satellite 81 is the relay device shown in FIG. 8, the control station 82 transmits the frequency information to the communication satellite 81.
Each of the user station 83 and the user station 84 transmits and receives radio waves to and from the communication satellite 81.

Next, the operation of the satellite communication system shown in FIG. 10 will be described.
For example, when the user station 83 provides data to the control station 82, the user station 83 transmits radio waves including the data to the communication satellite 81.
In the relay device mounted on the communication satellite 81, as shown in the first and second embodiments, the characteristics of the receiving element antennas 11-1 to 11-K are calibrated, and the transmitting element antennas 23-1 to 23 are calibrated. -Each characteristic in M is calibrated.
The relay device mounted on the communication satellite 81 receives the radio wave including the data transmitted from the user station 83, and transmits the radio wave including the data to the control station 82.

In the present disclosure, it is possible to freely combine the embodiments, modify any component of each embodiment, or omit any component in each embodiment.

The present disclosure is suitable for a calibration device, a calibration method, and a calibration program for calibrating each characteristic of a plurality of receiving element antennas and each characteristic of a plurality of transmitting element antennas.
Further, the present disclosure is suitable for a relay device including a calibration device.
Further, the present disclosure is suitable for a satellite communication system including a communication satellite on which a relay device is mounted.

1 repeater, 2 calibration device, 11 receiving array antenna, 11-1 to 11-K receiving element antenna, 12-1 to 12-K receiver, 13 relay processing unit, 14-1 to 14-K demultiplexing unit, 15-1 to 15-K reception extraction unit, 16 reception DBF unit, 17 SW unit, 18 transmission DBF unit, 19-1 to 19-M transmission extraction unit, 20-1 to 20-M injection unit, 21-1 to 21-M combiner, 22-1 to 22-M transmitter, 23 transmission array antenna, 23-1 to 23-M transmitter element antenna, 31 signal superimposition unit, 32 received power calculation unit, 33 transmission power calculation unit, 34 unused frequency detection unit, 35 calibration signal generation unit, 36 first antenna, 37 frequency conversion unit, 38 second antenna, 39 calibration unit, 40 variable attenuator, 41 received power calculation circuit, 42 transmission power calculation circuit , 43 unused frequency detection circuit, 44 calibration signal generation circuit, 45 calibration circuit, 46 frequency information acquisition circuit, 47 calibration signal generation circuit, 51 memory, 52 processor, 61-1 to 61-J reception beam extractor, 62-1 to 62-M transmission beam extraction unit, 63 reception power calculation unit, 64 transmission power calculation unit, 71 frequency information acquisition unit, 72 calibration signal generation unit, 81 communication antenna, 82 control station, 83,84 user station ..

Claims (9)

1. A first antenna that receives radio waves related to transmission signals radiated from each of the plurality of transmitting element antennas of the repeater and outputs the reception signals of the radio waves.
   A second antenna that radiates radio waves related to a received signal output from the first antenna toward a plurality of receiving element antennas included in the repeater, and a second antenna.
   Among the plurality of frequencies that the repeater can use for the radio wave transmission frequency, among the frequencies that the repeater can use for the radio wave reception frequency, the repeater has not yet been used. A signal superimposing unit that detects a used frequency, generates a calibration signal having the unused frequency, and superimposes the calibration signal on the transmission signal given to each of the plurality of transmitting element antennas.
   Using the received signal of the radio wave received by each of the plurality of receiving element antennas, the characteristics of each of the plurality of receiving element antennas are calibrated, and the received signal of the radio wave received by each of the plurality of receiving element antennas is calibrated. A calibration device including a calibration unit that calibrates the characteristics of each of the plurality of transmitting element antennas using the calibration signal included in the above.
2. The signal superimposing unit is
   A reception power calculation unit that calculates the power of a plurality of frequency components included in the reception signal of the radio wave received by each of the plurality of reception element antennas, and a reception power calculation unit that calculates the power of each of the plurality of frequency components.
   A transmission power calculation unit that calculates the power of a plurality of frequency components included in the transmission signals given to each of the plurality of transmission element antennas, and a transmission power calculation unit.
   Based on the respective powers calculated by the received power calculation unit and the respective powers calculated by the transmission power calculation unit, among the common frequencies, the frequency that the repeater does not use is selected. Unused frequency detector to detect and
   It is provided with a calibration signal generation unit that generates a calibration signal having a frequency detected by the unused frequency detection unit and superimposes the calibration signal on the transmission signal given to each of the plurality of transmitting element antennas. The calibration device according to claim 1, wherein the calibration device is provided.
3. The signal superimposing unit is
   Among the common frequencies, a frequency information acquisition unit that acquires frequency information indicating an unused frequency of the repeater, and a frequency information acquisition unit.
   By referring to the frequency information acquired by the frequency information acquisition unit, the repeater detects an unused frequency, generates a calibration signal having the unused frequency, and the plurality of transmitting element antennas. The calibration device according to claim 1, further comprising a calibration signal generation unit that superimposes the calibration signal on the transmission signal given to each of the above.
4. It is provided with a frequency conversion unit that converts the frequency of the received signal of the radio wave received by the first antenna into a frequency that can be received by the repeater and outputs the received signal after frequency conversion to the second antenna. The calibrator according to claim 1, wherein the calibrator device is characterized in that.
5. The calibration device according to claim 1, further comprising a variable attenuator that attenuates the received signal of the radio wave received by the first antenna and outputs the attenuated received signal to the second antenna.
6. The first antenna receives the radio wave related to the transmission signal radiated from each of the plurality of transmitting element antennas of the repeater, outputs the reception signal of the radio wave, and the second antenna is the said. When the radio wave related to the received signal output from the first antenna is radiated toward the plurality of receiving element antennas of the repeater,
   Among the plurality of frequencies that the repeater can use for the radio wave transmission frequency, the signal superimposing unit has a frequency that is common to the frequency that the repeater can use for the radio wave reception frequency. The repeater detects an unused frequency, generates a calibration signal having the unused frequency, and superimposes the calibration signal on the transmission signal given to each of the plurality of transmitting element antennas. Department and
   The calibration unit calibrates the characteristics of each of the plurality of receiving element antennas by using the received signal of the radio wave received by each of the plurality of receiving element antennas, and receives the radio waves by each of the plurality of receiving element antennas. A calibration method for calibrating the characteristics of each of the plurality of transmitting element antennas using a calibration signal included in a radio wave reception signal.
7. A calibration program showing a computer processing procedure for calibrating each characteristic of a plurality of receiving element antennas of a repeater and each characteristic of a plurality of transmitting element antennas of the repeater. ,
   The first antenna receives the radio wave related to the transmission signal radiated from each of the plurality of transmitting element antennas, outputs the reception signal of the radio wave, and the second antenna outputs from the first antenna. When the radio wave related to the received signal is radiated toward the plurality of receiving element antennas,
   Among the plurality of frequencies that the repeater can use for the radio wave transmission frequency, the signal superimposing unit has a frequency that is common to the frequency that the repeater can use for the radio wave reception frequency. A processing procedure in which the repeater detects an unused frequency, generates a calibration signal having the unused frequency, and superimposes the calibration signal on the transmission signal given to each of the plurality of transmitting element antennas. When,
   The calibration unit calibrates the characteristics of each of the plurality of receiving element antennas by using the received signal of the radio wave received by each of the plurality of receiving element antennas, and receives the radio waves by each of the plurality of receiving element antennas. A calibration program comprising a processing procedure for calibrating the characteristics of each of the plurality of transmitting element antennas using a calibration signal included in a radio wave reception signal.
8. A beam is generated from a plurality of receiving element antennas, a plurality of transmitting element antennas, and reception signals of radio waves received by each of the plurality of receiving element antennas, and the beam is provided to each of the plurality of transmitting element antennas. A repeater including a relay processing unit that generates a transmission signal,
   A relay device including the calibration device according to any one of claims 1 to 5.
9. A satellite communication system including a communication satellite equipped with the relay device according to claim 8.

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