Liquid Crystal Phase Shifter Electrode Layout Without Metal Ball Coupling
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing coplanar waveguide liquid crystal phase shifter structures face challenges in accurately controlling the conductive characteristics due to the limitations of using metal balls for coupling the capacitor patch to the ground electrode, resulting in low controllability and complexity.
Innovation Solution
A phase shifter design featuring substrates with electrode layers and a dielectric layer, where the electrode layers form a current loop by overlapping projections, eliminating the need for metal balls and enhancing integration and control over the phase shifting process.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If metal balls are used to couple the capacitor patch to the ground electrode, then the current loop is formed, but the conductive characteristics controllability is low and the structure becomes complex
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts and eliminates the metal balls from the structure, replacing them with a planar electrode configuration. The capacitor patch is directly coupled to the ground electrode through the liquid crystal layer without requiring discrete metal ball connectors, thereby simplifying the structure while maintaining the current loop function.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention merges the capacitor patch and ground electrode into a coplanar waveguide structure where both electrodes lie in the same plane. This integration eliminates the need for vertical connections via metal balls and creates a more compact, controllable design with improved manufacturing precision.
2Ease of manufacture
If metal balls are used for coupling, then connection is achieved, but manufacturing precision and position control are difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The invention replaces the mechanical connection method (metal balls requiring precise physical placement and contact) with an electromagnetic field-based planar coupling structure. The electrodes are patterned on the substrate plane, allowing precise position control through standard photolithography processes rather than manual or complex automated ball placement.
3Device complexity
If capacitor patch is coupled to ground electrode via metal balls, then current loop is formed, but the structure requires additional components and steps
Solution Approach 1:
The invention merges multiple functions into the planar electrode structure: the capacitor patch serves both as the signal electrode and as part of the current loop formation, while the ground electrode provides both reference potential and return path. This integration eliminates discrete metal ball components while maintaining reliable phase shifting performance through improved field distribution.
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 solution simplifies the structure, improves controllability, and enhances the phase shifting performance by directly coupling the reference voltage to the electrode layers, reducing production costs and increasing efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
a capacitance value of a variable capacitor is correspondingly obtained
Implementation Method 2
a voltage difference loaded between two metal plates in different planes is adjusted to drive liquid crystal molecules to deflect
Data Source
AI summary
There is provided a phase shifter including a first substrate, a second substrate and a dielectric layer between the first substrate and the second substrate, the first substrate includes a first base and a first electrode layer on a side, of the first base, the second substrate includes a second base, a second electrode layer and a reference voltage leading-in end on a side of the second base, the reference voltage leading-in end is coupled to the second electrode layer, one of the first electrode layer and the second electrode layer includes a body structure and branch structures; an orthographic projection of an end of each branch structure away from the body structure on the first base is overlapped with an orthographic projection of the second electrode layer or the first electrode layer on the first base. An antenna is further provided.