Dielectric Waveguide Connector with Lens for Signal Loss

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current high-frequency transceiver device connections using metal transmission lines are bulky, expensive, and inefficient, especially above 100 GHz, due to complex and costly coupling methods with dielectric waveguides.

Innovation Solution

A dielectric waveguide connector featuring a cone or pyramid structure with integrated circuits and a dielectric lens, utilizing materials with different permittivity ratios to efficiently guide electromagnetic radiation, allowing for a cost-effective and low-loss coupling of high-frequency signals between 30 GHz and the terahertz range.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Loss of energy

If metal transmission lines are used to connect high frequency transceiver devices, then the connection is mechanically robust, but the system becomes bulky, expensive, and experiences large damping especially above 100 GHz

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesignal lossVSAvoidcoupling complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of energyVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the fundamental parameter of waveguide material from metal to dielectric material. This parameter change enables lower signal loss at high frequencies (above 100 GHz) while the cone/p pyramid structure provides the necessary coupling mechanism, resolving the contradiction between signal loss and coupling complexity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces a dielectric waveguide as an intermediary component between the high frequency transceiver device and the antenna system. This intermediary enables efficient signal transmission with reduced damping while the cone/p pyramid coupling structure provides the interface, solving both the signal loss and coupling complexity issues

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Loss of energy

If dielectric waveguides are used to guide mmW or Terahertz signals, then signal transmission performance is improved, but the coupling between high-frequency components and dielectric waveguides becomes complicated

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesignal lossVSAvoidcoupling complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of energyVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a dielectric waveguide as an intermediary component between the high frequency transceiver device and the antenna system. This intermediary enables efficient signal transmission with reduced damping while the cone/p pyramid coupling structure provides the interface, solving both the signal loss and coupling complexity issues

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Reliability

If beam steering antennas are used to couple signals between radiating chips and dielectric waveguides, then signal coupling is achieved, but the system becomes complicated and expensive due to complex antenna systems and steering electronics

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesignal coupling efficiencyVSAvoidantenna system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts and eliminates the complex beam steering electronics and control systems from the coupling mechanism. Instead, it uses a passive dielectric waveguide with a simple cone/p pyramid structure to achieve signal coupling, maintaining reliability while dramatically reducing system complexity and cost

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces a dielectric waveguide as an intermediary component between the high frequency transceiver device and the antenna system. This intermediary enables efficient signal transmission with reduced damping while the cone/p pyramid coupling structure provides the interface, solving both the signal loss and coupling complexity issues

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

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

The solution provides a simple, cost-effective, and efficient coupling method with reduced signal loss, enabling effective transmission of high-frequency signals using a dielectric waveguide connector with a cone or pyramid structure and a dielectric lens, addressing the inefficiencies of existing metal transmission line solutions.

Implementation Method 1

a dielectric lens (104) provided from a dielectric material having a second relative dielectric permittivity ε r2 and wherein ε r1 <ε r2

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectRefraction: Refraction

Implementation Method 2

A dielectric waveguide connector (100) for guiding electromagnetic radiation between a high frequency radiating device and a dielectric waveguide (105)

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectTotal internal reflection: Total Internal Reflection

Data Source

PatentEP3872927B1Dielectric waveguide connector
Publication Date: 2023.07.26 INDIE SEMICON FFO GMBH
  • EP3872927B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3872927B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3872927B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A dielectric waveguide connector (100, 200) for guiding electromagnetic radiation between a high frequency radiating device and a dielectric waveguide (105, 205) comprising: a cone or pyramid structure (102, 202) provided from a dielectric material having a first dielectric permittivity εr1; an integrated circuit insert (103, 203) at the wide side of the cone or pyramid structure (102, 202) configured to house an integrated circuit (106, 206) having an antenna; a waveguide inset (101, 201) at the narrow side of the cone or pyramid structure (102, 202) configured to house a dielectric waveguide (105, 205); a dielectric lens (104, 204) provided from a dielectric material having a second relative permittivity εr2 and wherein εr1 &lt; εr2; wherein the dielectric lens (104, 204) is arranged in the center of the cone or pyramid structure (102, 202) above the integrated circuit insert (103, 203).