Variable dielectric-based antenna with improved response time

Abstract

The natural response time during which the domain naturally assumes a relaxed state can be accelerated by forcing the domain to assume its natural state. This forcing can be performed by applying an electric field, a magnetic field, or mechanical, hydraulic, or acoustic pressure. Additionally, RF chokes and / or one or more RF traps are included in the structure. When forcing via an electric field is implemented, a control signal can be applied to the transmission line and at least one control line on the side of each signal line.

Description

Technology Field

[0001] This specification relates to a technology for improving the response time of a liquid crystal domain, which is particularly beneficial when used in combination with electronic devices such as variable dielectric constant antennas and electromagnetic signal transmission elements.

[0002] The present application claims priority to U.S. provisional application No. 63 / 281,593 filed November 19, 2021, U.S. provisional application No. 63 / 399,570 filed August 19, 2022, and 17 / 989,486 filed November 17, 2022, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. Background Technology

[0003] The inventors of the present invention previously disclosed in U.S. Patent No. 10,705,391 a technique for improving the orientation control of liquid crystal domains, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. Embodiments disclosed in said patent utilize a plurality of electrodes, each having an independent control line, to rapidly position the domain system to a desired state. To fully understand the specific embodiments and features disclosed herein, it is highly recommended to study Patent No. 391.

[0004] As described in Patent 391, when an appropriate electric field is applied, molecules (domains) rotate according to the strength of the applied electric field, and when the electric field is removed, the molecules return to a relaxed state. However, the time response of applying the electric field, i.e., aligning the domains (turning on), is much faster than the time response of turning off the electric field, i.e., relaxing the domains (turning off). In certain applications disclosed by the inventors in U.S. Patents 7,466,269, 7,884,766, and 10,199,710, a turn-off response speed similar to the turn-on response speed is highly desirable.

[0005] The embodiments disclosed in Patent 391 utilize multiple electrodes, each having an independent control line, to enable the rapid placement of a domain system to a desired state. Various modes or states can be defined within the liquid crystal system by applying different potentials at different polarizations to individual electrodes. The direction and amplitude of the director can be controlled depending on the magnitude of the applied potential and the selection of the electrode to which the potential is applied. For example, as disclosed in the embodiment of Fig. 2b of Patent 391, the RF line can also function to control the orientation of the domain by applying a potential to the RF transmission line. However, the inventors discovered that the presence of control lines in such an arrangement causes interference with RF signals traveling within the RF transmission line. Therefore, the inventors sought to avoid this interference without degrading the turn-off response time. This problem has been a fundamental challenge that has previously prohibited the implementation of multi-electrode solutions within antennas.

[0006] The summary of this disclosure is included to provide a basic understanding of some aspects and features of the invention. This summary is not a comprehensive overview of the invention and is therefore not intended to specify major or important elements of the invention or to define the scope of the invention. The sole purpose of this summary is to present some concepts of the invention in a simplified form as an introduction to the more detailed description provided below.

[0007] The disclosed embodiment accelerates the response time of domains within a variable dielectric constant (VDC) layer. This embodiment focuses particularly on the slow natural response time when an alignment electric field ("turn on") is removed, at which point the domains assume a naturally relaxed state. In the natural state, the domains are not aligned and are randomly oriented relative to one another, unless near an area where mechanical friction or other mechanical alignment methods are applied to the surface layer. As disclosed herein, this natural relaxation time can be accelerated by forcing the domains to assume a natural state. This forcing can be performed by applying an electric field, a magnetic field, and mechanical, hydraulic, or acoustic pressure. Any of the disclosed embodiments may further include an RF choke and / or one or more RF traps. When forcing is implemented via an electric field, a control signal may be applied to a transmission line and at least one control line on the side of each signal line.

[0008] An electronic transmission device for transmitting an electrical signal is disclosed, wherein a variable VDC material is sandwiched between a lower dielectric plate and an upper dielectric plate, and the VDC material comprises a variable dielectric constant (VDC) structure having a plurality of oriented domains; a common potential plate located below the lower dielectric plate; a plurality of transmission lines located above the upper dielectric plate, each transmission line transmitting an electrical signal; a plurality of control lines, each transmission line paired with at least one control line, wherein the influence zones of the paired control line and the transmission line overlap; and a plurality of ports that control the spatial orientation of the domains by connecting a control potential between the common potential plate, the plurality of transmission lines, and the plurality of control lines.

[0009] Additionally, an antenna is disclosed, comprising: an upper dielectric plate, a lower dielectric plate, and a variable dielectric constant plate having a variable dielectric material between the upper and lower dielectric plates; a common potential plate provided below the lower dielectric plate; a plurality of radiators; a plurality of control lines provided above the upper dielectric plate; a plurality of transmission lines provided above the upper dielectric plate; each transmission line is connected to any one of the radiators and an RF port, and each transmission line is paired with at least one control line, and the influence zones of the paired control line and transmission line overlap, and a plurality of control ports that control the spatial orientation of domains within the variable dielectric material by connecting control potentials between the common potential plate, the plurality of transmission lines, and the plurality of control lines.

[0010] Additionally, an electronic transmission device for transmitting an electrical signal is disclosed, comprising: a variable VDC material sandwiched between a lower dielectric plate and an upper dielectric plate, wherein the VDC material comprises a variable dielectric constant (VDC) structure having a plurality of oriented domains; a common potential plate located below the lower dielectric plate; a plurality of transmission lines located above the upper dielectric plate, each transmission line transmitting an electrical signal; and a pressure applicator for applying any one of mechanical pressure, magnetic pressure, acoustic pressure, and hydraulic pressure to the VDC structure.

[0011] In the disclosed content, the common potential plate may include a peripheral region of grounded potential, an inner region of floating potential, and an RF choke located between the peripheral region and the inner region. Each transmission line may be paired with two control lines, and the plurality of transmission lines may be connected to a common RF port. Each of the plurality of ports may be connected to only one of the transmission line or the control line. Each control line may include at least one RF trap, and each RF trap may include a common stem connected to the control line; a splitter connected to the common stem; and a plurality of frequency matching branches, each of which is connected to the splitter, and each frequency matching branch may have an overlapping zone spatially parallel to the overlapping zone of another frequency matching branch. Each branch of the frequency matching branch has a different length than other branches of the same frequency matching branch. The device may further include a pressure applicator that applies any one of mechanical pressure, magnetic pressure, acoustic pressure, and hydraulic pressure to the VDC structure.

[0012] Additionally, a method for operating a transmission device having a conductor on a variable dielectric constant plate is disclosed, comprising the steps of: applying a signal to at least a first subset of conductors to transmit a signal; applying a control signal to at least a second subset of conductors to align domains within the variable dielectric constant plate according to a field generated by the control signal; stopping the application of the control signal so that the domains relax into a natural orientation; and applying pressure to the domains to accelerate the time required for the domains to relax into a natural orientation. Brief explanation of the drawing

[0013] Other aspects and features of the present invention will become apparent from the detailed description written with reference to the following drawings. It should be understood that the detailed description and drawings provide non-limiting examples of various embodiments of the present invention as defined by the appended claims. The attached drawings, which constitute and are integrated into this specification, illustrate embodiments of the invention and serve to explain and illustrate the principles of the invention together with the description. The drawings are intended to schematically illustrate the main features of exemplary embodiments and are not intended to represent all features of actual embodiments or the relative sizes of drawing elements, nor are they drawn to scale. FIG. 1a is a partial cross-sectional view of an electronic device showing domain control according to one embodiment, and FIG. 1b is a plan view of a part of the device indicated by a dotted ellipse in FIG. 1a. FIG. 2a is a partial cross-sectional view of an electronic device showing domain control according to one embodiment, and FIG. 2b is a plan view of a part of the device indicated by a dotted ellipse in FIG. 2a. FIG. 3a is a partial cross-sectional view of an electronic device showing domain control according to one embodiment, and FIG. 3b shows the embodiment of FIG. 3a implemented in another device. FIG. 4a is a partial cross-sectional view of an electronic device showing domain control using mechanical pressure according to one embodiment, and FIG. 4b is a partial cross-sectional view of an electronic device showing domain control using acoustic pressure according to one embodiment. FIG. 5 is a partial cross-sectional view of an electronic device showing domain control using hydraulic pressure according to one embodiment. FIG. 6 is a partial cross-sectional view of an electronic device showing domain control using magnetic pressure according to one embodiment. FIG. 7 is an conformal projection of a phase converter according to one embodiment. FIG. 8 is a plan view of a 2x2 antenna array according to one embodiment. Specific details for implementing the invention

[0014] Embodiments of the inventive system and method for improving the response time of a variable dielectric constant are now described with reference to the drawings. Various embodiments or combinations thereof may be used in various applications or to achieve other advantages. Depending on the result to be achieved, the various features disclosed herein may be utilized partially or fully, either alone or in combination with other features, and provide advantages in balance with requirements and constraints. Accordingly, specific advantages are highlighted by reference to various embodiments, but are not limited to the disclosed embodiments. That is, the features disclosed herein are not limited to the described embodiments and may be included in other embodiments by mixing and matching with other features.

[0015] FIG. 1a is a cross-sectional view of a portion of an electronic device showing domain control according to one embodiment, and FIG. 1b is a plan view of a portion of the device indicated by a dashed ellipse in FIG. 1. FIG. 1 shows an example of a transmission device having a transmission line (116) formed on a variable dielectric constant (VDC) structure (90). The transmission line (116) transmits a signal of interest, e.g., an RF signal from an antenna. A liquid crystal material (112), e.g., a nematic liquid crystal, is sandwiched between an upper dielectric plate (105) and a lower dielectric plate (110), and these are separated by a spacer (114). A plurality of transmission lines (two are shown, 116) are positioned on the upper dielectric (105), and a control line (126) is provided next to each transmission line (116) to provide paired transmission and control lines. The control line (126) does not transmit an electrical signal and is used only to apply an electric field to orient the domain (112). A voltage potential is applied to the transmission line (116), the control line (126), or both to control the director orientation confined to the area below the transmission line. As described in the patent above, when the structure is implemented as an antenna, each transmission line is connected to a radiator (R) of a plurality of radiators arrays, and the concentration and steering of the array are achieved by controlling the characteristics of each transmission line.

[0016] In the context of the present disclosure, when a control line is paired with a transmission line, this means that the influence zones of the paired control line and the transmission line overlap. This means that when a control potential is applied to the control line, the region of the VDC plate where the orientation of the domain changes due to the application of the control potential—that is, the influence zone—overlaps to a certain extent with the influence zone when the control potential is applied to the paired transmission line. In other words, when a control potential is applied to the transmission line, the domain beneath the transmission line changes orientation, thereby locally changing the dielectric constant beneath the transmission line. Similarly, when a control potential is applied to the paired control line, the domain orientation beneath the paired transmission line changes, thereby changing the dielectric constant beneath the transmission line. In this sense, it can be said that the influence zones of the paired control line and the transmission line overlap. Importantly, this does not mean that the influence zones must overlap perfectly, but rather that they must overlap sufficiently to affect the dielectric constant beneath the paired transmission line by applying a control potential to the control line.

[0017] The signal to be transmitted through the system, for example, an RF signal of the Ka, Ku, or other band, is transmitted through one or more transmission lines (116), which is an RF port (P RFIt is coupled to ). The RF port may be common to all transmission lines and may be, for example, a coaxial connector. Transmission characteristics can be controlled by independently changing the direction of the domain under each transmission line, for example, by introducing a delay into the signal within the transmission line (116). This can be achieved by applying a potential to the transmission line (116), the paired control line (126), or both. This is exemplified in FIG. 1a by separate and independent lines from the controller (140) to the transmission line (116) and the control line (126). Separate and independent control ports (Pc) are provided so that the transmission line and the control line can each receive different independent control potentials. For reference, the signal output from the controller is generally a square wave, and the intensity of the field applied to the liquid crystal material can be controlled by controlling the period (duty cycle) and amplitude of the square wave.

[0018] It should be noted that in the embodiment of FIG. 1a, an optional RF choke (130) is implemented so that a single common plate can be used for both the transmission signal and the control signal. The dashed line in FIG. 1a represents a plan view of the common plate (115) in a reduced size. Instead of using a standard ground plate, the ground potential of the controller (140) and the RF source (145) in FIG. 1a is connected to the periphery of the common plate (115) located outside the RF choke (130). Thus, the periphery of the common plate (115) is at a ground potential and forms a frame surrounding the RF choke and the inner part of the plate. Conversely, the inner part of the common plate (115) located inside the RF choke (130) is in a floating state and is not DC grounded. The RF choke allows the RF signal to 'jump' the choke, making the entire common plate (115) appear grounded from the perspective of the RF signal. Conversely, the RF choke forms a DC block so that, in terms of the DC potential applied to domain control, the common plate (115) is not grounded and is in a floating state, which is indicated as FL. That is, in the disclosed embodiment, the common potential plate may be grounded or floating, or partially grounded and partially floating with an RF choke between the floating part and the ground part.

[0019] According to the present disclosure, an electronic transmission device for transmitting an electrical signal is provided, wherein a variable VDC material is sandwiched between a lower dielectric plate and an upper dielectric plate, and the VDC material comprises: a variable dielectric constant (VDC) structure having a plurality of oriented domains; a common potential plate located below the lower dielectric plate; a plurality of transmission lines located above the upper dielectric plate, each transmission line transmitting an electrical signal; a plurality of control lines, each transmission line paired with at least one control line, wherein the influence zones of the paired control line and the transmission line overlap; and a plurality of control ports that control the spatial orientation of the domains by connecting control potentials between the common potential plate, the plurality of transmission lines, and the plurality of control lines. The common potential plate may be grounded or floating, or partially grounded and partially floating with an RF choke between the floating portion and the ground portion.

[0020] Although the system can operate as described above, there is a problem with capacitive coupling occurring between each transmission line (116) and its paired control line (126). This capacitive coupling reduces the efficiency of signal transmission in the transmission line (116). Therefore, an RF trap (135) is added to the control line as described in the plan view of FIG. 1b. The trap (135) is designed to cancel out the signal coupled from the transmission line (116) to the paired control line (126).

[0021] As shown in FIG. 1b, the RF trap (135) is designed to include a connecting stem (134) that connects the RF signal from the control line to a splitter (137), which splits all transmission signals combined from the transmission line to the control line into multiple branches (only two branches are shown in FIG. 1b). The total length of the signal path in each branch is designed so that at the end of the path, the signals arrive in mutually complementary polarity directions between the branches and cancel each other out. Thus, for example, in the embodiment with two branches shown in FIG. 1b, the signal from one branch arrives with a 180-degree phase difference from the other branch. After splitting, each signal portion enters a frequency match section (138) that includes a match stab (136) and an overlap section (139). The signals cancel each other out in the overlap section (139).

[0022] The match step (136) is used to tune the RF trap to a desired frequency band. This helps to tune the match [S11] to the band operating frequency of the RF trap by removing all reactive components generated in the transmission line. The overlap section (139) of one branch is designed to overlap in a direction parallel to the overlap section of another branch. Since the signals within the branch arrive at the overlap section (139) with mutually complementary polarities, they cancel each other out. As a result, the transmission signals coupled to the control line are combined to become zero, so they do not interfere with the transmission signals traveling in the transmission line.

[0023] FIG. 2a is a cross-sectional view of a portion of an electronic device showing domain control according to an embodiment, and FIG. 2b is a plan view of a portion of the device indicated by a dotted ellipse in FIG. 2a. In FIG. 2a and FIG. 2b, each transmission line (116) has two control lines (126) arranged one on each side, and these three lines are paired in the sense described above. The transmission line (116) and the control line (126) are used to control the domain orientation under the transmission line during the transmission and reception of a communication signal. This is exemplified by separate and independent lines connecting each transmission line (116) and control line (126) from a controller (140).

[0024] For example, as described in the dotted line call section, a potential V1 can be applied between the control line (126) on each side of the transmission line (116) to position the domain in one orientation, indicated by the curved dotted arrow and domain 112A. Conversely, a potential V2 can be applied between the transmission line (116) and the ground plate to force the domain into a position indicated by the straight dotted arrow and domain 112B. As can be seen, orientations 112A and 112B are orthogonal to each other. Therefore, this arrangement does not require a 'relaxation' time. Rather, the domain is forced by the electric field to assume the desired orientation, which includes the area between the two indicated orientations. Consequently, the response time of the domain is greatly increased as it no longer depends on the domain's natural relaxation time. Instead, a potential is applied for each desired orientation, which corresponds to both the turn-on position and the turn-off position.

[0025] A similar arrangement may be implemented in the embodiment of FIG. 1a. For example, an optional switch (131) may be connected between the periphery of the grounded common plate (115) and the inner section of the common plate (115) located inside the RF choke (130). When the switch (131) is off, the inner section is in a floating state, and a first potential can be applied between the transmission line (116) and the control line (126). For example, the control line (126) is connected to the ground potential and a DC potential is applied to the transmission line (116). To obtain orthogonal orientation, the ground potential is removed from the control line (126) and the switch (131) is closed to connect the inner section to the ground potential, and a second DC potential is applied to the transmission line (116).

[0026] FIG. 2 illustrates two features that may be implemented in all embodiments disclosed herein. First, since each transmission line (116) and two control lines (126) are paired, each control line is provided with an RF trap (135). Thus, generalizing this feature, the transmission efficiency of the transmission line is improved if each control line has at least one RF trap, regardless of the number of control lines used in the device. Additionally, according to the second feature shown in FIG. 2b, each control line may have multiple RF traps (135). In the small section shown in FIG. 2b, each control line (126) contains multiple RF traps (135), but since the image shows only a part of the device, only two RF traps (135) are visible in each control line.

[0027] It goes without saying that the embodiments and features disclosed herein are suitable for any device that generates material effects using molecular orientation. For example, LCD televisions generate desired images by controlling the light passing through the screen using the orientation of liquid crystal molecules. Here, too, the on setting of the molecules is controlled by the potential applied to the control line, but the off setting of the molecules relies simply on removing the potential and the tendency of the molecules to assume a relaxed state through chemical processes. Therefore, the off operation is slower than the on operation. However, by utilizing the embodiments and features of the control line disclosed herein, the off time of the molecules can be rapidly accelerated, which is particularly advantageous for fast-changing videos, such as sports events or action scenes.

[0028] Additionally, as shown in FIG. 2a, it was unexpectedly discovered that placing control lines with traps on each side of the transmission line improves the efficiency of the transmission line when used with RF transmission. It was found that when a transmission line is provided without control lines on the sides, the RF signal flows through the transmission line and generates an edge electric field, which reduces transmission efficiency. However, when the transmission line is positioned with control lines on the sides, the edge electric field is coupled to the control lines, and since the control lines contain RF traps, the energy of the edge electric field is returned to the transmission line, thereby improving the transmission efficiency of the transmission line. This is true regardless of whether a VDC structure is used.

[0029] Accordingly, in a general aspect, the transmission device comprises: a dielectric substrate; a ground plate provided on a first surface of the dielectric substrate; a plurality of RF transmission lines provided on a second surface of the substrate opposite to the first surface; and a plurality of coupling lines, each having at least one RF trap, wherein each RF transmission line is positioned in close proximity to at least one coupling line. Here, being positioned in close proximity means that the coupling line is sufficiently close to the RF transmission line so that the edge electric field generated by the RF signal transmitted by the RF transmission line can be coupled to the coupling line. Furthermore, in this aspect, the dielectric substrate does not need to be a variable dielectric constant structure and may be, for example, a PCB board or a Rogers® PCB board.

[0030] FIG. 3a shows an embodiment implemented to improve the response time, particularly the relaxation time, of a liquid crystal domain. As previously described, the 'on' operation is performed by applying a potential to generate an electric field that aligns the domain. Therefore, the response time depends on the response time of the domain to the applied electric field. Conversely, the 'off' operation is generally performed by removing the potential and thus depends on the natural relaxation time of the domain. However, the inventors have discovered that the natural relaxation time is accelerated by applying physical pressure to the domain. Accordingly, in the embodiment shown in FIG. 3a and FIG. 3b, the VDC structure is placed under a constant pressure.

[0031] FIG. 3a shows a transmission device provided with a transmission line (116) over a VDC structure. A constant pressure arrangement is integrated into the VDC structure, and in this particular example, the constant pressure arrangement is a mechanical structure. In this example, a pressure plate (142) is placed over dielectric plates (105 and 110) and held together under pressure through a clamping device such as a bolt (144). The pressure plate (142) and the bolt (144) are designed to apply relatively uniform pressure across the entire VDC structure to stress the domains. Of course, other arrangements may be implemented to apply constant pressure to the VDC device, but preferably, the pressure should be applied and distributed uniformly across the entire VDC structure.

[0032] FIG. 3b shows a constant pressure arrangement similar to that shown in FIG. 3a, but applies in relation to the embodiment of FIG. 1a. That is, the concept of applying constant pressure to a VDC structure can be implemented together with all other embodiments or features disclosed herein. In particular, the embodiment of FIG. 3a does not include a separate control line, and the control signal is applied between the transmission line 116 and the ground plate 115.

[0033] In the embodiments of FIGS. 3a and 3b, the relaxation time is accelerated by applying a constant pressure to the VDC structure. However, the inventors have discovered that similar results can be obtained by applying momentary pressure mechanically or through a shock wave. For example, in the embodiment of FIG. 4a, a piezoelectric transducer (155) is used to apply momentary pressure to the VDC structure, thereby generating a shock wave that travels across the entire VDC structure. In this example, the controller (140) sends an activation signal to the piezoelectric transducer (155) whenever the 'on' signal is terminated, and the piezoelectric transducer (155) converts the signal into mechanical movement to apply momentary pressure to the VDC structure (in this example, from below through a ground plate, but it is also possible from above).

[0034] Ultrasonic shockwave transducers have been disclosed in the past for medical applications, such as breaking kidney stones. For example, refer to U.S. Patent 5,193,527. In such applications, the transducer generates a planar shockwave and then uses a reflector to focus the shockwave energy to a focal point. However, in the example of FIG. 4a, it is preferable to apply the planar shockwave directly to the VDC structure without focusing the energy to a focal point. In this way, the shockwave travels through the entire VDC structure with a planar front.

[0035] In the embodiment of FIG. 4a, the application of the shock wave is achieved through physical and mechanical contact, but this is not a requirement. For example, in the embodiment of FIG. 4b, the acoustic transducer (156) receives an appropriate signal from the controller (140) and generates a sound wave. As previously described, the controller (140) issues an activation signal whenever the 'on' signal is terminated, causing the acoustic transducer to generate a sound wave and apply pressure to the domain, thereby accelerating the natural relaxation time.

[0036] For reference, the dashed line 'cloud' in FIG. 4b schematically represents the medium between the acoustic transducer (156) and the VDC structure, which may be air, a liquid (e.g., oil), or a solid (e.g., a dielectric material). The medium may be used to enhance the coupling of acoustic waves to the VDC structure and may also be used to form and direct waveforms, as described by the dashed funnel (157). For example, a funnel-shaped dielectric plate may be placed between the acoustic transducer and the common potential plate.

[0037] According to another embodiment, the signal of the controller (140) is provided in the form of a continuous square wave (158) of a desired frequency. The selected frequency may be fast enough to have a statistically high value at all times during the relaxation period, thereby accelerating the relaxation time of the domain. Alternatively, if the frequency of the relaxation period is known in advance for a specific application, the frequency of the square wave can be set accordingly.

[0038] According to another embodiment described in FIG. 5, pressure is generated during the manufacture of the VDC structure. That is, typically, the VDC structure is created by pumping a vacuum between dielectrics 105 and 110 and then filling the empty space with a liquid nematic material. However, as shown in FIG. 5, according to this embodiment, after pumping the vacuum, the liquid nematic material is injected under pressure through a pump (160) to create hydraulic pressure inside the VDC structure. This hydraulic pressure remains inside the VDC structure even after the liquid injection port is sealed and the injection device and pump (160) are removed. Thus, the nematic domain remains continuously under hydraulic pressure.

[0039] According to an additional embodiment, the relaxation time is accelerated by applying a magnetic field to the domain. In FIG. 6, a magnetic plate (165) is included in the VDC structure. The magnetic plate (165) may include a plurality of permanent magnets, but more advantageously includes a plurality of electromagnetic coils (162). The electromagnetic coils are activated by a controller (140) and are generally activated only during the relaxation period.

[0040] Accordingly, according to the disclosed embodiment, a method for operating a transmission device provided with a conductor on a variable dielectric constant plate comprises: applying a signal to at least a first subset of conductors to transmit a signal; applying a control signal to at least a second subset of conductors to align domains within the variable dielectric constant plate according to a field generated by the control signal; stopping the application of the control signal so that the domains relax into a natural orientation; and applying pressure to the domains to accelerate the time required for the domains to relax into a natural orientation. The step of applying pressure may be selected from applying mechanical pressure to the variable dielectric constant plate, applying acoustic pressure to the variable dielectric constant plate, applying hydraulic pressure inside the variable dielectric constant plate, and applying a magnetic field to the variable dielectric constant plate. The conductors in the second subset may be the same as the conductors in the first subset.

[0041] FIG. 7 is an conformal projection of a phase converter according to an embodiment. FIG. 7 does not show an insulating substrate and shows only the relevant conductors of the phase converter on a single transmission line. Additionally, in FIG. 7, the main transmission line (116) is shown at a different height from the phase converter including the split transmission line. The embodiment of FIG. 7 includes two control lines (126) on the side of the split transmission line (116). Each control line includes a plurality of RF traps (135) distributed along its length. Each control line (126) has a control port (P c It is connected to a separate electrode that functions as a ). In particular, the phase converter has no ohmic contact with the transmission line.

[0042] Accordingly, a phase converter for an RF transmission line is provided, comprising: a sectional transmission line; a first control line located on a first side of the sectional transmission line; a first terminal connected to the first control line; a second control line located on a second side opposite the first side of the sectional transmission line; a second terminal connected to the second control line; a plurality of first RF traps each connected to the first control line; and a plurality of second RF traps each connected to the second control line.

[0043] FIG. 8 is a plan view of a 2x2 antenna array according to an embodiment. The array includes four radiating patches (180) arranged in a two-dimensional array. Each patch (180) is coupled to a transmission line (116). To control the directionality of the beam generated by the array, the transmission of each line (116) is controlled by a phase converter located along a section of the transmission line, such as the phase converter described in FIG. 7. Each delay line is a common port (P RF It is coupled to a connector (125) connected to ), and optionally a corporate feed may be used, which is located below the shown structure and is not visible in this drawing. As shown in FIG. 7, each phase converter includes one or two control lines (126) and each has multiple RF traps (135). Transmission of each transmission line is controlled by the phase converter, but it should be noted that the phase converter has no ohmic contact with the transmission line.

[0044] Accordingly, when an antenna is provided, it comprises: a plurality of radiation patches arranged in an array; a plurality of transmission lines, each transmission line connected to one of the radiation patches and each transmission line connected to an RF port; a plurality of phase converters located along a section of any one of the plurality of transmission lines; wherein each phase converter has no ohmic contact with the corresponding transmission line section, and each phase converter comprises at least one control line located on the side of the corresponding transmission line section; and a plurality of RF traps located along the length of the control line.

[0045] It should be understood that the processes and techniques described herein are not inherently related to a specific device and can be implemented by a combination of suitable components. Furthermore, various types of general-purpose devices may be used in accordance with the teachings described herein. The invention has been described in relation to specific examples, which are intended to be illustrative rather than limiting. Those skilled in the art will understand that various combinations are suitable for practicing the invention.

[0046] Furthermore, other embodiments of the invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art by taking into account the specification and practice of the invention disclosed herein. Various aspects and / or components of the described embodiments may be used alone or in any combination. The specification and examples are to be regarded as exemplary only, and the true scope and spirit of the invention are indicated by the following claims.

Claims

Claim 1 An electronic transmission device for transmitting an electrical signal comprising: a variable dielectric constant (VDC) structure having a plurality of oriented domains, wherein a variable VDC material is sandwiched between a lower dielectric plate and an upper dielectric plate; a common potential plate located below the lower dielectric plate; a plurality of transmission lines located above the upper dielectric plate, each transmission line transmitting an electrical signal; a plurality of control lines, wherein each transmission line is paired with at least one control line, and the influence zones of the paired control line and the transmission line overlap; and a plurality of ports that control the spatial orientation of the domains by connecting control potentials between the common potential plate, the plurality of transmission lines, and the plurality of control lines. Claim 2 An electronic transmission device according to claim 1, wherein the common potential plate comprises a peripheral region of ground potential, an inner region of floating potential, and an RF choke located between the peripheral region and the inner region. Claim 3 An electronic transmission device according to claim 1, characterized in that each transmission line is paired with two control lines. Claim 4 An electronic transmission device according to claim 1, characterized in that the plurality of transmission lines are connected to a common RF port. Claim 5 An electronic transmission device according to claim 4, characterized in that each of the plurality of ports is connected to only one of a transmission line or a control line. Claim 6 An electronic transmission device according to claim 1, wherein each control line comprises at least one RF trap. Claim 7 An electronic transmission device according to claim 6, wherein each RF trap comprises a common stem connected to a control line; a splitter connected to the common stem; and a plurality of frequency matching branches, each connected to the splitter; wherein each frequency matching branch has an overlapping zone spatially parallel to an overlapping zone of another frequency matching branch. Claim 8 An electronic transmission device according to claim 7, characterized in that each branch of the frequency matching branch has a different length than other branches of the same frequency matching branch. Claim 9 An electronic transmission device according to claim 1, further comprising a pressure applicator that applies any one of mechanical pressure, magnetic pressure, acoustic pressure, and hydraulic pressure to the VDC structure. Claim 10 An antenna comprising: an upper dielectric plate, a lower dielectric plate, and a variable dielectric constant plate having a variable dielectric material between the upper and lower dielectric plates; a common potential plate provided below the lower dielectric plate; a plurality of radiators; a plurality of control lines provided above the upper dielectric plate; a plurality of transmission lines provided above the upper dielectric plate; each transmission line is connected to any one of the radiators and an RF port, each transmission line is paired with at least one control line, the influence zones of the paired control line and the transmission line overlap, and a plurality of control ports that control a control potential between the common potential plate, the plurality of transmission lines, and the plurality of control lines to control the spatial orientation of domains within the variable dielectric material. Claim 11 An antenna according to claim 10, wherein the radiators are arranged in an array having a radiating beam steerable according to a control potential applied to a plurality of control ports. Claim 12 An antenna according to claim 11, wherein the common potential plate comprises a peripheral region of ground potential, an inner region of floating potential, and an RF choke located between the peripheral region and the inner region. Claim 13 In claim 12, each control line is an antenna comprising at least one RF trap. Claim 14 An antenna according to claim 13, characterized in that each transmission line is paired with two control lines. Claim 15 An electronic transmission device for transmitting an electrical signal comprising: a variable dielectric constant (VDC) structure having a plurality of oriented domains, wherein a variable VDC material is sandwiched between a lower dielectric plate and an upper dielectric plate; a common potential plate located below the lower dielectric plate; a plurality of transmission lines located above the upper dielectric plate, each transmission line transmitting an electrical signal; and a pressure applicator applying any one of mechanical pressure, magnetic pressure, acoustic pressure, and hydraulic pressure to the VDC structure. Claim 16 In claim 15, the pressure applicant is an electronic transmission device comprising a pressure plate and a clamp that apply static mechanical pressure to the VDC structure. Claim 17 An electronic transmission device according to claim 15, wherein the pressure applicant comprises a converter that applies instantaneous pressure to the VDC structure and transmits a shock wave to the entire VDC structure. Claim 18 In claim 15, the pressure applicant is an electronic transmission device comprising an acoustic transducer. Claim 19 In claim 15, the pressure applicant is an electronic transmission device comprising a magnetic plate. Claim 20 A method for operating a transmission device having a conductor provided on a variable dielectric constant plate, comprising: applying a signal to at least a first subset of the conductor to transmit a signal; applying a control signal to at least a second subset of the conductor to align domains within the variable dielectric constant plate according to a field generated by the control signal; stopping the application of the control signal so that the domains relax into a natural orientation; and applying pressure to the domains by a pressure applicator to accelerate the time required for the domains to relax into a natural orientation. Claim 21 delete Claim 22 delete

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