Liquid crystal antenna and electronic equipment

Abstract

The invention discloses a liquid crystal antenna and electronic equipment. The liquid crystal antenna comprises a first substrate and a second substrate which are oppositely arranged, the liquid crystal layer is positioned between the two substrates; a first metal layer is arranged on the surface of the side, away from the liquid crystal layer, of the first substrate and comprises a first radiator and a first feeder line which are connected. The second radiator and the second feeder line are connected; a second metal layer, a first slot and a second slot are arranged on the surface of one side, facing the liquid crystal layer, of the first substrate; a third metal layer is arranged on the surface of one side, facing the liquid crystal layer, of the second substrate and comprises a third feeder line and a fourth feeder line; in the direction perpendicular to the plane where the first substrate is located, the first slot is located in an area surrounded by the peripheral edge of the first radiator, the second slot is located in an area surrounded by the peripheral edge of the second radiator, the third feed line perpendicularly intersects with the first slot, and the fourth feed line perpendicularly intersects with the second slot. The first feeder line is vertically crossed with the third feeder line, and the second feeder line is vertically crossed with the fourth feeder line.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present application relates to the field of wireless communication technology, and in particular to a liquid crystal antenna and an electronic device. Background Art

[0002] In recent years, wireless power transfer (WPT) technology for wireless sensor systems is becoming a hot topic. For a good wireless sensor and wireless power supply system, there are two parts: the primary end and the receiving end. The primary end transmits power to the receiving end and receives data from the receiving end at the same time. Similarly, the receiving end receives power and transmits data to the primary end at the same time. In this process, the leakage between the local power chain and the data chain will affect the reliability and stability of the data received by the primary end, and will also reduce the efficiency of the power received by the receiving end. Therefore, providing independent power supply and data transmission links for both parties is a basic issue and has great significance.

[0003] Existing far-field wireless sensor systems use antenna arrays for wireless communication. In existing antenna arrays, the isolation performance of different feeders of the same antenna unit is poor, which will cause interference problems in the antenna and affect the performance of the antenna. Summary of the invention

[0004] In view of the above problems, the present application provides a liquid crystal antenna and an electronic device to achieve the purpose of reducing the interference problem in the liquid crystal antenna. The specific solution is as follows:

[0005] A first aspect of the present application provides a liquid crystal antenna, comprising:

[0006] A first substrate and a second substrate arranged opposite to each other;

[0007] a liquid crystal layer located between the first substrate and the second substrate;

[0008] A first metal layer is provided on a surface of the first substrate facing away from the liquid crystal layer, and the first metal layer includes: a first radiator and a first feeder connected to the first radiator; a second radiator and a second feeder connected to the second radiator;

[0009] A second metal layer is provided on a surface of the first substrate facing the liquid crystal layer, and the second metal layer has a first groove and a second groove;

[0010] A third metal layer is provided on a surface of the second substrate facing the liquid crystal layer, and the third metal layer includes a third feed line and a fourth feed line;

[0011] Among them, in the direction perpendicular to the plane where the first substrate is located, the first slot is located in the area surrounded by the four edges of the first radiator, the second slot is located in the area surrounded by the four edges of the second radiator, the third feed line crosses the first slot vertically, the fourth feed line crosses the second slot vertically, the first feed line crosses the third feed line vertically, and the second feed line crosses the fourth feed line vertically.

[0012] From the above description, it can be known that the liquid crystal antenna has two dual-polarized antenna units, the first radiator, the first feeder connected to the first radiator, and the third feeder coupled to the first radiator through the first slot can form the first antenna unit, and the second radiator, the second feeder connected to the second radiator, and the fourth feeder coupled to the second radiator through the second slot can form the second antenna unit. Since the first feeder and the third feeder cross vertically, and the second feeder and the fourth feeder cross vertically, the two antenna units are both vertical dual-polarized structures, and a new dual-polarized liquid crystal phased antenna array with two dual-polarized antenna units can be formed.

[0013] The vertical dual-polarization antenna unit can form different electric field distributions in different areas of the liquid crystal material, thereby changing the arrangement state of the liquid crystal molecules, thereby affecting the dielectric constant of the liquid crystal material, and making the electromagnetic wave transmission characteristics of the liquid crystal antenna different in different directions, thereby achieving control of the electromagnetic wave radiation direction and mode, and achieving dynamic regulation of the antenna signal. In addition, the vertical dual-polarization antenna unit can also help reduce the signal interference problem between the two feed lines in the antenna unit, thereby reducing the interference problem between the two feed lines when the antenna unit sends or receives signals, and can improve the overall performance of the antenna system.

[0014] In addition, since there is a second metal layer between the radiator of the antenna unit and the feeder on the surface of the second substrate, the feeder on the surface of the second substrate can be coupled with the radiator through the slot in the second metal layer, not only can the slot coupling be achieved through the slot in the second metal layer, but the second metal layer can also be used to isolate the two feeders in the antenna unit, thereby improving the isolation effect of the two feeders in the antenna unit. For example, the isolation effect between the first feeder and the third feeder in the first antenna unit and between the second feeder and the fourth feeder in the second antenna unit can be improved through the second metal layer, thereby reducing the interference of signals transmitted by different feeders in the same antenna unit.

[0015] A second aspect of the present application provides an electronic device, comprising the above-mentioned liquid crystal antenna.

[0016] Electronic devices using the above liquid crystal antenna can improve the isolation between different feeders in the antenna unit, thereby reducing the interference problem of antenna signals, improving the antenna communication quality, and further improving the communication performance of the electronic device. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0017] In order to more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present application or the related technologies, the drawings required for use in the embodiments or the description of the prior art will be briefly introduced below. Obviously, the drawings described below are only embodiments of the present application. For ordinary technicians in this field, other drawings can be obtained based on the provided drawings without paying any creative work.

[0018] The structures, proportions, sizes, etc. illustrated in the drawings of this specification are only used to match the contents disclosed in the specification so as to facilitate understanding and reading by persons familiar with this technology. They are not used to limit the conditions under which this application can be implemented, and therefore have no substantive technical significance. Any structural modification, change in proportion or adjustment of size, without affecting the effects and purposes that can be achieved by this application, should still fall within the scope of the technical contents disclosed in this application.

[0019] Figure 1 A top view of a liquid crystal antenna provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0020] Figure 2 for Figure 1 The cross-sectional view of the liquid crystal antenna shown is based on the extension path of the A-A' fold line;

[0021] Figure 3 A top view of another liquid crystal antenna provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0022] Figure 4 for Figure 3 The cross-sectional view of the liquid crystal antenna shown is based on the extension path of the A-A' fold line;

[0023] Figure 5 A top view of another liquid crystal antenna provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0024] Figure 6 A top view of a first isolation device provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0025] Figure 7 for Figure 6 A cross-sectional view of the first isolation device along the dashed line;

[0026] Figure 8 A top view of a second isolation device provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0027] Fig. 9 for Figure 8 A cross-sectional view of the second isolation device along the dashed line;

[0028] Fig.10 A top view of another first isolation device provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0029] Fig.11 A top view of another second isolation device provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0030] Fig.12 A schematic diagram of the structure of an electronic device provided in an embodiment of the present application.

[0031] Reference numerals:

[0032] 10-seal; 11-first substrate; 12-second substrate; 13-liquid crystal layer; 141-first radiator; 142-second radiator; 143-third radiator; 144-fourth radiator; 151-first feed line; 152-second feed line; 153-third feed line; 154-fourth feed line; 161-first slot; 162-second slot; 163-third slot; 171-first isolation device; 172-second isolation device; 18-insulation layer; 1 81-first routing line; 182-second routing line; 191-first gap section; 192-second gap section; 193-third gap section; 201-first routing line; 202-second routing line; 21-electronic device; 22-liquid crystal antenna; X-first direction; Y-second direction; Z-third direction; M1-first metal layer; M2-second metal layer; M3-third metal layer; M4-fourth metal layer; D1-first port; D2-second port; D3-third port. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0033] The following will be combined with the drawings in the embodiments of the present application to clearly and completely describe the embodiments of the present application. It is known to those skilled in the art that with the development of technology and the emergence of new scenarios, the technical solutions provided in the embodiments of the present application are also applicable to similar technical problems.

[0034] Obviously, the described embodiments are only a part of the embodiments of the present application, rather than all the embodiments. Based on the embodiments in the present application, all other embodiments obtained by ordinary technicians in the field without making creative work are within the scope of protection of the present application. The terms used in the embodiments of the present application are only used to explain the specific embodiments of the present application, and are not intended to limit the present application.

[0035] In order to make the above-mentioned purposes, features and advantages of the present application more obvious and easy to understand, the present application is further described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings and specific embodiments.

[0036] refer to Figure 1 and Figure 2 , Figure 1 A top view of a liquid crystal antenna provided in an embodiment of the present application, Figure 2 for Figure 1The cross-sectional view of the liquid crystal antenna shown is based on the extension path of the A-A' fold line. In order to clearly illustrate the graphic structure of each metal layer in the liquid crystal antenna in the top view, Figure 1 Only the metal layers in the liquid crystal antenna are shown, and other structures are not shown.

[0037] like Figure 1 and Figure 2 As shown, the liquid crystal antenna includes:

[0038] A first substrate 11 and a second substrate 12 arranged opposite to each other;

[0039] A liquid crystal layer 13 located between the first substrate 11 and the second substrate 12;

[0040] A first metal layer M1 is formed on a surface of the first substrate 11 facing away from the liquid crystal layer 13 . The first metal layer M1 includes: a first radiator 141 and a first feeder 151 connected to the first radiator 141 ; a second radiator 142 and a second feeder 152 connected to the second radiator 142 ;

[0041] A second metal layer M2 is formed on a surface of the first substrate 11 facing the liquid crystal layer 13 . The second metal layer M2 has a first groove 161 and a second groove 162 .

[0042] A third metal layer M3 is formed on a surface of the second substrate 12 facing the liquid crystal layer 13 . The third metal layer M3 includes a third feeding line 153 and a fourth feeding line 154 .

[0043] In which, in a direction perpendicular to the plane where the first substrate 11 is located (hereinafter referred to as the third direction Z), the first slot 161 is located in the area surrounded by the four edges of the first radiator 141, the second slot is located in the area surrounded by the four edges of the second radiator, the third feed line 153 crosses the first slot 161 vertically, the fourth feed line 154 crosses the second slot 162 vertically, the first feed line 151 crosses the third feed line 153 vertically, and the second feed line 152 crosses the fourth feed line 154 vertically.

[0044] It should be noted that the vertical relationship described in the embodiments of the present application includes the verticality or approximate verticality of two objects, and the parallel relationship includes the parallelism or approximate parallelism of two objects.

[0045] The liquid crystal antenna provided in the embodiment of the present application has two dual-polarized antenna units. The first radiator 141, the first feeder 151 connected to the first radiator 141, and the third feeder 153 coupled to the first radiator 141 through the first slot 161 can form a first antenna unit, and the second radiator 142, the second feeder 152 connected to the second radiator 142, and the fourth feeder 154 coupled to the second radiator 142 through the second slot 162 can form a second antenna unit. Since the first feeder 151 and the third feeder 153 cross vertically, and the second feeder 152 and the fourth feeder 154 cross vertically, the two antenna units are both vertical dual-polarized structures, and a new dual-polarized liquid crystal phased antenna array with two dual-polarized antenna units can be formed.

[0046] The antenna unit with a vertical dual-polarization structure can form different electric field distributions in different areas of the liquid crystal material, thereby changing the arrangement state of the liquid crystal molecules, thereby affecting the dielectric constant of the liquid crystal material, and making the electromagnetic wave transmission characteristics of the liquid crystal antenna different in different directions, thereby achieving control of the electromagnetic wave radiation direction and mode, and realizing dynamic regulation of the antenna signal.

[0047] In addition, the vertical dual-polarization structure of the antenna unit can also help reduce the signal interference problem between the two feed lines in the antenna unit, thereby reducing the interference problem between the two feed lines when the antenna unit sends or receives signals, and improving the overall performance of the antenna system.

[0048] For example, the first antenna unit can realize vertical dual polarization through the vertically crossed first feeder 151 and second feeder 152, and when the first antenna unit receives or sends a signal, the interference of the signals in the first feeder 151 and second feeder 152 can be reduced. For example, the second antenna unit can realize vertical dual polarization through the vertically crossed second feeder 152 and fourth feeder 154, and when the second antenna unit receives or sends a signal, the interference of the signals in the second feeder 152 and fourth feeder 154 can be reduced.

[0049] The two vertical cross feeders in the antenna unit can transmit the first polarization direction signal and the second polarization direction signal respectively. The two feeders are independent links for power transmission and data transmission respectively, so that the antenna units can perform power transmission and data transmission at the same time.

[0050] In the embodiment of the present application, the first antenna unit and the second antenna unit may share the second metal layer M2 provided with grooves as an antenna ground.

[0051] The first feed line 151 and the second feed line 152 can laterally excite the corresponding radiator through a 50Ω microstrip line. The third feed line 153 can achieve coupling excitation between the first slot 161 and the first radiator 141, and the fourth feed line 154 can achieve coupling excitation between the second slot 162 and the second radiator 142. The first feed line 151 and the second feed line 152 are a polarization direction element, and the third feed line 153 and the fourth feed line 154 are another planned direction element.

[0052] The liquid crystal layer 13 between the two substrates can be used to form a liquid crystal phase shifter so that the liquid crystal antenna can achieve phase and beam control. The liquid crystal phase shifter includes a bias signal line for controlling the deflection of the liquid crystal molecules. The bias signal line can control the orientation of the liquid crystal molecules by controlling the direction and magnitude of the electric field, thereby controlling the orientation state of the liquid crystal molecules to achieve inward adjustment of the beam direction.

[0053] Optionally, the third feed line 153 and the fourth feed line 154 are also multiplexed as bias signal lines for inputting bias voltages to control the deflection of liquid crystal molecules in the liquid crystal layer 13. In this way, there is no need for separate bias signal lines to adjust the deflection of liquid crystal molecules, which can improve the integration of the liquid crystal antenna and reduce product thickness and manufacturing costs.

[0054] Optionally, the edges of the first substrate 11 and the second substrate 12 can be bonded and fixed by a sealing member 10, so as to achieve encapsulation and protection of the internal liquid crystal material. The sealing member 10 can be a frame glue.

[0055] When wireless communication is performed based on the liquid crystal antenna provided in the embodiment of the present application, at the same time, one antenna unit is only used to receive signals or only used to send signals, that is, the same antenna unit receives signals and sends signals in time-sharing. In addition, at the same time, the first antenna unit and the second antenna unit are used to receive signals at the same time, or are used to send signals at the same time.

[0056] Optionally, the first substrate 11 and the second substrate 12 may be glass plates, or other insulating transparent substrates. The present embodiment of the application does not limit the materials of the two substrates.

[0057] The first radiator 141 and the first feeder 151 are an integrally formed structure, and the second radiator 142 and the second feeder 152 are an integrally formed structure.

[0058] In the liquid crystal antenna provided in the embodiment of the present application, since there is a second metal layer M2 between the radiator of the antenna unit and the feeder on the surface of the second substrate, the feeder on the surface of the second substrate 12 is coupled with the radiator through the slot in the second metal layer M2, not only can the slot coupling be achieved through the slot in the second metal layer M2, but the second metal layer M2 can also be used to isolate the two feeders in the antenna unit, thereby improving the isolation effect of the two feeders in the antenna unit. For example, the isolation effect between the first feeder 151 and the third feeder 153 in the first antenna unit and between the second feeder 152 and the fourth feeder 154 in the second antenna unit can be improved through the second metal layer, thereby reducing the interference of signals transmitted by different feeders in the same antenna unit.

[0059] In one embodiment, the first radiator 141 and the second radiator 142 may have the same graphic structure. In this manner, the first radiator 141 and the second radiator 142 have the same graphic structure, which helps to achieve consistency in the characteristics of different antenna units, ensures the uniformity and consistency of different antenna units, and allows different antenna units to respond to external signals in the same way, making it easier to control the radiation direction and performance of the antenna array. Since the phased array antenna array needs to form a specific beam direction by precisely controlling the phase of each antenna unit, if the graphic structures of the radiators are different, the complexity of the phase control will increase, thereby affecting the accuracy and stability of the beam forming.

[0060] Furthermore, the area surrounded by the four edges of the first radiator 141 and the second radiator 142 can be set to the same square to simplify the design difficulty and pattern production complexity of the vertical dual-polarization antenna unit. In this way, a feed line is set corresponding to each of the vertical sides of a square radiator to realize an antenna unit with a vertical dual-polarization structure. Figure 1 As shown, the first feed line 151 and the third feed line 153 are respectively perpendicular to one side of the first radiator 141, and can form a first antenna unit of a vertical dual-polarization structure; the second feed line 152 and the fourth feed line 154 are respectively perpendicular to one side of the second radiator 142, and can form a second antenna unit of a vertical dual-polarization structure.

[0061] In order to facilitate the pattern preparation of each metal layer in the liquid crystal antenna, the first feed line 151 and the second feed line 152 can be set in parallel, the third feed line 153 and the fourth feed line 154 can be set in parallel, and the first slot 161 and the second slot 162 can be set in parallel. Further, the pattern structure of the first antenna unit and the second antenna unit can be set to be the same, in which case the first feed line 151 and the second feed line 152 are parallel and have the same pattern size, the third feed line 153 and the fourth feed line 154 are parallel and have the same pattern size, and the first slot 161 and the second slot 162 are parallel and have the same pattern size.

[0062] In one implementation of the embodiment of the present application, the mutually perpendicular first direction X and second direction Y are set to be parallel to the plane where the first substrate 11 is located, and the third direction Z is perpendicular to the XY plane. The extension directions of the first feed line 151 and the second feed line 152 can be set to be parallel to the first direction X, and the extension directions of the third feed line 153 and the fourth feed line 154 can be set to be parallel to the second direction Y. In this way, the third feed line 153 can be perpendicularly crossed with the first slot 161, the fourth feed line 154 can be perpendicularly crossed with the second slot 162, the first feed line 151 can be perpendicularly crossed with the third feed line 153, and the second feed line 152 can be perpendicularly crossed with the fourth feed line 154, which is convenient for the pattern preparation of each metal layer in the liquid crystal antenna.

[0063] Optionally, the first slot 161 may be located on the same straight line as the first feed line 151, or the two may be parallel and not co-linear. The second slot 162 may be located on the same straight line as the second feed line 152, or the two may be parallel and not co-linear.

[0064] In one implementation of the present application, the first radiator 141 and the second radiator 142 are of the same square structure, such as Figure 1 and Figure 2 As shown, in the direction perpendicular to the plane where the first substrate 11 is located, the first radiator 141 blocks the first slot 161, and the second radiator 142 blocks the second slot 162. At this time, both radiators are surface radiators without hollow structures, and the radiators in the two antenna units are single-layer metal radiator structures. The liquid crystal antenna only needs three layers of metal, the panel structure is simple, and the panel thickness is relatively thin.

[0065] refer to Figure 3 and Figure 4 , Figure 3 A top view of another liquid crystal antenna provided in an embodiment of the present application, Figure 4 for Figure 3 The cross-sectional view of the liquid crystal antenna shown is based on the extension path of the A-A' fold line. In order to clearly illustrate the graphic structure of each metal layer in the liquid crystal antenna in the top view, Figure 3 Only the metal layers in the liquid crystal antenna are shown, and other structures are not shown.

[0066] and Figure 1 and Figure 2 The difference between the methods shown is that Figure 3 and Figure 4In the illustrated embodiment, the radiator in the first metal layer M1 is a hollow structure. For example, the first radiator 141 and the second radiator 142 are both square frame structures, the first radiator 141 has a first rectangular hollow area, and the second radiator 142 has a second rectangular hollow area. At this time, there is a fourth metal layer M4 between the first substrate 11 and the first metal layer M1, and there is an insulating layer 18 between the first metal layer M1 and the fourth metal layer M4; the fourth metal layer M4 includes: a third radiator 143 and a fourth radiator 144.

[0067] like Figure 3 and Figure 4 As shown, in a direction perpendicular to the plane of the first substrate 11 , the first rectangular hollow area exposes the third radiator 143 , which blocks the first slot 161 ; the second rectangular hollow area exposes the fourth radiator 144 , which blocks the second slot 162 .

[0068] The first radiator 141 can be laterally excited by a 50Ω microstrip line through a directly connected first feeder 151, and the second radiator 142 can be laterally excited by a 50Ω microstrip line through a directly connected second feeder 152. The third radiator 143 can be coupled with the first slot 161 through the third feeder 153, and the fourth radiator 144 can be coupled with the second slot 162 through the fourth feeder 154.

[0069] When the lateral size of the liquid crystal antenna limits the antenna gain performance improvement, Figure 3 and Figure 4 As shown, the first antenna unit and the second antenna unit are both provided with two radiators stacked in the third direction Z, so that the antenna unit can achieve a greater gain in a smaller area. This method can realize a stacked structure of multiple radiators by adding a metal layer, and the preparation process is relatively simple and the preparation cost is low.

[0070] exist Figure 3 and Figure 4 In the illustrated embodiment, the first antenna unit further includes a third radiator 143, and the second antenna unit further includes a fourth radiator 144. The first antenna unit includes a stacked first radiator 141 and a third radiator 143, and the second antenna unit includes a stacked second radiator 142 and a fourth radiator 144. In this way, in the liquid crystal antenna, each antenna unit includes two stacked radiators, which can enable the antenna unit to achieve greater gain and further improve antenna performance.

[0071] In addition, since the first radiator 141 and the second radiator 142 are respectively provided with the first rectangular hollow area and the second rectangular hollow area to respectively expose the third radiator 143 and the fourth radiator 144, the coupling between the first radiator 141 and the third radiator 143 can be reduced, and the coupling between the second radiator 142 and the fourth radiator 144 can be reduced.

[0072] refer to Figure 5 , Figure 5 A top view of another liquid crystal antenna provided in an embodiment of the present application, based on any of the above implementations, Figure 5 In the liquid crystal antenna shown, the first feed line 151 and the second feed line 152 are arranged in parallel to simultaneously transmit the first polarization direction signal; the third feed line 153 and the fourth feed line 154 are arranged in parallel to simultaneously transmit the second polarization direction signal. The two parallel feed lines can be used to simultaneously transmit antenna signals of the same polarization direction, so the first feed line 151 and the second feed line 152 can simultaneously transmit the first polarization direction signal, and the third feed line 153 and the fourth feed line 154 can simultaneously transmit the second polarization direction signal. Among them, the polarization directions of the first polarization direction signal and the second polarization direction signal are perpendicular.

[0073] like Figure 5 As shown, a first isolation device 171 is connected between the first feeder 151 and the second feeder 152; a second isolation device 172 is connected between the third feeder 153 and the fourth feeder 154; the first isolation device 171 and the second isolation device 172 are used to improve the isolation of the first polarization direction signal relative to the second feeder 152 and the second polarization direction signal.

[0074] In an antenna system, when the antenna signals received by the antenna unit include multiple polarization directions, antenna signals in different polarization directions may interfere with each other, resulting in a degradation of the receiving system performance. This interference is called polarization cross interference. Figure 5 In the manner shown, the first feeder 151 and the second feeder 152 parallel to the first direction X are connected to the first isolation device 171 at the same time, and the third feeder 153 and the fourth feeder 154 parallel to the second direction Y are connected to the second isolation device 172 at the same time. When the first antenna unit and the second antenna unit are used to receive antenna signals, a differential receiving system can be formed by the two isolation devices and the first antenna unit and the second antenna unit, so that differential reception of antenna signals can be realized, and polarization cross interference problems between antenna signals of different polarization directions can be effectively suppressed.

[0075] In a differential receiving system, the differential signal between two antenna units only includes the voltage difference between them and is not affected by other absorptions. Therefore, when a differential antenna receives signals in different polarization directions, only one polarization direction of the absorption signal can generate an effective differential signal, and the signal in the other polarization direction cannot generate a differential signal. In this way, by using the differential receiving method, signals in different polarization directions can be effectively isolated, thereby reducing polarization cross interference and improving the performance of the receiving system.

[0076] The liquid crystal antenna can form a differential receiving system based on two isolation devices, and the first polarization direction signal and the second polarization direction signal are differential signals. The interference signal of one of the first polarization direction signal and the second polarization direction signal relative to the other is also two vertical polarization signals. For example, the interference signal of the first polarization direction signal to the second polarization direction signal and the second polarization direction signal are two vertical polarization signals, and the interference signal of the second polarization direction signal to the first polarization direction signal and the first polarization direction signal are two vertical polarization signals.

[0077] Based on the differential receiving performance of the differential receiving system, the polarization direction signal transmitted by the connected feeder can be transmitted in the isolation device, and other polarization direction signals can be isolated. The first isolation device 171 can transmit the first polarization direction signal and isolate the second polarization direction signal, so the interference of the second polarization direction signal on the first polarization direction signal can be isolated; the second isolation device 172 can transmit the second polarization direction signal and isolate the first polarization direction signal, so the interference of the first polarization direction signal on the second polarization direction signal can be isolated.

[0078] like Figure 5 As shown, the first isolation device 171 and the second isolation device both include a first port D1, a second port D2, and a third port D3. For the first isolation device 171, one of the second port D2 and the third port D3 is connected to the first feeder 151, and the other is connected to the second feeder 152; for the second isolation device 172, one of the second port D2 and the third port D3 is connected to the third feeder 153, and the other is connected to the fourth feeder 154.

[0079] exist Figure 5 In the method shown, Figure 1 Adding an isolation device based on the method shown, it is obvious that the embodiment of the present application Figure 3 The illustrated implementation can also improve the isolation between the signals in the two polarization directions by using the first isolation device 171 and the second isolation device 172 , which will not be illustrated separately in the embodiments of the present application.

[0080] Since the first feed line 151 and the second feed line 152 are located in the first metal layer M1 , in an implementation manner of the embodiment of the present application, the first isolation device 171 and the second isolation device 172 may be prepared by using the first metal layer.

[0081] refer to Figure 6-Figure 9 , Figure 6 A top view of a first isolation device provided in an embodiment of the present application, Figure 7 for Figure 6 A cross-sectional view of the first isolation device along the dashed line is shown, Figure 8 A top view of a second isolation device provided in an embodiment of the present application, Fig. 9 for Figure 8 The cross-sectional view of the second isolation device along the dashed line is shown. In order to clearly illustrate the graphic structure of each metal layer in the isolation device in the top view, Figure 6 and Figure 8 Only the metal layers used to prepare the isolation device in the liquid crystal antenna are shown, and other structures are not shown.

[0082] The first isolation device 171 and the second isolation device 172 both include: a third slot 163 located in the second metal layer M2; a first routing line 181 and a second routing line 182 arranged in parallel; the first isolation device 171 and the second isolation device 172 each include a third slot 163 arranged in the second metal layer M2. The first isolation device 171 and the second isolation device 172 each include a first routing line 181 and a second routing line 182 arranged in parallel. In this way, the first isolation device 171 and the second isolation device 172 can both be equivalent to a balun device, and the balun device can be used to construct a differential system in the antenna to reduce interference between two vertically polarized signals.

[0083] exist Figure 6-Figure 9 In the manner shown, the third slot 163 is a half-wavelength slot line, and the first isolation device 171 and the second isolation device 172 both use half-wavelength slot lines to complete the design of the balun device. For the same isolation device, when a signal is input from the first port D1, it is divided into two signals, which are transmitted to the two ends of the half-wavelength slot line respectively. Since the length of the half-wavelength slot line is half a wavelength, when the signal reaches the other end of the half-wavelength slot line, the phase difference between the two signals will be 180 degrees. This is because within the length of the half-wavelength slot line, the phase of the current will change by 180 degrees, so this phase difference can be achieved. On this basis, by connecting the two signals to the other two ports of the differential receiving circuit respectively, the effect of eliminating common-mode interference can be achieved.

[0084] The balun device can be used to convert an unbalanced signal into a balanced signal, or to convert a balanced signal into an unbalanced signal. Since the first isolation device 171 and the second isolation device 172 can be equivalent to a balun device respectively, the two antenna units can be connected to the corresponding ports of two different differential balun devices respectively through the first isolation device 171 and the second isolation device 172, so that independent reception of signals in different polarization directions can be achieved. One of the balun devices is used to receive the first polarization direction signal, and the other balun device is used to receive the second polarization direction signal. The output ports of the two devices respectively represent the differential signals of the corresponding polarization direction signals. This differential reception method can effectively suppress the cross-interference of different polarization directions and improve the performance of the receiving system.

[0085] In the same isolation device, in a direction perpendicular to the plane where the first substrate 11 is located, the first routing line 181 and the second routing line 182 evenly cross the third slot 163 perpendicularly; one end of the first routing line 181 serves as the first port D1, and the two ends of the second routing line 182 are the second port D2 and the third port D3 respectively; wherein, one of the second port D2 and the third port D3 of the first isolation device 171 is connected to the first feeder 151, and the other is connected to the second feeder 152; one of the second port D2 and the third port D3 of the second isolation device 172 is connected to the third feeder 153, and the other is connected to the fourth feeder 154.

[0086] Optionally, the first wiring 181 and the second wiring 182 in the first isolation device 171 may be located in the first metal layer M1, and the first wiring 181 and the second wiring 182 in the second isolation device 172 may be located in the third metal layer. Figure 6 and Figure 7 As shown, the first metal layer M1 and the second metal layer M2 in the liquid crystal antenna can be reused to prepare the first isolation device 171. If there is no need to add a separate metal layer to prepare the first isolation device 171, the thickness of the antenna will not be increased; Figure 8 and Fig. 9 As shown, the second metal layer M2 and the third metal layer M3 in the liquid crystal antenna can be reused to prepare the second isolation device 172. If there is no need to add a separate metal layer to prepare the second isolation device 172, the thickness of the antenna will not increase.

[0087] like Figure 6 and Figure 8 As shown, in the same isolation device, the first routing line 181 and the second routing line 182 both cross the third slot 163 vertically. By adjusting the lengths of the two routing lines and the intersection positions between the two routing lines and the third slot 163, the performance of the isolation device can be optimized.

[0088] In one implementation of the embodiment of the present application, the third slot 163 can be set as a long strip-shaped gap with uniform width, and the first line 181 and the second line 182 can be set as straight lines with uniform width. In this way, the widths of the third slot 163, the first line 181 and the second line 182 are uniform and unchanged, which is convenient for process preparation.

[0089] The extension direction of the third slot 163 may be parallel to the first direction X or the second direction Y, or have an angle with the first direction X that is greater than 0° and less than 90°. The embodiment of the present application does not limit the extension direction of the third slot 163 .

[0090] In one embodiment, Figure 6 and Figure 8 As shown, the third slot 163 may also include a first slot 191, a second slot 192 and a third slot 193 arranged in sequence along the same straight line direction; wherein the widths of the first slot 191 and the third slot 193 are the same and greater than the width of the second slot 192; in the same isolation device, in a direction perpendicular to the plane where the first substrate 11 is located, the first routing line 181 and the second routing line 182 both cross the second slot 192 perpendicularly.

[0091] like Figure 6 and Figure 8 As shown, for the same isolation device, the extended length of the third slot 163 is divided into three sections, and the second section gap 192 located in the middle is set to have a smaller width, and the first section gap 191 and the third section gap 193 located at both ends have a larger width, and the widths of the first section gap 191 and the third section gap 193 are the same, and the first routing line 181 and the second routing line 182 are set to cross the second section gap 192 vertically, which can improve the coupling performance between the first routing line 181 and the second routing line 182, thereby improving the performance of the isolation device.

[0092] In one embodiment, the lengths of the first section gap 191 and the third section gap 193 may be set to be different. In this manner, by differentially setting the lengths of the first section gap 191 and the third section gap 193, the coupling performance between the two traces in the same isolation device may be optimized to further improve the isolation performance. In order to facilitate process preparation, in other embodiments, the lengths of the first section gap 191 and the third section gap 193 may be set to be the same.

[0093] In one embodiment, if Figure 6 and Figure 8As shown, the first routing line 181 may be configured to include a first routing line segment 201 and a second routing line segment 202 with different line widths; in a direction perpendicular to the plane where the first substrate 11 is located, the connection position between the first routing line segment 201 and the second routing line segment 202 does not overlap with the third slot 163. In this manner, the first routing line 181 having the first port D1 is configured to have two routing line segments with different line widths, which can improve the coupling performance between the first routing line 181 and the second routing line 182, thereby improving the performance of the isolation device.

[0094] The line width of the second line 182 is uniform and constant. Since the two ends of the second line 182 are the second port D2 and the third port D3, respectively, which are used to connect a feeder line of the two antenna units that transmits the same polarization direction signal, setting the line width of the second line 182 uniform and constant can ensure the consistency of the polarization direction signal.

[0095] If the first routing line 181 includes a first routing line segment 201 and a second routing line segment 202 with different line widths, such as Figure 6 and Figure 8 In the illustrated embodiment, the first line segment 201 includes a first port D1 , and the line width of the first line segment 201 is smaller than the line width of the second line segment 202 , which can improve the coupling performance between the first line 181 and the second line 182 .

[0096] refer to Fig.10 and Fig.11 , Fig.10 A top view of another first isolation device provided in an embodiment of the present application, Fig.11 A top view of another second isolation device provided in an embodiment of the present application, in Fig.10 and Fig.11 In the method shown, Figure 6 and Figure 8 The difference between the methods shown is that Fig.10 and Fig.11 In the illustrated embodiment, the third slot 163 is a straight slot with a uniform width, and the first and second traces 181 and 182 are straight traces with a uniform width. In this embodiment, the widths of the third slot 163, the first and second traces 181 and 182 are uniform, which facilitates the process preparation of the isolation device.

[0097] It should be noted that the isolation device in the embodiment of the present application is not limited to the structure shown in the drawings of the embodiment of the present application. The third slot 163 and the first wiring 181 and the second wiring 182 of the isolation device in different embodiments can be freely combined to realize isolation devices in various embodiments. Figure 6 and Figure 8 The three-stage gap structure shown can also be Fig.10 and Fig.11 The straight gap shown, the first trace 181 can be Figure 6 and Figure 8 The two-stage routing shown can also be Fig.10 and Fig.11 Straight line trace shown.

[0098] Optionally, in the embodiment of the present application, the first isolation device 171 and the second isolation device 172 are set to be the same, so as to facilitate impedance matching and phase control of the two antenna units. In this case, the graphic structure of the third slot 163 of the two isolation devices is the same, the graphic structure of the first routing line 181 is the same, and the graphic structure of the second routing line 182 is the same.

[0099] In the above embodiment, the existing metal layer in the liquid crystal antenna is reused to prepare the first isolation device 171 and the second isolation device 172, so that the preparation of the isolation device can be compatible with the patterning process of the metal layer where the feed line is located in the antenna unit. By adjusting the patterning mask structure of the metal layer, the third slot 163 and two routing lines of the isolation device can be prepared at the same time as the feed line, without adding additional process steps and film layer structures, which can reduce the preparation cost and thickness of the liquid crystal antenna. At this time, it is equivalent to integrating the balun device in the liquid crystal antenna using the existing metal layer, which improves the integration of the product.

[0100] In another embodiment, the first isolation device 171 and the second isolation device 172 are both balun devices that are welded and fixed on the side of the first substrate 11 away from the second substrate 12. In this method, the finished balun device is directly used, and there is no need to change the subsequent process steps in the liquid crystal antenna, and the product preparation method is simple.

[0101] In the embodiment of the present application, the circuit connected to the first feeder 151 by the first isolation device 171 has the same length as the circuit connected to the second feeder 152 ; the circuit connected to the third feeder 153 by the second isolation device 172 has the same length as the circuit connected to the fourth feeder 154 .

[0102] Since the first feeder 151 and the second feeder 152 are both used to transmit the first polarization direction signal, the first isolation device 171 is set to have the same length as the line connected to the first feeder 151 and the line connected to the second feeder 152, which can ensure the consistency of the first polarization direction signal in the two antenna units.

[0103] Since the third feeder 153 and the fourth feeder 154 are both used to transmit the second polarization direction signal, the second isolation device 172 is set to have the same length as the circuit connected to the third feeder 153 and the line connected to the fourth feeder 154, which can ensure the consistency of the second polarization direction signals in the two antenna units.

[0104] In the embodiment of the present application, the first radiator 141, the first feeder 151 and the third feeder 153 form a first antenna unit as described above; the second radiator 142, the second feeder 152 and the fourth feeder 154 form a second antenna unit. In order to better control the phase of each antenna unit and to more easily control the radiation direction and performance of the antenna array, the first antenna unit and the second second unit are configured to have the same structure in the embodiment of the present application. If the first antenna unit and the second second unit have the same structure, the first radiator 141 and the second radiator 142 have the same graphic structure, the first feeder 151 and the second feeder 152 have the same graphic structure, and the third feeder 153 and the fourth feeder 154 have the same graphic structure.

[0105] It should be noted that in the embodiment of the present application, the same graphic structure of two objects means that their geometric shapes and sizes are the same, that is, the two are congruent graphics.

[0106] In other implementations, the structures of the first antenna unit and the second antenna unit may be different. In this case, other matching designs, such as adding an impedance matching circuit, may be used to ensure the consistency of performance of the two antenna units in the antenna array.

[0107] Based on any implementation of the present application, the second metal layer M2 can be used to access zero potential, can be reused as the antenna ground of the system, and can also prevent the coupling voltage from affecting the antenna performance when the potential of the second metal layer M2 is floating.

[0108] The liquid crystal antenna provided in the embodiment of the present application is an array antenna with two antenna units, and in particular, can be used in a dual-polarization antenna array in a far-field wireless sensor system.

[0109] In the liquid crystal antenna, both antenna units can transmit the first polarization direction signal and the second polarization direction signal respectively based on two vertically crossed feed lines, and the two feed lines are two mutually perpendicular polarization ports (referred to as mutual ports). For example, in the first antenna unit, the first feed line 151 and the third feed line 153 are mutual ports, and in the second antenna unit, the second feed line 152 and the fourth feed line 154 are mutual ports.

[0110] In the embodiment of the present application, high-strength enhanced mutual port isolation can be achieved through the isolation device, and the same antenna unit can simultaneously perform power transmission and data transmission based on two polarization direction signals, which can improve the performance of the far-field wireless sensor system. For example, in the first antenna unit, one of the first feeder 151 and the third feeder 153 can be used for power transmission, and the other can be used for data transmission; in the second antenna unit, one of the second feeder 152 and the fourth feeder 154 can be used for power transmission, and the other can be used for data transmission.

[0111] If the liquid crystal antenna is used in a far-field wireless sensor system, it can be used as a dual-polarized antenna array with enhanced mutual port isolation. Both antenna units in the liquid crystal antenna can use orthogonal polarization to achieve the sending and receiving functions. Low-loss, low-cost passive components can also be used as isolation elements to further reduce interference.

[0112] The liquid crystal antenna can be used in a dual-polarized antenna array of a seat radio frequency (RF) front-end architecture. The RF front-end architecture includes a dual-polarized antenna array and a feeding network. The RF front-end architecture can further improve the mutual port isolation performance by optimizing the feeding network design.

[0113] From the above description, it can be known that the liquid crystal antenna provided in the embodiment of the present application is a dual-polarized liquid crystal phased antenna array that can enhance mutual port isolation. The antenna unit in the liquid crystal antenna can transmit and receive signals through two orthogonally polarized feed lines.

[0114] Based on the liquid crystal antenna provided in the above embodiment, another embodiment of the present application further provides an electronic device, which can be Fig.12 shown.

[0115] refer to Fig.12 , Fig.12 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of an electronic device provided in an embodiment of the present application, wherein the electronic device 21 shown includes a liquid crystal antenna 22. The liquid crystal antenna 22 may be a liquid crystal antenna provided in any one of the above embodiments.

[0116] In an embodiment of the present application, the electronic device may include satellite communication equipment, 5G communication equipment, 6G communication equipment, radar equipment, wireless sensors, wearable devices and other equipment with antenna systems.

[0117] Electronic devices using the liquid crystal antenna provided in the above embodiments can improve signal isolation and communication performance.

[0118] In the specification of this application, each embodiment is described in a progressive, parallel, or progressive and parallel manner, and each embodiment focuses on the differences from other embodiments, and the same or similar parts between the embodiments can be referred to each other. The embodiments provided in the embodiments of this application can be combined with each other if there is no contradiction.

[0119] It should be noted that in the description of the present application, it should be understood that the description of the drawings and embodiments is illustrative rather than restrictive. The same reference numerals throughout the embodiments of the specification identify the same structure. In addition, for the sake of understanding and ease of description, the drawings may exaggerate the thickness of some layers, films, panels, regions, etc. It is also understood that when an element such as a layer, film, region, or substrate is referred to as "on" another element, the element may be directly on the other element or there may be an intermediate element. In addition, "on" refers to positioning an element on or below another element, but does not essentially refer to positioning on the upper side of another element according to the direction of gravity.

[0120] The terms "upper", "lower", "top", "bottom", "inner", "outer", etc. indicate positions or positional relationships based on the positions or positional relationships shown in the drawings, and are only for the convenience of describing the present application and simplifying the description, rather than indicating or implying that the device or element referred to must have a specific orientation, be constructed and operated in a specific orientation, and therefore cannot be understood as limiting the present application. When a component is considered to be "connected" to another component, it may be directly connected to the other component or there may be a centrally arranged component at the same time.

[0121] It should also be noted that, in this article, relational terms such as first and second, etc. are only used to distinguish one entity or operation from another entity or operation, and do not necessarily require or imply any such actual relationship or order between these entities or operations. Moreover, the terms "comprises", "comprising" or any other variants thereof are intended to cover non-exclusive inclusion, so that an article or device including a series of elements includes not only those elements, but also other elements not explicitly listed, or also includes elements inherent to such article or device. In the absence of further restrictions, the elements defined by the sentence "comprising a ..." do not exclude the existence of other identical elements in the article or device including the above elements.

[0122] The above description of the disclosed embodiments enables those skilled in the art to implement or use the present application. Various modifications to these embodiments will be apparent to those skilled in the art, and the general principles defined herein may be implemented in other embodiments without departing from the spirit or scope of the present application. Therefore, the present application will not be limited to the embodiments shown herein, but will conform to the widest scope consistent with the principles and novel features disclosed herein.

Claims

1. A liquid crystal antenna, characterized in that: include: A first substrate and a second substrate arranged opposite to each other; a liquid crystal layer located between the first substrate and the second substrate; A first metal layer is formed on a surface of the first substrate facing away from the liquid crystal layer, and the first metal layer includes: a first radiator and a first feeder connected to the first radiator; a second radiator and a second feeder connected to the second radiator; A second metal layer is provided on a surface of the first substrate facing the liquid crystal layer, and the second metal layer has a first groove and a second groove; A third metal layer is provided on a surface of the second substrate facing the liquid crystal layer, and the third metal layer includes a third feed line and a fourth feed line; Among them, in a direction perpendicular to the plane where the first substrate is located, the first slot is located in an area surrounded by the four edges of the first radiator, the second slot is located in an area surrounded by the four edges of the second radiator, the third feed line crosses the first slot vertically, the fourth feed line crosses the second slot vertically, the first feed line crosses the third feed line vertically, and the second feed line crosses the fourth feed line vertically.

2. The liquid crystal antenna according to claim 1, characterized in that: The first radiator and the second radiator are of the same square structure; In a direction perpendicular to the plane where the first substrate is located, the first radiator covers the first slot, and the second radiator covers the second slot.

3. The liquid crystal antenna according to claim 1, characterized in that: The first radiator and the second radiator are both square frame structures, the first radiator has a first rectangular hollow area, and the second radiator has a second rectangular hollow area; A fourth metal layer is provided between the first substrate and the first metal layer, and an insulating layer is provided between the first metal layer and the fourth metal layer; the fourth metal layer includes: a third radiator and a fourth radiator; In a direction perpendicular to the plane where the first substrate is located, the first rectangular hollow area exposes the third radiator, and the third radiator blocks the first slot; the second rectangular hollow area exposes the fourth radiator, and the fourth radiator blocks the second slot.

4. The liquid crystal antenna according to claim 1, characterized in that: The first feeder is arranged in parallel with the second feeder to simultaneously transmit a first polarization direction signal; the third feeder is arranged in parallel with the fourth feeder to simultaneously transmit a second polarization direction signal; A first isolation device is connected between the first feeder and the second feeder; a second isolation device is connected between the third feeder and the fourth feeder; the first isolation device and the second isolation device are used to improve the isolation of the first polarization direction signal relative to the second polarization direction signal.

5. The liquid crystal antenna according to claim 4, characterized in that: The first isolation device and the second isolation device both include: a third slot located in the second metal layer; a first routing line and a second routing line arranged in parallel; In the same isolation device, in a direction perpendicular to the plane where the first substrate is located, the first routing line and the second routing line evenly and perpendicularly cross the third slot; one end of the first routing line serves as a first port, and two ends of the second routing line serve as a second port and a third port respectively; Among them, one of the second port and the third port of the first isolation device is connected to the first feeder, and the other is connected to the second feeder; one of the second port and the third port of the second isolation device is connected to the third feeder, and the other is connected to the fourth feeder.

6. The liquid crystal antenna according to claim 5, characterized in that: The third slot includes a first slot, a second slot and a third slot arranged in sequence along the same straight line direction; The widths of the first and third gaps are the same and greater than the width of the second gap; in the same isolation device, in a direction perpendicular to the plane where the first substrate is located, the first routing line and the second routing line both cross the second gap vertically.

7. The liquid crystal antenna according to claim 6, characterized in that: The length of the first gap is not equal to the length of the third gap.

8. The liquid crystal antenna according to claim 5, characterized in that: The first routing line includes a first routing line segment and a second routing line segment with different line widths; In a direction perpendicular to the plane where the first substrate is located, a connection position between the first segment of the wiring and the second segment of the wiring does not overlap with the third slot.

9. The liquid crystal antenna according to claim 8, characterized in that: The first segment of the routing line includes the first port, and a line width of the first segment of the routing line is smaller than a line width of the second segment of the routing line.

10. The liquid crystal antenna according to claim 5, characterized in that: The line width of the second routing line is uniform and unchanged.

11. The liquid crystal antenna according to claim 4, characterized in that: The first isolation device and the second isolation device are both balun devices that are welded and fixed on a side of the first substrate facing away from the second substrate.

12. The liquid crystal antenna according to claim 4, characterized in that: The line of the first isolating device connected to the first feeder and the line of the first isolating device connected to the second feeder have the same length; The circuit of the second isolation device connected to the third feeder has the same length as the circuit of the second isolation device connected to the fourth feeder.

13. The liquid crystal antenna according to claim 1, characterized in that: The first radiator, the first feeder and the third feeder form a first antenna unit; the second radiator, the second feeder and the fourth feeder form a second antenna unit; the first antenna unit has the same structure as the second antenna unit.

14. The liquid crystal antenna according to claim 1, characterized in that: The third feed line and the fourth feed line are also multiplexed as bias signal lines for inputting bias voltages to control the deflection of liquid crystal molecules in the liquid crystal layer.

15. An electronic device, characterized in that: Comprising the liquid crystal antenna as described in any one of claims 1-14.

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