Friday 23 May 2025
The quest for precise calibration of phased arrays, a crucial step in ensuring reliable communication and navigation systems, has long been a challenge for researchers and engineers. A recent breakthrough in this field has shed new light on a novel approach to achieve high-precision phase control at the first harmonic, thereby overcoming key limitations of conventional calibration methods.
Phased arrays are ubiquitous in modern technology, powering applications such as radar systems, satellite communications, and even autonomous vehicles. Their ability to steer beams and adapt to changing environments relies heavily on accurate calibration, which ensures that each element in the array is properly aligned and phased with respect to others. However, traditional calibration methods often fall short in achieving the required precision, especially when dealing with large arrays or complex antenna designs.
The proposed method, dubbed Rotating-Element Harmonic Electric-Field Vector (REHV), leverages a clever combination of modulation techniques and harmonic analysis to achieve high-precision phase control at the first harmonic. By periodically modulating two cyclically phased elements in a phased array, the researchers demonstrated an equivalent 8-bit phase shift accuracy with a remarkable root-mean-square error (RMSE) of just 0.19 degrees.
The REHV method’s unique advantage lies in its ability to generate precise phase shifts without relying on physical phase shifters. Instead, it exploits the time-modulation property of harmonic signals to control the relative delay between modulation timing and the array’s fundamental frequency. This approach eliminates the need for high-precision phase shifters, a significant limitation of traditional methods.
Experimental results validate the effectiveness of REHV in achieving accurate calibration of phased arrays. In a series of experiments, the researchers successfully calibrated an 8-element uniform linear array operating at 2.6 GHz, demonstrating an amplitude imbalance below 0.9 dB and phase imbalance below 2.8 degrees. Furthermore, OTA (over-the-air) calibration tests confirmed the method’s ability to accurately align the array’s elements in a compact range microwave anechoic chamber.
The implications of REHV are far-reaching, potentially enabling more efficient and accurate calibration of large-scale phased arrays used in various applications. As researchers continue to push the boundaries of phased array technology, this breakthrough offers a promising solution for achieving high-precision phase control, ultimately paving the way for more reliable and effective communication systems.
In the pursuit of precise calibration, researchers have long sought innovative solutions to overcome the challenges of traditional methods.
Cite this article: “High-Precision Phase Control in Phased Arrays with REHV Method”, The Science Archive, 2025.
Phased Arrays, Calibration, Harmonic Analysis, Modulation Techniques, Phase Control, Electric-Field Vector, Rotating-Element Harmonic Electric Field Vector, Rehv Method, Phased Array Technology, Microwave Anechoic Chamber.
