Calibrated Polarization Tilt Angle Recovery for Wireless Communications

Abstract

In this letter, we show how the polarization state of a linearly polarized antenna can be recovered through the use of a three-term error correction model. The approach adopted is shown to be robust in situations where some multipath exists and where the sampling channels are imperfect with regard to both their amplitude and phase tracking. In particular, it has been shown that error of the measured polarization tilt angle can be improved from 33% to 3% and below by applying the proposed calibration method. It is described how one can use a rotating dipole antenna as both the calibration standard and as the polarization encoder, thus simplifying the physical arrangement of the transmitter. Experimental results are provided in order to show the utility of the approach, which could have a variety of applications including bandwidth conservative polarization submodulation in advanced wireless communications systems.