Phase shifter and antenna

Abstract

The present disclosure provides a phase shift device and an antenna, which belongs to the field of communication technology. The phase shift device of the present disclosure includes: a plurality of data lines, a plurality of scan lines and a plurality of phase shift units; wherein the phase shift unit includes: a switch subcircuit and a phase shifter; the phase shifter includes a first electrode and a second electrode arranged opposite to each other, and a dielectric layer arranged between the first electrode and the second electrode; the second end of the switch subcircuit is connected to the first electrode; the control end of the switch subcircuit located in the same row is connected to the same scan line, and the first end of the switch subcircuit located in the same column is connected to the same data line; the switch subcircuit is configured to transmit the data voltage signal written on the data line to the first electrode of the phase shifter in response to the switch control signal written on the scan line.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure belongs to the technical field of wireless communications, and in particular relates to a phase shifting device and an antenna. Background Art

[0002] In communication and radar applications, phased array antennas are favored by consumers because they do not require the precision moving parts of traditional mechanical scanning antennas. Phased array antennas using liquid crystal phase shifters have become a research hotspot for phased array antennas due to their low cost and low profile.

[0003] In the prior art, in order to achieve continuous control of the phase shift degree of the liquid crystal phase shifter, a high-precision digital-to-analog converter is generally selected to output a driving voltage to the liquid crystal phase shifter. However, the number of channels of the digital-to-analog converter is limited. In order to meet the driving requirements of the multi-channel driven liquid crystal phase shifter, multiple digital-to-analog converters are often set, thereby increasing the number of devices used and the cost. In addition, since the driving of the liquid crystal phase shifter adopts all channels to drive simultaneously and continuously provide the driving voltage, there is a problem of high power consumption. Summary of the invention

[0004] The present disclosure aims to solve at least one of the technical problems existing in the prior art and provides a phase shifting device and an antenna.

[0005] In a first aspect, an embodiment of the present disclosure provides a phase shifting device, comprising: a plurality of data lines, a plurality of scan lines, and a plurality of phase shifting units; wherein:

[0006] The phase shift unit comprises: a switch subcircuit and a phase shifter; the phase shifter comprises a first electrode and a second electrode arranged opposite to each other, and a dielectric layer arranged between the first electrode and the second electrode; the second end of the switch subcircuit is connected to the first electrode; the control ends of the switch subcircuits in the same row are connected to the same scan line, and the first ends of the switch subcircuits in the same column are connected to the same data line;

[0007] The switch subcircuit is configured to transmit the data voltage signal written on the data line to the first electrode of the phase shifter in response to the switch control signal written on the scan line.

[0008] Optionally, the device further includes a data voltage generating subcircuit, wherein the data voltage generating subcircuit is connected to the data lines and is configured to provide the data voltage signal to each of the data lines.

[0009] Optionally, the data voltage generating subcircuit specifically includes: a control unit, a digital-to-analog conversion unit and a level conversion unit, wherein the control unit, the digital-to-analog conversion unit and the level conversion unit are sequentially connected in series, an input end of the level conversion unit is connected to the analog-to-digital conversion unit, and an output end of the level conversion unit is connected to the plurality of data lines, wherein:

[0010] The digital-to-analog conversion unit and the level conversion unit are configured to convert the digital control signal transmitted by the control unit into an analog signal through digital-to-analog conversion and level conversion, and transmit the analog signal to the level conversion unit;

[0011] The level conversion unit is configured to obtain a data voltage signal in response to the analog signal transmitted by the digital-to-analog conversion unit, and convert the analog signal into a data voltage signal, and transmit the data voltage signal to the switch sub-circuit via the data line.

[0012] Optionally, a driving subcircuit is further included, wherein the driving subcircuit is connected to each of the scan lines and is configured to provide the switch control signal to each of the scan lines in sequence.

[0013] Optionally, the phase shifting device further comprises a driving subcircuit; wherein, each of the scan lines located in odd rows is connected to the same driving subcircuit; each of the scan lines located in even rows is connected to the same driving subcircuit; and the driving subcircuits connected to the scan lines located in odd rows and those located in even rows are different.

[0014] Optionally, any of the scan lines includes a first end and a second end; wherein the first end of the scan line located in an odd row is connected to the driving subcircuit; and the second end of the scan line located in an even row is connected to the driving subcircuit.

[0015] Optionally, the phase shifting device also includes a driving subcircuit; the scan lines are divided into a plurality of partitions, in each partition, the scan lines located in odd rows are connected to the same driving subcircuit; the scan lines located in even rows are connected to the same driving subcircuit; and the driving subcircuits connected to the scan lines located in odd rows and the scan lines located in even rows are different.

[0016] Optionally, the phase shifter further comprises a first substrate and a second substrate arranged opposite to each other; the first electrode and the switch subcircuit are arranged on a side of the first substrate close to the dielectric layer, and the second electrode is arranged on a side of the second substrate close to the dielectric layer.

[0017] Optionally, the phase shifter further includes a first sub-electrode sheet, which is disposed on the first substrate and at least partially overlaps with an orthographic projection of the second electrode on the first substrate, and is connected to the first electrode.

[0018] Optionally, the switch subcircuit comprises a switch transistor, a source of the switch transistor is connected to the data line, a drain is connected to the first electrode of the phase shifter, and a gate is connected to the scan line.

[0019] Optionally, the source and drain of the switching crystal are arranged in the same layer as the first electrode.

[0020] Optionally, the first electrode includes a microstrip line, and the second electrode has an opening.

[0021] In a second aspect, an embodiment of the present disclosure provides an antenna, comprising the above-mentioned phase shifting device. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0022] Figure 1 is a schematic cross-sectional structure diagram of an exemplary phase shifter;

[0023] Figure 2 A schematic structural diagram of a phase shifting device provided in an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0024] Figure 3 A schematic structural diagram of another phase shifting device provided in an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0025] Figure 4 A schematic structural diagram of another phase shifting device provided in an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0026] Figure 5 is a structural schematic diagram of a connection method between a driving sub-circuit and a scan line in an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0027] Figure 6 is a structural schematic diagram of another connection method between a driving sub-circuit and a scan line in an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0028] Figure 7 is a structural schematic diagram of another connection method between a driving sub-circuit and a scan line in an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0029] Figure 8 is a top view of the phase shifter of the embodiment of the present disclosure along the direction from the first substrate to the second substrate;

[0030] Fig. 9 FIG. 4 is a top view of the phase shifter according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, taken along a direction from the second substrate to the first substrate. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0031] In order to enable those skilled in the art to better understand the technical solution of the present disclosure, the present disclosure is further described in detail below in conjunction with the accompanying drawings and specific implementation methods.

[0032] Unless otherwise defined, the technical terms or scientific terms used in the present disclosure should be understood by people with ordinary skills in the field to which the present disclosure belongs. The "first", "second" and similar words used in the present disclosure do not indicate any order, quantity or importance, but are only used to distinguish different components. Similarly, similar words such as "one", "one" or "the" do not indicate quantity restrictions, but indicate that there is at least one. Similar words such as "include" or "comprise" mean that the elements or objects appearing before the word cover the elements or objects listed after the word and their equivalents, without excluding other elements or objects. Similar words such as "connect" or "connected" are not limited to physical or mechanical connections, but can include electrical connections, whether direct or indirect. "Up", "down", "left", "right" and the like are only used to indicate relative positional relationships. When the absolute position of the described object changes, the relative positional relationship may also change accordingly.

[0033] Figure 1 is a schematic cross-sectional structure diagram of an exemplary phase shifter, such as Figure 1 As shown, the phase shifter includes: a first substrate 11 and a second substrate 12 arranged opposite to each other, a dielectric layer 13 located between the first substrate 11 and the second substrate 12, and a first electrode 14 and a second electrode 15. The first substrate 11 and the second substrate 12 are used to support and accommodate the dielectric layer 13, the first electrode 14 is arranged on a side of the first substrate 11 close to the dielectric layer 13, the second electrode 15 is arranged on a side of the second substrate 12 close to the dielectric layer 13, and the orthographic projections of the first electrode 14 and the second electrode 15 on the substrate at least partially overlap.

[0034] It should be noted that the material of the dielectric layer 13 can be liquid crystal or inert gas, etc. In the embodiments of the present disclosure, the dielectric layer 13 is described by taking the liquid crystal layer as an example. The first substrate 11 and the second substrate 12 can be formed of insulating materials, for example, the materials of the first substrate 11 and the second substrate 12 can be polyimide (PI), glass, etc.

[0035] Specifically, during the operation of the liquid crystal phase shifter, voltages are applied to the first electrode 14 and the second electrode 15, respectively, to form an electric field between the first electrode 14 and the second electrode 15. Under the action of the electric field, the liquid crystal molecules in the liquid crystal layer 13 are deflected, thereby changing the dielectric constant ε of the liquid crystal layer 13. On this basis, according to the corresponding relationship between the transmission speed v of the microwave signal and the dielectric constant ε: Among them, c represents the transmission speed of the microwave signal under vacuum conditions. When the microwave signal is transmitted on the first electrode 14, the transmission speed v of the microwave signal will change due to the change of the dielectric constant ε of the liquid crystal layer 13 where the first electrode 14 is located. Therefore, when the length of the electrode 14 is the same, different transmission speeds v of the microwave signal can make the phase of the transmitted output microwave signal different, thereby realizing the phase shift of the microwave signal.

[0036] In order to achieve continuous control of the phase shift degree of the liquid crystal phase shifter, a high-precision digital-to-analog converter is generally selected to output a driving voltage to the liquid crystal phase shifter. However, the number of channels of the digital-to-analog converter is limited. In order to meet the driving requirements of a multi-channel driven liquid crystal phase shifter, multiple digital-to-analog converters are often set, thereby increasing the number and cost of devices used. In addition, since the drive of the liquid crystal phase shifter adopts simultaneous driving of all channels, that is, the driving voltage is provided to the first electrode 14 of the phase shifter at the same time, and the driving voltage is provided continuously, there is a problem of high power consumption.

[0037] In order to solve at least one of the above technical problems, the embodiments of the present disclosure provide a phase shifting device and an antenna. The phase shifting device and the antenna provided by the embodiments of the present disclosure will be further described in detail below in conjunction with specific implementation methods and drawings.

[0038] In a first aspect, an embodiment of the present disclosure provides a phase shifting device, Figure 2 A schematic diagram of the structure of a phase shifting device provided in an embodiment of the present disclosure is shown in FIG. Figure 2 As shown, the phase shift device includes: a plurality of data lines (E1 to En), a plurality of scan lines (G1 to Gn) and a plurality of phase shift units. The plurality of data lines (E1 to En) are used to transmit data voltage signals, and the plurality of scan lines (G1 to Gn) are used to transmit switch control signals. Each phase shift unit includes a switch subcircuit 1 and a phase shifter. The structure of the phase shifter is as shown in FIG. Figure 1 As shown, the phase shifter includes a first electrode 14 and a second electrode 15 arranged opposite to each other, and a liquid crystal layer 13 arranged between the first electrode 14 and the second electrode 15. The first electrode and the second electrode of the phase shifter are arranged opposite to each other to form a phase shifter capacitor Cps. Figure 2 The upper plate of the phase shifter capacitor Cps shown represents the first electrode 14 of the phase shifter, and the lower plate represents the second electrode 15 of the phase shifter.

[0039] It should be noted that the switch sub-circuits 1 in this embodiment are all the same. The shapes of the first electrodes 14 can be different or the same. The embodiment disclosed herein is described by taking the shapes of the first electrodes 14 as the same as an example. Therefore, it can be understood that when the shapes of the first electrodes 14 are the same and the second electrodes 15 are also the same, Figure 2 Of course, when the shape of the first electrode 14 is different, Figure 2 The phase shifter capacitors Cps are all different. Whether the phase shifter capacitors Cps are the same or different is within the protection scope of the present disclosure. In the embodiment of the present disclosure, the first electrode 14 is a strip microstrip line and the second electrode 15 is a plate electrode. In this case, since the microwave signal enters the phase shifter by spatial coupling, Fig. 9 As shown, the plate-shaped electrode 15 is provided with an opening 17 .

[0040] Continue to refer Figure 2 , the second end of the switch subcircuit 1 is connected to the upper plate of the phase shifter capacitor Cps, i.e., the first electrode 14, and the lower plate of the phase shifter capacitor Cps, i.e., the second electrode 15, is connected to the reference voltage terminal. And the control ends of the switch subcircuits 1 in the same row are connected to the same scan line, and the first ends of the switch subcircuits 1 in the same column are connected to the same data line. The switch subcircuit 1 is configured to transmit the data voltage signal written on the data line (E1-En) to the first electrode 14 of the phase shifter in response to the switch control signal written on the scan line (G1-Gn).

[0041] Specifically, when the first row scan line G1 provides a switch control signal, all switch sub-circuits 1 connected to the first row scan line G1 are turned on, and the switch sub-circuit 1 transmits the data voltage signal written on the data line (E1~En) to all phase shifter capacitors Cps in the first row, so as to charge all phase shifter capacitors Cps in the first row; then, a switch control signal is provided to the second row scan line G2, and all switch sub-circuits 1 connected to the second row scan line G2 are turned on, and the switch sub-circuit 1 transmits the data voltage signal written on the data line (E1~En) to all phase shifter capacitors Cps in the second row, so as to charge all phase shifter capacitors Cps in the second row; and so on, the switch control signal is provided to the scan lines row by row, so that the switch sub-circuits 1 of each row are turned on row by row, so as to load the data voltage to the first electrode 14 of the phase shifter row by row, wherein the switch control signals of each row must be strictly controlled not to overlap.

[0042] In this embodiment, since the second end of the switch subcircuit 1 is connected to the first electrode 14, and the control ends of the switch subcircuits 1 located in the same row are connected to the same scan line, and the first ends of the switch subcircuits 1 located in the same column are connected to the same data line, the switch subcircuit 1 is configured to respond to the switch control signal written by the scan line and transmit the data voltage signal written on the data line to the first electrode 14 of the phase shifter. Therefore, the present disclosure only needs to refresh the switch control signal periodically or provide the switch control signal on demand according to the beamforming requirement. Compared with the prior art that simultaneously loads the data voltage to the first electrode 14 of the liquid crystal phase shifter, the purpose of using fewer devices to drive the liquid crystal phase shifter is achieved, while reducing the system power consumption.

[0043] In some embodiments, Figure 3 A schematic diagram of the structure of another phase shifting device provided in an embodiment of the present disclosure is shown in FIG. Figure 3 As shown, the switch subcircuit 1 includes a switch transistor T, a source of the switch transistor T is connected to the data line (E1-En), a drain is connected to the first electrode 14 of the phase shifter, and a gate is connected to the scan line (G1-Gn).

[0044] It should be noted that the switching transistor used in the embodiment of the present invention can be a thin film transistor or a field effect transistor or other devices with the same characteristics. Since the source and drain of the transistor used are symmetrical, there is no difference between the source and drain. In addition, transistors can be divided into N-type and P-type according to the characteristics of the transistor. The following embodiments are explained by taking N-type transistors as an example. When N-type transistors are used, the source and drain are turned on when the gate inputs a high level. It can be imagined that the use of P-type transistors is something that a person skilled in the art can easily think of without creative work, and therefore it is also within the scope of protection of the embodiments of the present invention.

[0045] In addition, in the embodiment of the present invention, all transistors are N-type transistors as an example, then the working level refers to the effective level that enables the N-type transistor to start working, that is, a high level, and the non-working level refers to a low level. The switch control signal in the embodiment of the present invention is a fixed working level, that is, a fixed high level signal.

[0046] Specifically, when the first row scan line G1 provides a switch control signal, all the switch transistors T connected to the first row scan line G1 are turned on, and the switch transistors T transmit the data voltage signal written on the data line (E1~En) to all the phase shifter capacitors Cps in the first row, so as to charge all the phase shifter capacitors Cps in the first row; when the charging of all the phase shifter capacitors Cps in the first row is completed, the switch control signal is stopped from being provided to the first row scan line G1, thereby turning off the switch transistors T in the first row; then, when all the switch transistors T in the first row are turned off, the second row scan line G2 provides a switch control signal, and all the switch transistors connected to the second row scan line G2 are turned on, and the switch transistors transmit the data voltage signal written on the data line (E1~En) to all the phase shifter capacitors Cps in the second row, so as to charge all the phase shifter capacitors Cps in the second row; and so on, the switch control signal is provided to the scan lines row by row, so that the switch transistors of each row are turned on row by row, so as to load the data voltage to the first electrodes 14 of the phase shifters row by row.

[0047] In this embodiment, since the drain of the switch transistor is connected to the first electrode 14 of the phase shifter, and the gates of the switch transistors in the same row are connected to the same scan line, and the sources of the switch transistors in the same column are connected to the same data line, the switch transistor is configured to respond to the switch control signal written by the scan line and transmit the data voltage signal written on the data line to the first electrode 14 of the phase shifter. Therefore, the present application only needs to refresh the switch control signal regularly or provide the switch control signal as needed according to the beamforming requirements. Compared with the prior art that simultaneously loads the data voltage to the first electrode 14 of the liquid crystal phase shifter, the purpose of driving the liquid crystal phase shifter with fewer devices is achieved, while reducing the system power consumption.

[0048] It should be noted that the above is a description of the case where the switch subcircuit 1 of the embodiment of the present disclosure includes a switch transistor. Of course, the above implementation is only an exemplary structure of the embodiment of the present disclosure and does not constitute a limitation on the protection scope of the present disclosure. It should be understood that as long as the switch subcircuit can write the data voltage to the first electrode of the phase shifter according to the switch control signal, it is within the protection scope of the embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0049] In some embodiments, Figure 4 A schematic diagram of the structure of another phase shifting device provided in an embodiment of the present disclosure is shown in FIG. Figure 4 As shown, the phase shifting device further includes a data voltage generating sub-circuit 3, which is connected to the data lines and configured to provide data voltage signals for each data line (E1-En).

[0050] Preferably, the data voltage generating subcircuit 3 specifically includes: a control unit 330, a digital-to-analog conversion unit 320 and a level conversion unit 310, wherein the control unit 330, the digital-to-analog conversion unit 320 and the level conversion unit 310 are connected in series in sequence, wherein the input end of the level conversion unit 310 is connected to the analog-to-digital conversion unit 320, and the output end of the level conversion unit 310 is connected to a plurality of data lines (E1-En), wherein the level conversion unit 310 is configured to respond to the analog signal transmitted by the digital-to-analog conversion unit 320, and convert the analog signal into a data voltage signal, and transmit the data voltage signal to the switch subcircuit 1 via the data lines (E1-En). In this embodiment, the control unit 330 may be a processor such as FPGA or MCU; the digital-to-analog conversion unit 320 may be a digital-to-analog converter, for example, a DAC60096 may be used; and the level conversion unit 310 may be an amplifier. In this embodiment, since the data voltage generating subcircuit 3 of the phase shifting device includes the control unit 330, the digital-to-analog conversion unit 320 and the level conversion unit 310, high-voltage driving of the liquid crystal phase shifter is achieved.

[0051] In some embodiments, the phase shifting device further includes a driving sub-circuit IC, the driving sub-circuit IC is connected to each scanning line, and the driving sub-circuit IC is configured to provide a switch control signal to each scanning line in sequence. Figure 5 FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a structure of a connection method between a driving sub-circuit and a scanning line in an embodiment of the present disclosure. Figure 5 As shown, the output end of the driving sub-circuit IC is connected to each scanning line (G1-Gn) respectively, and the phase shift device includes only one driving sub-circuit IC, and the driving sub-circuit IC is configured to provide a switch control signal to each scanning line (G1-Gn) in sequence. The driving sub-circuit IC can be a TFT LCD Gate Driver (thin film transistor liquid crystal display gate driver circuit), such as HX8677.

[0052] In this embodiment, since the driving sub-circuit IC is configured to provide switch control signals to each scanning line (G1~Gn) in sequence, the on and off of each row of switch sub-circuits 1 can be controlled in sequence, and then the writing of data voltages on the first electrodes 14 of each row of liquid crystal phase shifters can be controlled in sequence. Compared with the prior art of simultaneously loading data voltages to the first electrodes 14 of the liquid crystal phase shifters, the purpose of using fewer devices to drive the liquid crystal phase shifters is achieved, while reducing system power consumption.

[0053] Since the refresh cycle of the phase shifter capacitor Cps cannot exceed a certain time, if it exceeds, the phase shifter capacitor Cps that has been charged in the previous row will have a leakage problem. Therefore, in order to avoid leakage of the charged capacitor, different numbers of driving sub-circuit ICs can be used for driving according to the number of scan lines.

[0054] Further, for example, a phase shifter with an inverted microstrip line structure is used, the phase shift line length is about 180 mm, the line width is about 0.2 mm, the liquid crystal dielectric constant varies in the range of 2.3616 to 3.0169, and the liquid crystal box thickness is 0.1 mm. It can be estimated that the phase shifter capacitance is about 9.616 pF; the phase shifter Cps capacitance is charged through an a-Si TFT with a width-to-length ratio of 10 um:10 um, and the charging time from 10% to 90% of the negative pole value to the positive pole value is about 20 us. Therefore, in order to ensure the timeliness of beam scanning, the refresh cycle of the liquid crystal capacitor is required not to exceed 5 ms. This time can only meet the charging of the liquid crystal phase shifter capacitance of no more than 250 rows. For an antenna array with no more than 250 rows, one driving sub-circuit IC can be used. If the number of rows exceeds 250 rows, multiple driving sub-circuit IC partition driving methods can be used according to the actual number of rows, such as odd-even cross driving, upper and lower area driving, etc.

[0055] Here are a few examples to illustrate:

[0056] In some embodiments, the phase shifting device further comprises a driving subcircuit, and each scanning line located in an odd row is connected to the same driving subcircuit, and each scanning line located in an even row is connected to the same driving subcircuit, wherein the driving subcircuits connected to the scanning lines located in odd rows and even rows are different.

[0057] For example, Figure 6 FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of another connection method between a driving subcircuit and a scanning line in an embodiment of the present disclosure. This embodiment is described by taking 250 scanning lines as an example. It can be understood that for different application scenarios, the number of scanning lines may be unlimited. Figure 6 As shown, the phase shifting device further includes a first driving sub-circuit IC1 and a second driving sub-circuit IC2, wherein the first driving sub-circuit IC1 is connected to the scan lines of odd rows, and the second driving sub-circuit IC2 is connected to the scan lines of even rows. In this embodiment, by connecting the first driving sub-circuit IC1 to the scan lines of odd rows and the second driving sub-circuit IC2 to the scan lines of even rows, the refresh time of the switch control signal is reduced, thereby avoiding the problem of leakage of the charged capacitor, and ensuring the timeliness of the beam scanning, thereby ensuring the accuracy of the microwave signal phase shift.

[0058] In some embodiments, Figure 6 As shown, any of the scan lines includes a first end and a second end; wherein the first end of the scan line located in the odd row is connected to the driving sub-circuit IC1, and the second end of the scan line located in the even row is connected to the driving sub-circuit IC2.

[0059] In this embodiment, by connecting the driving sub-circuit IC1 to the first end of the scanning lines of the odd rows and the driving sub-circuit IC2 to the second end of the scanning lines of the even rows, the wiring is made easier and the parasitic capacitance between the lines is reduced.

[0060] In some embodiments, the scan lines are divided into multiple partitions, in each partition, the scan lines located in odd rows are connected to the same driving sub-circuit; the scan lines located in even rows are connected to the same driving sub-circuit; and the driving sub-circuits connected to the scan lines located in odd rows and even rows are different.

[0061] For example, Figure 7 FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of a structure of another connection method between a driving subcircuit and a scanning line in an embodiment of the present disclosure. This embodiment is described by taking the number of scanning lines greater than 250 as an example. Figure 7As shown, the scan lines are divided into multiple partitions, and a driving sub-circuit is provided in each partition, wherein IC1 and IC2 are driving sub-circuits in the first partition, ICn and ICn+1 are driving sub-circuits in the (n+1) / 2th partition, and other partitions and driving sub-circuits in the partitions are not shown in the figure. The driving sub-circuit IC1 is connected to the scan lines (G1, G3, G5...G245, G247, G249) of the odd rows of the first partition, and the driving sub-circuit IC2 is connected to the scan lines (G2, G4, G6...G246, G248, G250) of the even rows of the first partition; the driving sub-circuit ICn is connected to the scan lines (Gn+1, Gn+3, Gn+5...Gn+245, Gn+247, Gn+249) of the odd rows of the (n+1) / 2 partition; the driving sub-circuit ICn+1 is connected to the scan lines (Gn+2, Gn+4, Gn+6...Gn+246, Gn+248, Gn+250) of the even rows of the (n+1) / 2 partition.

[0062] In this embodiment, the scan lines are divided into multiple partitions. In each partition, the scan lines located in odd rows are connected to the same driving sub-circuit, and the scan lines located in even rows are connected to the same driving sub-circuit. This reduces the refresh time of the switch control signal, thereby avoiding the problem of leakage of the charged capacitor and ensuring the timeliness of the beam scanning, thereby ensuring the accuracy of the microwave signal phase shift.

[0063] It is understandable that the arrangement of the driving sub-circuit IC is not limited to the above-mentioned methods, and can also be any implementation method as long as the corresponding functions are achieved. The above examples cannot limit the protection scope of the present disclosure.

[0064] In some embodiments, the phase shifter further includes a first substrate and a second substrate disposed opposite to each other, the first electrode and the switch subcircuit are disposed on a side of the first substrate close to the liquid crystal layer, and the second electrode is disposed on a side of the second substrate close to the liquid crystal layer. For example, when the switch subcircuit includes a switch transistor, the first electrode and the switch subcircuit are disposed on a side of the first substrate close to the liquid crystal layer.

[0065] In some embodiments, the source and drain of the switch crystal are arranged in the same layer as the first electrode. By arranging the source and drain of the switch crystal in the same layer as the first electrode, the manufacturing steps are reduced and the production cost is saved.

[0066] In some embodiments, Figure 8 FIG. 4 is a top view of the phase shifter of the embodiment of the present disclosure along the direction from the first substrate to the second substrate, as shown in FIG. Figure 8As shown, the first electrode 14 can be a microstrip line, and the phase shifter also includes a first sub-electrode sheet 16, which is arranged on the first substrate 11 and at least partially overlaps with the orthographic projection of the second electrode 15 on the substrate, and the first sub-electrode sheet 16 and the microstrip line are connected through an extremely fine high resistivity material ITO (Indium Tin Oxide). In this embodiment, a storage capacitor is formed by the first sub-electrode sheet 16 and the second electrode 15, which is equivalent to Figure 2 A storage capacitor is connected in parallel next to the phase shifter capacitor Cps to prevent leakage of the phase shifter capacitor Cps during the driving process of the liquid crystal phase shifter, that is, when the phase shifter capacitor Cps leaks, the storage capacitor can replenish the power leaked by the phase shifter capacitor Cps, thereby ensuring the accuracy of the microwave signal phase shifting. In addition, the first sub-electrode sheet 16 is connected to the microstrip line by using an extremely fine high-resistivity material ITO to prevent the RF signal from leaking to the storage capacitor, ensuring the minimum deterioration of the insertion loss of the phase shifter.

[0067] In a second aspect, an embodiment of the present disclosure provides an antenna, which includes any phase shifting device in the above embodiments.

[0068] It is to be understood that the above embodiments are merely exemplary embodiments used to illustrate the principles of the present disclosure, but the present disclosure is not limited thereto. For those of ordinary skill in the art, various modifications and improvements can be made without departing from the spirit and substance of the present disclosure, and these modifications and improvements are also considered to be within the scope of protection of the present disclosure.

Claims

1. A phase shifting device, characterized in that: include: A plurality of data lines, a plurality of scanning lines and a plurality of phase shifting units; wherein, The phase shift unit comprises: a switch subcircuit and a phase shifter; the phase shifter comprises a first electrode and a second electrode arranged opposite to each other, and a dielectric layer arranged between the first electrode and the second electrode; the second end of the switch subcircuit is connected to the first electrode; the control ends of the switch subcircuits in the same row are connected to the same scan line, and the first ends of the switch subcircuits in the same column are connected to the same data line; The switch subcircuit is configured to transmit the data voltage signal written on the data line to the first electrode of the phase shifter in response to the switch control signal written on the scan line.

2. The phase shifting device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The device further comprises a data voltage generating sub-circuit, wherein the data voltage generating sub-circuit is connected to the data lines and is configured to provide the data voltage signal to each of the data lines.

3. The phase shifting device according to claim 2, characterized in that: The data voltage generating subcircuit specifically includes: a control unit, a digital-to-analog conversion unit and a level conversion unit, wherein the control unit, the digital-to-analog conversion unit and the level conversion unit are sequentially connected in series, the input end of the level conversion unit is connected to the digital-to-analog conversion unit, and the output end of the level conversion unit is connected to the plurality of data lines, wherein: The digital-to-analog conversion unit is configured to convert the digital control signal transmitted by the control unit into an analog signal, and transmit the analog signal to the level conversion unit; The level conversion unit is configured to respond to the analog signal transmitted by the digital-to-analog conversion unit, convert the analog signal into a data voltage signal, and transmit the data voltage signal to the switch sub-circuit via the data line.

4. The phase shifting device according to claim 1, characterized in that: It also includes a driving subcircuit, which is connected to each of the scan lines and is configured to provide the switch control signal to each of the scan lines in sequence.

5. The phase shifting device according to claim 1, characterized in that: It also includes a driving subcircuit; wherein each of the scan lines located in odd rows is connected to the same driving subcircuit; each of the scan lines located in even rows is connected to the same driving subcircuit; and the driving subcircuits connected to the scan lines located in odd rows and even rows are different.

6. The phase shifting device according to claim 5, characterized in that: Any of the scan lines comprises a first end and a second end; wherein, The first ends of the scan lines located in odd-numbered rows are connected to the driving sub-circuit; and the second ends of the scan lines located in even-numbered rows are connected to the driving sub-circuit.

7. The phase shifting device according to claim 1, characterized in that: It also includes a driving subcircuit; the scan lines are divided into multiple partitions, in each partition, the scan lines located in odd rows are connected to the same driving subcircuit; the scan lines located in even rows are connected to the same driving subcircuit; and the driving subcircuits connected to the scan lines located in odd rows and even rows are different.

8. The phase shifting device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The phase shifter further includes a first substrate and a second substrate which are arranged opposite to each other; the first electrode and the switch subcircuit are arranged on a side of the first substrate close to the dielectric layer, and the second electrode is arranged on a side of the second substrate close to the dielectric layer.

9. The phase shifting device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The phase shifter further includes a first sub-electrode sheet, which is disposed on the first substrate and at least partially overlaps with an orthographic projection of the second electrode on the first substrate, and is connected to the first electrode.

10. The phase shifting device according to any one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that: The switch subcircuit comprises a switch transistor, a source of the switch transistor is connected to the data line, a drain of the switch transistor is connected to the first electrode of the phase shifter, and a gate of the switch transistor is connected to the scan line.

11. The phase shifting device according to claim 10, characterized in that: The source and the drain of the switch transistor are arranged in the same layer as the first electrode.

12. The phase shifting device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The first electrode includes a microstrip line, and the second electrode has an opening.

13. An antenna, characterized in that: The invention comprises the phase shifting device according to any one of claims 1 to 12.

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