Liquid crystal antenna and electronic device

Abstract

The application discloses a liquid crystal antenna and an electronic device. The liquid crystal antenna comprises a first substrate and a second substrate arranged oppositely, a liquid crystal layer between the two substrates, a first metal layer on the surface of the first substrate away from the liquid crystal layer, and a second metal layer on the surface of the first substrate facing the liquid crystal layer. The first metal layer comprises a first radiator and a first feed line connected with each other, and a second radiator and a second feed line connected with each other. The second metal layer comprises a first slot and a second slot. The third metal layer on the surface of the second substrate facing the liquid crystal layer comprises a third feed line and a fourth feed line. 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 peripheral edges of the first radiator, the second slot is located in the area surrounded by the four peripheral edges of the second radiator, the third feed line and the first slot are perpendicular to each other, the fourth feed line and the second slot are perpendicular to each other, the first feed line and the third feed line are perpendicular to each other, and the second feed line and the fourth feed line are perpendicular to each other.

Description

Technical Field

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

[0002] In recent years, wireless power transfer (WPT) technology for wireless sensor systems has become a hot topic. A good wireless sensor and wireless power supply system consists of two parts: a master and a receiver. The master transmits power to the receiver and simultaneously receives data from it. Similarly, the receiver receives power and simultaneously transmits data back to the master. In this process, leakage between the local power chain and data chain can affect the reliability and stability of data reception at the master, and also reduce the efficiency of power reception at the receiver. Therefore, providing independent power and data transmission links for both parties is a fundamental and significant issue.

[0003] Existing far-field wireless sensor systems use antenna arrays for wireless communication. In existing antenna arrays, the isolation performance of different feeders within the same antenna element is poor, which can lead to interference problems and affect antenna performance. Summary of the Invention

[0004] In view of the above problems, this application provides a liquid crystal antenna and an electronic device to reduce interference in liquid crystal antennas. The specific solution is as follows:

[0005] The first aspect of this 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] The first substrate has a first metal layer on the side surface opposite to the liquid crystal layer. The first metal layer includes: a first radiator and a first feed line connected to the first radiator; a second radiator and a second feed line connected to the second radiator.

[0009] The first substrate has a second metal layer on the side surface facing the liquid crystal layer, and the second metal layer has a first groove and a second groove;

[0010] The second substrate has a third metal layer on the side of the substrate facing the liquid crystal layer, and the third metal layer includes a third feed line and a fourth feed line.

[0011] In the direction perpendicular to the plane of the first substrate, 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 intersects the first slot perpendicularly, the fourth feed line intersects the second slot perpendicularly, the first feed line intersects the third feed line perpendicularly, and the second feed line intersects the fourth feed line perpendicularly.

[0012] As described above, the liquid crystal antenna has two dual-polarized antenna elements. A first radiator, a first feed line connected to the first radiator, and a third feed line coupled to the first radiator via a first slot form the first antenna element. A second radiator, a second feed line connected to the second radiator, and a fourth feed line coupled to the second radiator via a second slot form the second antenna element. Since the first and third feed lines intersect perpendicularly, and the second and fourth feed lines intersect perpendicularly, both antenna elements are vertically dual-polarized structures, thus forming a novel dual-polarized liquid crystal phased array antenna array with two dual-polarized antenna elements.

[0013] Vertically dual-polarized antenna elements can create different electric field distributions in different regions of the liquid crystal material, thereby altering the alignment of the liquid crystal molecules and influencing the dielectric constant of the material. This allows the electromagnetic wave transmission characteristics of the liquid crystal antenna to vary in different directions, enabling control over the direction and mode of electromagnetic wave radiation and achieving dynamic modulation of the antenna signal. Furthermore, the vertically dual-polarized antenna element can help reduce signal interference between the two feed lines, thus mitigating interference during signal transmission and reception and improving the overall performance of the antenna system.

[0014] Furthermore, since a second metal layer exists between the radiator of the antenna element and the feed line on the surface of the second substrate, the feed line on the surface of the second substrate can couple with the radiator through slots in the second metal layer. This not only achieves slot coupling through the slots in the second metal layer, but also isolates the two feed lines in the antenna element, improving the isolation effect. For example, the isolation effect between the first and third feed lines in the first antenna element, and between the second and fourth feed lines in the second antenna element, can be improved through the second metal layer, thereby reducing interference between signals transmitted by different feed lines in the same antenna element.

[0015] A second aspect of this application provides an electronic device including the aforementioned liquid crystal antenna.

[0016] The use of the aforementioned liquid crystal antenna in electronic devices can improve the isolation between different feed lines in the antenna unit, thereby reducing antenna signal interference, improving antenna communication quality, and ultimately enhancing the communication performance of the electronic devices. Attached Figure Description

[0017] To more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in the embodiments of this application or related technologies, the drawings used in the description of the embodiments or prior art will be briefly introduced below. Obviously, the drawings described below are only embodiments of this application. For those skilled in the art, other drawings can be obtained based on the provided drawings without creative effort.

[0018] The structures, proportions, sizes, etc., shown in the accompanying drawings are only for the purpose of assisting those skilled in the art in understanding and reading the content disclosed in the specification, and are not intended to limit the implementation conditions of this application. Therefore, they have no substantial technical significance. Any modifications to the structure, changes in the proportions, or adjustments to the size, without affecting the effects and purposes that this application can produce, should still fall within the scope of the technical content disclosed in this application.

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

[0020] Figure 2 for Figure 1 The diagram shows a cross-sectional view of the liquid crystal antenna based on the A-A' zigzag extension path;

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

[0022] Figure 4 for Figure 3 The diagram shows a cross-sectional view of the liquid crystal antenna based on the A-A' zigzag extension path;

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

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

[0025] Figure 7 for Figure 6 The first isolation device shown is a cross-sectional view along the dashed line.

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

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

[0028] Figure 10 A top view of another first isolation device provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0029] Figure 11 A top view of another second isolation device provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0030] Figure 12 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of an electronic device provided in an embodiment of this application.

[0031] Figure label:

[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-Insulating layer; 1 81-First trace; 182-Second trace; 191-First gap; 192-Second gap; 193-Third gap; 201-First trace; 202-Second trace; 21-Electronic device; 22-LCD 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 Implementation

[0033] The embodiments of this application will now be clearly and completely described with reference to the accompanying drawings. Those skilled in the art will recognize that, with technological advancements and the emergence of new scenarios, the technical solutions provided in the embodiments of this application are equally applicable to similar technical problems.

[0034] Obviously, the described embodiments are only a part of the embodiments of this application, and not all of the embodiments. All other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art based on the embodiments of this application without inventive effort are within the scope of protection of this application. The terminology used in the embodiments of this application is only used to explain the specific embodiments of this application, and is not intended to limit this application.

[0035] To make the above-mentioned objectives, features and advantages of this application more apparent and understandable, the application will be further described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings and specific embodiments.

[0036] refer to Figure 1 and Figure 2 , Figure 1 This is a top view of a liquid crystal antenna provided in an embodiment of this application. Figure 2 for Figure 1The diagram shows a cross-sectional view of the liquid crystal antenna based on the A-A' zigzag line extension path. To clearly illustrate the geometric 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; other structures are not shown.

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

[0038] The first substrate 11 and the second substrate 12 are disposed opposite to each other;

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

[0040] The first substrate 11 has a first metal layer M1 on the side surface opposite to the liquid crystal layer 13. The first metal layer M1 includes: a first radiator 141 and a first feed line 151 connected to the first radiator 141; a second radiator 142 and a second feed line 152 connected to the second radiator 142.

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

[0042] The second substrate 12 has a third metal layer M3 on the side surface facing the liquid crystal layer 13. The third metal layer M3 includes a third feed line 153 and a fourth feed line 154.

[0043] In the direction perpendicular to the plane of the first substrate 11 (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 intersects the first slot 161 perpendicularly, the fourth feed line 154 intersects the second slot 162 perpendicularly, the first feed line 151 intersects the third feed line 153 perpendicularly, and the second feed line 152 intersects the fourth feed line 154 perpendicularly.

[0044] It should be noted that the vertical relationship described in the embodiments of this application includes the vertical or approximately vertical relationship between two objects, and the parallel relationship includes the parallel or approximately parallel relationship between two objects.

[0045] The liquid crystal antenna provided in this embodiment has two dual-polarized antenna elements. A first antenna element is formed by a first radiator 141, a first feed line 151 connected to the first radiator 141, and a third feed line 153 coupled to the first radiator 141 through a first slot 161. A second antenna element is formed by a second radiator 142, a second feed line 152 connected to the second radiator 142, and a fourth feed line 154 coupled to the second radiator 142 through a second slot 162. Since the first feed line 151 and the third feed line 153 intersect perpendicularly, and the second feed line 152 and the fourth feed line 154 intersect perpendicularly, both antenna elements are vertically dual-polarized structures, thus forming a novel dual-polarized liquid crystal phased array antenna array with two dual-polarized antenna elements.

[0046] The vertically dual-polarized antenna unit can form different electric field distributions in different regions of the liquid crystal material, thereby changing the arrangement state of the liquid crystal molecules and affecting the dielectric constant of the liquid crystal material. This allows the electromagnetic wave transmission characteristics of the liquid crystal antenna to be different in different directions, thus enabling control over the direction and mode of electromagnetic wave radiation and dynamic modulation of the antenna signal.

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

[0048] For example, the first antenna element can achieve vertical dual polarization through the vertically intersecting first feed line 151 and second feed line 152, which can reduce signal interference in the first feed line 151 and second feed line 152 when the first antenna element receives or transmits signals. Similarly, the second antenna element can achieve vertical dual polarization through the vertically intersecting second feed line 152 and fourth feed line 154, which can reduce signal interference in the second feed line 152 and fourth feed line 154 when the second antenna element receives or transmits signals.

[0049] The two vertically intersecting feed lines in the antenna element can transmit the first polarization direction signal and the second polarization direction signal respectively. The two feed lines are independent links used for power transmission and data transmission respectively, so that the antenna element can perform power transmission and data transmission simultaneously.

[0050] In this embodiment, the first antenna unit and the second antenna unit can share the second metal layer M2 with slots as the antenna ground.

[0051] The first feed line 151 and the second feed line 152 can laterally excite the corresponding radiators through a 50Ω microstrip line. The third feed line 153 can achieve coupled excitation with the first radiator 141 through the first slot 161, and the fourth feed line 154 can achieve coupled excitation with the second radiator 142 through the second slot 162. The first feed line 151 and the second feed line 152 are one 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, enabling phase and beam control of the liquid crystal antenna. The liquid crystal phase shifter includes bias signal lines for controlling the deflection of liquid crystal molecules. The bias signal lines can control the orientation of 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 beam pointing adjustment.

[0053] Optionally, the third feed line 153 and the fourth feed line 154 are also multiplexed as bias signal lines for inputting bias voltage to control the deflection of liquid crystal molecules in the liquid crystal layer 13. This eliminates the need for separate bias signal lines to adjust the deflection of liquid crystal molecules, improving the integration of the liquid crystal antenna and reducing product thickness and manufacturing costs.

[0054] Optionally, the four edges of the first substrate 11 and the second substrate 12 can be bonded and fixed by the sealing member 10, thereby achieving encapsulation and protection of the internal liquid crystal material. The sealing member 10 can be a frame adhesive.

[0055] In the case of wireless communication using the liquid crystal antenna provided in this application embodiment, at any given time, one antenna element may be used only for receiving signals or only for transmitting signals; that is, the same antenna element performs signal reception and signal transmission in a time-division manner. Furthermore, at the same time, the first antenna element and the second antenna element may be used simultaneously for receiving signals or simultaneously for transmitting signals.

[0056] Optionally, the first substrate 11 and the second substrate 12 can be glass plates, or other insulating and transparent substrates. This application does not limit the material of the two substrates in its embodiments.

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

[0058] In the liquid crystal antenna provided in this application embodiment, since a second metal layer M2 exists between the radiator of the antenna element and the feed line on the surface of the second substrate, the feed line on the surface of the second substrate 12 is coupled to the radiator through a slot in the second metal layer M2. This not only achieves slot coupling through the slot in the second metal layer M2, but also isolates the two feed lines in the antenna element, improving the isolation effect of the two feed lines in the antenna element. For example, the isolation effect between the first feed line 151 and the third feed line 153 in the first antenna element, and between the second feed line 152 and the fourth feed line 154 in the second antenna element, can be improved through the second metal layer, thereby reducing interference between signals transmitted by different feed lines in the same antenna element.

[0059] In one embodiment, the first radiator 141 and the second radiator 142 may have the same pattern structure. This identical pattern structure helps maintain consistency in the characteristics of different antenna elements, ensuring uniformity and consistency. Different antenna elements can respond to external signals in the same way, making it easier to control the radiation direction and performance of the antenna array. Since phased array antennas require precise control of the phase of each antenna element to form a specific beam direction, different radiator patterns increase the complexity of phase control, thus affecting the accuracy and stability of beamforming.

[0060] Furthermore, the areas surrounded by the edges of the first radiator 141 and the second radiator 142 can be set to be identical squares to simplify the design and fabrication complexity of the vertical dual-polarized antenna element. This method involves setting a feed line on each of the two vertical sides of a square radiator, thus realizing a vertical dual-polarized antenna element. For example... Figure 1 As shown, the first feed line 151 and the third feed line 153 are perpendicular to one side of the first radiator 141, and can form a first antenna element with a vertical dual-polarization structure; the second feed line 152 and the fourth feed line 154 are perpendicular to one side of the second radiator 142, and can form a second antenna element with a vertical dual-polarization structure.

[0061] To facilitate the fabrication of the patterns of each metal layer in the liquid crystal antenna, the first feed line 151 and the second feed line 152 can be set to be parallel, the third feed line 153 and the fourth feed line 154 can be set to be parallel, and the first slot 161 and the second slot 162 can be set to be parallel. Furthermore, the first antenna element and the second antenna element can be set to have the same pattern structure. In this 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 embodiment of this application, the first direction X and the second direction Y, which are perpendicular to each other, are both 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. This allows the third feed line 153 to perpendicularly intersect the first slot 161, the fourth feed line 154 to perpendicularly intersect the second slot 162, the first feed line 151 to perpendicularly intersect the third feed line 153, and the second feed line 152 to perpendicularly intersect the fourth feed line 154, facilitating the fabrication of the patterns 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 but not collinear. The second slot 162 may be located on the same straight line as the second feed line 152, or the two may be parallel but not collinear.

[0064] In one embodiment of this application, the first radiator 141 and the second radiator 142 have the same square structure, such as... Figure 1 and Figure 2 As shown, in the direction perpendicular to the plane of the first substrate 11, 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 a hollow structure, and the radiators in both antenna units are single-layer metal radiator structures. The liquid crystal antenna only requires 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 This is a top view of another liquid crystal antenna provided in an embodiment of this application. Figure 4 for Figure 3 The diagram shows a cross-sectional view of the liquid crystal antenna based on the A-A' zigzag line extension path. To clearly illustrate the geometric 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; other structures are not shown.

[0066] and Figure 1 and Figure 2 The difference shown is that, Figure 3 and Figure 4In the illustrated configuration, the radiators in the first metal layer M1 have a hollow structure. For example, both the first radiator 141 and the second radiator 142 are rectangular structures, with the first radiator 141 having a first rectangular hollow area and the second radiator 142 having a second rectangular hollow area. At this time, a fourth metal layer M4 is located between the first substrate 11 and the first metal layer M1, and an insulating layer 18 is located 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 the direction perpendicular to the plane of the first substrate 11, the first rectangular cutout area exposes the third radiator 143, and the third radiator 143 blocks the first slot 161; the second rectangular cutout area exposes the fourth radiator 144, and the fourth radiator 144 blocks the second slot 162.

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

[0069] When the lateral size of a liquid crystal antenna limits the improvement of antenna gain performance, it is possible to... Figure 3 and Figure 4 As shown, both the first and second antenna elements have two radiators stacked in the third direction Z, enabling the antenna elements to achieve a large gain within a small area. This method can achieve a multi-radiator stacked structure by adding a metal layer, resulting in a relatively simple fabrication process and low manufacturing cost.

[0070] exist Figure 3 and Figure 4 In the illustrated configuration, the first antenna element further includes a third radiator 143, and the second antenna element further includes a fourth radiator 144. The first antenna element comprises a stacked first radiator 141 and a third radiator 143, and the second antenna element comprises a stacked second radiator 142 and a fourth radiator 144. Thus, in the liquid crystal antenna, each antenna element includes two stacked radiators, enabling the antenna element to achieve greater gain and further improving antenna performance.

[0071] In addition, since the first radiator 141 and the second radiator 142 are respectively provided with a first rectangular hollow area and a second rectangular hollow area to expose the third radiator 143 and the fourth radiator 144 respectively, 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 This is a top view of yet another liquid crystal antenna provided in an embodiment of this application, based on any of the above embodiments. 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 with the same polarization direction; therefore, 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. 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 feed line 151 and the second feed line 152; a second isolation device 172 is connected between the third feed line 153 and the fourth feed line 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 feed line 152 and the second polarization direction signal.

[0074] In an antenna system, when the antenna signal received by an antenna element includes multiple polarization directions, the antenna signals from different polarization directions can interfere with each other, leading to a degrade in the performance of the receiving system. This interference is called polarization crosstalk. Figure 5 In the illustrated configuration, the first feed line 151 and the second feed line 152, which are parallel to the first direction X, are simultaneously connected to the first isolation device 171, and the third feed line 153 and the fourth feed line 154, which are parallel to the second direction Y, are simultaneously connected to the second isolation device 172. 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, which can realize differential reception of antenna signals and effectively suppress the polarization cross-interference problem between antenna signals with different polarization directions.

[0075] In a differential reception system, the differential signal between two antenna elements consists only of the voltage difference between them and is unaffected by other absorbed signals. Therefore, when a differential antenna receives signals from different polarization directions, only the absorbed signal from one polarization direction can generate a valid differential signal, while the signal from the other polarization direction cannot. Thus, by using differential reception, signals from different polarization directions can be effectively isolated, thereby reducing polarization cross-interference and improving the performance of the receiving system.

[0076] A liquid crystal antenna can be configured into a differential receiving system based on two isolation devices, where the first polarization direction signal and the second polarization direction signal are differential signals. The interference signal between one of the first and second polarization direction signals relative to the other is also a pair of perpendicularly polarized signals. For example, the interference signal of the first polarization direction signal on the second polarization direction signal is a pair of perpendicularly polarized signals with the second polarization direction signal, and vice versa.

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

[0078] like Figure 5 As shown, both the first isolation device 171 and the second isolation device 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, in Figure 1 Based on the method shown, an isolation device is added. Obviously, the embodiments of this application... Figure 3 The illustrated embodiment can also improve the isolation between the polarization direction signals by using the first isolation device 171 and the second isolation device 172. This embodiment will not be illustrated separately in this application.

[0080] Since the first feed line 151 and the second feed line 152 are located in the first metal layer M1, in one embodiment of this application, the first isolation device 171 and the second isolation device 172 can be fabricated using the first metal layer.

[0081] refer to Figures 6-9 , Figure 6 This is a top view of a first isolation device provided in an embodiment of this application. Figure 7 for Figure 6 The first isolation device is shown as a cross-sectional view along the dashed line. Figure 8 This is a top view of a second isolation device provided in an embodiment of this application. Figure 9 for Figure 8 The diagram shows a cross-sectional view of the second isolation device along the dashed line. To clearly illustrate the graphical structure of each metal layer in the isolation device in the top view, Figure 6 and Figure 8 Only the metal layers used to fabricate the isolation device in the liquid crystal antenna are shown; other structures are not shown.

[0082] Both the first isolation device 171 and the second isolation device 172 include: a third slot 163 located in the second metal layer M2; a first trace 181 and a second trace 182 arranged in parallel; and each of the first isolation device 171 and the second isolation device 172 includes a third slot 163 arranged in the second metal layer M2. The first isolation device 171 and the second isolation device 172 also include the first trace 181 and the second trace 182 arranged in parallel. Thus, both the first isolation device 171 and the second isolation device 172 can be equivalent to a balun device, which can be used to construct a differential system in an antenna to reduce interference between two vertically polarized signals.

[0083] exist Figures 6-9 In the illustrated configuration, the third slot 163 is a half-wavelength slot line, and both the first isolator 171 and the second isolator 172 use half-wavelength slot lines to complete the balun device design. For the same isolator, when a signal is input from the first port D1, it is split 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 the phase of the current changes by 180 degrees within the length of the half-wavelength slot line, thus achieving this phase difference. Based on this, by connecting these two signals to the other two ports of the differential receiving circuit respectively, the effect of eliminating common-mode interference can be achieved.

[0084] A balun can be used to convert unbalanced signals into balanced signals or balanced signals into unbalanced signals. Since the first isolator 171 and the second isolator 172 can each be equivalent to a balun, the two antenna elements can be connected to the corresponding ports of two different differential baluns, enabling independent reception of signals with different polarization directions. One balun receives the signal in the first polarization direction, and the other receives the signal in the second polarization direction; their output ports represent the differential signals of the corresponding polarization directions. This differential reception method effectively suppresses cross-interference between different polarization directions, improving the performance of the receiving system.

[0085] In the same isolation device, in the direction perpendicular to the plane of the first substrate 11, the first trace 181 and the second trace 182 intersect the third slot 163 perpendicularly; one end of the first trace 181 serves as the first port D1, and the two ends of the second trace 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 feed line 151, and the other is connected to the second feed line 152; one of the second port D2 and the third port D3 of the second isolation device 172 is connected to the third feed line 153, and the other is connected to the fourth feed line 154.

[0086] Optionally, the first trace 181 and the second trace 182 in the first isolation device 171 can be located in the first metal layer M1, and the first trace 181 and the second trace 182 in the second isolation device 172 can be located in the third metal layer. Thus, as... Figure 6 and Figure 7 As shown, the first isolation device 171 can be fabricated using the existing first metal layer M1 and second metal layer M2 in the liquid crystal antenna. Therefore, it is not necessary to add a separate metal layer to fabricate the first isolation device 171, and the antenna thickness will not increase. Figure 8 and Figure 9 As shown, the second isolation device 172 can be fabricated using the existing second metal layer M2 and third metal layer M3 in the liquid crystal antenna. Therefore, it is not necessary to add a separate metal layer to fabricate the second isolation device 172, and the antenna thickness will not be increased.

[0087] like Figure 6 and Figure 8 As shown, in the same isolation device, the first trace 181 and the second trace 182 both intersect the third slot 163 perpendicularly. By adjusting the lengths of the two traces and the intersection positions between them and the third slot 163, the performance of the isolation device can be optimized.

[0088] In one embodiment of this application, the third slot 163 can be set as a long strip with uniform width, and the first trace 181 and the second trace 182 can be set as straight traces with uniform width. In this method, the widths of the third slot 163, the first trace 181, and the second trace 182 are all uniform and constant, which facilitates the manufacturing process.

[0089] The extension direction of the third slot 163 can be parallel to the first direction X or parallel to the second direction Y, or have an angle greater than 0° and less than 90° with the first direction X. In this embodiment, the extension direction of the third slot 163 is not limited.

[0090] In one implementation, such as Figure 6 and Figure 8 As shown, the third slot 163 may include a first slot 191, a second slot 192, and a third slot 193 arranged sequentially along the same straight direction; wherein the width of the first slot 191 and the third slot 193 is the same and is greater than the width of the second slot 192; in the same isolation device, in the direction perpendicular to the plane where the first substrate 11 is located, the first trace 181 and the second trace 182 both intersect the second slot 192 perpendicularly.

[0091] like Figure 6 and Figure 8 As shown, for the same isolation device, the extension length of the third slot 163 is divided into three segments, and the second segment gap 192 located in the middle is set to have a smaller width, while the first segment gap 191 and the third segment gap 193 located at both ends are set to have a larger width, and the widths of the first segment gap 191 and the third segment gap 193 are the same. The first trace 181 and the second trace 182 are both set to intersect the second segment gap 192 perpendicularly, which can improve the coupling performance between the first trace 181 and the second trace 182, thereby improving the performance of the isolation device.

[0092] In one embodiment, the lengths of the first slot 191 and the third slot 193 may be different. By differentiating the lengths of the first slot 191 and the third slot 193, the coupling performance between two traces in the same isolation device can be optimized, thereby further improving isolation performance. For ease of fabrication, in other embodiments, the lengths of the first slot 191 and the third slot 193 may be the same.

[0093] In one implementation, such as Figure 6 and Figure 8As shown, the first trace 181 can be configured to include a first trace 201 and a second trace 202 with different linewidths; in the direction perpendicular to the plane of the first substrate 11, the connection position between the first trace 201 and the second trace 202 does not overlap with the third slot 163. In this configuration, setting the first trace 181 with the first port D1 as trace segments with two different linewidths can improve the coupling performance between the first trace 181 and the second trace 182, thereby improving the performance of the isolation device.

[0094] The linewidth of the second trace 182 remains uniform. Since the two ends of the second trace 182 are the second port D2 and the third port D3, respectively, which are used to connect to a feed line in one of the two antenna elements that transmits a signal in the same polarization direction, setting the linewidth of the second trace 182 to remain uniform ensures the consistency of the signal in that polarization direction.

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

[0096] refer to Figure 10 and Figure 11 , Figure 10 A top view of another first isolation device provided in an embodiment of this application. Figure 11 A top view of another second isolation device provided in an embodiment of this application. Figure 10 and Figure 11 In the method shown, with Figure 6 and Figure 8 The difference shown is that, Figure 10 and Figure 11 In the illustrated configuration, the third slot 163 is a straight-line slit with a uniform and constant width, and the first trace 181 and the second trace 182 are straight-line traces with a constant width. This configuration, where the widths of the third slot 163, the first trace 181, and the second trace 182 are uniform and constant, facilitates the fabrication of the isolation device.

[0097] It should be noted that the isolation device in this application is not limited to the structure shown in the accompanying drawings. The implementation of the third slot 163 and the first trace 181 and second trace 182 of the isolation device in different embodiments can be freely combined to achieve isolation devices with multiple implementations. For example, in the same isolation device, the third slot 163 can be... Figure 6 and Figure 8 The three-segment gap structure shown can also be Figure 10 and Figure 11 The straight gap shown can have the first trace 181 as follows: Figure 6 and Figure 8 The two-section routing shown can also be Figure 10 and Figure 11 The example shows a straight-line trace.

[0098] Optionally, in this embodiment, the first isolation device 171 and the second isolation device 172 are identical to facilitate impedance matching and phase control of the two antenna elements. In this case, the third slot 163 of the two isolation devices has the same pattern structure, the first trace 181 has the same pattern structure, and the second trace 182 has the same pattern structure.

[0099] In the above embodiments, the first isolating device 171 and the second isolating device 172 are fabricated using existing metal layers in the liquid crystal antenna. This allows the fabrication of the isolating devices to be compatible with the patterning process of the metal layer where the feed line is located in the antenna element. By adjusting the patterning mask structure of the metal layer, the third slot 163 and the two traces of the isolating device can be fabricated simultaneously with the feed line, without the need for additional process steps or film layer structures. This reduces the fabrication cost and thickness of the liquid crystal antenna. In this case, it is equivalent to integrating the balun device in the liquid crystal antenna using existing metal layers, thus improving the product's integration density.

[0100] In another embodiment, both the first isolation device 171 and the second isolation device 172 are balun devices welded and fixed to the side of the first substrate 11 opposite to the second substrate 12. In this method, finished balun devices are used directly, without changing subsequent process steps in the liquid crystal antenna, simplifying product manufacturing.

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

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

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

[0104] In this embodiment, the first radiator 141, the first feed line 151, and the third feed line 153 form a first antenna element; the second radiator 142, the second feed line 152, and the fourth feed line 154 form a second antenna element. To better control the phase of each antenna element and thus more easily control the radiation direction and performance of the antenna array, the first antenna element and the second antenna element have the same structure in this embodiment. Specifically, if the first antenna element and the second antenna element have the same structure, the first radiator 141 and the second radiator 142 have the same pattern structure, the first feed line 151 and the second feed line 152 have the same pattern structure, and the third feed line 153 and the fourth feed line 154 have the same pattern structure.

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

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

[0107] Based on any embodiment of this 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 avoid the coupling voltage affecting the antenna performance when the potential of the second metal layer M2 is floating.

[0108] The liquid crystal antenna provided in this application embodiment is an array antenna with two antenna elements, and in particular, it can be used in a dual-polarized antenna array in a far-field wireless sensor system.

[0109] In a liquid crystal antenna, both antenna elements can transmit first polarization direction signals and second polarization direction signals respectively based on two perpendicularly intersecting feed lines. The two feed lines are two mutually perpendicular polarization ports (referred to as mutual ports). For example, in the first antenna element, the first feed line 151 and the third feed line 153 are mutual ports, and in the second antenna element, the second feed line 152 and the fourth feed line 154 are mutual ports.

[0110] In this embodiment, highly enhanced cross-port isolation can be achieved through isolation devices. Power transmission and data transmission can be performed simultaneously based on signals from two polarization directions within the same antenna element, improving the performance of the far-field wireless sensor system. For example, in the first antenna element, one of the first feed line 151 and the third feed line 153 can be used for power transmission, and the other for data transmission; in the second antenna element, one of the second feed line 152 and the fourth feed line 154 can be used for power transmission, and the other for data transmission.

[0111] If a liquid crystal antenna is used in a far-field wireless sensor system, it can serve as a dual-polarized antenna array with enhanced cross-port isolation. Both antenna elements in the liquid crystal antenna can be orthogonally polarized to achieve transmission and reception functions. Low-loss, low-cost passive components can also be used as isolation components to further reduce interference.

[0112] Liquid crystal antennas can be used in dual-polarized antenna arrays for seated radio frequency (RF) front-end architectures. The RF front-end architecture includes a dual-polarized antenna array and a feed network; the cross-port isolation performance can be further improved by optimizing the feed network design.

[0113] As described above, the liquid crystal antenna provided in this application embodiment is a dual-polarized liquid crystal phased array antenna array that can enhance cross-port isolation. The antenna elements 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 embodiments, another embodiment of this application also provides an electronic device, which can be used as follows: Figure 12 As shown.

[0115] refer to Figure 12 , Figure 12 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of an electronic device provided in an embodiment of this application. The electronic device 21 shown includes a liquid crystal antenna 22. The liquid crystal antenna 22 can be any of the liquid crystal antennas provided in any of the above embodiments.

[0116] In this application embodiment, the electronic device may include satellite communication equipment, 5G communication equipment, 6G communication equipment, radar equipment, wireless sensors, and wearable devices, etc., which have antenna systems.

[0117] The electronic device employing the liquid crystal antenna provided in the above embodiments can improve signal isolation and communication performance.

[0118] The various embodiments in this application are described in a progressive, parallel, or combined manner. Each embodiment focuses on its differences from other embodiments, and similar or identical parts between embodiments can be referred to interchangeably. The embodiments provided in this application can be combined with each other without contradiction.

[0119] It should be noted that, in the description of this application, the accompanying drawings and embodiments are illustrative rather than restrictive. The same reference numerals throughout the embodiments identify the same structures. Additionally, for ease of understanding and description, the thicknesses of some layers, films, panels, regions, etc., may be exaggerated in the drawings. It is also understood that when an element such as a layer, film, region, or substrate is referred to as being "on" another element, the element may be directly on the other element or there may be intermediate elements. Furthermore, "on" means positioning an element on or below another element, but does not inherently mean positioning it above another element according to the direction of gravity.

[0120] The terms "upper," "lower," "top," "bottom," "inner," and "outer," etc., indicate the orientation or positional relationship based on the orientation or positional relationship shown in the accompanying drawings. They are used only for the convenience of describing this application and for simplifying the description, and do not indicate or imply that the device or element referred to must have a specific orientation, or be constructed and operated in a specific orientation. Therefore, they should not be construed as limitations on this application. When a component is considered to be "connected" to another component, it can be directly connected to the other component or there may be a component positioned centrally in the middle.

[0121] It should also be noted that, in this document, relational terms such as "first" and "second" are used merely to distinguish one entity or operation from another, and do not necessarily require or imply any such actual relationship or order between these entities or operations. Furthermore, the terms "comprising," "including," or any other variations thereof are intended to cover non-exclusive inclusion, such that an article or apparatus comprising a list of elements includes not only those elements but also other elements not expressly listed, or elements inherent to such an article or apparatus. Without further limitations, an element defined by the phrase "comprising one..." does not exclude the presence of other identical elements in the article or apparatus that includes the aforementioned element.

[0122] The above description of the disclosed embodiments enables those skilled in the art to make or use this application. Various modifications to these embodiments will be readily 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 this application. Therefore, this application is not to be limited to the embodiments shown herein, but is to be accorded 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; The first substrate has a first metal layer on the side surface opposite to the liquid crystal layer, the first metal layer including: a first radiator and a first feed line connected to the first radiator; a second radiator and a second feed line connected to the second radiator; The first substrate has a second metal layer on the side surface facing the liquid crystal layer, and the second metal layer has a first slot and a second slot. The second substrate has a third metal layer on the side surface facing the liquid crystal layer, and the third metal layer includes a third feed line and a fourth feed line; Wherein, in a 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 intersects the first slot perpendicularly, the fourth feed line intersects the second slot perpendicularly, the first feed line intersects the third feed line perpendicularly, and the second feed line intersects the fourth feed line perpendicularly.

2. The liquid crystal antenna according to claim 1, characterized in that, The first radiator and the second radiator have the same square structure; In a direction perpendicular to the plane of the first substrate, the first radiator blocks the first slot, and the second radiator blocks the second slot.

3. The liquid crystal antenna according to claim 1, characterized in that, Both the first radiator and the second radiator are rectangular structures. The first radiator has a first rectangular cutout area, and the second radiator has a second rectangular cutout 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 of the first substrate, the first rectangular cutout area exposes the third radiator, which blocks the first slot; the second rectangular cutout area exposes the fourth radiator, which blocks the second slot.

4. The liquid crystal antenna according to claim 1, characterized in that, The first feed line and the second feed line are arranged in parallel to transmit the first polarization direction signal simultaneously; the third feed line and the fourth feed line are arranged in parallel to transmit the second polarization direction signal simultaneously. A first isolation device is connected between the first feed line and the second feed line; a second isolation device is connected between the third feed line and the fourth feed line; 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, Both the first isolation device and the second isolation device include: a third slot located in the second metal layer; and a first trace and a second trace arranged in parallel. In the same isolation device, in a direction perpendicular to the plane of the first substrate, the first trace and the second trace uniformly and perpendicularly intersect the third slot; one end of the first trace serves as the first port, and the two ends of the second trace are the second port and the third port, respectively. Wherein, one of the second port and the third port of the first isolation device is connected to the first feed line, and the other is connected to the second feed line; one of the second port and the third port of the second isolation device is connected to the third feed line, and the other is connected to the fourth feed line.

6. The liquid crystal antenna according to claim 5, characterized in that, The third slot includes a first slit, a second slit, and a third slit arranged sequentially along the same straight direction; The first and third gaps have the same width, and the third gap has a width greater than the second gap. In the same isolation device, the first trace and the second trace both intersect the second gap perpendicularly in a direction perpendicular to the plane of the first substrate.

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 trace includes a first trace segment and a second trace segment with different trace widths; In a direction perpendicular to the plane of the first substrate, the connection position between the first trace segment and the second trace segment does not overlap with the third slot.

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

10. The liquid crystal antenna according to claim 5, characterized in that, The width of the second trace remains uniform.

11. The liquid crystal antenna according to claim 4, characterized in that, Both the first isolation device and the second isolation device are balun devices that are soldered and fixed to the side of the first substrate away from the second substrate.

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

13. The liquid crystal antenna according to claim 1, characterized in that, The first radiator, the first feed line, and the third feed line form a first antenna element; the second radiator, the second feed line, and the fourth feed line form a second antenna element; the first antenna element and the second antenna element have the same structure.

14. The liquid crystal antenna according to claim 1, characterized in that, The third and fourth feed lines are also used as bias signal lines to input bias voltage in order to control the deflection of liquid crystal molecules in the liquid crystal layer.

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

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