Liquid crystal phase shifter and antenna

Abstract

The application provides a liquid crystal phase shifter and an antenna. The liquid crystal phase shifter comprises a temperature control area and an edge area, and the edge area is located on one side of the temperature control area close to the edge of the liquid crystal phase shifter. A temperature control unit is arranged in the temperature control area, and the temperature control unit is electrically connected with a first type of pin through a temperature control signal transmission line. The temperature control signal transmission line comprises a first part extending along a second direction. An input line and an output line are included in the same first type of line group. Along a first direction, the first part of the input line and the first part of the output line are adjacent, and the first type of pin connected with the input line and the first type of pin connected with the output line are adjacent. Wherein, along the first direction, the spacing between adjacent first type of pins is w1, and the spacing between the first part of the input line and the first part of the output line in the same first type of line group is w2, w1 > w2. In the application, the arrangement density of the temperature control signal transmission line is small near the first type of pin, which is beneficial to weaken or avoid the uneven heating effect caused by uneven distribution of the wire.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This application relates to the field of communication technology, specifically to a liquid crystal phase shifter and antenna. Background Technology

[0002] With the continuous development of communication technology, antenna devices containing liquid crystal phase shifters have gradually become one of the most watched communication devices. Considering that antenna devices usually need to work in outdoor environments, when the outdoor temperature conditions are poor (such as low temperatures), the movement state of the liquid crystal in the liquid crystal phase shifter (such as the degree of deflection) is easily affected, which in turn interferes with the working state of the liquid crystal phase shifter.

[0003] To address this issue, related technologies often incorporate heating structures within the liquid crystal phase shifter to mitigate the impact of ambient temperature on the liquid crystal. However, existing designs often suffer from uneven circuit density and voltage division issues, making it difficult to achieve uniform heating within the liquid crystal phase shifter. Summary of the Invention

[0004] This application provides a liquid crystal phase shifter and an antenna to improve the problem of uneven heating effect in the liquid crystal phase shifter.

[0005] In view of this, this application provides a liquid crystal phase shifter, including a temperature control area and an edge area, wherein the edge area is located on the side of the temperature control area close to the edge of the liquid crystal phase shifter.

[0006] The edge region includes multiple first-type pins arranged along a first direction.

[0007] A temperature control unit is provided within the temperature control zone, and the temperature control unit is electrically connected to a first type of pin via a temperature control signal transmission line. The temperature control signal transmission line includes a first portion extending along a second direction; the first direction intersects the second direction.

[0008] Multiple temperature control signal transmission lines are divided into multiple first-class line groups, and the temperature control unit corresponds to the first-class line group. The same first-class line group includes input lines and output lines. Along the first direction, the first part of the input line and the first part of the output line are adjacent to each other, and the first-class pins connected to the input line and the first-class pins connected to the output line are adjacent to each other.

[0009] Wherein, along the first direction, the spacing between adjacent first-type pins is w1, and in the same first-type line group, the spacing between the first part of the input line and the first part of the output line is w2, where w1 > w2.

[0010] Based on the same inventive concept, this application also provides an antenna, including the above-mentioned liquid crystal phase shifter.

[0011] Compared with the prior art, the liquid crystal phase shifter and antenna provided by the present invention achieve at least the following beneficial effects: In this embodiment, the design of w1 > w2 means that, in the first direction, the spacing between adjacent first-type pins can be greater than the spacing between the first portions of the input line and the output line. Correspondingly, the distribution spacing of the portion of the temperature control signal transmission line connected to the first-type pins can be greater than the spacing between the first portions. That is, the distribution density of the temperature control signal transmission line near the first-type pins can be smaller than the distribution density of the temperature control signal transmission line in the first portion. This design adjusts the spacing between the first-type pins to adjust the spacing of the temperature control signal transmission line at the connection point (with the first-type pins), thereby reducing the difference in distribution density of the temperature control signal transmission line in different areas, and thus weakening or avoiding the problem of uneven heating effect caused by uneven distribution of the temperature control signal transmission line. Attached Figure Description

[0012] To more clearly illustrate the technical solutions of the embodiments of this application, the drawings used in the embodiments will be briefly introduced below. Obviously, the drawings described below are only some embodiments of this application. For those skilled in the art, other drawings can be obtained based on these drawings without creative effort.

[0013] Figure 1 This is a top view schematic diagram of the internal structure of a liquid crystal phase shifter in a related technology; Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of a partial structure of a liquid crystal phase shifter provided in this application; Figure 3 Another schematic diagram of a partial structure of a liquid crystal phase shifter provided in this application; Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of a partial structure of a liquid crystal phase shifter provided in this application; Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram of a partial structure of a liquid crystal phase shifter provided in this application; Figure 6 This is a schematic diagram of a partial structure of a liquid crystal phase shifter provided in this application; Figure 7 for Figure 6 An enlarged schematic diagram showing the distribution of the temperature control signal transmission line within the liquid crystal phase shifter in target area A; Figure 8 This is a schematic diagram of a partial structure of a liquid crystal phase shifter provided in this application; Figure 9 This is a schematic diagram of a partial structure of a liquid crystal phase shifter provided in this application. Detailed Implementation

[0014] To better understand the technical solution of this application, the embodiments of this application will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0015] It should be understood that the described embodiments are merely some, not all, of the embodiments in this application. All other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art based on the embodiments in this application without inventive effort are within the scope of protection of this application.

[0016] The terminology used in the embodiments of this application is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of this application. The singular forms “a,” “the,” and “the” used in the embodiments of this application and the appended claims are also intended to include the plural forms unless the context clearly indicates otherwise.

[0017] It should be understood that the term "and / or" used in this article is merely a description of the relationship between related objects, indicating that three relationships can exist. For example, A and / or B can represent: A existing alone, A and B existing simultaneously, or B existing alone. Additionally, the character " / " in this article generally indicates that the preceding and following related objects have an "or" relationship.

[0018] Figure 1 This is a top view schematic diagram of the internal structure of a liquid crystal phase shifter in related technologies.

[0019] In related technologies, such as Figure 1 As shown, in order to reduce the influence of ambient temperature on the liquid crystal state inside the existing liquid crystal phase shifter 10' (for example, the deflection effect of liquid crystal is worse at low temperature compared to normal temperature), a heating structure 01' can be provided in the heating area 101' of the existing liquid crystal phase shifter 10'. The heating structure 01' can receive the electrical signal required for heating (which can be called the heating signal) through the heating transmission line 02'. The heating signal can be transmitted to the heating transmission line 02' through the power supply pin 03' located in the frame area 102'.

[0020] Since the existing liquid crystal phase shifter 10' can include multiple heating structures 01', it can also correspondingly have multiple heating transmission lines 02'. It should be noted that the multiple heating structures 01' can include a first heating structure 011' and a second heating structure 012'. Compared to the second heating structure 012', the distance between the first heating structure 011' and the frame area 102' is larger. Therefore, the length of the first group of heating transmission lines 021' corresponding to the first heating structure 011' is greater than the length of the second group of heating transmission lines 022' corresponding to the second heating structure 012'.

[0021] Considering that the multiple power supply pins 03' are usually concentrated in the frame area 102', the distribution density of heating transmission lines 02' in the existing liquid crystal phase shifter 10' is greater in the first line area 103' than in the second line area 104'. The second line area 104' can be considered as the side of the first line area 103' away from the power supply pins 03'. Based on Joule's law, the heating transmission lines 02' can generate heat while transmitting heating signals, and the distribution density of the heating transmission lines 02' can affect the temperature in that area. Specifically, compared to the second line area 104', the distribution density of heating transmission lines 02' in the first line area 103' is greater, so the heat generated by the multiple heating transmission lines 02' in the first line area 103' is greater, which can easily lead to a large difference in heating effect between the first line area 103' and the second line area 104', thus causing uneven heating.

[0022] Furthermore, the difference in length of the heating transmission lines 02' can also lead to different voltage division degrees among the different heating transmission lines 02'. For example, compared to the shorter second group of heating transmission lines 022', the longer first group of heating transmission lines 021' has a greater voltage division degree when transmitting heating signals. As a result, the heating signal voltage values ​​received by the first heating structure 011' and the second heating structure 012' are different, and consequently, the heating effects produced by the first heating structure 011' and the second heating structure 012' are also inconsistent, which can easily cause uneven heating problems.

[0023] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of a partial structure of a liquid crystal phase shifter provided in this application. Figure 3 Another schematic diagram of a partial structure of a liquid crystal phase shifter provided in this application.

[0024] To address the aforementioned problems, this application provides a liquid crystal phase shifter 10, combined with... Figure 2 and Figure 3 The liquid crystal phase shifter 10 includes a temperature control area 01 and an edge area 02, with the edge area 02 located on the side of the temperature control area 01 near the edge of the liquid crystal phase shifter 10.

[0025] When the liquid crystal phase shifter 10 is working, it can adaptively adjust the temperature of each area in its temperature control zone 01, thereby reducing or overcoming the influence of the external ambient temperature on the liquid crystal in the temperature control zone 01.

[0026] Edge region 02 includes a plurality of first-type pins 021 arranged along a first direction X. The first-type pins 021 can be used to transmit a portion of the electrical signal to a portion of the structure (such as a structure involved in temperature regulation) located within temperature control region 01. In edge region 02, the plurality of first-type pins 021 can be arranged in a concentrated manner to facilitate electrical connection between the first-type pins 021 and the structure (such as a chip) used to provide the aforementioned electrical signal.

[0027] Temperature control unit 011 is provided in temperature control zone 01. Temperature control unit 011 can participate in adjusting the temperature condition in liquid crystal phase shifter 10. Temperature control unit 011 is electrically connected to first type pin 021 through temperature control signal transmission line 012. Then, first type pin 021 can transmit the required electrical signal (hereinafter referred to as temperature control signal) to temperature control unit 011 through temperature control signal transmission line 012.

[0028] The temperature control signal transmission line 012 includes a first portion 121 extending along the second direction Y, where the first direction X intersects the second direction Y.

[0029] like Figure 2 As shown, the temperature control zone 01 can be divided into multiple sub-temperature control zones 01a, and a single temperature control unit 011 can adjust the temperature of a single sub-temperature control zone 01a. The projected shape of the temperature control unit 011 can be a spiral shape, which improves the temperature regulation effect of the temperature control unit 011 on the sub-temperature control zone 01a.

[0030] like Figure 3 As shown, within the temperature control zone 01, the projected shape of the temperature control unit 011 can be an elongated strip extending along the second direction Y. In this case, the temperature control unit 011 can extend from within the temperature control zone 01 to the boundary between the temperature control zone 01 and the edge zone 02, and is further electrically connected to the first type of pin 021 via the temperature control signal transmission line 012. Under this design, the temperature control signal transmission line 012 may include a first portion 121 extending along the second direction Y and located within the edge zone 02.

[0031] Combination Figure 2 and Figure 3 Multiple temperature control signal transmission lines 012 are divided into multiple first-type line groups 120, with temperature control unit 011 corresponding to the first-type line group 120. It should be noted that the principle by which temperature control unit 011 regulates temperature may include converting the energy of the received electrical signal into heat according to Joule's law. This process requires an electrical signal to flow into and subsequently out of temperature control unit 011, and this signal flow relies on the temperature control signal transmission lines 012 within the first-type line group 120.

[0032] The same first type of line group 120 includes an input line 201 and an output line 202. Electrical signals can flow into the temperature control unit 011 through the input line 201 and out of the temperature control unit 011 through the output line 202. Along the first direction X, the first portions 121 of the input line 201 and the first portions 121 of the output line 202 are adjacent, and the first type of pin 021 connected to the input line 201 and the first type of pin 021 connected to the output line 202 are adjacent. That is, there are two adjacent first type of pins 021 corresponding to the input line 201 and the output line 202 in the same first type of line group 120, respectively.

[0033] It is important to note that within the edge region 02, in the area closer to the first type of pins 021, the spacing between adjacent first type of pins 021 can affect the arrangement density of the temperature control signal transmission lines 012 in this area. Considering that multiple first type of pins 021 can be arranged in a concentrated manner within the edge region 02, there is a risk of a high arrangement density of temperature control signal transmission lines 012 in the area closer to the first type of pins 021. To avoid temperature unevenness caused by differences in transmission line density, this application has implemented the following design for the arrangement of the first type of pins 021 and the temperature control signal transmission lines 012.

[0034] Along the first direction X, the spacing between adjacent first-type pins 021 is w1, and in the same first-type line group 120, the spacing between the first part 121 of the input line 201 and the first part 121 of the output line 202 is w2, where w1 > w2.

[0035] In this embodiment, the design of w1 > w2 means that, in the first direction X, the spacing between adjacent first-type pins 021 can be greater than the spacing between the first portions 121 of the input line 201 and the output line 202. Correspondingly, the distribution spacing of the portion of the temperature control signal transmission line 012 connected to the first-type pins 021 can be greater than the spacing between the first portions 121. That is, relative to the arrangement density of the temperature control signal transmission line 012 at the first portion 121, the arrangement density of the temperature control signal transmission line 012 near the first-type pins 021 can be smaller. This design adjusts the spacing between the first-type pins 021 to adjust the spacing of the temperature control signal transmission line 012 at the connection point (with the first-type pins 021), thereby reducing the difference in the distribution density of the temperature control signal transmission line 012 in different areas, and thus weakening or avoiding the problem of uneven heating effect caused by uneven distribution of the temperature control signal transmission line 012.

[0036] For ease of description, the following embodiments will be based on Figure 2 The content shown is an example to explain the morphological features of structures such as temperature control unit 011 and temperature control signal transmission line 012.

[0037] Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of a partial structure of a liquid crystal phase shifter provided in this application.

[0038] In some embodiments of this application, such as Figure 4 As shown, the plurality of first type line groups 120 include adjacent first line groups 120a and second line groups 120b. Along the first direction X, the distance between adjacent first line groups 120a and second line groups 120b is w3, where w3 = w2.

[0039] like Figure 4 As shown, in the first direction X, the spacing between the input line 201 and the output line 202 in the first line group 120a can be w2; the spacing between the input line 201 and the output line 202 in the second line group 120b can also be w2; the spacing between the first line group 120a and the second line group 120b can be regarded as the spacing between the output line 202 in the first line group 120a and the input line 201 in the second line group 120b, and this spacing w3 can be equal to w2. This design means that there can be multiple first-type line groups 120, and the first parts 121 corresponding to the temperature control signal transmission lines 012 included therein can be regarded as being arranged at equal intervals in the first direction X. This design method helps to reduce the wiring difficulty. Furthermore, since w2 < w1, the spacing w1 between adjacent first-type pins 021 can also be greater than the spacing between the first line group 120a and the second line group 120b, further highlighting the distribution density of the first portion 121 relative to the temperature control signal transmission line 012. The distribution density of the first-type pins 021 can be designed to be smaller, which helps to avoid the temperature control signal transmission line 012 being too dense at the first-type pins 021.

[0040] Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram of a partial structure of a liquid crystal phase shifter provided in this application.

[0041] In some embodiments of this application, such as Figure 5As shown, the plurality of temperature control units 011 include a first temperature control unit 111 and a second temperature control unit 112. The distance from the first temperature control unit 111 to the edge region 02 is L1, and the distance from the second temperature control unit 112 to the edge region 02 is L2, where L1 > L2. Specifically, L1 can be considered as the distance from the first temperature control unit 111 to the edge region 02 along the direction from the first temperature control unit 111 to the first type pin 021; L2 can be considered as the distance from the second temperature control unit 112 to the edge region 02 along the direction from the second temperature control unit 112 to the first type pin 021. In this case, relative to the second temperature control unit 112, the first temperature control unit 111 can be considered to be farther away from the location of the first type pin 021. Correspondingly, the length of the temperature control signal transmission line 012 corresponding to the first temperature control unit 111 can be greater than the length of the temperature control signal transmission line 012 corresponding to the second temperature control unit 112.

[0042] The first type of wire group 120 corresponding to the first temperature control unit 111 is the third wire group 120c. In the third wire group 120c, the distance between the first part 121 of the input line 201 and the first part 121 of the output line 202 is w21.

[0043] The first type of wire group 120 corresponding to the second temperature control unit 112 is the fourth wire group 120d. In the fourth wire group 120d, the distance between the first part 121 of the input line 201 and the first part 121 of the output line 202 is w22. Where w22 > w21.

[0044] In this embodiment, since the liquid crystal phase shifter 10 may include multiple temperature control units 011 and the space reserved for laying temperature control signal transmission lines 012 is limited, the area closer to the first type of pin 021 in the temperature control area 01 tends to have a higher wiring density. To avoid this, this embodiment selects w22 > w21 to achieve a wiring density of temperature control signal transmission lines 012 in the fourth line group 120d that is greater than that in the third line group 120c. This reduces the difference in wiring density between the area closer to the first type of pin 021 and the area farther from the first type of pin 021, thus mitigating the uneven heating problem caused by the difference in wiring density in different areas.

[0045] Figure 6 This is a schematic diagram of a partial structure of a liquid crystal phase shifter provided in this application. Figure 7 for Figure 6 This is an enlarged schematic diagram showing the distribution of the temperature control signal transmission lines within the liquid crystal phase shifter in target area A. For ease of understanding, Figure 7 The distribution of Type I and Type II transmission lines in target area A and their respective width differences are shown from a top-down perspective.

[0046] In some embodiments of this application, combined with Figure 6 and Figure 7 The temperature control signal transmission line 012 corresponding to the first temperature control unit 111 is a first type of transmission line 12a1, and the temperature control signal transmission line 012 corresponding to the second temperature control unit 112 is a second type of transmission line 12a2.

[0047] The length of the first type of transmission line 12a1 is greater than the length of the second type of transmission line 12a2, and the width c11 of the first type of transmission line 12a1 is greater than the width c22 of the second type of transmission line 12a2.

[0048] In this embodiment, considering that the first temperature control unit 111 can be a temperature control unit 011 that is further away from the first type pin 021 than the second temperature control unit 112, this embodiment can be considered as an adaptive design for the relative positions between the first temperature control unit 111 and the second temperature control unit 112. Furthermore, it is known that the heat generated by the temperature signal transmission line 012 when transmitting the temperature control signal can also affect the temperature distribution within the liquid crystal phase shifter 10. Therefore, given the length difference between the first type transmission line 12a1 and the second type transmission line 12a2, the width difference can be adjusted to achieve similar or identical heat generation efficiencies for the first type transmission line 12a1 and the second type transmission line 12a2. Combined with the wiring heat generation rate formula P=(c U^2) / (R 方 As can be seen from L), the heat generation rate of the temperature control signal transmission line 012 is inversely proportional to its length and directly proportional to its width. Therefore, by designing the length of the first type of transmission line 12a1 to be greater than the length of the second type of transmission line 12a2 and c11 > c22, it is helpful to achieve similar or the same heat generation rate between the first type of transmission line 12a1 and the second type of transmission line 12a2, which is beneficial to achieving a uniform heating temperature regulation effect. In the above heat generation rate formula, P can refer to the heat generation rate of the temperature control signal transmission line 012, c can refer to the width of the temperature control signal transmission line 012 (e.g., c11 and c22 mentioned above), L can refer to the length of the temperature control signal transmission line 012, U can refer to the voltage value of the temperature control signal received by the temperature control signal transmission line 012, and R... 方 This can refer to the sheet resistance of temperature control signal transmission line 012.

[0049] In some embodiments of this application, combined with Figure 6 and Figure 7 The ratio C between the length of the first type transmission line 12a1 and the length of the second type transmission line 12a2 is C = c11 / c22.

[0050] In this embodiment of the application, the width difference between the first type of transmission line 12a1 and the second type of transmission line 12a2 can be designed based on the length difference between the two. This design helps to ensure that the two temperature control signal transmission lines 012 have the same heat generation efficiency as much as possible, based on the difference in the distribution positions of the first temperature control unit 111 and the second temperature control unit 112, thereby reducing the risk of uneven heating.

[0051] In one possible implementation, combining Figure 6 and Figure 7 The multiple temperature control units 011 include a first temperature control unit 111, a second temperature control unit 112, and a third temperature control unit 113. The width of the first type of transmission line 12a1 corresponding to the first temperature control unit 111 is c11. The width of the second type of transmission line 12a2 corresponding to the second temperature control unit 112 is c22. The width of the third type of transmission line 12a3 corresponding to the third temperature control unit 113 is c33. The length of the first type of transmission line 12a1 is greater than the length of the second type of transmission line 12a2, which is greater than the length of the third type of transmission line 12a3, and c11 > c22 > c33. Therefore, along the first direction X, the widths of the multiple temperature control signal transmission lines 012 can be considered to change in a stepped manner.

[0052] Figure 8 This is a schematic diagram of a partial structure of a liquid crystal phase shifter provided in this application.

[0053] In some embodiments of this application, such as Figure 8 As shown, the plurality of temperature control units 011 include a first temperature control unit 111 and a second temperature control unit 112. The distance from the first temperature control unit 111 to the edge region 02 is L1, and the distance from the second temperature control unit 112 to the edge region 02 is L2, where L1 > L2. Specifically, L1 can be considered as the distance from the first temperature control unit 111 to the edge region 02 along the direction from the first temperature control unit 111 to the first type pin 021; L2 can be considered as the distance from the second temperature control unit 112 to the edge region 02 along the direction from the second temperature control unit 112 to the first type pin 021. In this case, relative to the second temperature control unit 112, the first temperature control unit 111 can be considered to be farther away from the location of the first type pin 021. Correspondingly, the length of the temperature control signal transmission line 012 corresponding to the first temperature control unit 111 can be greater than the length of the temperature control signal transmission line 012 corresponding to the second temperature control unit 112.

[0054] The temperature control signal transmission line 012 corresponding to the first temperature control unit 111 is a first type of transmission line 12a1, and the temperature control signal transmission line 012 corresponding to the second temperature control unit 112 is a second type of transmission line 12a2.

[0055] The length of the first type of transmission line 12a1 is greater than the length of the second type of transmission line 12a2, and the voltage value V1 of the signal received by the first type of transmission line 12a1 is greater than the voltage value V2 of the signal received by the second type of transmission line 12a2.

[0056] In this embodiment, the longer the temperature control signal transmission line 012, the greater the loss of the temperature control signal during transmission. If two temperature control signal transmission lines 012 of different lengths transmit temperature control signals of the same pressure value to two temperature control units 011 respectively, it is easy for the two temperature control units 011 to receive temperature control signals of different pressure values. To avoid this situation, this embodiment designs V1 > V2 to compensate for the additional loss generated by the longer second type of transmission line 12a2 when transmitting temperature control signals, which is beneficial to make the temperature control signal pressure values ​​received by the first temperature control unit 111 and the second temperature control unit 112 close or the same.

[0057] In some embodiments of this application, such as Figure 8 As shown, the plurality of temperature control units 011 also includes a third temperature control unit 113. The distance from the third temperature control unit 113 to the edge region 02 is L3, where L3 = L2. Specifically, L3 can be regarded as the distance from the third temperature control unit 113 to the edge region 02 in the direction along the third temperature control unit 113 pointing to the first type of pin 021.

[0058] The temperature control signal transmission line 012 corresponding to the third temperature control unit 113 is a third type transmission line 12a3. The length of the third type transmission line 12a3 is L33=L22, and the voltage value of the signal received by the third type transmission line 12a3 is V3=V2.

[0059] In this embodiment of the application, considering that the third type of transmission line 12a3 and the second type of transmission line L22 have the same length, the loss of the temperature control signal of the third type of transmission line 12a3 and the second type of transmission line L22 can be similar or the same. Based on this, temperature control signals with the same voltage value can be provided to both of them (for example, the same temperature control signal can be provided to both of them), reducing the types of temperature control signals required and saving chip computing power.

[0060] In some embodiments of this application, such as Figure 8 As shown, the liquid crystal phase shifter 10 also includes a plurality of temperature control unit rows 10a arranged along the second direction Y, and the temperature control unit rows 10a include a plurality of temperature control units 011 arranged along the first direction X.

[0061] The third temperature control unit 113 and the second temperature control unit 112 are located in the same temperature control unit row 10a. The first type of line group 120 corresponding to the second temperature control unit 112 is the fourth line group 120d, and the first type of line group 120 corresponding to the third temperature control unit 113 is the fifth line group 120e. It is known that the distance L3 from the third temperature control unit 113 to the edge region 02 can be equal to the distance L2 from the second temperature control unit 112 to the edge region 02. Therefore, the temperature control signal transmission line 012 in the fourth line group 120d and the temperature control signal transmission line 012 in the fifth line group 120e can each have the same length.

[0062] Among them, the input line 201 in the fourth line group 120d and the input line 201 in the fifth line group 120e are electrically connected to the same first type pin 021, and the output line 202 in the fourth line group 120d and the output line 202 in the fifth line group 120e are electrically connected to the same first type pin 021.

[0063] In this embodiment, since the input lines 201 corresponding to the fourth line group 120d and the fifth line group 120e can be of the same length, the same temperature control signal can be transmitted to the two input lines 201 respectively. Accordingly, the same first-type pin 021 can be electrically connected to the two input lines 201. Similarly, the same temperature control signal can be transmitted to the output lines 202 corresponding to the fourth line group 120d and the fifth line group 120e respectively. Accordingly, the same first-type pin 021 can be electrically connected to the two output lines 202. This embodiment adjusts the wiring connection method for input lines 201 and output lines 202 belonging to different line groups but receiving the same temperature control signal, so that two or more temperature control signal transmission lines 012 are electrically connected to the same first-type pin 021. This simplifies wiring and reduces the number of first-type pins 021 required.

[0064] Figure 9 This is a schematic diagram of a partial structure of a liquid crystal phase shifter provided in this application.

[0065] In some embodiments of this application, such as Figure 9 As shown, the temperature control zone 01 includes multiple sub-temperature control zones 01a arranged in an array along the first direction X and the second direction Y. Each sub-temperature control zone 01a corresponds to a temperature control unit 011. Specifically, a single sub-temperature control zone 01a can have one temperature control unit 011, and the temperature within that sub-temperature control zone 01a can be adjusted by its corresponding temperature control unit 011. In this case, independent adjustment of the temperature of each sub-temperature control zone 01a within the temperature control zone 01 can be achieved. It should be noted that if the accuracy of the above-mentioned independent temperature adjustment of the zones is to be improved, the detection of temperature changes within each sub-temperature control zone 01a is one of the essential measures.

[0066] like Figure 9As shown, the liquid crystal phase shifter 10 also includes a temperature detector 03, which includes a temperature sensing line 031 and a reference line 032. Both the temperature sensing line 031 and the reference line 032 can be traced structures. During temperature detection, corresponding detection signals can be transmitted to the temperature sensing line 031 and the reference line 032 respectively, and the temperature change of the corresponding area can be obtained based on the resistance changes of the temperature sensing line 031 and the reference line 032.

[0067] The temperature measuring line 031 includes a first temperature measuring part 311 and a second temperature measuring part 312. The first temperature measuring part 311 is located within the sub-temperature control area 01a. Along the thickness direction of the liquid crystal phase shifter 10, the temperature control unit 011 overlaps with the first temperature measuring part 311. With this overlapping design, when the temperature control unit 011 adjusts the temperature of the sub-temperature control area 01a, the first temperature measuring part 311 can be relatively close to the temperature adjustment range (heating range) of the temperature control unit 011. Therefore, the resistance change of the first temperature measuring part 311 can well reflect the influence of the temperature control unit 011 on the temperature within the sub-temperature control area 01a.

[0068] The first temperature measuring section 311 receives the detection signal provided by the temperature measuring module 051 through the second temperature measuring section 312. The second temperature measuring section 312 functions to transmit the detection signal to the first temperature measuring section 311. At this time, using the temperature measuring line 031 formed by the first and second temperature measuring sections 311 and 312, the temperature change of the corresponding sub-temperature control zone 01a can be detected. The detection process can also rely on the analysis of the resistance change of the first temperature measuring section 311. It should be noted that the resistance analysis of the temperature measuring line 031 requires separate acquisition of the resistance change of the first temperature measuring section 311. To remove the influence of the resistance change of the second temperature measuring section 312 on the resistance change of the temperature measuring line 031, this embodiment adopts the following method.

[0069] like Figure 9 As shown, the orthographic projection of the reference line 032 onto the substrate 04 and the orthographic projection of the second temperature measuring portion 312 onto the substrate 04 have the same extension direction, and the length of the reference line 032 is the same as the length of the second temperature measuring portion 312. The reference line 032 and the second temperature measuring portion 312 can be considered as two trace structures with the same extension direction and length. The spacing between these two trace structures can be small. In this case, if the same detection signal is provided to both the reference line 032 and the second temperature measuring portion 312, the resistance change of the reference line 032 can be the same as the resistance change of the second temperature measuring portion 312. Therefore, to obtain the resistance change of the first temperature measuring portion 311 separately, the same detection signal can be provided to both the reference line 032 and the second temperature measuring portion 312. By subtracting the resistance of the reference line 032 from the overall resistance of the temperature measuring line 031, the resistance of the first temperature measuring portion 311 can be obtained.

[0070] Specifically, during temperature detection, the actual temperature value of sub-temperature control zone 01a can be T1, and the initial temperature of sub-temperature control zone 01a before the temperature control unit 011 starts working can be T0; the actual overall resistance of the temperature measuring line 031 can be R. 测实 The initial overall resistance of the temperature sensing wire 031 before the temperature control unit 011 starts working can be R. 测0 ; The actual overall resistance of reference line 032 can be R. 参实 The temperature measurement value of the sub-temperature control zone 01a obtained solely based on the resistance change of reference line 032 can be T. 参测 .

[0071] The above parameters can satisfy: T1=T0+{R} 测实 -R 参实 [1+α (T 参测 -T0)]} / (ΔR α). Where, ΔR = R 测实 -R 参实 α can refer to the temperature coefficient of the components that make up the temperature measuring line 031 and the reference line 032 (the temperature measuring line 031 and the reference line 032 may include the same components).

[0072] In some embodiments of this application, such as Figure 9 As shown, a temperature control chip 05 is provided in the edge area 02, and the temperature control signal transmission line 012 receives the temperature control signal provided by the temperature control chip 05 through the first type of pin 021.

[0073] The temperature measurement module 051 is integrated into the temperature control chip 05. At this time, the temperature control chip 05 can provide the above detection signal to the temperature measurement line 031 and the reference line 032 through the second type pin 022.

[0074] In this embodiment, the temperature control chip 05 can provide temperature control signals to the temperature control signal transmission line 012 and also provide detection signals to the temperature detector 03. This design is beneficial to integrating the temperature measurement module 051 and the temperature control module 052 for providing temperature control signals into the same chip, which is beneficial to improving the utilization efficiency of chip computing power and saving the setting space in the liquid crystal phase shifter 10.

[0075] In some embodiments of this application, such as Figure 9 As shown, within the same sub-temperature control zone 01a, the projected area of ​​the first temperature measuring part 311 on the substrate 04 is greater than the projected area of ​​the temperature control unit 011 on the substrate 04.

[0076] In this embodiment, the structure that primarily detects temperature changes within the sub-temperature control zone 01a can be a first temperature measuring part 311. A larger projected area of ​​the first temperature measuring part 311 means a wider distribution area within the sub-temperature control zone 01a, resulting in higher detection accuracy. This embodiment designs the projected area of ​​the first temperature measuring part 311 to be larger than the projected area of ​​the temperature control unit 011, which helps to maximize the detection accuracy of temperature changes at various points within the sub-temperature control zone 01a. This, in turn, facilitates real-time adjustment of the temperature control unit 011 based on the detection results, thereby improving the temperature regulation effect.

[0077] This application provides an antenna that includes the aforementioned liquid crystal phase shifter 10. The antenna achieves all the technical effects of the liquid crystal phase shifter 10, which will not be elaborated further here. This antenna can be applied to wireless communication equipment such as satellite receiving antennas, shipborne communication antennas, vehicle-mounted radar antennas, and base station antennas.

[0078] The same or similar parts between the various embodiments in this specification can be referred to mutually. In particular, the device embodiments and terminal embodiments are basically similar to the method embodiments, so the description is relatively simple, and the relevant parts can be referred to the description in the method embodiments.

Claims

1. A liquid crystal phase shifter, characterized by, It includes a temperature control area and an edge area, wherein the edge area is located on the side of the temperature control area near the edge of the liquid crystal phase shifter; The edge region includes a plurality of first-type pins arranged along a first direction; The temperature control zone is equipped with a temperature control unit, which is electrically connected to the first type of pin via a temperature control signal transmission line; the temperature control signal transmission line includes a first portion extending along a second direction; the first direction intersects the second direction. The multiple temperature control signal transmission lines are divided into multiple first-type line groups, and the temperature control unit corresponds to the first-type line group; the same first-type line group includes an input line and an output line. Along the first direction, the first part of the input line and the first part of the output line are adjacent to each other, and the first-type pin connected to the input line and the first-type pin connected to the output line are adjacent to each other. Wherein, along the first direction, the spacing between adjacent first-type pins is w1, and in the same first-type line group, the spacing between the first part of the input line and the first part of the output line is w2, where w1 > w2.

2. The liquid crystal phase shifter of claim 1, wherein, The plurality of first type line groups include adjacent first line groups and second line groups, and the spacing between adjacent first line groups and second line groups along the first direction is w3; Where w3 = w2.

3. The liquid crystal phase shifter according to claim 1, characterized in that, The plurality of temperature control units include a first temperature control unit and a second temperature control unit; the distance from the first temperature control unit to the edge region is L1, and the distance from the second temperature control unit to the edge region is L2, where L1 > L2; The first type of wire group corresponding to the first temperature control unit is the third wire group. In the third wire group, the distance between the first part of the input line and the first part of the output line is w21. The first type of wire group corresponding to the second temperature control unit is the fourth wire group. In the fourth wire group, the distance between the first part of the input line and the first part of the output line is w22. Among them, w22 > w21.

4. The liquid crystal phase shifter according to claim 3, characterized in that, The temperature control signal transmission line corresponding to the first temperature control unit is a first type of transmission line, and the temperature control signal transmission line corresponding to the second temperature control unit is a second type of transmission line; Wherein, the length of the first type of transmission line is greater than the length of the second type of transmission line, and the width c11 of the first type of transmission line is greater than the width c22 of the second type of transmission line.

5. The liquid crystal phase shifter according to claim 4, characterized in that, The ratio C between the length of the first type of transmission line and the length of the second type of transmission line is C = c11 / c22.

6. The liquid crystal phase shifter according to claim 1, characterized in that, The plurality of temperature control units include a first temperature control unit and a second temperature control unit; the distance from the first temperature control unit to the edge region is L1, and the distance from the second temperature control unit to the edge region is L2, where L1 > L2; The temperature control signal transmission line corresponding to the first temperature control unit is a first type of transmission line, and the temperature control signal transmission line corresponding to the second temperature control unit is a second type of transmission line; Wherein, the length of the first type of transmission line is greater than the length of the second type of transmission line, and the voltage value V1 of the signal received by the first type of transmission line is greater than the voltage value V2 of the signal received by the second type of transmission line.

7. The liquid crystal phase shifter according to claim 6, characterized in that, The plurality of temperature control units also includes a third temperature control unit, wherein the distance from the third temperature control unit to the edge region is L3, and L3 = L2; The temperature control signal transmission line corresponding to the third temperature control unit is a third type of transmission line; the length of the third type of transmission line is L33=L22, and the voltage value of the signal received by the third type of transmission line is V3=V2.

8. The liquid crystal phase shifter according to claim 7, characterized in that, It also includes multiple rows of temperature control units arranged along the second direction, and each row of temperature control units includes multiple temperature control units arranged along the first direction; The third temperature control unit and the second temperature control unit are located in the same row of temperature control units; the first type of wire group corresponding to the second temperature control unit is the fourth wire group, and the first type of wire group corresponding to the third temperature control unit is the fifth wire group; The input lines in the fourth line group and the input lines in the fifth line group are electrically connected to the same first type of pin, and the output lines in the fourth line group and the output lines in the fifth line group are electrically connected to the same first type of pin.

9. The liquid crystal phase shifter according to claim 1, characterized in that, The temperature control zone includes multiple sub-temperature control zones arranged in an array along the first direction and the second direction, and the sub-temperature control zones correspond to the temperature control unit; The liquid crystal phase shifter further includes a temperature detector, which includes a temperature measuring line and a reference line; the temperature measuring line includes a first temperature measuring part and a second temperature measuring part, the first temperature measuring part is located in the sub-temperature control area along the thickness direction of the liquid crystal phase shifter, and the temperature control unit overlaps with the first temperature measuring part; the first temperature measuring part receives the detection signal provided by the temperature measuring module through the second temperature measuring part. The orthographic projection of the reference line onto the substrate and the orthographic projection of the second temperature measuring portion onto the substrate have the same extension direction, and the length of the reference line is the same as the length of the second temperature measuring portion.

10. The liquid crystal phase shifter according to claim 9, characterized in that, A temperature control chip is provided in the edge area, and the temperature control signal transmission line receives the temperature control signal provided by the temperature control chip through the first type of pin; The temperature measurement module is integrated into the temperature control chip.

11. The liquid crystal phase shifter according to claim 9, characterized in that, Within the same sub-temperature control zone, the projected area of ​​the first temperature measuring part on the substrate is greater than the projected area of ​​the temperature control unit on the substrate.

12. An antenna, characterized in that, Includes the liquid crystal phase shifter as described in any one of claims 1-11.

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