Dielectric Phase Shifter Layout for Slimmer Antenna Beam Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing phase shifters for antenna apparatuses require a large space and complex transmission lines to change the physical length of radiating elements, leading to increased cost and difficulty in slimming the product design.
Innovation Solution
A phase shifter design that utilizes dielectric panels to shift phase values by varying the dielectric constant, with transmission lines spaced apart from a reflecting panel, allowing for impedance matching and phase adjustments without altering the physical length.
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 product slimming is hindered
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the dielectric constant parameter of the transmission line by replacing the dielectric material (e.g., from foam to air) to achieve phase value shifts. This allows beam steering and tilting without changing the physical length of the transmission line, thereby reducing the space occupied by the phase shifter and enabling product slimming.
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 and manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent simplifies the transmission line structure by changing the dielectric constant parameter rather than adjusting physical length. This approach reduces transmission line complexity and associated manufacturing costs while still achieving the required beam characteristic variations through dielectric material replacement.
3Ease of operation
If a phase shifter is provided to change physical length of transmission line, then phase value shift is enabled, but the space occupied increases and product slimming is hindered
Solution Approach 1:
The patent enables phase value adjustment by changing the dielectric constant parameter of the transmission line medium rather than using a traditional phase shifter that adjusts physical length. This eliminates the need for a bulky phase shifter component, reducing space occupation and enabling product slimming while maintaining ease of phase value adjustment through dielectric material replacement.
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 the physical length of transmission lines, facilitating product slimming and reducing manufacturing costs while improving manufacturability.
Implementation Method 1
a phase shifter for antenna apparatuses which is configured to shift a phase value through a change in dielectric constant by a dielectric
Implementation Method 2
a phase dielectric is disposed between the transmission lines that are spaced apart from the reflecting panel and are disposed in an air strip line form, thereby being advantageous in forming an impedance matching step for impedance matching
Data Source
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.