Phase shifter and antenna

Abstract

A phase shifter and an antenna. The phase shifter comprises a fixed assembly and a movable assembly that are stacked, wherein the side surface of the fixed assembly close to the movable assembly is provided with a first transmission structure; the side surface of the movable assembly close to the fixed assembly is provided with a second transmission structure; the first transmission structure is electrically coupled with the second transmission structure; the fixed assembly and / or the movable assembly is a hollow closed cavity, and the cavity is filled with liquid crystals.

Description

Phase shifters and antennas Technical Field

[0001] The embodiments of the present disclosure relate to, but are not limited to, the field of antenna technology, and in particular to a phase shifter and an antenna. Background Art

[0002] A phase shifter is a device that controls the phase of electromagnetic waves and is widely used in various communication systems, such as satellite communications, phased array radar, remote sensing and telemetry, etc.

[0003] For phase shifters that alter the physical length of the signal transmission path to change phase, once the phase shifter structure is determined, the maximum physical length of the signal transmission path is also fixed, which in turn determines the maximum phase shift and the maximum beam tilt angle achievable by the antenna array. Therefore, antenna arrays with different numbers of elements and different element spacing require phase shifters with different maximum phase shifts to accommodate the required maximum beam tilt angle. This results in a wide variety of phase shifters required for antenna arrays, leading to significant design complexity.

[0004] Summary of the Invention

[0005] The following is a summary of the subject matter described in detail herein. This summary is not intended to limit the scope of the claims.

[0006] An embodiment of the present disclosure provides a phase shifter, comprising: a stacked fixed component and a movable component, wherein: a first transmission structure is provided on a surface of the fixed component on a side close to the movable component, and a second transmission structure is provided on a surface of the movable component on a side close to the fixed component, and the first transmission structure and the second transmission structure are electrically coupled; the fixed component and / or the movable component are hollow and closed cavities, and the cavities are filled with liquid crystal.

[0007] An embodiment of the present disclosure further provides an antenna, comprising the phase shifter as described in any embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0008] Other aspects will become apparent upon reading and understanding the drawings and detailed description.

[0009] Summary of the Figures

[0010] The accompanying drawings are intended to provide a further understanding of the technical solutions of the present disclosure and constitute a part of the specification. Together with the embodiments of the present disclosure, they are used to explain the technical solutions of the present disclosure and do not constitute a limitation of the technical solutions of the present disclosure. The shapes and sizes of the components in the drawings do not reflect the actual scale and are intended only to illustrate the contents of the present disclosure.

[0011] FIG1 is a schematic structural diagram of a phase shifter provided by an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0012] FIG2A is a schematic structural diagram of another phase shifter provided by an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0013] FIG2B is an exploded view of the phase shifter shown in FIG2A ;

[0014] FIG2C is a schematic structural diagram of the arc-shaped body in the phase shifter shown in FIG2A ;

[0015] FIG2D is a schematic structural diagram of a wiper in the phase shifter shown in FIG2A ;

[0016] FIG2E is a schematic cross-sectional view of the arc-shaped body in the phase shifter shown in FIG2A ;

[0017] FIG3A is a schematic structural diagram of another phase shifter provided by an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0018] FIG3B is a schematic structural diagram of the wiper in the phase shifter shown in FIG3A ;

[0019] FIG4A is a schematic structural diagram of another phase shifter provided by an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0020] FIG4B is a top view of the fixed body in the phase shifter shown in FIG4A ;

[0021] FIG4C is a top view of a slider in the phase shifter shown in FIG4A ;

[0022] FIG4D is a perspective view of a fixed body in the phase shifter shown in FIG4A ;

[0023] FIG5A is a schematic structural diagram of another phase shifter provided by an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0024] FIG5B is a perspective view of a slider in the phase shifter shown in FIG5A ;

[0025] FIG6A is a schematic structural diagram of another phase shifter provided by an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0026] FIG6B is a top view of the fixed body in the phase shifter shown in FIG6A ;

[0027] FIG. 6C is a perspective view of a fixed body in the phase shifter shown in FIG. 6A .

[0028] Details

[0029] To make the objectives, technical solutions and advantages of the present disclosure more clearly understood, the embodiments of the present disclosure will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. It should be noted that, unless there is a conflict, the embodiments and features in the embodiments of the present disclosure can be combined with each other in any manner.

[0030] Unless otherwise defined, the technical or scientific terms used in the embodiments of the present disclosure should have the ordinary meaning understood by people with ordinary skills in the field to which the present disclosure belongs. The words "first", "second" and similar words used in the embodiments of the present disclosure do not indicate any order, quantity or importance, but are only used to distinguish different components. The words "include" or "comprising" and similar words mean that the elements or objects preceding the word include the elements or objects listed after the word and their equivalents, without excluding other elements or objects.

[0031] Properly tilting the main beam of a base station antenna's vertical pattern (referred to as beam downtilt) enables mobile communication systems to achieve excellent network coverage, maximize traffic throughput, and enhance anti-interference capabilities. Base station antennas capable of adjusting the main beam's vertical pattern are called electrically downtilted base station antennas, or simply electrically tilted antennas. Phase shifters, which alter the phase excitation of each radiating element to achieve different phases and beam downtilt, are key components of electrically tilted antennas.

[0032] According to the principle of array antenna beam scanning, the phase shift of the phase shifter is closely related to the size of the antenna downtilt angle. The larger the antenna beam downtilt angle, the larger the phase shift of the phase shifter is required. The maximum phase shift directly determines the maximum beam direction of the antenna. For an N-unit array with a wavelength of λ0 and equal spacing d, if the phases of adjacent units are equal and there is no phase difference, the maximum beam direction of the antenna is directly in front of the normal of the antenna. If the maximum beam tilt angle of the antenna is θ max , then the maximum phase shift Φ max It can be expressed by formula (1):

[0033] Therefore, by designing a continuous phase change maximum phase shift Φ max The phase shifter can realize the array antenna from pointing the beam directly in front of the antenna normal to the maximum beam tilt angle θ max Continuous angle scanning.

[0034] Related technologies include physically variable-length phase shifters that alter the signal's transmission phase by changing the physical length of the signal transmission path. However, once the structure of this type of phase shifter is determined, the maximum physical length of the signal transmission path is also fixed, which in turn defines the maximum phase shift and the maximum beam tilt angle achievable by the antenna array. Therefore, antenna arrays with varying numbers of elements and spacing between elements require phase shifters with varying maximum phase shifts to accommodate the required maximum beam tilt angle. This results in a wide variety of phase shifters required for antenna arrays and increases design complexity.

[0035] When an electromagnetic wave signal with a frequency of f passes through a transmission line with a length of L, the phase change it produces is:

[0036] Among them, β is the wave number of electromagnetic wave in the transmission line, λ g is the wavelength of the electromagnetic wave in the transmission line, λ0 is the wavelength of the electromagnetic wave in vacuum, ε r is the equivalent dielectric constant of the transmission line. From formula (2), we can see that we can change the physical length L of the transmission line and / or the equivalent dielectric constant ε of the transmission line. r , to change the transmission phase of the signal.

[0037] As shown in FIG1 , an embodiment of the present disclosure provides a phase shifter, comprising: a fixed component 1 and a movable component 2 arranged in a stacked manner, wherein:

[0038] A first transmission structure (not shown in the figure) is provided on a side surface of the fixed component 1 close to the movable component 2 (not shown in the figure), and a second transmission structure (not shown in the figure) is provided on a side surface of the movable component 2 close to the fixed component 1 (not shown in the figure), and the first transmission structure and the second transmission structure are electrically coupled.

[0039] At least one of the fixed component 1 and the movable component 2 is a hollow and closed cavity (not shown in the figure), and the cavity is filled with liquid crystal 14.

[0040] The phase shifter provided in the embodiments of the present disclosure utilizes a fixed component 1 and / or a movable component 2 as a hollow, enclosed cavity filled with liquid crystal. After an electromagnetic wave signal passes through the phase shifter, the resulting phase change varies with the dielectric constant of the liquid crystal material. This means that the present disclosure can change the signal transmission phase not only by changing the physical length of the signal transmission path, but also by changing the equivalent dielectric constant of the transmission line. This allows for control of the maximum phase shift while maintaining a fixed phase shifter structure, thereby adapting to the maximum beam tilt scanning requirements of antenna arrays with varying numbers of elements and spacing between elements.

[0041] Liquid crystal materials are highly valued in microwave technology primarily due to their tunable dielectric properties. The long, rod-like structure of liquid crystal molecules results in different dielectric constants along their major and minor axes, giving them unique advantages in microwave signal manipulation. When an external bias field is applied to a liquid crystal material, the molecules deflect, altering the effective dielectric constant and refractive index within the material. This shift directly affects the transmission characteristics of microwave signals, such as propagation velocity, phase delay, and amplitude attenuation. Therefore, precise control of the external bias field enables effective and continuous control of microwave signals.

[0042] The phase shifter of the disclosed embodiment includes a signal input terminal and one or more signal output terminals. When the movable component 2 moves, the signal transmission distance from the signal input terminal to each signal output terminal will change accordingly, thereby causing the signal transmission phase to change. At the same time, because the fixed component 1 and / or the movable component 2 are closed cavities filled with liquid crystal, the maximum phase shift amount can be adjusted by adjusting the dielectric constant of the liquid crystal material.

[0043] In some exemplary embodiments, the cavity material may be glass, plastic, etc., which is not limited herein.

[0044] The phase shifter of the embodiment of the present disclosure may be implemented in various structures, which will be described below using an arc-shaped phase shifter as an example in conjunction with FIG. 2A to FIG. 2E and FIG. 3A to FIG. 3B .

[0045] In some exemplary embodiments, as shown in Figures 2A to 2E and Figures 3A to 3B, the phase shifter further includes a support member 3 and a rotation point 4, the fixed component 1 includes one or more arc-shaped bodies 10, and the arc-shaped bodies 10 and the rotation point 4 are arranged on the support member 3; the movable component 2 is arranged on a side of the arc-shaped body 10 and the rotation point 4 away from the support member 3, and the movable component 2 includes a wiper body 20, which can rotate around the rotation point 4.

[0046] The first transmission structure includes an arc line 11 provided on a side surface of the arc body 10 close to the wiper body 20 , and the second transmission structure includes a wiper line 21 provided on a side surface of the wiper body 20 close to the arc body 10 .

[0047] In the embodiment of the present disclosure, a metal arc wire 11 is provided on the upper surface of the arc body 10 (i.e., the side surface close to the arc brush body 20), and a metal arc brush wire 21 is provided on the lower surface of the arc brush body 20 (i.e., the side surface close to the arc body 10). The arc wire 11 and the arc brush wire 21 are electrically coupled to realize signal transmission.

[0048] In the embodiment of the present disclosure, the arc wiper wire 21 and the arc wiper wire 21 are both made of metal materials, and specific metal materials include but are not limited to aluminum, silver, gold, chromium, molybdenum, nickel or iron.

[0049] In the embodiment of the present disclosure, the arc line 11 and the arc wiper line 21 are both long strip structures with a certain width. Therefore, the arc line can also be called an arc belt, and the arc wiper line can also be called an arc wiper belt.

[0050] In the embodiment of the present disclosure, the length and width of the arc line 11 and the arc brush line 21 can be set as needed, and the present disclosure does not limit this.

[0051] In the embodiment of the present disclosure, the lower surface of the support member 3 can be a metal surface to facilitate grounding.

[0052] In some exemplary embodiments, as shown in Figures 2A to 2E and Figures 3A to 3B, the arc wiper line 21 includes a main line 201, a main line point 202 and one or more coupling lines 203, the coupling line 203 is drawn out from the main line 201, the main line 201 is drawn out from the main line point 202 and extends to the coupling line 203, is connected to the coupling line 203, and the main line point 202 is electrically coupled to the rotation point 4.

[0053] In some exemplary embodiments, as shown in FIG. 2A , FIG. 2D , FIG. 3A and FIG. 3B , the arc-shaped body 10 includes a plurality of arc-shaped bodies 10 , and the plurality of arc-shaped bodies 10 are arranged at intervals. Accordingly, the coupling line 203 includes a plurality of coupling lines 203 , and each coupling line 203 is electrically coupled to one arc-shaped body 10 .

[0054] In some exemplary embodiments, as shown in FIG. 2A and FIG. 3A , the plurality of arc-shaped bodies 10 may be concentric arcs, and the rotation point 4 is located at the center of the arc-shaped body 10 .

[0055] In some exemplary embodiments, as shown in FIG. 2B , the rotation point 4 is connected to the signal input terminal 401 , and a signal output terminal 13 is provided at each end of each arc line 11 .

[0056] In some exemplary embodiments, as shown in FIG. 2E , the arc-shaped body 10 is a closed cavity structure filled with liquid crystal 14 . The arc-shaped body 10 includes two cavity surfaces perpendicular to the arc line 11 , and metal electrodes 12 are provided on the cavity surfaces.

[0057] In the embodiment of the present disclosure, when the arc body 10 is a hollow and closed cavity, metal electrodes 12 are provided on the surface of the cavity perpendicular to the metal arc line 11. These metal electrodes 12 are used to apply an electric field to control the arrangement of liquid crystal molecules, thereby achieving the regulation of the dielectric constant of the liquid crystal material.

[0058] In some exemplary embodiments, the wiper body 20 is a closed cavity structure filled with liquid crystal 14 . The wiper body 20 includes two cavity surfaces perpendicular to the wiper line 21 , and the metal electrodes 12 are disposed on the cavity surfaces.

[0059] In the embodiment of the present disclosure, when the arc brush body 20 is a hollow and closed cavity, metal electrodes 12 are provided on the cavity surface perpendicular to the metal arc brush line 21. These metal electrodes 12 are used to apply an electric field to control the arrangement of liquid crystal molecules and realize the regulation of the dielectric constant of the liquid crystal material.

[0060] In the embodiment of the present disclosure, the arc body 10 may be a closed cavity structure filled with liquid crystal 14 , the arc brush body 20 may be a closed cavity structure filled with liquid crystal 14 , or both the arc body 10 and the arc brush body 20 may be closed cavity structures filled with liquid crystal 14 .

[0061] When the long axis of the liquid crystal molecule is parallel to the direction of the electric field, its dielectric constant reaches its maximum value, which can be expressed as ε∥; when the long axis of the liquid crystal molecule is perpendicular to the direction of the electric field, its dielectric constant reaches its minimum value, which can be expressed as ε⊥; the anisotropy Δε of the liquid crystal material refers to the dielectric anisotropy of the liquid crystal, that is, the difference between the maximum dielectric constant ε∥ and the minimum dielectric constant ε⊥.

[0062] The phase shifter of the disclosed embodiment adjusts the dielectric constant of the liquid crystal material filled in the arc body or arc brush body or the cavity of the arc body and the arc brush body. The phase change generated by the electromagnetic wave signal passing through the arc line of length L changes with the change of the dielectric constant of the liquid crystal material. That is, when the phase shifter structure is fixed, the maximum phase shift amount can be adjusted to adapt to the scanning requirements of the maximum beam tilt angle of antenna arrays with different unit numbers and unit spacing d.

[0063] The following description will be made by taking an example where the phase shifter includes two arc-shaped bodies 10 , however, the present disclosure is not limited thereto.

[0064] In some exemplary embodiments, as shown in Figures 2A to 2E, the arcuate body 10 includes a first arcuate body 101 and a second arcuate body 102, the first arcuate body 101 and the second arcuate body 102 are two concentric arcs, the upper surface of the first arcuate body 101 is provided with a first arc line 111, and the upper surface of the second arcuate body 102 is provided with a second arc line 112, and the length of the first arc line 111 can be an integer multiple of the length of the second arc line 112.

[0065] The phase shifter of the embodiment of the present disclosure includes two arc-shaped bodies 10, which are fixed on a support member 3 at a certain distance, and the lower surface of the support member 3 is a metal surface. In the embodiment of the present disclosure, the length of the first arc line 111 can be an integer multiple of the length of the second arc line 112. For example, the length of the first arc line 111 can be twice the length of the second arc line 112. However, in other examples, the length of the first arc line 111 and the length of the second arc line 112 can also be set to any other multiple relationship. For example, the length of the first arc line 111 can be 1.5 times the length of the second arc line 112. In the embodiment of the present disclosure, by making the length of the first arc line 111 an integer multiple of the length of the second arc line 112, the phase of the output signal of the corresponding signal output end also presents a certain multiple relationship, so that the phase change amount of each signal output end can be more conveniently adjusted.

[0066] In the embodiment of the present disclosure, as shown in FIG. 2A and FIG. 2D , the coupling line 203 includes a first coupling line 2031 and a second coupling line 2032 , wherein the first coupling line 2031 is aligned with the first arc line 111 ; the second coupling line 2032 is aligned with the second arc line 112 .

[0067] In the embodiment of the present disclosure, as shown in FIG. 2A and FIG. 2B , a metal signal input terminal 401 is provided on the upper surface of the rotation point 4 and is aligned with the main line point 202 .

[0068] In the embodiment of the present disclosure, as shown in FIG2B , a first signal output terminal 131 and a second signal output terminal 132 are respectively provided on both sides of the first arc line 111 ; a third signal output terminal 133 and a fourth signal output terminal 134 are respectively provided on both sides of the second arc line 112 .

[0069] The signal is fed into the signal input terminal 401 and electrically coupled with the main line point 202 to achieve signal conduction; the signal is transmitted along the main line 201 to the second coupling line 2032 and the first coupling line 2031, electrically coupled with the second arc line 112 and the first arc line 111, and the signal is transmitted to the first signal output terminal 131, the second signal output terminal 132, the third signal output terminal 133 and the fourth signal output terminal 134 respectively, that is, 1 signal input terminal and 4 signal output terminals, forming a four-way phase shifter.

[0070] The two arc-shaped surfaces of the arc-shaped body 10 vertically support the metal electrodes 12; the metal electrodes 12 on the two arc-shaped surfaces generate different voltage differences to control the dielectric constant of the liquid crystal material in the cavity of the arc-shaped body 10. r , when an electromagnetic wave signal with a frequency of f passes through transmission lines of different lengths, the maximum phase change is generated and dielectric constant ε r Related.

[0071] The following description will be made by taking an example where the phase shifter includes four arc-shaped bodies 10 , however, the present disclosure is not limited thereto.

[0072] In other exemplary embodiments, as shown in Figures 3A and 3B, the arcuate body 10 includes a first arcuate body 101, a second arcuate body 102, a third arcuate body 103 and a fourth arcuate body 104 arranged in sequence, the first arcuate body 101 and the fourth arcuate body 104 are mirror-symmetrical with respect to the rotation point 4, and the second arcuate body 102 and the third arcuate body 103 are mirror-symmetrical with respect to the rotation point 4.

[0073] The phase shifter of the disclosed embodiment includes four arc-shaped bodies 10, which are fixed on a support member 3 at a certain distance. The lower surface of the support member 3 is a metal surface. The first arc-shaped body 101, the second arc-shaped body 102, the third arc-shaped body 103, and the fourth arc-shaped body 104 are arranged in a mirror-symmetrical manner relative to the rotation point 4.

[0074] In some exemplary embodiments, as shown in Figure 3A, the first arc body 101, the second arc body 102, the third arc body 103 and the fourth arc body 104 are four concentric arcs, the upper surface of the first arc body 101 is provided with a first arc line 111, the upper surface of the second arc body 102 is provided with a second arc line 112, the upper surface of the third arc body 103 is provided with a third arc line 113, and the upper surface of the fourth arc body 104 is provided with a fourth arc line 114. The length of the first arc line 111 can be an integer multiple of the length of the second arc line 112, and the length of the third arc line 113 can be an integer multiple of the length of the fourth arc line 114.

[0075] In the embodiment of the present disclosure, since the first arc body 101 and the fourth arc body 104 are mirror-symmetrical relative to the rotation point 4, and the second arc body 102 and the third arc body 103 are mirror-symmetrical relative to the rotation point 4, the length of the first arc line 111 is equal to the length of the fourth arc line 114, and the length of the second arc line 112 is equal to the length of the third arc line 113.

[0076] The phase shifter of the disclosed embodiment includes two arc-shaped bodies 10, which are fixed to a support member 3 at a predetermined distance. The lower surface of the support member 3 is a metal surface. In the disclosed embodiment, the length of the first arc line 111 can be an integer multiple of the length of the second arc line 112, and the length of the third arc line 113 can be an integer multiple of the length of the fourth arc line 114. For example, the length of the first arc line 111 can be twice the length of the second arc line 112, and the length of the third arc line 113 can be twice the length of the fourth arc line 114. However, in other examples, the lengths of the first arc line 111 and the second arc line 112, and the lengths of the third arc line 113 and the fourth arc line 114 can also be set to any other multiple relationship. For example, the length of the first arc line 111 can be 1.5 times the length of the second arc line 112, and the length of the third arc line 113 can be 1.5 times the length of the fourth arc line 114. In the embodiment of the present disclosure, by making the length of the first arc line 111 an integer multiple of the length of the second arc line 112, and the length of the third arc line 113 an integer multiple of the length of the fourth arc line 114, the phases of the output signals of the corresponding signal output terminals also have a certain multiple relationship, so that the phase change amount of each signal output terminal can be more conveniently adjusted.

[0077] In the embodiment of the present disclosure, as shown in Figures 3A and 3B, the coupling line 203 includes a first coupling line 2031, a second coupling line 2032, a third coupling line 2033 and a fourth coupling line 2034, wherein the first coupling line 2031 is aligned with the first arc line 111; the second coupling line 2032 is aligned with the second arc line 112; the third coupling line 2033 is aligned with the third arc line 113; and the fourth coupling line 2034 is aligned with the fourth arc line 114.

[0078] In the embodiment of the present disclosure, as shown in FIG. 3A , a metal signal input terminal 401 is provided on the upper surface of the rotation point 4 and is aligned with the main line point 202 .

[0079] In the embodiment of the present disclosure, as shown in Figure 3A, a first signal output terminal 131 and a second signal output terminal 132 are respectively provided on both sides of the first arc line 111; a third signal output terminal 133 and a fourth signal output terminal 134 are respectively provided on both sides of the second arc line 112; a fifth signal output terminal 135 and a sixth signal output terminal 136 are respectively provided on both sides of the third arc line 113; and a seventh signal output terminal 137 and an eighth signal output terminal 138 are respectively provided on both sides of the fourth arc line 114.

[0080] The signal is fed into the signal input terminal 401 and electrically coupled with the main line point 202 to achieve signal conduction; the signal is transmitted along the main line 201 to the second coupling line 2032, the third coupling line 2033, the first coupling line 2031, and the fourth coupling line 2034, and electrically coupled with the four arc lines 11, and the signal is transmitted to the first signal output terminal 131 to the eighth signal output terminal 138 respectively, that is, 1 signal input terminal and 8 signal output terminals, forming an eight-way phase shifter.

[0081] The arc body 10 is provided with metal electrodes 12 on two arc-shaped surfaces of the vertical support member 3; the metal electrodes 12 on the two arc-shaped surfaces generate different voltage differences to control the dielectric constant of the liquid crystal material in the arc-shaped cavity. r , when an electromagnetic wave signal with a frequency of f passes through transmission lines of different lengths, the maximum phase change is generated and dielectric constant ε r Related.

[0082] The above description uses the phase shifter including two or four arc-shaped bodies as an example. It is understandable that the number of arc-shaped bodies in the phase shifter of the present disclosure is not limited to 2 or 4, but can be any other number.

[0083] In addition to the above-mentioned arc-shaped phase shifter, the phase shifter of the embodiment of the present disclosure can also be implemented as a sliding U-shaped phase shifter structure, which will be described in detail below with reference to Figures 4A to 4D, 5A to 5B, and 6A to 6C.

[0084] In some exemplary embodiments, as shown in Figures 4A to 4D, Figures 5A to 5B, and Figures 6A to 6C, the fixed component 1 includes a fixed body 15, and the first transmission structure includes a fixed branch 150 provided on a surface of the fixed body 15 on one side close to the movable component 2.

[0085] The movable component 2 includes a sliding body 22 , and the second transmission structure includes a sliding branch 220 provided on a surface of the sliding body 22 close to the fixed body 15 . The fixed branch 150 and the sliding branch 220 are electrically coupled.

[0086] In some exemplary embodiments, as shown in FIG. 4B , the fixing branch 150 includes a plurality of fixing branches 150 , and the plurality of fixing branches 150 are arranged at intervals.

[0087] As shown in FIG4B , the upper surface of the fixing body 15 has two fixing branches 150 , namely a first fixing branch 1501 and a second fixing branch 1502 ; the first fixing branch 1501 is provided with a signal input terminal 401 ; the second fixing branch is provided with a signal output terminal 13 .

[0088] In the embodiment of the present disclosure, the number of fixed branches 150 is not limited to 2, and can also be any other number greater than 2.

[0089] In some exemplary embodiments, as shown in FIG4D , the fixed body 15 is a closed cavity filled with liquid crystal (not shown in the figure), and the fixed body 15 includes two cavity surfaces (such as side 152 and side 153 in the figure) perpendicular to the fixed branch 150 and provided with metal electrodes 12.

[0090] In the embodiment of the present disclosure, the fixed body 15 is a hollow and closed cavity, and the cavity material can be selected from glass, plastic, etc.; the cavity is filled with liquid crystal material.

[0091] In some exemplary embodiments, as shown in Figures 4B and 4D, a first gap 151 is provided between the plurality of fixed branches 150. The first gap 151 includes two inner wall surfaces (such as inner wall surface 1511 and inner wall surface 1512 in the figure) perpendicular to the fixed branches 150 and provided with metal electrodes 12.

[0092] In the embodiment of the present disclosure, the first notch 151 may be provided at a central position between the plurality of fixing branches 150 ; however, the present disclosure is not limited thereto.

[0093] As shown in FIG4D , the two side surfaces 152 / 153 of the vertical upper surface of the fixing body 15 and the two side surfaces 1511 / 1512 of the central first notch 151 are provided with metal electrodes 12. The metal electrodes 12 generate different voltage differences to control the dielectric constant of the liquid crystal material in the cavity of the fixing body 15. r, when the electromagnetic wave signal with frequency f passes through fixed branch 1 + U-shaped sliding branch + fixed branch 2, the maximum phase change is generated and dielectric constant ε r Related.

[0094] In some exemplary embodiments, as shown in FIG. 4C , the sliding branch 220 includes a plurality of sliding branches 220 , and one ends of the plurality of sliding branches 220 are connected.

[0095] As shown in Figure 4C, the sliding branch 220 includes two sliding branches, which form a U-shaped sliding branch. The U-shaped sliding branch is arranged on the lower surface of the sliding body 22 and is placed face to face with the fixed branch 150; the sliding branch 220 and the fixed branch 150 are electrically coupled to realize the conduction and transmission of signals.

[0096] In the embodiment of the present disclosure, the number of sliding branches 220 is not limited to 2, and can also be any other number greater than 2.

[0097] In some exemplary embodiments, as shown in FIG5A and FIG5B , the sliding body 22 is a closed cavity filled with liquid crystal, and the sliding body 22 includes two cavity surfaces (i.e., side surfaces 2221 and 2222 in the figure) perpendicular to the sliding branch 220 and provided with metal electrodes 12 .

[0098] In order to enhance the adjustment margin of the phase shifter, the sliding body 22 may also be configured as a hollow and closed cavity. The cavity material may be glass, plastic, etc., and the cavity is filled with liquid crystal material.

[0099] In some exemplary embodiments, as shown in FIG5B , a second gap 221 is provided between the plurality of sliding branches 220 . The second gap 221 includes two inner wall surfaces (ie, inner wall surfaces 2211 and 2212 in the figure) perpendicular to the sliding branches 220 and provided with metal electrodes 12 .

[0100] In the embodiment of the present disclosure, the second notch 221 may be provided at a central position between the plurality of sliding branches 220 , however, the present disclosure is not limited thereto.

[0101] In the embodiment of the present disclosure, metal electrodes 12 are provided on both side surfaces 2221 / 2222 of the vertical lower surface of the sliding body 220 and on both side surfaces 2211 / 2212 of the central second notch 221 .

[0102] In the embodiment of the present disclosure, the first notch 151 can be a through-hole structure that passes through the upper surface and the lower bottom surface of the fixed body 15, or it can be a groove structure that does not pass through the lower bottom surface of the fixed body 15; the second notch 221 can be a through-hole structure that passes through the upper surface and the lower bottom surface of the sliding body 22, or it can be a groove structure that does not pass through the lower bottom surface of the sliding body 22. The present disclosure does not limit this.

[0103] The metal electrodes of the fixed body 150 and the sliding body 220 generate different voltage differences to control the dielectric constant ε of the liquid crystal material in the cavities of the fixed body 150 and the sliding body 220. r For an electromagnetic wave signal with a frequency of f, the maximum phase change is generated when it passes through the first fixed branch 1501 + U-shaped sliding branch 220 + second fixed branch 1502. and dielectric constant ε r Related.

[0104] In some exemplary embodiments, as shown in Figures 6A to 6C , the fixed branch 150 may be a folded line structure. In the disclosed embodiments, the specific shape of the folded line structure includes, but is not limited to, any one or a combination of a bow shape, a wavy shape, and a zigzag shape. For example, as shown in Figures 6B and 6C , the folded line structure may be a wavy folded line structure.

[0105] To further increase the maximum phase shift of the phase shifter, the fixed branch 150 is designed as a wavy broken line structure. In this way, the equivalent length of the fixed branch is increased at the same size, and the adjustable phase shift is increased. In the embodiment of the present disclosure, the sliding branch can also be set as a broken line structure, which is not limited in this disclosure.

[0106] The disclosed embodiments utilize the phase shifting principles and structural forms of arc-shaped and U-shaped phase shifters, combined with the adjustable dielectric constant of liquid crystal materials, to design a variety of phase shifter structures with adjustable maximum phase shift amounts. This allows adaptation to the maximum beam tilt scanning requirements of antenna arrays with different numbers of elements and element spacings.

[0107] An embodiment of the present disclosure further provides an antenna, wherein the antenna includes at least one of the above-mentioned phase shifters.

[0108] In some exemplary embodiments, the antenna may be a phased array antenna.

[0109] In the embodiment of the present disclosure, the antenna may include multiple antenna units, and the multiple antenna units may be arranged in an array to form a phased array antenna.

[0110] In some exemplary embodiments, the antenna may be a receiving antenna or a transmitting antenna.

[0111] In the description of the embodiments of the present disclosure, it should be noted that, unless otherwise expressly specified or limited, the terms "installed," "connected," and "connected" should be understood in a broad sense. For example, they can refer to fixed connections, detachable connections, or integral connections; they can refer to mechanical connections or electrical connections; they can refer to direct connections or indirect connections through an intermediate medium; and they can refer to internal connections between two components. A person of ordinary skill in the art can understand the meaning of the above terms in the present disclosure according to the circumstances.

[0112] Although the embodiments disclosed in this disclosure are as described above, the contents described are merely embodiments adopted to facilitate understanding of the disclosure and are not intended to limit the disclosure. Any person skilled in the art to which the disclosure belongs may make any modifications and changes in the form and details of the implementation without departing from the spirit and scope of the disclosure. However, the scope of protection of the disclosure shall still be based on the scope defined by the appended claims.

Claims

1. A phase shifter, comprising: A stacked arrangement of fixed and movable components, wherein: A first transmission structure is provided on a surface of the fixed component close to the movable component, and a second transmission structure is provided on a surface of the movable component close to the fixed component, wherein the first transmission structure and the second transmission structure are electrically coupled; The fixed component and / or the movable component is a hollow and closed cavity, and the cavity is filled with liquid crystal.

2. The phase shifter according to claim 1, further comprising a support member and a rotation point, wherein the fixed component comprises one or more arc-shaped bodies, the arc-shaped bodies and the rotation point are arranged on the support member, and the movable component is arranged on a side of the arc-shaped bodies and the rotation point away from the support member; The movable component includes a wiper body, and the wiper body can rotate around the rotation point; The first transmission structure includes an arc line provided on a surface of the arc body close to the wiper body, and the second transmission structure includes a wiper line provided on a surface of the wiper body close to the arc body.

3. The phase shifter according to claim 2, wherein: The plurality of arc-shaped bodies are concentric arcs, and the rotation point is located at the center of the arc-shaped body.

4. The phase shifter according to claim 2, wherein: The arc wiper line includes a main line, a main line point and one or more coupling lines. The coupling line is drawn out from the main line. The main line is drawn out from the main line point and extends to the coupling line. The main line point is electrically coupled to the rotation point. Each coupling line is electrically coupled to one of the arc bodies.

5. The phase shifter according to claim 2, wherein: The arc-shaped body includes a first arc-shaped body and a second arc-shaped body, and the length of the arc line on the first arc-shaped body is an integer multiple of the length of the arc line on the second arc-shaped body.

6. The phase shifter according to claim 2, wherein: The arc-shaped body includes a first arc-shaped body, a second arc-shaped body, a third arc-shaped body and a fourth arc-shaped body arranged in sequence. The first arc-shaped body and the fourth arc-shaped body are mirror-symmetrical relative to the rotation point, and the second arc-shaped body and the third arc-shaped body are mirror-symmetrical relative to the rotation point.

7. The phase shifter according to claim 2, wherein: The rotation point is connected to the signal input end, and a signal output end is provided at each end of the arc line.

8. The phase shifter according to claim 2, wherein: The arc-shaped body is a closed cavity filled with liquid crystal. The arc-shaped body includes two cavity surfaces which are perpendicular to the arc line and provided with metal electrodes.

9. The phase shifter according to claim 2, wherein: The arc wiper body is a closed cavity filled with liquid crystal. The arc wiper body includes two cavity surfaces which are perpendicular to the arc wiper line and provided with metal electrodes.

10. The phase shifter according to claim 1, wherein The fixed component includes a fixed body, and the first transmission structure includes a fixed branch provided on a surface of the fixed body close to the movable component; The movable component includes a sliding body, and the second transmission structure includes a sliding branch provided on a surface of the sliding body close to the fixed body, and the fixed branch is electrically coupled to the sliding branch.

11. The phase shifter according to claim 10, wherein: The fixed branches include a plurality of fixed branches, and the plurality of fixed branches are arranged at intervals; the sliding branches include a plurality of sliding branches, and one ends of two adjacent sliding branches are connected.

12. The phase shifter according to claim 10, wherein The fixed body is a closed cavity filled with liquid crystal, and the fixed body includes two cavity surfaces which are perpendicular to the fixed branches and are provided with metal electrodes.

13. The phase shifter according to claim 11, wherein A first gap is provided between two adjacent fixed branches, and the first gap includes two inner wall surfaces which are perpendicular to the fixed branches and are provided with metal electrodes.

14. The phase shifter according to claim 10, wherein The sliding body is a closed cavity filled with liquid crystal, and the sliding body comprises two cavity surfaces which are perpendicular to the sliding branches and are provided with metal electrodes.

15. The phase shifter according to claim 14, wherein A second gap is provided between two adjacent sliding branches, and the second gap includes two inner wall surfaces which are perpendicular to the sliding branches and are provided with metal electrodes.

16. The phase shifter according to claim 10, wherein The fixed branch is a broken line structure.

17. An antenna comprising: A phase shifter as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 16.

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