In-situ active impedance characterization of scanned array antennas
AssigneeNational Technology & Engineering Solutions of Sandia, LLC
InventorsHung Loui, Thomas Edward Christian, JR.
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Various embodiments presented herein relate to determining mutual coupling between a pair of antennas in an array antenna. Various operations presented herein enable comparison between a magnitude and phase of a signal transmitted from a first feed network (via a first antenna) and a magnitude and phase of a portion of the signal received at a second feed network (via a second antenna). Electrical effects engendered by any of the first feed network, a first switch, a first local circuit, the second feed network, a second switch, and a second local circuit can also be determined and their effects mathematically removed. Based upon the foregoing, a mutual coupling between the pair of antenna is determined.
Claims8
A method, comprising:
- determining, during operation of a phased antenna array, a mutual coupling between a first antenna element in the phased antenna array and a second antenna element for all possible antenna pairings in the phased antenna array;
- and
- providing a first signal to the first antenna element based upon the mutual coupling between the first antenna element and the second antenna element, wherein radiation emitted from the phased antenna array is steered based upon the first signal.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.