Liquid Crystal Phase Shifter With Split Ring Resonator Filtering
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing microwave communication systems face challenges with the separate design of phase shifters and filters, leading to increased volume, additional insertion loss, and compromised system performance.
Innovation Solution
A phase shifter design that integrates a split ring resonator and a liquid crystal layer between conductive patterns on dielectric substrates, providing both phase shifting and filtering functions in a compact form.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If phase shifter and filter are designed as discrete devices connected through conversion structure, then each device can be optimized independently, but the volume of the radio frequency front end is increased and additional insertion loss is introduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the phase shifter and filter into a single integrated device. The phase shifting function is achieved through a variable capacitive load formed by back-to-back connected PIN diodes in parallel with a variable capacitor, while the filtering function is provided by a bandpass filter structure. This integration eliminates the need for separate conversion structures between discrete devices, thereby reducing the overall volume of the radio frequency front end while maintaining independent optimization of each function.
Solution Approach 2:
The integrated device performs multiple functions simultaneously: phase shifting through the variable capacitive load and frequency filtering through the bandpass filter. The single device structure provides both phase control and signal filtering capabilities, eliminating the need for separate phase shifter and filter components, thus reducing volume while maintaining functional independence.
2Reliability
If phase shifter and filter are designed as discrete devices connected through conversion structure, then each device can be optimized independently, but additional insertion loss is introduced affecting system performance
Solution Approach 1:
By integrating the phase shifter and filter into a single device, the patent eliminates the conversion structures that connect discrete devices. This direct integration removes the additional insertion loss that would be introduced by multiple conversion interfaces, thereby improving signal transmission efficiency and overall system performance while maintaining independent optimization of phase control and filtering functions.
3Power
If ferrite phase shifter is used, then power capacity is higher (about 100 W), but volume is large and response speed is slow
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the ferrite material-based phase shifter with a PIN diode-based variable capacitive load. This substitution eliminates the need for ferrite materials and associated magnetic field control mechanisms, resulting in a much smaller device volume and significantly faster response speed while maintaining adequate power capacity for the application.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the fundamental operating principle from ferrite magnetic field control to PIN diode electrical field control. This parameter change enables faster response times and reduced device volume while still achieving the required phase shifting capability and power handling through the variable capacitive load design.
4Speed
If PIN diode phase shifter is used, then response time is quick and integration is easy, but power tolerance capacity is lower (less than 1 W)
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines PIN diodes with a variable capacitor in a parallel configuration to form a variable capacitive load. This combination maintains the quick response time and ease of integration advantages of PIN diodes while the variable capacitor component enhances the power tolerance capacity, allowing the device to handle higher power levels than a PIN diode alone could sustain.
5Volume of stationary object
If ferroelectric phase shifter is used, then volume is small and driving power is low, but insertion loss is increased at high frequency
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the ferroelectric material-based phase shifter with a PIN diode and variable capacitor configuration. This substitution maintains the small volume advantage while eliminating the frequency-dependent insertion loss characteristic of ferroelectric materials, as the PIN diode and capacitor structure exhibits more consistent performance across the operating frequency range.
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 integrated phase shifter effectively reduces volume, enhances integration, and minimizes insertion loss, thereby improving the overall performance of microwave communication systems.
Implementation Method 1
an adjustable dielectric layer between a layer where the first conductive pattern and the second conductive pattern are located and a layer where the third conductive pattern is located
Implementation Method 2
the adjustable dielectric layer... liquid crystal layer
Implementation Method 3
a split ring resonator on a side of the second dielectric substrate away from the third conductive pattern
Data Source
AI summary
A phase shifter includes first and second dielectric substrates opposite to each other, first and second conductive patterns on a side of the first dielectric substrate close to the second dielectric substrate, a third conductive pattern on a side of the second dielectric substrate close to the first dielectric substrate, and an adjustable dielectric layer between a layer where the first and second conductive patterns are located and a layer where the third conductive pattern is located; the third conductive pattern includes a main structure, and first and second branches connected to the main structure on two sides of an extending direction thereof respectively; the phase shifter further includes a split ring resonator on a side of the second dielectric substrate away from the third conductive pattern, and orthographic projections of the split ring resonator and the third conductive pattern on the first dielectric substrate partially overlap each other.