Liquid Crystal Phase-Shifter Structure for Display-Integrated Antennas
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing wireless terminals have complex and power-consuming antenna designs, which affect their duration performance and compatibility with display panels.
Innovation Solution
A phase-shift unit comprising a first and second substrate with a liquid crystal layer, a microstrip line, and a grounding layer with via holes, allowing for phase control of microwave signals through liquid crystal deflection, integrated with a display panel for improved compatibility and power efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a smart antenna array is used to achieve directional control and tracing of microwave signals, then the antenna performance is improved, but the power consumption increases and the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the antenna function with the display panel by integrating the antenna array structure into the display panel's substrate and using the liquid crystal layer for both display and phase shifting functions. This merging eliminates the need for separate antenna components, reducing overall device complexity and power consumption while maintaining directional control capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The liquid crystal layer serves dual purposes: as the display medium for visual output and as the phase-shifting medium for microwave signal control. The substrate structure simultaneously supports both the display function and the antenna array function, enabling one component to perform multiple functions and thereby reducing overall system power consumption.
2Reliability
If a smart antenna array is used to achieve directional control and tracing of microwave signals, then the antenna performance is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the antenna function with the display panel by integrating the antenna array structure into the display panel's substrate and using the liquid crystal layer for both display and phase shifting functions. This merging eliminates the need for separate antenna components, reducing overall device complexity while maintaining directional control capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The liquid crystal layer serves dual purposes: as the display medium for visual output and as the phase-shifting medium for microwave signal control. The substrate structure simultaneously supports both the display function and the antenna array function, enabling one component to perform multiple functions and thereby reducing overall system complexity.
3Device complexity
If traditional omnidirectional antennas are used, then the device complexity is reduced, but the power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic beamforming capability by using the liquid crystal layer to dynamically adjust the phase of microwave signals in different directions. This dynamic control allows the antenna to concentrate energy in specific directions rather than radiating omnidirectionally, significantly reducing power consumption while maintaining simple integration with the display panel.
4Ease of manufacture
If independent antenna and display panel designs are used, then the manufacturing process is simplified, but the overall system compatibility is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the antenna function with the display panel by integrating the antenna array structure into the display panel's substrate and using the liquid crystal layer for both display and phase shifting functions. This merging enables simultaneous manufacturing of both components as a single integrated unit, improving compatibility while maintaining manufacturing feasibility through standardized liquid crystal display fabrication processes.
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 solution enables real-time tracing and directional control of microwave signals, reducing power consumption and improving antenna performance while maintaining compatibility with display panels.
Implementation Method 1
a liquid crystal layer provided between the first substrate and the second substrate; the liquid crystal layer is deflected under a voltage difference between the microstrip line and the grounding layer
Implementation Method 2
When the microwave signal is transmitting in the liquid crystal with varied dielectric constants, phase of the microwave signal changes accordingly, namely a phase shift occurs
Implementation Method 3
the via hole is configured to feed a phase-shifted microwave signal out of the phase-shift unit, or feed a microwave signal into the phase-shift unit
Data Source
AI summary
A phase-shift unit includes: a first substrate and a second substrate provided opposite to each other; a medium layer provided between the first substrate and the second substrate; a microstrip line disposed at a side of the second substrate facing towards the first substrate; and a grounding layer provided at a side of the first substrate facing towards the second substrate and formed with a via hole; wherein a projection of the via hole onto the second substrate and a projection of the microstrip line onto the second substrate have an overlapped area therebetween; and wherein the via hole is configured to feed a phase-shifted microwave signal out of the phase-shift unit, or feed a microwave signal into the phase-shift unit such that the microwave signal is phase-shifted.