Phase shifter and electronically tunable antenna

Abstract

The present application provides a phase shifter and an electrically tunable antenna. The phase shifter includes a metal strip line, a first dielectric plate, and a second dielectric plate. The metal strip line is clamped between the first dielectric plate and the second dielectric plate. At least one limiting protrusion is convexly provided along the length direction on the surface of the first dielectric plate or / and the second dielectric plate facing the metal strip line. The at least one limiting protrusion is used to limit the displacement of the first dielectric plate and the second dielectric plate relative to the metal strip line when the first dielectric plate and the second dielectric plate slide. The phase shifter provided by the present application enables the first dielectric plate or / and the second dielectric plate to accurately slide in the length direction of the metal strip line without offset, realizing accurate control of the phase change of the phase shifter.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This application relates to the field of communication technologies, and in particular, to a phase shifter and an electronically tunable antenna. Background Art

[0002] The electronically tunable antenna of a base station adjusts the beam tilt of the base station antenna through a phase shifter, making the network coverage more flexible. The phase shifter is a core component of the base station antenna, and the quality of the phase shifter performance directly affects the overall performance of the antenna. Currently, the mainstream phase shifters in the industry change the signal propagation rate by changing the dielectric constant around the feeder inside the phase shifter to achieve the change of the phase shift amount. Due to the machining tolerances of the various components in the phase shifter, there are certain differences in the cooperation of the various components in the phase shifter, resulting in unstable antenna performance. Summary of the Invention

[0003] This application provides a phase shifter that can preferably ensure the stability of the electrical performance of the antenna.

[0004] The phase shifter includes a metal strip line, a first dielectric plate, and a second dielectric plate. The metal strip line includes a main body and a transmission section connected to the main body. The metal strip line is clamped between the first dielectric plate and the second dielectric plate. The first dielectric plate and the second dielectric plate can slide relative to the transmission section of the metal strip line along the length direction of the metal strip line. Limiting protrusions are convexly provided along the length direction on the surfaces of the first dielectric plate or / and the second dielectric plate facing the metal strip line. The limiting protrusions are located on the side of the metal strip line, and the limiting protrusions are used to limit the displacement of the first dielectric plate and the second dielectric plate relative to the metal strip line when the first dielectric plate and the second dielectric plate slide.

[0005] In this application, by providing limiting protrusions on the first dielectric plate or / and the second dielectric plate, the displacement of the first dielectric plate and the second dielectric plate relative to the metal strip line during sliding is limited, so that the first dielectric plate and the second dielectric plate can slide in the width direction of the metal strip line without offset, realizing precise control of the phase change by the phase shifter.

[0006] In an embodiment of this application, when the first dielectric plate and the second dielectric plate slide relative to the metal strip line, the limiting protrusions move along the side of the metal strip line, and the extending direction of the side is the same as the length direction.

[0007] In this embodiment, the limiting protrusions move along the side of the metal strip line as the first dielectric plate and the second dielectric plate slide, guiding the movement of the first dielectric plate and the second dielectric plate, so that the first dielectric plate and the second dielectric plate can slide along the side of the metal strip line, that is, along the length direction of the metal strip line.

[0008] Among them, the limiting protrusion restricts the displacement of the first dielectric plate and the second dielectric plate relative to the metal strip line in the width direction, and the width direction is perpendicular to the length direction.

[0009] When the first dielectric plate and the second dielectric plate are offset relative to the metal strip line in the width direction, the limiting protrusion plays a blocking role, enabling the first dielectric plate to always slide along the length direction of the metal strip line without deviating from the metal strip line in the width direction. Thereby, the phase shifter can accurately achieve phase change, avoiding differences in the cooperation of various components in the phase shifter and affecting the stability of electrical performance.

[0010] In one embodiment, the limiting protrusion is provided on the first dielectric plate. The limiting protrusion includes a body connected to the first dielectric plate and a limiting body located at the end of the body. The limiting body protrudes from one side of the body and extends towards the width direction, and the limiting body is located on the surface of the metal strip line facing away from the first dielectric plate. It can be understood that the metal strip line is stuck between the first dielectric plate and the limiting body in the height direction. The body restricts the first dielectric plate from shifting in the width direction, and the limiting body restricts the first dielectric plate from shifting in the height direction relative to the metal strip line.

[0011] In one embodiment, the distance between the limiting protrusion and the side of the metal strip line is greater than 0 mm and less than or equal to 1 mm. On the one hand, there is a certain distance between the limiting protrusion and the side of the metal strip line, that is, the first dielectric plate does not contact the metal strip line, enabling the first dielectric plate and the second dielectric plate to smoothly slide along the metal strip line; on the other hand, the distance between the limiting protrusion and the side of the metal strip line is not too large, avoiding the occurrence of width direction offset between the first dielectric plate and the second dielectric plate when sliding.

[0012] Further, there are a plurality of the limiting protrusions, and the plurality of the limiting protrusions are arranged at intervals along the length direction on one side of the first dielectric plate or / and the second dielectric plate. Alternatively, the plurality of the limiting protrusions are arranged in pairs on opposite sides of the surface of the first dielectric plate or / and the second dielectric plate. Alternatively, the plurality of the limiting protrusions are arranged on opposite sides of the surface of the first dielectric plate or / and the second dielectric plate and are offset. In one embodiment, there are a plurality of the limiting protrusions, and the plurality of the limiting protrusions are arranged at intervals along the length direction on opposite sides of the first dielectric plate or / and the second dielectric plate and are located on opposite sides of the metal strip line. In this embodiment, by providing a plurality of limiting protrusions on opposite sides of the metal strip line on the first dielectric plate or / and the second dielectric plate, that is, the metal strip line is located between the limiting protrusions on both sides, the first dielectric plate and the second dielectric plate do not deviate in the width direction towards opposite sides, further restricting the deviation of the first dielectric plate or / and the second dielectric plate in the width direction relative to the metal strip line.

[0013] In one embodiment, the limiting protrusion protrudes from the first dielectric plate, and a groove is provided on the surface of the second dielectric plate opposite to the first dielectric plate. The first dielectric plate and the second dielectric plate are connected, and the limiting protrusion extends into the groove and is clamped and fixed with the groove. Alternatively, the limiting protrusion is a hook, the limiting protrusion protrudes from the first dielectric plate, a clamping groove is provided on the surface of the second dielectric plate opposite to the first dielectric plate, the first dielectric plate and the second dielectric plate are connected, and the hook is clamped in the clamping groove.

[0014] In one embodiment, the metal strip line includes a signal input terminal and a signal output terminal. The metal strip line is fixed in the cavity, and the transmission section is suspended in the cavity; the signal input terminal and the signal output terminal are used for electrically connecting with a cable outside the cavity, and the first dielectric plate and the second dielectric plate are arranged in the cavity and can move relative to the transmission section of the metal strip line.

[0015] In this embodiment, the signal to be radiated is transmitted to the cavity through the signal input terminal and is transmitted along the metal strip line direction through the medium in the cavity to the signal output terminal. When the first dielectric plate and the second dielectric plate slide relative to the metal strip line, the equivalent dielectric constant of the medium in the transmission section between the signal input terminal and the signal output terminal changes, so that the phase of the signal transmitted from the signal output terminal changes. Therefore, by moving the first dielectric plate and the second dielectric plate, the radiated signal can have the required phase.

[0016] In one embodiment, the transmission section includes a first transmission section and a second transmission section. A gap extending along the length direction is formed between the connections of the first transmission section and the second transmission section, and the gap is provided with an opening in the length direction. A buckle is provided on the first dielectric plate, and a card slot is provided on the second dielectric plate at a position opposite to the buckle. The buckle passes through the gap and is clamped in the card slot. The buckle slides in the gap to enable the first dielectric plate and the second dielectric plate to slide in the same direction relative to the metal strip line. By setting the buckle structure, the first dielectric plate and the second dielectric plate are relatively fixed to limit the displacement of the first dielectric plate and the second dielectric plate in the height direction. The structure is simple and the change of the height displacement of the first dielectric plate and the second dielectric plate relative to the metal strip line can be conveniently controlled. Importantly, the gap generated by the metal strip line itself is directly used as the guiding groove for the sliding of the first dielectric plate and the second dielectric plate, so that the buckle slides in the gap to play a guiding role. For non-regularly structured strip lines, the guiding effect on the first dielectric plate and the second dielectric plate can be achieved without changing any structure. Compared with the prior art, the processing accuracy is improved, the structural complexity is reduced, the consistency and stability of the electrical performance are better guaranteed, the performance of the phase shifter is further guaranteed, and the gap has an opening, which is also very convenient for assembly.

[0017] In one embodiment, the first dielectric plate includes a first side surface and a second side surface, the second dielectric plate includes a third side surface and a fourth side surface, the first side surface and the third side surface are convexly provided with abutting protrusions, the cavity includes two opposite cavity walls, and the first dielectric plate and the second dielectric plate slide in the cavity, and the abutting protrusions slide along the cavity walls. The sliding trajectories of the first dielectric plate and the second dielectric plate in the cavity can be limited by the abutting protrusions, and the structure is simple, and the performance of the phase shifter can be better guaranteed.

[0018] In one embodiment, the cavity includes opposite first side walls and second side walls extending along the length direction of the metal strip line. Two guide grooves are provided on both the first side wall and the second side wall. Opposite sides of the first dielectric plate are slidably mounted in one of the guide grooves on the first side wall and the second side wall, and opposite sides of the second dielectric plate are slidably mounted in the other guide groove on the first side wall and the second side wall. It can be understood that by providing guide grooves in the cavity and mounting the first dielectric plate and the second dielectric plate in the guide grooves, the guide grooves can not only play a guiding role for the first dielectric plate and the second dielectric plate, but also play a limiting role.

[0019] The electrically tunable antenna includes a radiation unit and the phase shifter. The radiation unit is connected to the phase shifter, and the electromagnetic wave signal transmitted by the phase shifter is radiated out through the radiation unit. Since the phase shifter provided in this application can perform phase shift control more precisely, the electrically tunable antenna has higher stability.

[0020] The phase shifter provided in this application is provided with a limiting protrusion on its first dielectric plate or / and the second dielectric plate, which can limit the displacement of the first dielectric plate and the second dielectric plate in the direction perpendicular to the sliding direction during the sliding process, and can also realize the guiding function in the sliding direction. Furthermore, it can better ensure the consistency and stability of the electrical performance. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0021] Figure 1 is a schematic structural diagram of the phase shifter provided by an embodiment of the present application;

[0022] Figure 2 is Figure 1 an exploded view of the first dielectric plate, the second dielectric plate and the metal strip line of the phase shifter shown;

[0023] Figure 3 is Figure 2 an assembled view of the first dielectric plate, the second dielectric plate and the metal strip line of the phase shifter shown;

[0024] Figure 4 is Figure 2 an assembled view of the first dielectric plate and the metal strip line of the phase shifter shown;

[0025] Figure 5 is Figure 3 a sectional view of the assembled first dielectric plate, the second dielectric plate and the metal strip line of the phase shifter shown installed in the Figure 1 cavity shown;

[0026] Figure 6 is a schematic assembled structure diagram of the strip line and the first dielectric plate of the phase shifter provided by another embodiment of the present application;

[0027] Figure 7 is Figure 6 a sectional view of the assembled phase shifter with the second dielectric plate and the cavity shown;

[0028] Figure 8 is a schematic assembled structure diagram of the strip line and the first dielectric plate of the phase shifter provided by yet another embodiment of the present application;

[0029] Figure 9 is Figure 8 a sectional view of the assembled phase shifter with the second dielectric plate and the cavity shown;

[0030] Figure 10The cross-sectional view of a phase shifter provided by an embodiment of the present application. Detailed implementation manners

[0031] The embodiments of the present application will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings in the embodiments of the present application.

[0032] The present application provides an electrically tunable antenna, which includes Figure 1 the phase shifter 100 as shown and a radiation unit that is radio-frequency connected to the phase shifter 100. The signal that needs to be radiated out through the radiation unit is changed to the required phase through the phase shifter 100 and then radiated out through the radiation unit. Among them, the radio-frequency connection includes electrical connection or coupling connection, etc. Among them, the radiation unit can be one or more, and multiple radiation units are radio-frequency connected to the signal output port of the phase shifter 100. In this embodiment, the phase shifter 100 is strip-shaped. In this embodiment, the radiation unit is a radiation antenna. Further, one or more independent phase shifters 100 can be included in the electrically tunable antenna to meet the actual use requirements. The phase shifter 100 described in the present application will be explained below with specific embodiments.

[0033] Please refer to Figure 2 and Figure 3 , in the embodiment of the present application, the phase shifter 100 includes a metal strip line 20, a first dielectric plate 10, and a second dielectric plate 30. The metal strip line 20 includes a main body 21 and a transmission section (not marked in the figure) connected to the main body 21. The metal strip line 20 is clamped between the first dielectric plate 10 and the second dielectric plate 30. The first dielectric plate 10 and the second dielectric plate 30 can slide relative to the transmission section of the metal strip line 20 along the length direction of the metal strip line 20. At least one limiting protrusion 11 protrudes along the length direction on the surface of the first dielectric plate 10 or / and the second dielectric plate 30 facing the metal strip line 20. At least one limiting protrusion 11 is opposite to the side part 201 of the metal strip line 20. At least one limiting protrusion 11 is used to limit the displacement of the first dielectric plate 10 and the second dielectric plate 30 relative to the metal strip line 20 when the first dielectric plate 10 and the second dielectric plate 30 slide. In the first embodiment of the present application, the first dielectric plate 10 is provided with a plurality of limiting protrusions 11. The length direction refers to the extending direction of the metal strip line 20 or the sliding direction of the first dielectric plate 10, specifically the X direction. The direction perpendicular to the length direction and in the same plane is the width direction, specifically the Y direction. The direction perpendicular to the X and Y directions is the height direction Z. See the following embodiments for details.

[0034] The signal is transmitted from one end of the metal strip line 20 to the other end of the metal strip line 20. The first dielectric plate 10 and the second dielectric plate 30 can slide relative to the transmission section of the metal strip line 20 along the length direction of the metal strip line 20, so as to change the area of the metal strip line 20 covered by the first dielectric plate 10 and the second dielectric plate 30, thereby changing the equivalent dielectric constant of the medium in the transmission section through which the signal passes, and thus changing the power and phase of the signal output from the metal strip line 20. Among them, "the transmission section through which the signal passes" refers to the signal transmission path of the metal strip line 20. The limiting protrusion 11 can limit the positions of the first dielectric plate 10 and the second dielectric plate 30 relative to the metal strip line 20 in the direction perpendicular to the sliding direction, so that the dielectric plates can accurately slide in the length direction without width deviation, and at the same time can play a guiding role for the first dielectric plate 10 and the second dielectric plate 30, realizing the stability of the phase shifter 100 for phase change.

[0035] Specifically, please refer to Figure 2 , the metal strip line 20 is a metal strip structure with an irregular structure formed by processing metal parts such as metal wires or metal plates. The metal strip line 20 includes an upper surface 203, a lower surface 204 opposite to the upper surface 203, and two opposite side portions 201, and the extending direction of the side portion 201 is the same as the length direction of the metal strip line 20. The metal strip line 20 includes a plurality of spaced-apart transmission sections, and the plurality of transmission sections are connected by a main body 21, and the main body 21 can be an irregular sheet body that is not connected. The transmission section is the part that can output a signal, and the main body 21 is used to fix the transmission section and connect the first dielectric plate 10 and the second dielectric plate 30. The transmission section is a curved structure formed by processing a metal wire or a metal plate, such as a wavy shape or a zigzag shape. In this embodiment, by setting the metal strip line 20 as a curved structure, when the length of the metal wire forming the metal strip line 20 is certain, the length of the phase shifter 100 is shortened as much as possible, so that while fine phase shift control can be achieved, the volume of the phase shifter 100 is reduced as much as possible, which is convenient for the phase shifter 100 to be integrated with other structures. It should be noted that in this embodiment, the transmission sections of the metal strip line 20 are the first partial transmission section 22, the second partial transmission section 23, and the third partial transmission section 24 arranged along the length direction. The side portions 201 of the first partial transmission section 22, the second partial transmission section 23, and the third partial transmission section 24 together form the side portion 201 of the metal strip line 20, and the upper and lower surfaces of the first partial transmission section 22, the second partial transmission section 23, and the third partial transmission section 24 together constitute the upper surface 203 and the lower surface 204.

[0036] Please continue to refer to Figure 2, both the first dielectric plate 10 and the second dielectric plate 30 are strip-shaped plate structures. The first dielectric plate 10 includes a first surface 101 and a second surface 102 opposite to the first surface 101, and the first surface 101 is disposed opposite to the lower surface 204. The second dielectric plate 30 includes a third surface 301 and a fourth surface 302 opposite to the third surface 301. Please refer to Figure 3 , in this embodiment, the first dielectric plate 10 and the second dielectric plate 30 are connected by a snap structure. The metal strip line 20 is located between the first dielectric plate 10 and the second dielectric plate 30. The first surface 101 of the first dielectric plate 10 faces the lower surface 204 of the metal strip line 20, and the third surface 301 of the second dielectric plate 30 faces the upper surface 203 of the metal strip line 20.

[0037] In this embodiment, as Figure 3 and Figure 4 , a plurality of the limiting protrusions 11 protrude from the first surface 101 of the first dielectric plate 10. The plurality of the limiting protrusions 11 are arranged at intervals along the length direction on the same side of the first surface 101, as Figure 3 shown. The limiting protrusions 11 are located on a side portion 201 of the metal strip line 20, that is, the limiting protrusions 11 are located on one side of the first dielectric plate 10 close to the side portion 201 of the metal strip line 20. Specifically, the plurality of the limiting protrusions 11 are respectively located on the side portions 201 of the first partial transmission section 22, the second partial transmission section 23, and the third partial transmission section 24, and can accurately limit the sliding displacement of the first dielectric plate 10 and the second dielectric plate 30 relative to the transmission section. The surface of the limiting protrusion 11 facing the side portion 201 has a certain distance from the side portion 201, which can not only ensure that the limiting protrusion 11 does not affect the smoothness of the sliding of the first dielectric plate 10 and the second dielectric plate 30, but also ensure the width-direction limiting when the first dielectric plate 10 and the second dielectric plate 30 slide.

[0038] Continue to refer to Figure 4 and Figure 5, Further, when the first dielectric plate 10 and the second dielectric plate 30 slide relative to the metal strip line 20, a plurality of the limiting protrusions 11 move along the side portion 201 of the metal strip line 20, and the plurality of the limiting protrusions 11 limit the displacement of the first dielectric plate 10 and the second dielectric plate 30 relative to the metal strip line 20 in the width direction. Specifically, when the first dielectric plate 10 and the second dielectric plate 30 slide along the transmission section of the metal strip line 20, in the length direction, that is, the sliding direction, when the first dielectric plate 10 is offset relative to the metal strip line 20 in the width direction, the plurality of limiting protrusions 11 play a blocking role and will not deviate from the metal strip line 20 in the width direction, so that the phase shifter 100 can accurately achieve a phase change.

[0039] The plurality of the limiting protrusions 11 move as the first dielectric plate 10 and the second dielectric plate 30 move. Since the limiting protrusions 11 can limit the displacement of the first dielectric plate 10 relative to the metal strip line 20 in the width direction, the limiting protrusions 11 will not deviate from the side portion 201 of the metal strip line 20. In this way, the limiting protrusions 11 will move along the side portion 201 of the metal strip line 20 as the first dielectric plate 10, guiding the movement of the first dielectric plate 10, so that the first dielectric plate 10 can slide along the metal strip line 20 within the tolerance range. It should be noted that while the first dielectric plate 10 slides, the second dielectric plate 30 slides in the same direction as the first dielectric plate 10, and the limiting protrusions 11 also limit the second dielectric plate 30 at the same time.

[0040] In this embodiment, by providing the limiting protrusions 11 on the first dielectric plate 10, the displacement of the first dielectric plate 10 relative to the metal strip line 20 during sliding is limited, so that the first dielectric plate 10 and the second dielectric plate 30 can accurately slide on the metal strip line 20 without deviation. While controlling the relative positions of the metal strip line 20 and the two dielectric plates and realizing the phase shift function, the guiding of the dielectric plates and the limiting in the width direction are achieved, reducing the excessive fit clearance caused by the tolerance between the dielectric plates and between the dielectric plates and the metal strip line 20, and ensuring the consistency and stability of the electrical performance of the phase shifter 100. Among them, there are a plurality of the limiting protrusions 11, and the plurality of the limiting protrusions 11 are arranged along one side of the first dielectric plate 10, so that when the first dielectric plate 10 slides along the length direction of the metal strip line 20, the limiting protrusions 11 can simultaneously limit the first dielectric plate 10 at multiple positions, further strengthening the limitation of the displacement of the first dielectric plate 10 relative to the metal strip line 20 by the limiting protrusions 11. Of course, the limiting protrusion 11 can also be one, protruding at the middle position of the first dielectric plate 10.

[0041] Furthermore, the distance between the limiting protrusion 11 and the side portion 201 of the metal strip line 20 is greater than 0 mm and less than or equal to 1 mm. In this embodiment, the distance between the limiting protrusion 11 and the side portion 201 of the metal strip line 20 is 0.5 mm. In other embodiments, the distance between the limiting protrusion 11 and the side portion 201 of the metal strip line 20 may also be greater than 0 mm and less than 0.5 mm, or greater than 0.5 mm and less than 1 mm. On the one hand, there is a certain distance between the limiting protrusion 11 and the side portion 201 of the metal strip line 20, that is, the first dielectric plate 10 does not contact the metal strip line 20, so that the first dielectric plate 10 can smoothly slide along the metal strip line 20. On the other hand, the distance between the limiting protrusion 11 and the side portion 201 of the metal strip line 20 is not too large, avoiding excessive deviation in the width direction between the first dielectric plate 10 and the metal strip line 20 during sliding.

[0042] Please refer to Figure 6 and Figure 7 , in an implementation manner of this embodiment, a plurality of the limiting protrusions 11 are protrudingly provided at opposite sides of the first surface 101 of the first dielectric plate 10 at intervals along the length direction, and are located at opposite positions of the opposite side portions 201 of the metal strip line 20. The metal strip line 20 is located between the limiting protrusions 11 on both sides. That is to say, a plurality of limiting protrusions 11 are provided in pairs on the first surface 101, each pair of limiting protrusions 11 are respectively located on both sides of the first surface 101, and the transmission section of the metal strip line 20 is located between a pair of limiting protrusions 11. When the first dielectric plate 10 slides relative to the metal strip line 20 in the length direction, the limiting protrusions 11 play a limiting role on the first dielectric plate 10 in the direction of the two opposite side portions 201 of the metal strip line 20, so that the first dielectric plate 10 can accurately slide along the length direction of the metal strip line 20, further restricting the deviation of the first dielectric plate 10 relative to the metal strip line 20 in the width direction.

[0043] Please refer to Figure 8 , in another implementation manner of this embodiment, a plurality of the limiting protrusions 11 are distributed on both sides of the first surface 101 and are arranged in a staggered manner, which can reduce the number of the limiting protrusions 11 and ensure the displacement consistency of the first dielectric plate 10 during the entire sliding process, thereby ensuring the stability of the phase shifter 100.

[0044] Further, when the transmission section of the metal strip line 20 is a wavy structure (not shown in the figure), the wavy transmission section includes a plurality of convex portions and a plurality of concave portions, and the convex portions and the concave portions are arranged at intervals. The concave portion includes an opening, and the opening is located between two adjacent convex portions of the concave portion. The size of the limiting protrusion 11 along the length direction is greater than the size of the opening along the length direction, so as to prevent the limiting protrusion 11 from falling into the concave portion when the first dielectric plate 10 slides relative to the metal strip line 20, thereby affecting the sliding of the first dielectric plate 10 in the length direction.

[0045] In an embodiment of the present application, the limiting protrusion 11 may also be a continuous long strip structure (not shown in the figure), and the long strip-shaped limiting protrusion 11 is arranged on the first dielectric plate 10 along the length direction. When the first dielectric plate 10 is offset from the metal strip line 20 in the width direction at any sliding position, the limiting protrusion 11 can timely limit the further offset of the first dielectric plate 10, correct the first dielectric plate 10 to the original sliding track, so that the first dielectric plate 10 can slide along the length direction of the metal strip line 20 without deviation in the width direction. The shape of the limiting protrusion 11 is not limited to the shape described in this embodiment, and the shape can be changed as long as it does not affect the performance and sliding of the dielectric plate, such as a trapezoidal block, a spherical ball, etc.

[0046] Please refer to Figure 9 In one embodiment, the limiting protrusion 18 protrudes from the first dielectric plate 10, and a groove 34 is provided on the surface of the second dielectric plate 30 opposite to the first dielectric plate 10. The first dielectric plate 10 and the second dielectric plate 30 are connected, and the limiting protrusion 18 extends into the groove 34 and is clamped and fixed with the groove 34. In other embodiments, the limiting protrusion is a hook, the limiting protrusion protrudes from the first dielectric plate, a card slot is provided on the surface of the second dielectric plate opposite to the first dielectric plate, the first dielectric plate and the second dielectric plate are connected, and the hook is clamped in the card slot. The limiting protrusion is arranged on the first dielectric plate and extends into the second dielectric plate, which can not only limit the displacement of the first dielectric plate and the second dielectric plate in the width direction, but also limit the relative displacement and height displacement between the first dielectric plate and the second dielectric plate, further ensuring the sliding accuracy and realizing the stability of the electrical performance of the phase shifter.

[0047] Not shown in the figure of the second embodiment of the present application. The difference from the previous embodiment is that a plurality of the limiting protrusions 11 protrude from the third surface 301 of the second dielectric plate 30 along the length direction, and a plurality of the limiting protrusions 11 are located at the side portion 201 of the metal strip line 20. The limiting protrusions 11 are used to limit the displacement of the second dielectric plate 30 relative to the metal strip line 20 when the second dielectric plate 30 slides. The second dielectric plate 30 slides relative to the metal strip line 20 in the length direction. When the second dielectric plate 30 deviates in the width direction relative to the metal strip line 20, the limiting protrusions 11 play a blocking role, so that the second dielectric plate 30 always slides along the length direction of the metal strip line 20 and will not deviate in the width direction. When there are no limiting protrusions 11 on the first dielectric plate 10, the second dielectric plate 30 drives the first dielectric plate 10 to slide, and the sliding trajectory of the first dielectric plate 10 can also be ensured.

[0048] Specifically, a plurality of the limiting protrusions 11 are arranged at intervals along the length direction on one side of the second dielectric plate 30. That is, a plurality of the limiting protrusions 11 can be located on the second dielectric plate 30 close to the first side portion 201, or can be located on the first dielectric plate 10 close to the second side portion 201. In some embodiments, a plurality of the limiting protrusions 11 can also be arranged at intervals along the length direction on opposite sides of the second dielectric plate 30 and are located at positions on opposite sides of the metal strip line 20. The metal strip line 20 is located between the limiting protrusions 11 on both sides, and both play a limiting role on the second dielectric plate 30, so that the second dielectric plate 30 can accurately slide along the length direction of the metal strip line 20, and further prevent the second dielectric plate 30 from deviating in the width direction relative to the metal strip line 20.

[0049] In the third embodiment of the present application (not shown in the figure), the difference from the previous embodiment is that limiting protrusions 11 are provided on both the first dielectric plate 10 and the second dielectric plate 30. That is, limiting protrusions 11 are convexly provided along the length direction on the first surface 101 of the first dielectric plate 10 and the third surface 301 of the second dielectric plate 30. The limiting protrusions 11 are located at the side portion 201 of the metal strip line 20, and the limiting protrusions 11 are used to limit the displacement of the first dielectric plate 10 and the second dielectric plate 30 relative to the metal strip line 20 when the first dielectric plate 10 and the second dielectric plate 30 slide. Specifically, the limiting protrusions 11 limit the displacement of the first dielectric plate 10 and the second dielectric plate 30 relative to the metal strip line 20 in the width direction. The first dielectric plate 10 and the second dielectric plate 30 slide relative to the metal strip line 20 in the length direction. When the first dielectric plate 10 and the second dielectric plate 30 deviate from the metal strip line 20 in the width direction, the limiting protrusions 11 play a blocking role, so that the metal strip line 20 is always located between the limiting protrusions 11 on both sides, and the first dielectric plate 10 and the second dielectric plate 30 will not deviate from the metal strip line 20 in the width direction.

[0050] In this embodiment, when the first dielectric plate 10 and the second dielectric plate 30 slide relative to the metal strip line 20, the limiting protrusions 11 move along the side portion 201 of the metal strip line 20. As the first dielectric plate 10 and the second dielectric plate 30 move along the side portion 201 of the metal strip line 20, the limiting protrusions 11 play a guiding role in the movement of both the first dielectric plate 10 and the second dielectric plate 30, so that the first dielectric plate 10 and the second dielectric plate 30 can smoothly slide along the length direction of the metal strip line 20.

[0051] Specifically, multiple said limiting protrusions 11 can protrude from one or both sides of the first surface 101 of the first dielectric plate 10, and can protrude from one or both sides of the third surface 301 of the second dielectric plate 30; the limiting protrusions 11 on the first dielectric plate 10 and the second dielectric plate 30 can also be located on both sides of the metal strip 20 respectively. In some embodiments, multiple said limiting protrusions 11 are arranged at intervals along the length direction on opposite sides of the first dielectric plate 10 and the second dielectric plate 30, and are located at positions on opposite sides of the metal strip 20. That is to say, multiple limiting protrusions 11 are provided along the two side portions 201 near the first dielectric plate 10 and the second dielectric plate 30, and the metal strip 20 is located between the limiting protrusions 11 on both sides. When multiple limiting protrusions 11 are provided on both sides of the metal strip 20 on the first dielectric plate 10 and the second dielectric plate 30, the limiting protrusions 11 play a limiting role on the first dielectric plate 10 and the second dielectric plate 30 in the positive X-axis direction and the negative X-axis direction, so that the first dielectric plate 10 and the second dielectric plate 30 can accurately slide along the length direction of the metal strip 20, further restricting the deviation of the first dielectric plate 10 and the second dielectric plate 30 in the width direction relative to the metal strip 20.

[0052] In an embodiment of the present application, the limiting protrusion 11 includes a body and a limiting body (not shown in the figure) located at the end of the body. The limiting body protrudes from one side of the body and extends in the width direction, and the limiting body is located on the surface of the metal strip 20 facing away from the first dielectric plate 10.

[0053] Specifically, taking the first embodiment where the limiting protrusion 11 is provided on the first dielectric plate 10 as an example, the limiting protrusion 11 protrudes from the second surface 102 of the first dielectric plate 10. The body protrudes from the second surface 102 and is connected to the limiting body at the other end. The side of the limiting body away from the body is located on the lower surface 204 of the metal strip 20. That is to say, the metal strip 20 is clamped between the first dielectric plate 10 and the limiting body in the height direction. When the first dielectric plate 10 slides along the length direction of the metal strip 20, the limiting body restricts the first dielectric plate 10 from deviating in the height direction and displacing in the width direction relative to the metal strip 20, further enabling the first dielectric plate 10 to slide more precisely along the length direction of the metal strip 20. The "height direction" mentioned here refers to the direction perpendicular to the surface of the metal strip 20.

[0054] It can be understood that the limiting protrusion 11 described in this embodiment can also be provided on the second dielectric plate 30, or can be provided on both the first dielectric plate 10 and the second dielectric plate 30. When the limiting protrusion 11 is provided on the second dielectric plate 30, the body is connected to the second dielectric plate 30, and the limiting body is located on the surface of the metal strip line 20 facing away from the second dielectric plate 30. That is to say, the side of the limiting body away from the body is located on the upper surface 203 of the metal strip line 20, and the metal strip line 20 is clamped between the second dielectric plate 30 and the limiting body in the height direction. The body of the limiting protrusion 11 limits the second dielectric plate 30 from shifting in the width direction, and the limiting body limits the second dielectric plate 30 from shifting in the height direction relative to the metal strip line 20. When the limiting protrusion 11 is provided on both the first dielectric plate 10 and the second dielectric plate 30, the limiting protrusion 11 on the first dielectric plate 10 simultaneously limits the first dielectric plate 10 from shifting in the width direction and the height direction relative to the metal strip line 20. The limiting protrusion 11 on the second dielectric plate 30 simultaneously limits the second dielectric plate 30 from shifting in the width direction and the height direction relative to the metal strip line 20.

[0055] Please refer to Figure 3 and Figure 4 and Figure 5, in an embodiment of the present application, the first dielectric plate 10 and the second dielectric plate 30 are connected by a buckle 15 and can slide relative to the metal strip 20. The first part of the transmission section 22 includes a first transmission section 221 and a second transmission section 222. A gap 25 extending along the length direction is formed between the connection of the first transmission section 221 and the second transmission section 222. A buckle 15 is provided on the first dielectric plate 10, and a slot 33 is provided on the second dielectric plate 30 at a position corresponding to the buckle 15. The buckle 15 passes through the gap 25 and is clamped in the slot 33. The buckle 15 slides in the gap 25 to enable the first dielectric plate 10 and the second dielectric plate 30 to slide in the same direction relative to the metal strip 20. In this embodiment, the gap 25 is provided with an opening in the length direction. During assembly, the opening facilitates the assembly of the buckle 15 and the metal strip 20. Specifically, the buckle 15 protrudes from the end of the first dielectric plate 10. In this embodiment, the buckle 15 at one end is described. The buckle 15 includes two buckle bodies (not shown in the figure). Each buckle body includes a connecting section and a hook protruding from the connecting section. The two buckle bodies are arranged adjacent to each other and the buckle 15 faces in opposite directions. The connecting section has a certain elasticity to facilitate being installed in the slot 33 of the second dielectric plate 30. The connecting section passes through the gap 25 of the metal strip 20 and extends into the slot 33 to be clamped with the slot 33. When the first dielectric plate 10 and the second dielectric plate 30 slide, the connecting section slides in the gap 25 to achieve the sliding displacement of the first dielectric plate 10 and the second dielectric plate 30. In this embodiment, the buckle 15 is used to fix the first dielectric plate 10 and the sliding is realized by using the structure of the metal strip 20 itself, saving the assembly structure, not requiring any structural change, saving the process and not affecting the performance of the metal strip 20.

[0056] Furthermore, a single buckle body also protrudes from one side of the first dielectric plate 10. Corresponding to the buckle body, an opening groove is formed in the side of the second dielectric plate 30 extending inwardly into the dielectric plate. The buckle body is buckled on the opening groove without interfering with the metal strip 20. The arrangement of the buckle 15 and the buckle body can fix the first dielectric plate 10 and the second dielectric plate 30, especially defining the consistency in the length direction and the height direction.

[0057] Please refer to Figure 1, the phase shifter 100 includes a cavity 50. The metal strip line further includes a signal input terminal (not shown in the figure) and a signal output terminal (not shown in the figure). The metal strip line 20 is fixed within the cavity 50, and the transmission section is suspended within the cavity 50. The signal input terminal and the signal output terminal are used for electrically connecting to the cables outside the cavity. The first dielectric plate 10 and the second dielectric plate 30 are disposed within the cavity 50 and can move relative to the transmission section of the metal strip line 20. The cavity 50 is a hollow rectangle with openings at both ends. A pull rod 40 is further provided at the end of the first dielectric plate 10 or the second dielectric plate 30 for pulling the first dielectric plate 10 and the second dielectric plate 30 to slide. It should be noted that the cable is connected from the outside and passes through the cavity into the cavity. The cable includes an inner conductor and an outer conductor. The outer conductor is welded to the hole of the cavity, and the inner conductor is used for electrically connecting to the corresponding signal input terminal and signal output terminal. The cable is used for signal output and input.

[0058] Specifically, the signal to be radiated is transmitted to the cavity 50 through the signal input terminal and is transmitted along the direction of the metal strip line 20 through the medium within the cavity 50 to the signal output terminal. Among them, the medium within the cavity 50 includes the first dielectric plate 10 and the second dielectric plate 30 laminated on the surface of the metal strip line 20 and the air surrounding the metal strip line 20. When the first dielectric plate 10 and the second dielectric plate 30 move along the metal strip line 20, the equivalent dielectric constant of the medium within the transmission section between the signal input terminal and the signal output terminal changes, thereby causing the phase of the signal transmitted from the signal output terminal to change. For example, before the first dielectric plate 10 and the second dielectric plate 30 move, the medium within the transmission section is only the air between the metal strip line 20 and the cavity 50. When the first dielectric plate 10 and the second dielectric plate 30 move a certain distance, the first dielectric plate 10 and the second dielectric plate 30 move into the transmission section, so that the medium within the transmission section includes the first dielectric plate 10, the second dielectric plate 30, and the air between the metal strip line 20 and the cavity 50 within the transmission section, thereby causing the equivalent dielectric constant of the medium within the transmission section to change, and the phase of the signal output from the signal output terminal will change. Moreover, when the first dielectric plate 10 and the second dielectric plate 30 are continuously moved, the areas of the first dielectric plate 10 and the second dielectric plate 30 within the transmission section continuously change, that is, the equivalent dielectric constant of the medium within the transmission section changes, and finally the phase of the signal output from the signal output terminal can change continuously. Therefore, in this application, the first dielectric plate 10 and the second dielectric plate 30 can be moved a certain distance according to actual needs, so that the radiated signal has the required phase.

[0059] Further, in this embodiment, the transmission section of the metal strip line 20 is suspended in the cavity 50, and there is no need to dispose the metal strip line 20 on the substrate, reducing the loss of signal energy by the substrate and increasing the gain of the electrically tunable antenna. Moreover, it can reduce the heat generated due to the loss of the signal energy, thereby reducing the requirements of the phase shifter 100 for heat dissipation and the heat resistance performance of the internal structural members, and enhancing the temperature resistance reliability of each structure in the electrically tunable antenna.

[0060] As Figure 3 shown, further, the first dielectric plate 10 includes a first side surface 104 and a second side surface 103, the second dielectric plate 30 includes a third side surface 303 and a fourth side surface 304, the first side surface 104 and the third side surface 303 are convexly provided with abutting protrusions 32(12), the cavity 50 includes two opposite cavity walls, the first dielectric plate 10 and the second dielectric plate 30 slide in the cavity 50, and the abutting protrusions 32(12) slide along the cavity walls. It can be understood that the abutting protrusions 32(12) just contact the cavity walls of the cavity 50 without affecting the sliding and can ensure the sliding accuracy of the first dielectric plate 10 and the second dielectric plate 30.

[0061] In one implementation manner, as Figure 10 , the cavity 50 includes opposite first side wall and second side wall (not shown in the figure) extending along the length direction of the metal strip line 20, two guiding grooves 52, 53 are provided on both the first side wall and the second side wall, two opposite sides of the first dielectric plate 10 are slidably mounted in one guiding groove 52 on the first side wall and the second side wall, and two opposite sides of the second dielectric plate 30 are slidably mounted in the other guiding groove 53 on the first side wall and the second side wall. The guiding grooves play a guiding role for the first dielectric plate 10 and the second dielectric plate 30 mounted therein, enabling the first dielectric plate 10 and the second dielectric plate 30 to slide along the guiding grooves without deviation. In addition, the guiding grooves also play a limiting role for the first dielectric plate 10 and the second dielectric plate 30, enabling the first dielectric plate 10 and the second dielectric plate 30 to only deviate within the range of the guiding grooves in the height and width directions. When the error of the guiding grooves is small, the deviation amounts of the first dielectric plate 10 and the second dielectric plate 30 relative to the metal strip line 20 in the height and width directions are both small, which can further strengthen the precise control of the phase shifter 100 over the phase change.

[0062] The above are only some embodiments and implementation manners of the present application. The protection scope of the present application is not limited thereto. Any person skilled in the art can easily think of changes or substitutions within the technical scope disclosed by the present application, and all should be covered within the protection scope of the present application. Therefore, the protection scope of the present application should be subject to the protection scope of the claims.

Claims

1. A phase shifter, characterized in that, It includes a metal strip line, a first dielectric plate and a second dielectric plate. The metal strip line includes a main body and a transmission section connected to the main body. The metal strip line is clamped between the first dielectric plate and the second dielectric plate. The first dielectric plate and the second dielectric plate can slide relative to the metal strip line along the length direction of the metal strip line. At least one limiting protrusion is convexly provided on the surface of the first dielectric plate or / and the second dielectric plate facing the metal strip line along the length direction. At least one of the limiting protrusions faces the side of the metal strip line. There is a gap between the surface of at least one of the limiting protrusions facing the metal strip line and the side of the metal strip line. At least one of the limiting protrusions is used to limit the displacement of the first dielectric plate and the second dielectric plate relative to the metal strip line in the width direction when the first dielectric plate and the second dielectric plate slide. The width direction is perpendicular to the length direction.

2. The phase shifter according to claim 1, wherein When the first dielectric plate and the second dielectric plate slide relative to the metal strip line, at least one of the limiting protrusions moves along the side of the metal strip line, and the extending direction of the side is the same as the length direction.

3. The phase shifter according to claim 1, wherein At least one of the limiting protrusions is provided on the first dielectric plate. Each of the limiting protrusions includes a body connected to the first dielectric plate and a limiting body located at the end of the body. The limiting body protrudes from one side of the body and extends towards the width direction. The limiting body is located on the surface of the metal strip line facing away from the first dielectric plate.

4. The phase shifter according to claim 1, characterized in that, The linear distance between the surface of the limiting protrusion facing the metal strip line and the side of the metal strip line is greater than 0 mm and less than or equal to 1 mm.

5. The phase shifter according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, There are multiple limiting protrusions. The multiple limiting protrusions are arranged at intervals along the length direction on one side of the surface of the first dielectric plate or / and the second dielectric plate, or the multiple limiting protrusions are arranged in pairs on opposite sides of the surface of the first dielectric plate or / and the second dielectric plate, or the multiple limiting protrusions are arranged in a staggered manner on opposite sides of the surface of the first dielectric plate or / and the second dielectric plate.

6. The phase shifter according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, The limiting protrusion protrudes from the first dielectric plate. A groove is provided on the surface of the second dielectric plate opposite to the first dielectric plate. The first dielectric plate and the second dielectric plate are connected. The limiting protrusion extends into the groove and is clamped and fixed with the groove, or the limiting protrusion is a hook. The limiting protrusion protrudes from the first dielectric plate. A card slot is provided on the surface of the second dielectric plate opposite to the first dielectric plate. The first dielectric plate and the second dielectric plate are connected. The hook is clamped in the card slot.

7. The phase shifter according to any one of claims 1-4, characterized in that, The phase shifter includes a cavity. The metal strip line includes a signal input terminal and a signal output terminal. The metal strip line is fixed in the cavity, and the transmission section is suspended in the cavity; the signal input terminal and the signal output terminal are used for electrical connection with the cable outside the cavity. The first dielectric plate and the second dielectric plate are arranged in the cavity and can move relative to the transmission section of the metal strip line.

8. The phase shifter according to claim 7, characterized in that, The transmission section includes a first transmission section and a second transmission section. A gap extending along the length direction is formed between the connections of the first transmission section and the second transmission section. A buckle is provided on the first dielectric plate, and a slot is provided on the second dielectric plate at a position opposite to the buckle. The buckle passes through the gap and is clamped in the slot, and the buckle slides in the gap to enable the first dielectric plate and the second dielectric plate to slide in the same direction relative to the metal strip line.

9. The phase shifter according to claim 8, characterized in that, The first dielectric plate includes a first side surface and a second side surface, and the second dielectric plate includes a third side surface and a fourth side surface. The first side surface and the third side surface or the second side surface and the fourth side surface are convexly provided with abutting protrusions. The cavity includes two opposite cavity walls, and the first dielectric plate and the second dielectric plate slide in the cavity, and the abutting protrusions slide along the cavity walls.

10. The phase shifter according to claim 7, characterized in that, The cavity includes opposite first side walls and second side walls extending along the length direction of the metal strip line. Two guide grooves are provided on each of the first side wall and the second side wall. Opposite sides of the first dielectric plate are slidably installed in one of the guide grooves on the first side wall and the second side wall, and opposite sides of the second dielectric plate are slidably installed in the other guide groove on the first side wall and the second side wall.

11. An electrically tunable antenna, characterized in that, It includes a radiation unit and the phase shifter according to any one of claims 1-10. The radiation unit is connected to the phase shifter, and the electromagnetic wave signal transmitted by the phase shifter is radiated out through the radiation unit.

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