Patent ID: 6445343
Filing Date: 2002-09-03
Classification: H01Q

Abstract:
A system for calibrating an antenna system, the antenna system comprising a phased array of antenna elements, comprising:a processor for selectively injecting a test signal into a first amplifier, wherein the first amplifier amplifies the test signal in a substantially linear fashion and the first amplifier injects the amplified test signal into a hybrid matrix, while a broadcast signal is injected into a second amplifier and the amplified broadcast signal is injected into the hybrid matrix; a coupler, coupled to the hybrid matrix, for monitoring a combined signal comprising the amplified test signal and the amplified broadcast signal; and a downconverter, coupled to the coupler, for separating the combined signal into a first component comprising the amplified test signal and a second component comprising the broadcast signal; wherein the processor determines a phase response of the first amplifier and a phase effect of the hybrid matrix by measuring the separated test signal and modifies a phase of the broadcast signal using the determined phase response of the first amplifier and the hybrid matrix when the broadcast signal is subsequently provided to the first amplifier.