Angle Multiplexing Aperture Arrays for Optical Data Storage
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional data storage devices in data centers, such as solid state drives and hard disk drives, face issues including high power consumption, heat generation, limited data access speed, and the inability to completely erase data without leaving imprints, making them costly and time-consuming to scale and maintain.
Innovation Solution
A system and method for extending the path length of electromagnetic wave signals using angle multiplexing, where signals are sent between multiple arrays of apertures, allowing the signals to travel longer distances and be stored for longer periods within a recirculating loop, effectively increasing data storage capacity without the need for frequent device upgrades or replacement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If conventional storage devices (SSD/HDD) are used to store data, then data storage capacity is achieved, but power consumption is high and heat generation occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces conventional mechanical/electronic storage systems (HDD platters, SSD memory cells) with an optical wave-based storage system. Electromagnetic waves circulate in a closed-loop waveguide structure, using optical fields instead of electrical currents or magnetic fields to store and access data, thereby eliminating the high power consumption and heat generation associated with conventional storage devices.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses periodic circulation of electromagnetic waves in a closed-loop path to achieve continuous data storage. The waves traverse the loop repeatedly, allowing data to be stored for extended periods without active power consumption for maintaining the storage state, thus reducing overall power requirements compared to conventional devices that require continuous power for data retention.
2Quantity of substance
If conventional storage devices are used, then data storage is achieved, but data access speed is limited by electronics to a few Gb/s
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces electronic signal processing with optical wave manipulation. By using electromagnetic waves instead of electrical signals, the system bypasses the speed limitations of electronic components and can achieve data access speeds determined by the speed of light in the waveguide medium, significantly exceeding the few Gb/s limit of conventional electronic storage interfaces.
3Loss of information
If data is erased from conventional non-volatile solid-state memory, then data is removed, but an imprint of the erased data remains that can be recovered
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses the transient nature of electromagnetic wave circulation to achieve complete data erasure. When data is no longer needed, the circulating waves simply cease to be regenerated, and the energy dissipates naturally. This physical dissipation ensures no residual information remains, providing definitive erasure unlike solid-state memory where charge remnants or magnetic patterns can persist and be recovered.
4Quantity of substance
If conventional storage devices are scaled up to increase data center capacity, then storage capacity increases, but cost and time for construction and upgrading increase
Solution Approach 1:
The wave-based storage system uses universal electromagnetic wave propagation principles that can be scaled from small to large capacities without changing the fundamental technology. The same waveguide and modulation principles apply regardless of scale, allowing data centers to expand capacity by adding more wave circulation paths rather than upgrading to different device types, thereby reducing complexity and cost of scaling.
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 approach enables longer electromagnetic wave signal path lengths and storage times, allowing for greater data storage capacity at a given data rate, while ensuring that erased data is definitively lost and cannot be recovered, thus reducing maintenance and upgrade costs.
Implementation Method 1
A system and method for extending the path length of a wave signal using angle multiplexing
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
A system and method for extending the path length of an electromagnetic wave signal traveling between apertures is disclosed. One such system may comprise N arrays having M1 through MN apertures, respectively, wherein N ≥ 2, M1 ≥ 2, and each of M2 through MN ≥ 1, a substantial number of the M1 apertures in a first array is configured to send the electromagnetic wave signal to a substantial number of the M2 apertures in a second array through the MN apertures in a N-th array, the substantial number of the M2 apertures in the second array through the MN apertures in the N-th array receiving the electromagnetic wave signal from the substantial number of the M1 apertures in the first array is configured to redirect the received electromagnetic wave signal back to the substantial number of the M1 apertures in the first array, and the substantial number of the M1 apertures in the first array is further configured to send the electromagnetic wave signal to another one of the M1 apertures in the first array after receiving the redirected electromagnetic wave signal from a ΜΝ-th aperture in the N-th array.