Patch Electrode Layout for Wider Intelligent Reflecting Surface Steering
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional radio-wave reflective devices have limitations in the controllable range of adjusting the direction of travel of radio waves, making it difficult to supply waves to areas outside their controllable range without pre-orienting the reflective surface.
Innovation Solution
The radio-wave reflective device employs a configuration of patch electrodes with varying areas and a liquid crystal layer, allowing for initial directionality and further control of reflected wave direction through voltage application, enabling adjustment in both one-dimensional and two-dimensional directions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If conventional radio-wave reflective devices use uniform electrode configurations, then the device structure is simple, but the controllable range of adjusting the direction of travel of radio waves is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by configuring patch electrodes with different areas at different positions on the reflective surface. Specifically, patch electrodes in different regions have different surface areas, which creates different capacitance values and phase shifts for reflected waves from different regions. This enables the device to control radio wave direction over a broader range by locally adjusting the reflection characteristics of individual patch electrodes with varying areas.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the reflective surface requires pre-orientation to supply waves to specific areas, then the direction control is precise, but the device cannot adapt to different orientations without physical repositioning
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamics by enabling electronic reconfiguration of the reflective surface characteristics through voltage control. By applying different voltages to patch electrodes with different areas, the device can dynamically adjust the phase and amplitude of reflected waves from different regions, effectively changing the beam direction and coverage areas without physical repositioning of the entire reflective surface.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies parameter changes by utilizing the relationship between patch electrode area, capacitance, and phase shift. By varying the voltage applied to patch electrodes with different areas, the device changes the electrical parameters (capacitance and phase) of different regions of the reflective surface, enabling electronic steering and adaptation to different operational requirements without physical orientation changes.
3Manufacturing precision
If all patch electrodes have the same area, then the manufacturing process is simpler, but the phase control precision across different reflector unit cells is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by designing patch electrodes with different areas to create specific capacitance values and phase shifts for different positions on the reflective surface. This local variation in electrode area enables precise control of phase differences between adjacent reflector unit cells, allowing the device to achieve accurate beam steering and directional control by locally adjusting the reflection characteristics of individual patch electrodes.
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 device can change the direction of reflected waves to a predetermined angle without prior orientation, enhancing its ability to reach desired locations by combining initial phase differences and voltage-controlled phase shifts.
Implementation Method 1
Conventional radio-wave reflective devices have been known that utilize changes in a dielectric constant due to an orientation state of liquid crystals
Implementation Method 2
The conventional radio-wave reflective device includes a plurality of reflective cells arranged on a plane, and each reflective cell includes a liquid crystal cell in which a liquid crystal is arranged between a pair of electrodes
Implementation Method 3
The plurality of patch electrodes includes a first patch electrode, a second patch electrode adjacent to the first patch electrode, and a third patch electrode adjacent to the second patch electrode. An area of the first patch electrode is larger than an area of the second patch electrode. The area of the second patch electrode is larger than an area of the third patch electrode.
Data Source
AI summary
An intelligent reflecting surface in one embodiment includes a plurality of patch electrodes, a common electrode opposite the plurality of patch electrodes, and a liquid crystal layer between the plurality of patch electrodes and the common electrode. The plurality of patch electrodes includes a first patch electrode, a second patch electrode adjacent to the first patch electrode, and a third patch electrode adjacent to the second patch electrode. An area of the first patch electrode is larger than an area of the second patch electrode. The area of the second patch electrode is larger than an area of the third patch electrode.