Six-port based wave-correlator with application to beam direction finding

Six-port technology is well known for its ability to accurately measure the scattering parameters of a microwave network. In this paper a six-port based wave-correlator, which is operated as a two-channel wave receiver, is reported. A novel method for calibrating the six-port based wave-correlator by using only one phase shifter is proposed. The calibration procedure offers simple formulas for determining the calibration parameters, and their validity and accuracy are confirmed by measurements. In addition, an application of the proposed wave-correlator to beam direction finding is discussed. Experimental proof at X-band frequency was carried out and satisfactory results were obtained.