Dielectric Phase Shifter Structure for Compact Antenna Phase Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing phase shifters for antenna apparatuses require a large space and complex transmission lines to change physical length, leading to increased cost and difficulty in slimming the product.
Innovation Solution
A phase shifter design that utilizes dielectric panels disposed between transmission lines spaced apart from a reflecting panel, allowing phase value shifts through changes in dielectric constant, and includes a moving clamp and dielectric panels for impedance matching.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the physical length of the transmission line is changed to shift phase values, then beam steering and beam tilting can be achieved, but the space occupied by the phase shifter increases and the transmission line becomes complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the dielectric constant parameter of the phase shifter instead of changing the physical length of the transmission line. By using a dielectric material with variable dielectric constant, the phase value can be adjusted while maintaining a compact structure, thus resolving the contradiction between adaptability and volume.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical approach of physically extending or shortening transmission lines with an electromagnetic approach using dielectric materials. This substitution eliminates the need for complex mechanical structures and large spaces, achieving phase control through dielectric constant modulation.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the physical length of the transmission line is changed to shift phase values, then beam steering and beam tilting can be achieved, but the transmission line complexity increases leading to cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent simplifies the transmission line structure by eliminating the need for variable length adjustments. Instead, it uses a dielectric material whose variable dielectric constant provides phase control, thereby reducing transmission line complexity and manufacturing costs while maintaining beam steering capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts the phase control function from the transmission line structure itself and relocates it to a separate dielectric component. This separation simplifies the transmission line design and reduces overall system complexity.
3Ease of manufacture
If transmission lines are disposed in air strip line form spaced apart from reflecting panel, then impedance matching can be improved, but the structure becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by creating an air gap specifically at the interface between the transmission line and the reflecting panel. This localized structural modification improves impedance matching at the critical interface without requiring complex changes throughout the entire structure.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Enables phase value shifts without changing physical length, facilitating product slimming and cost reduction while improving manufacturability through impedance matching.
Implementation Method 1
a phase value shift is enabled through a change in dielectric constant at a branch point
Data Source
Figure 1(a)~1(b)
Figure 2a
Figure 2b
AI summary
The present disclosure relates to a phase shifter for antenna apparatuses. Particularly, the phase shifter includes a dielectric panel for phase adjustment (hereinafter referred to as "phase dielectric") movably disposed at a branch point of a transmission line disposed to be spaced apart from one surface of a reflecting panel, a dielectric panel for impedance matching (hereinafter referred to as "impedance dielectric") fixedly disposed parallel to one side of the phase dielectric, and a moving clamp configured to move the phase dielectric. The phase dielectric has an impedance matching step stepped such that an air layer is formed on a surface facing the reflecting panel, thereby providing an advantage of preventing the exterior of the transmission line from being complicated.