Liquid Crystal Phase Shifter Reducing Loss
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional phase shifters have a large loss and small phase shift amount per unit loss, which reduces the overall performance of communication systems by achieving a large phase shift, necessitating an increase in phase shift amount per unit loss.
Innovation Solution
A liquid crystal phase shifter is designed with substrates and a liquid crystal layer between them, where electrodes and auxiliary capacitors are arranged to form an electric field that rotates liquid crystal molecules, changing the dielectric constant and achieving phase shifting, while reducing overall loss through a microstrip and sub-electrode configuration.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If conventional phase shifters are used to achieve large phase shift, then phase shift amount is improved, but loss increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The phase shifter is divided into multiple independent unit structures, each comprising a microstrip, sub-electrodes, and auxiliary capacitors. By segmenting the phase shifting function into multiple small units working in parallel, the total phase shift is achieved through cumulative effect of individual units, thereby reducing loss per unit while maintaining overall phase shift performance
Solution Approach 2:
Auxiliary capacitors are introduced as intermediary elements connected between the microstrip and ground. These auxiliary capacitors modify the electrical characteristics of the microstrip, enabling enhanced phase shift per unit length without proportionally increasing loss. The auxiliary capacitors act as mediators that optimize the interaction between the microstrip and sub-electrodes
2Productivity
If phase shift amount per unit loss is increased, then efficiency is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple functional elements (microstrip, sub-electrodes, auxiliary capacitors) are merged into an integrated unit structure. The microstrip serves as both the transmission line and one electrode of the capacitor, while sub-electrodes and auxiliary capacitors are combined in a compact arrangement. This merging reduces the overall device complexity compared to having separate components for each function
Solution Approach 2:
The microstrip serves multiple functions: it acts as the signal transmission line, as one electrode of the variable capacitor formed with sub-electrodes, and as part of the auxiliary capacitor structure. This multi-functionality reduces the number of separate components needed, thereby reducing device complexity while maintaining enhanced phase shift performance
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 liquid crystal phase shifter reduces loss and increases phase shift amount per unit loss, improving the adjustable range and performance in frequency bands from 2 GHz to 5 GHz and 12 GHz to 18 GHz, with minimal loss during phase shifting.
Implementation Method 1
a liquid crystal layer between the first substrate and the second substrate
Implementation Method 2
changing the dielectric constant and achieving phase shifting
Data Source
AI summary
A phase shifter and a liquid crystal antenna are provided. The phase shifter includes a first substrate and a second substrate opposite to each other, and a liquid crystal layer between the first substrate and the second substrate. The first substrate includes a first base plate and a first electrode at a side of the first base plate proximal to the liquid crystal layer. The second substrate includes a second base plate and a second electrode at a side of the second base plate proximal to the liquid crystal layer. The phase shifter further includes an auxiliary capacitor connected to the first electrode.