Liquid Crystal Antenna Shared-Line Layout for Signal Interference
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing liquid crystal antennas face challenges in miniaturization due to signal interference from the increasing number of driving signal lines and feeding network lines, which complicates the design and functionality.
Innovation Solution
The design incorporates a liquid crystal antenna with protrusions on scanning lines and data lines that bypass feeding network lines, reducing signal interference by increasing the distance between these lines and allowing for time division voltage transmission to liquid crystal phase shifter units, thereby minimizing the number of signal lines required.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Power
If the number of liquid crystal phase shifters is increased to increase antenna gain, then the antenna gain is improved, but the number of driving signal lines increases, leading to signal interference and increased device complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the driving signal lines and feeding network lines into a shared line structure. The same physical line serves dual purposes: transmitting driving signals during the data writing period and serving as a feeding network during the signal transmission period. This eliminates the need for separate dedicated signal lines, reducing the total number of lines and preventing signal interference while maintaining the ability to drive multiple liquid crystal phase shifters for high antenna gain
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs time-division multiplexing where the shared line alternates between two functional states: during the data writing period, it transmits driving signals to liquid crystal phase shifters; during the signal transmission period, it serves as a feeding network for antenna signal transmission. This periodic switching of function allows a single line to replace multiple dedicated lines, reducing device complexity while maintaining antenna gain through proper timing control
2Power
If the number of driving signal lines is increased to control more liquid crystal phase shifters, then the antenna gain is improved, but signal interference occurs between driving signal lines and feeding network lines
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses time-division multiplexing to separate the operational periods of driving signal transmission and antenna signal transmission. The shared line transmits driving signals during the data writing period and serves as a feeding network during the signal transmission period. By ensuring these operations occur at different times, the patent eliminates signal interference between driving signal lines and feeding network lines while still enabling control of multiple liquid crystal phase shifters for high antenna gain
3Reliability
If the distance between scanning lines and feeding network lines is increased to reduce signal interference, then signal transmission quality is improved, but the antenna area increases, preventing miniaturization
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the scanning lines and feeding network lines into a single shared line structure. This eliminates the need for physical separation between these two types of lines, allowing the antenna to achieve compact miniaturization while maintaining signal transmission quality. The shared line serves dual functions at different times, avoiding the signal interference that would normally require spatial separation
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 enhances signal transmission quality and facilitates the miniaturization of the antenna by reducing signal interference and the number of signal lines, improving overall performance.
Implementation Method 1
a liquid crystal layer 50 and a second electrode 52. The liquid crystal layer 50 is located between the first electrode 51 and the second electrode 52
Implementation Method 2
Each of the liquid crystal phase shifter units 1 includes a first electrode 51, a liquid crystal layer 50 and a second electrode 52
Data Source
AI summary
A liquid crystal antenna is described. The liquid crystal antenna includes liquid crystal phase shifter units arranged in an array; a first feeding network line corresponding to an ith scanning line and extending along a first direction, and/or, a second feeding network line corresponding to an jth data line and extending along a second direction. The first feeding network line is provided between the ith scanning line and an (i+1)th scanning line, and a scanning line protrusion protrudes toward a side facing away from the first feeding network line corresponding to the ith scanning line. The second feeding network line is provided between the jth data line and a (j+1)th data line, and a data line protrusion protrudes toward a side facing away from the second feeding network line corresponding to the jth data line.