Methods, testing apparatuses and devices for removing cross coupling effects in antenna arrays

Methods and devices for removing cross coupling effects between elements of an antenna array (110) are provided. Cross coupling coefficients between all pairs of antenna elements of the antenna array are predetermined to minimize a total power in theoretical null points calculated without considering the cross element effects. A transceiver (100) includes a multiplexing block (105) configured to receive data signals to be transmitted via the antenna elements and to output to at least one of the antenna elements, a sum signal including (i) a data signal, which data signal is designated for the at least one antenna element, and (ii) a linear combination of data signals designated for other antenna elements of the antenna array, each of the data signals in the linear combination being weighted by a respective cross coupling coefficient between the at least one antenna element and an antenna element emitting the each of the data signals.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention generally relates to methods, testing apparatuses and transceivers, and, more particularly, to devices and techniques for removing cross coupling effects that occur in antenna arrays.

BACKGROUND

The development of ever-decreasing size radio transceivers and ever-increasing capacity demands in recent years has favored the emergence of small-size antenna arrays. Compared to a single antenna, an antenna array has enhanced performance features, such as, interference rejection and beam steering without physically moving the aperture. The higher transmission rates, increasing number of users and other new demands placed on the antenna arrays render addressing cross coupling effects among antenna elements even more important.

An antenna array as illustrated inFIG. 1, generally consists of multiple closely spaced antenna elements (or columns) #1, #2, . . . , #n, typically having a distance d of about 0.5 wavelength in-between antenna elements (which distance for radio communication system frequencies of 0.5-5 GHz is in the range of 3-30 cm). The propagation direction of interest is perpendicular (i.e., y-direction) on the plane (i.e., the plane including the x and z axes) of the antenna elements #1, #2, . . . , #n.

Mutual coupling is an electromagnetic phenomenon which occurs between spatially close electromagnetic radiating elements. Due to the antenna elements' closeness, the effects of mutual coupling in an antenna array may be significant. When an antenna element transmits an electromagnetic signal, resonating neighboring elements (or columns) radiate energy according to the transmitted signal. Similarly, when an antenna element (or column) receives an electromagnetic signal, a portion of the energy of the received signal is re-radiated to the neighboring elements (or columns). In many different areas which use antenna arrays, e.g., from the conventional use of antennas to their modern employment in such exotic areas as multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) systems, diversity systems, medical imaging, and radar systems, the manner of taking into consideration these mutual coupling effects is important.

Classical theoretical calculations can be used to determine an expected beam pattern in a plane perpendicular to the antenna array plane in the direction of interest. Such calculations are used in designing antenna arrays, and typically assume that the effects of mutual coupling are either non-existent or are so small that they can be neglected. Unfortunately, this assumption becomes increasingly inaccurate as the array elements are spaced closer together and operate in a live air environment. Recently, many attempts have been made to reduce or to compensate for mutual coupling effects.

Some methods which have been proposed to account for these mutual coupling generally result in a compromise design. The compromise design is achieved by repeated iterations and testing. Tradeoffs that impact critical antenna specifications are unavoidable due to design changes implemented to avoid mutual coupling. Typically, the design variables employed to account for the mutual coupling include the radiating element design, the column spacing, the inter-column offsets and the beam formers. This conventional approach to accounting for the mutual coupling of individual elements of an antenna array has the disadvantage that these methods are approximations, and in the end, in spite of the longer antenna design time, the antenna arrays remain plagued by residual mutual coupling impairments.

An accurate determination of mutual coupling coefficients is not straightforward. Although receiving mutual coupling coefficients and transmitting mutual coupling coefficients are expected to be similar, they may differ significantly due to different current distributions that occur on the antenna elements (or columns). Direct measurement of mutual coupling is impractical for a typical antenna array design.

Additionally, although the mutual coupling effects are the most frequently considered cross-coupling effects, these effects may not be the only effects which impair performance. Thus, taking into account mutual coupling effects (which may be measured or estimated) may still leave other quality degrading effects unaccounted for.

Accordingly, it would be desirable to provide devices, systems and methods that avoid the afore-described problems and drawbacks.

SUMMARY

Methods and devices for removing cross coupling effects are provided based on transmitting compensating signals (which are a linear combination of data signals with cross coupling coefficients) so as to recapture the position and level of theoretically calculated null positions. Some of the methods and devices have the advantage that the cross coupling coefficients experimentally determined for an antenna array having a particular design are usable for all other antenna arrays having similar design. The cross coupling coefficients account for mutual coupling between antenna elements and other cross elements phenomena such as edge effects.

According to one exemplary embodiment, an apparatus for determining cross coupling coefficients in an antenna array having a plurality of antenna elements includes a multiplexing block, one or more measurement antennas, and a processor. The multiplexing block is configured to receive data signals to be transmitted via the antenna elements and to output to at least one of the antenna elements a sum signal including (i) a data signal, which data signal is designated for the at least one antenna element, and (ii) a linear combination of data signals designated for other antenna elements of the antenna array, each of the data signals in the linear combination being weighted by a respective cross coupling coefficient between the at least one antenna element and an antenna element emitting the each of the data signals. The one or more measurement antennas are located at positions corresponding to theoretical null points occurring when one or more predetermined sets of data are transmitted via the data signals, the positions being calculated without considering coupling effects of the antenna elements. The processor is configured to receive measurements of a total power received in each of the one or more measurements antennas and the data signals, to adjust the cross coupling coefficients to minimize the total power received by the one or more measurement antennas when the one or more predetermined sets of data are transmitted, and to transmit the adjusted cross coupling coefficients to the multiplexing block.

According to another exemplary embodiment, a method for determining cross coupling coefficients in an antenna array having a plurality of antenna elements is provided. The method includes receiving data signals to be transmitted via the antenna elements, and outputting to at least one of the antenna elements, a sum signal of (i) a data signal among the data signals, which data signal is designated for the at least one antenna element, and (ii) a linear combination of the data signals designated for other antenna elements of the antenna array than the at least one antenna element, each of the data signals in the linear combination being weighted by a respective cross coupling coefficient between the at least one antenna element and an antenna element emitting the each of the data signals. The method further includes measuring total power received in one or more measurement antennas located at positions corresponding to theoretical null points occurring when one or more predetermined sets of data are transmitted via the data signals, the theoretical null points being calculated without considering coupling effects of the antenna elements, and adjusting the cross coupling coefficients to minimize the total power received by he one or more measurement antennas, respectively, when the one or more predetermined sets of data are transmitted via the data signals.

According to another exemplary embodiment, a method of compensating for cross element effects includes receiving data signals to be transmitted via the antenna elements, and outputting to at least one of the antenna elements, a sum signal including (i) a data signal, which data signal is designated for the at least one antenna element, and (ii) a linear combination of data signals designated for other antenna elements of the antenna array, each of the data signals in the linear combination being weighted by a respective cross coupling coefficient between the at least one antenna element and an antenna element emitting the each of the data signals. Cross coupling coefficients between all pairs of antenna elements of the antenna array are predetermined to minimize a total power in theoretical null points occurring when predetermined sets of data are transmitted via the data signals, the theoretical null points being calculated without considering the cross element effects.

According to another exemplary embodiment, a transceiver configured to compensate for cross element effects in an antenna array including a plurality of antenna elements is provided. The transceiver includes a multiplexing block configured to receive data signals to be transmitted via the antenna elements and to output to at least one of the antenna elements, a sum signal including (i) a data signal, which data signal is designated for the at least one antenna element, and (ii) a linear combination of data signals designated for other antenna elements of the antenna array, each of the data signals in the linear combination being weighted by a respective cross coupling coefficient between the at least one antenna element and an antenna element emitting the each of the data signals. The cross coupling coefficients between all pairs of antenna elements of the antenna array are predetermined to minimize a total power in theoretical null points occurring when predetermined sets of data are transmitted via the data signals, the theoretical null points being calculated without considering the cross element effects.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The following description of the exemplary embodiments refers to the accompanying drawings. The same reference numbers in different drawings identify the same or similar elements. The following detailed description does not limit the invention. Instead, the scope of the invention is defined by the appended claims. The following embodiments are discussed, for simplicity, with regard to the terminology and structure of a radio communication system using an antenna array. However, the embodiments to be discussed next are not limited to these systems but may be applied to other wireless communication systems that are affected by cross-element effects.

In order to remove cross element effects, a signal including a main signal intended to be transmitted by that antenna element, and a linear combination of data signals designated for other antenna elements, is transmitted in each antenna element of an antenna array. The linear combination is a sum of cross terms, each term being a data signal designated for another antenna element of the antenna array, weighted by a respective cross coupling coefficient between the antenna element and the other antenna element emitting the respective data signal. The cross coupling coefficients between all pairs of antenna elements of the antenna array are predetermined to minimize a total power in theoretical null points calculated without considering the cross element effects.

For purposes of illustration and not of limitation, an exemplary embodiment of a multiplexing block100, connected to an antenna array110having four antenna elements (A1, A2, A3, and A4) is illustrated inFIG. 2. Transceivers having a similar structure may provide transmit signals to any number N (larger than two) of antenna elements.

Each of the data signals S1, S2, S3, and S4are provided to a set of four multiplexers inside a multiplexing block105. Thus, S1is received by M11, M12, M13, M14, S2is received by M21, M22, M23, M24, S3is received by M31, M32, M33, M34, and S4is received by M41, M42, M43, M44. The data signals are split or replicated in order to be supplied to the respective set of multiplexer inside or outside (as illustrated inFIG. 2) of the transceiver100.

Each of the multipliers Mik(where i=1 to 4 and k=1 to 4) outputs a weighted data signal Dikequal to the input data signal Si multiplied with a corresponding weight wik. The diagonal weights w11, w22, w33, and w44are unitary. The off-diagonal weights w12, w13, . . . , w43account for cross element effects, and are predetermined to minimize a total power in theoretical null points occurring when predetermined sets of data are transmitted via the data signals. The theoretical null points are calculated for the predetermined sets of data being transmitted via data signals S1, S2, S3, and S4, without considering the cross element effects. The weights are complex numbers, characterized, for example, by a magnitude and a phase. The apparatuses and methods employed in determining the weights will be described in detail.

The weights wik(where i=1 to 4 and k=1 to 4) may be stored semi-permanently in the multipliers, or may be stored in a memory120from which the weights are provided to the multipliers Mikwhen the multiplexing block105is activated. In general, there may be several sets of weights corresponding to different frequencies of the data signals. The use of different sets of weights for different frequency ranges leads to better performance. The memory120may be inside the transceiver100(as illustrated inFIG. 2) or may be and external memory.

The transceiver100may also include an interface130usable to update the weights stored in the memory120. Alternatively, multiplexing block100may include a different interface (not shown) usable to provide and/or update the weights wikstored semi-permanently in the multipliers Mik.

The multiplexing block105further includes four summation circuits: Σ1, Σ2, Σ3, and Σ4. Each of the summation circuits Σk(k=1 to 4) receives weighted data signals Dikfrom a subset of the multipliers Mik(i=1 to 4). The summation circuit Σkadds the received weighted data signals to output a signal Ek. The signal Ek is equal to a sum of a data signal Sk (since wkkis unitary), and a linear combination of the other input data signals (i.e., the weighted data signals).

The output signals Ek (k=1 to 4) are transmitted towards the antenna elements Ak, respectively. Between the multiplexing block105and the antenna array110, inside or outside (as illustrated inFIG. 2) of the transceiver100, a post processing block140may include components for performing further processing (e.g., frequency conversion, modulation, and amplification) of the signals Ek prior to being emitted by the antenna elements Ak. The post processing block140processes each signal (E1, E2, E3, E4) individually (i.e., this post processing does not involve combining the signals).

A transceiver100including the multiplexing block105compensates for the cross coupling effects by applying compensating signals in antenna elements other than an antenna element for which a data signal S is intended. The applied compensating signals are equal to the data signal S multiplied with a complex weight w that characterize the pair of the antenna element for which a data signal S is intended and the other antenna element on which a respective compensating signal is applied. Due to the compounded effect of the compensating signals, the beam is formed as if only the antenna element for which a data signal S is intended radiates, without cross element (e.g., mutual coupling) effects.

If a transceiver provides transmit signals to a number N (larger than two) of antenna elements, the transceiver will include N×N multiplexers Mik(where i=1 to N and k=1 to N), and N summer circuits Σk(k=1 to N).

A transceiver, having a structure similar to the transceiver100inFIG. 2, and connected to an antenna array with N antenna elements, may perform a method200of compensating for cross element effects. A flow diagram of the method200is illustrated inFIG. 3. Various embodiments performing the method200may be implemented in hardware, software or a combination thereof.

The method200includes, at S210, receiving data signals (e.g., S1, . . . , SN) to be transmitted via N antenna elements. At S220, the method200further includes outputting to at least one of the N antenna elements (e.g., antenna element i), a sum signal including (a) a data signal (i.e., Si), which data signal is designated for the at least one antenna element, and (b) a linear combination of data signals designated for other antenna elements of the antenna array, each of the data signals in the linear combination being weighted by a respective cross coupling coefficient between the at least one antenna element and an antenna element emitting the each of the data signals (i.e., Σk=1→N; k≠iwikSk).

Generally, cross element effects, such as mutual coupling, are relatively the same for antenna arrays having the same design. For example, it has been observed that measured mutual impedances (which characterize the mutual coupling) of different antenna arrays of same design have substantially equal values. Therefore, once weights used to compensate for the cross element effects for a particular design are established, they can be used for all other antenna arrays of same design.

FIG. 4is a schematic diagram of an apparatus300for determining cross coupling coefficients in an antenna array310, according to an exemplary embodiment. The antenna array310includes four antenna elements, but four is merely an illustrative number and is not intended to be limiting.

The apparatus300includes a multiplexing block320configured to receive data signals (S1, S2, S3, S4) to be transmitted via the antenna elements of the antenna array310, and to output towards at least one of the antenna elements (e.g., antenna element i) a sum signal (Ei) including (a) a data signal (Si), which data signal is designated for the at least one antenna element, and (b) a linear combination of data signals designated for other antenna elements of the antenna array, each of the data signals in the linear combination being weighted by a respective cross coupling coefficient between the at least one antenna element and an antenna element emitting the each of the data signals (i.e., Σk=1→N; k≠iwikSk).

A post processing block330may further process the signals Ei individually prior to the signals being emitted via the antenna elements.

The apparatus300further includes one or more measurement antennas340,345,350, and355, which are located at positions (e.g., z1, z2, z3, z4) corresponding to theoretical null points. The null points are positions at which amplitude of an electromagnetic beam due to the data signals S1, S2, S3, and S4is at a minimum (e.g., zero). The null points are calculated based on well-known electromagnetic equations without considering coupling effects of the antenna elements. The number of null points may be equal to or larger than the number of antennas, depending on the input signals. In general, the null points can be formed in many ways using different data transmitted via the signals S1. . . SN. For a three column antenna, three null points may be used, for a four column antenna, four or five null points may be used, etc.

Far enough from the location of the antenna array310, the theoretical null points may be characterized by azimuth angles θ1, θ2, θ3and θ4with a plane of the antenna array (an origin of which is the middle of the antenna array) as illustrated inFIG. 5. An azimuth angle convention frequently used is 0° in the y-axis direction with positive angles clockwise in the x-y plane inFIG. 1looking down on the z-axis. Using this convention, for a three column antenna array, nulls may be, for example, located at azimuth angles at about +38°, 0°, and −38°.

The apparatus300may include a plurality of antennas, each of which is placed at one of the theoretical null points. Alternatively, the apparatus300may include a single antenna that is successively placed at each position of the theoretical null points. The apparatus may include a position measurement assembly400configured to enable locating the positions corresponding to the theoretical null points relative to the antenna array.

The apparatus300further includes a processor configured to receive measurements of the power received in each of the measurements antennas (or the same antenna at different positions) and the data signals, in order to adjust the cross coupling coefficients to minimize the total power. Obtaining the cross coupling coefficients is an iterative process, newly adjusted cross coupling coefficients being transmitted to the multiplexing block320. The processor may include a correlator370and an adjustor380.

The correlator350may be configured to receive the measurements of the total power received in each of the (one or more) measurements antennas340,345,350and355and the data signals S1, S2, S3and S4. The correlator370may be configured to output normalized power values calculated based on the total power and the data signals.

The adjustor380may be configured to receive the normalized power values from the correlator370, in order to adjust the cross coupling coefficients using the normalized power values. The adjustor380may also be configured to output the adjusted cross coupling coefficients to the multiplexing block320.

The processor may be implemented as a combination of software and hardware. In order to obtain an optimal combination of cross coupling coefficients when, for example, with K null measurements and N columns are considered, a multivariate downhill method may be applied sequentially to minimize a multi-objective function of N*(N−1) variables:

Minimize⁢∑k=1K⁢{αk⁢Yk⁡(w1,w2,…⁢,wN*⁡(N-1))2}
where Ykis the amplitude of the kthsignal captured in a measurement antenna and αkis an optional measurement emphasis parameter. The optimization variables, which are related to the cross-coupling coefficients, are:

Based on a downhill method, the weight update wk,iat iteration n is:
wi(n+1)=wi(n)+μi
where wiis the weight i=1, 2, . . . N*(N−1), μiis the convergence constant. One or more than one weight may be adjusted at the same time. The weights are thus updated using an iterative method.

The convergence constant μidetermines the rate at which the optimization will converge. The larger the convergence constant, the faster the algorithm will converge.

FIG. 6is a graph illustrating an uncompensated antenna pattern500, a theoretical antenna pattern510, and a first error520(which is the difference between500and510) as functions of the azimuth angle θ.FIG. 7is a graph illustrating an antenna pattern530after compensation for coupling effects in the closest neighboring antenna element (i.e. after steps1and2above), the theoretical antenna pattern510, and a second error540(i.e., the difference between530and510) as functions of the azimuth angle θ.FIG. 8is a graph illustrating an antenna pattern550after compensation for coupling effects in more than the closest neighboring antenna element (i.e. after steps1,2,3and4above), the theoretical antenna pattern510, and a third error560(i.e., the difference between550and510) as functions of the azimuth angle θ. The graphs inFIGS. 6,7, and8are generated by a computer simulation, from which the ability to compensate for mutual coupling effects can be seen.

FIG. 9is a graph illustrating measured antenna patterns of a middle column of a three column antenna before correcting for coupling effects560, and after correcting for coupling effects570based on the afore-described techniques. The x-axis of the graph is the azimuth angle and the y axis is the gain.

FIG. 10is a flow diagram of a method600for determining cross coupling coefficients in an antenna array having a plurality of antenna elements. The method600includes receiving (S610) data signals to be transmitted via the antenna elements. The method600further includes outputting (S620) to at least one of the antenna elements, a sum signal of (i) a data signal among the data signals, which data signal is designated for the at least one antenna element, and (ii) a linear combination of the data signals designated for other antenna elements of the antenna array than the at least one antenna element, each of the data signals in the linear combination being weighted by a respective cross coupling coefficient between the at least one antenna element and an antenna element emitting the each of the data signals. The method600further includes measuring (S630) total power received in each of one or more measurement antennas located at positions corresponding to theoretical null points occurring when one or more predetermined sets of data are transmitted via the data signals, the theoretical null points being calculated without considering coupling effects of the antenna elements. The method600also includes adjusting (S640) the cross coupling coefficients to minimize the total power received by the one or more measurement antennas, respectively, when the one or more predetermined sets of data are transmitted via the data signals.

Steps S620, S630and S640of the method600may be performed iteratively until a predetermined convergence criterion is met. If a plurality of measuring antennas are used, the method600may include placing a measurement antenna at each of the theoretical null points. Alternatively, the method600may include sequentially placing the same measurement antenna at each of the theoretical null points. In the method600, each subset of cross coupling coefficients between one antenna element and other antenna elements may be obtained separately from all other the cross coupling coefficients, by performing S620as if the data signals include only a single data signal to be transmitted via the one antenna element.

The above-described methods, transceivers and apparatuses provide the ability to compensate for cross coupling (including but not limited to mutual coupling) while reducing the design time for antenna arrays by reducing the number of iterations that would otherwise be needed to achieve a good performance. Thus, they provide greater freedom in the choice of element design to better optimize attributes such as cost, manufacturability and repeatability. An antenna array operating in compensating mode behaves much closer to a theoretical antenna array thus yielding predictable performances and maximizing the benefit of using associated algorithms.

Unlike direct measurement of mutual coupling only, some of the above-described methods and devices also account for other non-idealities in the antenna array such as mechanical tolerances, effects of the actual radio equipment hardware, finite ground-plane effects, etc.

As also will be appreciated by one skilled in the art, the exemplary embodiments may be embodied in a wireless communication device, a telecommunication network, as a method or in a computer program product. Accordingly, the exemplary embodiments may take the form of an entirely hardware embodiment or an embodiment combining hardware and software aspects. Further, the exemplary embodiments may take the form of a computer program product stored on a computer-readable storage medium having computer-readable instructions embodied in the medium. Any suitable computer readable medium may be utilized including hard disks, CD-ROMs, digital versatile disc (DVD), optical storage devices, or magnetic storage devices such a floppy disk or magnetic tape. Other non-limiting examples of computer readable media include flash-type memories or other known memories.

Although the features and elements of the present exemplary embodiments are described in the embodiments in particular combinations, each feature or element can be used alone without the other features and elements of the embodiments or in various combinations with or without other features and elements disclosed herein. The methods or flow charts provided in the present application may be implemented in a computer program, software, or firmware tangibly embodied in a computer-readable storage medium for execution by a specifically programmed computer or processor.