Liquid Crystal Phase Shifter Layout for Thin-Layer Low Microwave Loss
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing liquid crystal antennas face challenges with poor process compatibility and slow system response due to the requirement for a thick liquid crystal layer, which increases microwave signal loss when trying to reduce the layer thickness.
Innovation Solution
A phase shifter design that includes a dielectric layer with a variable capacitance, where the dielectric constant changes with voltage between an auxiliary electrode and a transmission line, allowing for phase adjustment without increasing microwave signal loss, even with a thinner dielectric layer, by using a configuration with a first substrate, a second substrate, a dielectric layer, a transmission line, and auxiliary electrodes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the thickness of the liquid crystal layer is reduced to improve process compatibility and response speed, then process compatibility and response speed are improved, but microwave signal loss on metal is greatly increased
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the dielectric constant of the liquid crystal layer by applying voltage, which modifies the electromagnetic field distribution and reduces microwave signal loss while maintaining thin layer thickness. The variable dielectric constant allows optimization of signal propagation characteristics at different operating states.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an auxiliary electrode as an intermediary element between the transmission line and ground. This auxiliary electrode creates a capacitive coupling that provides an alternative current path, reducing the microwave signal loss on the metal surfaces while enabling phase control in the thin liquid crystal layer.
2Ease of manufacture
If the thickness of the liquid crystal layer is reduced to improve process compatibility, then process compatibility is improved, but microwave signal loss on metal is greatly increased
Solution Approach 1:
The patent modifies the dielectric constant parameter of the liquid crystal layer through voltage control, which compensates for the increased microwave loss that would normally occur with thinner layers. This allows the use of thin liquid crystal layers (improving process compatibility) while maintaining acceptable signal loss levels through electromagnetic parameter optimization.
Solution Approach 2:
The auxiliary electrode serves as an intermediary structure that enables thin liquid crystal layer implementation without suffering from excessive microwave signal loss. It provides capacitive coupling that reduces the harmful electromagnetic field interactions with metal surfaces, making thin-layer fabrication more compatible with manufacturing processes.
3Ease of operation
If an inverted micro-strip line structure is used for phase shifting, then phase control is achieved, but the liquid crystal layer thickness must be at least 100 μm resulting in poor process compatibility
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an auxiliary electrode as an intermediary element that enables phase control without requiring the thick liquid crystal layer needed by conventional inverted micro-strip structures. This auxiliary electrode creates capacitive coupling that provides phase shifting functionality in thin layers, improving process compatibility while maintaining operational capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes voltage-controlled dielectric constant changes in the liquid crystal layer to achieve phase control in thin layers. By modifying the electromagnetic parameters through applied voltage, the system achieves phase shifting functionality without the mechanical constraints of thick-layer inverted micro-strip structures, thereby improving manufacturability.
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 design improves process compatibility and response speed while maintaining low microwave signal loss, enabling efficient phase shifting over a range of frequencies without the need for thick liquid crystal layers.
Implementation Method 1
a dielectric constant of the dielectric layer changes with a voltage between the auxiliary electrode and the transmission line
Implementation Method 2
the dielectric layer is a liquid crystal layer
Data Source
AI summary
A phase shifter is provided to include: a first substrate, a second substrate, a dielectric layer, a transmission line, a ground electrode and at least one auxiliary electrode, where the first substrate and the second substrate are opposite to each other, the dielectric layer is between the first substrate and the second substrate, the transmission line is between the second substrate and the dielectric layer, the auxiliary electrode is between the first substrate and the dielectric layer, and the ground electrode is on a side of the second substrate distal to the dielectric layer; a dielectric constant of the dielectric layer changes with a voltage between the auxiliary electrode and the transmission line; an orthographic projection of the transmission line on the first substrate overlaps with an orthographic projection of the auxiliary electrode on the first substrate.