Liquid Crystal Phase Shifter with Variable Cell Gaps
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing liquid crystal phase shifters face challenges in efficiently controlling the phase of electromagnetic waves due to limitations in adjusting the dielectric constant and cell gaps, which affects their performance in phased array antennas.
Innovation Solution
A phase shifter design featuring a first and second dielectric substrate with phase shift units that include adjustable dielectric layers, where the cell gaps of the liquid crystal cells within these units can be varied to control the phase of electromagnetic waves.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If the cell gap of liquid crystal cells is increased to adjust phase shift amount, then the phase adjustment range is improved, but the electromagnetic wave loss increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the cell gap parameter of liquid crystal cells to different values (first cell gap and second cell gap) to achieve different phase shift amounts. By having multiple phase shift units with different cell gaps, the system can adjust the phase of electromagnetic waves without increasing loss, as each unit is optimized for its specific cell gap value.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple phase shift units with different cell gaps are used to achieve continuous beam adjustment, then the adaptability is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The phase shifter is divided into multiple independent phase shift units, where each unit contains liquid crystal cells with different cell gaps. This segmentation allows each unit to be optimized independently for specific phase shift requirements, while collectively providing continuous beam adjustment capability across different directions.
Solution Approach 2:
Different regions of the phase shifter have different local properties - specifically, different phase shift units have different cell gap values optimized for their specific functions. This local quality variation enables continuous beam adjustment without requiring a completely complex overall structure, as each local unit is simplified but collectively they provide advanced functionality.
3Measurement precision
If the dielectric constant of liquid crystal material is changed to control phase shift, then the phase control precision is improved, but the energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses liquid crystal material whose dielectric constant can be dynamically changed by applying voltages to the electrode layers. This dynamic property allows precise phase control without requiring high energy consumption, as the liquid crystal molecules can be reoriented with relatively low voltage to achieve the desired dielectric constant change and phase shift.
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 allows for precise control of the phase shift amount, enabling continuous beam adjustment and improving the performance of phased array antennas by reducing electromagnetic wave loss.
Implementation Method 1
The dielectric anisotropy of a liquid crystal material and the free-spinning nature of the molecules of the liquid crystal material allow that a material in this state may change its dielectric constant and hence change a phase constant when subjected to an external stimulus (electric or magnetic field)
Implementation Method 2
The liquid crystal phase shifter changes the dielectric constant of the liquid crystal material, through applying a voltage to upper and lower substrates to form an overlapping capacitor between the upper and lower substrates, so that a phase constant of electromagnetic waves on the liquid crystal phase shifter is changed
Data Source
AI summary
A phase shifter includes first and second dielectric substrates opposite to each other and a plurality of phase shift units between the first and the second dielectric substrates; the phase shift unit includes first and second electrode layers and an adjustable dielectric layer between the first and the second electrode layers; orthographic projections of the first and second electrode layers on the first dielectric substrate at least partially overlap each other, and at least one accommodation cell of the phase shift unit is defined in a region where the orthographic projections of the first and second electrode layers on the first dielectric substrate overlap each other; the adjustable dielectric layer is in at least the accommodation cell; and cell gaps of the accommodation cells of at least a part of the plurality of phase shift units are different from each other.