Liquid Crystal Phase Shifter with Variable Feed Terminals
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current liquid crystal phase shifters have fixed carrier frequencies, limiting their compatibility and requiring the creation of new devices for frequency adjustments.
Innovation Solution
A liquid crystal phase shifter design with multiple sub-microstrip lines and feed terminals allows for adjustable carrier frequencies by varying the transmission distances of microwave signals, enabling adaptation to different frequencies through the selection of different feed terminals.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a liquid crystal phase shifter is designed with a fixed carrier frequency, then the device structure can be simplified, but the compatibility and adaptability to different frequencies are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The microstrip line is divided into multiple sub-microstrip lines (first, second, third sub-microstrip lines) with different effective lengths. Each sub-microstrip line corresponds to a specific feed terminal configuration, enabling the phase shifter to operate at different carrier frequencies by selecting appropriate feed terminals, thus achieving frequency adaptability without complicating the overall device structure
Solution Approach 2:
The phase shifter is designed with multiple feed terminals (first, second, third feed terminals) that can be selectively activated. By configuring different feed terminals as input or output terminals, the same device can adapt to different carrier frequencies (e.g., 2.4GHz, 3.5GHz, 5.8GHz), making the device universal and compatible with multiple frequency bands without requiring separate phase shifters for each frequency
2Ease of manufacture
If the effective lengths of microstrip lines are made equal for all feed terminals, then the device structure becomes more regular and easier to manufacture, but the ability to support multiple carrier frequencies is lost
Solution Approach 1:
Different sub-microstrip lines are designed with different effective lengths tailored to specific frequency requirements. The first sub-microstrip line has a length optimized for one frequency band, the second for another, and the third for a third band. This local differentiation in dimensions allows each feed terminal configuration to be optimized for its target frequency while maintaining overall manufacturing simplicity through a regular substrate layout
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 design enhances the compatibility of liquid crystal phase shifters by allowing them to operate effectively across a range of carrier frequencies, improving their adaptability and functionality.
Implementation Method 1
a liquid crystal layer between the first substrate and the second substrate
Implementation Method 2
a phase shifter is a device that can adjust a phase of an electromagnetic wave
Data Source
AI summary
Embodiments of the present disclosure provide a liquid crystal phase shifter and an antenna, which relate to the field of electromagnetic waves and can adjust carrier frequencies applicable to the liquid crystal phase shifter, improving compatibility of the liquid crystal phase shifter. The liquid crystal phase shifter includes at least one phase-shifting unit. The phase-shifting unit includes a microstrip line and a phase-controlled electrode, the microstrip line includes a plurality of sub-microstrip lines, each sub-microstrip line includes two ends and a transmission portion connected between the two ends, and any two adjacent sub-microstrip lines share one end. The phase-shifting unit further includes feed terminals located on a side of the first substrate facing away from the second substrate or on a side of the second substrate facing away from the first substrate, and each of the feed terminals overlaps the corresponding end respectively.