Phase-shifted control system and method

Abstract

The application provides a phase shift control system and method, the system comprises: a capacitance detection module for detecting the capacitance value between a signal transmission line and a stratum; a voltage control module connected with the signal transmission line and the stratum in the liquid crystal phase shifter respectively, for adjusting the voltage according to the measured dielectric constant of the liquid crystal layer until the difference between the voltage and the target voltage is less than or equal to a preset deviation, and stopping adjusting the voltage. Compared with the prior art, the application adds a feedback mechanism, and adds a capacitance detection module on the basis of the existing liquid crystal phase shifter control system. The capacitance value between the signal transmission line and the stratum is detected through the capacitance detection module, the measured dielectric constant of the liquid crystal layer is calculated through the detected capacitance value, the measured dielectric constant is compared with the target dielectric constant, the voltage between the signal transmission line and the stratum is adjusted, the influence of external factors such as temperature, pressure and the like in the surrounding environment is eliminated, and the phase shift is more accurate and has higher precision.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of communication technology, and in particular to a phase-shifting control system and method. Background Technology

[0002] Phase shifters, as common electronic devices, are mainly used to control the phase of radio frequency (RF) / microwave transmission signals. They are essential components in phased array antenna systems and mobile communication systems. By changing the phase value (electrical length) of the signal transmission line inside the phase shifter, the phase of the corresponding radiating element in the antenna array is changed, thereby affecting the beam offset angle of the synthesized beam of the antenna radiating element and achieving the purpose of controlling the antenna beam. Since the phase value of the RF signal depends on the physical length of the signal transmission line and the dielectric constant of the medium in the signal transmission line, there are two types of phase shifter principles: one is to change the physical length of the signal transmission line, and the other is to change the dielectric constant of the medium in the signal transmission line to achieve the purpose of changing the electrical length.

[0003] Liquid crystals are materials whose dielectric constant can be controlled by applying voltage. The dielectric constant can be continuously changed with different applied bias voltages, thus enabling continuous phase shift adjustment. Numerous liquid crystal phase shifter systems based on liquid crystal materials have been developed, all operating on the same basic principle, such as... Figure 1 As shown, the liquid crystal phase shifter system includes a liquid crystal phase shifter 10 and a voltage control module 20. The liquid crystal phase shifter includes an upper substrate 11, a signal transmission line 12, a ground layer 14, a lower substrate 15, and a liquid crystal layer 13 between the signal transmission line 12 and the ground layer 14. The voltage control module 20 changes the voltage between the signal line 12 and the ground layer 14 to control the deflection of the liquid crystal layer 13. The change in the deflection of the liquid crystal layer 13 will cause a change in the dielectric constant of the surrounding effective area in the signal transmission line 12, thereby changing the electrical length of the signal transmission line 12 and achieving the purpose of changing the phase of the transmitted signal.

[0004] However, the dielectric constant of liquid crystal materials is affected not only by the applied bias voltage, but also by external factors such as temperature and pressure. Simply controlling the applied bias voltage cannot guarantee the phase shifting accuracy of the liquid crystal phase shifter. Summary of the Invention

[0005] The phase-shifting control system and method provided by this invention are used to solve the problem of insufficient phase-shifting accuracy of current liquid crystal phase shifters caused by external factors. Compared with the prior art, a feedback mechanism is added. A capacitance detection module is added to the existing liquid crystal phase shifter control system. The capacitance detection module detects the capacitance value between the signal transmission line and the ground layer. Based on the detected capacitance value, the measured value of the dielectric constant of the liquid crystal layer is calculated. By comparing the measured value of the dielectric constant with the target value of the dielectric constant, the voltage between the signal transmission line and the ground layer is adjusted. This eliminates the influence of external factors such as temperature and pressure, making the phase shifting more accurate and precise.

[0006] The application provides a phase shift control system, comprising:

[0007] A capacitance detection module is connected with a signal transmission line and a ground layer in the liquid crystal phase shifter respectively, and is used for detecting a capacitance value between the signal transmission line and the ground layer and transmitting the capacitance value to a voltage control module;

[0008] The voltage control module is connected with the capacitance detection module, the signal transmission line and the ground layer in the liquid crystal phase shifter respectively, and is used for adjusting a voltage between the signal transmission line and the ground layer according to a measured dielectric constant of a liquid crystal layer in the liquid crystal phase shifter until a difference between the voltage and a target voltage is less than or equal to a preset deviation, and stopping adjusting the voltage, wherein the measured dielectric constant is determined according to the capacitance value between the signal transmission line and the ground layer transmitted by the capacitance detection module.

[0009] According to the phase shift control system provided by the application, the target voltage is determined according to a target dielectric constant of the liquid crystal layer.

[0010] According to the phase shift control system provided by the application, the target dielectric constant is determined according to a phase value.

[0011] According to the phase shift control system provided by the application, the signal transmission line is arranged on one side of a first substrate in the liquid crystal phase shifter close to the liquid crystal layer, the ground layer is arranged on one side of a second substrate in the liquid crystal phase shifter close to the liquid crystal layer, and the liquid crystal layer is arranged between the first substrate and the second substrate.

[0012] According to the phase shift control system provided by the application, the first substrate and the second substrate are arranged in parallel.

[0013] According to the phase shift control system provided by the application, the liquid crystal layer adopts a single liquid crystal material or a mixed liquid crystal material.

[0014] The application further provides a phase shift control method, comprising:

[0015] A capacitance value between a signal transmission line and a ground layer in a liquid crystal phase shifter is detected by a capacitance detection module, and the capacitance value is transmitted to a voltage control module, wherein the capacitance detection module is connected with the signal transmission line and the ground layer respectively;

[0016] The voltage control module is connected with the capacitance detection module, the signal transmission line and the ground layer in the liquid crystal phase shifter, and the difference between the measured dielectric constant value of the liquid crystal layer and the target dielectric constant value is less than or equal to a preset deviation.

[0017] According to the phase shift control method provided by the application, the preset condition comprises:

[0018] The difference between the measured dielectric constant value and the target dielectric constant value is less than or equal to a preset deviation value.

[0019] According to the phase shift control method provided by the application, the target dielectric constant value is determined according to a phase value.

[0020] According to the phase shift control method provided by the application, the signal transmission line is arranged on one side of a first substrate in the liquid crystal phase shifter close to the liquid crystal layer, the ground layer is arranged on one side of a second substrate in the liquid crystal phase shifter close to the liquid crystal layer, the liquid crystal layer is arranged between the first substrate and the second substrate, and the first substrate and the second substrate are arranged in parallel.

[0021] Compared with the prior art, the phase shift control system and method provided by the application increase the feedback mechanism, increase the capacitance detection module on the basis of the existing liquid crystal phase shifter control system, detect the capacitance value between the signal transmission line and the ground layer through the capacitance detection module, calculate the measured dielectric constant value of the liquid crystal layer through the detected capacitance value, compare the measured dielectric constant value with the target dielectric constant value, adjust the voltage between the signal transmission line and the ground layer, eliminate the influence of external factors such as temperature, pressure and the like in the surrounding environment, and make the phase shift more accurate and more precise. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0022] In order to more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in the application or the prior art, the following will briefly introduce the drawings needed to be used in the embodiments or the prior art description. Obviously, the drawings in the following description are some embodiments of the application, and for those skilled in the art, other drawings can also be obtained without creative labor on the basis of these drawings.

[0023] Figure 1 is a structural schematic diagram of a liquid crystal phase shifter provided by the prior art;

[0024] Figure 2 is a structural schematic diagram of a phase shift control system provided by the application;

[0025] Figure 3 is a flowchart of the phase shift control method provided by the present application. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0027] 10: liquid crystal phase shifter; 11: first substrate; 12: signal transmission line;

[0028] 13: liquid crystal layer; 14: ground layer; 15: second substrate;

[0029] 20: voltage control module; 30: capacitance detection module. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0030] In order to make the objectives, technical solutions and advantages of the present application clearer, the technical solutions in the present application will be described clearly and completely below with reference to the drawings in the present application. Obviously, the described embodiments are only part of the embodiments of the present application, rather than all the embodiments. Based on the embodiments in the present application, all other embodiments obtained by those of ordinary skill in the art without creative labor fall within the protection scope of the present application.

[0031] Figure 2 is a structural schematic diagram of the phase shift control system provided by the present application, as shown in Figure 2 The system comprises:

[0032] The capacitance detection module 30 is connected with the signal transmission line 12 and the ground layer 14 in the liquid crystal phase shifter 10 respectively, for detecting the capacitance value between the signal transmission line 12 and the ground layer 14, and transmitting the capacitance value to the voltage control module 20.

[0033] The voltage control module 20 is connected with the signal transmission line 12 and the ground layer 14 in the liquid crystal phase shifter 10 respectively, for adjusting the voltage between the signal transmission line 12 and the ground layer 14 according to the measured dielectric constant value of the liquid crystal layer 13 in the liquid crystal phase shifter 10, until the difference between the voltage and the target voltage is less than or equal to the preset deviation, stopping adjusting the voltage, and the measured dielectric constant value is determined according to the capacitance value between the signal transmission line 12 and the ground layer 14 transmitted by the capacitance detection module 30.

[0034] Optionally, the phase shift control system provided by the present application can specifically comprise the liquid crystal phase shifter 10, the voltage control module 20 and the capacitance detection module 30.

[0035] The capacitance detection module 30 is used to detect the capacitance value between the signal transmission line 12 and the ground layer 14, and transmit the capacitance value to the voltage control module 20. The voltage control module 20 obtains the actual measured dielectric constant of the liquid crystal layer 13, i.e. the dielectric constant measured value, based on the pre-stored first corresponding relationship according to the capacitance value. The first corresponding relationship can be obtained according to the following calculation formula between the dielectric constant and the capacitance value.

[0036] C = ε * S / d

[0037] Wherein, C is the capacitance value, ε is the dielectric constant, S is the facing area of the capacitance level plate, and d is the distance between the capacitance level plates.

[0038] It can be seen that for the same liquid crystal phase shifter 10, there is a certain first corresponding relationship between the dielectric constant and the capacitance value.

[0039] The voltage control module 20 adjusts the voltage between the signal transmission line 12 and the ground layer 14 according to the calculated dielectric constant measured value until the difference between the voltage and the target voltage is less than or equal to the preset deviation, stops adjusting the voltage, controls the deflection of the liquid crystal layer 13, changes the dielectric constant of the medium around the signal transmission line 12, and further changes the phase value of the signal transmission line 12, so as to achieve the purpose of changing the phase.

[0040] The capacitance detection module 30 detects the capacitance value between the signal transmission line 12 and the ground layer 14 in the liquid crystal phase shifter 10.

[0041] The voltage control module 20 adjusts the voltage between the signal transmission line 12 and the ground layer 14 according to the dielectric constant measured value of the liquid crystal layer 13 in the liquid crystal phase shifter 10, and repeats the process until the difference between the voltage corresponding to the dielectric constant target value and the target voltage is less than or equal to the preset deviation, stops adjusting the voltage, and completes the phase shifting process of the liquid crystal phase shifter. At this time, the dielectric constant measured value approaches or equals the dielectric constant target value.

[0042] The preset deviation can be set to zero or close to zero. When the preset deviation is zero, it means that the dielectric constant measured value is consistent with the dielectric constant target value. When the preset deviation value is close to zero, it means that the dielectric constant measured value is close to the dielectric constant target value. Further, in an embodiment, the target voltage is determined according to the dielectric constant target value of the liquid crystal layer.

[0043] According to the dielectric constant target value, the dielectric constant target value can be specifically the dielectric constant value of the medium of the liquid crystal layer under the required phase value. More specifically, the target voltage required by the voltage control module 20 can be obtained from the experimental data, that is, the voltage value between the signal transmission line 12 and the ground layer 14 corresponding to the dielectric constant target value. Adjust the voltage value of the voltage control module 20 to the target voltage, and detect the capacitance value between the signal transmission line 12 and the ground layer 14 by using the capacitance detection module 20, and then obtain the dielectric constant measured value according to the pre-stored first corresponding relationship.

[0044] The dielectric constant measured value and the dielectric constant target value are compared, and the voltage between the signal transmission line 12 and the ground layer 14 is adjusted by the voltage control module 20 until the difference between the voltage and the target voltage is less than or equal to the preset deviation, and the adjustment of the voltage is stopped. For example, when the dielectric constant measured value is less than the dielectric constant target value, the voltage between the signal transmission line 12 and the ground layer 14 is increased; when the dielectric constant measured value is greater than the dielectric constant target value, the voltage between the signal transmission line 12 and the ground layer 14 is decreased.

[0045] Further, in one embodiment, the dielectric constant target value is determined according to the phase value.

[0046] Optionally, according to the phase value requirement, the dielectric constant target value of the liquid crystal layer 13 corresponding to the phase value is obtained based on the pre-stored calculation formula between the phase value and the dielectric constant.

[0047] It should be noted that the calculation formula between the phase value and the dielectric constant is as follows:

[0048]

[0049] Wherein, φ is the phase value, ε is the dielectric constant, L is the length of the signal transmission line, and λ is the wavelength of the electromagnetic wave of a specific frequency;

[0050] It can be seen that for a specific frequency signal and the same liquid crystal phase shifter 10, the phase value and the dielectric constant have a certain relationship.

[0051] The liquid crystal phase shifter 10 can specifically include a first substrate 11, a signal transmission line 12, a liquid crystal layer 13, a ground layer 14, and a second substrate 15. The first substrate 11, the signal transmission line 12, the liquid crystal layer 13, the ground layer 14, and the second substrate 15 are arranged from top to bottom or from bottom to top.

[0052] In one embodiment, the signal transmission line 12 is arranged on the side of the first substrate 11 in the liquid crystal phase shifter 10 close to the liquid crystal layer 13, the ground layer 14 is arranged on the side of the second substrate 15 in the liquid crystal phase shifter 10 close to the liquid crystal layer 13, and the liquid crystal layer 13 is arranged between the first substrate 11 and the second substrate 15.

[0053] In one embodiment, the first substrate 11 and the second substrate 15 are arranged in parallel.

[0054] Optionally, the first substrate 11 is arranged on the upper portion of the liquid crystal phase shifter 10, the second substrate 15 is arranged on the lower portion of the liquid crystal phase shifter 10, and the first substrate 11 and the second substrate 15 are arranged in parallel.

[0055] It should be noted that only the basic components of the liquid crystal phase shifter 10 are introduced here, and the liquid crystal phase shifter of the basic principle can be applied to the phase shift control system of the present application, which will not be described in detail here.

[0056] In one embodiment, the liquid crystal layer 13 is made of a single liquid crystal material or a mixed liquid crystal material.

[0057] Optionally, the liquid crystal layer 13 can be made of a single liquid crystal material, such as nematic liquid crystal, twisted nematic liquid crystal, etc.

[0058] The liquid crystal layer 13 can also be made of a mixed liquid crystal material, such as mixed crystal, etc.

[0059] In other embodiments of the present application, the liquid crystal layer 13 can have a uniform thickness in the radial direction, thereby having a better phase shift effect. The thickness of the liquid crystal layer 13 can be determined according to actual requirements, such as phase value, response time, insertion loss, etc.

[0060] The feedback mechanism of the present application can improve the phase shift accuracy of the radio frequency signal, thereby improving the accuracy of the antenna shaping.

[0061] The phase shift control system provided by the present application adds a feedback mechanism compared with the prior art, adds a capacitance detection module based on the existing liquid crystal phase shifter control system, detects the capacitance value between the signal transmission line and the ground layer through the capacitance detection module, calculates the measured value of the dielectric constant of the liquid crystal layer through the detected capacitance value, compares the measured value of the dielectric constant with the target value of the dielectric constant, adjusts the voltage between the signal transmission line and the ground layer, eliminates the influence of external factors such as temperature, pressure, etc. Surrounding environment, so that the phase shift is more accurate and has higher accuracy.

[0062] The phase shift control method provided by the present application will be described below. The phase shift control method described below is based on the phase shift control system described above.

[0063] Figure 3 is a flowchart of the phase shift control method provided by the present application, as shown in Figure 3 , comprising:

[0064] In step 310, the capacitance detection module detects the capacitance value between the signal transmission line and the ground layer in the liquid crystal phase shifter, and transmits the capacitance value to the voltage control module.

[0065] In step 320, the voltage control module adjusts the voltage between the signal transmission line and the ground layer according to the measured dielectric constant of the liquid crystal layer in the liquid crystal phase shifter until the difference between the voltage and the target voltage is less than or equal to the preset deviation, and stops adjusting the voltage.

[0066] Further, in an embodiment, the target voltage is determined according to the target dielectric constant of the liquid crystal layer.

[0067] Further, in an embodiment, the target dielectric constant is determined according to the phase value.

[0068] Further, in an embodiment, the signal transmission line is arranged on one side of the first substrate in the liquid crystal phase shifter close to the liquid crystal layer, the ground layer is arranged on one side of the second substrate in the liquid crystal phase shifter close to the liquid crystal layer, the liquid crystal layer is arranged between the first substrate and the second substrate, and the first substrate and the second substrate are arranged in parallel.

[0069] The phase shift control method provided by the present application increases the feedback mechanism compared with the prior art, and adds a capacitance detection module based on the existing liquid crystal phase shifter. The capacitance value between the signal transmission line and the ground layer is detected by the capacitance detection module. The measured dielectric constant of the liquid crystal layer is calculated by the tested capacitance value. The voltage between the signal transmission line and the ground layer is adjusted by comparing the measured dielectric constant with the target dielectric constant. The influence of external factors such as temperature, pressure and other surrounding environment is eliminated, so that the phase shift is more accurate and has higher precision.

[0070] Finally, it should be noted that the above embodiments are only used to illustrate the technical solutions of the present application, and not to limit them. Although the present application has been described in detail with reference to the foregoing embodiments, those skilled in the art should understand that they can modify the technical solutions recorded in the foregoing embodiments, or make equivalent replacements to some technical features. These modifications or replacements do not make the essence of the corresponding technical solutions deviate from the spirit and scope of the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present application.

Claims

1. A phase-shifted control system, characterized by, The application relates to a liquid crystal phase shifter, comprising: a capacitance detection module connected with a signal transmission line and a ground layer in a liquid crystal phase shifter respectively, used for detecting capacitance between the signal transmission line and the ground layer in real time and transmitting the capacitance to a voltage control module; the voltage control module is connected with the capacitance detection module, the signal transmission line and the ground layer in the liquid crystal phase shifter respectively, used for adjusting voltage between the signal transmission line and the ground layer according to a measured value of dielectric constant of a liquid crystal layer in the liquid crystal phase shifter until a difference between the measured value and a target value of the dielectric constant of the liquid crystal layer is less than or equal to a preset deviation, and stopping adjusting the voltage, wherein the measured value of the dielectric constant is determined according to the capacitance between the signal transmission line and the ground layer transmitted by the capacitance detection module.

2. The phase-shifted control system of claim 1, wherein, The target value of the dielectric constant is determined according to a phase value.

3. The phase-shifted control system of claim 1, wherein, The signal transmission line is arranged on one side of a first substrate in the liquid crystal phase shifter close to the liquid crystal layer, the ground layer is arranged on one side of a second substrate in the liquid crystal phase shifter close to the liquid crystal layer, and the liquid crystal layer is arranged between the first substrate and the second substrate.

4. The phase-shifted control system of claim 3, wherein, The first substrate and the second substrate are arranged in parallel.

5. The phase-shifted control system of any one of claims 1-4, wherein, The liquid crystal layer adopts single liquid crystal material or mixed liquid crystal material.

6. A phase-shifted control method based on the phase-shifted control system according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized by, The application relates to a liquid crystal phase shifter, comprising: a capacitance detection module connected with a signal transmission line and a ground layer in a liquid crystal phase shifter respectively, used for detecting capacitance between the signal transmission line and the ground layer in real time and transmitting the capacitance to a voltage control module; the voltage control module is connected with the capacitance detection module, the signal transmission line and the ground layer in the liquid crystal phase shifter respectively, used for adjusting voltage between the signal transmission line and the ground layer according to a measured value of dielectric constant of a liquid crystal layer in the liquid crystal phase shifter until a difference between the measured value and a target value of the dielectric constant of the liquid crystal layer is less than or equal to a preset deviation, and stopping adjusting the voltage, wherein the measured value of the dielectric constant is determined according to the capacitance between the signal transmission line and the ground layer transmitted by the capacitance detection module.

7. The phase-shift control method according to claim 6, wherein The target value of the dielectric constant is determined according to a phase value.

8. The phase-shift control method according to claim 6, wherein The signal transmission line is arranged on one side of a first substrate in the liquid crystal phase shifter close to the liquid crystal layer, the ground layer is arranged on one side of a second substrate in the liquid crystal phase shifter close to the liquid crystal layer, and the liquid crystal layer is arranged between the first substrate and the second substrate. The first substrate and the second substrate are arranged in parallel.

Images