Method for calibrating smart antenna array in real time

<b>Field of the Technology</b>

0001The invention relates generally to the smart antenna technology of a wireless communication system, more specifically to a real-time calibration method of a smart antenna array.

<b>Background of the Invention</b>

0002In the modem wireless communication system, usually the smart antenna is deployed in order to raise system capacity and sensitivity and to have communication for longer distant with lower transmission power.

0003In the China Patent CN99 1 11350.0 named "a calibration method of a smart antenna array and a device thereof", the real-time calibration device of the smart antenna includes a calibration link that is the connection of a coupled calibration network, a feeder cable, and a beacon transceiver; wherein the coupled calibration network connects with the antenna units accordingly, and the beacon transceivers connect with a baseband processor. The calibration steps are as follows: with the Vector Network Analyzer, pre-calibrating the coupled calibration network and recording transmission-coefficients of the coupled calibration network for receiving and transmitting; making receiving calibration: the transmission-coefficient amplitude of each receiving link is adjusted to the same as the transmission-coefficient amplitude of the reference link, and the transmission-coefficient phase difference Φ between each receiving link and the reference link is stored in the baseband processor; making transmitting calibration: the transmission-coefficient amplitude of each transmitting link is adjusted to the same as the transmission-coefficient amplitude of the reference link, and the transmission-coefficient phase difference Ψ between each receiving link and the reference link is stored in the baseband processor.

0004In the China Patent CN01 1 20547.4 named: "A couple calibration method and network of smart antenna array for a wireless communication system", based on the last patent, the couple calibration method and device are further designed in order to solve the problems: the receiving calibration accuracy of the receiver and the transmitting calibration accuracy of the transmitter in the base station are influenced by the smart antenna installation environment and landscape; and the performance during calibration is consistent with that during production.

0005In the above calibration techniques, the calibration method and device of the smart antenna array must have a beacon antenna or a coupled calibration network and must have a specific calibration link. The first patent concerns about the calibration at any time, but it lacks of a specific method to calibrate the smart antenna array during it is running.

<b>Summary of the Invention</b>

0006Objective of the invention is to provide a calibration method that can perform calibration during the smart antenna array is running without any beacon antenna, coupled network or calibration link, in order to make the smart antenna more practicable.

0007A real-time calibration method for a smart antenna array, comprises, <ul id="ul0001" list-style="none" compact="compact"><li>A) before installation, pre-calibrating the smart antenna array to obtain a pre-calibration transmission-coefficient matrix between antenna units in the smart antenna array;</li><li>B) after installation at site, loading the pre-calibration transmission-coefficient matrix into a base station to which the smart antenna array connects;</li><li>C) during the base station is running, transmitting a unit calibration signal in sequence in a time-slot by every transmitting link of the base station, and at the same time setting all other links of the smart antenna array, except the transmitting link, being in a reception state to receive the unit calibration signal, then measuring and recording the received unit calibration signal;</li><li>D) with the received unit calibration signal and the pre-calibration transmission-coefficient matrix, respectively calculating a ratio of a receiving transmission-coefficient matrix of each reception link to a receiving transmission-coefficient matrix of a reference link, and respectively calculating a ratio of transmitting transmission-coefficient matrix of each transmitting link to a transmitting transmission-coefficient matrix of the reference link.</li></ul>

0008The method of the invention is based on the fact that: a smart antenna array is a passive microwave (radio frequency) network; when structure of a smart antenna array is defined, the mutual coupling characteristic of antenna units of the smart antenna array is defined too. Therefore, the mutual coupling characteristic of a smart antenna array can be tested (pre-calibrated) at the vendor, and the transmission-coefficient matrix of antenna units is stored in the database of network management equipment (named OMC_R or LMT). At site, after installation said transmission-coefficient matrix is loaded to the base station to which the smart antenna array connects.

0009The smart antenna array calibration method provided by the invention works at time slots during its base station is running, so comparing with the present technique, the method is a real-time calibration method. Moreover, the method sequentially lets every transmission link transmit a unit calibration data, and takes the pre-calibration transmission-coefficient matrix loaded in the base station to calculate the parameters for calibration, so the calibration procedure and device are simplified.

0010For a smart antenna array with <i>N</i> antenna units, every link will transmit once, and other links receive the transmitted signal. Therefore, the real-time calibration repeats <i>N</i> times, and will take <i>N</i> time slots in one frame or in different frames, but in total it takes no more than 20 - 50 ms. Because a mobile communication system does not always work in full load, there are idle time slots, and these idle time slots can be used for real-time calibration.

0011For a TDD CDMA system, each link uses a same antenna unit for transmission and reception, so the pre-calibration can be done with Step A directly. For a FDD CDMA system, in order to isolate the transmission link and the reception link, the transmission and reception take different smart antenna arrays. In this case, the pre-calibration in Step A is done for two antenna arrays: transmission and reception, respectively. Furthermore, in site the relative position of said two antenna arrays is different, so the mutual transmission-coefficients of antenna units are unadjusted. In this case, some functions should be added in the transmitter and receiver. For example, the receiver can work at transmitting frequency range, and the transmitter can work at receiving frequency range; coupled circuits between each pair of receiver/transmitter and receiving-antenna-unit/transmitting-antenna-unit are added. With these changes, Step C can be used for real-time calibration for reception antenna array and transmission antenna array, respectively, in a FDD CDMA system, and this is similar to the real-time calibration of a TDD CDMA system.

0012With the received signal and the pre-calibration data, the reception and transmission transmission-coefficient matrix of the antenna array being calibrated can be calculated to perform the real-time calibration.

<b>Brief Description of the Drawings</b>

0013<ul id="ul0002" list-style="none" compact="compact"><li>Figure 1 shows a diagram of a base station with a smart antenna array for a Time Division Duplex communication system.</li><li>Figure 2 shows a diagram for transmission-coefficient pre-calibration of a smart antenna array.</li><li>Figure 3 shows a flowchart of the invention for calibrating a TDD-CDMA mobile communication system.</li><li>Figure 4 shows a diagram of a base station with smart antenna arrays for a FDD-CDMA mobile communication system.</li><li>Figure 5 shows a coupled circuit between radio frequency transceivers in figure 4.</li><li>Figure 6 shows a flowchart of invention for calibrating the reception antenna array of a FDD-CDMA mobile communication system.</li><li>Figure 7 shows a flowchart of invention for calibrating the transmission antenna array of a FDD-CDMA mobile communication system.</li></ul>

<b>Embodiments of the Invention</b>

0014Figure 1 shows a typical base station of a wireless communication system that is a TDD CDMA mobile communication system or a wireless local loop system. The base station includes: <i>n</i> (<i>n</i> is a positive integer) antenna units 201a, 201b ... 201n; <i>n</i> feeder cables 202a, 202b ... 202n that connect <i>n</i> radio frequency transceivers with the antenna units; <i>n</i> radio frequency transceivers 203a, 203b ... 203n and a baseband processor 204 connected with the <i>n</i> radio frequency transceivers. All the radio frequency transceivers use one local oscillator 208 to guarantee that all radio frequency transceivers are coherent.

0015In the smart antenna system, shown in Figure 1, there are <i>n</i> links for transmitting and receiving, and each link consists of an antenna unit 201x, a feeder cable 202x and a radio frequency transceiver 203x, where <i>x</i> is any integer in <i>n</i>. Obviously, the characteristics of each link, including the transmission-coefficient amplitude and phase, are different, and will change with the environment, such as temperature, humidity and the service time etc. If <i>a</i>^<i>th</i> link is taken as a reference link, said calibration is to obtain the transmission-coefficient amplitude and phase differences of other links with the reference link at a given carrier frequency during reception and transmission respectively. This means that the calibration is done for the whole antenna system including the antenna unit, the feeder cable and the radio frequency transceiver of every link.

0016When the structure of antenna array 205 is designed more firmly, and the relative position is fixed, the characteristics of the antenna array on a certain frequency condition will not be changed with various environment. Therefore, the antenna array can be pre-calibrated.

0017Refer to Figure 2. Suppose the pre-calibration is done at the antenna unit interface point A in Figure 1, one end of the radio frequency/microwave vector network analyzer 231 is connected with a transmitting antenna unit, such as Aa of the antenna unit 201 a, and another end is connected with all receiving antenna units, such as Ab, Ac ... An of 201b...201n, respectively; and then the transmission-coefficient C (a matrix) of every possible frequency can be measured. This is shown in formula (1):<maths id="math0001" num="(1)"><math display="block"><mrow><mtext>R = CT</mtext></mrow></math><img file="EP1548957A1_D0001.tif" /></maths>

0018Wherein the R and T are a receiving signal matrix and a transmitting signal matrix, respectively. Formula (1) shows that the receiving signal matrix equals to multiply transmission-coefficient matrix by transmitting signal matrix. During pre-calibration, C is measured by the radio frequency/microwave vector network analyzer 231; R and T are obtained from the receiving end and transmitting end during calibration, respectively. The R and T are a column matrix with <i>n</i> elements, and the C is the transmission-coefficient matrix of the antenna array with <i>n</i>×<i>n</i> elements that is the result of pre-calibration. Since the receiving link and the transmitting link are interchangeable, the matrix C is symmetric, i.e.<maths id="math0002" num="(2)"><math display="block"><mrow><mtext>Cij = Cji</mtext></mrow></math><img file="EP1548957A1_D0002.tif" /></maths>

0019When <i>i</i> is a transmitting link, <i>j</i> is the receiving links; and when <i>j</i> is a transmitting link, <i>i</i> is the receiving links.

0020Before the base station with the smart antenna is put into operation, the transmission matrix C must be loaded to the base station by the network management equipment of the mobile communication system. After that, the smart antenna system can be calibrated in real-time during the base station is running.

0021The real-time calibration is done at the interface point B (Ba, Bb ... Bn) in figure 1, i.e. at the interface point between digital signal processor (the baseband processor) 204 and each radio frequency transceiver 203a, 203b ... 203n. Suppose the uplink (reception) transmission-coefficient of x^th link is Sx and downlink (transmission) transmission-coefficient is Yx, then the measurement result at interface point B is shown in the following formula:<maths id="math0003" num="(3)"><math display="block"><mrow><mtext>R=DT</mtext></mrow></math><img file="EP1548957A1_D0003.tif" /></maths>

0022Wherein the R and T are the receiving matrix and the transmitting matrix, respectively, and they are column matrix with y elements. During calibration, R and T are read out from the baseband processor 204, and D is the transmission-coefficient matrix of the smart antenna system with <i>n</i>×<i>n</i> elements. The matrix D is the function of the matrices C, S and Y. Said calibration of the smart antenna system is to calculate the transmission-coefficient difference between each receiving and transmitting link with the reference link based on the measurement.

0023Any link can be taken as the reference link. Suppose the first link is taken as the reference link, the calibration requirement is to obtain the followings in real-time: <ul id="ul0003" list-style="none" compact="compact"><li>Receiving transmission-coefficient ratio of the x^th link and the reference link: Sx/S1 (x = 2, 3 ...<i>n</i>);</li><li>Transmitting transmission-coefficient ratio of the x^th link and the reference link:<maths id="math0004" num="(4)."><math display="block"><mrow><mtext>Yx/Y1 (x = 2, 3 ...</mtext><mtext mathvariant="italic">n</mtext><mtext>)</mtext></mrow></math><img file="EP1548957A1_D0004.tif" /></maths></li></ul>

0024The calibration procedure is described with reference to figure 2. The B interface point in figure 1 is connected to the radio frequency/microwave vector network analyzer 231; each link is set to the transmitting state in sequence, and when one link is in the transmitting state, the others (<i>n</i>-1 links) are set to the receiving state; input a unit of transmitting data to the transmitting link as the unit calibration signal, and other links receive the unit-transmitted data; then the following is obtained: <ul id="ul0004" list-style="none" compact="compact"><li>When <i>i</i>^<i>th</i> link is the transmitting link, other links (represented by x), except the <i>i</i>^<i>th</i> link, receive the signal as follow:<maths id="math0005" num="(5)."><math display="block"><mrow><mtext>Rix = Yi×Cix ×Sx   x≠ i</mtext></mrow></math><img file="EP1548957A1_D0005.tif" /></maths></li></ul>

0025Therefore, <i>n</i>× (<i>n-1</i>) received signals R are obtained (from the receivers). Since the C matrix has been known before (during pre-calibration), for the antenna system to be calibrated, the reception transmission-coefficient matrix ratios of each receiving link to the reference link, and the transmitting transmission-coefficient matrix ratios of each transmitting links to the reference link can be simply calculated.

0026In the following, take the number of antenna units <i>n</i> in an antenna array equaling to 3, 4, 6 and 8, respectively, as examples to deduce from formula (5) the calculation formulas for the reception transmission-coefficient matrix ratios of each receiving link to the reference link, and the transmitting transmission-coefficient matrix ratios of each transmitting link to the reference link. The reception transmission-coefficient matrix of the receiving links S can be summarized as follow: every link transmits in sequence, and when a link transmits, the received unit data signal of each receiving link is multiplied by the pre-calibrated transmission-coefficient between antenna unit of the said receiving link and antenna unit of the transmitting link. The transmitting transmission-coefficient matrix of the transmitting links Y can be summarized as follows: every link transmits in sequence, and when a link transmits, the received unit data signal of each receiving link is multiplied by the pre-calibrated transmission-coefficient between antenna unit of the said receiving link and antenna unit of the transmitting link. With the same principle, the calculation may take other ways.

0027For an antenna array with 3 antenna units, receiving transmission-coefficient matrix ratio of the other links (except the reference link) and the reference link, and, transmitting transmission-coefficient matrix ratio of the other links (except the reference link) and the reference link are calculated with the following formulas (the first antenna unit is taken as the reference link here):<maths id="math0006"><img file="EP1548957A1_D0006.tif" /></maths>

0028For an antenna array with 4 antenna units, receiving transmission-coefficient matrix ratio of the other links (except the reference link) and the reference link, and, transmitting transmission-coefficient matrix ratio of the other links (except the reference link) and the reference link are calculated with the following formulas (the first antenna unit is taken as the reference link here):<maths id="math0007"><img file="EP1548957A1_D0007.tif" /></maths>

0029For an antenna array with 6 antenna units, receiving transmission-coefficient matrix ratio of the other links (except the reference link) and the reference link, and, transmitting transmission-coefficient matrix ratio of the other links (except the reference link) and the reference link are calculated with the following formulas (the first antenna unit is taken as the reference link here):<maths id="math0008"><img file="EP1548957A1_D0008.tif" /></maths>

0030For an antenna array with 8 antenna units, receiving transmission-coefficient matrix ratio of the other links (except the reference link) and the reference link, and, transmitting transmission-coefficient matrix ratio of the other links (except the reference link) and the reference link, are calculated with the following formulas (the first antenna unit is taken as the reference link here):<maths id="math0009"><img file="EP1548957A1_D0009.tif" /></maths>

0031Figure 3 shows the real-time calibration flowchart for a TDD CDMA mobile communication system. Suppose the smart antenna array has <i>n</i> antenna units, and the base station is running normally. The real-time calibration starts by setting <i>i</i> = 1 and a idle time slot, and <i>t</i>^<i>th</i> link is the reference link.

0032Step 401, Set the <i>i</i>^<i>th</i> antenna unit (i = 1, 2 ...<i>n</i>) at the transmitting state and transmit a unit data, naturally the first link <i>i</i> = 1 is the transmitting link;    Step 402, Set the other <i>n</i> - <i>1</i> links at the receiving states that receive the unit data sent by the transmitting link;    Step 403, With the radio frequency/microwave vector network analyzer, the received signals of the <i>n</i> - <i>1</i> receiving links Rji (j = 1, 2 ... n; and j≠i) are measured one by one;    Step 404, Record the <i>n</i> - <i>1</i> measurements of this time;    Step 405, Detect whether <i>i</i> equals to <i>n</i>, when <i>i</i>≠ <i>n</i> go to Step 406 and when <i>i</i>=<i>n</i> go to Step 407;    Step 406, Calculate <i>i</i>=<i>i</i>+1 and determine a time slot, and then execute Steps 401 to 405 again;    Step 407, Calculate each receiving transmission-coefficient ratio of the other links (except the reference link) and the reference link Si/St, and each transmitting transmission-coefficient ratio of the other links (except the reference link) and the reference link Yi/Yt, and then the real-time calibration is ended.

0033Figure 4 shows a typical base station with a smart antenna in a FDD CDMA wireless communication system or a wireless loop system. The base station includes the following main parts: two antenna arrays: the receiving antenna array 301, which consists of <i>n</i> antenna units 301a, 301b ... 301n, and the transmitting antenna array 302, which consists of <i>m</i> antenna units 311a, 311b ... 311m; there are <i>n</i> receiving feeder cables 302a, 302b ... 302n and <i>m</i> transmitting feeder cables 312a, 312b ... 312m; there are <i>n</i> radio frequency receivers 303a, 303b ... 303n and <i>m</i> radio frequency transmitters 313a, 313b ... 313m; and the baseband processor 304. The <i>n</i> and <i>m</i> are the number of antenna units for the receiving antenna array and the transmitting antenna array, respectively, and they may be equal or non-equal. Correspondingly, there are <i>n</i> receivers 303 and <i>m</i> transmitters 313 (including power amplifiers) in the system. All receivers 303 and transmitters 313 have the same benchmark clock, and the receiving local oscillator 308 and the transmitting local oscillator 309 are locked on the benchmark clock in order to make radio frequency transceivers are coherent. As shown in figure 4, there is a coupled circuit 315 between each pair of the receiving antenna unit 301 and the transmitting antenna unit 311, and between each pair of the receiver 303 and the transmitter 313. there are <i>m</i> coupled circuit 315a, 315b,...315m shown in figure 4.

0034The pre-calibration procedure of two-antenna array is same as the TDD system, shown in Figure 2. During pre-calibration, the radio frequency/microwave vector network analyzer measures points A_Ra, A_Rb ... A_Rn and A_Ta, A_Tb ... A_Tm; and after installation, it measures points B_Ra, B_Rb ... B_Rn and B_Ta, B_Tb ... B_Tm. With the measurement, the transmission-coefficient matrices of two antenna arrays, including the transmission-coefficient matrix of the receiving antenna array C_R and the transmission-coefficient matrix of the transmitting antenna array C_T, are obtained. Since the relative position of the two antenna arrays is not fixed, the transmission-coefficient matrix between them cannot be calibrated at site. Nevertheless, the basic calibration requirement for a smart antenna system is the same (see formula (4)),which that is to obtain the transmission-coefficient difference of every receiving link and the reference link and to obtain the transmission-coefficient difference of every transmitting link and the reference link.

0035In order that the invention can be used in a FDD system, a coupled circuit 315, shown in figure 4, is added between each pair of the receiving antenna unit 301 and transmitting antenna unit 311 and between the receiver 303 and transmitter 313. This means that the receiver can measure the signal with transmitting frequency when the transmitting antenna array is calibrated and the transmitter can transmit the signal with receiving frequency when the receiving antenna array is calibrated.

0036Figure 5 shows the coupled circuit that is suitable for the number of antenna unit of the receiving antenna array <i>n</i> is not less than the number of antenna unit of the transmitting antenna array <i>m</i>. The coupled circuit should have the following functions: <ul id="ul0005" list-style="none" compact="compact"><li>during calibration of transmitting antenna array, the receiver local oscillator must provides the frequency signal that is suitable to transform the transmitted calibration radio frequency signal to a receivable middle frequency signal that can be received by the baseband processor;</li><li>during calibration of receiving antenna array, the transmitter local oscillator must provide the frequency signal so that the transmitted calibration RF signal has the same frequency as the receivable signal of the base station.</li></ul>

0037In Figure 5, suppose the receiver of a receiving link is 303x, the receiving antenna unit is 301x, and the transmitter of a transmitting link is 313j, the transmitting antenna unit is 311j; there is a coupled circuit between the receiver and transmitter. The coupled circuit consists of first, second and third couplers 325, 324 and 322, first, second and third radio frequency switches 326, 323 and 328, and the match resistances 327 and 321.

0038The first coupler 325 is connected between the receiving antenna unit 301x and the receiver 303x, and the first coupler 325 is also connected with the end 1 of the first radio frequency switch 326. The end 2 of the first radio frequency switch 326 is connected with the match resistance 327, and the radio frequency switch 326 is serially connected with the second radio frequency switch 323. The end 1 of the radio frequency switch 323 is connected with the match resistance 321, and the end 2 of the radio frequency switch 323 is connected with the third radio frequency switch 328. The end 1 of the third radio frequency switch 328 is connected to the output of the transmitter power amplifier 338 and the transmitting antenna unit 311j, through the second coupler 324; the end 2 of the third radio frequency switch 328 is connected to the output of the transmitter unit 337, through the third coupler 322. The base station automatically controls all the radio frequency switches 326, 323 and 328. All the couplers 325, 324 and 322 are the general radio frequency coupled circuit, and the coupling factor is controlled between -20 to -40dB.

0039When the base station works normally, the first radio frequency switch 326 connects to the end 2, the second radio frequency switch 323 connects to the end 1 and the third radio frequency switch 328 connects to the end 2 to make the system has better isolation between the receiving and transmitting antenna arrays.

0040When the number of the transmitting antenna units is greater than the number of receiving antenna units, i.e. <i>m</i> > <i>n</i>, some changes need to be done in the Figure 5, but engineers who are familiar with the microwave technology can do it well. The patent application will not give all the possible alternatives.

0041Figures 6 and 7 show the real-time calibration procedure of a smart antenna for the FDD system. For simplicity, take a smart antenna array with three links (links 1, 2 and 3) as an example to explain the calibration procedures of the receiving antenna array and the transmitting antenna array.

0042Figure 6 shows the calibration procedure of the receiving antenna array. Suppose first link (a) is the reference link (any link can be set as the reference link). When the first link are set at transmitting state, the coupled circuits of the second and third links are set as follow: the radio frequency switch 326 connects to its end 1; the radio frequency switch 323 connects to its end 2; and shut down all power amplifiers 338. After that, the second and third links are set at transmitting states in sequence and work at the received signal frequency; input a unit of transmitted data in baseband, and at the same time open all the receiver; there are <i>n</i>-<i>1</i> links, i.e. two links in this case, at receiving states to receive the transmitted data above; and then the followings are obtained: <ul id="ul0006" list-style="none" compact="compact"><li>When the <i>i</i>^<i>th</i> link transmits, other interface (x) receive signals as follow:<maths id="math0010" num="(10)."><math display="block"><mrow><msub><mrow><mtext>Rxi = Yi×C</mtext></mrow><mrow><mtext>R</mtext></mrow></msub><mtext>xi×Sx   x≠ i</mtext></mrow></math><img file="EP1548957A1_D0010.tif" /></maths></li></ul>

0043From this formula, 2× (<i>n-1</i>) received signals are read, and the Rxi can be obtained from the receiver. Since C_R matrix is known (the pre-calibration data), the ratio of the reception transmission-coefficient matrix of the receiving links and the reception transmission-coefficient matrix of the reference link can be calculated, and the calibration is completed.

0044Figure 6 shows the calibration procedure as follows, where link 1 in the smart antenna including links 1, 2, and 3 is set as the reference link (any link can be set as the reference link): <ul id="ul0007" list-style="none" compact="compact"><li>Step 501, The base station determines the reception calibration time-slot and sets link 2 at the transmitting state; radio frequency switch 326 is connected to its end 1, and radio frequency switch 323 is connected to its end 2; radio frequency switch 328 is connected to its end 2; so the transmitter is coupled with the receiver through the coupled circuit;</li><li>Step 502, Let the transmitter of link 2 work at reception frequency, and transmitters of other links are shut down;</li><li>Step 503, Let receivers of links x≠ 2 work at the receiving state;</li><li>Step 504, with the radio frequency/microwave vector network analyzer, the receiving matrices R_i2 (<i>i</i> = 1, 3) are measured at every antenna system interface;</li><li>Step 505, The base station determines the reception calibration time-slot, and the link 2 is set with connecting the radio frequency switch 326 to the end 2 and the radio frequency switch 323 to the end 1, and link 3 is set through connecting the radio frequency switch 326 to the end 1 and the radio frequency switch 323 to the end 2;</li><li>Step 506, Let the transmitter of link 3 work at reception frequency and shut down transmitters of all other links;</li><li>Step 507, Let receivers of links x≠ 3 work at the receiving state;</li><li>Step 508, With the radio frequency/microwave vector network analyzer, the receiving matrices R_i3 (i is any receiver with x≠ 3) are measured at every antenna system interface;</li><li>Step 510, Calculate calibration result S_i/S₁;</li><li>Step 511, the real-time calibration is ended, and the system recovers to the normal operation state.</li></ul>

0045As an example, the calculation formulas are given in the following, when the number of the antenna units of a smart antenna array equals to 3, 4, 6 and 8, respectively, and link 1 is set as the reference link, and S₁ is the reception transmission-coefficient matrix of the reference link.

0046For an antenna array with three antenna units, all links, except the reference link, have the following formulas that show the ratio of the link reception transmission-coefficient matrix to the reference link reception transmission-coefficient matrix:<maths id="math0011" num="(11)."><math display="block"><mrow><msub><mrow><mtext>S</mtext></mrow><mrow><mtext>2</mtext></mrow></msub><msub><mrow><mtext>/S</mtext></mrow><mrow><mtext>1</mtext></mrow></msub><msub><mrow><mtext>=R</mtext></mrow><mrow><mtext>23</mtext></mrow></msub><msub><mrow><mtext>C</mtext></mrow><mrow><mtext>R13</mtext></mrow></msub><msub><mrow><mtext>/R</mtext></mrow><mrow><mtext>13</mtext></mrow></msub><msub><mrow><mtext>C</mtext></mrow><mrow><mtext>R23</mtext></mrow></msub><mspace linebreak="newline" /><msub><mrow><mtext> S</mtext></mrow><mrow><mtext>3</mtext></mrow></msub><msub><mrow><mtext>/S</mtext></mrow><mrow><mtext>1</mtext></mrow></msub><msub><mrow><mtext>=R</mtext></mrow><mrow><mtext>32</mtext></mrow></msub><msub><mrow><mtext>C</mtext></mrow><mrow><mtext>R12</mtext></mrow></msub><msub><mrow><mtext>/R</mtext></mrow><mrow><mtext>12</mtext></mrow></msub><msub><mrow><mtext>C</mtext></mrow><mrow><mtext>R23</mtext></mrow></msub></mrow></math><img file="EP1548957A1_D0011.tif" /></maths>

0047For an antenna array with four antenna units, all links, except the reference link, have the following formulas that show the ratio of the link reception transmission-coefficient matrix to the reference link reception transmission-coefficient matrix:<maths id="math0012" num="(12)."><math display="block"><mrow><msub><mrow><mtext>S</mtext></mrow><mrow><mtext>2</mtext></mrow></msub><msub><mrow><mtext>/S</mtext></mrow><mrow><mtext>1</mtext></mrow></msub><msub><mrow><mtext>=R</mtext></mrow><mrow><mtext>23</mtext></mrow></msub><msub><mrow><mtext>C</mtext></mrow><mrow><mtext>R13</mtext></mrow></msub><msub><mrow><mtext>/R</mtext></mrow><mrow><mtext>13</mtext></mrow></msub><msub><mrow><mtext>C</mtext></mrow><mrow><mtext>R23</mtext></mrow></msub><mspace linebreak="newline" /><msub><mrow><mtext> S</mtext></mrow><mrow><mtext>3</mtext></mrow></msub><msub><mrow><mtext>/S</mtext></mrow><mrow><mtext>1</mtext></mrow></msub><msub><mrow><mtext>=R</mtext></mrow><mrow><mtext>32</mtext></mrow></msub><msub><mrow><mtext>C</mtext></mrow><mrow><mtext>R12</mtext></mrow></msub><msub><mrow><mtext>/R</mtext></mrow><mrow><mtext>12</mtext></mrow></msub><msub><mrow><mtext>C</mtext></mrow><mrow><mtext>R23</mtext></mrow></msub><mspace linebreak="newline" /><msub><mrow><mtext> S</mtext></mrow><mrow><mtext>4</mtext></mrow></msub><msub><mrow><mtext>/S</mtext></mrow><mrow><mtext>1</mtext></mrow></msub><msub><mrow><mtext>=R</mtext></mrow><mrow><mtext>42</mtext></mrow></msub><msub><mrow><mtext>C</mtext></mrow><mrow><mtext>R12</mtext></mrow></msub><msub><mrow><mtext>/R</mtext></mrow><mrow><mtext>12</mtext></mrow></msub><msub><mrow><mtext>C</mtext></mrow><mrow><mtext>R24</mtext></mrow></msub><mtext>.</mtext></mrow></math><img file="EP1548957A1_D0012.tif" /></maths>

0048For an antenna array with six antenna units, all links, except the reference link, have the following formulas that show the ratio of the link reception transmission-coefficient matrix to the reference link reception transmission-coefficient matrix:<maths id="math0013" num="(13)."><math display="block"><mrow><msub><mrow><mtext>S</mtext></mrow><mrow><mtext>2</mtext></mrow></msub><msub><mrow><mtext>/S</mtext></mrow><mrow><mtext>1</mtext></mrow></msub><msub><mrow><mtext>=R</mtext></mrow><mrow><mtext>23</mtext></mrow></msub><msub><mrow><mtext>C</mtext></mrow><mrow><mtext>R13</mtext></mrow></msub><msub><mrow><mtext>/R</mtext></mrow><mrow><mtext>13</mtext></mrow></msub><msub><mrow><mtext>C</mtext></mrow><mrow><mtext>R23</mtext></mrow></msub><mspace linebreak="newline" /><msub><mrow><mtext> S</mtext></mrow><mrow><mtext>3</mtext></mrow></msub><msub><mrow><mtext>/S</mtext></mrow><mrow><mtext>1</mtext></mrow></msub><msub><mrow><mtext>=R</mtext></mrow><mrow><mtext>32</mtext></mrow></msub><msub><mrow><mtext>C</mtext></mrow><mrow><mtext>R12</mtext></mrow></msub><msub><mrow><mtext>/R</mtext></mrow><mrow><mtext>12</mtext></mrow></msub><msub><mrow><mtext>C</mtext></mrow><mrow><mtext>R23</mtext></mrow></msub><mspace linebreak="newline" /><msub><mrow><mtext> S</mtext></mrow><mrow><mtext>4</mtext></mrow></msub><msub><mrow><mtext>/S</mtext></mrow><mrow><mtext>1</mtext></mrow></msub><msub><mrow><mtext>=R</mtext></mrow><mrow><mtext>42</mtext></mrow></msub><msub><mrow><mtext>C</mtext></mrow><mrow><mtext>R12</mtext></mrow></msub><msub><mrow><mtext>/R</mtext></mrow><mrow><mtext>12</mtext></mrow></msub><msub><mrow><mtext>C</mtext></mrow><mrow><mtext>R</mtext></mrow></msub><mspace linebreak="newline" /><msub><mrow><mtext> S</mtext></mrow><mrow><mtext>5</mtext></mrow></msub><msub><mrow><mtext>/S</mtext></mrow><mrow><mtext>1</mtext></mrow></msub><msub><mrow><mtext>=R</mtext></mrow><mrow><mtext>52</mtext></mrow></msub><msub><mrow><mtext>C</mtext></mrow><mrow><mtext>R12</mtext></mrow></msub><msub><mrow><mtext>/R</mtext></mrow><mrow><mtext>12</mtext></mrow></msub><msub><mrow><mtext>C</mtext></mrow><mrow><mtext>R23</mtext></mrow></msub><mspace linebreak="newline" /><msub><mrow><mtext> S</mtext></mrow><mrow><mtext>6</mtext></mrow></msub><msub><mrow><mtext>/S</mtext></mrow><mrow><mtext>1</mtext></mrow></msub><msub><mrow><mtext>=R</mtext></mrow><mrow><mtext>62</mtext></mrow></msub><msub><mrow><mtext>C</mtext></mrow><mrow><mtext>R12</mtext></mrow></msub><msub><mrow><mtext>/R</mtext></mrow><mrow><mtext>12</mtext></mrow></msub><msub><mrow><mtext>C</mtext></mrow><mrow><mtext>R26</mtext></mrow></msub></mrow></math><img file="EP1548957A1_D0013.tif" /></maths>

0049For an antenna array with eight antenna units, all links, except the reference link, have the following formulas that show the ratio of the link reception transmission-coefficient matrix to the reference link reception transmission-coefficient matrix:<maths id="math0014" num="(14)"><math display="block"><mrow><msub><mrow><mtext>S</mtext></mrow><mrow><mtext>2</mtext></mrow></msub><msub><mrow><mtext>/S</mtext></mrow><mrow><mtext>1</mtext></mrow></msub><msub><mrow><mtext>=R</mtext></mrow><mrow><mtext>23</mtext></mrow></msub><msub><mrow><mtext>C</mtext></mrow><mrow><mtext>R13</mtext></mrow></msub><msub><mrow><mtext>/R</mtext></mrow><mrow><mtext>13</mtext></mrow></msub><msub><mrow><mtext>C</mtext></mrow><mrow><mtext>R23</mtext></mrow></msub><mspace linebreak="newline" /><msub><mrow><mtext> S</mtext></mrow><mrow><mtext>3</mtext></mrow></msub><msub><mrow><mtext>/S</mtext></mrow><mrow><mtext>1</mtext></mrow></msub><msub><mrow><mtext>=R</mtext></mrow><mrow><mtext>32</mtext></mrow></msub><msub><mrow><mtext>C</mtext></mrow><mrow><mtext>R12</mtext></mrow></msub><msub><mrow><mtext>/R</mtext></mrow><mrow><mtext>12</mtext></mrow></msub><msub><mrow><mtext>C</mtext></mrow><mrow><mtext>R23</mtext></mrow></msub><mspace linebreak="newline" /><msub><mrow><mtext> S</mtext></mrow><mrow><mtext>4</mtext></mrow></msub><msub><mrow><mtext>/S</mtext></mrow><mrow><mtext>1</mtext></mrow></msub><msub><mrow><mtext>=R</mtext></mrow><mrow><mtext>42</mtext></mrow></msub><msub><mrow><mtext>C</mtext></mrow><mrow><mtext>R12</mtext></mrow></msub><msub><mrow><mtext>/R</mtext></mrow><mrow><mtext>12</mtext></mrow></msub><msub><mrow><mtext>C</mtext></mrow><mrow><mtext>R24</mtext></mrow></msub><mspace linebreak="newline" /><msub><mrow><mtext> S</mtext></mrow><mrow><mtext>5</mtext></mrow></msub><msub><mrow><mtext>/S</mtext></mrow><mrow><mtext>1</mtext></mrow></msub><msub><mrow><mtext>=R</mtext></mrow><mrow><mtext>52</mtext></mrow></msub><msub><mrow><mtext>C</mtext></mrow><mrow><mtext>R12</mtext></mrow></msub><msub><mrow><mtext>/R</mtext></mrow><mrow><mtext>12</mtext></mrow></msub><msub><mrow><mtext>C</mtext></mrow><mrow><mtext>R2</mtext></mrow></msub><mspace linebreak="newline" /><msub><mrow><mtext> S</mtext></mrow><mrow><mtext>6</mtext></mrow></msub><msub><mrow><mtext>/S</mtext></mrow><mrow><mtext>1</mtext></mrow></msub><msub><mrow><mtext>=R</mtext></mrow><mrow><mtext>62</mtext></mrow></msub><msub><mrow><mtext>C</mtext></mrow><mrow><mtext>R12</mtext></mrow></msub><msub><mrow><mtext>/R</mtext></mrow><mrow><mtext>12</mtext></mrow></msub><msub><mrow><mtext>C</mtext></mrow><mrow><mtext>R26</mtext></mrow></msub><mspace linebreak="newline" /><msub><mrow><mtext> S</mtext></mrow><mrow><mtext>7</mtext></mrow></msub><msub><mrow><mtext>/S</mtext></mrow><mrow><mtext>1</mtext></mrow></msub><msub><mrow><mtext>=R</mtext></mrow><mrow><mtext>72</mtext></mrow></msub><msub><mrow><mtext>C</mtext></mrow><mrow><mtext>R12</mtext></mrow></msub><msub><mrow><mtext>/R</mtext></mrow><mrow><mtext>12</mtext></mrow></msub><msub><mrow><mtext>C</mtext></mrow><mrow><mtext>R27</mtext></mrow></msub><mspace linebreak="newline" /><msub><mrow><mtext> S</mtext></mrow><mrow><mtext>8</mtext></mrow></msub><msub><mrow><mtext>/S</mtext></mrow><mrow><mtext>1</mtext></mrow></msub><msub><mrow><mtext>=R</mtext></mrow><mrow><mtext>82</mtext></mrow></msub><msub><mrow><mtext>C</mtext></mrow><mrow><mtext>R12</mtext></mrow></msub><msub><mrow><mtext>/R</mtext></mrow><mrow><mtext>12</mtext></mrow></msub><msub><mrow><mtext>C</mtext></mrow><mrow><mtext>R28</mtext></mrow></msub></mrow></math><img file="EP1548957A1_D0014.tif" /></maths>

0050Figure 7 shows the calibration procedure of the transmitting antenna array. Suppose first link (a) is the reference link (any link can be set as the reference link). The coupled circuits of all links expect the transmitting link are set as follow: the radio frequency switch 326 connects to its end 1; the radio frequency switch 323 connects to its end 2; the radio frequency switch 328 connects to its end 1. After that, every link is set at transmitting states in sequence; input a unit of transmitted data in baseband; and shut down all other links including their transmitters and power amplifiers. At the same time, all receivers are opened and work on the transmission frequency, except the receiver that couples with the transmitting link. Therefore, there are <i>m-1</i> links at receiving states to receive the transmitted data above; and then the followings are obtained: <ul id="ul0008" list-style="none" compact="compact"><li>When the <i>i</i>^<i>th</i> link transmits, other interface (x) receive signals as follow:<maths id="math0015" num="(15)."><math display="block"><mrow><msub><mrow><mtext>Rxi = Yi×C</mtext></mrow><mrow><mtext>T</mtext></mrow></msub><mtext>xi×Sx   x≠ i</mtext></mrow></math><img file="EP1548957A1_D0015.tif" /></maths></li></ul>

0051From this formula, m× (m-1) received signals are read, and the Rxi can be measured. Since C_T matrix is known (the pre-calibration data), the ratio of the transmitting transmission-coefficient matrix of the transmitting links to the transmitting transmission-coefficient matrix of the reference link can be calculated, and the calibration is completed.

0052Suppose link z is the reference link, and steps in Figure 7 are described in the following: <ul id="ul0009" list-style="none" compact="compact"><li>Step 601, The base station determines the transmission calibration time-slot;</li><li>Step 602, Set the first link as the reference link, and <i>j</i> = 1;</li><li>Step 603, Let receivers of links x≠ j work at the transmission frequency and the link is at receiving state; in their coupled circuits, radio frequency switch 326 connects to its end 1, radio frequency switch 323 connects to its end 2, and radio frequency switch 328 connects to its end 1;</li><li>Step 604, The transmitter of <i>j</i>^<i>th</i> link transmits, and transmitters of other links are shut down;</li><li>Step 605, With the radio frequency/microwave vector network analyzer, the receiving matrix of the <i>m</i> - <i>1</i> receivers R_xj (<i>x</i> = 1, 2 ... <i>m</i> and <i>x</i>≠<i>j</i>) are measured;</li><li>Step 606, Detect whether <i>j</i> equals to <i>m</i>, if <i>j</i>=<i>m,</i> go to Step 608, and if <i>j</i>≠ <i>m</i>, go to Step 607;</li><li>Step 607, Set <i>j</i> = <i>j</i> + 1 and go to Step 603 until <i>j</i> = <i>m</i>;</li><li>Step 608, Calculate Y_j/Y_z (the ratio of other links transmitting transmission-coefficient matrix to the reference link transmitting transmission-coefficient matrix Y) to implement real-time calibration;</li><li>Step 609, Record the calculation result, the real-time calibration is ended, and the base station recovers to the normal operation state.</li></ul>

0053As an example, the calculation formulas are given in the following, when the number of the antenna units of a smart antenna array equals to 3, 4, 6 and 8, respectively.

0054For an antenna array with three antenna units, all links, except the reference link, have the following formulas that show the ratio of the link transmitting transmission-coefficient matrix to the reference link transmitting transmission-coefficient matrix:<maths id="math0016" num="(16)."><math display="block"><mrow><msub><mrow><mtext>Y</mtext></mrow><mrow><mtext>2</mtext></mrow></msub><msub><mrow><mtext>/Y</mtext></mrow><mrow><mtext>1</mtext></mrow></msub><msub><mrow><mtext>=R</mtext></mrow><mrow><mtext>32</mtext></mrow></msub><msub><mrow><mtext>C</mtext></mrow><mrow><mtext>T13</mtext></mrow></msub><msub><mrow><mtext>/R</mtext></mrow><mrow><mtext>31</mtext></mrow></msub><msub><mrow><mtext>C</mtext></mrow><mrow><mtext>T23</mtext></mrow></msub><mspace linebreak="newline" /><msub><mrow><mtext> Y</mtext></mrow><mrow><mtext>3</mtext></mrow></msub><msub><mrow><mtext>/Y</mtext></mrow><mrow><mtext>1</mtext></mrow></msub><msub><mrow><mtext>=R</mtext></mrow><mrow><mtext>23</mtext></mrow></msub><msub><mrow><mtext>C</mtext></mrow><mrow><mtext>T12</mtext></mrow></msub><msub><mrow><mtext>/R</mtext></mrow><mrow><mtext>21</mtext></mrow></msub><msub><mrow><mtext>C</mtext></mrow><mrow><mtext>T23</mtext></mrow></msub></mrow></math><img file="EP1548957A1_D0016.tif" /></maths>

0055For an antenna array with four antenna units, all links, except the reference link, have the following formulas that show the ratio of the link transmitting transmission-coefficient matrix to the reference link transmitting transmission-coefficient matrix:<maths id="math0017" num="(17)"><math display="block"><mrow><msub><mrow><mtext>Y</mtext></mrow><mrow><mtext>2</mtext></mrow></msub><msub><mrow><mtext>/Y</mtext></mrow><mrow><mtext>1</mtext></mrow></msub><msub><mrow><mtext>=R</mtext></mrow><mrow><mtext>32</mtext></mrow></msub><msub><mrow><mtext>C</mtext></mrow><mrow><mtext>T13</mtext></mrow></msub><msub><mrow><mtext>/R</mtext></mrow><mrow><mtext>31</mtext></mrow></msub><msub><mrow><mtext>C</mtext></mrow><mrow><mtext>T23</mtext></mrow></msub><mspace linebreak="newline" /><msub><mrow><mtext> Y</mtext></mrow><mrow><mtext>3</mtext></mrow></msub><msub><mrow><mtext>/Y</mtext></mrow><mrow><mtext>1</mtext></mrow></msub><msub><mrow><mtext>=R</mtext></mrow><mrow><mtext>32</mtext></mrow></msub><msub><mrow><mtext>C</mtext></mrow><mrow><mtext>T13</mtext></mrow></msub><msub><mrow><mtext>/R</mtext></mrow><mrow><mtext>31</mtext></mrow></msub><msub><mrow><mtext>C</mtext></mrow><mrow><mtext>T23</mtext></mrow></msub><mspace linebreak="newline" /><msub><mrow><mtext> Y</mtext></mrow><mrow><mtext>4</mtext></mrow></msub><msub><mrow><mtext>/Y</mtext></mrow><mrow><mtext>1</mtext></mrow></msub><msub><mrow><mtext>=R</mtext></mrow><mrow><mtext>32</mtext></mrow></msub><msub><mrow><mtext>C</mtext></mrow><mrow><mtext>T13</mtext></mrow></msub><msub><mrow><mtext>/R</mtext></mrow><mrow><mtext>31</mtext></mrow></msub><msub><mrow><mtext>C</mtext></mrow><mrow><mtext>T23</mtext></mrow></msub></mrow></math><img file="EP1548957A1_D0017.tif" /></maths>

0056For an antenna array with six antenna units, all links, except the reference link, have the following formulas that show the ratio of the link transmitting transmission-coefficient matrix to the reference link transmitting transmission-coefficient matrix:<maths id="math0018" num="(18)"><math display="block"><mrow><msub><mrow><mtext>Y</mtext></mrow><mrow><mtext>2</mtext></mrow></msub><msub><mrow><mtext>/Y</mtext></mrow><mrow><mtext>1</mtext></mrow></msub><msub><mrow><mtext>=R</mtext></mrow><mrow><mtext>32</mtext></mrow></msub><msub><mrow><mtext>C</mtext></mrow><mrow><mtext>T13</mtext></mrow></msub><msub><mrow><mtext>/R</mtext></mrow><mrow><mtext>31</mtext></mrow></msub><msub><mrow><mtext>C</mtext></mrow><mrow><mtext>T23</mtext></mrow></msub><mspace linebreak="newline" /><msub><mrow><mtext> Y</mtext></mrow><mrow><mtext>3</mtext></mrow></msub><msub><mrow><mtext>/Y</mtext></mrow><mrow><mtext>1</mtext></mrow></msub><msub><mrow><mtext>=R</mtext></mrow><mrow><mtext>32</mtext></mrow></msub><msub><mrow><mtext>C</mtext></mrow><mrow><mtext>T13</mtext></mrow></msub><msub><mrow><mtext>/R</mtext></mrow><mrow><mtext>31</mtext></mrow></msub><msub><mrow><mtext>C</mtext></mrow><mrow><mtext>T23</mtext></mrow></msub><mspace linebreak="newline" /><msub><mrow><mtext> Y</mtext></mrow><mrow><mtext>4</mtext></mrow></msub><msub><mrow><mtext>/Y</mtext></mrow><mrow><mtext>1</mtext></mrow></msub><msub><mrow><mtext>=R</mtext></mrow><mrow><mtext>32</mtext></mrow></msub><msub><mrow><mtext>C</mtext></mrow><mrow><mtext>T13</mtext></mrow></msub><msub><mrow><mtext>/R</mtext></mrow><mrow><mtext>31</mtext></mrow></msub><msub><mrow><mtext>C</mtext></mrow><mrow><mtext>T23</mtext></mrow></msub><mspace linebreak="newline" /><msub><mrow><mtext> Y</mtext></mrow><mrow><mtext>5</mtext></mrow></msub><msub><mrow><mtext>/Y</mtext></mrow><mrow><mtext>1</mtext></mrow></msub><msub><mrow><mtext>=R</mtext></mrow><mrow><mtext>32</mtext></mrow></msub><msub><mrow><mtext>C</mtext></mrow><mrow><mtext>T13</mtext></mrow></msub><msub><mrow><mtext>/R</mtext></mrow><mrow><mtext>31</mtext></mrow></msub><msub><mrow><mtext>C</mtext></mrow><mrow><mtext>T23</mtext></mrow></msub><mspace linebreak="newline" /><msub><mrow><mtext> Y</mtext></mrow><mrow><mtext>6</mtext></mrow></msub><msub><mrow><mtext>/Y</mtext></mrow><mrow><mtext>1</mtext></mrow></msub><msub><mrow><mtext>=R</mtext></mrow><mrow><mtext>32</mtext></mrow></msub><msub><mrow><mtext>C</mtext></mrow><mrow><mtext>T13</mtext></mrow></msub><msub><mrow><mtext>/R</mtext></mrow><mrow><mtext>31</mtext></mrow></msub><msub><mrow><mtext>C</mtext></mrow><mrow><mtext>T23</mtext></mrow></msub></mrow></math><img file="EP1548957A1_D0018.tif" /></maths>

0057For an antenna array with eight antenna units, all links, except the reference link, have the following formulas that show the ratio of the link transmitting transmission-coefficient matrix to the reference link transmitting transmission-coefficient matrix:<maths id="math0019" num="(19)"><math display="block"><mrow><msub><mrow><mtext>Y</mtext></mrow><mrow><mtext>2</mtext></mrow></msub><msub><mrow><mtext>/Y</mtext></mrow><mrow><mtext>1</mtext></mrow></msub><msub><mrow><mtext>=R</mtext></mrow><mrow><mtext>32</mtext></mrow></msub><msub><mrow><mtext>C</mtext></mrow><mrow><mtext>T13</mtext></mrow></msub><msub><mrow><mtext>/R</mtext></mrow><mrow><mtext>31</mtext></mrow></msub><msub><mrow><mtext>C</mtext></mrow><mrow><mtext>T23</mtext></mrow></msub><mspace linebreak="newline" /><msub><mrow><mtext> Y</mtext></mrow><mrow><mtext>3</mtext></mrow></msub><msub><mrow><mtext>/Y</mtext></mrow><mrow><mtext>1</mtext></mrow></msub><msub><mrow><mtext>=R</mtext></mrow><mrow><mtext>32</mtext></mrow></msub><msub><mrow><mtext>C</mtext></mrow><mrow><mtext>T13</mtext></mrow></msub><msub><mrow><mtext>/R</mtext></mrow><mrow><mtext>31</mtext></mrow></msub><msub><mrow><mtext>C</mtext></mrow><mrow><mtext>T23</mtext></mrow></msub><mspace linebreak="newline" /><msub><mrow><mtext> Y</mtext></mrow><mrow><mtext>4</mtext></mrow></msub><msub><mrow><mtext>/Y</mtext></mrow><mrow><mtext>1</mtext></mrow></msub><msub><mrow><mtext>=R</mtext></mrow><mrow><mtext>32</mtext></mrow></msub><msub><mrow><mtext>C</mtext></mrow><mrow><mtext>T13</mtext></mrow></msub><msub><mrow><mtext>/R</mtext></mrow><mrow><mtext>31</mtext></mrow></msub><msub><mrow><mtext>C</mtext></mrow><mrow><mtext>T23</mtext></mrow></msub><mspace linebreak="newline" /><msub><mrow><mtext> Y</mtext></mrow><mrow><mtext>5</mtext></mrow></msub><msub><mrow><mtext>/Y</mtext></mrow><mrow><mtext>1</mtext></mrow></msub><msub><mrow><mtext>=R</mtext></mrow><mrow><mtext>32</mtext></mrow></msub><msub><mrow><mtext>C</mtext></mrow><mrow><mtext>T13</mtext></mrow></msub><msub><mrow><mtext>/R</mtext></mrow><mrow><mtext>31</mtext></mrow></msub><msub><mrow><mtext>C</mtext></mrow><mrow><mtext>T23</mtext></mrow></msub><mspace linebreak="newline" /><msub><mrow><mtext> Y</mtext></mrow><mrow><mtext>6</mtext></mrow></msub><msub><mrow><mtext>/Y</mtext></mrow><mrow><mtext>1</mtext></mrow></msub><msub><mrow><mtext>=R</mtext></mrow><mrow><mtext>32</mtext></mrow></msub><msub><mrow><mtext>C</mtext></mrow><mrow><mtext>T13</mtext></mrow></msub><msub><mrow><mtext>/R</mtext></mrow><mrow><mtext>31</mtext></mrow></msub><msub><mrow><mtext>C</mtext></mrow><mrow><mtext>T23</mtext></mrow></msub><mspace linebreak="newline" /><msub><mrow><mtext> Y</mtext></mrow><mrow><mtext>7</mtext></mrow></msub><msub><mrow><mtext>/Y</mtext></mrow><mrow><mtext>1</mtext></mrow></msub><msub><mrow><mtext>=R</mtext></mrow><mrow><mtext>32</mtext></mrow></msub><msub><mrow><mtext>C</mtext></mrow><mrow><mtext>T13</mtext></mrow></msub><msub><mrow><mtext>/R</mtext></mrow><mrow><mtext>31</mtext></mrow></msub><msub><mrow><mtext>C</mtext></mrow><mrow><mtext>T23</mtext></mrow></msub><mspace linebreak="newline" /><msub><mrow><mtext> Y</mtext></mrow><mrow><mtext>8</mtext></mrow></msub><msub><mrow><mtext>/Y</mtext></mrow><mrow><mtext>1</mtext></mrow></msub><msub><mrow><mtext>=R</mtext></mrow><mrow><mtext>32</mtext></mrow></msub><msub><mrow><mtext>C</mtext></mrow><mrow><mtext>T13</mtext></mrow></msub><msub><mrow><mtext>/R</mtext></mrow><mrow><mtext>31</mtext></mrow></msub><msub><mrow><mtext>C</mtext></mrow><mrow><mtext>T23</mtext></mrow></msub></mrow></math><img file="EP1548957A1_D0019.tif" /></maths>

0058Characteristics of the invention are as follows: the antenna array is pre-calibrated at the vendor to obtain transmission-coefficient matrix between antenna units; the transmission-coefficient matrix is stored in network management equipment of the mobile communication system, and then after installation said transmission-coefficient matrix is loaded into the base station; during operation of the base station, when calibration is expected at any time, a time-slot is determined first, then a transmission link transmits a fixed level signal (data) and other links receive the signal; based on the amplitude and phase of the received signals, the transmission-coefficient matrix and the reception-coefficient matrix of an antenna array, which are relative to the transmission-coefficient matrix of a reference link, can be calculated to perform calibration in real time.

0059The real-time calibration method for a smart antenna array not only can be used for TDD mode that has an antenna array for transmission and reception, but also can be used for FDD mode that has separated antenna arrays for transmission and reception, respectively. The method does not need any beacon antenna, coupled structure of the antenna array and a special calibration link.

0060The above embodiments are for a CDMA wireless communication system, but after simple revision, the method can be used for a FDMA and TDMA wireless communication system.

0061Engineers who work on the wireless communication system and know the basic principle of a smart antenna can make the real-time calibration for a smart antenna array after reading this description.