Transparent antenna unit, antenna, and communication device

Abstract

A transparent antenna unit, comprising: a phase modulation layer, wherein the phase modulation layer comprises a first dielectric plate, a tunable dielectric layer and a second dielectric plate which are stacked in sequence, a first functional electrode located between the first dielectric plate and the tunable dielectric layer, and a second functional electrode located between the tunable dielectric layer and the second dielectric plate, and the orthographic projections of the first functional electrode and the second functional electrode on the first dielectric plate overlap with each other; and a transparent feed layer located on the layer of the first dielectric plate away from the first functional electrode, and connected to the first functional electrode or the second functional electrode.

Description

Transparent antenna unit, antenna and communication device Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to the field of antenna technology, and in particular to a transparent antenna unit, an antenna, and a communication 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] As millimeter-wave terrestrial and satellite mobile communication networks improve in capabilities and become increasingly popular in practical applications, demand for terminals used in millimeter-wave base station communications and satellite mobile communications continues to expand. Millimeter-wave communication blind spot filling and relaying, as well as satellite communication integration into vehicle and building windows, are driving a strong demand for transparent, low-cost, and low-power phased array antennas.

[0004] Summary of the Invention

[0005] In a first aspect, the present disclosure provides a transparent antenna unit, comprising:

[0006] a phase modulation layer, the phase modulation layer comprising: a first dielectric plate, an adjustable dielectric layer, and a second dielectric plate stacked in sequence; a first functional electrode located between the first dielectric plate and the adjustable dielectric layer; and a second functional electrode located between the adjustable dielectric layer and the second dielectric plate; wherein orthographic projections of the first functional electrode and the second functional electrode on the first dielectric plate overlap;

[0007] The transparent feeding layer is located on a layer of the first dielectric plate away from the first functional electrode and is connected to the first functional electrode or the second functional electrode.

[0008] In some embodiments, the transparent antenna unit further includes: a radiation electrode, which is located on a side of the second dielectric plate away from the adjustable dielectric layer and is connected to the second functional electrode.

[0009] In some embodiments, the second functional electrode is a radiation electrode, and the transparent antenna unit further includes a parasitic electrode coupled to the radiation electrode, and the parasitic electrode is located on a side of the second dielectric plate away from the radiation electrode.

[0010] In some embodiments, the transparent antenna unit further comprises:

[0011] a first reference electrode, located on a side of the first dielectric plate close to the feed layer; the orthographic projections of the first functional electrode and the feed layer on the first dielectric plate overlap with the orthographic projection of the first reference electrode on the first dielectric plate;

[0012] a third dielectric plate, located on a side of the first reference electrode close to the feed layer;

[0013] A first connecting member passes through the first dielectric plate and the third dielectric plate and is connected to the feed layer and the first functional electrode. The first connecting member is insulated from the first reference electrode.

[0014] In some embodiments, the transparent antenna unit further comprises:

[0015] a first reference electrode, located on a side of the first dielectric plate close to the feed layer; the orthographic projections of the first functional electrode and the feed layer on the first dielectric plate overlap with the orthographic projection of the first reference electrode on the first dielectric plate;

[0016] a third dielectric plate, located on a side of the first reference electrode close to the feed layer;

[0017] A first slit is provided on the first reference electrode, and the feed layer is coupled to the first functional electrode through the first slit.

[0018] In some embodiments, the transparent antenna unit further comprises:

[0019] a fourth dielectric plate, located on a side of the feed layer facing away from the first dielectric plate;

[0020] A shielding electrode is located on a layer of the fourth dielectric plate away from the feeding layer, wherein the orthographic projection of the shielding electrode on the fourth dielectric plate covers at least a portion of the orthographic projection of the feeding layer on the fourth dielectric plate.

[0021] In some embodiments, the first functional electrode is a ground electrode having a second slit formed thereon, and the feeding layer is coupled to the second functional electrode through the second slit.

[0022] In some embodiments, the transparent antenna unit further comprises:

[0023] a second reference electrode, located on a side of the second dielectric plate facing away from the first dielectric plate; the orthographic projections of the radiation electrode and the second functional electrode on the second dielectric plate overlap with the orthographic projection of the second reference electrode on the second dielectric plate;

[0024] a fifth dielectric plate, located on a side of the second reference electrode facing away from the second dielectric plate;

[0025] A second connecting member passes through the second dielectric plate and the fifth dielectric plate, and is connected to the radiation electrode and the second functional electrode.

[0026] In some embodiments, the feed layer includes a transmission line or a radiating patch.

[0027] In some embodiments, the feed layer is made of a transparent conductive material, or the feed layer is a metal grid structure.

[0028] In some embodiments, the first functional electrode adopts a metal grid structure or is made of a transparent conductive material; the second functional electrode adopts a metal grid structure or is made of a transparent conductive material.

[0029] In a second aspect, the present disclosure further provides an antenna, comprising: a plurality of the above-mentioned transparent antenna units, wherein the plurality of the transparent antenna units are arranged in an array.

[0030] In a third aspect, the present disclosure further provides a communication device, comprising: a transparent window having a receiving space, and the antenna described above; wherein the antenna is located in the receiving space.

[0031] In some embodiments, the feed layer includes a transmission line, and the antenna further includes a power division network, and the power division network is used to connect the transmission line of each transparent antenna unit and the feed port of the transceiver unit.

[0032] In some embodiments, at least a portion of the power division network is disposed on the same layer as the transmission line.

[0033] In some embodiments, the feed layer includes a radiation patch; the radiation patch is arranged opposite to the transceiver unit located outside the transparent window, and is used to receive the microwave signal transmitted by the transceiver unit, or to transmit the microwave signal to the transceiver unit. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0034] The accompanying drawings are used to provide a further understanding of the present disclosure and constitute a part of the specification. Together with the following detailed description, they are used to explain the present disclosure but do not constitute a limitation of the present disclosure. In the accompanying drawings:

[0035] FIG1 is a schematic diagram of a transparent electric wire unit provided in a first example of the present disclosure.

[0036] FIG2 is a schematic diagram of a transparent antenna unit provided in a second example of the present disclosure.

[0037] FIG3 is a schematic diagram of a transparent antenna unit provided in a third example of the present disclosure.

[0038] FIG4 is a schematic diagram of a transparent antenna unit provided in a fourth example of the present disclosure.

[0039] FIG5 is a schematic diagram of an antenna provided in an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0040] FIG6 is a schematic diagram of a communication device provided in an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0041] FIG7 is another schematic diagram of a communication device provided in an embodiment of the present disclosure. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0042] The following describes the specific embodiments of the present disclosure in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. It should be understood that the specific embodiments described herein are only used to illustrate and explain the present disclosure and are not intended to limit the present disclosure.

[0043] To make the purpose, technical solutions, and advantages of the embodiments of the present disclosure more clear, the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present disclosure will be clearly and completely described below in conjunction with the accompanying drawings of the embodiments of the present disclosure. Obviously, the described embodiments are part of the embodiments of the present disclosure, not all of the embodiments. Based on the described embodiments of the present disclosure, all other embodiments obtained by ordinary technicians in this field without creative work are within the scope of protection of the present disclosure.

[0044] Unless otherwise defined, the technical terms or scientific terms used in the embodiments of the present disclosure should have the usual meanings understood by people with ordinary skills in the field to which the present disclosure belongs. The "first", "second" and similar words used in the present disclosure do not indicate any order, quantity or importance, but are only used to distinguish different components. Similarly, 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.

[0045] As used herein, "parallel" and "perpendicular" include the conditions described and conditions similar to the conditions described, and the range of the similar conditions is within an acceptable deviation range, wherein the acceptable deviation range is determined by a person of ordinary skill in the art taking into account the measurement in question and the errors associated with the measurement of the specific quantity (i.e., the limitations of the measurement system). For example, "parallel" includes absolute parallelism and approximate parallelism, wherein the acceptable deviation range for approximate parallelism can be, for example, a deviation within 5°; "perpendicular" includes absolute perpendicularity and approximate perpendicularity, wherein the acceptable deviation range for approximate perpendicularity can also be, for example, a deviation within 5°.

[0046] It will be understood that when a layer or element is referred to as being on another layer or substrate, it can be directly on the other layer or substrate, or intervening layers may be present therebetween.

[0047] Exemplary embodiments are described herein with reference to cross-sectional and / or plan views that are idealized exemplary drawings. In the drawings, the thicknesses of layers and regions are exaggerated for clarity. Therefore, variations in shape relative to the drawings due to, for example, manufacturing techniques and / or tolerances are contemplated. Therefore, the exemplary embodiments should not be construed as limited to the shapes of the regions shown herein, but rather include deviations in shape due to, for example, manufacturing. Therefore, the regions shown in the drawings are schematic in nature, and their shapes are not intended to illustrate the actual shape of regions of the device and are not intended to limit the scope of the exemplary embodiments.

[0048] The liquid crystal phased array antenna is a highly mature, low-cost, and low-power phased array architecture. It utilizes the dielectric anisotropy of liquid crystal to provide deflection voltage to the upper and lower parts of the liquid crystal layer through transmission lines, changing the output phase of the phase shifter or the resonant frequency (amplitude and phase information) of the antenna, thereby adjusting the beam direction of the phased array antenna.

[0049] Liquid crystal phased arrays are generally classified by their feeding method into three categories: reflective arrays, transmissive arrays, and phased arrays with feed grids. Each of these categories typically requires conventional metal electrodes and a PCB substrate. Some phased arrays with feed grids also utilize waveguide feed grids. However, these arrays lack transparency and are unsuitable for integration with transparent windows.

[0050] To address the aforementioned technical issues, the present disclosure provides a transparent antenna unit in an antenna. The feed layer in this transparent antenna unit utilizes a planar feed structure and exhibits transparency, thereby facilitating transparency of the antenna unit and facilitating integration of the antenna unit within a transparent window. The transparent antenna unit provided by the present disclosure is described below with reference to specific examples.

[0051] First example:

[0052] FIG1 is a schematic diagram of a transparent wire unit provided in a first example of the present disclosure. As shown in FIG1 , the transparent antenna unit 10 includes a feed layer 16 , a phase adjustment layer 11 , and a radiation electrode 12 stacked in sequence.

[0053] The phase-modulating layer 11 includes a first dielectric plate 111, an adjustable dielectric layer 115, and a second dielectric plate 112 stacked in sequence, a first functional electrode 113 located between the first dielectric plate 111 and the adjustable dielectric layer 115, and a second functional electrode 114 located between the adjustable dielectric layer 115 and the second dielectric plate 112. The orthographic projections of the first functional electrode 113 and the second functional electrode 114 on the first dielectric plate 111 overlap.

[0054] The adjustable dielectric layer 115 may be, but is not limited to, liquid crystal or a composite material containing liquid crystal. The thickness of the adjustable dielectric layer 115 may be between 1 micron and 10 microns.

[0055] The first functional electrode 113 and the second functional electrode 114 form a variable capacitor in the overlapping area. A first driving voltage can be applied to the first functional electrode 113, and a second driving voltage can be applied to the second functional electrode 114. By adjusting the magnitudes of the first driving voltage and the second driving voltage, the dielectric constant of the adjustable dielectric layer 115 in the overlapping area can be adjusted, thereby adjusting the magnitude of the variable capacitor, thereby achieving phase shifting of the microwave signal transmitted on the first functional electrode 113 or the second functional electrode 114.

[0056] The radiation electrode 12 is located on a side of the second dielectric plate 112 away from the adjustable dielectric layer 115 and is connected to the second functional electrode 114 .

[0057] The feed layer 16 is a planar feed structure used for transmitting and receiving microwave energy. The feed layer 16 is located on a layer of the first dielectric plate 111 away from the first functional electrode 113 and is connected to the first functional electrode 113 or the second functional electrode 114. The feed layer 16 is a transparent structure.

[0058] It should be noted that the transparent structure in the embodiments of the present disclosure refers to a structure with a relatively high light transmittance, for example, a light transmittance of more than 70%, or more than 80%, or more than 90%.

[0059] In the embodiment of the present disclosure, when the radiation electrode 12 serves as a transmitting electrode, the feeding layer 16 feeds a microwave signal to the first functional electrode 113 or the second functional electrode 114, the phase modulation layer 11 performs phase modulation on the microwave signal, and the radiation electrode 12 transmits the phase-modulated microwave signal; of course, the radiation electrode 12 can also serve as a receiving electrode. In this case, the radiation electrode 12 feeds the received microwave signal into the phase modulation layer 11, the phase modulation layer 11 performs phase modulation on the microwave signal, and feeds the phase-modulated microwave signal into the feeding layer 16.

[0060] It should be noted that the connection between the radiation electrode 12 and the second electrode, and the connection between the feed layer 16 and the first functional electrode 113 or the second functional electrode 114 mentioned above can be a coupled connection, or a direct connection, or a connection through other connecting parts, as long as signal transmission can be performed between the two connected structures.

[0061] In some examples, as shown in FIG1 , the transparent antenna unit 10 further includes: a first reference electrode 191, a first connector 181, and a third dielectric plate 13. The first reference electrode 191 includes, but is not limited to, a ground electrode. The first reference electrode 191 is located on the side of the first dielectric plate 111 near the feed layer 16. The orthographic projections of the first functional electrode 113 and the feed layer 16 on the first dielectric plate 111 overlap with the orthographic projection of the first reference electrode 191 on the first dielectric plate 111. The third dielectric plate 13 is located on the side of the first reference electrode 191 near the feed layer 16. The first connector 181 penetrates the first dielectric plate 111 and the third dielectric plate 13 and connects the feed layer 16 to the first functional electrode 13. The first reference electrode 191 may have a first through-hole formed therein, through which the first connector 181 passes. The first connector 181 is insulated from the first reference electrode 191.

[0062] In some examples, the first connector 181 may be a metallized via, which may be formed by methods including but not limited to plated holes and filled holes. When plated holes are used, the feed layer 16 connected to the first connector 181 may include a pad produced by electroplating.

[0063] In the structure shown in Figure 1 , the first functional electrode 113, the second functional electrode 114, and the adjustable dielectric layer 115 form a phase shifter structure. The present disclosure does not limit the specific configuration of the phase shifter structure. The second functional electrode 114 is connected to the radiating electrode 12 via a second connector 182 to provide power to the radiating electrode 12.

[0064] As shown in Figure 1 , the transparent antenna unit 10 further includes a second connector 182, a second reference electrode 192, and a fifth dielectric plate 15. The second reference electrode 192 includes, but is not limited to, a ground electrode. The second reference electrode 192 is located on the side of the second dielectric plate 112 facing away from the first dielectric plate 111. The orthographic projections of the radiating electrode 12 and the second functional electrode 114 on the second dielectric plate 112 overlap with the orthographic projections of the second reference electrode 192 on the second dielectric plate 112. The fifth dielectric plate 15 is located on the side of the second reference electrode 192 facing away from the second dielectric plate 112. The second connector 182 extends through the second dielectric plate 112 and the fifth dielectric plate 15 and is connected to the radiating electrode 12 and the second functional electrode 114.

[0065] The second connector 182 may be a metallized via, and its formation methods may include but are not limited to plated holes and filled holes. When plated holes are used, the second functional electrode 114 connected to the second connector 182 may include a pad produced by electroplating.

[0066] In some examples, as shown in FIG1 , the feed layer 16 can be a transmission line, and the transmission line mode can be, but is not limited to, a stripline, a microstrip line, or a suspended stripline. The ports of the transmission line are connected to a power splitter network A. The power splitter network A is used to synthesize the microwave signals received by the multiple transparent antenna units 10 to the transceiver unit, or to decompose the microwave signals fed by the transceiver unit to each transparent antenna unit 10. It should be noted that FIG1 only schematically shows the connection relationship between the feed layer 16 and the power splitter network A, and does not illustrate the specific structure of the power splitter network A.

[0067] In some examples, the transmission line can be a metal grid structure, the material of the metal grid structure can be but is not limited to copper, molybdenum, aluminum, silver, gold or other materials or alloys thereof, and the metal grid structure can be a single layer film layer of the above metals or a composite film layer formed by the above metal materials; in other examples, the transmission line can be a transparent structure made of transparent conductive material, and the transparent conductive material can be but is not limited to ITO, IGZO, and Mexne.

[0068] As shown in FIG1 , the transparent antenna unit 10 may further include: a fourth dielectric plate 14 and a shielding electrode 17. The fourth dielectric plate 14 is located on a side of the feed layer 16 facing away from the first dielectric plate 111. The shielding electrode 17 is located on a layer of the fourth dielectric plate 14 facing away from the feed layer 16. The orthographic projection of the shielding electrode 17 on the fourth dielectric plate 14 covers at least a portion of the orthographic projection of the feed layer 16 on the fourth dielectric plate 14, thereby shielding the antenna from interference from external signals. For example, the orthographic projection of the feed layer 16 on the fourth dielectric plate 14 is within the orthographic projection of the shielding electrode 17 on the fourth dielectric plate 14.

[0069] In some examples, the first dielectric plate 111 , the second dielectric plate 112 , the third dielectric plate 13 , the fourth dielectric plate 14 , and the fifth dielectric plate 15 are transparent dielectric plates, such as but not limited to glass substrates, new transparent rigid substrates, and flexible substrates.

[0070] In some examples, the first functional electrode 113, the second functional electrode 114, the radiation electrode 12, the first reference electrode 191, the second reference electrode 192, and the shielding electrode 17 may be a metal mesh structure. The metal mesh structure may be made of, but not limited to, copper, molybdenum, aluminum, silver, gold, or alloys thereof. The metal mesh structure may be a single layer of the aforementioned metals or a composite layer of the aforementioned metals. In other examples, the first functional electrode 113, the second functional electrode 114, the radiation electrode 12, the first reference electrode 191, the second reference electrode 192, and the shielding electrode 17 may be a transparent structure made of a transparent conductive material. The transparent conductive material may be, but not limited to, ITO, IGZO, or Mexne. The first functional electrode 113, the second functional electrode 114, the radiation electrode 12, the first reference electrode 191, the second reference electrode 192, and the shielding electrode 17 may all be configured as a metal mesh structure, or as a transparent structure made of a transparent conductive material, or a portion of them may be configured as a metal mesh structure and a portion of them may be configured as a transparent structure made of a transparent conductive material.

[0071] Second example:

[0072] FIG2 is a schematic diagram of a transparent antenna unit 10 provided in a second example of the present disclosure. As shown in FIG2 , the transparent antenna unit 10 includes a feed layer 16 , a phase adjustment layer 11 , and a radiation electrode 12 stacked in sequence.

[0073] The phase-modulating layer 11 includes a first dielectric plate 111, an adjustable dielectric layer 115, and a second dielectric plate 112 stacked in sequence, a first functional electrode 113 located between the first dielectric plate 111 and the adjustable dielectric layer 115, and a second functional electrode 114 located between the adjustable dielectric layer 115 and the second dielectric plate 112. The orthographic projections of the first functional electrode 113 and the second functional electrode 114 on the first dielectric plate 111 overlap.

[0074] The adjustable dielectric layer 115 may be, but is not limited to, liquid crystal or a composite material containing liquid crystal. The thickness of the adjustable dielectric layer 115 may be between 1 micron and 10 microns.

[0075] The first functional electrode 113 and the second functional electrode 114 form a variable capacitor in the overlapping area. A first driving voltage can be applied to the first functional electrode 113, and a second driving voltage can be applied to the second functional electrode 114. By adjusting the magnitudes of the first driving voltage and the second driving voltage, the dielectric constant of the adjustable dielectric layer 115 in the overlapping area can be adjusted, thereby adjusting the magnitude of the variable capacitor, thereby achieving phase shifting of the microwave signal transmitted on the first functional electrode 113 or the second functional electrode 114.

[0076] The radiation electrode 12 is located on a side of the second dielectric plate 112 away from the adjustable dielectric layer 115 and is connected to the second functional electrode 114 .

[0077] The feeding layer 16 is a planar feeding structure, located on a layer of the first dielectric plate 111 away from the first functional electrode 113, and connected to the first functional electrode 113 or the second functional electrode 114. The feeding layer 16 is a transparent structure.

[0078] It should be noted that the transparent structure in the embodiments of the present disclosure refers to a structure with a relatively high light transmittance, for example, a light transmittance of more than 70%, or more than 80%, or more than 90%.

[0079] In the embodiment of the present disclosure, when the radiation electrode 12 serves as a transmitting electrode, the feeding layer 16 feeds a microwave signal to the first functional electrode 113 or the second functional electrode 114, the phase modulation layer 11 performs phase modulation on the microwave signal, and the radiation electrode 12 transmits the phase-modulated microwave signal; of course, the radiation electrode 12 can also serve as a receiving electrode. In this case, the radiation electrode 12 feeds the received microwave signal into the phase modulation layer 11, the phase modulation layer 11 performs phase modulation on the microwave signal, and feeds the phase-modulated microwave signal into the feeding layer 16.

[0080] Unlike FIG1 , in the transparent antenna unit 10 shown in FIG2 , the feed layer 16 is coupled to the first functional electrode 113. Specifically, as shown in FIG2 , the transparent antenna unit 10 further includes a first reference electrode 191 and a third dielectric plate 13. The first reference electrode 191 is located on the side of the first dielectric plate 111 near the feed layer 16 and includes, but is not limited to, a ground electrode. The orthographic projections of the first functional electrode 113 and the feed layer 16 on the first dielectric plate 111 overlap with the orthographic projection of the first reference electrode 191 on the first dielectric plate 111. The third dielectric plate 13 is located on the side of the first reference electrode 191 near the feed layer 16. A first slit 1910 is defined in the first reference electrode 191, through which the feed layer 16 is coupled to the first functional electrode 113, enabling coupled feeding from the feed layer 16 to the first functional electrode 113. The first slit 1910 may be, but is not limited to, a rectangular slit, an H-shaped slit, an arc-shaped slit, or a circular slit.

[0081] In the structure shown in Figure 2 , the first functional electrode 113, the second functional electrode 114, and the adjustable dielectric layer 115 form a phase shifter structure. The present disclosure does not limit the specific configuration of the phase shifter structure. The second functional electrode 114 is connected to the radiating electrode 12 via a second connector 182 to provide power to the radiating electrode 12.

[0082] As shown in Figure 2, the transparent antenna unit 10 further includes a second connector 182, a second reference electrode 192, and a fifth dielectric plate 15. The second reference electrode 192 includes, but is not limited to, a ground electrode. The second reference electrode 192 is located on the side of the second dielectric plate 112 facing away from the first dielectric plate 111. The orthographic projections of the radiating electrode 12 and the second functional electrode 114 on the second dielectric plate 112 overlap with the orthographic projections of the second reference electrode 192 on the second dielectric plate 112. The fifth dielectric plate 115 is located on the side of the second reference electrode 192 facing away from the second dielectric plate 112. The second connector 182 extends through the second dielectric plate 112 and the fifth dielectric plate 115 and is connected to the radiating electrode 12 and the second functional electrode 114.

[0083] The second connector 182 may be a metallized via, and its formation methods may include but are not limited to plated holes and filled holes. When plated holes are used, the second functional electrode 114 connected to the second connector 182 may include a pad produced by electroplating.

[0084] In some examples, as shown in FIG2 , feed layer 16 may include a planar transmission line, which may be in the form of, but not limited to, a stripline, microstrip, or suspended stripline. The ports of the transmission line are connected to a power splitter network. The power splitter network is used to combine microwave signals received by multiple transparent antenna units 10 and transmit them to the transceiver unit, or to split microwave signals fed from the transceiver unit to each transparent antenna unit 10.

[0085] In some examples, the transmission line can be a metal grid structure, the material of the metal grid structure can be but is not limited to copper, molybdenum, aluminum, silver, gold or other materials or alloys thereof, and the metal grid structure can be a single layer film layer of the above metals or a composite film layer formed by the above metal materials; in other examples, the transmission line can be a transparent structure made of transparent conductive material, and the transparent conductive material can be but is not limited to ITO, IGZO, and Mexne.

[0086] As shown in Figure 2, the transparent antenna unit 10 may further include: a fourth dielectric plate 14 and a shielding electrode 17, the fourth dielectric plate 14 is located on the side of the feed layer 16 away from the first dielectric plate 111; the shielding electrode 17 is located on a layer of the fourth dielectric plate 14 away from the feed layer 16, and the orthographic projection of the shielding electrode 17 on the fourth dielectric plate 14 covers at least part of the orthographic projection of the feed layer 16 on the fourth dielectric plate 14, thereby shielding interference from external signals.

[0087] In some examples, the first dielectric plate 111 , the second dielectric plate 112 , the third dielectric plate 13 , the fourth dielectric plate 14 and the fifth dielectric plate are transparent dielectric plates, such as but not limited to glass substrates, new transparent rigid substrates, and flexible substrates.

[0088] In some examples, the first functional electrode 113, the second functional electrode 114, the radiation electrode 12, the first reference electrode 191, the second reference electrode 192, and the shielding electrode 17 may be a metal mesh structure. The metal mesh structure may be made of, but not limited to, copper, molybdenum, aluminum, silver, gold, or alloys thereof. The metal mesh structure may be a single layer of the aforementioned metals or a composite layer of the aforementioned metals. In other examples, the first functional electrode 113, the second functional electrode 114, the radiation electrode 12, the first reference electrode 191, the second reference electrode 192, and the shielding electrode 17 may be a transparent structure made of a transparent conductive material. The transparent conductive material may be, but not limited to, ITO, IGZO, or Mexne. The first functional electrode 113, the second functional electrode 114, the radiation electrode 12, the first reference electrode 191, the second reference electrode 192, and the shielding electrode 17 may all be configured as a metal mesh structure, or as a transparent structure made of a transparent conductive material, or a portion of them may be configured as a metal mesh structure and a portion of them may be configured as a transparent structure made of a transparent conductive material.

[0089] The third example:

[0090] FIG3 is a schematic diagram of a transparent antenna unit 10 provided in a third example of the present disclosure. As shown in FIG3 , the transparent antenna unit 10 includes a feed layer 16 and a phase adjustment layer 11 stacked in sequence.

[0091] The phase-modulating layer 11 includes a first dielectric plate 111, an adjustable dielectric layer 115, and a second dielectric plate 112 stacked in sequence, a first functional electrode 113 located between the first dielectric plate 111 and the adjustable dielectric layer 115, and a second functional electrode 114 located between the adjustable dielectric layer 115 and the second dielectric plate 112. The orthographic projections of the first functional electrode 113 and the second functional electrode 114 on the first dielectric plate 111 overlap.

[0092] The adjustable dielectric layer 115 may be, but is not limited to, liquid crystal or a composite material containing liquid crystal. The thickness of the adjustable dielectric layer 115 may be between 1 micron and 10 microns.

[0093] Unlike Figures 1 and 2 , in the transparent antenna unit 10 shown in Figure 3 , the first functional electrode 113 is a ground electrode. In this case, the first functional electrode 113 can also serve as a reference electrode for the feed layer 16. A second slit 1130 is provided on the first functional electrode 113. The feed layer 16 is coupled to the second functional electrode 114 via the second slit 1130, thereby achieving coupled feeding from the feed layer 16 to the second functional electrode 114. The second slit 1130 can be, but is not limited to, a rectangular slit, an H-shaped slit, an arc-shaped slit, or a circular slit.

[0094] In addition, unlike Figures 1 and 2, in the transparent antenna unit 10 shown in Figure 3, the second functional electrode 114 is a radiating electrode, which can itself transmit and receive spatial microwave signals. An adjustable dielectric layer 115 is loaded between the first functional electrode 113 and the second functional electrode 114, so that the first functional electrode 113 and the second functional electrode 114 form a variable capacitor in the overlapping region. A first driving voltage can be applied to the first functional electrode 113, and a second driving voltage can be applied to the second functional electrode 114. By adjusting the magnitude of the first driving voltage and the second driving voltage, the dielectric constant of the adjustable dielectric layer 115 in the overlapping region can be adjusted, thereby adjusting the resonance point of the second functional electrode 114 (radiating electrode), and further adjusting the amplitude and phase of the signal radiated by the transparent antenna unit 10 at the operating frequency.

[0095] The transparent antenna unit 10 also includes a parasitic electrode 121 coupled to the second functional electrode 114. The parasitic electrode 121 is located on a side of the second dielectric plate 112 away from the first dielectric plate 111 and opposite the second functional electrode 114. The parasitic electrode 121 and the second functional electrode 114 (i.e., the radiating electrode) form a radiating element. The provision of the parasitic electrode 121 helps expand the antenna bandwidth.

[0096] The second functional electrode 114 may be a square patch electrode or a patch electrode of other shapes, which is not limited in the embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0097] The feed layer 16 is a planar feed structure. It is located on a layer of the first dielectric plate 111 facing away from the first functional electrode 113 and is connected to the first functional electrode 113 or the second functional electrode 114. The feed layer 16 is a transparent structure. It should be noted that a transparent structure in the disclosed embodiments refers to a structure with a high light transmittance, for example, a light transmittance of greater than 70%, 80%, or 90%.

[0098] Different from FIG. 1 and FIG. 2 , the feeding layer 16 in FIG. 3 may include a radiation patch, which is used to receive microwave signals fed by the transceiver unit below, or transmit microwave signals to the transceiver unit below.

[0099] Among them, the radiation patch can be a metal grid structure, the material of the metal grid structure can be but not limited to copper, molybdenum, aluminum, silver, gold and other materials or their alloys, the metal grid structure can be a single layer of the above metal, or it can be a composite film layer formed by the above metal materials; in other examples, the radiation patch can be a transparent structure made of transparent conductive material, and the transparent conductive material can be but not limited to ITO, IGZO, Mexne.

[0100] In Figure 3 , the first dielectric plate 111 and the second dielectric plate 112 are transparent dielectric plates, such as, but not limited to, glass substrates, new transparent rigid substrates, or flexible substrates. The first functional electrode 113, the second functional electrode 114, and the parasitic electrode 121 can be metal mesh structures. The metal mesh structures can be made of, but not limited to, copper, molybdenum, aluminum, silver, gold, or alloys thereof. The metal mesh structures can be single-layer films of the aforementioned metals or composite films of the aforementioned metals. In other examples, the first functional electrode 113, the second functional electrode 114, and the parasitic electrode 121 can be transparent structures made of, but not limited to, ITO, IGZO, or Mexne. The first functional electrode 113, the second functional electrode 114, and the parasitic electrode 121 can all be metal mesh structures, or all be transparent structures made of, or a portion can be metal mesh structures and another portion can be transparent structures made of, or a portion can be transparent structures made of, a transparent conductive material.

[0101] Compared with FIG. 1 and FIG. 2 , the transparent antenna unit 10 shown in FIG. 3 has fewer dielectric plates and thus has a lower cross-section, which is more conducive to integration with a transparent window.

[0102] Fourth example:

[0103] FIG4 is a schematic diagram of a transparent antenna unit 10 provided in a fourth example of the present disclosure. As shown in FIG4 , the transparent antenna unit 10 includes a feed layer 16 , a phase adjustment layer 11 , and a radiation electrode 12 stacked in sequence.

[0104] The phase-modulating layer 11 includes a first dielectric plate 111, an adjustable dielectric layer 115, and a second dielectric plate 112 stacked in sequence, a first functional electrode 113 located between the first dielectric plate 111 and the adjustable dielectric layer 115, and a second functional electrode 114 located between the adjustable dielectric layer 115 and the second dielectric plate 112. The orthographic projections of the first functional electrode 113 and the second functional electrode 114 on the first dielectric plate 111 overlap.

[0105] The adjustable dielectric layer 115 may be, but is not limited to, liquid crystal or a composite material containing liquid crystal. The thickness of the adjustable dielectric layer 115 may be between 1 micron and 10 microns.

[0106] The first functional electrode 113 and the second functional electrode 114 form a variable capacitor in the overlapping area. A first driving voltage can be applied to the first functional electrode 113, and a second driving voltage can be applied to the second functional electrode 114. By adjusting the magnitudes of the first driving voltage and the second driving voltage, the dielectric constant of the adjustable dielectric layer 115 in the overlapping area can be adjusted, thereby adjusting the magnitude of the variable capacitor, thereby achieving phase shifting of the microwave signal transmitted on the first functional electrode 113 or the second functional electrode 114.

[0107] The radiation electrode 12 is located on a side of the second dielectric plate 112 away from the adjustable dielectric layer 115 and is connected to the second functional electrode 114 .

[0108] The feeding layer 16 is a planar feeding structure, located on a layer of the first dielectric plate 111 away from the first functional electrode 113, and connected to the first functional electrode 113 or the second functional electrode 114. The feeding layer 16 is a transparent structure.

[0109] It should be noted that the transparent structure in the embodiments of the present disclosure refers to a structure with a relatively high light transmittance, for example, a light transmittance of more than 70%, or more than 80%, or more than 90%.

[0110] In the embodiment of the present disclosure, when the radiation electrode 12 serves as a transmitting electrode, the feeding layer 16 feeds a microwave signal to the first functional electrode 113 or the second functional electrode 114, the phase modulation layer 11 performs phase modulation on the microwave signal, and the radiation electrode 12 transmits the phase-modulated microwave signal; of course, the radiation electrode 12 can also serve as a receiving electrode. In this case, the radiation electrode 12 feeds the received microwave signal into the phase modulation layer 11, the phase modulation layer 11 performs phase modulation on the microwave signal, and feeds the phase-modulated microwave signal into the feeding layer 16.

[0111] In the structure shown in FIG4 , the feeding layer 16 may include a radiation patch, which is used to receive microwave signals fed by the transceiver unit below, or transmit microwave signals to the transceiver unit below.

[0112] Among them, the radiation patch can be a metal grid structure, the material of the metal grid structure can be but not limited to copper, molybdenum, aluminum, silver, gold and other materials or their alloys, the metal grid structure can be a single layer of the above metal, or it can be a composite film layer formed by the above metal materials; in other examples, the radiation patch can be a transparent structure made of transparent conductive material, and the transparent conductive material can be but not limited to ITO, IGZO, Mexne.

[0113] In the structure shown in FIG4 , the first functional electrode 113 is a ground electrode. In this case, the first functional electrode 113 can also serve as a reference electrode for the feed layer 16. A second slit 1130 is defined in the first functional electrode 113. The feed layer 16 is coupled to the second functional electrode 114 via the second slit 1130, thereby achieving coupled power feeding from the feed layer 16 to the second functional electrode 114. The second slit 1130 can be, but is not limited to, a rectangular slit, an H-shaped slit, an arc-shaped slit, or a circular slit.

[0114] In the structure shown in Figure 4 , the first functional electrode 113, the second functional electrode 114, and the adjustable dielectric layer 115 form a phase shifter structure. The present disclosure does not limit the specific configuration of the phase shifter structure. The second functional electrode 114 is connected to the radiating electrode 12 via a second connector 182 to provide power to the radiating electrode 12.

[0115] As shown in Figure 4 , the transparent antenna unit 10 further includes a second connector 182, a second reference electrode 192, and a fifth dielectric plate 15. The second reference electrode 192 includes, but is not limited to, a ground electrode. The second reference electrode 192 is located on the side of the second dielectric plate 112 facing away from the first dielectric plate 111. The orthographic projections of the radiating electrode 12 and the second functional electrode 114 on the second dielectric plate 112 overlap with the orthographic projections of the second reference electrode 192 on the second dielectric plate 112. The fifth dielectric plate is located on the side of the second reference electrode 192 facing away from the second dielectric plate 112. The second connector 182 extends through the second dielectric plate 112 and the fifth dielectric plate and connects to the radiating electrode 12 and the second functional electrode 114.

[0116] Among them, the second connecting member 182 can be a metallized via, and its formation method can include but is not limited to plating and filling. When the plating method is adopted, at least one of the second functional electrode 114 and the radiation electrode 12 connected to the second connecting member 182 can include a pad produced by electroplating.

[0117] In Figure 4 , the first dielectric plate 111, the second dielectric plate 112, and the fifth dielectric plate are transparent dielectric plates, such as, but not limited to, glass substrates, new transparent rigid substrates, or flexible substrates. The first functional electrode 113, the second functional electrode 114, the radiation electrode 12, and the second reference electrode 192 may be metal mesh structures. The metal mesh structures may be made of, but not limited to, copper, molybdenum, aluminum, silver, gold, or alloys thereof. The metal mesh structures may be single-layer films of the aforementioned metals or composite films of the aforementioned metals. Of course, the first functional electrode 113, the second functional electrode 114, the radiation electrode 12, and the second reference electrode 192 may also be transparent structures made of transparent conductive materials, such as, but not limited to, ITO, IGZO, or Mexane. The first functional electrode 113, the second functional electrode 114, the radiation electrode 12, and the second reference electrode 192 may all be metal mesh structures, or all be transparent structures made of transparent conductive materials, or one portion may be a metal mesh structure and the other portion may be a transparent structure made of transparent conductive materials.

[0118] Compared with FIG. 1 and FIG. 2 , the transparent antenna unit 10 shown in FIG. 4 has fewer dielectric plates and thus has a lower cross-section, which is more conducive to integration with a transparent window.

[0119] It should be noted that the above examples can be combined with each other when they are not contradictory. For example, for the structures shown in Figures 1 and 2, the feed layer 16 can use patch electrodes. In this case, there is no need to provide the fourth dielectric plate 14. For another example, for the structures shown in Figures 3 and 4, the feed layer 16 can use a transmission line.

[0120] An embodiment of the present disclosure also provides an antenna 1, as shown in FIG5 , the antenna 1 includes a plurality of transparent antenna units 10 in the above embodiments, wherein the plurality of transparent antenna units 10 are arranged in an array, for example, they can be arranged in a rectangular array, a triangular array or other configurations.

[0121] When the feed layer 16 uses a transmission line, the antenna 1 may further include a power splitter network (not shown) connected between the feed layer 16 and the transceiver unit of the transparent antenna unit 10. The transceiver unit may be a feed source or a receiving antenna. The power splitter network can synthesize the energy received by each transparent antenna unit 10 to the transceiver unit or decompose the energy fed from the transceiver unit to each transparent antenna unit 10.

[0122] The power splitting network may include a power splitter connected to the feed layer 16 , and the power splitter may be a T-type power splitter or a Wilkinson power splitter. The power splitter may be made of a transparent conductive material or a metal grid structure, thereby facilitating transparency of the entire antenna 1 .

[0123] In some examples, at least a portion of the power splitter network can be provided on the same layer as the transmission line, thereby facilitating reduction in the overall thickness of the antenna 1 and facilitating integration of the antenna 1 with the transparent window.

[0124] The present disclosure also provides a communication device, as shown in FIG6 , comprising: a transparent window having a receiving space Sp, and the antenna 1 of the above embodiment, the antenna 1 being located within the receiving space Sp. The transparent window may be a vehicle window, a building window, or the like.

[0125] In some examples, the transparent window may include a first transparent substrate 21 and a second transparent substrate 20, with a receiving space defined between the first transparent substrate 21 and the second transparent substrate 20. For example, the first transparent substrate 21 and the second transparent substrate 20 may both be glass substrates.

[0126] In some examples, the antenna 1 can be in a planar state or in a bent state with multiple planar parts; alternatively, the dielectric plates in the transparent antenna unit 10 are all made of flexible materials, so that the antenna 1 can be set to a bent state so that it can conform to the curved transparent window.

[0127] In some examples, when the feeding layer 16 includes a radiation patch, the radiation patch is arranged relative to the transceiver unit 22 outside the transparent window to receive the microwave signal transmitted by the transceiver unit 22 through space feeding, and / or transmit the microwave signal to the transceiver unit.

[0128] It is understood that the above embodiments are merely exemplary embodiments for illustrating the principles of the present disclosure, and the present disclosure is not limited thereto. Those skilled in the art may make various modifications and improvements without departing from the spirit and substance of the present disclosure, and such modifications and improvements are also considered to be within the scope of protection of the present disclosure.

Claims

1. A transparent antenna unit, comprising: a phase modulation layer, the phase modulation layer comprising: a first dielectric plate, an adjustable dielectric layer, and a second dielectric plate stacked in sequence; a first functional electrode located between the first dielectric plate and the adjustable dielectric layer; and a second functional electrode located between the adjustable dielectric layer and the second dielectric plate; wherein orthographic projections of the first functional electrode and the second functional electrode on the first dielectric plate overlap; The transparent feeding layer is located on a layer of the first dielectric plate away from the first functional electrode and is connected to the first functional electrode or the second functional electrode.

2. The transparent antenna unit according to claim 1, wherein: The transparent antenna unit further includes a radiation electrode, which is located on a side of the second dielectric plate away from the adjustable dielectric layer and is connected to the second functional electrode.

3. The transparent antenna unit according to claim 1, wherein: The second functional electrode is a radiation electrode. The transparent antenna unit further includes a parasitic electrode coupled to the second functional electrode. The parasitic electrode is located on a side of the second dielectric plate away from the radiation electrode.

4. The transparent antenna unit according to claim 1, wherein: The transparent antenna unit further includes: a first reference electrode, located on a side of the first dielectric plate close to the feed layer; the orthographic projections of the first functional electrode and the feed layer on the first dielectric plate overlap with the orthographic projection of the first reference electrode on the first dielectric plate; a third dielectric plate, located on a side of the first reference electrode close to the feed layer; The first connecting member passes through the first dielectric plate and the third dielectric plate and is connected to the feed layer and the first functional electrode. Consider the electrode insulation spacing.

5. The transparent antenna unit according to claim 1, wherein: The transparent antenna unit further includes: a first reference electrode, located on a side of the first dielectric plate close to the feed layer; the orthographic projections of the first functional electrode and the feed layer on the first dielectric plate overlap with the orthographic projection of the first reference electrode on the first dielectric plate; a third dielectric plate, located on a side of the first reference electrode close to the feed layer; A first slit is provided on the first reference electrode, and the feed layer is coupled to the first functional electrode through the first slit.

6. The transparent antenna unit according to claim 1, wherein: The transparent antenna unit further includes: a fourth dielectric plate, located on a side of the feed layer facing away from the first dielectric plate; A shielding electrode is located on a layer of the fourth dielectric plate away from the feeding layer, wherein the orthographic projection of the shielding electrode on the fourth dielectric plate covers at least a portion of the orthographic projection of the feeding layer on the fourth dielectric plate.

7. The transparent antenna unit according to claim 1, wherein: The first functional electrode is a ground electrode, on which a second slit is formed, and the feeding layer is coupled to the second functional electrode through the second slit.

8. The transparent antenna unit according to claim 1, wherein: The transparent antenna unit further includes: The second reference electrode is located on the side of the second dielectric plate away from the first dielectric plate; the orthographic projections of the radiation electrode and the second functional electrode on the second dielectric plate are aligned with the first reference electrode. The orthographic projections of the two reference electrodes on the second dielectric plate overlap; a fifth dielectric plate, located on a side of the second reference electrode facing away from the second dielectric plate; A second connecting member passes through the second dielectric plate and the fifth dielectric plate, and is connected to the radiation electrode and the second functional electrode.

9. The transparent antenna unit according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein: The feed layer includes a transmission line or a radiation patch.

10. The transparent antenna unit according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein: The feed layer is made of a transparent conductive material, or the feed layer is a metal grid structure.

11. The transparent antenna unit according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein: The first functional electrode adopts a metal grid structure or is made of a transparent conductive material; the second functional electrode adopts a metal grid structure or is made of a transparent conductive material.

12. An antenna comprising: A plurality of transparent antenna units according to any one of claims 1 to 11, wherein the plurality of transparent antenna units are arranged in an array.

13. A communication device comprising: A transparent window having a receiving space, and the antenna according to claim 12; wherein the antenna is located in the receiving space. The communication device according to claim 13 , wherein: The feeding layer includes a transmission line, and the antenna further includes a power division network, which is used to connect the transmission line of each transparent antenna unit and the feeding port of the transceiver unit.

15. The communication device according to claim 14, wherein: At least a portion of the power division network is arranged on the same layer as the transmission line. The communication device according to claim 15 , wherein: The feeding layer includes a radiation patch; the radiation patch is arranged opposite to the transceiver unit located outside the transparent window, and is used to receive the microwave signal transmitted by the transceiver unit, or to transmit the microwave signal to the transceiver unit.

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