Method of creating embedded components on an antenna substrate and antenna apparatus formed with same

A synchronization system comprising:

• a timing source comprising:
• an oscillator to generate a reference signal having a reference frequency;
• one or more processors to generate a digital signal constructable from a plurality of tones;
• a digital to analog converter to convert the digital signal to a waveform;
• and
• a combiner to combine the reference signal with the waveform to generate a synchronization signal having first temporal portions including the reference signal without the waveform, interspersed with second temporal portions with the waveform;
• N timing circuits, where N is at least two;
• and
• N signal paths between the timing source and the N timing circuits, respectively, the N signal paths having different respective propagation delays;
• wherein the timing source transmits the synchronization signal over the N signal paths to the N timing circuits, and a first one of the timing circuits is configured to determine a phase difference between at least two of the plurality of tones of the waveform received thereat, and to delay the reference signal by a delay based at least in part on the phase difference, so as to provide a first output reference signal phase aligned with a second output reference signal provided at a second one of the timing circuits.

An antenna system comprising;

• a plurality of subassemblies, each radio frequency coupled to one or more antenna elements;
• a timing source comprising:
• an oscillator to generate a reference signal having a reference frequency;
• one or more processors to generate a digital signal constructable from a plurality of tones;
• a digital to analog converter to convert the digital signal to a waveform;
• and
• a combiner to combine the reference signal with the waveform to generate a synchronization signal having first temporal portions including the reference signal without the waveform, interspersed with second temporal portions including the waveform;
• N timing circuits, each disposed within one of the subassemblies;
• N signal paths between the timing source and the N timing circuits, respectively, the N signal paths having different respective propagation delays;
• and
• a digital beamforming processor;
• wherein,
• the timing source transmits the synchronization signal over the N signal paths to the N timing circuits, and a first one of the timing circuits is configured to determine a phase difference between at least two of the plurality of tones of the waveform received thereat, and to delay the reference signal by a delay based at least in part on the phase difference, so as to provide a first output reference signal phase aligned with a second output reference signal provided at a second one of the timing circuits, and
• each of the plurality of subassemblies uses one of the of the output reference signals to generate a transmit path signal and/or receive a receive path signal in a coherent manner with other ones of the subassemblies, to collectively form a transmit and/or receive beam through digital beamforming controlled by the digital beamforming processor.