# US 12,119,560 B2 · Phase shifter, antenna circuit and antenna device > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 12,119,560 B2 - Document ID: US12119560B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 17/842,125 - Filed: 2022-06-16 - Published: 2023-05-25 - Granted: 2024-10-15 - Earliest claimed: 2021-11-19 - Assignees: Au Optronics Corporation - Applicants: AU Optronics Corporation - Inventors: Shih-Yuan Chen; Hsiu-Ping Liao; Yi-Chen Hsieh; Chun-I Wu; Chuang-Yueh Lin; Yi-Hsiang Lai; Ching-Huan Lin - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US12119560B2 ## CPC - H01P 1/184: {Strip line phase-shifters (H01P1/181, H01P1/185, H01P1/19 take precedence)} - H01Q 3/30: varying the {relative} phase {between the radiating elements of an array (H01Q3/2605, H01Q3/2658, H01Q3/2682, H01Q3/44 take precedence)} - H01Q 1/38: formed by a conductive layer on an insulating support {(patch antennas H01Q9/0407; microstrip dipole antennas H01Q9/065; microstrip slot antennas H01Q13/106; transmission line microstrip antennas H01Q13/206; manufacturing reflecting surfaces using insulating material for supporting the reflecting surface H01Q15/142)} - H01Q 1/422: {comprising two or more layers of dielectric material (H01Q1/425 takes precedence)} - H01Q 3/36: with variable phase-shifters - H01Q 21/065: {Patch antenna array} - H01P: WAVEGUIDES; RESONATORS, LINES, OR OTHER DEVICES OF THE WAVEGUIDE TYPE (operating at optical frequencies G02B) - H01Q: ANTENNAS, i.e. RADIO AERIALS (radiators or antennas for microwave heating H05B6/72) ## Abstract A phase shifter is provided, which includes a first substrate, a second substrate, a liquid crystal layer, a plurality of first ring-shaped electrodes and a plurality of second ring-shaped electrodes. The first substrate and the second substrate are disposed opposite to each other. The liquid crystal layer is disposed between the first substrate and the second substrate. The plurality of first ring-shaped electrodes are disposed sequentially and in interval on a side of the first substrate close to the liquid crystal layer. The plurality of second ring-shaped electrodes are disposed sequentially and in interval on a side of the second substrate close to the liquid crystal layer. A plurality of vertical projections, projected by the plurality of first ring-shaped electrodes to the second substrate, and at least partially overlapped with the plurality of second ring-shaped electrodes, respectively. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A phase shifter, comprising: a first substrate; a second substrate, disposed opposite to the first substrate; a liquid crystal layer, disposed between the first substrate and the second substrate; a plurality of first ring-shaped electrodes, disposed sequentially and in interval on a side of the first substrate which is adjacent to the liquid crystal layer; and a plurality of second ring-shaped electrodes, disposed sequentially and in interval on a side of the second substrate which is adjacent to the liquid crystal layer, wherein a plurality of vertical projections projected by the plurality of first ring-shaped electrodes on the second substrate are at least partially overlapped with the plurality of second ring-shaped electrodes respectively. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The phase shifter of claim 1, further comprising: a microstrip line, disposed on the side of the first substrate which is adjacent to the liquid crystal layer, wherein the microstrip line comprises a first conductive segment and a second conductive segment with a length direction, and the microstrip line is configured to transmit a radio frequency signal, wherein the plurality of first ring-shaped electrodes are sequentially arranged between the first conductive segment and the second conductive segment in the length direction, and the plurality of first ring-shaped electrodes are configured to transmit the radio frequency signal from the first conductive segment to the second conductive segment under a condition that the plurality of first ring-shaped electrodes are DC isolation from the first conductive segment and the second conductive segment. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) The phase shifter of claim 2, wherein the microstrip line further comprises at least one sub-electrode sequentially arranged in the length direction, wherein each of the at least one sub-electrodes is disposed between two adjacent ones of the plurality of first ring-shaped electrodes, and the at least one sub-electrode is DC insulated from the plurality of first ring-shaped electrodes. ### Claim 4 (depends on 2) The phase shifter of claim 2, wherein two adjacent ones of the plurality of first ring-shaped electrodes have a first distance, and the first distance is substantially nλ0, n is a value between 0 and 1, and λ0 is a wavelength of the radio frequency signal in a free space. ### Claim 5 (depends on 2) The phase shifter of claim 2, further comprising a plurality of third ring electrodes and a plurality of fourth ring electrodes, wherein the plurality of third ring electrodes and the plurality of fourth ring electrodes are disposed on a side of the second substrate which is adjacent to the liquid crystal layer, the plurality of third ring electrodes are respectively disposed on a first side of the plurality of second ring-shaped electrodes, and the plurality of fourth ring electrodes are respectively disposed on a second side of the plurality of second ring-shaped electrodes which is opposite to the first side, wherein the plurality of vertical projections projected by the plurality of first ring-shaped electrodes on the second substrate are at least partially overlapped with the plurality of third ring electrodes respectively, and at least partially overlapped with the plurality of fourth ring electrodes respectively. ### Claim 6 (depends on 5) The phase shifter of claim 5, wherein two adjacent ones of the plurality of second ring-shaped electrodes have a second distance, two adjacent ones of the plurality of third ring electrodes have the second distance, and two adjacent ones of the plurality of fourth ring electrodes have the second distance, wherein the second distance is substantially nλ0, n is a value between 0 and 1, and λ0 is a wavelength of the radio frequency signal in a free space. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The phase shifter of claim 1, further comprising: a first ground electrode, disposed on a side of the first substrate which is away from the liquid crystal layer; and a second ground electrode, disposed on a side of the second substrate which is away from the liquid crystal layer. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The phase shifter of claim 1, wherein the plurality of first ring-shaped electrodes and the plurality of second ring-shaped electrodes are circular or square rings. ### Claim 9 An antenna circuit, comprising: an antenna electrode; a first substrate; a second substrate, disposed opposite to the first substrate; a liquid crystal layer, disposed between the first substrate and the second substrate; and a phase shifter, configured to feed a radio frequency signal into the antenna electrode, and comprising: a plurality of first ring-shaped electrodes, disposed sequentially and in interval on a side of the first substrate which is adjacent to the liquid crystal layer; and a plurality of second ring-shaped electrodes, disposed sequentially and in interval on a side of the second substrate which is adjacent to the liquid crystal layer, wherein a plurality of vertical projections projected by the plurality of first ring-shaped electrodes on the second substrate are at least partially overlapped with the plurality of second ring-shaped electrodes respectively. ### Claim 10 (depends on 9) The antenna circuit of claim 9, wherein the phase shifter further comprises: a microstrip line, disposed on the side of the first substrate which is adjacent to the liquid crystal layer, and comprising a first conductive segment and a second conductive segment with a length direction, and the microstrip line is configured to transmit the radio frequency signal, wherein a vertical projection of the antenna electrode on the first substrate are at least partially overlapped with the second conductive segment, wherein the plurality of first ring-shaped electrodes are sequentially arranged between the first conductive segment and the second conductive segment in the length direction, and the plurality of first ring-shaped electrodes are configured to transmit the radio frequency signal from the first conductive segment to the second conductive segment under a condition that the plurality of first ring-shaped electrodes are DC isolation from the first conductive segment and the second conductive segment. ### Claim 11 (depends on 10) The antenna circuit of claim 10, wherein the microstrip line further comprises at least one sub-electrode sequentially arranged in the length direction, wherein each of the at least one sub-electrodes is disposed between two adjacent ones of the plurality of first ring-shaped electrodes, and the at least one sub-electrode is DC insulated from the plurality of first ring-shaped electrodes. ### Claim 12 (depends on 10) The antenna circuit of claim 10, wherein two adjacent ones of the plurality of first ring-shaped electrodes have a first distance, and the first distance is substantially nλ0, n is a value between 0 and 1, and λ0 is a wavelength of the radio frequency signal in a free space. ### Claim 13 (depends on 10) The antenna circuit of claim 10, wherein the phase shifter further comprises a plurality of third ring electrodes and a plurality of fourth ring electrodes, wherein the plurality of third ring electrodes and the plurality of fourth ring electrodes are disposed on a side of the second substrate which is adjacent to the liquid crystal layer, the plurality of third ring electrodes are respectively disposed on a first side of the plurality of second ring-shaped electrodes, and the plurality of fourth ring electrodes are respectively disposed on a second side of the plurality of second ring-shaped electrodes which is opposite to the first side, wherein the plurality of vertical projections projected by the plurality of first ring-shaped electrodes on the second substrate are at least partially overlapped with the plurality of third ring electrodes respectively, and at least partially overlapped with the plurality of fourth ring electrodes respectively. ### Claim 14 (depends on 13) The antenna circuit of claim 13, wherein two adjacent ones of the plurality of second ring-shaped electrodes have a second distance, two adjacent ones of the plurality of third ring electrodes have the second distance, and two adjacent ones of the plurality of fourth ring electrodes have the second distance, wherein the second distance is substantially nλ0, n is a value between 0 and 1, and λ0 is a wavelength of the radio frequency signal in a free space. ### Claim 15 (depends on 9) The antenna circuit of claim 9, further comprising: a first ground electrode, disposed on a side of the first substrate which is away from the liquid crystal layer, and between the antenna electrode and the first substrate; and a second ground electrode, disposed on a side of the second substrate which is away from the liquid crystal layer. ### Claim 16 (depends on 9) The antenna circuit of claim 9, wherein the plurality of first ring-shaped electrodes and the plurality of second ring-shaped electrodes are circular or square rings. ### Claim 17 An antenna device, comprising: a first substrate; a second substrate, disposed opposite to the first substrate; a liquid crystal layer, disposed between the first substrate and the second substrate; and a plurality of antenna circuits, arranged in an antenna matrix having a plurality of rows and a plurality of columns, wherein each of the antenna circuit comprises: an antenna electrode; and a phase shifter, configured to feed a radio frequency signal into the antenna electrode, and comprising: a plurality of first ring-shaped electrodes, disposed sequentially and in interval on a side of the first substrate which is adjacent to the liquid crystal layer; and a plurality of second ring-shaped electrodes, disposed sequentially and in interval on a side of the second substrate which is adjacent to the liquid crystal layer, wherein a plurality of vertical projections projected by the plurality of first ring-shaped electrodes on the second substrate are at least partially overlapped with the plurality of second ring-shaped electrodes respectively. ### Claim 18 (depends on 17) The antenna device of claim 17, wherein the phase shifter further comprises: a microstrip line, disposed on the side of the first substrate which is adjacent to the liquid crystal layer, and comprising a first conductive segment and a second conductive segment with a length direction, and the microstrip line being configured to transmit the radio frequency signal, wherein a vertical projection of the antenna electrode on the first substrate are at least partially overlapped with the second conductive segment, wherein the plurality of first ring-shaped electrodes are sequentially arranged between the first conductive segment and the second conductive segment in the length direction, and the plurality of first ring-shaped electrodes are configured to transmit the radio frequency signal from the first conductive segment to the second conductive segment under a condition that the plurality of first ring-shaped electrodes are DC isolation from the first conductive segment and the second conductive segment. ### Claim 19 (depends on 18) The antenna device of claim 18, wherein the microstrip line further comprises a plurality of sub-electrode sequentially arranged in the length direction, wherein each of the plurality of sub-electrodes is disposed between two adjacent ones of the plurality of first ring-shaped electrodes, and the at least one sub-electrode is DC insulated from the plurality of first ring-shaped electrodes. ### Claim 20 (depends on 18) The antenna device of claim 18, wherein the phase shifter further comprises a plurality of third ring electrodes and a plurality of fourth ring electrodes, wherein the plurality of third ring electrodes and the plurality of fourth ring electrodes are disposed on a side of the second substrate which is adjacent to the liquid crystal layer, the plurality of third ring electrodes are respectively disposed on a first side of the plurality of second ring-shaped electrodes, and the plurality of fourth ring electrodes are respectively disposed on a second side of the plurality of second ring-shaped electrodes which is opposite to the first side, wherein the plurality of vertical projections projected by the plurality of first ring-shaped electrodes on the second substrate are at least partially overlapped with the plurality of third ring electrodes respectively, and at least partially overlapped with the plurality of fourth ring electrodes respectively.