Access Point Guided Wave Coupler Eliminates Return Path
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current wireless communication systems face challenges in providing high bandwidth and efficient data transmission, especially with the increasing demand for mobile data and reliance on broadband services, as they require complex infrastructure and electrical return paths for signal propagation.
Innovation Solution
A guided wave communication system that uses electromagnetic waves bound to transmission media like wires or dielectric materials, allowing for propagation without an electrical return path, utilizing couplers and transceivers to launch and receive waves, enabling efficient data transmission over long distances with low loss.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If traditional wireless communication systems are used to provide high bandwidth, then data transmission capacity increases, but infrastructure complexity and requirement for electrical return paths increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and eliminates the requirement for electrical return paths from the communication system by using electromagnetic waves that propagate through dielectric materials without needing closed electrical circuits. This removes a fundamental constraint of traditional wireless systems while maintaining high data transmission capacity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces dielectric materials as intermediary transmission media between transmitter and receiver. These materials guide electromagnetic waves without requiring electrical return paths, simplifying infrastructure while enabling high-bandwidth communication through controlled electromagnetic propagation.
2Loss of energy
If guided electromagnetic waves are used for data transmission, then propagation loss is reduced, but the system requires specialized transmission media
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes dielectric materials serve multiple functions: they act as mechanical support structures, electromagnetic wave guides, and transmission media simultaneously. This multi-functionality reduces propagation loss while maintaining adaptability, as common dielectric materials already present in the environment can be utilized for communication purposes.
3Length of stationary object
If electromagnetic waves bound to transmission media are used, then long-distance transmission with low loss is achieved, but the system becomes more specialized
Solution Approach 1:
The patent enables dielectric materials to self-guide electromagnetic waves along their structure without requiring additional return paths or complex routing infrastructure. The transmission medium serves its own guidance function, achieving long-distance low-loss transmission while avoiding the complexity of specialized dedicated infrastructure.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This system provides efficient data transmission with reduced propagation loss and eliminates the need for electrical return paths, supporting high-bandwidth communication over various media, including insulated and uninsulated wires, and dielectric materials, enhancing network capacity and reliability.
Implementation Method 1
A first coupler configured to receive, via a first transmission medium, first guided electromagnetic waves from a first waveguide system of a radio distributed antenna system, wherein the first guided electromagnetic waves propagate along the first transmission medium without requiring an electrical return path
Data Source
AI summary
In accordance with one or more embodiments, an access point includes a communication interface having: a coupler configured to receive, via a transmission medium, first guided electromagnetic waves from a communication node of a radio distributed antenna system, wherein the first guided electromagnetic waves propagate along the transmission medium without requiring an electrical return path; and also a receiver configured to receive first data from the first guided electromagnetic waves. A data switch is configured to select first selected portions of the first data for transmission to at least one communication device in proximity to the access point.