Electromagnetic wave reflecting structure

Abstract

An electromagnetic wave reflection structure includes a first substrate, a second substrate, a plurality of first conductive lines, a plurality of second conductive lines, a plurality of antenna electrodes, a plurality of modulation electrodes, and a liquid crystal layer. The first conductive lines are arranged on the first substrate along a first direction. The second conductive lines are arranged on the second substrate along a second direction. The antenna electrodes are arranged on the first substrate along the first direction to form a plurality of first electrode strings, respectively. The first electrode strings are electrically connected to the first conductive lines, respectively. The modulation electrodes completely cover the orthogonal projections of the antenna electrodes on the second substrate. The modulation electrodes are arranged on the second substrate along the first direction to form a plurality of second electrode strings, respectively. The second electrode strings are electrically connected to the second conductive lines, respectively. The liquid crystal layer is disposed between the first substrate and the second substrate.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to an electromagnetic wave reflection structure, and more particularly to an electromagnetic wave reflection structure with adjustable electromagnetic wave transmission and reception direction and resonant frequency. Background Technology

[0002] In the field of mobile communications, reducing energy loss of electromagnetic waves during transmission has always been a crucial issue. As the frequency of electromagnetic waves increases, the energy loss when encountering obstacles (such as concrete walls, trees, furniture, and signs) becomes more severe. This can easily create communication dead zones, dark areas, or regions with weak signals in the application space.

[0003] While this can be improved by adding base stations or signal boosters, the costs of installation, energy consumption, and subsequent hardware maintenance are considerable. To address these issues, reflective antenna arrays are widely used to increase electromagnetic signal coverage. However, the transmission and reception directions of these reflective antenna arrays cannot be adjusted according to the installation environment due to their fixed antenna size, causing inconvenience in use. Summary of the Invention

[0004] This invention relates to an electromagnetic wave reflection structure, which has adjustable electromagnetic wave transmission and reception direction and resonant frequency.

[0005] According to an embodiment of the present invention, an electromagnetic wave reflecting structure includes a first substrate, a second substrate, a plurality of first conductive lines, a plurality of second conductive lines, a plurality of antenna electrodes, a plurality of modulation electrodes, and a liquid crystal layer. The second substrate is disposed opposite to the first substrate. The first conductive lines are arranged on the first substrate along a first direction and extend in a second direction. The first direction intersects the second direction. The second conductive lines are arranged on the second substrate along the second direction and extend in the first direction. The antenna electrodes are disposed on the first substrate and are respectively arranged into a plurality of first electrode strings along the first direction. The first electrode strings are respectively electrically connected to the first conductive lines. The modulation electrodes are disposed on the second substrate and respectively overlap and completely cover the orthographic projection of the antenna electrodes on the second substrate. The modulation electrodes are respectively arranged into a plurality of second electrode strings along the first direction, and the second electrode strings are respectively electrically connected to the second conductive lines. The liquid crystal layer is disposed between the first substrate and the second substrate.

[0006] In the electromagnetic wave reflection structure according to an embodiment of the present invention, a plurality of first conductors are electrically connected to a first voltage source and have a first voltage. A plurality of second conductors are electrically connected to a second voltage source and have a second voltage.

[0007] In the electromagnetic wave reflection structure according to an embodiment of the present invention, the first conductor has a plurality of first resistors located between a plurality of antenna electrodes, and each of these first resistors is electrically connected to any two antenna electrodes in the first electrode string.

[0008] In the electromagnetic wave reflection structure according to an embodiment of the present invention, the second conductor has a plurality of second resistors located between a plurality of antenna electrodes, and each of these second resistors is electrically connected to any two modulation electrodes in the second electrode string.

[0009] In the electromagnetic wave reflection structure according to an embodiment of the present invention, the plurality of first wires or the plurality of second wires have different voltages.

[0010] In the electromagnetic wave reflection structure according to an embodiment of the present invention, multiple first wires are electrically connected to a first digital-to-analog converter array and have different voltages, and multiple second wires are electrically connected to a second digital-to-analog converter array and have different voltages.

[0011] In the electromagnetic wave reflection structure according to an embodiment of the present invention, the voltage of each of the plurality of first conductors gradually increases or decreases from one side to the other in a first direction, and the voltage of each of the plurality of second conductors gradually increases or decreases from one side to the other in a second direction.

[0012] In the electromagnetic wave reflection structure according to an embodiment of the present invention, each of the plurality of antenna electrodes has a first width and a second width along a first direction and a second direction, respectively. The first width of each antenna electrode is the same, and the second width of each antenna electrode is the same.

[0013] In the electromagnetic wave reflection structure according to an embodiment of the present invention, the width of each of the plurality of antenna electrodes along the third direction gradually increases or decreases from one side of the antenna electrodes in the third direction to the other side.

[0014] In the electromagnetic wave reflection structure according to an embodiment of the present invention, the third direction is parallel to one of the first direction and the second direction.

[0015] In the electromagnetic wave reflection structure according to an embodiment of the present invention, the width of each of the plurality of antenna electrodes along the fourth direction gradually increases or decreases from one side of the antenna electrodes to the other side in the fourth direction, and the fourth direction is not parallel to the first direction and the second direction.

[0016] In the electromagnetic wave reflection structure according to an embodiment of the present invention, the width of each of the plurality of modulation electrodes along the third direction is the same.

[0017] In the electromagnetic wave reflection structure according to an embodiment of the present invention, each of the plurality of modulation electrodes has a bottom parallel to the second substrate and a sidewall portion extending bently from the bottom. The liquid crystal layer is divided into a plurality of separate portions, and the sidewall portion of each modulation electrode surrounds a portion of the liquid crystal layer and an antenna electrode.

[0018] In the electromagnetic wave reflection structure according to an embodiment of the present invention, each antenna electrode includes at least one conductor patch, and the orthographic projection outline of at least one conductor patch on the first substrate is circular, rectangular, annular, concave, or L-shaped.

[0019] In the electromagnetic wave reflection structure according to an embodiment of the present invention, the orthographic projection of each antenna electrode on the second substrate is completely covered by the orthographic projection of a modulation electrode on the second substrate.

[0020] In an embodiment of the present invention, the electromagnetic wave reflecting structure further includes at least one alignment layer disposed between at least one of the first substrate and the second substrate and the liquid crystal layer.

[0021] In the electromagnetic wave reflection structure according to an embodiment of the present invention, at least one alignment layer is a plurality of alignment patterns disposed corresponding to a plurality of modulation electrodes, and each alignment pattern is the same as the orthographic projection profile of each modulation electrode on the first substrate.

[0022] In the electromagnetic wave reflection structure according to an embodiment of the present invention, the alignment direction of each alignment pattern is radial or concentric.

[0023] Based on the above, in an embodiment of the electromagnetic wave reflection structure of the present invention, each of the arrayed antenna structures has an antenna electrode, a modulation electrode, and a liquid crystal layer located between the two electrodes. By adjusting the distribution of the effective dielectric constant of the liquid crystal layer in these antenna structures, the radiation pattern or the reflection efficiency of the electromagnetic wave after reflection by these antenna structures can be changed. Attached Figure Description

[0024] Figure 1 This is a top view schematic diagram of the electromagnetic wave reflection structure according to the first embodiment of the present invention;

[0025] Figure 2A and Figure 2B They are Figure 1 A cross-sectional schematic diagram of an electromagnetic wave reflection structure;

[0026] Figure 3 yes Figure 1 A schematic diagram showing the partial breakdown of the film layers of the electromagnetic wave reflecting structure;

[0027] Figures 4A to 4F This is a top view schematic diagram of the antenna electrodes of some other modified embodiments of the present invention;

[0028] Figure 5A yes Figure 2A A schematic diagram of the alignment direction of the alignment layer;

[0029] Figure 5B and Figure 5C This is a schematic diagram of the alignment direction of the alignment layer in some other modified embodiments of the present invention;

[0030] Figure 6 This is a top view schematic diagram of the electromagnetic wave reflection structure according to the second embodiment of the present invention;

[0031] Figure 7A and Figure 7B They are Figure 6 A cross-sectional schematic diagram of an electromagnetic wave reflection structure;

[0032] Figure 8 This is a top view schematic diagram of the electromagnetic wave reflection structure according to the third embodiment of the present invention;

[0033] Figure 9A and Figure 9B They are Figure 8 A cross-sectional schematic diagram of an electromagnetic wave reflection structure;

[0034] Figure 10 This is a top view schematic diagram of the electromagnetic wave reflection structure according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention;

[0035] Figure 11A and Figure 11B They are Figure 10 A cross-sectional schematic diagram of an electromagnetic wave reflection structure;

[0036] Figure 12 This is a top view schematic diagram of the electromagnetic wave reflection structure according to the fifth embodiment of the present invention;

[0037] Figure 13 This is a top view schematic diagram of the electromagnetic wave reflection structure according to the sixth embodiment of the present invention;

[0038] Figure 14 This is a top view schematic diagram of the electromagnetic wave reflection structure according to the seventh embodiment of the present invention;

[0039] Figure 15A and Figure 15B They are Figure 14 A cross-sectional schematic diagram of an electromagnetic wave reflection structure;

[0040] Figure 16 This is a top view schematic diagram of the electromagnetic wave reflection structure according to the eighth embodiment of the present invention.

[0041] Explanation of reference numerals in the attached figures

[0042] 10, 10A, 10B, 10C, 10D, 10E, 10F, 10G; Electromagnetic wave reflection structure;

[0043] 110, 110A, 110B, 110C; Antenna electrodes;

[0044] 111, 112, 111C, 112C, 111D, 112D, 111E, 112E, 111F, 112F; Conductor patches;

[0045] 110S, 120S, 110S1~110S4, 120S1~120S4; electrode strings;

[0046] 120, 120A, 120B, 120C; Modulation electrodes;

[0047] 120bp; bottom;

[0048] 120sp; sidewall portion;

[0049] 210, 220, 230, 240; voltage source;

[0050] 310, 320; Digital-to-analog converter;

[0051] AD1, AD2, AD1-A, AD2-A, AD1-B, AD2-B; alignment direction;

[0052] AL, AL1, AL2, AL1-A, AL2-A, AL1-B, AL2-B; alignment layers;

[0053] D1, D2, D3, D4; Direction;

[0054] INS1, INS2; Insulation layer;

[0055] LCL; liquid crystal layer;

[0056] R1, R2; resistors;

[0057] SP; spacer;

[0058] SUB1; First substrate;

[0059] SUB2; Second substrate;

[0060] V1~V8; First voltage~Eighth voltage;

[0061] W1, W2, W3, W4; Width;

[0062] WR1, WR1-A, WR1-B, WR1-C; First conductor;

[0063] WR2, WR2-B, WR2-C; Second conductor;

[0064] A1-A1', A2-A2', B1-B1', B2-B2', C1-C1', C2-C2', D1-D1', D2-D2', E1-E1', E2-E2'; section lines. Detailed Implementation

[0065] Reference will now be made in detail to exemplary embodiments of the invention, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Wherever possible, the same element references are used in the drawings and description to denote the same or similar parts.

[0066] As used herein, “about,” “approximately,” “essentially,” or “substantially” includes the value and the average value within an acceptable range of deviations from a particular value as determined by one of ordinary skill in the art, taking into account the measurement under discussion and a particular number of errors associated with the measurement (i.e., limitations of the measurement system). For example, “about” may mean within one or more standard deviations of the value, or, for example, within ±30%, ±20%, ±15%, ±10%, ±5%. Furthermore, the use of “about,” “approximately,” “essentially,” or “substantially” herein may be chosen to select a more acceptable range of deviations or standard deviations depending on the nature of the measurement, the cutting nature, or other properties, and may not require a single standard deviation to apply to all properties.

[0067] In the accompanying drawings, the thicknesses of layers, films, panels, regions, etc., are enlarged for clarity. It should be understood that when a component such as a layer, film, region, or substrate is referred to as being "on" or "connected" to another component, it may be directly on or connected to the other component, or an intermediate component may also be present. Conversely, when a component is referred to as being "directly on" or "directly connected" to another component, no intermediate component is present. As used herein, "connection" can refer to a physical and / or electrical connection. Furthermore, an "electrical connection" may mean the presence of other components between the two components.

[0068] Figure 1 This is a top view schematic diagram of the electromagnetic wave reflection structure according to the first embodiment of the present invention. Figure 2A and Figure 2B They are Figure 1 A cross-sectional view of the electromagnetic wave reflection structure along sections A1-A1' and A2-A2'. Figure 3 yes Figure 1 A schematic diagram showing the partial breakdown of the film layers of the electromagnetic wave reflecting structure. Figures 4A to 4F This is a top view schematic diagram of the antenna electrodes of some other modified embodiments of the present invention. Figure 5A yes Figure 2A A schematic diagram of the alignment direction of the alignment layer. Figure 5B and Figure 5CThis is a schematic diagram of the alignment direction of the alignment layer in some other modified embodiments of the present invention. For clarity, Figure 1 Omitted Figure 2A The diagram shows the first substrate SUB1, the liquid crystal layer LCL, the spacer SP, the alignment layer AL1, and the alignment layer AL2. It should be noted that the number of antenna electrodes 110, modulation electrodes 120, the first wire WR1, and the second wire WR2 shown in the diagram are for illustrative purposes only and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention.

[0069] Please refer to Figures 1 to 3 The electromagnetic wave reflection structure 10 includes a first substrate SUB1, a second substrate SUB2, multiple antenna electrodes 110, multiple modulation electrodes 120, multiple first conductors WR1, and multiple second conductors WR2. The first substrate SUB1 and the second substrate SUB2 are arranged facing each other. The antenna electrodes 110 are disposed on the first substrate SUB1 and located on the side of the first substrate SUB1 away from the second substrate SUB2. The modulation electrodes 120 are disposed on the second substrate SUB2 and located between the first substrate SUB1 and the second substrate SUB2.

[0070] In this embodiment, multiple antenna electrodes 110 can be arranged in multiple rows and columns along directions D1 and D2, respectively. That is, these antenna electrodes 110 can be arrayed on the first substrate SUB1 to form a reflective antenna array. For example, in this embodiment, direction D1 may be perpendicular to direction D2, but is not limited thereto. Multiple modulation electrodes 120 are respectively disposed corresponding to these antenna electrodes 110. More specifically, these modulation electrodes 120 overlap and completely cover the orthographic projection of these antenna electrodes 110 on the second substrate SUB2.

[0071] In this embodiment, the multiple antenna electrodes 110 have only a single size, but this is not a limitation. More specifically, the antenna electrodes 110 have widths W1 and W2 along directions D1 and D2, respectively, with each antenna electrode 110 having the same width W1 and the same width W2. Similarly, the multiple modulation electrodes 120 also have only a single size, and the size of each modulation electrode 120 is slightly larger than the size of the corresponding antenna electrode 110, but this is not a limitation. In other embodiments, the sizes of the modulation electrodes and antenna electrodes may also be approximately the same. However, in another embodiment, to reduce the cost of the electromagnetic wave reflection structure, the modulation electrodes and the liquid crystal layer may be provided only for a local area of ​​the antenna electrodes. That is, the size of the modulation electrodes may also be smaller than the size of the antenna electrodes.

[0072] The first substrate SUB1 is further provided with a plurality of first conductors WR1. These first conductors WR1 are arranged along direction D1 and extend in direction D2. The second substrate SUB2 is further provided with a plurality of second conductors WR2. These second conductors WR2 are arranged along direction D2 and extend in direction D1. For example, a plurality of antenna electrodes 110 may be arranged into a plurality of electrode strings 110S along direction D2, and these electrode strings 110S are electrically connected to the first conductors WR1 respectively. A plurality of modulation electrodes 120 may be arranged into a plurality of electrode strings 120S along direction D1, and these electrode strings 120S are electrically connected to the second conductors WR2 respectively.

[0073] The electromagnetic wave reflecting structure 10 also includes a liquid crystal layer (LCL) disposed between the first substrate SUB1 and the second substrate SUB2. For example, a spacer SP may be provided between the first substrate SUB1 and the second substrate SUB2 to create an accommodating space for filling the liquid crystal layer (LCL). On the other hand, at least one side of the liquid crystal layer (LCL) needs to be provided with an alignment layer so that its liquid crystal molecules can still align along the alignment direction of the alignment layer when not subjected to an electric field, thereby maintaining the directivity of its effective optical axis.

[0074] In this embodiment, the electromagnetic wave reflection structure 10 may have two alignment layers AL1 and AL2. Alignment layer AL1 is disposed on the surface of the first substrate SUB1 that contacts the liquid crystal layer LCL, while alignment layer AL2 is disposed on the surface of the second substrate SUB2 and the plurality of modulation electrodes 120 that contact the liquid crystal layer LCL, but this is not a limitation. In another embodiment, one of the alignment layers may be omitted depending on the design or process requirements of the electromagnetic wave reflection structure (e.g., the film thickness of the liquid crystal layer LCL). For example, in this embodiment, the alignment direction AD1 of alignment layer AL1 may be anti-parallel to the alignment direction of alignment layer AL2 (e.g., ...). Figure 5A (As shown). Therefore, without the application of an electric field, multiple liquid crystal molecules (not shown) of the liquid crystal layer LCL will align in a manner that is approximately parallel to the two substrates along the alignment direction of the alignment layer.

[0075] On the other hand, the alignment layer in this embodiment can be a film layer coated all over the substrate. However, the present invention is not limited thereto. In another embodiment, the alignment layer can also be multiple alignment patterns disposed corresponding to multiple modulation electrodes or multiple antenna electrodes, and the alignment patterns are the same as the orthographic projection contours of the corresponding modulation electrodes or antenna electrodes on the substrate.

[0076] It should be noted that the antenna electrode 110, the modulation electrode 120, and the portion of the liquid crystal layer LCL located between these two electrodes along direction D3 can be regarded as an antenna structure in this embodiment, and the resonant frequency of the electromagnetic wave on the antenna electrode 110 can be adjusted by changing the effective dielectric constant of the portion of the liquid crystal layer LCL.

[0077] Because liquid crystal materials exhibit dielectric anisotropy, meaning they have different dielectric constants (e.g., dielectric constant ε) in directions parallel and perpendicular to the long axis of the liquid crystal molecules. / / and dielectric constant ε ┴ This allows it to possess electrically controllable characteristics. To change the effective dielectric constant of the liquid crystal layer (LCL) in the direction of the electromagnetic wave's electric field, different voltages can be applied to the antenna electrode 110 and the modulation electrode 120, generating an electric field between these two electrodes to drive the rotation of multiple liquid crystal molecules in the LCL. Different magnitudes of electric fields cause these liquid crystal molecules to align in different directions (e.g., the direction of the molecular long axis), thereby generating different effective dielectric constants in the direction of the electromagnetic wave's electric field, and these effective dielectric constants fall within the dielectric constant ε. / / With dielectric constant ε ┴ The range between them.

[0078] For example, in this embodiment, all antenna electrodes 110 have the same first voltage V1, while all modulation electrodes 120 have the same second voltage V2, and the first voltage V1 is different from the second voltage V2. More specifically, multiple first wires WR1 electrically connected to the multiple electrode strings 110S are optionally electrically connected to a first voltage source 210 and have the first voltage V1, and multiple second wires WR2 electrically connected to the multiple electrode strings 120S are optionally electrically connected to a second voltage source 220 and have the second voltage V2.

[0079] In other words, in this embodiment, the driving method described above for the antenna electrodes 110 and the modulation electrodes 120 allows all antenna structures to produce the same modulation at the resonant frequency (i.e., center frequency) of the electromagnetic wave. From another perspective, this driving method can adjust the reflection efficiency of these antenna structures for electromagnetic waves of a specific frequency.

[0080] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the antenna electrode 110 is, for example, a conductive patch, and its orthographic projection outline on the first substrate SUB1 is square. However, the invention is not limited thereto. In another embodiment, the orthographic projection outline of the antenna electrode 110A on the first substrate SUB1 may also be circular (e.g., Figure 4A(As shown). In order to give electromagnetic waves different characteristics (e.g., better directivity) after reflection by the antenna structure, in some embodiments, the antenna electrode configuration may also be other. For example, the antenna electrode may include multiple conductor patches, and the orthographic projection outline of each of these conductor patches on the first substrate SUB1 may be rectangular, annular, concave, L-shaped, or other shapes that allow the phase delay of the reflected signal to be bijection-like with the physical / electronic dimensions.

[0081] For example, the antenna electrode can be composed of a square conductor patch 111 and two rectangular conductor patches 112 arranged at intervals (e.g., Figure 4B (As shown). The antenna electrodes can be composed of two concentric and spaced-apart circular conductor patches 111C and 112C (e.g. Figure 4C (As shown). The antenna electrode can be an embodiment in which a square conductor patch 111D is surrounded by a square annular conductor patch 112D (e.g., Figure 4D (As shown). The antenna electrode can be an embodiment in which a square conductor patch 111E is surrounded by a U-shaped conductor patch 112E and two L-shaped conductor patches (e.g. Figure 4E (As shown). The antenna electrodes can be implemented as two rectangular conductor patches 111F arranged at intervals surrounded by two U-shaped conductor patches 112F (e.g. Figure 4F (As shown).

[0082] On the other hand, to make the antenna structure adaptable to various possible electromagnetic wave polarization directions, the alignment direction of the aforementioned alignment layer can also be adjusted according to the configuration of the antenna electrodes. For example, for antennas employing... Figure 4A Regarding the electromagnetic wave reflection structure of the antenna electrode 110A, the alignment directions AD1-A of its alignment layer AL1-A and AD2-A of its alignment layer AL2-A can exhibit a radial pattern (e.g., Figure 5B (As shown). For adopting Figure 4C Regarding the electromagnetic wave reflection structure of the antenna electrode 110C, the alignment directions AD1-B of its alignment layer AL1-B and AD2-B of its alignment layer AL2-B can be concentric (e.g., Figure 5C (As shown). It is particularly important to note that... Figure 5B and Figure 5C The alignment layer can be composed of multiple alignment patterns with contours similar to those of the modulation electrode or antenna electrode, but is not limited thereto.

[0083] It should be noted that, for conductivity reasons, the conductor patch is generally made of a metallic material. However, the present invention is not limited to this. To meet the needs of different application scenarios, the conductor patch can also be made of a transparent conductive material. Transparent conductive materials include, for example, indium tin oxide, indium zinc oxide, aluminum tin oxide, aluminum zinc oxide, or other suitable metal oxides, or a stack of at least two of the above. For example, if the antenna electrodes are made of a transparent conductive material, the electromagnetic wave reflection structure of this disclosure can be directly integrated into the glass window of a building. That is, the first substrate SUB1 and the second substrate SUB2 can be ceramic laminates or low dielectric loss substrates (e.g., Rogers substrates), or glass substrates.

[0084] Other embodiments will be listed below to illustrate this disclosure in detail, wherein the same components will be marked with the same symbols, and the description of the same technical content will be omitted. For the omitted parts, please refer to the foregoing embodiments, and they will not be repeated below.

[0085] Figure 6 This is a top view schematic diagram of the electromagnetic wave reflection structure according to the second embodiment of the present invention. Figure 7A and Figure 7B They are Figure 6 Cross-sectional views of the electromagnetic wave reflecting structure along sections B1-B1' and B2-B2'. For clarity, Figure 6 Omitted Figure 7A The diagram shows the first substrate SUB1, the liquid crystal layer LCL, the spacer SP, the alignment layer AL1, and the alignment layer AL2. Please refer to... Figures 6 to 7B Unlike Figure 1 The electromagnetic wave reflection structure 10 in this embodiment has various sizes for its antenna electrode 110A and modulation electrode 120A.

[0086] In detail, the antenna electrode 110A has a width W3 along the arrangement direction (e.g., direction D1) of the plurality of first conductors WR1, and the width W3 of the antenna electrode 110A gradually decreases or increases from one side to the other in the arrangement direction. For example, in this embodiment, the size of the antenna electrode 110A of each of the electrode strings 110S1, 110S2, 110S3, and 110S4 arranged sequentially in direction D1 gradually decreases from the side of the second substrate SUB2 where the electrode string 110S1 is located to the side where the electrode string 110S4 is located. Correspondingly, the size of each of the plurality of modulation electrodes 120A of the same electrode string 120S also gradually decreases from the side of the second substrate SUB2 where the electrode string 110S1 is located to the side where the electrode string 110S4 is located.

[0087] However, the invention is not limited thereto. In another embodiment, not shown, the dimensions of the antenna electrode and the modulation electrode may also gradually decrease or increase along the arrangement direction of the plurality of second conductors WR2 (e.g., direction D2). That is, the dimensions of the antenna electrode and the modulation electrode may change along direction D1 or direction D2.

[0088] Since the size of the antenna electrode 110A in this embodiment varies along direction D1, the phase of the electromagnetic wave after reflection by these antenna electrodes 110A of different sizes will also be different. That is to say, by configuring such a size relationship, the main emission direction of the electromagnetic wave after reflection by the electromagnetic wave reflecting structure 10A can be changed. On the other hand, by modulating the effective dielectric constant of the liquid crystal layer LCL, the phase of the electromagnetic wave reflected by each antenna structure can be individually controlled, and beam scanning can be performed near the aforementioned main emission direction to increase the coverage of the electromagnetic wave signal.

[0089] Figure 8 This is a top view schematic diagram of the electromagnetic wave reflection structure according to the third embodiment of the present invention. Figure 9A and Figure 9B They are Figure 8 A cross-sectional view of the electromagnetic wave reflecting structure along sections C1-C1' and C2-C2'. For clarity, Figure 8 Omitted Figure 9A The diagram shows the first substrate SUB1, the liquid crystal layer LCL, the spacer SP, the alignment layer AL1, and the alignment layer AL2. Please refer to... Figures 8 to 9B Unlike Figure 6 The electromagnetic wave reflecting structure 10A of this embodiment has multiple antenna electrodes 110B and multiple modulation electrodes 120B whose dimensions can gradually decrease or increase along multiple directions.

[0090] In this embodiment, the dimensions of the antenna electrode 110B and the modulation electrode 120B can change not only along direction D1 but also along direction D2. For example, the dimensions of the antenna electrode 110B overlapping each of the electrode strings 120S1, 120S2, 120S3, and 120S4 arranged sequentially along direction D2 gradually decrease from the side of the second substrate SUB2 where the electrode string 120S1 is located to the side where the electrode string 120S4 is located. Therefore, the variation in the dimensions of the antenna electrode 110B in directions not parallel to directions D1 and D2 (e.g., the variation in the width W4 of the antenna electrode 110B in direction D4) is relatively small. Figure 6 The electromagnetic wave reflection structure is obvious at 10A.

[0091] Since the size of the antenna electrode 110A in this embodiment varies along direction D1, the phase of the electromagnetic wave after reflection by these antenna electrodes 110A of different sizes will also be different. That is to say, by configuring such a size relationship, the preset emission direction of the electromagnetic wave after reflection by the electromagnetic wave reflection structure 10B can be changed. On the other hand, by modulating the effective dielectric constant of the liquid crystal layer LCL, the phase of the electromagnetic wave reflected by each antenna structure can be individually controlled. Therefore, the emission direction can be finely adjusted within a specific angle range near the preset emission direction, thereby adjusting the coverage range of the electromagnetic wave signal.

[0092] Figure 10 This is a top view schematic diagram of the electromagnetic wave reflection structure according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention. Figure 11A and Figure 11B They are Figure 10 A cross-sectional view of the electromagnetic wave reflecting structure along sections D1-D1' and D2-D2'. For clarity, Figure 10 Omitted Figure 11A The diagram shows the first substrate SUB1, liquid crystal layer LCL, spacer SP, alignment layer AL, insulating layer INS1, and insulating layer INS2. Please refer to... Figures 10 to 11B The electromagnetic wave reflection structure 10C in this embodiment and Figure 1 The main difference between the electromagnetic wave reflection structure 10 and the previous one is that the configuration of the modulation electrode is different.

[0093] In this embodiment, the antenna electrode 110C and the first conductor WR1-A are disposed on the side surface of the first substrate SUB1 facing the second substrate SUB2, and the liquid crystal layer LCL can be divided into multiple parts that are separate from each other. The modulation electrode 120C has a bottom 120bp parallel to the second substrate SUB2 and a sidewall portion 120sp extending bently from the bottom 120bp, wherein the sidewall portion 120sp surrounds a portion of the antenna electrode 110C and the liquid crystal layer LCL.

[0094] Because the sidewall portion 120sp of each modulation electrode 120C can effectively reduce the influence of the external electric field generated by the adjacent antenna electrode 110C and another modulation electrode 120C on the portion of the liquid crystal layer (LCL) it surrounds, the equivalent electronic size of each antenna electrode 110C for electromagnetic waves can be better controlled. Therefore, these antenna structures can be arranged more closely, and the difference in the equivalent electronic size between any two adjacent antenna electrodes 110C can be greater, thereby achieving a multi-ripple effect for reflecting electromagnetic waves.

[0095] It is particularly noteworthy that, based on process considerations and the film thickness design of the liquid crystal layer (LCL), the electromagnetic wave reflection structure 10C in this embodiment only has an alignment layer AL on the surface of the first substrate SUB1 that contacts the liquid crystal layer (LCL). On the other hand, to ensure electrical separation between the first conductive line WR1-A and the modulation electrode 120C, an insulating layer INS1 is also provided between the modulation electrode 120C and the first substrate SUB1, and this insulating layer INS1 covers the first conductive line WR1-A. An insulating layer INS2 may be provided between any two adjacent modulation electrodes 120C to achieve electrical separation between them.

[0096] It should be noted that, in another variant embodiment of this example, the antenna electrode 110C may also be as follows: Figure 2A The antenna electrode 110 is disposed on the surface of the first substrate SUB1 away from the second substrate SUB2.

[0097] Figure 12 This is a top view schematic diagram of the electromagnetic wave reflection structure according to the fifth embodiment of the present invention. Please refer to... Figure 12 The electromagnetic wave reflection structure 10D in this embodiment and Figure 1 The only difference between the electromagnetic wave reflection structure 10 and the other structure is the driving method of the antenna electrode and the modulation electrode. Specifically, the multiple first conductors WR1-B of the electromagnetic wave reflection structure 10D each have multiple first resistors R1, while the multiple second conductors WR2-B each have multiple second resistors R2.

[0098] It is particularly noteworthy that each of these first resistors R1 is electrically connected to any two antenna electrodes 110 in its corresponding electrode string, while each of these second resistors R2 is electrically connected to any two modulation electrodes 120 in its corresponding electrode string. On the other hand, unlike... Figure 1 The electromagnetic wave reflection structure 10 of this embodiment has the first conductor WR1-B electrically connected to the first voltage source 210 and the third voltage source 230 at its two opposite ends, and thus having the first voltage V1 and the third voltage V3 respectively. The second conductor WR2-B is electrically connected to the second voltage source 220 and the fourth voltage source 240 at its two opposite ends, and thus having the second voltage V2 and the fourth voltage V4 respectively.

[0099] Multiple antenna electrodes 110 electrically connected to the same first conductor WR1-B can have different voltages through the setting of multiple first resistors R1, and multiple modulation electrodes 120 electrically connected to the same second conductor WR2-B can have different voltages through the setting of multiple second resistors R2. This increases the operational flexibility of these electrodes, allowing the reflection phase of electromagnetic waves from each antenna structure to be individually controlled, thereby changing the emission direction of electromagnetic waves after reflection from multiple antenna structures.

[0100] For example, the first voltage V1 can be greater than the third voltage V3, and the resistance values ​​of the multiple first resistors R1 connected in series on the same first conductor WR1-B are all the same. Therefore, the voltage of each of the multiple antenna electrodes 110 in the same electrode string decreases from the side of the first voltage source 210 to the side of the third voltage source 230, and the voltage difference between any two adjacent antenna electrodes 110 is (V3-V1) / N, where N is the number of first resistors R1 connected in series on the first conductor WR1-B (e.g., three in this embodiment).

[0101] Similarly, the second voltage V2 can be greater than the fourth voltage V4, and the resistance values ​​of the multiple second resistors R2 connected in series on the same second conductor WR2-B are all the same. Therefore, the voltage of each of the multiple modulation electrodes 120 in the same electrode string decreases from the side of the second voltage source 220 to the side of the fourth voltage source 240, and the voltage difference between any two adjacent modulation electrodes 120 is (V4-V2) / M, where M is the number of second resistors R2 connected in series on the second conductor WR2-B (e.g., three in this embodiment).

[0102] In this embodiment, the first resistor R1 and the second resistor R2 can be resistors with fixed resistance values, but are not limited thereto. In another embodiment not shown, the resistors on the wires can also be variable resistors with adjustable resistance values. Multiple variable resistors can be electrically coupled to a control circuit, wherein the control circuit can determine the resistance values ​​of these variable resistors according to the reflection phase distribution required by multiple antenna structures.

[0103] Figure 13 This is a top view schematic diagram of the electromagnetic wave reflection structure according to the sixth embodiment of the present invention. Please refer to... Figure 13 The electromagnetic wave reflection structure 10E in this embodiment and Figure 1 The difference between the electromagnetic wave reflecting structure 10 and the previous one lies in the different driving methods of the antenna electrodes and the modulation electrodes. In this embodiment, the electromagnetic wave reflecting structure 10E can individually control the voltage of multiple first wires WR1 and multiple second wires WR2. More specifically, the voltage of each wire can be controlled via a corresponding digital-to-analog converter. Therefore, the operational flexibility of the antenna electrodes 110 and the modulation electrodes 120 electrically connected to these wires can be increased, allowing the reflection phase of the electromagnetic wave by each antenna structure to be individually controlled, thereby changing the emission direction of the electromagnetic wave after reflection by multiple antenna structures.

[0104] In detail, multiple first wires WR1 can be electrically connected to a first digital-to-analog converter (DAC) array consisting of multiple digital-to-analog converters (DACs) 310, and the voltage of each first wire WR1 gradually increases or decreases from one side to the other in the arrangement direction (e.g., direction D1). For example, four first wires WR1 (or four electrode strings 110S1 to 110S4) arranged sequentially along direction D1 are electrically connected to multiple DACs 310 and have a first voltage V1, a second voltage V2, a third voltage V3, and a fourth voltage V4, respectively, and these voltages can be unidirectionally increased (or decreased) along direction D1 with equal or unequal differences.

[0105] Similarly, multiple second conductors WR2 can be electrically connected to a second digital-to-analog converter array consisting of multiple digital-to-analog converters 320, and the voltage of each of these second conductors WR2 gradually increases or decreases from one side to the other in the arrangement direction (e.g., direction D2). For example, four second conductors WR2 (or four electrode strings 120S1 to 120S4) arranged sequentially along direction D2 are electrically connected to multiple digital-to-analog converters 320 and have a fifth voltage V5, a sixth voltage V6, a seventh voltage V7, and an eighth voltage V8, respectively, and these voltages can be unidirectionally increased (or decreased) along direction D2 with equal or unequal differences.

[0106] It should be noted that, Figure 1 , Figure 12 and Figure 13 The disclosed electrode driving methods can be applied to other embodiments of electromagnetic wave reflection structures. Therefore, in some embodiments of this disclosure, voltage sources, resistors, or digital-to-analog converters are not shown.

[0107] Figure 14 This is a top view schematic diagram of the electromagnetic wave reflection structure according to the seventh embodiment of the present invention. Figure 15A and Figure 15B They are Figure 14 The electromagnetic wave reflecting structure is shown in cross-sectional views along sections E1-E1' and E2-E2'. Please refer to... Figures 14 to 15B The electromagnetic wave reflection structure 10F in this embodiment and Figure 1 The only difference between the electromagnetic wave reflecting structure 10 and the other electromagnetic wave reflecting structure 10 is the arrangement of the conductors. In this embodiment, the conductors of the electromagnetic wave reflecting structure 10F are arranged between multiple electrodes and do not overlap with these electrodes along the direction D3.

[0108] For example, multiple first wires WR1-B electrically connecting multiple electrode strings 110S can be respectively disposed on one side of these electrode strings 110S in the arrangement direction (e.g. Figure 14(on the right side of the image), multiple second conductors WR2-B electrically connected to multiple electrode strings 120S can be respectively disposed on one side of these electrode strings 120S in the arrangement direction (e.g., on the right side of the image). Figure 14 (The lower side of the middle). More specifically, the first conductors WR1-B and the electrode strings 110S can be arranged alternately along direction D1, and the second conductors WR2-B and the electrode strings 120S can be arranged alternately along direction D2.

[0109] Figure 16 This is a top view schematic diagram of the electromagnetic wave reflection structure according to the eighth embodiment of the present invention. Please refer to... Figure 16 The electromagnetic wave reflection structure 10G in this embodiment and Figure 6 The difference in the electromagnetic wave reflection structure 10A lies in the different configuration of the modulation electrodes. Specifically, multiple antenna electrodes 110A may have the same... Figure 6 The multiple antenna electrodes 110A are configured with gradually varying sizes, but the sizes of the multiple modulation electrodes 120 are not adjusted to correspond to the different sizes of the antenna electrodes 110A. For example, in this embodiment, these modulation electrodes 120 have only a single size, and their size is larger than the individual sizes of the multiple antenna electrodes 110A.

[0110] In summary, in an embodiment of the electromagnetic wave reflection structure of the present invention, each of the arrayed antenna structures has an antenna electrode, a modulation electrode, and a liquid crystal layer located between the two electrodes. By adjusting the distribution of the effective dielectric constant of the liquid crystal layer in these antenna structures, the radiation pattern or the reflection efficiency of the electromagnetic wave after reflection by these antenna structures can be changed.

[0111] Finally, it should be noted that the above embodiments are only used to illustrate the technical solutions of the present invention, and not to limit them; although the present invention has been described in detail with reference to the foregoing embodiments, those skilled in the art should understand that modifications can still be made to the technical solutions described in the foregoing embodiments, or equivalent substitutions can be made to some or all of the technical features; and these modifications or substitutions do not cause the essence of the corresponding technical solutions to deviate from the scope of the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present invention.

Claims

1. An electromagnetic wave reflecting structure, characterized in that, include: First substrate; The second substrate is disposed opposite to the first substrate; Multiple first wires are arranged on the first substrate along a first direction and extend in a second direction, wherein the first direction intersects the second direction; Multiple second wires are arranged on the second substrate along the second direction and extend in the first direction; Multiple antenna electrodes are disposed on the first substrate, and the multiple antenna electrodes are respectively arranged into multiple first electrode strings along the second direction, and the multiple first electrode strings are respectively electrically connected to the multiple first wires; Multiple modulation electrodes are disposed on the second substrate and overlap and completely cover the orthographic projection of the multiple antenna electrodes on the second substrate. The multiple modulation electrodes are arranged into multiple second electrode strings along the first direction, and the multiple second electrode strings are electrically connected to the multiple second wires. as well as A liquid crystal layer is disposed between the first substrate and the second substrate, wherein each of the plurality of first conductors has a plurality of first resistors located between the plurality of antenna electrodes, and each of the plurality of first resistors is electrically connected to any two of the antenna electrodes in a first electrode string.

2. The electromagnetic wave reflection structure according to claim 1, characterized in that, The plurality of first conductors are electrically connected to a first voltage source and have a first voltage, and the plurality of second conductors are electrically connected to a second voltage source and have a second voltage.

3. The electromagnetic wave reflection structure according to claim 1, characterized in that, Each of the plurality of second conductors has a plurality of second resistors located between the plurality of antenna electrodes, and each of the plurality of second resistors is electrically connected to any two of the modulation electrodes in a second electrode string.

4. The electromagnetic wave reflection structure according to claim 1, characterized in that, The plurality of first conductors or the plurality of second conductors each have different voltages.

5. The electromagnetic wave reflection structure according to claim 4, characterized in that, The plurality of first wires are electrically connected to the first digital-to-analog converter array and have different voltages, and the plurality of second wires are electrically connected to the second digital-to-analog converter array and have different voltages.

6. The electromagnetic wave reflection structure according to claim 5, characterized in that, The voltage of each of the plurality of first conductors gradually increases or decreases from one side of the plurality of first conductors in the first direction to the other side, and the voltage of each of the plurality of second conductors gradually increases or decreases from one side of the plurality of second conductors in the second direction to the other side.

7. The electromagnetic wave reflection structure according to claim 1, characterized in that, Each of the plurality of antenna electrodes has a first width and a second width along the first direction and the second direction, respectively. The first width of each of the plurality of antenna electrodes is the same, and the second width of each of the plurality of antenna electrodes is the same.

8. The electromagnetic wave reflection structure according to claim 1, characterized in that, The width of each of the plurality of antenna electrodes along a third direction gradually increases or decreases from one side of the plurality of antenna electrodes in the third direction to the other side.

9. The electromagnetic wave reflection structure according to claim 8, characterized in that, The third direction is parallel to either the first direction or the second direction.

10. The electromagnetic wave reflection structure according to claim 8, characterized in that, The width of each of the plurality of antenna electrodes along the fourth direction gradually increases or decreases from one side of the plurality of antenna electrodes in the fourth direction to the other side, and the fourth direction is not parallel to the first direction and the second direction.

11. The electromagnetic wave reflection structure according to claim 8, characterized in that, Each of the plurality of modulation electrodes has the same width along the third direction.

12. The electromagnetic wave reflection structure according to claim 1, characterized in that, Each of the plurality of modulation electrodes has a bottom parallel to the second substrate and a sidewall portion extending bent from the bottom. The liquid crystal layer is divided into a plurality of portions that are separated from each other, and the sidewall portion of each of the plurality of modulation electrodes surrounds one of the portions of the liquid crystal layer and one of the antenna electrodes.

13. The electromagnetic wave reflection structure according to claim 1, characterized in that, Each of the plurality of antenna electrodes includes at least one conductor patch, and the orthographic projection outline of the at least one conductor patch on the first substrate is circular, rectangular, annular, concave, or L-shaped.

14. The electromagnetic wave reflection structure according to claim 1, characterized in that, The orthographic projection of each of the plurality of antenna electrodes on the second substrate is completely covered by the orthographic projection of one of the modulation electrodes on the second substrate.

15. The electromagnetic wave reflection structure according to claim 1, characterized in that, Also includes: At least one alignment layer is disposed between at least one of the first substrate and the second substrate and the liquid crystal layer.

16. The electromagnetic wave reflection structure according to claim 15, characterized in that, The at least one alignment layer is a plurality of alignment patterns disposed corresponding to the plurality of modulation electrodes, and each of the plurality of alignment patterns is the same as the orthographic projection outline of each of the plurality of modulation electrodes on the first substrate.

17. The electromagnetic wave reflection structure according to claim 16, characterized in that, The alignment directions of each of the plurality of alignment patterns are radial or concentric.

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