Phased Array Antenna Calibration Based on Autocorrelation Algorithm

• Published in: Sensors (Basel, Switzerland) Vol. 24; no. 23; p. 7496
• Main Authors: Nguyen, Xuan Luong, Nhan, Nguyen Trong, Dang Thi, Thanh Thuy, Thanh, Tran Van, Nguyen, Phung Bao, Trien, Nguyen Duc
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Switzerland MDPI AG 24.11.2024; MDPI
• Subjects: Accuracy; Algorithms; amplitude error; Antennas; Antennas (Electronics); autocorrelation algorithm; Calibration; Comparative analysis; far-field probe; Mathematical models; phase error; phased array antenna; radiation pattern; Receivers & amplifiers; Signal processing; United States; New Jersey; autocorrelation algorithm; phased array antenna; far-field probe; phase error; radiation pattern; amplitude error
• ISSN: 1424-8220; 1424-8220
• DOI: 10.3390/s24237496

The problem of calibrating phased array antennas in a noisy environment using an autocorrelation algorithm is investigated and a mathematical model of the autocorrelation calibration method is presented. The proposed calibration system is based on far-field scanning of the phased array antenna in an environment with internal noise and external interference. The proposed method is applied to a phased array antenna and compared with traditional rotating-element electric-field vector methods, which involve identifying the maximum and minimum vector–sum points (REVmax and REVmin, respectively). The proposed calibration system is verified for a phased array antenna at 3 GHz. Experimental verification of the mathematical model of the proposed method demonstrates that the autocorrelation method is more accurate than the rotating-element electric-field vector methods in determining the amplitude and phase shifts. The measured peak gain of the combined beam in the E-plane increased from 7.83 to 8.37 dB and 3.57 to 4.36 dB compared to the REVmax and REVmin methods, respectively, and the phase error improved from 47° to 55.48° and 19.43° to 29.16°, respectively. The proposed method can be considered an effective solution for large-scale phase calibration at both in-field and in-factory levels, even in the presence of external interference.