Distributed local oscillator generation and synchronization

摘要

Methods, systems, computer-readable media, and apparatuses for locally generating and synchronizing oscillation signals in a phased array system are presented. Multiple sub-array modules are used for collectively transmitting any number of beams on carrier frequencies, wherein each of the sub-array modules includes a transmit antenna, an oscillator configured to generate an oscillation signal, and a control element configured to phase lock the oscillation signal with other oscillation signals used in the system. The control element determines a phase difference measure that represents an average difference in phase between the oscillation signal and other oscillation signals used in the system, generates an average error signal, wherein the average error signal represents the phase difference measure, obtains information regarding oscillator trim signals applied with respect to the other oscillation signals generated in the system, and adjusts a frequency of the oscillation signal using the generated local oscillator trim signal.

主权项

1. A method for frequency-synchronizing and phase-locking carrier signals in a phased array system, the system including multiple antennas, and the method comprising:
tuning multiple array elements to a common carrier frequency, wherein each of the array elements is tuned by:
synchronizing a phase and frequency of a locally generated oscillation signal with other oscillation signals used in the system, and wherein synchronizing includes:
determining a phase difference between the locally generated oscillation signal and at least one of the other oscillation signals;providing an error signal that represents the phase difference;obtaining information regarding oscillator trim signals applied with respect to the other oscillation signals;generating a local oscillator trim signal, wherein the local oscillator trim signal is generated based on the error signal and the obtained information; andadjusting a frequency of the locally generated oscillation signal by applying the local oscillator trim signal; andtransmitting information at the antennas, wherein the information is transmitted using the common carrier frequency.