Six-port junctions in a phased array antenna for accurate beamsteering

A configuration of a six-port junction is proposed which can be used in a phase and amplitude loop control for phased array antennas. This six-port junction is placed between each radiating element, allowing the measurement of relative phase and amplitude of the signal in each branch, One branch or radiating element is used as a reference. Such measurements allow better performance in beamsteering because they permit the use of analog phase shifters without the need of precalibration, which can degrade with time. Also, variations in electronic circuit characteristics can be compensated to allow a constant performance of the array: the six-port junction can be accurately recalibrated at any time. A two-branch array in a transmission mode is used for the description of the proposed principle.<>