A Novel Linear Antenna Array Calibration Method Based on Scattering Signals

This article proposes a novel calibration method for linear array antennas based on the scattering signals of a standard metal cylinder. The method sequentially activates each element of the antenna array under test and measures the near-field scattering signals at each step angle during small-angle range rotations of a metal cylinder target supported by foam. By employing a reference target method, the electric field distribution in front of each array element can be indirectly calculated. Subsequently, by backpropagating this near-field distribution, amplitude and phase errors between the array elements can be computed. This article also conducts an in-depth study of the inherent errors in calibration systems and proposes effective compensation measures. Full-wave numerical simulations and experimental measurements are conducted to validate the proposed method. The simulation results indicated an amplitude error of less than 0.4 dB and a phase error of less than 5°. In the experimental validation, the method exhibited amplitude errors within 1 dB and phase errors below 10°.