Switchable microwave fluidic polarizer
First Claim
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1. A switchable polarizer for polarizing radio frequency (RF) signals associated with an antenna, the switchable polarizer comprising:
- a plurality of radiating elements;
an RF feed coupled to the plurality of radiating elements;
an antenna input coupled to the RF feed; and
an antenna cover disposed in proximity to the plurality of radiating elements, the antenna cover comprising;
a dielectric substrate comprising a plurality of channels for enclosing a liquid metal;
wherein, in a first state, the switchable polarizer is configured to allow incident signals to pass without affecting a polarization of the incident signals;
wherein, in a second state, the switchable polarizer is configured to change the polarization of the incident signals from a linear polarization to a circular polarization;
wherein the plurality of channels are substantially empty of the liquid metal in the first state; and
wherein the plurality of channels are substantially filled with the liquid metal in the second state.
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Abstract
A switchable microwave fluidic polarizer is provided. In one embodiment, the invention relates to a switchable polarizer for polarizing radio frequency (RF) signals associated with an antenna, the switchable polarizer including a plurality of radiating elements, an RF feed coupled to the plurality of radiating elements, an antenna input coupled to the RF feed, and an antenna cover disposed in proximity to the plurality of radiating elements, the antenna cover including a dielectric substrate including a plurality of channels for enclosing a liquid metal.
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Citations
29 Claims
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1. A switchable polarizer for polarizing radio frequency (RF) signals associated with an antenna, the switchable polarizer comprising:
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a plurality of radiating elements; an RF feed coupled to the plurality of radiating elements; an antenna input coupled to the RF feed; and an antenna cover disposed in proximity to the plurality of radiating elements, the antenna cover comprising; a dielectric substrate comprising a plurality of channels for enclosing a liquid metal; wherein, in a first state, the switchable polarizer is configured to allow incident signals to pass without affecting a polarization of the incident signals; wherein, in a second state, the switchable polarizer is configured to change the polarization of the incident signals from a linear polarization to a circular polarization; wherein the plurality of channels are substantially empty of the liquid metal in the first state; and wherein the plurality of channels are substantially filled with the liquid metal in the second state. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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15. A process for operating a switchable polarizer comprising an antenna cover disposed in proximity to a plurality of radiating elements, the antenna cover comprising a dielectric substrate having a plurality of channels for enclosing a liquid metal, the process comprising:
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filling the plurality of channels with a liquid metal, in a first state, to change a polarization of signals incident to the switchable polarizer from a linear polarization to a circular polarization; and removing the liquid metal from the plurality of channels, in a second state, to allow signals incident to the switchable polarizer to pass without affecting the polarization of the incident signals. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27)
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28. A switchable polarizer for polarizing radio frequency (RF) signals associated with an antenna, the switchable polarizer comprising:
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a plurality of radiating elements; an RF feed coupled to the plurality of radiating elements; an antenna input coupled to the RF feed; and an antenna cover disposed in proximity to the plurality of radiating elements, the antenna cover comprising; a dielectric substrate comprising a plurality of meander-line channels configured to enclose a liquid metal, wherein the switchable polarizer is configured to switch between a first state and a second state; wherein the plurality of channels are substantially empty of the liquid metal in the first state; wherein the plurality of channels are substantially filled with the liquid metal in the second state; and wherein, in the second state, the switchable polarizer is configured to change a polarization of incident signals.
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29. A switchable polarizer for polarizing radio frequency (RF) signals associated with an antenna, the switchable polarizer comprising:
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a plurality of radiating elements; an RF feed coupled to the plurality of radiating elements; an antenna input coupled to the RF feed; and an antenna cover disposed in proximity to the plurality of radiating elements, the antenna cover comprising; a dielectric substrate comprising a plurality of meander-line channels configured to enclose a liquid metal, wherein the switchable polarizer is configured to switch between a first state and a second state; wherein the plurality of channels are substantially empty of the liquid metal in the first state; wherein the plurality of channels are substantially filled with the liquid metal in the second state; and wherein, in the second state, the switchable polarizer is configured to change a polarization of incident signals from a linear polarization to a circular polarization.
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Specification