Dielectric Waveguide Coupler for Asymmetric Guided-Wave Propagation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current communication systems face challenges in providing increased bandwidth and network connectivity to support growing data demands, particularly in small cell deployments, where existing technologies fail to efficiently propagate guided-waves with asymmetric modes at millimeter-wave frequencies over dielectric surfaces.
Innovation Solution
A guided-wave communication system utilizing a dielectric waveguide coupler that couples electromagnetic waves to a single wire transmission medium, enabling propagation along the outer surface via asymmetric modes within the millimeter-wave frequency band, where the carrier frequency is below the circumference of the wire, allowing for efficient transmission and reception of data.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If electromagnetic waves are propagated over dielectric surfaces at millimeter-wave frequencies, then bandwidth and network connectivity are enhanced, but signal loss increases due to atmospheric absorption and propagation challenges
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a dielectric waveguide coupler as an intermediary device that couples electromagnetic waves to a single wire transmission medium. This coupler acts as a mediator between the electromagnetic wave source and the transmission medium, enabling efficient coupling and propagation while reducing signal loss through the use of asymmetric modes that are better suited for millimeter-wave frequencies
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the propagation parameters by utilizing asymmetric modes instead of traditional symmetric modes. This parameter change allows the electromagnetic waves to propagate more efficiently at millimeter-wave frequencies, reducing atmospheric absorption effects and signal loss while maintaining enhanced bandwidth capability
2Productivity
If traditional transmission media are used for millimeter-wave frequencies, then infrastructure complexity is reduced, but propagation efficiency and coverage area decrease
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the single wire transmission medium universal by enabling it to carry asymmetric modes at millimeter-wave frequencies. This multi-functional approach allows the same infrastructure to support both traditional and millimeter-wave communications, expanding coverage area without proportionally increasing infrastructure complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The dielectric waveguide coupler serves as a universal intermediary that can couple electromagnetic waves to various transmission media. This mediator enables efficient propagation across different scenarios and environments, expanding coverage area while keeping the overall system architecture relatively simple
3Reliability
If asymmetric modes are utilized for guided-wave propagation, then propagation efficiency improves, but system complexity increases due to specialized coupling requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the mode parameters from symmetric to asymmetric modes, which fundamentally alters the propagation characteristics. This parameter change improves propagation efficiency by better matching the field distribution to the transmission medium, while the complexity is managed through the specialized design of the dielectric waveguide coupler
4Loss of energy
If electrical circuits are avoided in favor of guided-wave transmission, then signal loss is reduced, but device complexity increases due to specialized coupling mechanisms
Solution Approach 1:
The patent substitutes electrical circuit-based transmission with guided-wave transmission using asymmetric modes. This substitution replaces the traditional electrical field-based transmission with a hybrid electromagnetic field approach that propagates along the dielectric surface, reducing signal loss by avoiding resistive heating and other electrical losses
Solution Approach 2:
The dielectric waveguide coupler acts as an intermediary that bridges the gap between electromagnetic wave generation and guided-wave propagation. This mediator enables the transition from traditional electrical transmission to guided-wave transmission, reducing signal loss while managing the complexity through its specialized coupling mechanism
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 enhances network connectivity by enabling low-loss propagation of guided-waves along the surface of wires, supporting increased bandwidth and coverage in small cell networks, while avoiding the need for electrical circuits and allowing for bi-directional communication.
Implementation Method 1
A first electromagnetic wave is generated based on a communication signal to convey first data. The first electromagnetic wave is coupled to a single wire transmission medium having an outer surface and a corresponding circumference, wherein the coupling of the first electromagnetic wave to the single wire transmission medium forms a second electromagnetic wave that is guided to propagate along the outer surface of the single wire transmission medium
Implementation Method 2
via at least one guided-wave mode that includes an asymmetric mode having a lower cutoff frequency, and wherein the carrier frequency is selected to be within a limited range of the lower cutoff frequency
Data Source
AI summary
Aspects of the subject disclosure may include, for example, a transmission device that includes a first coupler that guides a first electromagnetic wave to a first junction to form a second electromagnetic wave that is guided to propagate along the outer surface of the transmission medium via one or more guided-wave modes. These mode(s) have an envelope that varies as a function of angular deviation and/or longitudinal displacement. Other embodiments are disclosed.