Phase shifter, antenna structure and electronic device

Abstract

The present disclosure relates to the technical field of communications, and provides a phase shifter, an antenna structure and an electronic device. The phase shifter of the present disclosure comprises a first substrate and a second substrate which are provided opposite to each other, and a tunable dielectric layer provided between the first substrate and the second substrate. A first electrode layer is provided on the side of the first substrate close to the tunable dielectric layer, a second electrode layer is provided on the side of the second substrate close to the tunable dielectric layer, and a third electrode layer is provided on the side of the first substrate away from the tunable dielectric layer. The first substrate has a plurality of connecting vias penetrating along the thickness direction of the first substrate, and first connecting electrodes are provided in the connecting vias; the first electrode layer comprises a plurality of first branch structures, and one first branch structure is electrically connected to the third electrode layer by means of at least one first connecting electrode; and the orthographic projection of each first branch structure on the first substrate at least partially overlaps the orthographic projection of the second electrode layer on the first substrate.

Description

Phase shifters, antenna structures and electronic devices Technical Field

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

[0002] Phased array antennas are antennas that change their radiation pattern by controlling the feed phase of the radiating elements in the array. By controlling the phase, the direction of the antenna's maximum radiation pattern is changed, achieving beam scanning. Due to their beam scanning properties, phased array antennas are widely used in fields such as communications and detection.

[0003] Phased array antenna architectures are categorized as active and passive. Current liquid crystal-based phased array antennas are essentially typical passive phased arrays, offering high maturity, low cost, and low power consumption. Liquid crystal phased array antennas utilize the dielectric anisotropy of liquid crystals to provide deflection voltages to the upper and lower layers of the liquid crystal layer via transmission lines. Controlling the liquid crystal deflection direction alters the phase shift of the phase shifter, thereby adjusting the phased array antenna's beam direction.

[0004] Summary of the Invention

[0005] The present invention aims to solve at least one of the technical problems existing in the prior art and provides a phase shifter, an antenna structure and an electronic device.

[0006] In a first aspect, an embodiment of the present disclosure provides a phase shifter, comprising a first substrate and a second substrate disposed opposite to each other, and an adjustable dielectric layer disposed between the first substrate and the second substrate; a first electrode layer is disposed on a side of the first substrate close to the adjustable dielectric layer, a second electrode layer is disposed on a side of the second substrate close to the adjustable dielectric layer, and a third electrode layer is disposed on a side of the first substrate away from the adjustable dielectric layer; wherein:

[0007] The first substrate has a plurality of connection vias extending through the first substrate along its thickness direction, wherein first connection electrodes are provided in the connection vias.

[0008] The first electrode layer includes a plurality of first branch structures, and one of the first branch structures is electrically connected to the third electrode layer through at least one first connecting electrode;

[0009] Each of the first branch structures at least partially overlaps with an orthographic projection of the second electrode layer on the first substrate.

[0010] The second electrode layer includes a transmission electrode and a plurality of second branch structures; and the second branch structure is electrically connected only on one side of the extending direction of the transmission electrode;

[0011] Each of the first branch structures is located on the same side of the extension direction of the transmission structure, and each of the first branch structures overlaps with the orthographic projection of the transmission electrode on the first substrate;

[0012] The orthographic projections of one of the second branch structures and one of the first branch structures on the base substrate overlap.

[0013] The second electrode layer includes a transmission electrode and a plurality of second branch structures; and the second branch structures are electrically connected to both sides of the transmission electrode in the extending direction;

[0014] The second branch structures electrically connected to both sides of the transmission electrode in the extending direction are arranged in a one-to-one correspondence and overlap with the orthographic projection of the same first branch structure on the first substrate; each first branch structure overlaps with the orthographic projection of the transmission electrode on the first substrate.

[0015] Wherein, both ends of the first branch structure are electrically connected to the third electrode layer through first connecting electrodes respectively.

[0016] The second electrode layer includes a transmission electrode and a plurality of second branch structures; and the second branch structure is electrically connected only on one side of the extending direction of the transmission electrode;

[0017] Each of the first branch structures is located on the same side of the extension direction of the transmission structure, and each of the first branch structures does not overlap with the orthographic projection of the transmission electrode on the first substrate;

[0018] The orthographic projections of one of the second branch structures and one of the first branch structures on the base substrate overlap.

[0019] The second electrode layer includes a transmission electrode and a plurality of second branch structures; and the second branch structures are electrically connected to both sides of the transmission electrode in the extending direction;

[0020] The orthographic projections of one first branch structure and one second branch structure on the first substrate overlap, and the orthographic projections of the first branch structure and the transmission electrode on the first substrate do not overlap.

[0021] A fourth electrode layer is further provided on a side of the second substrate facing away from the second electrode layer.

[0022] The first branch structures located in the same layer in the extending direction of the transmission electrodes are electrically connected to the same second connection electrode, and the second connection electrode is electrically connected to the first connection electrode.

[0023] The first electrode layer further includes a transmission electrode and a plurality of second branch structures, wherein the second branch structures and the first branch structures are located on the same side of the extending direction of the transmission electrode, and the second branch structures are electrically connected to the transmission electrode;

[0024] The second electrode layer includes a plurality of third branch structures, and one of the first branch structures and one of the second branch structures overlap with an orthographic projection of the same third branch structure on the first substrate.

[0025] Wherein, a fourth electrode layer is provided on a side of the second substrate facing away from the second substrate.

[0026] Wherein, the first substrate and / or the second substrate are made of any one of glass-based, PCB or flexible film materials.

[0027] Wherein, the adjustable dielectric layer includes liquid crystal.

[0028] In a second aspect, an embodiment of the present disclosure provides an antenna structure, comprising at least one antenna unit and a feeding assembly for feeding the antenna unit; the antenna unit comprises at least one phase shifter; the phase shifter has a first transmission end and a second transmission end, and the first transmission end is electrically connected to the feeding assembly; wherein the phase shifter adopts any of the phase shifters described above.

[0029] When the second electrode layer includes a transmission electrode and a plurality of second branch structures, the first end and the second end of the transmission electrode serve as the first transmission end and the second transmission end, respectively; the antenna unit further includes a first radiation electrode and a second radiation electrode; the first radiation electrode is disposed on a side of the third electrode layer away from the first substrate, with a certain distance between the first radiation electrode and the second radiation electrode; the second radiation electrode is disposed on a side of the second substrate away from the second electrode layer, and the second radiation electrode is electrically connected to the second end of the transmission electrode;

[0030] The feeding assembly includes at least one first feeding end and at least one second feeding end; the antenna unit includes at least one opening penetrating the third electrode layer, the opening being arranged in a one-to-one correspondence with the first feeding end, and the second feeding port being arranged in a one-to-one correspondence with the antenna unit;

[0031] For the correspondingly arranged second feeding port and the antenna unit, orthographic projections of any two of the second feeding port, the first radiation electrode of the antenna unit and the opening on the plane where the first substrate is located at least partially overlap.

[0032] The first electrode layer further includes a third connecting electrode, which at least partially overlaps with the orthographic projection of the first end of the transmission electrode on the first substrate; the first radiation electrode is electrically connected to the third connecting electrode via a first probe penetrating the opening and the first substrate.

[0033] The second radiation electrode is electrically connected to the second end of the transmission electrode through a through hole penetrating the second substrate.

[0034] Wherein, when a fourth electrode layer is provided on a side of the second substrate facing away from the adjustable dielectric, and the first electrode layer includes a transmission electrode, the first end and the second end of the transmission electrode serve as the first transmission end and the second transmission end, respectively; the antenna unit further includes a first radiation electrode and a second radiation electrode; the first radiation electrode is provided on a side of the fourth electrode layer facing away from the second substrate, with a certain distance between the first radiation electrode and the second radiation electrode; the second radiation electrode is provided on a side of the first substrate facing away from the first electrode layer, and the second radiation electrode is electrically connected to the second end of the transmission electrode;

[0035] The feeding assembly includes at least one first feeding end and at least one second feeding end; the antenna unit includes at least one opening penetrating the fourth electrode layer, the opening being arranged in a one-to-one correspondence with the first feeding end, and the second feeding port being arranged in a one-to-one correspondence with the antenna unit;

[0036] For the correspondingly arranged second feeding port and the antenna unit, orthographic projections of any two of the second feeding port, the first radiation electrode of the antenna unit and the opening on the plane where the second substrate is located at least partially overlap.

[0037] The second radiation electrode is electrically connected to the second end of the transmission electrode through a through hole penetrating the first substrate and the third electrode layer.

[0038] When the feeding component includes two first feeding ports, the antenna unit includes two openings and two phase shifters, and the radio frequency signal fed into one of the first feeding ports is coupled to the first end of the transmission electrode of one of the phase shifters through one of the openings; the radio frequency signal fed into another of the first feeding ports is coupled to the first end of the transmission electrode of another of the phase shifters through the other opening.

[0039] The antenna structure further includes a switch component, and the switch component is configured to time-share the two first feeding ports.

[0040] Among them, for one of the antenna units, the feeding point where one phase shifter is electrically connected to the second radiating patch is a first feeding point, and the feeding point where the other phase shifter is electrically connected to the second radiating patch is a second feeding point, and the first feed line and the second feed point are respectively located on extension lines in two orthogonal directions.

[0041] The first radiation electrode and the second feeding port electrically connected thereto coincide with each other at the center of the orthographic projection of the plane where the first substrate is located.

[0042] The second radiation electrode is loaded with cut corners, slots or branches in a set of orthogonal directions.

[0043] Wherein, the feeding component is a dual-channel waveguide transmission cavity.

[0044] An embodiment of the present disclosure provides an electronic device, which includes any of the above-mentioned antenna structures. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0045] FIG1 is a cross-sectional view of a first exemplary phase shifter according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0046] FIG2 is a top view of a first electrode layer of a first exemplary phase shifter according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0047] FIG3 is a top view of a second electrode layer of a first exemplary phase shifter according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0048] FIG4 is a top view of a first exemplary phase shifter according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0049] FIG5 is a top view of a second electrode layer according to a second example of an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0050] FIG6 is a top view of a second exemplary phase shifter according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0051] FIG. 7 is a top view of a third exemplary phase shifter according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0052] FIG8 is a top view of a fourth exemplary phase shifter according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0053] FIG9 is a top view of a fifth exemplary phase shifter according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0054] FIG10 is a cross-sectional view of a sixth exemplary phase shifter according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0055] FIG11 is a cross-sectional view of a seventh exemplary phase shifter according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0056] FIG12 is a top view of a seventh exemplary phase shifter according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0057] FIG13 is a top view of the antenna structure according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0058] FIG14 is a cross-sectional view of an antenna unit according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0059] FIG15 is a top view of the antenna unit of FIG14 .

[0060] FIG16 is a cross-sectional view of the antenna structure according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0061] FIG17 is a cross-sectional view of another antenna unit according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0062] FIG18 is a top view of the antenna unit of FIG17 .

[0063] FIG19 is a diagram showing the positional relationship between a first feeding point, a second feeding point, and a second radiation electrode according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0064] FIG20 is a diagram showing the positional relationship between another first feeding point, a second feeding point, and a second radiation electrode according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0065] FIG21 is a diagram showing the positional relationship between the first feeding point, the second feeding point and the second radiation electrode according to another embodiment of the present disclosure. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0066] In order to enable those skilled in the art to better understand the technical solution of the present invention, the present invention is further described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings and specific implementation methods.

[0067] Unless otherwise defined, the technical or scientific terms used in this disclosure should have the usual meanings understood by people with ordinary skills in the field to which this disclosure belongs. The words "first", "second" and similar words used in this disclosure do not indicate any order, quantity or importance, but are only used to distinguish different components. Similarly, words such as "one", "an" or "the" do not indicate a quantity limitation, but rather indicate the existence of at least one. Words such as "include" or "comprise" mean that the elements or objects appearing before the word include the elements or objects listed after the word and their equivalents, without excluding other elements or objects. Words such as "connect" or "connected" are not limited to physical or mechanical connections, but may include electrical connections, whether direct or indirect. "Up", "down", "left", "right" and the like are only used to indicate relative positional relationships. When the absolute position of the object being described changes, the relative positional relationship may also change accordingly.

[0068] Before introducing the phase shifter of the present embodiment, it should be noted that the present embodiment uses a liquid crystal phase shifter as an example. When the phase shifter is a liquid crystal phase shifter, the material of the adjustable dielectric layer can be liquid crystal or a composite material containing liquid crystal. In this case, the adjustable dielectric layer is referred to as a liquid crystal layer.

[0069] The phase shifters used in liquid crystal phased array antennas are mainly divided into two categories: the first category uses liquid crystal as the main transmission line medium, and directly changes the phase constant and wave velocity of the electromagnetic wave transmitted on the transmission line by adjusting the dielectric constant of the liquid crystal to achieve the phase shift function; the second category uses adjustable capacitors as variable capacitive loading of the transmission line trunk / branch, and amplifies the influence of the liquid crystal dielectric constant on the phase constant by creating appropriate capacitor-inductor resonance, thereby achieving a narrowband phase shift amplification.

[0070] Compared to the first type of LC phase shifters, the second type generally offers advantages such as large phase shift per unit space, independence from high cell thickness (fast switching speed), high energy efficiency, and ease of power supply. Therefore, the second type of LC phase shifter is generally the preferred solution for LC phased arrays. However, in practical application designs, the second type of LC phase shifter also has some disadvantages. The most serious design issue is its theoretical reliance on branch grounding, which limits the phase shifter's structure. A phase shifter with a theoretically large phase shift per unit length actually occupies more space in actual layout.

[0071] To this end, the embodiments of the present disclosure provide the following technical solutions.

[0072] In a first aspect, an embodiment of the present disclosure provides a liquid crystal phase shifter, comprising a first substrate and a second substrate arranged opposite to each other, and a liquid crystal layer arranged between the first substrate and the second substrate; a first electrode layer is arranged on the side of the first substrate close to the liquid crystal layer, a second electrode layer is arranged on the side of the second substrate close to the liquid crystal layer, and a third electrode layer is arranged on the side of the first substrate away from the liquid crystal layer. The first substrate has a plurality of connecting vias extending along its thickness direction, and a first connecting electrode is arranged in the first connecting via. The first electrode layer includes a plurality of first branch structures, and one first branch structure is electrically connected to the third electrode layer through at least one first connecting electrode. Each first branch structure overlaps with the orthographic projection of the second electrode layer on the first substrate.

[0073] It should be noted that, in order to facilitate control, the third electrode layer is a ground electrode layer. Of course, the third electrode layer can also be connected to a fixed reference potential.

[0074] In the embodiment of the present disclosure, since the first branch structure is connected to the third electrode layer through the first connecting electrode, the potential on the first branch structure is equal to the potential of the third electrode layer, and the second electrode layer and the first branch structure form an adjustable capacitor at the overlapping position. After the DC bias voltage is loaded on the second electrode layer, the liquid crystal molecules at the adjustable capacitor position are deflected to change the dielectric constant of the liquid crystal layer, thereby achieving phase adjustment of the radio frequency signal transmitted by the second electrode layer.

[0075] In some examples, the first, second, and third electrode layers can form a microstrip transmission line. In other examples, a fourth electrode layer is provided on the side of the second substrate facing away from the liquid crystal layer. Like the third electrode layer, the fourth electrode layer can be a ground electrode layer. In this case, the first, second, third, and fourth electrode layers can form a stripline transmission line. This is described in detail with reference to the following examples.

[0076] In some examples, both the first substrate and the second substrate can be made of glass, PCB or flexible substrate. In the embodiment of the present disclosure, the first substrate and the second substrate are both made of glass as an example. The connection vias on the first substrate can be prepared by methods including but not limited to sandblasting, photosensitive glass method, focused discharge method, plasma etching method, laser ablation method, electrochemical method, laser induced etching method, etc. The connection electrode formed in the connection via can be formed by methods including but not limited to plating or filling. When the first connection electrode is formed by plating, the first electrode layer and the second electrode layer on the upper and lower surfaces of the first substrate can also be formed at the same time as the plating.

[0077] In some examples, the materials of the first electrode layer and the second electrode layer can be selected from conductive materials such as molybdenum, aluminum, copper, silver, gold, indium tin oxide, and their alloys and composite film layers. The preparation methods of the first electrode layer and the second electrode layer can be sputtering, electroplating, and lamination.

[0078] In some examples, the materials of the third electrode layer and the fourth electrode layer can be selected from conductive materials such as molybdenum, aluminum, copper, silver, gold, indium tin oxide, and their alloys and composite film layers. The preparation methods of the third electrode layer and the fourth electrode layer can be sputtering, electroplating, and lamination.

[0079] In some examples, the thickness of the liquid crystal layer is about 1 μm-10 μm, and can be specifically designed according to product requirements.

[0080] In order to make the structure of the liquid crystal phase shifter according to the embodiment of the present disclosure clearer, a detailed description is given below with reference to specific examples.

[0081] First Example: Figure 1 is a cross-sectional view of a phase shifter according to the first example of the present disclosure; Figure 2 is a top view of the first electrode layer 1 of the phase shifter according to the first example of the present disclosure; Figure 3 is a top view of the second electrode layer 2 of the phase shifter according to the first example of the present disclosure; and Figure 4 is a top view of the phase shifter according to the first example of the present disclosure. As shown in Figures 1-4, the liquid crystal phase shifter is a phase shifter based on a microstrip transmission line, and specifically includes a first substrate 10 and a second substrate 20 arranged opposite to each other, and a liquid crystal layer 30 disposed between the first substrate 10 and the second substrate 20. The first substrate 10 is the lower substrate, and the second substrate 20 is the upper substrate. A first electrode layer 1 is disposed on the side of the first substrate 10 close to the liquid crystal layer 30, a third electrode layer 3 is disposed on the side of the first substrate 10 facing away from the liquid crystal layer 30, and a second electrode layer 2 is disposed on the side of the second substrate 20 close to the liquid crystal layer 30. The first electrode layer 1 includes a plurality of first branch structures 11 that are independent and spaced side by side. The second electrode layer 2 includes a transmission electrode 21 and a plurality of second branch structures 22 electrically connected to one side of the transmission electrode 21 in the direction of extension. The first substrate 10 has a plurality of connection vias extending through its thickness, each of which is provided with a first connection electrode 4. The first branch structures 11 are arranged in a one-to-one correspondence with the connection vias, and the first branch structures 11 are electrically connected to the third electrode layer 3 via the first connection electrodes 4 in the corresponding connection vias. The first branch structures 11 and the second branch structures 22 can also be arranged in a one-to-one correspondence, with the orthographic projections of the first branch structures 11 and the corresponding second branch structures 22 on the first substrate 10 overlapping, and at least partially overlapping with the orthographic projections of the transmission electrodes 21 on the first substrate 10. It can be seen that in this example, the first branch structures 11 are arranged on one side of the transmission electrode 21 in the direction of extension. Each first branch structure 11 can form an adjustable capacitor not only with the corresponding second branch structure 22, but also with the transmission electrode 21.

[0082] In some examples, the second branch structures 22 and the transmission electrodes 21 can be directly connected, for example, as an integrally formed structure. The second branch structures 22 and the transmission electrodes 21 can also be layered and indirectly connected, for example, by being electrically coupled, or by a via extending through an insulating layer therebetween. The disclosed embodiments are described using the example of the second branch structures 22 and the transmission electrodes 21 being connected as an integral structure.

[0083] In some examples, the spacing between the second branch structures 22 can be equal. In the examples of the embodiments of the present disclosure, the spacing between the second branch structures 22 is only equal as an example. Of course, the spacing between the second branch structures 22 can be arranged periodically, but it should be understood that since the first branch structures 11 and the second branch structures 22 are arranged in a one-to-one correspondence, the arrangement of the first branch structures 11 and the second branch structures 22 is the same.

[0084] In some examples, the size of the variable capacitor C formed by the first branch structure 11 and the second branch structure 22, and the first branch structure 11 and the transmission electrode 21 is equal to the overlapping area of ​​the orthographic projection of the first branch structure 11 and the second branch structure 22, and the first branch structure 11 and the transmission electrode 21 on the first substrate 10, and the box thickness between the first electrode layer 1 and the second electrode layer 2. Therefore, in the embodiment of the present disclosure, the size of each first branch structure 11, each second branch structure 22, and the spacing between them can be adjusted to achieve the required size of the adjustable capacitor. In the various drawings of the embodiments of the present disclosure, only the size of each first branch structure 11 and the size of each second branch structure 22 are the same as an example. Of course, this structure is convenient to prepare and easy to implement.

[0085] In some examples, the length of the orthographic projections of the first branch structures 11 and the transmission electrodes 21 on the first substrate 10 is equal to the width of the transmission electrodes 21. In other words, the orthographic projection of the end of the first branch structure 11 facing away from the connection via on the first substrate 10 falls on the orthographic projection on the first substrate 10 of the side of the transmission line electrode not connected to the second branch structure 22. Of course, this is merely an example; in actual products, the first branch structures 11 only partially overlap with the orthographic projection of the transmission electrodes 21 on the first substrate 10 along the width direction of the transmission electrodes 21.

[0086] Second example: FIG5 is a top view of the second electrode layer 2 of the second example of the embodiment of the present disclosure; FIG6 is a top view of the phase shifter of the second example of the embodiment of the present disclosure; As shown in FIG5 and FIG6, this example is substantially the same as the first example, and the only difference is the first branch structure 11 and the second branch structure 22, as well as the setting method of the connecting via. Specifically, the second electrode layer 2 includes a transmission electrode 21, and a plurality of second branch structures 22 connected on both sides of the extension direction of the transmission electrode 21, that is, the transmission electrode 21 is loaded on both sides. Among them, the second branch structures 22 on both sides of the transmission electrode 21 are arranged in a one-to-one correspondence, and the two corresponding second branch structures 22 overlap with the orthographic projection of the same first branch structure 11 on the first substrate 10, and at the same time overlap with the orthographic projection of the transmission electrode 21 on the first substrate 10. In this case, the first branch structure 11, the two second branch structures 22, and the transmission electrode 21 form a variable capacitor C.

[0087] In some examples, unlike the first example, each first branch structure 11 can be electrically connected to the third electrode layer 3 via two first connection electrodes 4. Specifically, the first substrate 10 has two rows of connection vias, each row of which is sequentially spaced along the extension direction of the transmission electrode 21. The orthographic projections of these two rows of connection vias on the plane of the first substrate 10 are located on either side of the orthographic projections of the transmission electrode 21 on the plane of the first substrate 10. The two rows of connection vias are arranged in a one-to-one correspondence, and the first connection electrodes 4 in the two corresponding connection vias are electrically connected to the two opposite ends of each first branch structure 11.

[0088] The arrangement of the first branch structure 11 and the second branch structure 22 in this example can adopt the same arrangement as that of the first example, so they will not be repeated here.

[0089] Third Example: Figure 7 is a top view of a phase shifter according to a third example of an embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in Figure 7 , this example has a substantially identical structure to the first example, differing only in that the first branch structures 11 in this example only partially overlap with the orthographic projections of the second branch structures 22 on the first substrate 10, and do not overlap with the orthographic projections of the transmission electrodes 21 on the first substrate 10. In this case, only the first branch structures 11 and the second branch structures 22 form the variable capacitor C.

[0090] The arrangement of the first branch structure 11 and the second branch structure 22 in this example can adopt the same arrangement as that of the first example, so they will not be repeated here.

[0091] Fourth Example: Figure 8 is a top view of a phase shifter according to the fourth example of the presently disclosed embodiment. As shown in Figure 8 , this example has a substantially identical structure to the second example, differing only in that the first electrode layer 1 includes two rows of first branch structures 11, each row of first branch structures 11 being sequentially spaced along the extension direction of the transmission electrode 21. The orthographic projections of the two rows of first branch structures 11 on the first substrate 10 are located on either side of the orthographic projection of the transmission electrode 21 on the first substrate 10, with the orthographic projections of one first branch structure 11 and one second branch structure 22 on the first substrate 10 overlapping. In this case, variable capacitors C are loaded on both sides of the transmission electrode 21.

[0092] In some examples, each first branch structure 11 does not overlap with the orthographic projection of the transmission electrode 21 on the first substrate 10. If necessary, the first branch structures 11 and the orthographic projection of the transmission electrode 21 on the first substrate 10 may at least partially overlap.

[0093] The arrangement of the second branch structures 22 in this example can adopt the same arrangement as in the second example, so it will not be repeated here.

[0094] Fifth Example: FIG9 is a top view of a phase shifter according to the fifth example of the presently disclosed embodiment. As shown in FIG9 , this example has substantially the same structure as the first example, differing only in that the first branch structures 11 in this example are each connected to the second connection electrode 12, and are connected to the first connection electrode 4 via the second connection electrode 12. For example, the orthographic projection of the second connection electrode 12 on the plane of the first substrate 10 overlaps the orthographic projection of each connection via on the plane of the first substrate 10. In this case, the second connection electrode 12 can then achieve electrical connection to the first connection electrode 4 within each connection via.

[0095] The arrangement of the first branch structure 11 and the second branch structure 22 in this example can adopt the same arrangement as that of the first example, so they will not be repeated here.

[0096] In addition, for the second example, the third example and the fourth example, each first branch structure 11 located on one side of the extension direction of the transmission electrode 21 can be electrically connected to the first connection electrode 4 through the second connection electrode 12. The specific method is the same as the above connection method, so it will not be repeated here.

[0097] Sixth Example: Figure 10 is a cross-sectional view of a phase shifter according to the sixth example of the presently disclosed embodiment. As shown in Figure 10 , this liquid crystal phase shifter is based on a stripline transmission line. This phase shifter can be based on any of the phase shifters described in Examples 1 through 5, with the addition of a fourth electrode layer 5 formed on the side of the second substrate 20 facing away from the liquid crystal layer 30. This fourth electrode layer 5 can be a ground electrode. The remaining structures in this example can adopt the structure of any of the phase shifters described in Examples 1 through 5, and therefore will not be repeated here.

[0098] Seventh Example: Figure 11 is a cross-sectional view of a phase shifter according to the seventh example of the embodiment of the present disclosure; Figure 12 is a top view of the phase shifter according to the seventh example of the embodiment of the present disclosure; as shown in Figures 11 and 12, the liquid crystal phase shifter in this example is a liquid crystal phase shifter based on a strip transmission line, comprising a first substrate 10 and a second substrate 20 disposed opposite each other, and an adjustable dielectric layer disposed between the first substrate 10 and the second substrate 20. The first substrate 10 is an upper substrate, the second substrate 20 is a lower substrate, a first electrode layer 1 is disposed on the side of the first substrate 10 close to the liquid crystal layer 30, a second electrode layer 2 is disposed on the side of the second substrate 20 close to the liquid crystal layer 30, a third electrode layer 3 is disposed on the side of the first substrate 10 facing away from the liquid crystal layer 30, and a fourth electrode layer 5 is disposed on the side of the second substrate 20 facing away from the liquid crystal layer 30. The first electrode layer 1 includes a plurality of first branch structures 11, a transmission electrode 21, and a plurality of second branch structures 22 connected to one side of the transmission electrode 21. The plurality of first branch structures 11 are arranged side by side in sequence along the direction of extension of the transmission electrode 21, and the plurality of first branch structures 11 are located on the side of the plurality of second branch structures 22 facing away from the transmission electrode 21. The first substrate 10 has a plurality of connection vias extending through its thickness. The connection vias can be arranged in a one-to-one correspondence with the first branch structures 11. The connection vias are provided with first connection electrodes 4. The first branch structures 11 are electrically connected to the first electrode layer 1 via the first connection electrodes 4 in the corresponding connection vias. The second electrode layer 2 includes a plurality of third branch structures. The third branch structures can be arranged in a one-to-one correspondence with the first branch structures 11 / second branch structures 22. The third branch structures overlap with the corresponding first branch structures 11 and second branch structures 22 in their orthographic projections on the first substrate 10. Of course, the third branch structures can also at least partially overlap with the orthographic projections of the transmission electrodes 21 on the first substrate 10. In this case, the first branch structure 11 and the third branch structure can form a variable capacitor C. The first branch structure 11 and the transmission electrode 21 both form a variable capacitor C with the third branch structure. Since the first branch structure 11 and the second branch structure 22 are both located on one side of the extension direction of the transmission electrode 21, in this example, the variable capacitor C is loaded on one side of the transmission electrode 21.

[0099] In some examples, the second branch structures 22 and the transmission electrodes 21 can be directly connected, for example, as an integrally formed structure. The second branch structures 22 and the transmission electrodes 21 can also be layered and indirectly connected, for example, by being electrically coupled, or by a via extending through an insulating layer therebetween. The disclosed embodiments are described using the example of the second branch structures 22 and the transmission electrodes 21 being connected as an integral structure.

[0100] In some examples, the spacing between each second branch structure 22 can be equal. In the examples of the embodiments of the present disclosure, the spacing between each second branch structure 22 is only taken as an example. Of course, the spacing between the second branch structures 22 can be arranged periodically, but it should be understood that since the first branch structure 11 and the third branch structure are arranged in a one-to-one correspondence with the second branch structure 22, the first branch structure 11 and the third branch structure are arranged in the same manner as the second branch structure 22.

[0101] In some examples, the size of the variable capacitance C formed by the first branch structure 11 and the third branch structure, the second branch structure 22 and the third branch structure, and the third branch structure and the transmission electrode 21 is determined by the overlapping area of ​​the orthographic projections of the first branch structure 11 and the third branch structure, the second branch structure 22 and the third branch structure, and the third branch structure and the transmission electrode 21 on the first substrate 10, as well as the thickness of the box between the first electrode layer 1 and the second electrode layer 2. Therefore, in the embodiments disclosed herein, the desired adjustable capacitance can be achieved by adjusting the size of each first branch structure 11, each second branch structure 22, and each third branch structure, as well as the spacing between the first electrode layer 1 and the second electrode layer 2. The figures of the embodiments disclosed herein illustrate examples in which the first branch structures 11, the second branch structures 22, and the third branch structures are all the same size. This structure is, of course, convenient to manufacture and easy to implement.

[0102] In some examples, the length of the orthographic projections of the third branch structures and the transmission electrode 21 on the first substrate 10 is equal to the width of the transmission electrode 21. In other words, the orthographic projection of the end of the third branch structure facing away from the connection via on the first substrate 10 falls on the orthographic projection on the first substrate 10 of the side of the transmission line electrode not connected to the second branch structure 22. Of course, this is merely an example; in actual products, the first branch structures 11 only partially overlap with the orthographic projection of the transmission electrode 21 on the first substrate 10 along the width direction of the transmission electrode 21.

[0103] It should be noted that the seventh example only provides an exemplary phase shifter structure based on a strip transmission line. In actual products, for example, each first branch structure 11 can be connected via a second connecting electrode 12, and then the first branch structure 11 is electrically connected to the third electrode layer 3 via the second connecting electrode 12. Another example is: a second branch structure 22 is connected to both sides of the transmission electrode 21 in the extension direction, and two rows of first branch structures 11 are provided on both sides of the transmission electrode 21 in the extension direction. In this case, the third branch structure spans the transmission electrode 21 and can overlap with the orthographic projections of the first branch structures 11 and the second branch structures 22 on both sides of the transmission electrode 21 in the extension direction on the first substrate 10. Phase shifters obtained by modifying the seven examples are all within the scope of protection of the embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0104] Secondly, Figure 13 is a top view of an antenna structure according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in Figure 13 , an embodiment of the present disclosure provides an antenna structure comprising at least one antenna unit and a feed assembly 200 for feeding the antenna unit. Each antenna unit includes at least one phase shifter, each of which includes a first transmission end and a second transmission end. The first transmission end of the phase shifter is electrically connected to the feed assembly 200, which is configured to feed the phase shifter. The phase shifters according to the embodiments of the present disclosure can employ any of the phase shifters described in the examples above.

[0105] Regardless of which of the aforementioned phase shifters is used in the phase shifter of the disclosed embodiments, the first and second ends of the transmission electrode 21 of the phase shifter serve as the first and second transmission ends of the phase shifter, respectively. The following uses an antenna structure including a microstrip transmission line-based phase shifter as an example. Antenna structures including stripline-based phase shifters are also possible. The antenna structure of the disclosed embodiments is described in detail below.

[0106] Figure 14 is a cross-sectional view of an antenna unit according to an embodiment of the present disclosure; Figure 15 is a top view of the antenna unit shown in Figure 14 . As shown in Figures 14 and 15 , this example illustrates an antenna structure including a microstrip transmission line-based phase shifter. The phase shifter can employ any of the phase shifters described in Examples 1 through 5 above. In this example, the phase shifter in each antenna unit is the phase shifter described in Example 1. In this example, each antenna unit of the antenna structure includes not only a phase shifter and a feed assembly 200, but also a first radiating electrode 7 and a second radiating electrode 8.

[0107] Specifically, taking the first example of a phase shifter, this phase shifter is based on a microstrip transmission line and includes a first substrate 10 and a second substrate 20 arranged opposite each other, and a liquid crystal layer 30 disposed between the first and second substrates 10 and 20. The first substrate 10 is the lower substrate, and the second substrate 20 is the upper substrate. A first electrode layer 1 is disposed on the side of the first substrate 10 proximal to the liquid crystal layer 30, a third electrode layer 3 is disposed on the side of the first substrate 10 facing away from the liquid crystal layer 30, and a second electrode layer 2 is disposed on the side of the second substrate 20 proximal to the liquid crystal layer 30. The first electrode layer 1 includes a plurality of first branch structures 11 independently and spaced side by side. The second electrode layer 2 includes a transmission electrode 21 and a plurality of second branch structures 22 electrically connected to one side of the transmission electrode 21. The first substrate 10 has a plurality of connection vias extending through its thickness, each of which is provided with a first connection electrode 4. The first branch structures 11 are disposed in a one-to-one correspondence with the connection vias, and are electrically connected to the third electrode layer 3 via the first connection electrode 4 within the corresponding connection via. The first branch structures 11 and the second branch structures 22 may also be arranged in a one-to-one correspondence, with the orthographic projections of the first branch structures 11 and the corresponding second branch structures 22 on the first substrate 10 overlapping, and also at least partially overlapping with the orthographic projections of the transmission electrode 21 on the first substrate 10. The first radiation electrode 7 is disposed on the side of the third electrode layer 3 facing away from the first substrate 10, and the second radiation electrode 8 is disposed on the side of the second substrate 20 facing away from the second electrode layer 2. The third electrode layer 3 of the antenna unit has an opening 31 extending through its thickness. The feed assembly 200 is coupled to the first radiation electrode 7, which is coupled to the first end of the transmission electrode 21 of the phase shifter through the opening 31, thereby achieving electrical connection between the feed assembly 200 and the phase shifter. The second end of the transmission electrode 21 of the phase shifter in the antenna unit is electrically connected to the second radiation electrode 8, for example, directly connected to the second radiation electrode 8 via a via 9 extending through the second substrate 20.

[0108] Taking the antenna of the embodiment of the present disclosure as the transmitting antenna, the RF signal fed by the feeding component 200 is coupled to the first end of the transmission electrode 21 through the first radiation electrode 7 and the opening 31 on the third electrode in sequence, and then transmitted through the transmission electrode 21 and phase-adjusted by the loaded variable capacitor C. Finally, it is transmitted to the second radiation electrode 8 through the second end of the transmission electrode 21 to radiate the phase-shifted RF signal.

[0109] In one example, the number of phase shifters in the antenna unit can be one, the number of openings 31 in the third electrode layer 3 can also be one, and the feeding assembly 200 includes a first feeding port 201 and at least one second feeding port 6 arranged in a one-to-one correspondence with the antenna unit. The second end of the transmission electrode 21 of the phase shifter and the second radiating electrode 8 are single-point fed, which can correspond to left-hand polarization or right-hand polarization.

[0110] Furthermore, the feeding component 200 may be a one-to-many power splitter, for example, the feeding component 200 is a waveguide transmission cavity, and the waveguide transmission cavity includes but is not limited to a square waveguide, a circular waveguide, or a ridge waveguide.

[0111] In another example, FIG16 is a cross-sectional view of the antenna structure of an embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in FIG16 , the number of phase shifters in the antenna unit can be two, and the number of openings 31 on the corresponding third electrode layer 3 is also two. One of the phase shifters is referred to as the first phase shifter, and the other is referred to as the second phase shifter. One of the openings 31 is referred to as the first opening 31, and the other is referred to as the second opening 31. In this case, the feed assembly 200 includes two first feed ports and a plurality of second feed ports corresponding one to each of the antenna units. The orthographic projections of the first radiating electrode 7 and the second feeding port 6 on the first substrate 10 at least partially overlap. At the same time, the orthographic projections of the first opening 31 and the second opening 31 on the first substrate 10 can also at least partially overlap. The orthographic projection of the first end of the transmission electrode 21 of the first phase shifter on the first substrate 10 passes through the orthographic projection of the first opening 31 on the first substrate 10, and the orthographic projection of the first end of the transmission electrode 21 of the second phase shifter on the first substrate 10 passes through the orthographic projection of the second opening 31 on the first substrate 10. The second end of the transmission electrode 21 of the first phase shifter and the second end of the transmission electrode 21 of the second phase shifter are both electrically connected to the second radiating electrode 8, and the feeding direction of the second end of the transmission electrode 21 of the first phase shifter is different from the feeding direction of the second end of the transmission electrode 21 of the second phase shifter. In this way, power is fed through the first feeding port 201 corresponding to the first phase shifter, phase-shifted by the first phase shifter, and then radiated through the second radiating electrode 8, thereby achieving left-handed circular polarization. Power is fed through the first feeding port 201 corresponding to the second phase shifter, phase-shifted by the second phase shifter, and then radiated through the second radiating electrode 8, thereby achieving right-handed circular polarization.

[0112] Furthermore, as shown in Figure 16 , the antenna structure also includes a switch assembly 300 , which is configured to time-share the two first feed ports 201 to achieve left-hand circular polarization and right-hand circular polarization for the antenna structure. In some examples, the switch assembly 300 includes, but is not limited to, a single-pole double-throw switch. This type of switch assembly 300 is selected because it is easier to control.

[0113] It should be noted that in the embodiments of the present disclosure, an antenna structure that can achieve switching between left-hand circular polarization and right-hand circular polarization is mainly used as an example for description, so in the following description, only this antenna structure is used as an example for description.

[0114] In another example, FIG17 is a cross-sectional view of another antenna unit according to an embodiment of the present disclosure; FIG18 is a top view of the antenna unit according to FIG17 ; as shown in FIG17 and 18 , unlike the above examples, the first electrode layer 1 includes not only a plurality of first branch structures 11 but also two third connection electrodes 103 . The antenna unit includes two first probes 400 , wherein one first probe 400 passes through the first opening 31 and the first substrate 10 , and the other first probe 400 passes through the second opening 31 and the second substrate 20 . One of the third connection electrodes 103 is electrically connected to the first radiation electrode 7 through one of the first probes 400 , and the other third connection electrode 103 is electrically connected to the first radiation electrode 7 through the other first probe 400 . One third connection electrode 103 is electrically connected to a first end of the transmission electrode 21 of the first phase shifter, for example, their orthographic projections on the first substrate 10 at least partially overlap, thereby achieving coupling between the two. Similarly, the other third connection electrode 103 is electrically connected to a first end of the transmission electrode 21 of the second phase shifter, for example, their orthographic projections on the first substrate 10 at least partially overlap, thereby achieving coupling between the two. That is, in this example, the first radiation electrode 7 is electrically connected to the transmission electrode 21 of the phase shifter through the first probe 400, thereby enabling the feeding component 200 to feed the phase shifter. The remaining structures are the same as the above structures and will not be repeated here.

[0115] In some examples, regardless of which of the above structures the antenna structure adopts, the opening 31 on the third electrode layer 3 may include but is not limited to a rectangular slit, an H-shaped slit, an arc-shaped slit, or a circular slit.

[0116] In some examples, the center of the first radiation patch and the center of the corresponding second feeding port 6 in the embodiment of the present disclosure have coincident orthographic projections on the first substrate 10 , thereby reducing insertion loss.

[0117] In some examples, the point at which the second end of the transmission electrode 21 of the first phase shifter is electrically connected to the second radiation electrode 8 is the first feeding point 141, and the point at which the second end of the transmission electrode 21 of the second phase shifter is electrically connected to the second radiation electrode 8 is the second feeding point. The first feeding point 141 and the second feeding point 142 are located on the extension lines of two orthogonal directions of the second radiation electrode 8.

[0118] The second radiation electrode 8 can be loaded in a set of orthogonal directions by corner cutting, slotting, branch loading, grounding, and other schemes, or a combination thereof. Specific examples are provided for explanation.

[0119] Example 1: Figure 19 shows the positional relationship between the first feed point 141, the second feed point 142, and the second radiating electrode 8 in an embodiment of the present disclosure. Referring to Figure 19, the second radiating electrode 8 is a square radiating patch with angled corners applied in the orthogonal directions. The first feed point 141 and the second feed point 142 are located on the midlines of two opposing sides, respectively. The two midlines are defined as feed edges B and B', respectively. A set of orthogonal directions with angles of ±45° with respect to feed edge B are defined as antenna unit orthogonal directions A and A'. By appropriately angle-cutting the second radiating electrode 8 in the orthogonal directions to the antenna unit, the first feed point 141 and the second feed point 142 can be excited to produce circularly polarized radiation characteristics, with the first feed point 141 and the second feed point 142 corresponding to circularly polarized waves of opposite polarizations.

[0120] Second example: Figure 20 is another positional relationship diagram of the first feed point 141 and the second feed point 142 and the second radiation electrode 8 of an embodiment of the present disclosure; referring to Figure 20, the second radiation electrode 8 is a circular radiation patch with a slot in the orthogonal direction, and the slot is arc-shaped. The normal of the slot extends along a group (A' in the figure) in the orthogonal direction of the antenna to the center of the circle. The first feed point 141 and the second feed point 142 are located on the feeding edges B and B', respectively corresponding to different circularly polarized feed points.

[0121] Third example: FIG21 is another positional relationship diagram of the first feeding point 141 and the second feeding point 142 and the second radiation electrode 8 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure; referring to FIG21 , the second radiation electrode 8 is a square radiation patch loaded with branches in the orthogonal direction, and its feeding sides B and B' are on the diagonals of the square patch, and the branches are loaded on a set of opposite sides of the square patch.

[0122] In summary, by loading the second radiating patch with angle cutting, slotting, branch loading, grounding and other schemes and their hybrid schemes in a set of orthogonal directions to create a phase difference with another set of orthogonal directions, and setting up feeding on the two feeding edges with an angle of ±45 degrees with it, a variety of radiating antenna designs can be generated.

[0123] In some examples, a first interlayer dielectric layer 101 may be provided between the first radiation electrode 7 and the third electrode layer 3 , and a second interlayer dielectric layer 102 may be provided between the first radiation electrode 7 and the second feeding port 6 of the feeding assembly 200 . Materials of the first interlayer dielectric layer 101 and the second interlayer dielectric layer 102 include, but are not limited to, PMI foam.

[0124] The above descriptions are based on the example of the phase shifter in the antenna unit using the phase shifters described in the first to fifth examples, that is, using a phase shifter based on a microstrip transmission line. Alternatively, the phase shifter in the antenna unit may be the phase shifter described in the sixth or seventh example, that is, using a phase shifter based on a stripline transmission line. Taking the antenna unit including the phase shifter described in the seventh example as an example, in this case, the first substrate 10 serves as the upper substrate, the second substrate 20 serves as the lower substrate, and the first electrode layer 1 is disposed on the side of the upper substrate closest to the liquid crystal layer 30. A second electrode layer 2 is disposed on the side of the second substrate 20 closest to the liquid crystal layer 30, a third electrode layer 3 is disposed on the side of the first substrate 10 facing away from the liquid crystal layer 30, and a fourth electrode layer 5 is disposed on the side of the second substrate 20 facing away from the liquid crystal layer 30. The first branch structures 11, the transmission electrodes 21, and the second branch structures 22 connected thereto are all located on the first electrode layer 1. The first substrate 10 has a plurality of connection vias extending through its thickness. These connection vias can be arranged in a one-to-one correspondence with the first branch structures 11. First connection electrodes 4 are disposed within the connection vias, and the first branch structures 11 are electrically connected to the first electrode layer 1 via the first connection electrodes 4 within the corresponding connection vias. The second electrode layer 2 includes a plurality of third branch structures. These third branch structures can be arranged in a one-to-one correspondence with the first branch structures 11 and the second branch structures 22. The orthographic projections of the third branch structures and the corresponding first branch structures 11 and second branch structures 22 on the first substrate 10 overlap. Furthermore, the antenna unit also includes a first radiation electrode 7 and a second radiation electrode 8. The first radiation electrode 7 is disposed on the side of the fourth electrode layer 5 facing away from the second substrate 20, with a certain distance between them. The second radiation electrode 8 is disposed on the side of the first substrate 10 facing away from the first electrode layer 1 and is electrically connected to the second end of the transmission electrode 21. The feed assembly 200 includes at least one first feed port and at least one second feed port. The antenna unit includes at least one opening extending through the fourth electrode layer 5, with the opening corresponding to the first feed port. The second feed port corresponds to the antenna unit. For the corresponding second feed port and antenna unit, the orthographic projections of any two of the second feed port, the first radiating electrode 7 of the antenna unit, and the opening on the plane of the second substrate 20 at least partially overlap. In other words, the RF signal fed from the second feed port is transmitted to the first radiating electrode 7 and coupled through the opening to the first end of the transmission electrode 21 of the phase shifter. It is then transmitted through the transmission electrode 21, and after being phase-shifted by the variable capacitor C loaded on the transmission electrode 21, it is radiated through the second radiating electrode 8.

[0125] The second radiation electrode is electrically connected to the second end of the transmission electrode 21 via a through hole penetrating the first substrate 10 and the third electrode layer 3. For example, the second radiation electrode 8 can be in contact with the second end of the transmission electrode 21, or can be coupled to the second end of the transmission electrode 21.

[0126] Except for the phase shifter based on the strip transmission line in the antenna unit, which is different from the above example, the rest of the structures can adopt the same structures as the above example, so they will not be repeated here.

[0127] In some examples, the antenna structure of the embodiments of the present disclosure includes M*N antenna units, where M and N are both positive integers, and at least one of them is greater than or equal to 2. The M*N antenna units can be arranged in a rectangular array, a triangular array, or other structures.

[0128] In a third aspect, an embodiment of the present disclosure provides an electronic device, which includes any of the above-mentioned antenna structures.

[0129] In some examples, the electronic device also includes a transceiver unit, a radio frequency transceiver, a signal amplifier, a power amplifier, and a filtering unit. The antenna in the communication device can be used as a transmitting antenna or a receiving antenna. The transceiver unit may include a baseband and a receiving end. The baseband provides signals of at least one frequency band, such as 2G signals, 3G signals, 4G signals, 5G signals, etc., and transmits the signals of at least one frequency band to the radio frequency transceiver. After the antenna in the communication system receives the signal, it can be processed by the filtering unit, power amplifier, signal amplifier, and radio frequency transceiver and then transmitted to the receiving end in the transceiver unit. The receiving end may be, for example, a smart gateway.

[0130] Furthermore, a radio frequency transceiver is connected to the transceiver unit and is used to modulate the signals sent by the transceiver unit or to demodulate the signals received by the antenna and transmit them back to the transceiver unit. Specifically, the radio frequency transceiver may include a transmitting circuit, a receiving circuit, a modulation circuit, and a demodulation circuit. After the transmitting circuit receives various types of signals provided by the baseband, the modulation circuit can modulate these various types of signals provided by the baseband and then transmit them to the antenna. The antenna receives the signal and transmits it to the receiving circuit of the radio frequency transceiver. The receiving circuit transmits the signal to the demodulation circuit, which demodulates the signal and transmits it to the receiving end.

[0131] Furthermore, the RF transceiver is connected to a signal amplifier and a power amplifier, which are then connected to a filtering unit, which is connected to at least one antenna. When the communication system transmits signals, the signal amplifier is used to increase the signal-to-noise ratio of the signal output by the RF transceiver before transmitting it to the filtering unit. The power amplifier is used to amplify the power of the signal output by the RF transceiver before transmitting it to the filtering unit. The filtering unit may specifically include a duplexer and a filtering circuit. The filtering unit combines the signals output by the signal amplifier and the power amplifier, filters out noise, and then transmits them to the antenna, which radiates the signal. When the communication system receives signals, the antenna receives the signal and transmits it to the filtering unit. The filtering unit filters out noise from the signal received by the antenna and transmits it to the signal amplifier and power amplifier. The signal amplifier amplifies the signal received by the antenna to increase the signal-to-noise ratio. The power amplifier amplifies the power of the signal received by the antenna. The signal received by the antenna is processed by the power amplifier and the signal amplifier before being transmitted to the RF transceiver, which then transmits it to the transceiver unit.

[0132] In some examples, the signal amplifier may include various types of signal amplifiers, such as a low noise amplifier, which is not limited herein.

[0133] In some examples, the electronic device provided by the embodiments of the present disclosure further includes a power management unit, which is connected to a power amplifier and provides the power amplifier with a voltage for amplifying a signal.

[0134] It will be understood that the above embodiments are merely exemplary embodiments for illustrating the principles of the present invention, and the present invention is not limited thereto. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that various modifications and improvements can be made without departing from the spirit and substance of the present invention, and such modifications and improvements are also considered to be within the scope of protection of the present invention.

Claims

1. A phase shifter, which includes a first substrate and a second substrate arranged opposite to each other, and an adjustable dielectric layer disposed between the first substrate and the second substrate; a first electrode layer is provided on one side of the first substrate close to the adjustable dielectric layer, a second electrode layer is provided on one side of the second substrate close to the adjustable dielectric layer, and a third electrode layer is provided on one side of the first substrate facing away from the adjustable dielectric layer; wherein, The first substrate has a plurality of connection vias penetrating along its thickness direction, and a first connection electrode is provided in the connection vias; The first electrode layer includes a plurality of first branch structures, and one of the first branch structures is electrically connected to the third electrode layer through at least one of the first connection electrodes; Each of the first branch structures at least partially overlaps with the positive projection of the second electrode layer on the first substrate.

2. The phase shifter according to claim 1, wherein The second electrode layer includes a transmission electrode and a plurality of second branch structures; and the second branch structures are electrically connected only on one side in the extending direction of the transmission electrode; Each of the first branch structures is located on the same side in the extending direction of the transmission structure, and each of the first branch structures overlaps with the positive projection of the transmission electrode on the first substrate; One of the second branch structures overlaps with one of the first branch structures in the positive projection on the substrate.

3. The phase shifter according to claim 1, wherein, The second electrode layer includes a transmission electrode and a plurality of second branch structures; and the second branch structures are electrically connected on both sides in the extending direction of the transmission electrode; The second branch structures electrically connected on both sides in the extending direction of the transmission electrode are arranged in one-to-one correspondence and overlap with the positive projection of the same first branch structure on the first substrate; Each of the first branch structures overlaps with the positive projection of the transmission electrode on the first substrate.

4. The phase shifter according to claim 3, wherein, Both ends of the first branch structure are electrically connected to the third electrode layer through the first connection electrodes.

5. The phase shifter according to claim 1, wherein The second electrode layer includes a transmission electrode and a plurality of second branch structures; and the second branch structures are electrically connected only on one side in the extending direction of the transmission electrode; Each of the first branch structures is located on the same side in the extending direction of the transmission structure, and each of the first branch structures does not overlap with the positive projection of the transmission electrode on the first substrate; One of the second branch structures overlaps with one of the first branch structures in the positive projection on the substrate.

6. The phase shifter according to claim 1, wherein, The second electrode layer includes a transmission electrode and a plurality of second branch structures; and the second branch structures are electrically connected on both sides in the extending direction of the transmission electrode; One of the first branch structures overlaps with one of the second branch structures in the positive projection on the first substrate, and the first branch structure does not overlap with the positive projection of the transmission electrode on the first substrate.

7. The phase shifter according to any one of claims 1-6, wherein, A fourth electrode layer is further provided on one side of the second substrate facing away from the second electrode layer.

8. The phase shifter according to any one of claims 1-6, wherein, The first branch structures located on the same layer in the extending direction of the transmission electrode are electrically connected to the same second connection electrode, and the second connection electrode is electrically connected to the first connection electrode.

9. The phase shifter according to claim 1, wherein The first electrode layer further includes a transmission electrode and a plurality of second branch structures, the second branch structures and the first branch structures are on the same side of the extending direction of the transmission electrode, and the second branch structures are electrically connected to the transmission electrode; The second electrode layer includes a plurality of third branch structures, and the orthographic projection of one of the first branch structures and one of the second branch structures on the first substrate overlaps with the same third branch structure.

10. The phase shifter according to claim 9, wherein, A fourth electrode layer is provided on a side of the second substrate facing away from the second substrate.

11. The phase shifter according to claim 1, wherein, The first substrate and / or the second substrate is any one of a glass substrate, a PCB, or a flexible film material.

12. The phase shifter according to claim 1, wherein, The tunable dielectric layer includes liquid crystal.

13. An antenna structure, which includes at least one antenna element and a feeding component for feeding the antenna element; the antenna element includes at least one phase shifter; the phase shifter has a first transmission end and a second transmission end, and the first transmission end is electrically connected to the feeding component; wherein, The phase shifter uses the phase shifter described in any one of claims 1-12.

14. The antenna structure according to claim 13, wherein, When the second electrode layer includes a transmission electrode and a plurality of second branch structures, the first end and the second end of the transmission electrode are respectively used as the first transmission end and the second transmission end; the antenna unit further includes a first radiation electrode and a second radiation electrode; the first radiation electrode is disposed on a side of the third electrode layer facing away from the first substrate, and there is a certain distance therebetween; the second radiation electrode is disposed on a side of the second substrate facing away from the second electrode layer, and the second radiation electrode is electrically connected to the second end of the transmission electrode; The feeding component includes at least one first feeding end and at least one second feeding end; the antenna unit includes at least one opening penetrating through the third electrode layer, the openings are arranged in one-to-one correspondence with the first feeding ends, and the second feeding ports are arranged in one-to-one correspondence with the antenna units; For the correspondingly arranged second feeding ports and antenna units, any two of the second feeding ports, the first radiation electrode of the antenna unit, and the openings at least partially overlap in the orthographic projection on the plane where the first substrate is located.

15. The antenna structure according to claim 14, wherein, The first electrode layer further includes a third connection electrode, and the orthographic projection of the third connection electrode and the first end of the transmission electrode on the first substrate at least partially overlaps; the first radiation electrode is electrically connected to the third connection electrode through a first probe penetrating through the opening and the first substrate.

16. The antenna structure according to claim 14, wherein, The second radiation electrode is electrically connected to the second end of the transmission electrode through a through hole penetrating through the second substrate.

17. The antenna structure according to claim 13, wherein, When a fourth electrode layer is provided on a side of the second substrate facing away from the tunable dielectric and the first electrode layer includes a transmission electrode, the first end and the second end of the transmission electrode are respectively used as the first transmission end and the second transmission end; the antenna unit further includes a first radiation electrode and a second radiation electrode; the first radiation electrode is disposed on a side of the fourth electrode layer facing away from the second substrate, and there is a certain distance therebetween; the second radiation electrode is disposed on a side of the first substrate facing away from the first electrode layer, and the second radiation electrode is electrically connected to the second end of the transmission electrode; The feeding component includes at least one first feeding end and at least one second feeding end; the antenna unit includes at least one opening penetrating through the fourth electrode layer, the openings are arranged in one-to-one correspondence with the first feeding ends, and the second feeding ports are arranged in one-to-one correspondence with the antenna unit; For the correspondingly arranged second feeding port and the antenna unit, any two of the second feeding port, the first radiation electrode of the antenna unit, and the opening overlap at least partially in the orthographic projection on the plane where the second substrate is located.

18. The antenna structure according to claim 17, wherein, The second radiation electrode is electrically connected to the second end of the transmission electrode through a through hole penetrating through the first substrate and the third electrode layer.

19. The antenna structure according to any one of claims 14-18, wherein, When the feeding component includes two first feeding ports, the antenna unit includes two openings and two phase shifters, and the radio frequency signal fed into by one first feeding port is coupled to the first end of the transmission electrode of one phase shifter through one opening; the radio frequency signal fed into by the other first feeding port is coupled to the first end of the transmission electrode of the other phase shifter through the other opening.

20. The antenna structure according to claim 19, wherein, The antenna structure further includes a switch component configured to selectively connect the two first feeding ports in a time-sharing manner.

21. The antenna structure according to claim 19, wherein, For one antenna unit, the feeding point where one phase shifter is electrically connected to the second radiation patch is the first feeding point, and the feeding point where the other phase shifter is electrically connected to the second radiation patch is the second feeding point, and the first feeding line and the second feeding point are respectively located on the extension lines of two orthogonal directions.

22. The antenna structure according to any one of claims 14-18, wherein, The centers of the orthographic projections of the first radiation electrode and the second feeding port electrically connected thereto on the plane where the first substrate is located coincide.

23. The antenna structure according to any one of claims 14-18, wherein, The second radiation electrode is loaded with chamfers, slots or branch loads in a set of orthogonal directions.

24. The antenna structure according to any one of claims 13-18, wherein, The feeding component is a dual-channel waveguide transmission cavity.

25. An electronic device, which includes the antenna structure according to any one of claims 13-24.

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