Coaxial Surface Wave Communication System Guiding Electromagnetic Waves
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current wireless infrastructure faces challenges in providing sufficient bandwidth to meet increasing data demands from ubiquitous smartphones and other portable devices, particularly in areas served by traditional macrocells, where higher bandwidth capabilities are needed to support growing data usage.
Innovation Solution
A guided wave communication system that utilizes electromagnetic waves bound to or guided by transmission media such as wires or dielectric materials, allowing for data transmission without requiring an electrical return path, enabling efficient propagation along various types of transmission media including insulated or uninsulated wires, and dielectric materials.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If traditional wireless infrastructure (macrocells) is used to provide broadband access, then coverage area is large, but bandwidth capability is insufficient to meet increasing data demands
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the transmission path into multiple sections by using existing infrastructure elements (power lines, telegraph wires, trees, buildings) as relay points. Each segment transmits data over a shorter distance with lower loss, while collectively covering large geographic areas. This allows macrocell-scale coverage while achieving smallcell-level bandwidth performance through the guided wave communication network.
2Loss of energy
If data is transmitted through traditional wireless media, then simplicity of implementation is maintained, but signal loss increases over longer distances
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces physical transmission media (power lines, telegraph wires, dielectric materials) as intermediaries to guide electromagnetic waves between transmitter and receiver. These intermediaries confine the electromagnetic energy to specific paths, reducing radiation loss and enabling transmission over distances much longer than typical wireless ranges while maintaining signal integrity.
3Loss of energy
If guided wave communication using transmission media is implemented, then signal loss is reduced over longer distances, but device complexity increases due to integration with existing infrastructure
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes existing infrastructure elements serve dual purposes: their original function (power distribution, telegraph signaling, structural support) plus new wireless communication functionality. Power lines transmit both electricity and guided electromagnetic waves; telegraph wires carry both historical signals and modern data; trees and buildings provide both structural support and signal relay. This multi-functionality reduces the need for dedicated communication infrastructure and lowers overall system complexity.
4Productivity
If small cell deployment is pursued to provide additional mobile bandwidth, then bandwidth capability is improved, but coverage area for each cell is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from two-dimensional ground-based small cell deployment to three-dimensional utilization of vertical infrastructure elements. By mounting transceivers on tall structures like trees, utility poles, and buildings, and by using elevated transmission media (power lines, telegraph wires), the system creates vertical coverage layers that expand the effective coverage area while maintaining smallcell-level bandwidth performance through the guided wave transmission medium.
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 solution provides a method for transmitting data with reduced loss over longer distances, supporting higher bandwidth requirements without the need for electrical return paths, thus enhancing wireless communication capabilities in densely populated areas.
Implementation Method 1
A coaxial surface wave communication system includes a coaxial cable, having an inner conductor, an outer conductor, and an insulator therebetween. A waveguide device is configured to launch a hybrid wave having an electric field component and a magnetic field component.
Implementation Method 2
A surface wave add/drop multiplexer pair receives the hybrid wave propagating on the coaxial cable, to extract the client data from the hybrid wave
Data Source
AI summary
In accordance with one or more embodiments, a communication network includes a surface wave transceiver, mounted on a coaxial cable of a broadband cable network, configured to bidirectionally communicate wireless network data via guided electromagnetic waves that propagate along a surface of the coaxial cable. A plurality of analog surface wave repeater pairs, and a plurality of digital surface wave regenerator pairs, are also mounted on the coaxial cable. A plurality of access points, supported by corresponding ones of a plurality of utility poles that also support the coaxial cable, is configured to wirelessly transmit the wireless network data to a plurality of client devices in accordance with a wireless network protocol and to wirelessly receive client data from the plurality of client devices in accordance with the wireless network protocol. A plurality of surface wave add/drop multiplexer pairs, is also mounted on the coaxial cable.