Antenna, antenna array and electronic equipment

Abstract

The invention provides an antenna, an antenna array and electronic equipment, and belongs to the technical field of communication. The antenna comprises a phase adjustment structure, a driving structure, a radiation structure, a reference electrode layer and an isolation layer. The driving structure is electrically connected with the phase adjusting structure and is configured to provide driving voltage for the phase adjusting structure; the radiation structure is configured to transmit the received microwave signal to the phase adjustment structure and radiate the microwave signal adjusted by the phase adjustment structure; the isolation layer is provided with a first opening, and the first opening is at least partially overlapped with the orthographic projection of the radiation structure on the plane where the reference electrode layer is located and is not overlapped with the orthographic projection of the driving structure on the plane where the reference electrode layer is located; the orthographic projection of the isolation layer on the plane where the reference electrode layer is located covers the orthographic projection of the driving structure on the plane where the reference electrode layer is located.

Description

Antennas, antenna arrays and electronic equipment Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure belongs to the field of communication technology, and particularly relates to an antenna, an antenna array, and an electronic device. Background Art

[0002] With the rapid development of the information age, wireless terminals with high integration, miniaturization, multi-functions, and low cost are becoming the development trend of communication technology. Antennas, as a key component of wireless communications, have a direct impact on the quality of information communication. To meet the needs of scientific and industrial development, antennas are developing towards ultra-wideband, diversified functions, miniaturization, and intelligence.

[0003] Summary of the Invention

[0004] The present invention aims to solve at least one of the technical problems existing in the prior art and provides an antenna, an antenna array and an electronic device.

[0005] In a first aspect, embodiments of the present disclosure provide an antenna comprising a phase adjustment structure, a driving structure, a radiating structure, a reference electrode layer, and an isolation layer; wherein the phase adjustment structure is located between the reference electrode layer and the isolation layer; the driving structure is electrically connected to the phase adjustment structure and is configured to provide a driving voltage to the phase adjustment structure so that the phase adjustment structure adjusts the phase of a received microwave signal; the radiating structure is configured to transmit the received microwave signal to the phase adjustment structure and radiate the microwave signal adjusted by the phase adjustment structure;

[0006] The isolation layer has a first opening, the first opening at least partially overlaps with the orthographic projection of the radiation structure on the plane where the reference electrode layer is located, and the first opening does not overlap with the orthographic projection of the driving structure on the plane where the reference electrode layer is located; the orthographic projection of the isolation layer on the plane where the reference electrode layer is located covers the orthographic projection of the driving structure on the plane where the reference electrode layer is located.

[0007] In which, the radiation structure includes a first radiation part; the first radiation part is arranged on the side of the isolation layer close to the reference electrode, and the first radiation part is connected to one end of the phase adjustment structure; the first radiation part and the first opening are at least partially overlapped in their orthographic projection on the plane where the reference electrode layer is located.

[0008] In which, the radiation structure also includes a third dielectric substrate and a second radiation part, and the third dielectric substrate and the second radiation part are arranged in sequence on the side of the isolation layer away from the phase adjustment structure; the orthographic projections of any two of the first radiation part, the second radiation part and the first opening on the plane where the reference electrode layer is located at least partially overlap.

[0009] The first opening, the first radiation portion and the second radiation portion coincide with the center of the orthographic projection of the plane where the reference electrode layer is located.

[0010] The orthographic projection of the second radiation portion on the plane where the reference electrode layer is located is located within the orthographic projection of the first opening on the plane where the reference electrode layer is located.

[0011] The phase adjustment structure includes a phase shifter; the phase shifter includes a first dielectric substrate and a second dielectric substrate arranged opposite to each other, an adjustable dielectric layer arranged between the first dielectric substrate and the second dielectric substrate, a first transmission line arranged on a side of the first dielectric substrate close to the adjustable dielectric layer, and a second transmission line arranged on a side of the second dielectric substrate close to the adjustable dielectric layer; the first radiating portion includes a first radiating component and a second radiating component, the first radiating component is electrically connected to the first transmission line, and the second radiating component is electrically connected to the second transmission line.

[0012] The first transmission line and the first radiation component are provided on the same layer, and the two are directly connected; and / or the second transmission line and the second radiation component are provided on the same layer, and the two are directly connected.

[0013] The radiation structure is arranged on a side of the isolation layer away from the phase adjustment structure, and one end of the phase adjustment structure is coupled to the radiation structure through the first opening.

[0014] The first opening coincides with the center of the orthographic projection of the radiation structure on the plane where the reference electrode layer is located.

[0015] There are multiple first openings, and the rotation centers of the multiple first openings are the same.

[0016] The rotation centers of the first openings coincide with the orthographic projections of the center of the radiation structure on the plane where the reference electrode layer is located.

[0017] The phase adjustment structure includes a phase shifter; the phase shifter includes a first dielectric substrate and a second dielectric substrate arranged opposite to each other, an adjustable dielectric layer arranged between the first dielectric substrate and the second dielectric substrate, a first transmission line arranged on a side of the first dielectric substrate close to the adjustable dielectric layer, and a second transmission line arranged on a side of the second dielectric substrate close to the adjustable dielectric layer; the drive structure includes a first drive line and a second drive line; the first drive line is electrically connected to the first transmission line, and the second drive line is electrically connected to the second transmission line.

[0018] The first driving line and the first transmission line are arranged in the same layer; and / or the second driving line and the second transmission line are arranged in the same layer.

[0019] Wherein, the reference electrode layer is a reflective layer.

[0020] In a second aspect, an embodiment of the present disclosure provides an antenna array, which includes multiple antennas as described above.

[0021] Wherein, the antenna array further includes a feed source and a transceiver module;

[0022] The feed source is located on the array surface formed by the plurality of antennas;

[0023] The transceiver module is electrically connected to the feed source and is configured to feed power to the feed source and process microwave signals received by the feed source.

[0024] The feed source includes any one of a horn, a helical antenna, and a microstrip line.

[0025] Wherein, it also includes a control module, and the control module is electrically connected to the driving structure in the antenna.

[0026] In a third aspect, an embodiment of the present disclosure provides an electronic device comprising any of the antenna arrays described above. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0027] FIG1 is a schematic diagram of a film structure of an exemplary antenna.

[0028] FIG2 is a partial schematic diagram of an exemplary phase shifter.

[0029] FIG. 3 is a cross section taken along line AA′ in FIG. 2 .

[0030] FIG4 is a schematic diagram of an exemplary phase shifter.

[0031] FIG5 is a schematic diagram of a film layer structure of an antenna according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0032] FIG6 is a schematic diagram showing the corresponding relationship among a phase shifter, a radiation structure, a driving structure, and an isolation layer according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0033] FIG7 is a schematic diagram of the corresponding relationship between a second radiation portion and an isolation layer according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0034] FIG8 is a schematic diagram showing the correspondence between another second radiation portion and an isolation layer according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0035] FIG9 is a schematic diagram showing the corresponding relationship among another phase shifter, radiation structure, driving structure and isolation layer according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0036] FIG10 is a schematic diagram of a film layer structure of another antenna according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0037] FIG11 is a schematic diagram showing the corresponding relationship among another phase shifter, a driving structure, and an isolation layer according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0038] FIG12 is a schematic diagram of an antenna array according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0039] FIG13 is a schematic diagram of another antenna array according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0040] In order to enable those skilled in the art to better understand the technical solution of the present invention, the present invention is further described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings and specific implementation methods.

[0041] Unless otherwise defined, the technical or scientific terms used in this disclosure should have the usual meanings understood by people with ordinary skills in the field to which this disclosure belongs. The words "first", "second" and similar words used in this disclosure do not indicate any order, quantity or importance, but are only used to distinguish different components. Similarly, words such as "one", "an" or "the" do not indicate a quantity limitation, but rather indicate the existence of at least one. Words such as "include" or "comprise" mean that the elements or objects appearing before the word include the elements or objects listed after the word and their equivalents, without excluding other elements or objects. Words such as "connect" or "connected" are not limited to physical or mechanical connections, but may include electrical connections, whether direct or indirect. "Up", "down", "left", "right" and the like are only used to indicate relative positional relationships. When the absolute position of the object being described changes, the relative positional relationship may also change accordingly.

[0042] Air-fed array antennas are divided into reflective array antennas and transmissive array antennas. Air-fed array antennas are passive antennas that are used to modulate incident waves and radiate after modulation. Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of the membrane structure of an exemplary antenna; referring to Figure 1, taking the reflective array antenna as an example, any antenna in the reflective array antenna includes a phase adjustment unit 100, a radiation structure 40, and a reflection layer / reference electrode layer 50. The reflection layer / reference electrode layer 50 can be a reflective ground. The phase adjustment unit 100 can be a phase shifter, which is used to adjust the phase of the microwave signal received by the radiation structure 40, and after adjustment, it is radiated through the radiation structure 40.

[0043] The phase shifter may be a liquid crystal phase shifter. The phase shifter may be a single-line phase shifter or a differential dual-line phase shifter. In the embodiment disclosed herein, a differential phase shifter is used as an example. The adjustable dielectric layer in the phase shifter is a liquid crystal layer.

[0044] Figure 2 is a partial schematic diagram of an exemplary phase shifter; Figure 3 is a cross-section taken along line AA' of Figure 1. As shown in Figures 1-3, the phase shifter includes a first transmission line 11 disposed on a first dielectric substrate 10, a second transmission line 12 disposed on a second dielectric substrate 20, and a liquid crystal layer 30 disposed between the first transmission line 11 and the second transmission line 12. The first transmission line 11 includes a first main line 111 and a first branch 112 connected in the direction in which the first main line 111 extends; the second transmission line 12 includes a second main line 121 and a second branch 122 connected in the direction in which the second main line 121 extends. The orthographic projections of a first branch 112 and a second branch 122 on the first dielectric substrate 10 at least partially overlap, defining an overlapping region (i.e., a capacitive region). The overlapping region is located between the orthographic projections of the first main line 111 and the second main line 121 on the first dielectric substrate 10. By applying a bias voltage to the first main line 111 and the second main line 121 , an electric field is formed in the capacitor region to change the dielectric constant of the liquid crystal molecules, thereby achieving phase shift of the microwave signal.

[0045] Furthermore, since the differential liquid crystal phase shifter's primary characteristic is operating in a differential mode, it has higher phase shifting efficiency than a single-line phase shifter. However, to provide differential-mode signals, a first balun component and a second balun component must be added to the input and output ends of the phase shifter, respectively. As shown in FIG4 , the first and second balun components each include a main line 81 / 84, a first branch line 82 / 85, and a second branch line 83 / 86. Specifically, for the first balun component, the first ends of the first branch line 82 and the second branch line 83 are both connected to the main line 81, the second end of the first branch line 82 is connected to the first end of the first main line 111, and the second end of the second branch line 82 is connected to the first end of the second main line 121. For the second balun component, the first ends of the first branch line 85 and the second branch line 86 are both connected to the main line 84, the second end of the first branch line 85 is connected to the second end of the first main line 111, and the second end of the second branch line 86 is connected to the second end of the second main line 121. In addition, the first branch 82 of the first balun assembly and the second branch 86 of the second balun assembly are serpentine lines, so that the first branch 82 and the second branch 83 of the first balun assembly have a phase difference of 180°, and the first branch 85 and the second branch 86 of the second balun assembly have a phase difference of 180°. In this case, taking the case where the main path 81 of the first balun assembly is connected to the radiating structure 40 and the main path 84 of the second balun assembly is open, when the radiating structure 40 receives a microwave signal and transmits the microwave signal to the first branch 82 of the first balun assembly, the RF signal fed into the first transmission line 11 by the first branch 86 of the first balun assembly has a phase difference of 180° compared to the RF signal fed into the second transmission line 12 by the second branch 83. After being transmitted to the first branch 85 and the second branch 86 of the second balun assembly via the first transmission line 11 and the second transmission line 12, respectively, the RF signal is restored to output a microwave signal with the same phase and amplitude, which is radiated out through the radiating structure.

[0046] It should be noted that a balun (balun-unbalance) component is a three-port device that can be used in microwave RF devices. A balun component is an RF transmission line transformer that converts a matched input into a differential input. It can be used to excite differential lines, amplifiers, broadband antennas, balanced mixers, balanced frequency multipliers and modulators, phase shifters, and any circuit design that requires transmitting equal amplitudes and a 180° phase difference on two lines. The two outputs of a balun component have equal amplitudes and opposite phases. In the frequency domain, this means there is a 180° phase difference between the two outputs; in the time domain, this means the voltage of one balanced output is the negative of the other balanced output.

[0047] The above only provides an exemplary structure of a phase shifter, but the phase shifter in the embodiment of the present disclosure is not limited thereto. Various forms of phase shifters can be applied to the antenna in the embodiment of the present disclosure, and they are not listed one by one here.

[0048] The inventors discovered that the driving structure in the antenna that applies bias voltage to the first and second main lines 111 and 121 can include a first driving line disposed on the first dielectric substrate 10 and a second driving line disposed on the second dielectric substrate 20. Because the first and second driving lines are disposed around the antenna's phase shifter, when a microwave signal is incident on the antenna, the microwave signal irradiates the first and second driving lines, causing electromagnetic reactions and deteriorating antenna performance.

[0049] To address the above technical issues, an antenna, an antenna array including the antenna, and an electronic device are provided in the embodiments of the present disclosure, which are described below with reference to specific examples.

[0050] Figure 5 is a schematic diagram of the membrane structure of an antenna according to an embodiment of the present disclosure; Figure 6 is a schematic diagram of the correspondence between a phase shifter, a radiation structure, a driving structure and an isolation layer according to an embodiment of the present disclosure; Figure 7 is a schematic diagram of the correspondence between a second radiation portion and an isolation layer according to an embodiment of the present disclosure; Figure 8 is a schematic diagram of the correspondence between another second radiation portion and an isolation layer according to an embodiment of the present disclosure; Figure 9 is a schematic diagram of the correspondence between another phase shifter, a radiation structure, a driving structure and an isolation layer according to an embodiment of the present disclosure; Figure 10 is a schematic diagram of the membrane structure of another antenna according to an embodiment of the present disclosure; Figure 11 is a schematic diagram of the correspondence between another phase shifter, a driving structure and an isolation layer according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0051] In a first aspect, in conjunction with Figures 5-11, an embodiment of the present disclosure provides an antenna comprising a phase adjustment structure, a driving structure 90, a radiating structure 40, a reference electrode layer 50, and an isolation layer 60; wherein the reference electrode layer 50, the phase adjustment structure, and the isolation layer 60 are stacked in sequence; the driving structure 90 is electrically connected to the phase adjustment structure and is configured to provide a driving voltage to the phase adjustment structure so that the phase adjustment structure adjusts the phase of a received microwave signal; the radiating structure 40 is configured to transmit the received microwave signal to the phase adjustment structure and to radiate the microwave signal adjusted by the phase adjustment structure. The isolation layer 60 has a first opening 61, the first opening 61 at least partially overlapping with the orthographic projection of the radiating structure 40 on the plane where the reference electrode layer 50 is located, and the orthographic projection of the driving structure 90 on the plane where the reference electrode layer 50 is located does not overlap; the orthographic projection of the isolation layer 60 on the plane where the reference electrode layer 50 is located covers the orthographic projection of the driving structure 90 on the plane where the reference electrode layer 50 is located.

[0052] In the antenna of the embodiment of the present disclosure, an isolation layer 60 having a first opening 61 is added, and the driving structure 90 is shielded by the isolation layer 60, which can effectively prevent the microwave signal from irradiating the driving structure 90 when the antenna receives the signal and causing an electromagnetic response, thereby deteriorating the antenna performance.

[0053] In some examples, the phase adjustment unit includes, but is not limited to, a phase shifter 100. When the phase adjustment unit is a phase shifter 100, it can employ the structure of the phase shifter 100 described above. Specifically, the phase shifter 100 can be a liquid crystal phase shifter 100, where the adjustable dielectric layer in the phase shifter 100 is a liquid crystal layer 30. Specifically, the phase shifter 100 can include a first dielectric substrate 10, a second dielectric substrate 20, a liquid crystal layer 30 disposed between the first dielectric substrate 10 and the second dielectric substrate 20, a first transmission line disposed on the side of the first dielectric substrate 10 proximate to the liquid crystal layer 30, and a second transmission line disposed on the side of the second dielectric substrate 20 proximate to the liquid crystal layer 30. The first transmission line can include a first main line and a plurality of first branches connected in the direction in which the first main line extends; the second transmission line can include a second main line and a plurality of second branches connected in the direction in which the second main line extends. The first branches and the second branches are disposed in correspondence with each other, and the orthographic projections of the corresponding first and second branches on the first dielectric substrate 10 at least overlap. The driving structure 90 applies voltage to the first trunk line and the second trunk line to adjust the dielectric constant of the liquid crystal layer 30 between the first branch and the second branch, thereby achieving phase shift of the microwave signal.

[0054] The first branches and the second branches are arranged in a one-to-one correspondence. Furthermore, the plurality of first branches are periodically arranged, and similarly, the plurality of second branches are also periodically arranged. For example, the spacing between each first branch is equal; the spacing between each second branch is equal. In some examples, the overlapping areas of the orthographic projections of each first branch and each second branch on the first dielectric substrate 10 are equal. For example, the widths of each first branch are equal, and the widths of each second branch are equal. Of course, the lengths of each first branch and each second branch may also be equal.

[0055] In some examples, the first and second trunk lines in the phase shifter 100 can both be straight transmission lines. The first and second trunk lines can extend parallel to each other. This arrangement facilitates miniaturization of the phase shifter 100 and, in turn, helps achieve a high degree of antenna integration. Of course, the first and second trunk lines can also be curved, and the shapes of the first and second trunk lines are not limited in the presently disclosed embodiments.

[0056] Furthermore, the radiating structure 40 may include a first radiating portion 41 and a second radiating portion 42. The first radiating portion 41 and the second radiating portion 42 are respectively disposed on opposite sides of the isolation layer 60, close to and away from the reference electrode layer 50. A third dielectric substrate 70 is disposed between the isolation layer 60 and the second radiating portion 42. The orthographic projections of any two of the first radiating portion 41, the second radiating portion 42, and the first opening 61 on the isolation layer 60 overlap on the plane containing the reference electrode layer 50. This ensures that the microwave signal received by the second radiator can be transmitted to the first radiating portion 41 via the first opening 61, and then transmitted to the phase shifter 100 via the first radiating portion 41. At the same time, the microwave signal modulated by the phase shifter 100 can also be transmitted to the first radiating portion 41. The first radiating portion 41 then transmits the microwave signal to the second radiating portion 42 via the first opening 61, and the microwave signal is radiated by the second radiating portion 42.

[0057] In one example, the first radiating portion 41 may include a first radiating element 411 and a second radiating element 412. For example, the first radiating element 411 is directly connected to the first trunk line of the first transmission line, and the second radiating element 412 is directly connected to the second trunk line of the second transmission line. In this case, the first radiating element 411 can be disposed on the same layer as the first transmission line, that is, on the side of the first dielectric substrate 10 close to the liquid crystal layer 30, and the second radiating element 412 can be disposed on the same layer as the second transmission line, that is, on the side of the second dielectric substrate 20 close to the liquid crystal layer 30. This allows the first radiating element 411 and the first transmission line to be fabricated in a single process, while the second radiating element 412 and the second transmission line to be fabricated in a single process. This not only reduces process costs but also facilitates a highly integrated, lightweight antenna design. It should be understood that the first radiating element 411 and the second radiating element 412 in the first radiating portion 41 overlap with the orthographic projection of the second radiating portion 42 on the layer where the reference electrode layer 50 resides. The provision of the second radiating portion 42 can improve microwave signal transmission efficiency and reduce transmission loss.

[0058] In some examples, the first radiating element 411, the second radiating element 412, and the second radiating portion 42 all include, but are not limited to, antenna structures such as patch electrodes and dipoles. When the first radiating element 411, the second radiating element 412, and the second radiating portion 42 all utilize patch electrodes, their shapes can be the same or different. For example, the patch electrodes can be rectangular, circular, annular, or triangular, or any combination thereof. The specific shape of the patch electrodes is not limited in the disclosed embodiments.

[0059] In some examples, the second radiating portion 42 can be a planar structure, and can also include multiple substructures 421, for example, multiple substructures 421 are arranged in an array. Regardless of the structure of the second radiating portion 42, the orthographic projection of the second radiating portion 42 on the plane where the reference electrode layer 50 is located can be located within the orthographic projection of the first opening 61 of the isolation layer 60 on the plane where the reference electrode layer 50 is located. In one example, the orthographic projection of the center of the second radiating portion 42 coincides with the orthographic projection of the center of the first opening 61 on the plane where the reference electrode layer 50 is located. Of course, the orthographic projections of the center of the second radiating portion 42 and the center of the first opening 61 on the plane where the reference electrode layer 50 is located can also roughly coincide, that is, there is a small distance between the orthographic projections of the centers of the second radiating portion 42 and the first opening 61 on the plane where the reference electrode layer 50 is located.

[0060] In one example, when the phase shifter 100 is a differential phase shifter 100, when one end of the first transmission line and the second transmission line are connected to a balun component, for example, the first transmission line and the second transmission line are connected to the aforementioned first balun component, and the other end is connected to the second balun component. In this case, the first radiating portion 41 can be a monolithic structure, and the first radiating portion 41 can be connected to the main path of the first balun component. In this case, in one example, the centers of the first radiating portion 41, the second radiating portion 42, and the first opening 61 of the isolation layer 60 coincide with each other in their orthographic projection onto the plane of the reference electrode layer 50.

[0061] Furthermore, the orthographic projections of the first radiating portion 41 and the second radiating portion 42 on the plane of the reference electrode layer 50 are both located within the orthographic projection of the first opening 61 of the isolation layer 60 on the plane of the reference electrode layer 50. For example, if the first radiating portion 41 and the second radiating portion 42 both utilize patch electrodes, the patch electrodes may be rectangular in shape, and the corresponding first opening 61 of the isolation layer 60 may also be rectangular. Of course, the shapes of the first radiating portion 41, the second radiating portion 42, and the first opening 61 of the isolation layer 60 may also be different.

[0062] It should be noted that, in the antenna of the embodiment of the present disclosure, the radiation structure 40 may also include only the first radiation portion 41 without the second radiation portion 42. This situation is also feasible and falls within the protection scope of the embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0063] In one example, the radiating structure 40 may be located on a side of the isolation layer 60 facing away from the phase shifter 100. In this case, the orthographic projections of one end of the phase shifter 100, the first opening 61 of the isolation layer 60, and any two of the radiating structures 40 on the plane where the reference electrode layer 50 is located overlap. Again, taking the aforementioned phase shifter 100 as an example, in this case, the main path of the first balun component overlaps with the orthographic projections of any two of the first opening 61 of the isolation layer 60 and the radiating structure 40 on the plane where the reference electrode layer 50 is located.

[0064] Furthermore, the first opening 61 may be a slit structure, and the shape of the slit structure includes, but is not limited to, a long strip, an I-shaped shape, etc. The number of first openings 61 may be one or more. When the number of first openings 61 is one, the center of the first opening 61 coincides with the orthographic projection of the center of the radiating structure 40 on the plane where the reference electrode layer 50 is located, or the center of the first opening 61 coincides with the orthographic projection of the center of the radiating structure 40 on the plane where the reference electrode layer 50 is located, that is, there is a small distance between the center of the first opening 61 and the orthographic projection of the center of the radiating structure 40 on the plane where the reference electrode layer 50 is located. When there are multiple first openings 61, the multiple first openings 61 have a common rotation center or symmetry center, and the rotation center / symmetry center of the multiple first openings 61 coincides with the orthographic projection of the center of the radiation structure 40 on the plane where the reference electrode layer 50 is located, or the rotation center / symmetry center of the multiple first openings 61 coincides with the orthographic projection of the center of the radiation structure 40 on the plane where the reference electrode layer 50 is located, that is, there is a small distance between the rotation center / symmetry center of the multiple first openings 61 and the orthographic projection of the center of the radiation structure 40 on the plane where the reference electrode layer 50 is located.

[0065] Regardless of which of the aforementioned structures the radiating structure 40 in the embodiments of the present disclosure employs, the driving structure 90 in the embodiments of the present disclosure can include a first driving line 91 and a second driving line 92. The first driving line 91 is electrically connected to the first transmission line in the phase shifter 100, and the second driving line 92 is connected to the second transmission line. In this case, the first driving line 91 can be provided on the same layer as the first transmission line, that is, on the side of the first dielectric substrate 10 closest to the liquid crystal layer 30; the second driving line 92 can be provided on the same layer as the second transmission line, that is, on the side of the first dielectric substrate 10 closest to the liquid crystal layer 30. This allows the first driving line 91 and the first transmission line to be formed in a single patterning process, while the second driving line 92 and the second transmission line to be formed in a single patterning process. This approach not only reduces process costs but also helps improve antenna integration and achieve a slimmer design. In some examples, the reference electrode layer 50 includes, but is not limited to, a ground electrode. In one example, the reference electrode can also be a reflective layer, meaning that the antenna in the embodiments of the present disclosure is a reflective antenna. In the embodiments of the present disclosure, the reference electrode layer 50 can be a solid-surface structure. If there are special requirements for antenna performance, such as suppressing specific resonances, improving bandwidth, etc., specific defective ground and electromagnetic band gap structures can also be used to replace the complete reference electrode layer 50.

[0066] In some examples, the first dielectric substrate 10 and the second dielectric substrate 20 in the embodiments of the present disclosure may be glass substrates, plastic, PCBs, ceramics, etc. The materials of the radiating structure 40, the driving structure 90, and the reference electrode layer 50 include, but are not limited to, copper, aluminum, molybdenum, or other metal materials. Of course, conductive non-metallic materials such as indium tin oxide may also be used.

[0067] The antenna of the disclosed embodiment applies different voltages to the phase adjustment structure through the driving structure 90, so as to orient the liquid crystal in the phase adjustment structure, and utilize the adjustability of the liquid crystal to achieve a phase shift of more than 360 degrees on the incident electromagnetic wave. This effect enables each antenna to independently perform phase compensation of more than 360 degrees on the incident wave. At the same time, the addition of the isolation layer 60 prevents the incident electromagnetic wave from passing through the isolation layer 60 and directly hitting the driving structure 90, thereby avoiding the deterioration of the antenna performance due to the electromagnetic response on the driving structure 90.

[0068] In a second aspect, the embodiments of the present disclosure further provide an antenna 1 array, which includes multiple (eg, M*N, M≥1, M≥2) antennas 1. The antenna 1 can be any of the antennas 1 described above.

[0069] In some examples, the antenna array 1 in the disclosed embodiments further includes a feed source and a transceiver module. The feed source is located on the array plane formed by the multiple antennas 1; the transceiver module is electrically connected to the feed source and configured to feed power to the feed source and process microwave signals received by the feed source. Furthermore, the feed source can take the form of a horn, a helical antenna 1, a microstrip antenna 1, etc., and the feed position can be selected from forward feed and side feed.

[0070] For the antenna 1 array of the embodiment of the present disclosure, when a plane wave incident from a certain direction is transmitted to the array surface, the phase at each unit can be extracted to obtain a phase compensation matrix. At a certain moment, if the beam is required to be emitted in a specified direction, according to the theoretical calculation formula of the phased array, each antenna 1 needs to be loaded with a different phase. By adjusting the control voltage of the liquid crystal phase shifter 100 and calculating the difference between the compensation matrix of the output and incident directions in the specified direction, the phase difference that needs to be loaded on each antenna 1 when radiating in that direction can be obtained, thereby realizing the voltage matrix assignment process. At the next moment, if energy needs to be radiated in other directions, the same method is used to obtain the second voltage assignment matrix. According to this method, dynamic adjustment of the output beam direction can be realized, and the reconfigurable function of the beam can be completed.

[0071] In some examples, the antenna 1 array may further include a control module electrically connected to the drive structure 90 in the antenna 1. The control module independently controls the drive voltage on each antenna 1 to implement a different phase compensation matrix, thereby achieving beam scanning. For example, the drive structure 90 in each antenna 1 includes a first drive line 91 and a second drive line 92, and the control module may include a first control module 101 and a second control module 102. The first control module 101 is connected to each first drive line 91 via a first lead, and the second control module 102 is connected to each second drive line 92 via a second lead. The first and second leads may be selected from ordinary wires, flexible printed circuits (FPCs), thin film chip integrated circuits (COFs), etc., but are not limited to the above forms. The connection between the first lead and the first drive line 91, and the second lead and the second drive line 92 may be selected from pins, welding, bonding, etc., but are not limited to the above forms. The connection between the first lead and the first control module 101, and the second lead and the second control module 102 may be selected from pins, welding, bonding, snap-fit, etc., but are not limited to the above forms.

[0072] In a fourth aspect, an embodiment of the present disclosure further provides an electronic device, which includes an antenna 1 including the above-mentioned antenna 1 array. The antenna 1 system provided in the disclosed embodiment also includes a transceiver unit, a radio frequency transceiver, a signal amplifier, a power amplifier, and a filtering unit. The antenna 1 in the antenna 1 system can be used as a transmitting antenna 1 or as a receiving antenna 1. Among them, the transceiver unit may include a baseband and a receiving end, and the baseband provides a signal of at least one frequency band, for example, a 2G signal, a 3G signal, a 4G signal, a 5G signal, etc., and sends a signal of at least one frequency band to the radio frequency transceiver. After the antenna 1 in the antenna 1 system receives the signal, it can be processed by the filtering unit, the power amplifier, the signal amplifier, and the radio frequency transceiver and then transmitted to the receiving end in the initial unit. The receiving end can be, for example, a smart gateway.

[0073] Furthermore, a radio frequency transceiver is connected to the transceiver unit and is used to modulate the signals sent by the transceiver unit, or to demodulate the signals received by antenna 1 and transmit them to the transceiver unit. Specifically, the radio frequency transceiver may include a transmitting circuit, a receiving circuit, a modulation circuit, and a demodulation circuit. After the transmitting circuit receives various types of signals provided by the substrate, the modulation circuit can modulate the various types of signals provided by the baseband and then transmit them to antenna 1. Antenna 1 receives the signal and transmits it to the receiving circuit of the radio frequency transceiver. The receiving circuit transmits the signal to the demodulation circuit, which demodulates the signal and transmits it to the receiving end.

[0074] Furthermore, the RF transceiver is connected to a signal amplifier and a power amplifier, which are in turn connected to a filtering unit, which is connected to at least one antenna 1. When the antenna 1 system transmits signals, the signal amplifier is used to increase the signal-to-noise ratio of the signal output by the RF transceiver before transmitting it to the filtering unit. The power amplifier is used to amplify the power of the signal output by the RF transceiver before transmitting it to the filtering unit. The filtering unit may specifically include a duplexer and a filtering circuit. The filtering unit combines the signals output by the signal amplifier and the power amplifier, filters out noise, and transmits them to the antenna 1, which radiates the signal. When the antenna 1 system receives signals, the antenna 1 receives the signal and transmits it to the filtering unit. The filtering unit filters out noise from the signal received by the antenna 1 and transmits it to the signal amplifier and power amplifier. The signal amplifier amplifies the signal received by the antenna 1 to increase its signal-to-noise ratio. The power amplifier amplifies the power of the signal received by the antenna 1. The signal received by the antenna 1 is processed by the power amplifier and the signal amplifier before being transmitted to the RF transceiver, which then transmits it to the transceiver unit.

[0075] In some examples, the signal amplifier may include various types of signal amplifiers, such as a low noise amplifier, which is not limited herein.

[0076] In some examples, the electronic device provided by the embodiments of the present disclosure further includes a power management unit, which is connected to a power amplifier and provides the power amplifier with a voltage for amplifying a signal.

[0077] It will be understood that the above embodiments are merely exemplary embodiments for illustrating the principles of the present invention, and the present invention is not limited thereto. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that various modifications and improvements can be made without departing from the spirit and substance of the present invention, and such modifications and improvements are also considered to be within the scope of protection of the present invention.

Claims

1. An antenna comprising a phase adjustment structure, a driving structure, a radiation structure, a reference electrode layer, and an isolation layer; wherein: The phase adjustment structure is located between the reference electrode layer and the isolation layer; the driving structure is electrically connected to the phase adjustment structure and is configured to provide a driving voltage to the phase adjustment structure so that the phase adjustment structure adjusts the phase of the received microwave signal; the radiating structure is configured to transmit the received microwave signal to the phase adjustment structure and radiate the microwave signal adjusted by the phase adjustment structure; The isolation layer has a first opening, the first opening at least partially overlaps with an orthographic projection of the radiation structure on the plane where the reference electrode layer is located, and the first opening does not overlap with an orthographic projection of the driving structure on the plane where the reference electrode layer is located; The orthographic projection of the isolation layer on the plane where the reference electrode layer is located covers the orthographic projection of the driving structure on the plane where the reference electrode layer is located.

2. The antenna according to claim 1, wherein The radiation structure includes a first radiation portion; the first radiation portion is arranged on the side of the isolation layer close to the reference electrode, and the first radiation portion is connected to one end of the phase adjustment structure; the first radiation portion and the first opening at least partially overlap in their orthographic projections on the plane where the reference electrode layer is located.

3. The antenna according to claim 2, wherein The radiation structure also includes a third dielectric substrate and a second radiation portion, which are sequentially arranged on a side of the isolation layer away from the phase adjustment structure; the orthographic projections of any two of the first radiation portion, the second radiation portion and the first opening on the plane where the reference electrode layer is located at least partially overlap.

4. The antenna according to claim 3, wherein The first opening, the first radiating portion, and the second radiating portion coincide with the center of the orthographic projection of the plane where the reference electrode layer is located.

5. The antenna according to claim 3, wherein The orthographic projection of the second radiating portion on the plane where the reference electrode layer is located is located within the orthographic projection of the first opening on the plane where the reference electrode layer is located. The antenna according to claim 2 , wherein: The phase adjustment structure includes a phase shifter; the phase shifter includes a first dielectric substrate and a second dielectric substrate arranged opposite to each other, an adjustable dielectric layer arranged between the first dielectric substrate and the second dielectric substrate, a first transmission line arranged on a side of the first dielectric substrate close to the adjustable dielectric layer, and a second transmission line arranged on a side of the second dielectric substrate close to the adjustable dielectric layer; the first radiating portion includes a first radiating component and a second radiating component, the first radiating component is electrically connected to the first transmission line, and the second radiating component is electrically connected to the second transmission line.

7. The antenna according to claim 6, wherein The first transmission line and the first radiation component are provided on the same layer, and the two are directly connected; and / or the second transmission line and the second radiation component are provided on the same layer, and the two are directly connected.

8. The antenna according to claim 1, wherein The radiation structure is disposed on a side of the isolation layer away from the phase adjustment structure, and one end of the phase adjustment structure is coupled to the radiation structure through the first opening.

9. The antenna according to claim 8, wherein The first opening coincides with the center of the orthographic projection of the radiation structure on the plane where the reference electrode layer is located.

10. The antenna according to claim 8, wherein There are multiple first openings, and the rotation centers of the multiple first openings are the same. The antenna according to claim 10 , wherein: The rotation centers of the plurality of first openings coincide with the orthographic projections of the center of the radiation structure on the plane where the reference electrode layer is located.

12. The antenna according to any one of claims 1 to 11, wherein: The phase adjustment structure includes a phase shifter; the phase shifter includes a first dielectric substrate and a second dielectric substrate arranged opposite to each other, an adjustable dielectric layer arranged between the first dielectric substrate and the second dielectric substrate, a first transmission line arranged on a side of the first dielectric substrate close to the adjustable dielectric layer, and a second transmission line arranged on a side of the second dielectric substrate close to the adjustable dielectric layer; the driving structure includes a first driving line and a second driving line; the first driving line is electrically connected to the first transmission line, and the second driving line is electrically connected to the second transmission line.

13. The antenna according to claim 12, wherein The first driving line and the first transmission line are arranged in the same layer; and / or the second driving line and the second transmission line are arranged in the same layer.

14. The antenna according to any one of claims 1 to 11, wherein: The reference electrode layer is a reflective layer.

15. An antenna array comprising a plurality of antennas according to any one of claims 1 to 14.

16. The antenna array according to claim 15, wherein: Also includes feed and transceiver modules; The feed source is located on the array surface formed by the plurality of antennas; The transceiver module is electrically connected to the feed source and is configured to feed power to the feed source and process microwave signals received by the feed source.

17. The antenna array according to claim 16, wherein: The feed source includes any one of a horn, a helical antenna, and a microstrip line.

18. The antenna array according to claim 15, wherein: The antenna further includes a control module electrically connected to the driving structure in the antenna.

19. An electronic device comprising the antenna array according to any one of claims 15 to 18.

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