Liquid Crystal Phase Shifter Dielectric Constant Compensation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing phase shifters experience deviations in phase shift degree due to the influence of microwave signals and external environments, affecting the accuracy of wave phase adjustment.
Innovation Solution
A phase shifter comprising a first and second substrate, a resonant circuit, a signal line, and alignment layers with a liquid crystal layer in between, where a direct-current bias voltage is applied to deflect liquid crystal molecules, and the actual dielectric constant is detected and adjusted to match a target equivalent dielectric constant using a loading, acquisition, and control circuit to compensate for phase shift deviations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a phase shifter uses liquid crystal materials to adjust phase, then phase adjustment capability is achieved, but phase shift degree deviates under microwave signal influence and external environment changes
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a feedback mechanism where the actual dielectric constant of the liquid crystal layer is continuously detected using a resonant circuit, and the detection result is fed back to adjust the direct-current bias voltage. This closed-loop control compensates for phase shift deviations caused by microwave signals and external environment, thereby improving phase shift accuracy and reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent dynamically adjusts the direct-current bias voltage parameter based on the detected actual dielectric constant. By changing the voltage parameter in response to environmental variations and microwave signal influences, the system compensates for dielectric constant deviations and maintains accurate phase shifting performance.
2Manufacturing precision
If direct-current bias voltage is applied to deflect liquid crystal molecules, then phase shift is achieved, but phase shift degree deviates under high-power microwave feeding
Solution Approach 1:
The resonant circuit detects the actual dielectric constant under high-power microwave feeding conditions, and this detection information is fed back to adjust the direct-current bias voltage. This feedback mechanism compensates for the deviation between actual and target phase shift degrees caused by high-power microwave influences on liquid crystal molecules.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary compensation by detecting the actual dielectric constant before final phase shifting operation. The direct-current bias voltage is adjusted in advance based on the detection result to counteract the expected deviation caused by high-power microwave feeding, ensuring accurate phase shift degree.
3Measurement precision
If resonant circuit is added to detect actual dielectric constant, then phase shift accuracy is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The resonant circuit serves multiple functions: it detects the actual dielectric constant of the liquid crystal layer and also provides the basis for adjusting the direct-current bias voltage. By making the detection system multi-functional, the patent reduces the need for separate dedicated components, thereby limiting the increase in device complexity while achieving precise measurement.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent combines the detection function and the control function into an integrated system. The resonant circuit's detection result is directly used to control the direct-current bias voltage adjustment, merging the measurement and control processes into a unified feedback loop. This integration reduces overall system complexity compared to having separate independent systems.
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
This solution ensures accurate wave phase adjustment by minimizing the impact of external factors, maintaining phase shift precision even under high-power microwave feeding and temperature changes.
Implementation Method 1
the resonant circuit is configured to detect an actual dielectric constant of the liquid crystal layer
Implementation Method 2
Materials whose dielectric constant changes with voltage, such as liquid crystal materials and ferroelectric materials, are filled between a microstrip line and a ground line. In a case where different voltages are applied between the microstrip line and the ground line, the materials between the microstrip line and the ground line will have different dielectric constants, thus achieving the purpose of phase shifting.
Data Source
AI summary
A phase shifter, a phase shift degree compensation device, and a phase shift degree compensation method are provided. The phase shifter includes a first substrate and a second substrate that are oppositely arranged, a resonant circuit, a signal line, and a first alignment layer are on a side of the first substrate facing the second substrate, a conductive layer and a second alignment layer are on a side of the second substrate facing the first substrate, a liquid crystal layer is between the first alignment layer and the second alignment layer, and the resonant circuit is configured to detect an actual equivalent dielectric constant of the liquid crystal layer.