Determination of an impairment compensation matrix for an antenna array

A method for determining an impairment compensation matrix for compensation of impairments in an antenna array comprising N antenna subarrays, comprising:

• initiating a plurality of multi-signal transmissions from subsets of the N antenna subarrays, each multi-signal transmission comprising a concurrent transmission of a signal from each antenna subarray in the subset, each signal having signal characteristics comprising at least a particular magnitude and phase;
• determining a plurality of locations within a signal reception area of the antenna array wherein a null is formed during at least some of the plurality of multi-signal transmissions;
• based on the signal characteristics of the multi-signal transmissions and an expected signal reception at the plurality of locations, determining an impairment matrix that identifies an effect of impairments between the N antenna subarrays;
• and
• determining the impairment compensation matrix based on the impairment matrix.

A method for determining an impairment compensation matrix for compensation of impairments in an antenna array comprising N antenna subarrays, comprising:

• determining a plurality of different null-forming multi-signal transmissions, each null-forming multi-signal transmission comprising:
• concurrent signal transmissions from at least two antenna subarrays of the N antenna subarrays that form a null at a location of a plurality of locations;
• and
• based on signal characteristics associated with the plurality of different null-forming multi-signal transmissions and an expected signal reception at the plurality of locations, determining an impairment matrix that identifies an effect of impairments among the N antenna subarrays;
• and
• determining the impairment compensation matrix based on the impairment matrix.

A device comprising:

• a plurality of antenna ports, each antenna port configured to communicate with an antenna subarray of an antenna array;
• a controller comprising a processor and communicatively coupled to the plurality of antenna ports, the controller configured to:
• determine a plurality of different combinations of multi-signal transmissions which form at least one null at a respective location of a plurality of locations, each different combination comprising:
• a multi-signal transmission that comprises at least two concurrent signal transmissions from at least two antenna subarrays of the N antenna subarrays, the at least two concurrent signal transmissions having associated signal characteristics;
• and
• the respective location;
• based on the signal characteristics associated with the plurality of different combinations of multi-signal transmissions and an expected signal reception at the plurality of locations, determine an impairment matrix that identifies an effect of impairments among the N antenna subarrays;
• and
• determine the impairment compensation matrix based on the impairment matrix.