Angle selection and dummy internal spacing methods for phased array antenna calibration based on traveling wave technology

Abstract

In order to achieve low sidelobe level for an active phased array antenna, the phase and amplitude distribution of antenna aperture must satisfy design requirements by means of test and calibration. Many methods are presently available for test and calibration of aperture amplitude and phase errors. In this paper, the angle selection relationship sin/spl theta//sub k/=(/spl lambda/[2k-(L+1)])/2Ld for phased array antenna calibration based on traveling wave technology is proven. We find that if the angle meets the relationship, then the rank of transform matrix is complete and the condition number of transform matrix equals 1, thus, the high precision calibration is achieved. On such a basis, we developed the BIT traveling wave calibration technology for wideband phased array antenna calibration, and named it dummy internal spacing method, |sin/spl theta//sub k/|>1 mistake in 1-D broadband phased array antenna is avoided. Also, the BIT traveling wave technology can be widely applied to 2-D phased array antenna and non-uniform array antenna easily. By application of the dummy internal spacing method, we developed 1-D and 2-D phased antennas, and obtained satisfactory results.