Liquid Crystal Phase Shifter With Protrusions

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing liquid crystal phase shifting devices face challenges in increasing the length of the microstrip line without increasing the device's volume, leading to space occupancy issues.

Innovation Solution

The design incorporates a three-dimensional structure for the microstrip line and ground electrode with alternately arranged protrusions on the substrates, allowing the microstrip line to cover and the ground electrode to overlap these protrusions, forming an oblique electric field and reducing the device's volume while maintaining phase shifting accuracy.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If the length of the microstrip line is increased to increase phase shifting amount, then the phase shifting capability is improved, but the volume of the liquid crystal phase shifting device is increased

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvephase shifting amountVSAvoiddevice volume

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSVolume of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces protrusions on both substrates that extend toward each other, creating a three-dimensional structure. The microstrip line is formed on the first substrate covering the protrusions, and the ground electrode is on the second substrate overlapping the protrusions. This vertical dimensionality allows the microstrip line to be longer within the same device footprint, increasing phase shifting capability without proportionally increasing device volume.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Solution Approach 2:

The microstrip line and ground electrode are nested between the protrusions of the two substrates, with the liquid crystal layer filling the space between them. This nesting arrangement allows the electromagnetic field to interact with the liquid crystal molecules over an extended path length while maintaining a compact overall device structure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

2Measurement precision

If the microstrip line length is extended within limited volume, then phase shifting capability is improved, but the device complexity is increased

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvephase shifting capabilityVSAvoidstructure complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The device is segmented into two substrates with protrusions that extend toward each other, creating discrete regions where the microstrip line and ground electrode are positioned. This segmentation allows for modular manufacturing and assembly, reducing overall complexity despite the three-dimensional structure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

By utilizing the vertical dimension with protrusions extending from each substrate, the patent achieves extended microstrip line length without increasing the planar footprint. This approach to complexity management is more efficient than creating complex planar routing patterns.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

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 configuration enables a longer microstrip line within a smaller volume, improving phase shifting accuracy and reducing space occupancy while ensuring uniformity and stability of the liquid crystal layer.

Implementation Method 1

a liquid crystal phase shifter includes a plurality of liquid crystal phase shifting devices arranged in a matrix

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectLiquid crystal phase shifting: Liquid Crystals

Implementation Method 2

forming an oblique electric field between the microstrip line and the ground electrode

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectric field interaction: Electric Field

Data Source

PatentUS11342641B2Liquid crystal phase shifting device including protrusions formed therein, a manufacturing method thereof, and a phase shifter matrix formed by the phase shifting devices

Publication Date: 2022.05.24 CHENGDU TIANMA MICROELECTRONICS

AI summary

Provided is a liquid crystal phase shifting device including: a first substrate and a second substrate that are opposite to each other, wherein first protrusions is provided on a surface of the first substrate facing towards the second substrate, second protrusions is provided on a surface of the second substrate facing towards the first substrate, and the first protrusions and the second protrusions are alternately arranged; a microstrip line provided on the surface of the first substrate facing towards the second substrate, the microstrip line covering at least part of the first protrusions; first support pads provided between the first substrate and the second substrate; a ground electrode provided on the surface of the second substrate facing towards the first substrate, the ground electrode overlapping at least part of the second protrusions; and liquid crystal molecules provided between the microstrip line and the ground electrode.