Accurate characterization of T/R modules with consideration of amplitude/phase cross effect in AESA antenna unit

In this paper, an accurate characterization of a fabricated X-band transmit/receive module is described with the process of generating control data to correct amplitude and phase deviations in an active electronically scanned array antenna unit. In the characterization, quantization errors (from both a digitally controlled attenuator and a phase shifter) are considered using not theoretical values (due to discrete sets of amplitude and phase states) but measured values (of which implementation errors are a part). By using the presented procedure for the characterization, each initial control bit of both the attenuator and the phase shifter is closest to the required value for each array element position. In addition, each compensated control bit for the parasitic cross effect between amplitude and phase control is decided using the same procedure. Reduction of the peak sidelobe level of an array antenna is presented as an example to validate the proposed procedure.