Compact Phase Shifter Using Dielectric-Loaded Strips
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing phase shifters become excessively large in size when a significant phase shift is required, necessitating longer sliding metal and fixed circuit lengths.
Innovation Solution
A phase shifter design incorporating a cavity, a fixed component, a sliding component, a control rod, and a dielectric portion with strips of different widths, where the dielectric portion is disposed around the narrower strips to increase the dielectric constant, allowing for a greater phase shift within a reduced size.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If the lengths of sliding metal and fixed circuit are increased to achieve a larger phase shift amount, then the phase shift amount is improved, but the size of the phase shifter becomes larger
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by introducing a dielectric portion with higher dielectric constant in specific regions where the signal path is located. This creates non-uniform electromagnetic field distribution, concentrating the phase shift effect in localized areas rather than requiring uniform extension of the entire circuit. The dielectric portion is strategically positioned to maximize phase shift density in a compact space.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the dielectric parameter (dielectric constant) by introducing a dielectric portion with higher dielectric constant than the surrounding medium. This parameter change allows for increased phase shift per unit length, enabling larger phase shift amounts without proportionally increasing the physical dimensions of the phase shifter.
2Measurement precision
If the lengths of sliding metal and fixed circuit are increased to achieve a larger phase shift amount, then the phase shift amount is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the dielectric portion with the sliding metal and fixed circuit structures, creating an integrated assembly. The dielectric portion is positioned to work in conjunction with the metallic components, forming a unified electromagnetic structure that achieves enhanced phase shift functionality without requiring separate independent components or complex assembly mechanisms.
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
The design effectively increases the phase shift amount while minimizing the size of the phase shifter, enabling more compact configurations for larger phase shift requirements.
Implementation Method 1
a dielectric portion in the cavity, where a first strip group is disposed in the fixed component... the dielectric portion is disposed around the second strip portion... A dielectric constant is increased by using the dielectric portion, to further increase a phase shift amount
Data Source
Figure 1A~1B
Figure 2A~2B
Figure 2C~2E
AI summary
Embodiments of the present invention provide a phase shifter and an antenna, and relate to the field of communications technologies. The phase shifter includes a cavity, and a fixed component, a sliding component, a control rod configured to control sliding of the sliding component, and a dielectric portion in the cavity. A first strip group is disposed in the fixed component, where the first strip group includes two strips. The sliding component is located above the fixed component, and a second strip group is disposed in the sliding component. The second strip group includes two strips, and the two strips of the second strip group are electrically coupled to the two strips of the first strip group respectively. Each strip of the first strip group and/or the second strip group includes a first strip portion and a second strip portion, and a width of the first strip portion is greater than a width of the second strip portion. The dielectric portion is disposed around the second strip portion, and a difference between an impedance formed by the dielectric portion and the second strip portion and an impedance of the first strip portion is within a first range. This can reduce a size of the phase shifter.