Conical Surface Wave Launcher for Guided Electromagnetic Transmission
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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 additional infrastructure and often rely on electrical return paths for signal propagation.
Innovation Solution
A guided wave communication system that uses electromagnetic waves bound to a transmission medium, such as wires or dielectric materials, to propagate signals without requiring an electrical return path, allowing for efficient data transmission over long distances with reduced 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 electrical return path requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the electrical return path requirement from the communication system by using electromagnetic waves that propagate along a single wire or dielectric medium. The guided electromagnetic waves are bound to the transmission medium and do not require a complete electrical circuit, thereby simplifying the infrastructure while maintaining high data transmission capacity.
2Speed
If electromagnetic waves are used for signal propagation, then data transmission speed increases, but propagation loss increases over long distances
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a dielectric medium or wire as an intermediary that guides and confines the electromagnetic waves. This intermediary structure keeps the waves bound to the transmission medium, reducing energy radiation and propagation loss while maintaining high transmission speed over long distances.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from free-space propagation to guided propagation along a one-dimensional transmission medium. By confining electromagnetic waves to propagate along the length of a wire or dielectric medium rather than radiating in three-dimensional space, the system achieves both high speed and reduced loss.
3Loss of energy
If guided electromagnetic waves bound to transmission medium are used, then propagation loss decreases, but device complexity increases due to launcher requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a conical launcher with a curved surface that matches the geometry of the transmission medium. This conical structure with its specific aperture angle is designed to efficiently couple electromagnetic waves onto the wire or dielectric medium, reducing the complexity of wave launching while minimizing propagation loss.
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
Enables efficient data transmission with reduced propagation loss and eliminates the need for electrical return paths, supporting high-bandwidth communication over various transmission media, including uninsulated wires and dielectric materials.
Implementation Method 1
A conical surface wave launcher and method for use therewith are disclosed. The launcher is designed to couple waves from a transmission line onto a wire or dielectric medium for the purpose of launching guided waves onto the medium.
Implementation Method 2
The launcher includes a conical conductor configured to coaxially surround a portion of the medium... The system enables efficient data transmission with reduced propagation loss and eliminates the need for electrical return paths
Data Source
AI summary
In accordance with one or more embodiments, a surface wave launcher is configured to transmit and receive guided electromagnetic waves via the aperture that propagate along a transmission medium without requiring an electrical return path. The surface wave launcher includes a coaxial port having an inner conductor and an outer conductor. A conductive tray is coupled to the inner conductor and is configured to surround, at least in part, a portion of the transmission medium. A dielectric layer surrounds, at least in part, a portion of the conductive tray. A conductive cone, is coupled to the outer conductor at a feed-point of the conductive cone, and coaxially surrounds the transmission medium, wherein the conductive cone is adjacent to the dielectric layer at the feed-point and forms an aperture.