Patent Application
20180138570
This invention relates to phase shifting elements and methods for shifting the phase of emitted radiant energy.
Phase shifters are two-port network devices that provide a controllable phase shift (i.e., a change the transmission phase angle) of a radio frequency (RF) signal in response to control signal (e.g., a DC bias voltage). Conventional phase shifters can be generally classified as ferrite (ferroelectric) phase shifters, integrated circuit (IC) phase shifters, and microelectromechanical system (MEMS) phase shifters. Ferrite phase shifters are known for low insertion loss and their ability to handle significantly higher powers than IC and MEMS phase shifters, but are complex in nature and have a high fabrication cost. IC phase shifters (aka, microwave integrated circuit MMIC) phase shifters) use PIN diodes or FET devices, and are less expensive and smaller in size than ferrite phase shifters, but their uses are limited because of high insertion loss. MEMS phase shifters use MEMS bridges and thin-film ferroelectric materials to overcome the limitations of ferrite and IC phase shifters, but still remain relatively bulky, expensive and power hungry.
While the applications of phase shifters are numerous, perhaps the most important application is within a phased array antenna system (a.k.a., phased array or electrically steerable array), in which the phase of a large number of radiating elements are controlled such that the combined electromagnetic wave is reinforced in a desired direction and suppressed in undesired directions, thereby generating a “beam” of RF energy that is emitted at the desired angle from the array. By varying the relative phases of the respective signals feeding the antennas, the emitted beam can be caused to scan or “sweep” an area or region into which the beam is directed. Such scan beams are utilized, for example, in phased array radar systems to sweep areas of interest (target fields), where a receiver is used to detect beam energy portions that are reflected (scattered) from objects located in the target field.
Because a large number of phase shifters are typically needed to implement a phased array (e.g., radar) system, the use of conventional phase shifters presents several problems for phased array systems. First, the high cost of conventional phase shifters makes phased array systems too expensive for many applications that might otherwise find it useful—it has been estimated that almost half of the cost of a phased array system is due to the cost of phase shifters. Second, the high power consumption of conventional phase shifters precludes mounting phased array systems on many portable devices that rely on battery power. Third, phased array systems that implement conventional phase shifters are typically highly complex due to the complex integration of many expensive solid-state, MEMS or ferrite-based phase shifters, control lines, together with power distribution networks, as well as the complexity of the phase shifters. Moreover, phased array systems implementing conventional phase shifters are typically very heavy, which is due in large part to the combined weight of the conventional phase shifters), which limits the types of applications in which phased arrays may be used. For example, although commercial airliners and medium sized aircraft have sufficient power to lift a heavy radar system, smaller aircraft and drones typically do not.
What is needed is a phase shifting element that avoids the high weight (bulk), high expense, complexity and high power consumption of conventional phase shifters. What is also needed is a phase shifting apparatus that facilitates the transmission of phase-shifted RF signals, and phased arrays that facilitate the transmission of steerable beams generated by phase-shifted RF signals using such phase shifting elements.
The present invention is directed to a metamaterial-based phase shifting element that utilizes a metamaterial structure to produce an output signal having the same radio wave frequency (i.e., in the range of 3 kHz to 300 GHz) as that of an applied/received input signal, and utilizes a variable capacitor to control a phase of the output signal by way of an applied phase control signal. The metamaterial structure is constructed using inexpensive metal film or PCB fabrication technology having an inherent “fixed” capacitance, and is tailored by solving Maxwell's equations to resonate at the radio frequency of the applied input signal, whereby the metamaterial structure generates the output signal at the input signal frequency by retransmitting (i.e., reflecting/scattering) the input signal. According to an aspect of the invention, the variable capacitor is coupled to the metamaterial structure such that an effective capacitance of the metamaterial structure is determined as a product of the metamaterial structure's inherent (fixed) capacitance and the variable capacitance supplied by the variable capacitor. The phase of the output signal is thus “tunable” (adjustably controllable) to a desired phase value by way of changing the variable capacitance applied to the metamaterial structure, and is achieved by way of changing the phase control signal (e.g., a DC bias voltage) applied to the variable capacitor. By combining the metamaterial structure described above with an appropriate variable capacitor, the present invention provides a phase shifter element that is substantially smaller/lighter, less expensive, and consumes far less power than conventional phase-shifting elements. Further, because the metamaterial structure and variable capacitor generate a radio wave frequency output signal without the need for a separate antenna feed, the present invention facilitates the production of greatly improved phase-shifting apparatus and phased array systems in comparison to those produced using conventional phase shifters.
In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, a phase shifting element utilizes a two-terminal variable capacitor having a first terminal connected to the metamaterial structure and a second terminal disposed for connection to a fixed DC voltage source (e.g., ground), and the phase control signal is applied by way of a conductive structure that is connected either to the metamaterial structure or directly to the first terminal of the variable capacitor. With this arrangement, operation of the variable capacitor is easily controlled by applying the phase control signal (i.e., a bias voltage) to the conductive structure, thereby causing the variable capacitor to generate a variable capacitance having a capacitance level determined by (e.g., proportional to) the applied phase control signal. In a preferred embodiment, the conductive structure contacts the variable capacitor terminal to minimize signal loss that might occur if applied to the metamaterial structure. This arrangement also facilitates accurate simultaneous control over multiple metamaterial-based phase shifting elements by facilitating connection of the second variable capacitor terminal to a fixed (e.g., ground) potential.
In accordance with a practical embodiment of the present invention, the metamaterial structure includes a three-layer structure including an upper (first) patterned metal layer (“island”) structure that is connected to the first terminal of the variable capacitor, an electrically isolated (floating) second metal structure (backplane layer) disposed below the island structure, and dielectric layer sandwiched between the island and lower metal layer structures. The island and lower metal layer structures are cooperatively configured (e.g., sized, shaped and spaced) such that the composite metamaterial structure has a fixed capacitance and other attributes that facilitate resonance at the radio wave frequency of the input signal. In addition to utilizing low-cost fabrication techniques that contribute to the low cost of phase shifters produced in accordance with the present invention, the layered structure (i.e., upper metal layer “island” disposed over floating lower metal layer structure) acts as a wavefront shaper, which ensures that the output signal is highly-directional in the upward/outward direction only, and which minimizes power consumption because of efficient scattering with phase shift. In a presently preferred embodiment, the metamaterial structure utilizes a lossless dielectric material that mitigates absorption of the input signal (i.e., incident radiation), and ensures that most of the incident radiation is re-emitted in the output signal. In accordance with another feature, the island structure is co-disposed on an upper surface of the dielectric layer with a base (third) metal layer structure in a spaced-apart manner, with the variable capacitor connected between the upper metal layer structure and the base metal structure. This practical arrangement further reduces manufacturing costs by facilitating attachment of the variable capacitor using low-cost surface-mount technology. In a preferred embodiment, the base (grounded) metal layer covers almost the entire upper dielectric surface and defines an opening in which the island structure disposed such that the base metal layer is separated from the island structure by a peripheral gap having a uniform width. This base structure arrangement serves two purposes: first, by providing a suitable peripheral gap distance between the base metal layer and the island structure, the base metal layer effectively becomes part of the metamaterial structure (i.e., the fixed capacitance metamaterial structure is enhanced by a capacitance component generated between the base metal layer and the island structure); and second, by forming the base metal layer in a closely spaced proximity to island structure, the base metal layer serves as a scattering surface that supports collective mode oscillations, and ensures scattering of the output signal (wave) in the upward/forward direction. In accordance with another feature, both the base metal layer and the island structure are formed using a single (i.e., the same) metal (e.g., copper), thereby further reducing fabrication costs by allowing the formation of the base metal layer and the island structure using a low-cost fabrication processes (e.g., depositing a blanket metal layer, patterning, and then etching the metal layer to form the peripheral grooves/gaps). In accordance with another preferred embodiment, a metal via structure extends through an opening formed through the lower metal layer structure and the dielectric layer, and contacts the variable capacitor terminal. This arrangement facilitates applying phase control voltages across the variable capacitor without complicating the metamaterial structure shape, and also simplifies distributing multiple phase control signals to multiple phase shifters disposed in phased array structures including multiple phase shifting elements.
According to exemplary embodiments of the invention, each island (first metal layer) structure is formed as a planar square structure disposed inside a square opening defined in the base (third) metal layer. The square shape provides a simple geometric construction that is easily formed, and provides limited degrees of freedom that simplifies the mathematics needed to correlate phase control voltages with desired capacitance changes and associated phase shifts. However, unless otherwise specified in the claims, it is understood that the metamaterial structure can have any geometric shape (e.g., round, triangular, oblong). In some embodiments, the island (first metal layer) structure is formed as a patterned planar structure that defines (includes) one or more open regions (i.e., such that portions of the upper dielectric surface are exposed through the open regions). In one exemplary embodiment, the island structure includes a (square-shaped) peripheral frame portion, radial arms that extend inward from the frame portion, and an inner (e.g., X-shaped) structure that is connected to inner ends of the radial arms, where open regions are formed between portions of the inner structure and the peripheral frame. Although the patterned metamaterial structure may complicate the mathematics associated with correlating control voltage and phase shift values, the patterned approach introduces more degrees of freedom, leading to close to 360° phase swings, which in turn enables beam steering at large angles (i.e., greater than plus or minus 60°).
According to another embodiment of the present invention, a phase shifting apparatus includes at least one phase shifting element (as described above), and further includes a signal source (e.g., a feed horn or a leaky-wave feed) disposed in close proximity to the phase shifting element and configured to generate the input signal at a radio wave frequency that matches the resonance characteristics of the phase shifting element, and a control circuit (e.g., a digital-to-analog converter (DAC) that is controlled by any of a field programmable gate array (FPGA), an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), or a micro-processor) that is configured to generate the phase control voltages applied to the variable capacitor at voltage levels determined in accordance with (e.g., directly or indirectly proportional to) a pre-programmed signal generation scheme or an externally supplied phase control signal, whereby the metamaterial structure generates the output signal at a desired output phase. The metamaterial structure preferably includes the layered structure described above (i.e., an upper (first) metal layer “island” structure, an electrically isolated (floating) lower (backplane) metal layer structure, and an intervening dielectric layer) that is configured to resonate at the radio wave frequency of the input signal generated by the signal source, which is disposed above the island structure to facilitate emission of the output signal in a direction away from the island structure. As in the element embodiment, a base (third) metal layer structure is disposed on the upper dielectric surface in proximity to the island structure to facilitate a convenient ground connection for the variable capacitor and to enhance the fixed capacitance of the metamaterial structure. In a specific embodiment, the control circuit is mounted below the backplane (second metal) layer (e.g., on a lower dielectric layer), and phase control voltages are passed from the control circuit to the variable capacitor by way of a metal via that extends through the layered structure.
According to another embodiment of the present invention, a phased array system utilizes a phase shifting element array (as described above) to generate an emitted radio frequency energy beam, which is produced by combining a plurality of output signals having respective associated output phases that are determined e.g., by a beam directing control signal. The phase shifting element array includes multiple metamaterial structures and associated variable capacitors that are arranged in either a one-dimensional array, or in a two-dimensional array, a signal source positioned in the center of the array, and a control circuit. Each metamaterial structure generates an associated output signals having an output phase determined by a variable capacitance supplied by its associated variable capacitor in the manner described above, and each variable capacitor generates a variable capacitance in accordance with an associated phase control voltage received from the control circuit in a manner similar to that described above. In this case, the control circuit (e.g., a DAC controller mounted on a backside surface of the array) is configured to transmit a different phase control voltage to each of the variable capacitors such that the metamaterial structures (radiating elements) simultaneously generate output signals with output phases controlled such that the output signals cumulatively generate the emitted beam (i.e., the combined electromagnetic wave generated by the output signals is reinforced in a desired direction and suppressed in undesired directions, whereby the beam is emitted in the desired direction). When the metamaterial structures are arranged in a one-dimensional array (i.e., such that metal island structures of each metamaterial structure are aligned in a row), changes in the voltage levels of the phase control voltages produce “steering” of the emitted beam in a fan-shaped two-dimensional region disposed in front of the phase shifting element array. When the metamaterial structures are arranged in a two-dimensional array (e.g., such that the metal island structures are aligned in orthogonally arranged rows and columns), changes in the voltage levels of the phase control voltages produce “steering” of the emitted beam in a cone-shaped three-dimensional region disposed in front of the phase shifting element array.
According to various alternative specific embodiments, the phased array systems utilizes features similar to those described above with reference to individual phase shifters. For example, in a preferred embodiment the phase shifting element array includes a (e.g., lossless) dielectric layer disposed over a “shared” electrically isolated (floating) backplane layer structure, where each metamaterial structure includes an associated portion of the backplane layer disposed directly under the metal island structure (i.e., along with the dielectric layer portion sandwiched therebetween). This “shared” layered structure facilitates low cost array fabrication. The array also includes a shared base (grounded) metal layer structure disposed on the upper dielectric surface that is spaced (i.e., electrically isolated) from the island structures, thereby providing a convenient structure for operably mounting the multiple variable capacitors. The base metal layer structure is preferably concurrently formed with the metal island structures using a single metal deposition that is patterned to define narrow gaps surrounding the metal island structures, and to otherwise entirely cover the upper dielectric surface in order to provide a scattering surface that supports collective mode oscillations, and to ensure scattering of the wave in the forward direction. Metal traces and metal via structures are utilized to pass control voltages from the control circuit, which is mounted below the backplane layer structure, to the various variable capacitors. The metal island structures are alternatively formed as solid square or patterned metal structures for the beneficial reasons set forth above.
According to another alternative embodiment of the present invention, a method is provided controlling a radio frequency output signal such that an output phase of the radio frequency output signal has a desired phase value. The method includes causing a metamaterial structure to resonate at the input signal's radio wave frequency such that the metamaterial structure generates the output signal, applying a variable capacitance onto to the metamaterial structure such that an effective capacitance of the metamaterial structure is altered by the applied variable capacitance, and then adjusting the variable capacitance until the metamaterial structure generates the radio frequency output signal with the output phase having the desired phase value. Causing the metamaterial structure to resonate at the input signal's radio wave frequency is accomplished, for example, by generating the input signal a radio frequency equal to resonance characteristics of the metamaterial structure, and directing the input signal onto the metamaterial structure. Applying the variable capacitance onto to the metamaterial structure is accomplished, for example, by applying a phase control voltage to a variable capacitor connected to the metamaterial structure, and adjusting phase control voltage Vc, thereby changing (altering) the effective capacitance of the metamaterial structure and causing the metamaterial structure to generate the output signal at the desired output phase determined by the applied phase control voltage
According to another alternative embodiment, a phase shifting method is provided for generating an output signal having an output phase determined by a phase control voltage such that a change in the phase control signal result in phase changes in the output signal by a predetermined amount. The method includes generating an input signal having a radio frequency that causes a metamaterial structure to resonate at the radio frequency, thereby causing the metamaterial structure to retransmit the signal (i.e., to generate an output signal having frequency equal to that of the input signal). The method further involves applying the phase control voltage to a variable capacitor that is coupled to the metamaterial structure such that an effective capacitance of the metamaterial structure is altered by a corresponding change in a variable capacitance generated by the variable capacitor in response to the applied phase control voltage. The resulting change in effective capacitance of the metamaterial structure produces a phase shift in the output signal by an amount proportional to the applied phase control voltage.
According to another alternative embodiment, a method is provided for controlling the direction of an emitted beam without using conventional phase shifters and external antennae. The method includes generating an input signal having a radio frequency that causes multiple metamaterial structures disposed in an array to resonate at the radio frequency, thereby causing each of the metamaterial structures to retransmit the signal (i.e., each metamaterial structure generates an associated output signal at the radio frequency). The method further includes applying variable capacitances to each of the metamaterial structures such that an effective capacitance of each metamaterial structure is altered by a corresponding change in its associated applied variable capacitance, whereby each the metamaterial structure generates its output signal at a corresponding output phase determined by the applied associated variable capacitance. To achieve control over the beam direction, an associated pattern of different variable capacitances are applied to the metamaterial structures (radiating elements), whereby the resulting effective capacitances produce output signals with output phases controlled such that the output signals cumulatively generate the emitted beam in a desired direction (i.e., the combined electro-magnetic wave generated by the output signals is reinforced in a desired direction and suppressed in undesired directions, whereby the beam is emitted in the desired direction).
These and other features, aspects and advantages of the present invention will become better understood with regard to the following description, appended claims, and accompanying drawings, where:
The present invention relates to an improvement in phase shifters, phase shifter apparatus and phased array systems. The following description is presented to enable one of ordinary skill in the art to make and use the invention as provided in the context of a particular application and its requirements. As used herein, directional terms such as “upper”, “upward”, “uppermost”, “lower”, “lowermost”, “front”, “rightmost” and “leftmost”, are intended to provide relative positions for purposes of description, and are not intended to designate an absolute frame of reference. In addition, the phrases “integrally formed” and “integrally connected” are used herein to describe the connective relationship between two portions of a single fabricated or machined structure, and are distinguished from the terms “connected” or “coupled” (without the modifier “integrally”), which indicates two separate structures that are joined by way of, for example, adhesive, fastener, clip, or movable joint. Various modifications to the preferred embodiment will be apparent to those with skill in the art, and the general principles defined herein may be applied to other embodiments. Therefore, the present invention is not intended to be limited to the particular embodiments shown and described, but is to be accorded the widest scope consistent with the principles and novel features herein disclosed.
Metamaterial structure 140 is preferably a layered metal-dielectric composite architecture, but may be engineered in a different form, provided the resulting structure is configured to resonate at the radio frequency of applied input signal SIN, and has a large phase swing near resonance such that metamaterial structure 140 generates output signal SOUT at the input signal frequency by retransmitting (i.e., reflecting/scattering) input signal SIN. In providing this resonance, metamaterial structure 140 is produced with an inherent “fixed” capacitance CM and an associated inductance that collectively provide the desired resonance characteristics. As understood in the art, the term “metamaterial” identifies an artificially engineered structure formed by two or more materials and multiple elements that collectively generate desired electromagnetic properties, where metamaterial achieves the desired properties not from its composition, but from the exactingly-designed configuration (i.e., the precise shape, geometry, size, orientation and arrangement) of the structural elements formed by the materials. As used herein, the phrase “metamaterial structure” is intended to mean a dynamically reconfigurable/tunable metamaterial having radio frequency resonance and large phase swing properties suitable for the purpose set forth herein. The resulting structure affects radio frequency (electromagnetic radiation) waves in an unconventional manner, creating material properties which are unachievable with conventional materials. Metamaterial structures achieve their desired effects by incorporating structural elements of sub-wavelength sizes, i.e. features that are actually smaller than the radio frequency wavelength of the waves they affect. In the practical embodiments described below, metamaterial structure 140 is constructed using inexpensive metal film or PCB fabrication technology that is tailored by solving Maxwell's equations to resonate at the radio frequency of applied input signal SIN, whereby the metamaterial structure 140 generates output signal SOUT at the input signal frequency by retransmitting (i.e., reflecting/scattering) the input signal SIN.
Variable capacitor 150 is connected between metamaterial structure 140 and ground (or other fixed direct-current (DC) voltage supply). As understood in the art, variable capacitors are typically two-terminal electronic devices configured to produce a capacitance that is intentionally and repeatedly changeable by way of an applied electronic control signal. In this case, variable capacitor 150 is coupled to metamaterial structure 140 such that an effective capacitance Ceff of metamaterial structure 140 is determined by a product of inherent capacitance CM and a variable capacitance CV supplied by variable capacitor 150. The output phase of metamaterial structure 140 is determined in part by effective capacitance Ceff, so output phase pOUT of output signal SOUT is “tunable” (adjustably controllable) to a desired phase value by way of changing variable capacitance CV, and this is achieved by way of changing the phase control signal (i.e., digital control signal C and/or DC bias voltage Vc) applied to variable capacitor 150.
Referring again to
As set forth in the preceding exemplary embodiment, a novel aspect of the present invention is a phase shifting methodology involving control over radio wave output signal phase pOUT by selectively adjusting effective capacitance Ceff of metamaterial structure 140, which is implemented in the exemplary embodiment by way of controlling variable capacitor 150 using phase control voltage Vc to generate and apply variable capacitance CV onto metamaterial structure 140. Although the use of variable capacitor 150 represents the presently preferred embodiment for generating variable capacitance CV, those skilled in the art will recognize that other circuits may be utilized to generate a variable capacitance that controls effective capacitance Ceff of metamaterial structure 140 in a manner similar to that described herein. Accordingly, the novel methodology is alternatively described as including: causing metamaterial structure 140 to resonate at the radio wave frequency of input signal SIN; applying a variable capacitance CV (i.e., from any suitable variable capacitance source circuit) to metamaterial structure 140 such that effective capacitance Ceff of metamaterial structure 140 is altered by variable capacitance CV; and adjusting variable capacitance CV (i.e., by way of controlling the suitable variable capacitance source circuit) until effective capacitance Ceff of metamaterial structure 140 has a capacitance value that causes metamaterial structure 140 to generate radio frequency output signal SOUT with output phase pOUT set at a desired phase value (e.g., 290°).
As mentioned above, a presently preferred embodiment of the present invention involves the use of layered metamaterial structures.
Referring to
According to a presently preferred embodiment, dielectric layer 144A-1 comprises a lossless dielectric material selected from the group including RT/Duroid® 6202 Laminates, Polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), and TMM4® dielectric, all produced by Rogers Corporation of Rogers, Conn. The use of such lossless dielectric materials mitigates absorption of incident radiation (e.g., input signal SIN), and ensures that most of the incident radiation energy is re-emitted in output signal SOUT. An optional lower dielectric layer 144A-2 is provided to further isolate backplane layer 142A, and to facilitate the backside mounting of control circuits in the manner described below.
According to another feature, both island (first metal layer) structure 141A and a base (third) metal layer structure 120A are disposed on an upper surface 144A-1A of dielectric layer 141A-1, where base metal structure 120A is spaced from (i.e., electrically separated by way of a gap G) island structure 141A. Metal layer structure 120A is connected to a ground potential during operation, base, whereby base layer structure 120A facilitates low-cost mounting of variable capacitor 150A during manufacturing. For example, using pick-and-place techniques, variable capacitor 150A is mounted such that first terminal 151A is connected (e.g., by way of solder or solderless connection techniques) to island structure 141A, and such that second terminal 152A is similarly connected to base metal structure 120A.
According to a presently preferred embodiment, base metal structure 120A comprises a metal film or PCB fabrication layer that entirely covers upper dielectric surface 144A-1A except for the region defined by an opening 123A, which is disposed inside an inner peripheral edge 124A, where island structure 141A is disposed inside opening 123A such that an outer peripheral edge 141A-1 of is structure 141A is separated from inner peripheral edge 124A by peripheral gap G, which has a fixed gap distance around the entire periphery. By providing base metal structure 120A such that it substantially covers all portions of upper dielectric surface 144A-1A not occupied by island structure 141A, base metal layer 120A forms a scattering surface that supports collective mode oscillations, and ensures scattering of the wave in the forward direction. In addition, island structure 141A, backplane layer 142A and base metal structure 120A are cooperatively configured (i.e., sized, shaped and spaced) such that inherent (fixed) capacitance CM includes both the island-backplane component C141-142 and an island-base component C141-120, and such that metamaterial structure 140A resonates at the desired radio wave frequency. In this way, base metal layer 120A provides the further purpose of effectively forming part of metamaterial structure 140A by enhancing fixed capacitance CM.
According to another feature, both base (third) metal layer structure 120A and island (first metal layer) structure 141A comprise a single metal (i.e., both base metal structure 120A and island structure 141A comprise the same, identical metal composition, e.g., copper). This single-metal feature facilitates the use of low-cost manufacturing techniques in which a single metal film or PCB fabrication is deposited on upper dielectric layer 144A-1A, and then etched to define peripheral gap G. In other embodiments, different metals may be patterned to form the different structures.
According to another feature shown in
Those skilled in the art understand that the metamaterial structures generally described herein can take many forms and shapes, provided the resulting structure resonates at a required radio wave frequency, and has a large phase swing near resonance. The embodiment shown in
According to an aspect of the present embodiment, phase shifting element array 100C includes multiple (in this case four) metamaterial structures 140C-1 to 140C-4 that are disposed in a predetermined coordinated pattern, where each of the metamaterial structures is configured in the manner described above to resonate at the radio wave frequency of input signal SIN in order to respectively produce output signals SOUT1 to SOUT4. For example, metamaterial structure 140C-1 fixed capacitance CM1 and is otherwise configured to resonate at the radio wave frequency of input signal SIN in order to produce output signal SOUT1. Similarly, metamaterial structure 140C-2 has fixed capacitance CM2, metamaterial structure 140C-3 has fixed capacitance CM3, and metamaterial structure 140C-4 has fixed capacitance CM4, where metamaterial structures 140C-2 to 140C-4 are also otherwise configured to resonate at the radio wave frequency of input signal SIN to produce output signals SOUT2, SOUT3 and SOUT4, respectively. The coordinated pattern formed by metamaterial structures 140C-1 to 140C-4 is selected such that output signals SOUT1 to SOUT4 combine to produce an electro-magnetic wave. Although four metamaterial structures are utilized in the exemplary embodiment, this number is arbitrarily selected for illustrative purposes and brevity, and array 100C may be produced with any number of metamaterial structures.
Similar to the single element embodiments described above, phase shifting element array 100C also includes variable capacitors 150C-1 to 150C-4 that are coupled to associated metamaterial structures 140C-1 to 140C-4 such that effective capacitances Ceff1 to Ceff4 of metamaterial structures 140C-1 to 140C-4 are respectively altered corresponding changes in variable capacitances CV1 to CV4, which in turn are generated in accordance with associated applied phase control voltages Vc1 to Vc4. For example, variable capacitor 150C-1 is coupled to metamaterial structure 140C-1 such that effective capacitance Ceff1 is altered by changes in variable capacitance CV1, which in turn changes in accordance with applied phase control voltage Vc1.
According to another aspect of the present embodiment, control circuit 310C is configured to independently control the respective output phases pOUT1 to pOUT4 of output signals SOUT1 to SOUT4 using a predetermined set of variable capacitances CV1 to CV4 that are respectively applied to metamaterial structures 140C-1 to 140C-4 such that output signals SOUT1 to SOUT4 cumulatively generate emitted beam B in a desired direction. That is, as understood by those skilled in the art, by generating output signals SOUT1 to SOUT4 with a particular coordinated set of output phases pOUT1 to pOUT4, the resulting combined electro-magnetic wave produced by phase shifting element array 100C is reinforced in the desired direction and suppressed in undesired directions, thereby producing beam B emitted in the desired direction from the front of array 100C). By predetermining a combination (set) of output phases pOUT1 to pOUT4 needed to produce beam B in a particular direction, and by predetermining an associated combination of phase control voltages Vc1 to Vc4 needed to produce this combination of output phases pOUT1 to pOUT4, and by constructing control circuit 310C such that the associated combination of phase control voltages Vc1 to Vc4 are generated in response to a beam control signal CB having a signal value equal to the desired beam direction, the present invention facilitates the selective generation of radio frequency beam that are directed in a desired direction. For example, as depicted in
As indicated in
As indicated in
According to an aspect of the present embodiment, metamaterial structures 140E-11 to 140E-44 are disposed in a two-dimensional pattern of rows and columns, and each metamaterial structure 140E-11 to 140E-44 is individually controllable by way of control voltages VC11 to VC44, which are generated by control circuit 310E and transmitted by way of conductive structures (depicted by dashed lines) in a manner similar to that described above. Specifically, uppermost metamaterial structures 140E-11, 140E-12, 140E-13 and 140E-14 form an upper row, with metamaterial structures 140E-21 to 140E-24 forming a second row, metamaterial structures 140E-31 to 140E-34 forming a third row, and metamaterial structures 140E-41 to 140E-44 forming a lower row. Similarly, leftmost metamaterial structures 140E-11, 140E-21, 140E-31 and 140E-41 form a leftmost column controlled by control voltages VC11, VC21, VC31 and VC41, respectively, with metamaterial structures 140E-12 to 140E-42 forming a second column controlled by control voltages VC12 to VC42, metamaterial structures 140E-13 to 140E-43 forming a third column controlled by control voltages VC13 to VC43, and metamaterial structures 140E-14 to 140E-44 forming a fourth (rightmost) column controlled by control voltages VC14 to VC44.
According to an aspect of the present embodiment, two variable capacitors 150E are connected between each metamaterial structure 140E-11 to 140E-44 and base metal structure 120E. The configuration and purpose of variable capacitors 150E is the same as that provided above, where utilizing two variable capacitors increases the range of variable capacitance applied to each metamaterial structure. In the illustrated embodiment, a single control voltage is supplied to both variable capacitors of each metamaterial structure, but in an alternative embodiment individual control voltages are supplied to each of the two variable capacitors of each metamaterial structure. In addition, a larger number of variable capacitors may be used.
Control circuit 310E is configured to generate phase control voltages Vc11 to Vc44 that are transmitted to variable capacitors 150E of each metamaterial structure 140E-11 to 140E-44, respectively, such that variable capacitors 150E are controlled to apply associated variable capacitances to generate associated output signals having individually controlled output phases. According to an aspect of the present embodiment, because metamaterial structures 140E-11 to 140E-44 are arranged in a two-dimensional array (i.e., in rows and columns), variations in output phases cause resulting beams to change direction in an area defined by a three-dimensional region, shown in
Although the present invention has been described with respect to certain specific embodiments, it will be clear to those skilled in the art that the inventive features of the present invention are applicable to other embodiments as well, all of which are intended to fall within the scope of the present invention.
This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/330,977, entitled “Metamaterial-Based Phase Shifting Element And Phased Array”, filed Jul. 14, 2014.
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Parent | 14330977 | Jul 2014 | US |
| Child | 15849428 | US |
