Stacked Phase Modulation Surface for Continuous Wide-Range Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing smart metasurfaces face limitations in achieving continuous and precise phase modulation due to the need for numerous subunits and complex wiring, limited phase variation range, and high costs associated with electrical control methods.
Innovation Solution
A phase modulation surface unit with stacked phase-shifting layers and tunable dielectric layers, allowing for continuous and precise phase modulation through voltage control without additional electronic devices, achieving a larger phase modulation range.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If PIN diodes and MEMS switches are used for phase modulation, then digital phase or amplitude modulation can be achieved, but continuous phase modulation cannot be performed and the number of subunits and diodes increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the control parameter from digital switching (PIN diodes) to continuous voltage control (varactor diodes), enabling continuous phase modulation while reducing the number of required subunits. The varactor diode's capacitance varies continuously with applied voltage, providing fine-grained phase control without requiring multiple discrete subunits.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from static digital switching to dynamic continuous control. The varactor diode allows the phase modulation to be dynamically adjusted through voltage control, enabling real-time continuous phase variation rather than discrete digital steps.
2Ease of operation
If resonance effect of subunits is used for phase hopping, then phase modulation can be achieved, but the phase variation range is limited to less than 180 degrees
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the operating parameter by using varactor diodes to continuously adjust the resonant frequency of the subunits, thereby expanding the phase variation range beyond the limited 180 degrees achieved by fixed resonance frequency hopping.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent makes the phase modulation system more universal by enabling continuous phase control across a wide range, making the metasurface adaptable to various applications requiring different phase shifts, rather than being limited to specific discrete phase values.
3Measurement precision
If varactor diodes are used for continuous phase compensation, then continuous phase control can be achieved, but specialized DAC devices need to be embedded increasing cost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and eliminates the need for expensive specialized DAC devices by using standard varactor diodes controlled through conventional voltage signals. The continuous phase control is achieved through the varactor's inherent voltage-dependent capacitance, removing the requirement for complex integrated DAC circuits.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces expensive specialized DAC devices with cheaper, readily available varactor diodes. The varactor diode is a simple, inexpensive component that can be easily integrated into the metasurface structure, significantly reducing fabrication costs while maintaining continuous phase control capability.
4Measurement precision
If multiple subunits with different geometrical parameters are used to increase modulation accuracy, then phase or amplitude modulation accuracy increases, but the number of units and wiring complexity increases multiplicatively
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes from geometric parameter variation (multiple subunit designs) to electrical parameter control (voltage-controlled varactor capacitance). This allows a single subunit design to achieve high modulation accuracy through continuous voltage control, eliminating the need for multiple geometrically different subunits and their complex interconnections.
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 continuous and precise phase modulation with a wider phase-shifting range, simplifying fabrication and reducing costs by eliminating the need for complex wiring and additional electronic components.
Implementation Method 1
a tunable dielectric layer, where the tunable dielectric layer is between the first phase-shifting surface layer and the second phase-shifting surface layer
Implementation Method 2
a first phase-shifting surface layer on a side of the first substrate facing the second substrate, where the first phase-shifting surface layer includes at least one first electrode pattern extending in a first direction
Implementation Method 3
the second electrode pattern and the first electrode pattern corresponding to the second electrode pattern forms one resonant unit
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed are a phase modulation surface unit, a phase modulation surface structure, and a terminal device. The phase modulation surface unit includes at least two phase-shifting layers which are stacked, where the phase-shifting layers each include: a first substrate; a second substrate; the first phase-shifting surface layer including at least one first electrode pattern extending in a first direction; the second phase-shifting surface layer including at least one second electrode pattern extending in a second direction and has one-to-one correspondence to the first electrode pattern, and the orthographic projection of the second electrode pattern on the first substrate intersecting with that of the corresponding first electrode pattern on the first substrate; and an tunable dielectric layer between the first phase-shifting surface layer and the second phase-shifting surface layer.