3D Wall-Structured Phase Shifter With Movable Dielectrics
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing phase shifters for multi-band frequency antenna devices are bulky, costly, and heavy due to the use of high dielectric materials, which affect the antenna elements and increase overall weight and unit cost.
Innovation Solution
A phase shifter design that utilizes a base portion with ground and pattern walls, where dielectrics are movable between these walls, minimizing dielectric influence by spacing them away from the antenna elements and using a plastic electro-plating process to form a three-dimensional structure without a separate PCB, allowing for adjustable phase differences without increasing size.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a dielectric structure is placed on a pattern on a printed circuit board (PCB), then the dielectric constant becomes very high, but this increases the overall unit cost and weight of the phase shifter
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the dielectric structure from direct contact with the antenna element by introducing a spacing mechanism. The dielectric is removed from its traditional position on the PCB and repositioned to be spaced away from the antenna element, thereby reducing weight while maintaining phase shifting functionality through the ground surface utilization approach
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from a two-dimensional PCB layout to a three-dimensional structure by utilizing the ground surface of the antenna element. By spacing the dielectric structure away from the antenna element in the vertical dimension and using the ground surface for signal transmission, the design achieves phase shifting without increasing weight
2Reliability
If a dielectric structure is placed on a pattern on a printed circuit board (PCB), then the dielectric constant becomes very high, but this increases the overall unit cost of the phase shifter
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the dielectric structure from its traditional PCB-mounted position and repositions it to be spaced away from the antenna element. This extraction eliminates the need for expensive ceramic materials while maintaining phase shifting performance through the alternative ground surface utilization approach, thereby reducing unit cost
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces expensive ceramic dielectric materials with a more cost-effective implementation that utilizes the ground surface of the antenna element. By spacing away the dielectric structure and using the ground surface for signal transmission, the design achieves the same functionality with lower material costs
3Adaptability or versatility
If the number of phase shifters is increased for multi-band frequency adjustment, then phase control capability is improved, but the overall size and weight of the antenna device increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the phase shifter structure universal by designing it to handle multiple band frequencies through a single compact configuration. The spaced dielectric structure and ground surface utilization approach create a multi-functional phase shifter that can control phases across several bands without requiring separate bulky components for each band
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements a nested configuration where the dielectric structure is spaced within the existing antenna element structure rather than adding external components. The ground surface of the antenna element is utilized for signal transmission, nesting the phase shifting functionality within the existing antenna geometry and avoiding additional size increase
Data Source
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AI summary
According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, provided is a phase shifter comprising: at least one base portion extending in a longitudinal direction and configured such that a first circuit pattern is formed on one surface thereof; a pair of ground walls respectively extending from both opposing transverse sides of each of the at least one base portion in a direction parallel to a height direction perpendicular to the at least one base portion; a pair of pattern walls disposed to protrude from one surface of each of the at least one base portion in a direction parallel to the height direction, wherein a second circuit pattern electrically connected to the first circuit pattern is formed on at least one surface of each of the pair of pattern walls; and a pair of dielectrics configured to be movable in a direction parallel to the longitudinal direction, wherein at least a portion of each of the pair of dielectrics is disposed between each of the pair of ground walls and each of the pair of pattern walls.