WO2024004595A1 - 電波反射装置 - Google Patents

電波反射装置 Download PDF

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Publication number
WO2024004595A1
WO2024004595A1 PCT/JP2023/021593 JP2023021593W WO2024004595A1 WO 2024004595 A1 WO2024004595 A1 WO 2024004595A1 JP 2023021593 W JP2023021593 W JP 2023021593W WO 2024004595 A1 WO2024004595 A1 WO 2024004595A1
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Prior art keywords
patch
electrode
radio wave
electrodes
patch electrodes
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PCT/JP2023/021593
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English (en)
French (fr)
Japanese (ja)
Inventor
大一 鈴木
真一郎 岡
光隆 沖田
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Japan Display Inc
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Japan Display Inc
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Application filed by Japan Display Inc filed Critical Japan Display Inc
Priority to CN202380049460.0A priority Critical patent/CN119422289A/zh
Priority to JP2024530635A priority patent/JPWO2024004595A1/ja
Publication of WO2024004595A1 publication Critical patent/WO2024004595A1/ja
Priority to US19/002,759 priority patent/US20250149800A1/en
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Ceased legal-status Critical Current

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    • G—PHYSICS
    • G02—OPTICS
    • G02F—OPTICAL DEVICES OR ARRANGEMENTS FOR THE CONTROL OF LIGHT BY MODIFICATION OF THE OPTICAL PROPERTIES OF THE MEDIA OF THE ELEMENTS INVOLVED THEREIN; NON-LINEAR OPTICS; FREQUENCY-CHANGING OF LIGHT; OPTICAL LOGIC ELEMENTS; OPTICAL ANALOGUE/DIGITAL CONVERTERS
    • G02F1/00—Devices or arrangements for the control of the intensity, colour, phase, polarisation or direction of light arriving from an independent light source, e.g. switching, gating or modulating; Non-linear optics
    • G02F1/01—Devices or arrangements for the control of the intensity, colour, phase, polarisation or direction of light arriving from an independent light source, e.g. switching, gating or modulating; Non-linear optics for the control of the intensity, phase, polarisation or colour 
    • G02F1/13—Devices or arrangements for the control of the intensity, colour, phase, polarisation or direction of light arriving from an independent light source, e.g. switching, gating or modulating; Non-linear optics for the control of the intensity, phase, polarisation or colour  based on liquid crystals, e.g. single liquid crystal display cells
    • G02F1/133—Constructional arrangements; Operation of liquid crystal cells; Circuit arrangements
    • G02F1/1333—Constructional arrangements; Manufacturing methods
    • G02F1/1343—Electrodes
    • G02F1/13439—Electrodes characterised by their electrical, optical, physical properties; materials therefor; method of making
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01Q—ANTENNAS, i.e. RADIO AERIALS
    • H01Q15/00—Devices for reflection, refraction, diffraction or polarisation of waves radiated from an antenna, e.g. quasi-optical devices
    • H01Q15/14—Reflecting surfaces; Equivalent structures
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01Q—ANTENNAS, i.e. RADIO AERIALS
    • H01Q15/00—Devices for reflection, refraction, diffraction or polarisation of waves radiated from an antenna, e.g. quasi-optical devices
    • H01Q15/14—Reflecting surfaces; Equivalent structures
    • H01Q15/147—Reflecting surfaces; Equivalent structures provided with means for controlling or monitoring the shape of the reflecting surface
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01Q—ANTENNAS, i.e. RADIO AERIALS
    • H01Q3/00—Arrangements for changing or varying the orientation or the shape of the directional pattern of the waves radiated from an antenna or antenna system
    • H01Q3/44—Arrangements for changing or varying the orientation or the shape of the directional pattern of the waves radiated from an antenna or antenna system varying the electric or magnetic characteristics of reflecting, refracting, or diffracting devices associated with the radiating element
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01Q—ANTENNAS, i.e. RADIO AERIALS
    • H01Q3/00—Arrangements for changing or varying the orientation or the shape of the directional pattern of the waves radiated from an antenna or antenna system
    • H01Q3/44—Arrangements for changing or varying the orientation or the shape of the directional pattern of the waves radiated from an antenna or antenna system varying the electric or magnetic characteristics of reflecting, refracting, or diffracting devices associated with the radiating element
    • H01Q3/46—Active lenses or reflecting arrays

Definitions

  • One embodiment of the present invention relates to a radio wave reflecting device that can control the traveling direction of reflected radio waves.
  • a phased array antenna device controls the directivity of a fixed antenna by adjusting the amplitude and phase of a high-frequency signal applied to each of a plurality of antenna elements arranged in a planar manner. ing. Phased array antenna devices require a phase shifter. A phased array antenna device using a phase shifter that utilizes changes in dielectric constant depending on the alignment state of liquid crystal has been disclosed (see, for example, Patent Document 1).
  • the antenna element of the phased array antenna device in Patent Document 1 includes a plurality of strip wirings, a plane electrode facing the plurality of strip wirings, and a liquid crystal layer provided between the plurality of strip wirings and the plane electrode. . Different voltages are applied to a plurality of strip wirings in a plurality of antenna elements. Then, by adjusting the dielectric constant of the liquid crystal layer for each antenna element and superimposing the reflected waves, the phase can be changed. This allows the direction of radio wave reflection to be set to any direction.
  • 5G fifth generation communications standard
  • This communication standard uses frequencies in the millimeter wave band of 26 GHz to 28 GHz.
  • Communication based on the 5G standard can achieve extremely high throughput by using frequencies in the millimeter wave band, making it possible to transmit over a wide bandwidth.
  • radio waves with frequencies in the millimeter wave band tend to travel in a straight line, making it difficult for them to propagate around obstacles. As a result, the problem is that the communication area that can be covered by the 5G standard becomes narrower in urban areas.
  • one of the objects of an embodiment of the present invention is to improve the reflection gain of a radio wave reflection device.
  • a radio wave reflecting device includes: a plurality of first patch electrodes; a plurality of second patch electrodes having a different size from the plurality of first patch electrodes; a ground electrode facing the second patch electrode and spaced apart from the plurality of first patch electrodes and the plurality of second patch electrodes, the plurality of first patch electrodes and the plurality of second patch electrodes; a liquid crystal layer provided between the plurality of first patch electrodes and the plurality of second patch electrodes, the plurality of first patch electrodes and the plurality of second patch electrodes are arranged alternately in the first direction or a second direction intersecting the first direction, One patch electrode is adjacent to each second patch electrode in the first direction or the second direction.
  • FIG. 2 is a plan view of a reflector unit cell used in a radio wave reflecting device according to an embodiment of the present invention.
  • 1A is a diagram showing a cross-sectional structure along A1-A2 in the plan view shown in FIG. 1A.
  • FIG. FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a state in which no voltage is applied between a patch electrode and a ground electrode in a reflector unit cell used in a radio wave reflection device according to an embodiment of the present invention.
  • FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a state in which a voltage is applied between a patch electrode and a ground electrode in a reflector unit cell used in a radio wave reflecting device according to an embodiment of the present invention.
  • FIG. 1A is a diagram showing a cross-sectional structure along A1-A2 in the plan view shown in FIG. 1A.
  • FIG. FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a state in which no voltage is applied between a patch electrode and a ground electrode in a reflector unit cell used in a radio wave reflection
  • FIG. 3 is a diagram schematically showing that the traveling direction of reflected waves changes by the radio wave reflecting device according to an embodiment of the present invention.
  • FIG. 6 is a diagram showing the results of simulating the relationship between frequency and amplitude when patch electrodes of two different sizes are used in the radio wave reflection device according to an embodiment of the present invention.
  • FIG. 6 is a diagram showing the results of simulating the relationship between frequency and phase when patch electrodes of two different sizes are used in the radio wave reflection device according to an embodiment of the present invention.
  • 1 is a diagram showing the configuration of a radio wave reflection device according to an embodiment of the present invention.
  • 1 is a diagram showing the configuration of a radio wave reflection device according to an embodiment of the present invention.
  • FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a cross-sectional structure of a reflector unit cell in a radio wave reflecting device according to an embodiment of the present invention.
  • FIG. 3 is a diagram showing the configuration of a radio wave reflecting device according to Modification 1.
  • FIG. 7 is a diagram showing the configuration of a radio wave reflection device according to a second modification.
  • FIG. FIG. 6 is a diagram showing the results of simulating the relationship between frequency and amplitude when patch electrodes of one type of size are used in the radio wave reflection device according to an embodiment of the present invention.
  • FIG. 6 is a diagram showing the results of simulating the relationship between frequency and phase when patch electrodes of one type of size are used in the radio wave reflection device according to an embodiment of the present invention.
  • FIG. 6 is a diagram showing the results of simulating the relationship between frequency and amplitude when two types of patch electrodes with significantly different sizes are used in the radio wave reflection device according to an embodiment of the present invention.
  • FIG. 6 is a diagram showing the results of simulating the relationship between frequency and phase when two types of patch electrodes of greatly different sizes are used in the radio wave reflection device according to an embodiment of the present invention.
  • a member or region when a member or region is said to be “above (or below)" another member or region, it means that it is directly above (or directly below) the other member or region unless otherwise specified. This includes not only the case where the item is located above (or below) another member or area, that is, the case where another component is included in between above (or below) the other member or area. .
  • Reflector Unit Cell First, the reflector unit cells 102a and 102b used in the radio wave reflecting device will be described.
  • FIG. 1A is a plan view of reflector unit cells 102a and 102b used in a radio wave reflecting device according to an embodiment of the present invention, viewed from above (the side where radio waves are incident). Further, FIG. 1B is a sectional view taken along A1-A2 shown in FIG. 1A.
  • the reflector unit cell 102a includes a dielectric substrate 104, a counter substrate 106, a patch electrode 108a, a ground electrode 110, a liquid crystal layer 114, a first alignment film 112a, and a second alignment film 112b.
  • the reflector unit cell 102b includes a dielectric substrate 104, a counter substrate 106, a patch electrode 108b, a ground electrode 110, a liquid crystal layer 114, a first alignment film 112a, and a second alignment film 112b.
  • the dielectric substrate 104 can be considered as a dielectric layer as one layer.
  • the dielectric substrate 104 may be called a dielectric layer.
  • Patch electrodes 108a, 108b are provided on dielectric substrate 104, and ground electrode 110 is provided on counter substrate 106.
  • a first alignment film 112a is provided on the dielectric substrate 104 so as to cover the patch electrodes 108a and 108b.
  • a second alignment film 112b is provided on the counter substrate 106 so as to cover the ground electrode 110.
  • the patch electrode 108a and the ground electrode 110 are arranged to face each other, and a liquid crystal layer 114 is provided between them.
  • the patch electrode 108b and the ground electrode 110 are arranged to face each other, and a liquid crystal layer 114 is provided between them.
  • a first alignment film 112a is interposed between the patch electrodes 108a, 108b and the liquid crystal layer 114.
  • a second alignment film 112b is interposed between the ground electrode 110 and the liquid crystal layer 114.
  • the difference between the reflector unit cell 102a and the reflector unit cell 102b is the size (or area) of the patch electrode 108a and the patch electrode 108b.
  • FIG. 1A a case will be described in which the size of patch electrode 108a is larger than the size of patch electrode 108b.
  • the reflector unit cell 102a and the reflector unit cell 102b are not particularly distinguished, they will simply be referred to as the reflector unit cell 102. Note that if there is no need to particularly distinguish between the patch electrode 108a and the patch electrode 108b, they will simply be referred to as patch electrode 108.
  • the plurality of patch electrodes 108a and the plurality of patch electrodes 108b are arranged in a checked pattern. Specifically, the plurality of patch electrodes 108a and the plurality of patch electrodes 108b are arranged alternately in the first direction (X-axis direction) or the second direction (Y-axis direction) intersecting the first direction. Further, each patch electrode 108a is adjacent to each patch electrode 108b in the first direction or the second direction. Further, in the patch electrodes 108a and 108b arranged in the first direction, the center O1 of the patch electrode 108a and the center O2 of the patch electrode 108b are arranged in the first direction. In the patch electrodes 108a and 108b arranged in the second direction, the center O1 of the patch electrode 108a and the center O2 of the patch electrode 108b are arranged in the second direction.
  • the shape of the patch electrode 108 is preferably a shape that has rotational symmetry with respect to the center O of the patch electrode 108.
  • the shape of the patch electrode 108 may be four-fold rotationally symmetrical, and has a square or diamond shape in plan view.
  • the shape with four-fold rotational symmetry may be a quadrilateral with each vertex having a chamfer, or a quadrilateral with each vertex being rounded.
  • the shape of the patch electrode 108 may be circular.
  • FIG. 1A shows a case where the patch electrode 108 is square in plan view.
  • the shape of the patch electrode 108 has rotational symmetry with respect to the center of the patch electrode 108, it is possible to reduce anisotropy regarding reflection of radio waves with respect to vertically polarized waves and horizontally polarized waves of incident radio waves. That is, it is possible to suppress the polarization of vertically polarized waves and horizontally polarized waves in the XY plane in FIG. 1A, and to uniformly reflect the vertically polarized waves and horizontally polarized waves.
  • the shape of the ground electrode 110 is not particularly limited, and has a shape that extends over substantially the entire surface of the counter substrate 106 so as to have a larger area than the patch electrode 108.
  • a first wiring 118 may be provided on the dielectric substrate 104.
  • the first wiring 118 connects the patch electrode 108a and the patch electrode 108b.
  • the first wiring 118 can be used when applying a control signal to the patch electrode 108a and the patch electrode 108b. Further, the first wiring 118 can be used, for example, when connecting the patch electrode 108a and the patch electrode 108b when a plurality of reflector unit cells 102a and 102b are arranged.
  • the reflector unit cell 102 is used as a reflector 120 that reflects radio waves in a predetermined direction. Therefore, it is preferable that the reflector unit cell 102 attenuates the amplitude of the reflected radio waves as little as possible. As is clear from the structure shown in FIG. 1B, when a radio wave propagating in the air is reflected by the reflector unit cell 102, the radio wave passes through the dielectric substrate 104 twice.
  • the dielectric substrate 104 is preferably made of a dielectric material such as glass or resin.
  • the dielectric substrate 104 and the counter substrate 106 are bonded together using a sealing material 128 (see FIG. 6).
  • the dielectric substrate 104 and the counter substrate 106 are arranged to face each other with a gap therebetween.
  • the liquid crystal layer 114 is provided so as to fill the area surrounded by the sealant 128.
  • the gap between the dielectric substrate 104 and the counter substrate 106 is 20 ⁇ m to 100 ⁇ m, for example, 75 ⁇ m.
  • a patch electrode 108, a ground electrode 110, a first alignment film 112a, and a second alignment film 112b are provided between the dielectric substrate 104 and the counter substrate 106.
  • the thickness of the liquid crystal layer 114 is the gap between the first alignment film 112a and the second alignment film 112b provided on each of the dielectric substrate 104 and the counter substrate 106. Note that although not shown in FIG. 1B, a spacer may be provided between the dielectric substrate 104 and the counter substrate 106 to keep the distance constant.
  • a control signal that controls the orientation of liquid crystal molecules in the liquid crystal layer 114 is applied to the patch electrode 108.
  • the control signal is a DC voltage signal or a polarity inversion signal in which a positive DC voltage and a negative DC voltage are alternately inverted.
  • a voltage at an intermediate level of a ground or polarity inversion signal is applied to the ground electrode 110 .
  • a liquid crystal material having dielectric anisotropy is used for the liquid crystal layer 114.
  • the liquid crystal layer 114 nematic liquid crystal, smectic liquid crystal, cholestic liquid crystal, or discotic liquid crystal is used.
  • the dielectric constant of the liquid crystal layer 114 having dielectric anisotropy changes due to changes in the alignment state of liquid crystal molecules.
  • the reflector unit cell 102 can change the dielectric constant of the liquid crystal layer 114 according to a control signal applied to the patch electrode 108 . Thereby, when reflecting a radio wave, the phase of the reflected wave can be delayed.
  • the frequency bands of radio waves reflected by the reflector unit cell 102 include a very high frequency (VHF) band, an ultra-high frequency (UHF) band, and a microwave (SHF: super high frequency) band. band, submillimeter wave ( These are the THF (tremendously high frequency) and millimeter wave (EHF: extra high frequency) bands. Note that millimeter waves refer to a frequency band of 30 GHz to 300 GHz. Note that the fifth generation communication standard called 5G also includes the 26 GHz band to 29 GHz band, and frequencies above the 26 GHz band are sometimes collectively called millimeter waves.
  • the reflector unit cell 102 can control the phase of the reflected radio waves without being influenced by the radio waves.
  • FIG. 2A shows a state in which no voltage is applied between the patch electrode 108 and the ground electrode 110 (referred to as a "first state").
  • FIG. 2A shows a case where the first alignment film 112a and the second alignment film 112b are horizontal alignment films. The long axes of the liquid crystal molecules 116 in the first state are aligned horizontally with respect to the surfaces of the patch electrode 108 and the ground electrode 110 by the first alignment film 112a and the second alignment film 112b.
  • FIG. 2B shows a state in which a control signal (voltage signal) is applied to the patch electrode 108 (referred to as a "second state").
  • the liquid crystal molecules 116 are oriented with their long axes perpendicular to the surfaces of the patch electrode 108 and the ground electrode 110 under the action of the electric field.
  • the angle at which the long axes of the liquid crystal molecules 116 are oriented depends on the magnitude of the control signal applied to the patch electrode 108 (the magnitude of the voltage between the ground electrode and the patch electrode). It can also be oriented.
  • the liquid crystal layer 114 having dielectric anisotropy can also be regarded as a variable dielectric layer.
  • the reflector unit cell 102 can be controlled to delay (or not delay) the phase of the reflected wave by utilizing the dielectric anisotropy of the liquid crystal layer 114.
  • FIG. 3 schematically shows that the traveling direction of reflected waves changes depending on the reflector unit cell 102a and the reflector unit cell 102b.
  • the reflector unit cell 102a and the reflector unit cell 102b are adjacent to each other in the first direction (X-axis direction). That is, patch electrode 108a and patch electrode 108b are connected to different first wirings 118.
  • V1 ⁇ V2 different control signals
  • the phase of the reflected wave R1 reflected by the reflector unit cell 102a is different from the phase of the reflected wave R2 reflected by the reflector unit cell 102b (in FIG. 3, the phase of the reflected wave R2 is different from the phase of the reflected wave R1).
  • the traveling direction of the reflected wave appears to change diagonally.
  • the thickness of the liquid crystal layer 114 of the reflector unit cells 102a and 102b is 75 ⁇ m.
  • FIG. 4 is a diagram showing the relationship between frequency and reflection amplitude in a radio wave reflection device using patch electrodes of two different sizes.
  • FIG. 5 is a diagram showing the relationship between frequency and phase change amount in a radio wave reflecting device using patch electrodes of two different sizes. Note that this simulation was performed using CST Studio Suite (manufactured by Dassault Systèmes).
  • the results of simulating the amount of phase change (deg) and amplitude (dB) in a radio wave reflecting device using patch electrodes of one type of size will be described.
  • patch electrodes of one type of size are arranged in the first direction and the second direction, and it is assumed that the patch electrodes are a reflection plate of a radio wave reflection device.
  • the size of the patch electrode is 2.8 mm x 2.8 mm (7.84 mm 2 ).
  • the pitch of the patch electrodes is 3.7 mm.
  • the thickness of the liquid crystal layer 114 of the reflector unit cells 102a and 102b is 40 ⁇ m.
  • FIG. 11 is a diagram showing the relationship between frequency and reflection amplitude in a radio wave reflection device using patch electrodes of one type of size.
  • FIG. 12 is a diagram showing the relationship between frequency and phase change amount in a radio wave reflecting device using patch electrodes of one type of size. Note that this simulation was performed using CST Studio Suite (manufactured by Dassault Systèmes).
  • the reflection amplitude is insufficient due to material loss (dissipation tangent tan ⁇ of the liquid crystal material and conductor loss of the patch electrode material). Due to the limitation of dielectric anisotropy, the variable range of dielectric constant is insufficient. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 12, a problem arises in that the amount of phase change in a band near the target frequency is lower than the amount of phase change sought. Both are restricted by the physical properties of the material. Therefore, one embodiment of the present invention of using different sized patch electrodes in a radio wave reflecting device is effective.
  • the amount of phase change (deg) and amplitude (dB) will be calculated in a radio wave reflection device using patch electrodes of two different sizes.
  • the simulation results will be explained.
  • patch electrodes of one type of size are arranged in the first direction and the second direction, and it is assumed that the patch electrodes are a reflection plate of a radio wave reflection device.
  • the size of patch electrode 108a is 3.1 mm x 3.1 mm (9.61 mm 2 ), and the size of patch electrode 108b is 2.5 mm x 2.5 mm (6.25 mm 2 ).
  • FIG. 13 is a diagram showing the relationship between frequency and reflection amplitude in a radio wave reflection device using patch electrodes of two different sizes.
  • FIG. 14 is a diagram showing the relationship between frequency and phase change amount in a radio wave reflecting device using patch electrodes of two different sizes. Note that this simulation was performed using CST Studio Suite (manufactured by Dassault Systèmes).
  • the size of the patch electrode 108a used in the simulation is 54% larger than the size of the patch electrode 108b.
  • the frequency to be resonated largely deviates from the target frequency band (28 GHz band). Resonance will occur in two widely different frequency bands, high and low. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 14, a problem arises in that the amount of phase change in a band near the target frequency is lower than the amount of phase change sought.
  • the size of patch electrode 108a is preferably 107% or more and 140% or less of the size of patch electrode 108b. Further, when the radio wave reflection device 100a is used in the 28 GHz band, for example, the size of each patch electrode 108a is 7.0 mm 2 or more and 9.3 mm 2 or less, and the size of each patch electrode 108b is 5.5 mm 2 or more. 2 or more and 7.0 mm and 2 or less.
  • the plurality of patch electrodes 108a and the plurality of patch electrodes 108b are arranged adjacent to each other.
  • the plurality of patch electrodes 108a and the plurality of patch electrodes 108b are two-fold rotationally symmetrical with respect to the center of the area where the plurality of patch electrodes 108a and the plurality of patch electrodes 108b are arranged in the first direction and the second direction.
  • the size of the patch electrode of the reflector unit cell is set to at least two types.
  • the peak of the resonance frequency in the millimeter wave band (the point where the reflectance is minimum) can be made two by the resonance occurring in the patch electrode 108a and the resonance occurring in the patch electrode 108b.
  • attenuation of the amplitude of the reflected wave can be suppressed, and the amount of phase change can be increased. Due to such characteristics, even when a plurality of radio wave reflecting devices are combined to form a transmission path in the air, attenuation of radio waves can be suppressed and communication equipment can perform good communication.
  • the radio wave reflecting device can be formed using a transparent conductive film as the patch electrode 108 and the ground electrode 110. Furthermore, the liquid crystal layer 114 also has translucency. Therefore, by attaching radio wave reflecting devices to the windows of high-rise buildings such as buildings and reflecting radio waves in a predetermined direction, it can be used to eliminate radio wave dead zones (places where radio waves cannot reach) in urban areas. Can be done.
  • the size of the patch electrode 108a is larger than the size of the patch electrode 108b, but the embodiment of the present invention is not limited to this.
  • the size of patch electrode 108a may be smaller than the size of patch electrode 108b.
  • the size of patch electrode 108a is preferably 70% or more and 93% or less of the size of patch electrode 108b.
  • the size of each patch electrode 108a is 5.5 mm 2 or more and 7.0 mm 2 or less
  • the size of each patch electrode 108b is 7.0 mm 2 or more and 9.3 mm 2 or less.
  • FIG. 6 shows the configuration of a radio wave reflection device 100a according to an embodiment of the present invention.
  • the radio wave reflection device 100a includes a reflection plate 120, a first drive circuit 124, and a terminal portion 126.
  • the reflective plate 120 is provided between the dielectric substrate 104 and the counter substrate 106.
  • the reflector 120 has a structure in which a plurality of reflector unit cells 102a and 102b are integrated.
  • the plurality of reflector unit cells 102a and 102b are arranged, for example, in a first direction (X-axis direction shown in FIG. 6) and a second direction (Y-axis direction shown in FIG. 6) intersecting the first direction.
  • the reflector unit cell 102a includes a ground electrode 110, a patch electrode 108a, and a liquid crystal layer (not shown) provided between the ground electrode 110 and the patch electrode 108a.
  • the reflector unit cell 102b includes a ground electrode 110, a patch electrode 108b, and a liquid crystal layer (not shown) provided between the ground electrode 110 and the patch electrode 108b.
  • Patch electrode 108a and patch electrode 108b are provided on dielectric substrate 104, and ground electrode 110 is provided on counter substrate 106. Further, the dielectric substrate 104 and the counter substrate 106 are bonded together with a sealant 128, and the liquid crystal layer is provided in an area inside the sealant 128.
  • patch electrodes 108a and 108b are arranged so as to face the radio wave incident surface.
  • the ground electrode 110 has a flat plate shape.
  • the plurality of patch electrodes 108a and 108b are arranged in a matrix within the plane of the flat ground electrode 110.
  • the plurality of patch electrodes 108a and the plurality of patch electrodes 108b are arranged in a checked pattern. Specifically, the plurality of patch electrodes 108a and the plurality of patch electrodes 108b are arranged alternately in the first direction (X-axis direction) or the second direction (Y-axis direction) intersecting the first direction. Further, each patch electrode 108a is adjacent to each patch electrode 108b in the first direction or the second direction.
  • a plurality of first wirings 118 extending in the second direction are arranged on the dielectric substrate 104.
  • Each of the plurality of first wirings 118 is electrically connected to the plurality of patch electrodes 108a and patch electrodes 108b arranged in the second direction.
  • the patch electrodes 108a and 108b arranged in the second direction are connected by the first wiring 118.
  • the reflective plate 120 has a configuration in which a plurality of patch electrode arrays are arranged in a row in the second direction and connected by the first wiring 118.
  • the area other than where the reflection plate 120 is provided is referred to as a peripheral area 122.
  • a first drive circuit 124 and a terminal section 126 are provided in the peripheral region 122.
  • the terminal portion 126 is a region that forms a connection with an external circuit.
  • a flexible printed circuit is connected to the terminal portion 126 (not shown).
  • a signal for controlling the first drive circuit 124 is inputted to the terminal section 126 from the flexible printed circuit.
  • a plurality of first wirings 118 arranged on the reflection plate 120 extend to the peripheral region 122 and are connected to the first drive circuit 124.
  • the first drive circuit 124 outputs a control signal to the patch electrodes 108a and 108b via the first wiring 118.
  • the first drive circuit 124 can output control signals of different voltage levels to each of the plurality of first wirings 118.
  • a control signal is applied to the patch electrodes 108a and 108b arranged in the first direction and the patch electrodes 108b arranged in the second direction. .
  • a control signal is applied to each set of a plurality of patch electrodes 108 arranged in the second direction, thereby controlling the reflection direction of the reflected radio waves incident on the reflection plate 120. That is, the radio wave reflecting device 100a can control the traveling direction of the reflected waves in the horizontal direction of the drawing centering on the reflection axis RY parallel to the second direction (Y-axis direction) of the radio waves incident on the reflection plate 120. .
  • the plurality of patch electrodes 108a and patch electrodes 108b arranged in the second direction are electrically connected by the first wiring 118 and have the same electrical potential. Therefore, instead of having a plurality of divided electrodes, it may be possible to replace the electrode with a band-shaped electrode that is continuous in the second direction (Y-axis direction).
  • the dimensions of the patch electrodes 108a and 108b have an appropriate range depending on the wavelength of the reflected radio waves, so if the electrodes are shaped like strips, the sensitivity to the target wavelength decreases, and the sensitivity to vertically polarized waves and horizontally polarized waves decreases. behavior will be different. Therefore, as shown in FIG.
  • the patch electrodes 108a and 108b are arranged in an array in a shape that is symmetrical with respect to vertically polarized waves and horizontally polarized waves (a square shape is shown in FIG. 6, but a circular shape may also be used).
  • the first wiring 118 connects the plurality of patch electrodes 108a and the plurality of patch electrodes 108b arranged parallel to the reflection axis RY.
  • Radio wave reflection device (two-axis reflection control) Since the radio wave reflection device 100a shown in the first embodiment has a single reflection axis RY, it is possible to control the reflection angle in a direction with the reflection axis RY as the rotation axis. In contrast, this embodiment shows an example of a radio wave reflection device 100b that can perform biaxial reflection control. The following description will focus on the differences from the second embodiment.
  • FIG. 7 shows the configuration of a radio wave reflection device 100b according to this embodiment. The following description will focus on the differences from the radio wave reflecting device 100a shown in FIG. 6.
  • the radio wave reflecting device 100b has a plurality of first wirings 118 extending in the second direction (Y-axis direction) on the reflecting plate 120, as well as a plurality of second wirings 132 extending in the first direction (X-axis direction).
  • the plurality of first wirings 118 and the plurality of second wirings 132 are arranged to intersect with each other with an insulating layer (not shown) in between.
  • the plurality of first wirings 118 are connected to the first drive circuit 124, and the plurality of second wirings 132 are connected to the second drive circuit 130.
  • the first drive circuit 124 outputs a control signal
  • the second drive circuit 130 outputs a scan signal.
  • FIG. 7 shows an enlarged insert view of the arrangement of two patch electrodes 108a and two patch electrodes 108b, and two first wirings 118 and second wirings 132.
  • a switching element 134 is provided in each of the two patch electrodes 108a and the two patch electrodes 108b. Switching (on and off) of the switching element 134 is controlled by a scanning signal applied to the second wiring 132.
  • the patch electrode 108 with the switching element 134 turned on is electrically connected to the first wiring 118 and a control signal is applied thereto.
  • the switching element 134 is formed of, for example, a thin film transistor. According to such a configuration, a plurality of patch electrodes 108a and 108b arranged in the first direction (X-axis direction) can be selected row by row, and control signals of different voltage levels can be applied to each row.
  • the radio wave reflecting device 100b shown in FIG. 7 controls the propagation direction of the reflected waves in the left-right direction in the drawing centering on the reflection axis VR parallel to the second direction (Y-axis direction) of the radio waves incident on the reflection plate 120.
  • the reflection angle can be controlled in the direction with the reflection axis HR as the rotation axis.
  • FIG. 8 shows an example of the cross-sectional structure of the reflector unit cell 102 in which the switching element 134 is connected to the patch electrode 108.
  • a switching element 134 is provided on the dielectric substrate 104.
  • the switching element 134 is a transistor and has a structure in which a first gate electrode 138, a second gate insulating layer 146, a semiconductor layer 142, a second gate insulating layer 146, and a second gate electrode 148 are stacked.
  • An undercoat layer 136 may be provided between the first gate electrode 138 and the dielectric substrate 104.
  • a first wiring 118 is provided between the first gate insulating layer 140 and the second gate insulating layer 146. The first wiring 118 is provided so as to be in contact with the semiconductor layer 142.
  • first connection wiring 144 is provided in the same layer as the conductive layer forming the first wiring 118.
  • the first connection wiring 144 is provided so as to be in contact with the semiconductor layer 142.
  • the connection structure of the first wiring 118 and the first connection wiring 144 to the semiconductor layer 142 shows a structure in which one wiring is connected to the source of the transistor and the other wiring is connected to the drain.
  • a first interlayer insulating layer 150 is provided to cover the switching element 134.
  • a second wiring 132 is provided on the first interlayer insulating layer 150.
  • the second wiring 132 is connected to the second gate electrode 148 through a contact hole formed in the first interlayer insulating layer 150.
  • the first gate electrode 138 and the second gate electrode 148 are electrically connected to each other in a region that does not overlap with the semiconductor layer 142.
  • a second connection wiring 152 is provided on the first interlayer insulating layer 150 using the same conductive layer as the second wiring 132 .
  • the second connection wiring 152 is connected to the first connection wiring 144 through a contact hole formed in the first interlayer insulating layer 150.
  • a second interlayer insulating layer 154 is provided to cover the second wiring 132 and the second connection wiring 152. Further, a flattening layer 156 is provided to fill the difference in level of the switching element 134. By providing the planarizing layer 156, the patch electrode 108 can be formed without being affected by the arrangement of the switching elements 134.
  • a passivation layer 158 is provided on the planar surface of planarization layer 156. Patch electrode 108 is provided on passivation layer 158. The patch electrode 108 is connected to the second connection wiring 152 through a contact hole penetrating the passivation layer 158, the planarization layer 156, and the second interlayer insulating layer 154.
  • a first alignment film 112a is provided on the patch electrode 108.
  • the counter substrate 106 is provided with a ground electrode 110 and a second alignment film 112b.
  • the surface of the dielectric substrate 104 on which the switching element 134 and the patch electrode 108 are provided is arranged to face the surface of the counter substrate on which the ground electrode 110 is provided, and the liquid crystal layer 114 is provided therebetween.
  • the thickness T of the dielectric substrate 104 can be the length from the surface of the patch electrode 108 on the liquid crystal layer 114 side to the surface of the dielectric substrate 104 opposite to the surface on which the patch electrode 108 is provided.
  • At least one insulating layer between the patch electrode 108 and the dielectric substrate 104 (undercoat layer 136, first gate insulating layer 140, second gate insulating layer 146, first interlayer insulating layer 150, The thickness of the interlayer dielectric layer 154, planarization layer 156, passivation layer 158) can be taken into account.
  • the undercoat layer 136 is formed of, for example, a silicon oxide film.
  • the first gate insulating layer 140 and the second gate insulating layer 146 are formed of, for example, a silicon oxide film or a laminated structure of a silicon oxide film and a silicon nitride film.
  • the semiconductor layer is formed of a silicon semiconductor such as amorphous silicon or polycrystalline silicon, or an oxide semiconductor containing a metal oxide such as indium oxide, zinc oxide, gallium oxide, or IGZO.
  • the first gate electrode 138 and the second gate electrode 148 may be made of, for example, molybdenum (Mo), tungsten (W), or an alloy thereof.
  • the first wiring 118, the second wiring 132, the first connection wiring 144, and the second connection wiring 152 are formed using a metal material such as titanium (Ti), aluminum (Al), or molybdenum (Mo).
  • a metal material such as titanium (Ti), aluminum (Al), or molybdenum (Mo).
  • it may have a laminated structure of titanium (Ti)/aluminum (Al)/titanium (Ti) or a laminated structure of molybdenum (Mo)/aluminum (Al)/molybdenum (Mo).
  • the planarization layer 156 is made of a resin material such as acrylic or polyimide.
  • the passivation layer 158 is formed of, for example, a silicon nitride film.
  • the patch electrode 108 and the ground electrode 110 are formed of a metal film such as aluminum (Al) or copper (Cu), or a transparent conductive film such as indium tin oxide (ITO).
  • the second wiring 132 is connected to the gate of the transistor used as the switching element 134
  • the first wiring 118 is connected to one of the source and drain of the transistor
  • the patch electrode 108 is connected to the other of the source and drain.
  • a control signal can be applied to a predetermined patch electrode selected from among the plurality of patch electrodes 108 arranged in a matrix.
  • a control voltage can be applied to each patch electrode 108 arranged in a vertical line along the axial direction. can be controlled.
  • Modification 1 In the first and second embodiments, an example has been described in which one patch electrode 108a and one patch electrode 108b are arranged alternately in the first direction and the second direction, but one embodiment of the present invention It is not limited to this.
  • three patch electrodes 108a and three patch electrodes 108b may be arranged alternately in the first direction and the second direction.
  • FIG. 9 shows the configuration of a radio wave reflection device 100c according to Modification 1.
  • the radio wave reflecting device 100c three patch electrodes 108a and three patch electrodes 108b are arranged alternately in the first direction and the second direction.
  • the number of patch electrodes 108a and patch electrodes 108b that are consecutively arranged is not limited to three.
  • the number of patch electrodes 108a and patch electrodes 108b that are consecutively arranged may be two or four or more.
  • the number of patch electrodes 108a and patch electrodes 108b that are consecutively arranged is not particularly limited.
  • the plurality of patch electrodes 108a and the plurality of patch electrodes 108b are two-fold rotationally symmetrical or Preferably, they are arranged so as to have four-fold rotational symmetry.
  • the radio wave reflecting devices 100a, 100b, and 100c using two types of patch electrodes 108a and 108b of different sizes have been described, but an embodiment of the present invention is not limited thereto.
  • patch electrodes that are different in size from the patch electrodes 108a and 108b may be used.
  • FIG. 10 shows the configuration of a radio wave reflection device 100d according to Modification 2.
  • the size of patch electrode 108c may be smaller than that of patch electrode 108a and patch electrode 108b.
  • the size of patch electrode 108c may be larger than that of patch electrode 108a and patch electrode 108b.
  • the size of patch electrode 108c may be between the size of patch electrode 108a and the size of patch electrode 108b. In this way, by using three or more sizes of patch electrodes, the amount of phase change can be increased.
  • the plurality of patch electrodes 108c are arranged so as to have two-fold rotational symmetry or four-fold rotational symmetry.
  • the size of the patch electrode 108c may be determined as appropriate to ensure 360 degrees. At this time, the size of the patch electrode 108c is 6.5 mm 2 or more and 8.5 mm 2 or less.
  • Modifications 1 and 2 a radio wave reflection device with uniaxial reflection control was described, but Modifications 1 and 2 may be applied to a radio wave reflection device with biaxial reflection control.
  • radio wave reflection device and the reflection plate unit illustrated as an embodiment of the present invention can be appropriately combined as long as they do not contradict each other.
  • those skilled in the art may appropriately add, delete, or change the design, or add, omit, or condition a process. Modifications are also included within the scope of the present invention as long as they have the gist of the present invention.
  • 100a, 100b, 100c Radio wave reflector, 102: Reflector unit cell, 102a, 102b, Reflector unit cell, 104: Dielectric substrate, 106: Counter substrate, 108: Patch electrode, 108a, 108b: Patch electrode, 110 : ground electrode, 112a: first alignment film, 112b: second alignment film, 114: liquid crystal layer, 116: liquid crystal molecule, 118: first wiring, 120: reflection plate, 122: peripheral area, 124: first drive circuit , 126: terminal portion, 128: sealing material, 130: second drive circuit, 132: second wiring, 134: switching element, 136: undercoat layer, 138: first gate electrode, 140: first gate insulating layer, 142: semiconductor layer, 144: first connection wiring, 146: second gate insulating layer, 148: second gate electrode, 150: first interlayer insulation layer, 152: second connection wiring, 154: second interlayer insulation layer, 156: Planarization layer, 158: Passivation layer

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PCT/JP2023/021593 2022-06-30 2023-06-09 電波反射装置 Ceased WO2024004595A1 (ja)

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WO2025220602A1 (ja) * 2024-04-19 2025-10-23 株式会社ジャパンディスプレイ 電波反射装置

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Citations (2)

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Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
CN107394318A (zh) * 2017-07-14 2017-11-24 合肥工业大学 一种用于反射式可调移相器的液晶移相单元
JP2020150496A (ja) * 2019-03-15 2020-09-17 株式会社ジャパンディスプレイ アンテナ装置及びフェーズドアレイアンテナ装置

Patent Citations (2)

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Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
CN107394318A (zh) * 2017-07-14 2017-11-24 合肥工业大学 一种用于反射式可调移相器的液晶移相单元
JP2020150496A (ja) * 2019-03-15 2020-09-17 株式会社ジャパンディスプレイ アンテナ装置及びフェーズドアレイアンテナ装置

Cited By (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
WO2025220602A1 (ja) * 2024-04-19 2025-10-23 株式会社ジャパンディスプレイ 電波反射装置

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