Photo-Sensitive Phase Shifter Antenna for Low-Cost Bandwidth Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

The high cost and price of liquid crystal phased array antennas hinder large-scale commercialization due to the need for driving electrodes to control dielectric constant changes, increasing production costs and limiting bandwidth.

Innovation Solution

A photo-sensitive layer is introduced between metal electrodes in the antenna and phase shifter, allowing dielectric constant control through light intensity or wavelength, eliminating the need for driving electrodes and reducing manufacturing costs.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If liquid crystal phased array antennas use driving electrodes to control dielectric constant changes, then phase shift control is achieved, but production cost increases and bandwidth is limited

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveproduction costVSAvoiddriving electrodes structure

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts and removes the driving electrodes from the liquid crystal phased array antenna structure. By using a photo-sensitive layer instead, the complex electrode control system is eliminated, reducing manufacturing cost and simplifying the device structure while maintaining phase shift control capability through optical excitation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces the mechanical/electrical control system (driving electrodes) with an optical control system (photo-sensitive layer). The phase shift is controlled by light intensity or wavelength acting on the photo-sensitive material, substituting the need for complex electrical driving electrodes and their associated control circuits.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Adaptability or versatility

If liquid crystal phased array antennas are used, then phase shift control is achieved, but bandwidth is limited

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovebandwidthVSAvoidphase shift control stability

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the control parameter from electrical voltage (in liquid crystal) to optical parameters (light intensity or wavelength). The photo-sensitive layer responds to optical excitation by changing its dielectric constant, enabling phase shift control with potentially broader bandwidth and improved adaptability to different operating conditions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Ease of manufacture

If liquid crystal phased array antennas are used, then phase shift control is achieved, but manufacturing cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemanufacturing costVSAvoidphase shift control capability

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs a photo-sensitive layer that can be manufactured more cheaply than liquid crystal structures with driving electrodes. The photo-sensitive material allows for simplified fabrication processes and potentially lower material costs, making the antenna more economically viable for large-scale commercialization despite using optical control instead of electrical control.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

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 solution enables cost-effective production and expanded bandwidth, enhancing the commercial viability of phased array antennas by directly controlling phase shifts without additional electrodes, thus facilitating large-scale commercialization.

Implementation Method 1

The photo-sensitive layer includes at least one photo-sensitive unit and the at least one photo-sensitive unit overlaps the transmission electrodes. The phase shift of the electrical signals transmitted by the transmission electrodes is controlled by controlling a dielectric constant of the photo-sensitive layer.

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPhoto-sensitive effect: Photoelectric Effect

Data Source

PatentUS11824262B2Antenna, phase shifter, and communication device

Publication Date: 2023.11.21 SHANGHAI AVIC OPTO ELECTRONICS CO LTD

AI summary

Provided are an antenna, a phase shifter, and a communication device. The antenna includes a first metal electrode, a second metal electrode, and a photo-sensitive layer. The first metal electrode and the second metal electrode are respectively located on two opposite sides of the photo-sensitive layer. The first metal electrode includes multiple transmission electrodes. The multiple transmission electrodes are configured to transmit electrical signals. The photo-sensitive layer includes at least one photo-sensitive unit and the at least one photo-sensitive unit overlaps the transmission electrodes. The antenna provides more possibilities for large-scale commercialization.