Dielectric Antenna Coupler Guided Wave Transmission

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Solution Overview

Problem

The increasing demand for bandwidth in wireless communication systems, particularly with the rise of smartphones and reliance on broadband services, necessitates more efficient methods for transmitting data over existing infrastructure, which traditional systems struggle to accommodate due to limitations in bandwidth and the requirement for electrical return paths.

Innovation Solution

A guided wave communication system that utilizes electromagnetic waves bound to transmission media such as wires or dielectric materials, allowing for data transmission without an electrical return path, using couplers and transceivers to launch and receive guided waves along the surface or within these media, enabling efficient data propagation over long distances with reduced loss.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Quantity of substance

If traditional wireless infrastructure is used to provide broadband access, then existing infrastructure can be utilized, but bandwidth capacity is limited and electrical return paths are required

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebandwidth capacityVSAvoidelectrical return path requirement

Core Design Contradiction:

Quantity of substanceVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces traditional electrical signal transmission through conductors with electromagnetic wave propagation through dielectric materials. This substitution eliminates the need for electrical return paths while significantly increasing bandwidth capacity, as EM waves can carry more data than conventional electrical signals in copper infrastructure

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The invention changes the fundamental transmission parameter from electrical current flow to electromagnetic wave propagation. By operating in the electromagnetic domain rather than the electrical domain, the system achieves higher bandwidth capacity and eliminates the constraint of requiring complete electrical circuits with return paths

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Quantity of substance

If small cell deployment is pursued to provide additional mobile bandwidth, then coverage for smaller areas is improved, but infrastructure complexity and deployment cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemobile bandwidthVSAvoidinfrastructure deployment

Core Design Contradiction:

Quantity of substanceVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent enables existing utility infrastructure (power lines, communication cables) to serve dual purposes: traditional electrical/power functions and electromagnetic wave transmission for high-capacity data communication. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate small cell infrastructure, reducing deployment complexity while providing additional mobile bandwidth

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The invention uses dielectric materials as intermediary transmission media that can guide electromagnetic waves along existing infrastructure. These dielectric waveguides convert conventional infrastructure into high-capacity communication channels without requiring new physical infrastructure or small cell deployments

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Productivity

If data usage increases with smartphones and broadband services, then service demand grows, but transmission loss over existing infrastructure increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedata transmission capacityVSAvoidtransmission loss

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The patent substitutes electrical signal transmission with electromagnetic wave propagation through dielectric media. EM waves experience significantly lower attenuation over distance compared to electrical signals in conventional conductors, enabling high-capacity data transmission over long distances without excessive loss, thus supporting increased data usage demands

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

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 enhances bandwidth capacity and reduces transmission loss, allowing for reliable and efficient data communication over existing infrastructure without the need for electrical return paths, thereby addressing the growing demand for mobile and broadband services.

Implementation Method 1

a transmitter of the sending device generates an electromagnetic wave to convey the data

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectromagnetic wave generation: Electromagnetic Induction

Implementation Method 2

the coupler receives the electromagnetic wave and converts the electromagnetic wave to a signal

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectromagnetic induction: Electromagnetic Induction

Data Source

PatentUS10389419B2Methods and apparatus for generating and receiving electromagnetic waves

Publication Date: 2019.08.20 AT&T INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY I L P

AI summary

Aspects of the subject disclosure may include, coupler having an array of dielectric antennas positioned around an outer surface of a transmission medium. A processing system can perform operations including selecting at least two dielectric antennas of the array of dielectric antennas, and configuring at least two transmitters coupled to the at least two dielectric antennas according to a wave mode type to generate, via the at least two dielectric antennas, first wireless signals and second wireless signals that combine to induce propagation of electromagnetic waves along a transmission medium according to the wave mode type without requiring an electrical return path. Other embodiments are disclosed.