Electronic modulation device

Abstract

The present application provides an electronic modulation device, which is an antenna device, comprising: a substrate, a plurality of first electrodes, and a plurality of second electrodes. The plurality of first electrodes and the plurality of second electrodes are arranged on the substrate, and one of the plurality of first electrodes extends along a first length direction, and one of the plurality of second electrodes extends along a second length direction, and the first length direction is different from the second length direction.

Description

[0001] This application was filed on October 28, 2019, with application number "201911028738.8" and the name of the invention is "Electronic Divisional application for a Chinese invention patent application for "modulation device" Technical Field

[0002] The present application relates to an electronic modulation device, and more particularly to an electronic modulation device including modulation electrodes with different areas. Background Art

[0003] Electronic products including display panels, such as smartphones, tablets, laptops, monitors and TVs, have become an indispensable necessity in modern society. With the booming development of such portable electronic products, consumers have high expectations for the quality, functionality and price of these products. Some electronic products are further equipped with communication capabilities, such as antenna devices.

[0004] Although existing electronic modulation devices can roughly meet their originally intended purposes, they still do not fully meet the requirements in all aspects. There are still some problems in the technology of electronic modulation devices that need to be improved. Summary of the invention

[0005] According to some embodiments of the present application, an electronic modulation device is provided, which is an antenna device, comprising: a substrate, a plurality of first electrodes, and a plurality of second electrodes. The plurality of first electrodes and the plurality of second electrodes are arranged on the substrate, and one of the plurality of first electrodes extends along a first length direction, and one of the plurality of second electrodes extends along a second length direction, and the first length direction is different from the second length direction.

[0006] According to other embodiments of the present application, an electronic modulation device is provided, which is an antenna device, including: a substrate, a plurality of first electrodes, a plurality of second electrodes, and a common electrode. The plurality of first electrodes and the plurality of second electrodes are arranged on the substrate. The common electrode is arranged opposite to the plurality of first electrodes and the plurality of second electrodes. And the common electrode includes a plurality of openings. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0007] In order to make the above-mentioned objects, features and advantages of the present invention more clearly understood, the specific embodiments of the present invention are described in detail below in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein:

[0008] Figure 1 Shows a schematic diagram of a top view of the structure of an electronic modulation device according to some embodiments of the present application;

[0009] Figure 2 A schematic diagram showing the relationship between the ratio of the number of first modulation electrodes to the number of second modulation electrodes and the energy difference between the main lobe and the side lobe of the radiation pattern provided by the electronic modulation device according to some embodiments of the present application;

[0010] Figure 3 Shows a schematic diagram of a top view of the structure of an electronic modulation device according to some embodiments of the present application;

[0011] Figure 4A and Figure 4B An exemplary schematic diagram showing the definition of the length direction of the modulation electrode according to some embodiments of the present application;

[0012] Figure 5 Shows a schematic diagram of a top view of the structure of an electronic modulation device according to some embodiments of the present application;

[0013] Figure 6 Shows a schematic diagram of a top view of the structure of an electronic modulation device according to some embodiments of the present application;

[0014] Figure 7 Shows a schematic diagram of a top view of the structure of an electronic modulation device according to some embodiments of the present application;

[0015] Figure 8 Shows a schematic diagram of a top view of the structure of an electronic modulation device according to some embodiments of the present application;

[0016] Fig. 9 Shows a schematic diagram of a top view of the structure of an electronic modulation device according to some embodiments of the present application;

[0017] Fig.10 Shows a schematic diagram of a top view of the structure of an electronic modulation device according to some embodiments of the present application;

[0018] Fig.11A and Fig. 11B According to some embodiments of the present application, the electronic modulation device is along Figure 1 Schematic diagram of the cross-sectional structure of the line segment A-A' in FIG.

[0019] Fig. 12A According to some embodiments of the present application, the electronic modulation device is along Figure 1 Schematic diagram of the cross-sectional structure of the line segment A-A' in FIG.

[0020] Fig. 12B According to some embodiments of the present application, Fig. 12A The top view structural schematic diagram of the electronic modulation device shown.

[0021] Description of component numbers in the figure:

[0022] 10, 20, 30, 40, 50, 60, 70, 80 electronic modulation device;

[0023] 102 substrate;

[0024] 104A a first modulation unit;

[0025] 104B a second modulation unit;

[0026] 104C the third modulation unit;

[0027] 106a a first modulation electrode;

[0028] 106b a second modulation electrode;

[0029] 106c a third modulation electrode;

[0030] 108a a first driving element;

[0031] 108b a second driving element;

[0032] 108c a third driving element;

[0033] 110 signal line;

[0034] 110a scan line;

[0035] 110b data line;

[0036] 202 substrate;

[0037] 204 common electrode;

[0038] 204' common electrode;

[0039] 206 opening;

[0040] 302 Modulated materials;

[0041] 304 Support element;

[0042] 402 backlight unit;

[0043] 502 waveguide;

[0044] A-A' line segment;

[0045] A1, A2, A3 area;

[0046] L length direction;

[0047] LX long axis;

[0048] LX' major axis;

[0049] L1 first length direction;

[0050] L2 second length direction;

[0051] L3 third length direction;

[0052] L4 fourth length direction;

[0053] L5 fifth length direction;

[0054] C channel area;

[0055] D drain electrode;

[0056] G gate electrode;

[0057] RT minimum rectangle;

[0058] S source electrode;

[0059] U1 Unit 1;

[0060] U2 Unit 2;

[0061] V1 first overlapping area;

[0062] V2 second overlapping area;

[0063] V3 third overlapping area;

[0064] θ2, θ3, θ4, θ5 are the included angles. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0065] The following is a detailed description of the electronic modulation device of the embodiment of the present application. It should be understood that the following description provides many different embodiments or examples for implementing different aspects of some embodiments of the present application. The specific elements and arrangements described below are only for simple and clear description of some embodiments of the present application. Of course, these are only used for example and not for limitation of the present application. In addition, similar and / or corresponding reference numerals may be used in different embodiments to indicate similar and / or corresponding elements to clearly describe the present application. However, the use of these similar and / or corresponding reference numerals is only for simple and clear description of some embodiments of the present application, and does not represent any relevance between the different embodiments and / or structures discussed. It should be understood that the elements or devices of the drawings may exist in various forms known to those skilled in the art. Furthermore, when referring to "a layer covering another layer", "a layer disposed on another layer", "a layer disposed on another layer" or "a layer disposed above another layer", it may include a situation where the layer is in direct contact with another layer, or there are one or more intermediate layers between the layer and the other layer, and the layer is not in direct contact with the other layer.

[0066] In addition, relative terms such as "lower" or "bottom" or "upper" or "top" may be used in the embodiments to describe the relative relationship of one element to another element in the drawings. It is understood that if the device in the drawings is turned over to make it upside down, the element described on the "lower" side will become the element on the "upper" side.

[0067] It should be understood that although the terms "first", "second", "third", etc. may be used herein to describe various elements, components, or parts, these elements, components, or parts should not be limited by these terms. These terms are only used to distinguish different elements, components, regions, layers, or parts. Therefore, a first element, component, region, layer, or part discussed below may be referred to as a second element, component, region, layer, or part without departing from the teachings of the present application.

[0068] It should be understood that the embodiments of the present application can be used in conjunction with the attached Figure 1 It is also understood that the drawings of the present application are also considered as part of the application description. The drawings of the present application are not drawn to scale, and in fact, the size of the elements may be arbitrarily enlarged or reduced to clearly show the features of the present application.

[0069] In the text, the terms "about" and "substantially" generally mean within 10%, or within 5%, or within 3%, or within 2%, or within 1%, or within 0.5% of a given value or range. The given quantities are approximate quantities, that is, in the absence of specific description of "about" or "substantially", the meaning of "about" or "substantially" can still be implied.

[0070] Unless otherwise defined, all terms (including technical and scientific terms) used herein have the same meanings as commonly understood by those skilled in the art to which this application belongs. It is understood that these terms, such as those defined in commonly used dictionaries, should be interpreted as having meanings consistent with the background or context of the relevant technology and this application, and should not be interpreted in an idealized or overly formal manner unless specifically defined in the embodiments of this application.

[0071] In addition, in some embodiments of the present application, terms such as "connection" and "interconnection" may refer to two structures being in direct contact, or two structures not being in direct contact, with another structure disposed between the two structures, unless otherwise specified. Such terms may also include situations where both structures are movable or both structures are fixed.

[0072] In addition, the term "lengthwise direction" refers to a direction along or substantially parallel to the long axis of an object. The long axis is defined as a straight line extending lengthwise through the center of an object. For an elongated or elliptical object, the long axis is closest to its longest longitudinal dimension. For an object without a clear long axis, the long axis may represent the long side of the smallest rectangle that can enclose the object.

[0073] In addition, the phrase "a range between a first value and a second value" means that the range includes the first value, the second value, and other values ​​therebetween.

[0074] According to some embodiments of the present application, the provided electronic modulation device may include a display device (including a touch display device), a communication device, or a sensing device, but is not limited thereto. According to some embodiments, the electronic modulation device may be arranged adjacent to each other to form a tiled electronic device. Specifically, the display device may include a liquid crystal display (LCD), but is not limited thereto. According to some embodiments, the communication device may include a device modulated by liquid crystal molecules, such as an antenna device.

[0075] Figure 1 The top view of the electronic modulation device 10 according to some embodiments of the present application is shown. It should be understood that for the sake of clarity, Figure 1 Some components of the electronic modulation device 10 (for example, the upper substrate and the supporting components (for example, Fig.11A In addition, it should be understood that, according to some embodiments of the present application, additional features may be added to the electronic modulation device 10 described below.

[0076] Please refer to Figure 1 The electronic modulation device 10 may include a substrate 102. The electronic modulation device 10 may also include a substrate 202 (eg, Fig.11A In some embodiments, the materials of the substrate 102 and the substrate 202 may include glass, quartz, sapphire, silicon (Si), germanium (Ge), polycarbonate (PC), polyimide (PI), polyethylene terephthalate (PET), rubber, glass fiber, other polymer materials, other suitable substrate materials, or a combination thereof, but are not limited thereto.

[0077] The electronic modulation device 10 may further include a plurality of first modulation units 104A and a plurality of second modulation units 104B disposed on the substrate 102. The first modulation unit 104A may include a first modulation electrode 106a and a first driving element 108a, and the first modulation electrode 106a may be electrically connected to the first driving element 108a. The second modulation unit 104B may include a second modulation electrode 106b and a second driving element 108b, and the second modulation electrode 106b may be electrically connected to the second driving element 108b. In some examples, the first modulation electrode 106a and the second modulation electrode 106b may serve as pixel electrodes.

[0078] In addition, the material of the first modulation electrode 106a and the second modulation electrode 106b may include a conductive material. In some embodiments, the conductive material may include copper (Cu), aluminum (Al), molybdenum (Mo), tungsten (W), gold (Au), chromium (Cr), nickel (Ni), platinum (Pt), titanium (Ti), silver (Ag), copper alloy, aluminum alloy, molybdenum alloy, tungsten alloy, gold alloy, chromium alloy, nickel alloy, platinum alloy, titanium alloy, silver alloy, other suitable conductive materials (e.g., carbon nanotubes), or a combination thereof, but not limited thereto. In some embodiments, the material of the first modulation electrode 106a and the second modulation electrode 106b may include a transparent conductive material. For example, the transparent conductive material may include indium tin oxide (ITO), tin oxide (SnO), indium zinc oxide (IZO), indium gallium zinc oxide (IGZO), indium tin zinc oxide (ITZO), other suitable transparent conductive materials, or a combination thereof, but not limited thereto. In some embodiments, the material of the first modulation electrode 106a and the second modulation electrode 106b may include a conductive polymer, for example, the conductive polymer may include poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene) (poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene)), polystyrene sulfonate (PEDOT: PSS), polythiophenes (PT), polypyrrole (PPY), or polyphenylenesulfide (PPS).

[0079] The electronic modulation device 10 may further include a signal line 110 disposed on the substrate 102, and the signal line 110 may be electrically connected to at least one of the first driving element 108a and at least one of the second driving element 108b. In addition, the signal line 110 may be electrically connected to at least one of the first modulation electrode 106a and at least one of the second modulation electrode 106b. The first driving element 108a and the second driving element 108b may be used to control the voltage applied to the first modulation electrode 106a and the second modulation electrode 106b, respectively.

[0080] The first driving element 108 a and the second driving element 108 b may include active driving elements, passive driving elements, and / or a combination thereof. Figure 1As shown, according to some embodiments, at least one of the first driving element 108a and the second driving element 108b may be an active driving element, such as a thin film transistor (TFT). More specifically, the first driving element 108a and the second driving element 108b may each include a source electrode S, a drain electrode D, a gate electrode G, and a channel region C. The source electrode S and the drain electrode D may be disposed on two sides opposite to the gate electrode G, and the channel region C may be disposed between the source electrode S and the drain electrode D. In addition, the drain electrode D of the first driving element 108a and the second driving element 108b may be electrically connected to the first modulation electrode 106a and the second modulation electrode 106b, respectively.

[0081] In addition, according to some embodiments, the signal line 110 may include a data line 110b and a scan line 110a, but the present application is not limited thereto, and the signal line 110 may include other conductors. The extension direction of at least one of the data lines 110b may be different from the extension direction of at least one of the scan lines 110a. For example, the data line 110b and the scan line 110a may be arranged substantially perpendicular to each other. The data line 110b and the scan line 110a may be electrically connected to the source electrode S and the gate electrode G of the first driving element 108a, respectively. Similarly, the data line 110b and the scan line 110a may be electrically connected to the source electrode S and the gate electrode G of the second driving element 108b, respectively.

[0082] It should be understood that, although the first driving element 108a and the second driving element 108b are active driving elements in the embodiment illustrated in the drawings, according to other embodiments, the first driving element 108a and the second driving element 108b may be passive driving elements, for example, controlled by an IC or a microchip (micro IC). In addition, although each modulation electrode is controlled by a driving element in the embodiment illustrated in the drawings, according to other embodiments, the same driving element may control more than one modulation electrode.

[0083] In some embodiments, the area A1 of the first modulation electrode 106a may be greater than the area A2 of the second modulation electrode 106b. Specifically, according to some embodiments, the electronic modulation device 10 may include modulation electrodes with different areas (e.g., the first modulation electrode 106a and the second modulation electrode 106b), so that the performance variation of the electronic modulation device 10 at different angles is reduced. Furthermore, according to some embodiments, the modulation electrodes with different areas enable the electronic modulation device 10 to modulate electromagnetic waves in different radio frequency ranges. For example, according to some embodiments, the electronic modulation device 10 can modulate electromagnetic waves in a radio frequency range of about 1 GHz to about 100 THz.

[0084] In some embodiments, the ratio of the area A1 of the first modulation electrode 106a to the area A2 of the second modulation electrode 106b may range from about 1.2 to about 100 (i.e., 1.2≦A1 / A2≦100), for example, 2, 10, 40, or 80, or from about 1.3 to about 50 (i.e., 1.3≦A1 / A2≦50). If the ratio of the area A1 of the first modulation electrode 106a to the area A2 of the second modulation electrode 106b is too small (e.g., less than about 1.2), the performance variation of the electronic modulation device 10 at different angles may not be effectively reduced. On the other hand, if the ratio of the area A1 of the first modulation electrode 106a to the area A2 of the second modulation electrode 106b is too large (e.g., greater than about 100), the frequency difference of the electromagnetic wave modulated by the electronic modulation device 10 may be too large and thus may not be suitable for its intended use.

[0085] In addition, if Figure 1 As shown, according to some embodiments, the first modulation electrodes 106a and the second modulation electrodes 106b are arranged in a staggered manner. In other words, one of the first modulation electrodes 106a may be disposed between two second modulation electrodes 106b. In some examples, a portion of the first modulation electrodes 106a and a portion of the second modulation electrodes 106b may be arranged in a staggered manner, while another portion of the first modulation electrodes 106a and another portion of the second modulation electrodes 106b may not be arranged in a staggered manner. In addition, according to some embodiments, the first modulation electrodes 106a and the second modulation electrodes 106b may correspond to two different radio frequencies, respectively. In some embodiments, both the first modulation electrodes 106a and the second modulation electrodes 106b may be designed to receive and / or transmit electromagnetic waves. In addition, according to some embodiments, the electronic modulation device 10 may include N1 first modulation electrodes 106a and N2 second modulation electrodes 106b, wherein N1 and N2 are the numbers of the first modulation electrodes 106a and the second modulation electrodes 106b, respectively. That is, the number of the first modulation electrodes 106a and the number of the second modulation electrodes 106b may be N1 and N2 respectively. Figure 2 , the X-axis represents the logarithmic value of the ratio of N1 first modulation electrodes 106a to N2 second modulation electrodes 106b (i.e., log(N1 / N2)), and the Y-axis represents the difference between the energy E1 of the main lobe and the energy E2 of the side lobe of the radiation pattern (i.e., E1–E2, in decibels (dB)).

[0086] As mentioned above, the electronic modulation device 10 can provide a radiation pattern, and the radiation pattern includes a main lobe and a side lobe. In some embodiments, the difference between the energy E1 of the main lobe and the energy E2 of the side lobe of the radiation pattern is greater than or equal to 10 dB, so that the electronic modulation device 10 can be used as an antenna device. In other words, according to some embodiments, the difference in gain level between the main lobe and the side lobe can be greater than or equal to 10 dB.

[0087] In addition, according to some embodiments, the ratio of the number N1 to the number N2 may range from about 0.5 to about 2.0 (i.e., 0.5≦N1 / N2≦2.0), for example, 0.6, 1.0, 1.2, or 1.7, or may range from about 0.75 to about 1.35 (i.e., 0.75≦N1 / N2≦1.35). Figure 2 As shown, the logarithmic value of the ratio of N1 to N2 can be maintained within a range (e.g., from about -0.301 to about 0.301, that is, from about log 1 / 2 to about log2), so that the difference in gain between the main lobe and the side lobe can satisfy the condition of being greater than or equal to 10 dB. Therefore, the ratio of N1 to N2 can be maintained within a range of about 0.5 to about 2.0, so that the electronic modulation device 10 can be used as an antenna device.

[0088] In addition, according to some embodiments of the present application, the number of modulation electrodes (e.g., the first modulation electrode 106a and / or the second modulation electrode 106b) refers to the number of the first modulation electrodes 106a or the second modulation electrodes 106b contained in a square area with a side length of 20 centimeters (cm), 10 cm, or 5 cm. Specifically, the aforementioned square area can be used as a measurement reference to determine the number of the first modulation electrodes 106a or the second modulation electrodes 106b. In addition, when the first modulation electrode 106a or the second modulation electrode 106b is incomplete in the square area used for measurement, the incomplete first modulation electrode 106a or the second modulation electrode 106b is not counted in the number of the first modulation electrodes 106a or the second modulation electrodes 106b.

[0089] Next, please refer to Figure 3 , Figure 3 The top view of the electronic modulation device 20 according to some other embodiments of the present application is shown. It should be understood that the components or elements that are the same or similar to those in the previous text will be represented by the same or similar reference numerals, and their materials, manufacturing methods and functions are the same or similar to those described in the previous text, so this part will not be repeated in the following text. Figure 1 The electronic modulation device 10 shown is similar to Figure 3As shown, the electronic modulation device 20 also includes a plurality of first modulation electrodes 106a and a plurality of second modulation electrodes 106b disposed on the substrate 102. As mentioned above, the first modulation electrodes 106a and the second modulation electrodes 106b can be arranged alternately. In addition, the first modulation electrodes 106a and the second modulation electrodes 106b can be arranged to extend along the same or different directions. In some examples, the aforementioned direction can be the length direction of the first modulation electrodes 106a and the second modulation electrodes 106b.

[0090] As mentioned above, the term "longitudinal direction" refers to a direction along or substantially parallel to the long axis of an object. The long axis is defined as a straight line extending longitudinally through the center of the object. For an elongated or elliptical object, the long axis may correspond to its longest longitudinal dimension. For example, Figure 4A As shown, in the embodiment where the first modulation electrode 106a has a rectangular shape, the length direction L of the first modulation electrode 106a can be defined as a direction parallel to the long axis LX of the rectangle. Figure 4B As shown, in an embodiment where the first modulation electrode 106a has an irregular shape, the length direction L of the first modulation electrode 106a may be defined as a direction parallel to the long axis LX' of a virtual minimum rectangle RT that can surround the first modulation electrode 106a. In some embodiments, software (e.g., OpenCV) may be used to define the minimum rectangle RT that can surround the first modulation electrode 106a. In addition, according to some embodiments, an image binarization process may be performed on the image of the first modulation electrode 106a before defining the minimum rectangle RT.

[0091] In addition, in some other embodiments where the first modulation electrode 106a has a square shape, the length direction L of the first modulation electrode 106a can be defined as a direction parallel to one side of the square, and the side of the square is a side that forms a smaller angle with the long axis of the drain electrode of the driving element. It should be understood that Figure 4A and Figure 4B The illustrated embodiment takes the first modulation electrode 106a as an example to illustrate the definition of the length direction, and the length directions of other modulation electrodes may also be defined in the same manner.

[0092] Next, please refer to Figure 3, the first modulation electrode 106a and the second modulation electrode 106b may extend along the same or similar length direction. Specifically, the first modulation electrode 106a may extend along the first length direction L1, and the second modulation electrode 106b may extend along the second length direction L2. In this embodiment, the first length direction L1 and the second length direction L2 are substantially the same. In other embodiments, the first length direction L1 may be different from the second length direction L2. For example, according to some embodiments, the angle θ1 (not shown) between the first length direction L1 and the second length direction L2 may range from about 5 degrees to about 175 degrees (i.e., 5 degrees ≦ angle θ1 ≦ 175 degrees). In some embodiments, the angle θ1 (not shown) between the first length direction L1 and the second length direction L2 may include 15 degrees, 30 degrees, 45 degrees, 60 degrees, 75 degrees, 90 degrees, 105 degrees, 130 degrees, 145 degrees, or 160 degrees, but the present application is not limited thereto.

[0093] In addition, the first modulation electrodes 106a may all extend along the same or similar length direction. For example, in this embodiment, the first modulation electrodes 106a may all extend along the first length direction L1, and similarly, the second modulation electrodes 106b may all extend along the same or similar length direction (e.g., the second length direction L2). However, in other embodiments, not all first modulation electrodes 106a extend along the same or similar length direction. In some embodiments, some first modulation electrodes 106a extend along the same length direction, while some first modulation electrodes 106a extend along different length directions.

[0094] For example, Figure 1 In the illustrated embodiment, some of the first modulation electrodes 106a extend along the first length direction L1, and some of the first modulation electrodes 106a extend along the third length direction L3, and the first length direction L1 is different from the third length direction L3. For example, according to some embodiments, the angle θ2 between the first length direction L1 and the third length direction L3 may range from about 5 degrees to about 175 degrees (i.e., 5 degrees ≦ angle θ5 ≦ 175 degrees). In some embodiments, the angle θ2 between the first length direction L1 and the third length direction L3 may include 15 degrees, 30 degrees, 45 degrees, 60 degrees, 75 degrees, 90 degrees, 105 degrees, 130 degrees, 145 degrees, or 160 degrees, but the present application is not limited thereto. Furthermore, it should be understood that although Figure 1 The first modulation electrode 106 a shown in FIG. 1 extends along two different length directions. However, in some other embodiments, the first modulation electrode 106 a may extend along more than two length directions.

[0095] Similarly, in some embodiments, not all second modulation electrodes 106b extend along the same or similar length directions. In some embodiments, some second modulation electrodes 106b extend along the same length direction, while some second modulation electrodes 106b extend along different length directions.

[0096] ,like Figure 1 In the illustrated embodiment, some of the second modulation electrodes 106b extend along the second length direction L2, while some of the second modulation electrodes 106b extend along the fourth length direction L4, and the second length direction L2 is different from the fourth length direction L4. For example, according to some embodiments, the angle θ3 between the second length direction L2 and the fourth length direction L4 may range from about 5 degrees to about 175 degrees (i.e., 5 degrees ≦ angle θ3 ≦ 175 degrees). In some embodiments, the angle θ3 between the second length direction L2 and the fourth length direction L4 may include 15 degrees, 30 degrees, 45 degrees, 60 degrees, 75 degrees, 90 degrees, 105 degrees, 130 degrees, 145 degrees, or 160 degrees, but the present application is not limited thereto. Furthermore, it should be understood that although Figure 1 The second modulation electrode 106 b shown in FIG. 1 extends along two different length directions. However, in some other embodiments, the second modulation electrode 106 b may extend along more than two length directions.

[0097] Next, please refer to Figure 5 , Figure 5 The top view of the electronic modulation device 30 according to some other embodiments of the present application is shown. Figure 5 As shown, the electronic modulation device 30 may also include a plurality of first modulation electrodes 106a and a plurality of second modulation electrodes 106b disposed on the substrate 102. As mentioned above, the first modulation electrodes 106a and the second modulation electrodes 106b may be arranged alternately. In this embodiment, the four first modulation electrodes 106a may be regarded as the first unit U1, and the four second modulation electrodes 106b may be regarded as the second unit U2, and the first unit U1 and the second unit U2 may be arranged alternately. In this embodiment, the first modulation electrodes 106a may all extend along the first length direction L1, and the second modulation electrodes 106b may all extend along the second length direction L2. In addition, the first length direction L1 is different from the second length direction L2. In some examples, the first unit U1 may include m first modulation electrodes 106a, and the second unit U2 may include n second modulation electrodes 106b, where m and n are positive integers. In some embodiments, m may be the same as or different from n.

[0098] Next, please refer to Figure 6 , Figure 6The top view of the electronic modulation device 40 according to some other embodiments of the present application is shown. In this embodiment, the two first modulation electrodes 106a and the two second modulation electrodes 106b can be regarded as the first unit U1 or the second unit U2. In this embodiment, the two first modulation electrodes 106a and the two second modulation electrodes 106b of the first unit U1 or the second unit U2 can extend along the same length direction. More specifically, in this embodiment, the first unit U1 can include two first modulation electrodes 106a extending along the first length direction L1 and two second modulation electrodes 106b extending along the second length direction L2, and the first length direction L1 is substantially the same as the second length direction L2. The second unit U2 can include two first modulation electrodes 106a extending along the third length direction L3 and two second modulation electrodes 106b extending along the fourth length direction L4, and the third length direction L3 is substantially the same as the fourth length direction L4. In addition, the third length direction L3 can be different from the first length direction L1, and the fourth length direction L4 can be different from the second length direction L2. Similarly, in this embodiment, the first unit U1 and the second unit U2 may be arranged alternately. In some examples, the first length direction L1 may be different from the second length direction L2, and the third length direction L3 may be different from the fourth length direction L4. The angle between any two of the first length direction L1, the second length direction L2, the third length direction L3, and the fourth length direction L4 may range from about 5 degrees to about 175 degrees (i.e., 5 degrees ≦ angle θ4 ≦ 175 degrees), for example, 30 degrees, 60 degrees, or 120 degrees.

[0099] Next, please refer to Figure 7 , Figure 7 A schematic diagram of the structure of an electronic modulation device 50 viewed from above is shown according to some other embodiments of the present application. Figure 7 The electronic modulation device 50 shown in FIG. Figure 6 , the difference between the electronic modulation device 50 and the electronic modulation device 40 is that the modulation electrodes of the first unit U1 and / or the second unit U2 are arranged in a different manner. Specifically, in the Y direction and / or the X direction, a first modulation electrode 106a is arranged between two second modulation electrodes 106b. It should be understood that, although the first unit U1 and the second unit U2 in the aforementioned embodiments both include four modulation electrodes, according to other embodiments, the number of modulation electrodes of the unit can be adjusted according to demand. In addition, according to other embodiments, the arrangement of the first modulation electrode 106a and the second modulation electrode 106b can be adjusted according to demand.

[0100] Next, please refer to Figure 8 , Figure 8The top view of the electronic modulation device 60 according to some other embodiments of the present application is shown. The electronic modulation device 60 may also include a plurality of first modulation units 104A and a plurality of second modulation units 104B disposed on the substrate 102. Furthermore, the electronic modulation device 60 may further include a plurality of third modulation units 104C disposed on the substrate 102. Figure 8 As shown, the third modulation unit 104C may include a third modulation electrode 106c and a third driving element 108c, and the third modulation electrode 106c may be electrically connected to the third driving element 108c. Furthermore, the third driving element 108c may be electrically connected to the signal line 110. In addition, according to some embodiments, at least a portion of the first modulation electrode 106a, the second modulation electrode 106b, and the third modulation electrode 106c may be arranged in a staggered manner.

[0101] In some embodiments, the area A3 of the third modulation electrode 106c is smaller than at least one of the area A1 of the first modulation electrode 106a and the area A2 of the second modulation electrode 106b. In some embodiments, the ratio of the area A1 of the first modulation electrode 106a to the area A3 of the third modulation electrode 106c ranges from about 1.2 to about 100 (i.e., 1.2≦A1 / A3≦100), such as 5, 20, 50, or 80. In other words, the ratio of the area of ​​the largest modulation electrode to the area of ​​the smallest modulation electrode ranges from about 1.2 to about 100.

[0102] In addition, according to some embodiments, the electronic modulation device 60 may include N1 first modulation electrodes 106a, N2 second modulation electrodes 106b, and N3 third modulation electrodes 106c. In some embodiments, the ratio of the N1 first modulation electrodes 106a to the N3 third modulation electrodes 106c (i.e., N1 / N3) ranges from about 0.5 to about 2.0 (i.e., 0.5≦N1 / N3≦2.0), for example, 1.2 or 1.5.

[0103] Next, please refer to Fig. 9 , Fig. 9 A schematic diagram of the structure of an electronic modulation device 70 viewed from above is shown according to some other embodiments of the present application. Fig. 9 The electronic modulation device 70 shown in FIG. Figure 8 The electronic modulation device 70 is similar to the electronic modulation device 60 shown in FIG. 1 , and the difference between the electronic modulation device 70 and the electronic modulation device 60 is that in the electronic modulation device 70 , the first modulation electrode 106 a , the second modulation electrode 106 b and the third modulation electrode 106 c extend along different length directions.

[0104] Specifically, the first modulation electrode 106a extends along the first length direction L1, the second modulation electrode 106b extends along the second length direction L2, and the third modulation electrode 106c extends along the fifth length direction L5. In this embodiment, the first length direction L1, the second length direction L2, and the fifth length direction L5 are different from each other. In other embodiments, the first length direction L1, the second length direction L2, and the fifth length direction L5 may be substantially the same (e.g., Figure 8 In some other embodiments, two of the first length direction L1, the second length direction L2, and the fifth length direction L5 may be substantially the same, and the other may be different from the two.

[0105] In some embodiments, the angle θ4 between the fifth length direction L5 and the first length direction L1 may range from about 5 degrees to about 175 degrees (i.e., 5 degrees≦angle θ4≦175 degrees). In some embodiments, the angle θ5 between the fifth length direction L5 and the second length direction L2 may range from about 5 degrees to about 175 degrees (i.e., 5 degrees≦angle θ5≦175 degrees). In some embodiments, the angle θ4 and the angle θ5 may each include 15 degrees, 30 degrees, 45 degrees, 60 degrees, 75 degrees, 90 degrees, 105 degrees, 130 degrees, 145 degrees, or 160 degrees, but the present application is not limited thereto. In addition, according to some embodiments, the third modulation electrodes 106c may all extend along substantially the same or similar length directions. For example, in this embodiment, the third modulation electrodes 106c all extend along the fifth length direction L5. However, in other embodiments, not all third modulation electrodes 106c extend along the same or similar length directions. In some embodiments, some third modulation electrodes 106 c extend substantially along the same length direction, while some third modulation electrodes 106 c extend along different length directions.

[0106] In addition, it should be understood that although the electronic modulation device illustrated in the above embodiments includes two or three modulation electrodes with different areas, according to other embodiments, the electronic modulation device may include modulation electrodes of more than three sizes. In some embodiments, the electronic modulation device may include modulation electrodes of any suitable size type according to requirements.

[0107] Next, please refer to Fig.10 , Fig.10 A schematic diagram of the structure of an electronic modulation device 80 viewed from above is shown according to some other embodiments of the present application. Fig.10 The electronic modulation device 80 shown in FIG. Figure 3The electronic modulation device 80 is similar to the electronic modulation device 20 shown in , and the difference between the electronic modulation device 80 and the electronic modulation device 20 is that the shape of the first modulation electrode 106a in the electronic modulation device 80 is an ellipse, while the shape of the first modulation electrode 106a in the electronic modulation device 20 is a rectangle. In other embodiments, the first modulation electrode 106a and the second modulation electrode 106b may have a triangle, a pentagon, an ellipse, a rhombus, an irregular shape, any other suitable shape, or a combination of the foregoing. In addition, according to some embodiments, the first modulation electrode 106a and the second modulation electrode 106b may have the same shape. According to some embodiments, the first modulation electrode 106a and the second modulation electrode 106b may have different shapes. Furthermore, the plurality of first modulation electrodes 106a may have substantially the same or different shapes, and the plurality of second modulation electrodes 106b may also have substantially the same or different shapes.

[0108] Next, please refer to Fig.11A and Fig. 11B , Fig.11A and Fig. 11B According to some embodiments of the present application, the electronic modulation device 10 is shown along Figure 1 Schematic diagram of the cross-sectional structure of the line segment A-A' in FIG. Fig.11A and Fig. 11B Some components (such as the signal line 110, etc.) are omitted in order to illustrate the structure of the electronic modulation device 10. Fig.11A and Fig. 11B As shown, the electronic modulation device 10 may include a substrate 102 and another substrate 202 disposed opposite to the substrate 102. The electronic modulation device 10 may include a first modulation electrode 106a and a second modulation electrode 106b disposed on the substrate 102.

[0109] The electronic modulation device 10 may further include a common electrode 204 disposed between the substrate 102 and the substrate 202. The common electrode 204 may be disposed on the first modulation electrode 106a and the second modulation electrode 106b. The common electrode 204 may also be electrically connected to the driving element. The material of the common electrode 204 may be similar to that of the first modulation electrode 106a and / or the second modulation electrode 106b.

[0110] The electronic modulation device 10 may further include a modulation material 302 disposed between the substrate 102 and the substrate 202. In some embodiments, the modulation material 302 may include a liquid crystal material, a microelectromechanical system (MEMS), other suitable modulation materials, or a combination thereof, but is not limited thereto. Fig.11A and Fig. 11BThis is only an exemplary embodiment, and therefore, the actual structure of the electronic modulation device 10 may be different from that shown in the figure, but it is still within the scope of the present application.

[0111] In addition, the electronic modulation device 10 may further include a support element 304 disposed between the substrate 102 and the substrate 202. The modulation material 302 may be enclosed or surrounded by the support element 304. The support element 304 may be used to strengthen or fix the structure of the electronic modulation device 10. In some embodiments, the support element 304 may include a spacer, a sealant, or a combination of the foregoing. The material of the support element 304 may include an insulating material, a conductive material, or other suitable materials. In some examples, the conductive material may include copper, silver, gold, a copper alloy, a silver alloy, a gold alloy, or a combination of the foregoing, but is not limited thereto. In some examples, the insulating material may include polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polyethylene (PE), polyethersulfone (PES), polycarbonate (PC), polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA), glass, other suitable materials or a combination of the foregoing, but is not limited thereto.

[0112] In addition, the electronic modulation device 10 may further include a backlight unit 402 disposed on one side of the substrate 102. Specifically, the backlight unit 402 may be adjacent to the substrate 102 (eg, Fig.11A ) or adjacent to the substrate 202 (as shown Fig. 11B (as shown). In some embodiments, the backlight unit 402 may include an organic light-emitting diode (OLED), a sub-millimeter light-emitting diode (mini LED), a micro light-emitting diode (micro LED), a quantum dot light-emitting diode (QLED), a quantum dot (QD), a phosphor, a fluorescent, or other display elements, but is not limited thereto. Furthermore, according to some embodiments, the electronic modulation device 10 may further include polarization structures respectively disposed adjacent to the substrate 102 and the substrate 202. In addition, in some embodiments, the electronic modulation device 10 may further include a color conversion layer disposed between the substrate 102 and the modulation material 302, or between the substrate 202 and the modulation material 302. In some embodiments, the electronic modulation device 10 may further include a shading element disposed adjacent to the color conversion layer. According to some embodiments, the electronic modulation device 10 may be used as a liquid crystal display.

[0113] Next, please refer to Fig. 12A , Fig. 12A According to some other embodiments of the present application, the electronic modulation device is along Figure 1 Schematic diagram of the cross-sectional structure of the line segment A-A' in FIG. Fig. 12A Some components (eg, the signal line 110 , etc.) are omitted to illustrate the structure of the electronic modulation device 10 . Fig. 12A The configuration of the electronic modulation device 10 in the embodiment shown is similar to Fig. 11B The electronic modulation devices 10 in the illustrated embodiments are similar, the difference between them being that Fig. 12A In the electronic modulation device 10 shown, the common electrode 204 ′ is patterned, and the backlight unit 402 is replaced by a waveguide 502 .

[0114] In more detail, the common electrode 204' may be patterned such that the common electrode 204' includes an opening 206 formed therein. In some embodiments, the first modulation electrode 106a or the second modulation electrode 106b may be disposed corresponding to the opening 206. In other embodiments, the common electrode 204' may have a ring structure.

[0115] In one example, the waveguide 502 may be disposed adjacent to the substrate 202. In other examples, the waveguide 502 may be disposed above the substrate 202, and the common electrode 204' may be disposed between the waveguide 502 and the first modulation electrode 106a. According to some embodiments, the waveguide 502 may provide or receive waves for the electronic modulation device 10. According to some embodiments, the electronic modulation device 10 may serve as a liquid crystal antenna.

[0116] Next, please refer to Fig. 12B , Fig. 12B According to some embodiments of the present application, Fig. 12A The top view of the electronic modulation device 10 is shown. For the sake of clarity, Fig. 12B Some components (e.g., substrate 202, modulation material 302, etc.) are omitted. Fig. 12B As shown, in the upward viewing angle, a first overlapping area V1 may be formed between the common electrode 204' and the first modulation electrode 106a. Similarly, in the upward viewing angle, a second overlapping area V2 may be formed between the common electrode 204' and the second modulation electrode 106b. In some embodiments, the first overlapping area V1 is different from the second overlapping area V2. In some embodiments, the ratio of the first overlapping area V1 to the second overlapping area V2 ranges from about 1.2 to about 100 (i.e., 1.2≦V1 / V2≦100), for example, 1.5, 10, 30, or 70, or, according to some embodiments, ranges from about 1.3 to about 50 (i.e., 1.3≦V1 / V2≦50).

[0117] As mentioned above, according to some embodiments, the electronic modulation device 10 may further include a third modulation electrode 106c disposed on the substrate 102. In these embodiments, in the top view, a third overlapping area V3 (eg, Fig. 12B ). In some embodiments, the third overlap area V3 is different from the first overlap area V1. In some embodiments, the ratio of the first overlap area V1 to the third overlap area V3 ranges from about 1.2 to about 100 (i.e., 1.2≦V1 / V3≦100), or, according to some embodiments, ranges from about 1.3 to about 50 (i.e., 1.3≦V1 / V3≦50).

[0118] According to some embodiments of the present application, an electronic modulation device is provided that includes modulation electrodes with different areas, and the ratio of the number of modulation electrodes with different areas can be maintained within a certain range, so that the electronic modulation device can modulate electromagnetic waves with different radio frequency ranges. In addition, according to some embodiments of the present application, the modulation electrodes with different areas can extend along different directions, thereby improving the performance of the electronic modulation device.

[0119] Although the present invention has been disclosed as above with preferred embodiments, it is not intended to limit the present invention. Any person skilled in the art may make some modifications and improvements without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. Therefore, the scope of protection of the present invention shall be based on the definition of the claims.

Claims

1. An electronic modulation device, characterized in that: The electronic modulation device is an antenna device, comprising: a substrate; A plurality of first electrodes are disposed on the substrate; a plurality of second electrodes disposed on the substrate; and a common electrode disposed opposite to the plurality of first electrodes and the plurality of second electrodes, wherein the common electrode comprises a plurality of openings, one of the plurality of openings is disposed corresponding to the first electrode, and an area of ​​the one of the plurality of openings is different from an area of ​​another one of the plurality of openings; One of the plurality of first electrodes extends along a first length direction, one of the plurality of second electrodes extends along a second length direction, and the first length direction is different from the second length direction.

2. The electronic modulation device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The device further includes a driving element, and the driving element is electrically connected to the first electrode.

3. The electronic modulation device according to claim 1, characterized in that: An angle between the first length direction and the second length direction ranges from 5 degrees to 175 degrees.

4. The electronic modulation device according to claim 3, characterized in that: The angle between the first length direction and the second length direction ranges from 60 degrees to 130 degrees.

5. The electronic modulation device according to claim 4, characterized in that: The angle between the first length direction and the second length direction is 90 degrees.

6. The electronic modulation device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The first electrode has a rectangular shape.

7. The electronic modulation device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The first electrode has a square shape.

8. The electronic modulation device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The shape of the first electrode is different from the shape of the second electrode.

9. An electronic modulation device, characterized in that: The electronic modulation device is an antenna device, comprising:

1. Substrate: A plurality of first electrodes are disposed on the substrate; a plurality of second electrodes disposed on the substrate; and A common electrode is arranged opposite to the multiple first electrodes and the multiple second electrodes, wherein the common electrode includes multiple openings, one of the multiple openings is arranged corresponding to the first electrode, and the area of ​​one of the multiple openings is different from the area of ​​another one.

10. The electronic modulation device according to claim 9, characterized in that: The device further includes a driving element, and the driving element is electrically connected to the first electrode.

11. The electronic modulation device according to claim 9, characterized in that: The electronic modulation device provides a radiation pattern, which includes a main lobe and a side lobe, and the difference in gain between the main lobe and the side lobe is greater than or equal to 10 dB.

12. The electronic modulation device according to claim 9, characterized in that: The plurality of openings are closed openings.

13. The electronic modulation device according to claim 9, characterized in that: The electronic modulation device modulates electromagnetic waves in the radio frequency range of 1 GHz to 100T Hz.

Images