Rotationally Symmetric Reflecting Surface for Polarization Beam Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing intelligent reflecting surfaces struggle to symmetrically reflect both horizontally and vertically polarized waves due to asymmetric reflection characteristics, which affect the phase difference and directionality of radio waves.
Innovation Solution
The intelligent reflecting surface design incorporates a liquid crystal layer sandwiched between substrates with patch electrodes and connection electrodes arranged in a matrix configuration, ensuring rotational symmetry and equal reflection characteristics for both polarized waves by adjusting the dielectric constant of the liquid crystal layer through applied voltages, thereby aligning the phases of reflected radio waves.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a reflective electrode is made asymmetric to control phase difference, then directional control of radio waves is improved, but reflection characteristics for horizontally and vertically polarized waves become different
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies asymmetry principle by intentionally designing the reflective electrode with different dimensions in the first and second directions (L1 ≠ L2). This asymmetric configuration creates different phase shifts for horizontally and vertically polarized waves, enabling directional control of the reflected radio waves while maintaining consistent reflection characteristics through controlled dielectric constant adjustment.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the dielectric constant of the liquid crystal layer by applying different voltages to the first and second sets of electrodes. This parameter change allows independent control of phase shifts for horizontally and vertically polarized waves, resolving the contradiction between directional control and reflection characteristic consistency.
2Productivity
If the dielectric constant of liquid crystal is adjusted to achieve constant phase difference between adjacent antenna elements, then beamforming capability is improved, but the system becomes sensitive to polarization-dependent phase variations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the electrode system into two independent sets: a first set for controlling horizontally polarized waves and a second set for controlling vertically polarized waves. This segmentation allows independent adjustment of dielectric constants for each polarization, maintaining constant phase differences for beamforming while compensating for polarization-dependent variations.
Solution Approach 2:
The intelligent reflecting surface is designed with multi-functionality to handle both horizontally and vertically polarized waves simultaneously. By incorporating dual electrode sets that can independently adjust dielectric constants, the system achieves universal beamforming capability across different polarizations, eliminating sensitivity to polarization-dependent phase variations.
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 configuration enables symmetric reflection of both horizontally and vertically polarized waves, improving the reflection characteristics and directional control of radio waves, ensuring consistent phase alignment and reduced deviation in the reflection direction.
Implementation Method 1
the dielectric constant of the liquid crystal needs to be adjusted such that the phase difference between high-frequency signals input to adjacent antenna elements becomes constant
Implementation Method 2
Phase shifters using liquid crystal have been developed as phase shifters for use in phased array antennas
Implementation Method 3
reflection controllers including reflecting electrodes are arranged one-dimensionally (or two-dimensionally). On the intelligent reflecting surface, the dielectric constant of the liquid crystal also needs to be adjusted such that a phase difference of the reflected radio waves becomes constant
Implementation Method 4
intelligent reflecting surfaces capable of controlling a direction of radio wave reflection using the liquid crystal have been studied
Implementation Method 5
the phase difference between high-frequency signals input to adjacent antenna elements becomes constant
Data Source
AI summary
According to one embodiment, an intelligent reflecting surface includes a plurality of patch areas including a plurality of square patch electrodes, an electrode shape formed by the patch electrode, a first connection electrode, a second connection electrode, a third connection electrode, and a fourth connection electrode included in each of the plurality of patch areas has rotational symmetry having a point inside each of the plurality of patch areas as a center of rotation, and a first patch area, a second patch, a third patch area, and a fourth patch area have an intersection of the first patch area, the second patch area, the third patch area, and the fourth patch area as a whole as a center of rotation.