Liquid Crystal Phase Shifter Structure for Stable Low-Loss Coupling
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing phase shifters in communication technology, particularly in phased array antennas, suffer from inconsistent amplitude and high insertion loss due to variations in air gap thickness during assembly, affecting the performance of microwave signals.
Innovation Solution
A phase shifter design incorporating a liquid crystal layer between two substrates, with a waveguide structure configuration that minimizes air gaps and ensures consistent coupling efficiency, using a rectangular waveguide structure with a specific aspect ratio and a protective layer to prevent oxidation, and an isolation structure to prevent external interference.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If conventional phase shifter assembly is used, then manufacturing is simple, but air gap thickness varies causing inconsistent amplitude and high insertion loss
Solution Approach 1:
The phase shifter is divided into separate modules: a waveguide module with input/output waveguides and a phase shifting module with transmission lines. This segmentation allows each module to be manufactured and assembled independently, reducing overall complexity while maintaining precision through standardized interfaces that ensure consistent air gap thickness.
Solution Approach 2:
A dielectric layer is introduced as an intermediary component between the waveguide module and phase shifting module. This dielectric layer acts as a mediator that maintains a precise and consistent air gap thickness, thereby ensuring uniform coupling efficiency and reducing insertion loss without requiring complex assembly processes.
2Loss of energy
If conventional phase shifter design is used, then device complexity is low, but insertion loss is high and amplitude consistency is poor
Solution Approach 1:
The coupling structures between waveguides and transmission lines are designed with specific local geometries and dimensions optimized for electromagnetic field distribution. This local quality optimization ensures efficient energy transfer and consistent coupling efficiency, thereby reducing insertion loss while maintaining manageable device complexity through targeted design improvements.
3Reliability
If simple assembly is used, then ease of manufacture is high, but coupling efficiency varies due to air gap variations
Solution Approach 1:
The dielectric layer is designed to provide uniform spacing and consistent electrical properties between the waveguide module and phase shifting module. This equipotential design ensures that the electromagnetic field distribution remains consistent across all coupling points, thereby maintaining reliable and consistent coupling efficiency while preserving ease of manufacture through a straightforward assembly process.
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 reduces insertion loss and maintains consistent amplitude across channels, improving the performance of phased array antennas by stabilizing the phase shift and coupling efficiency of microwave signals.
Implementation Method 1
A phase shifter design incorporating a liquid crystal layer between two substrates
Implementation Method 2
a first dielectric layer between the first substrate and the second substrate
Implementation Method 3
Phase shifters are devices used for changing the phase of an electromagnetic wave signal
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure provides a phase shifter and antenna. The phase shifter includes a first substrate, a second substrate and a first dielectric layer between the first substrate and the second substrate. The first substrate includes: a first base substrate and a transmission line on a side of the first base substrate proximal to the first dielectric layer. The second substrate includes: a second base substrate and a reference electrode on a side of the second substrate proximal to the first dielectric layer. An orthographic projection of the reference electrode on the first base substrate at least partially overlaps an orthographic projection of the transmission line on the first base substrate. The reference electrode is provided with a first opening therein, and a length of the first opening along the first direction is not less than a line width of the transmission line.