Dielectric Waveguide Coupler Guided Wave Communication on Power Lines
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Solution Overview
Problem
The increasing demand for bandwidth in wireless communication systems due to the proliferation of smartphones and portable devices poses challenges for traditional macrocell base station devices, necessitating the expansion of backhaul networks and the deployment of small cells like microcells and picocells to provide additional network connectivity and higher bandwidth.
Innovation Solution
A guided wave communication system utilizing a dielectric waveguide coupler that facilitates the propagation of electromagnetic waves along a wire, allowing for the transmission and reception of signals as guided waves, which can couple to a wire surface to travel longitudinally and efficiently provide network connectivity, even in areas with high voltage lines, while sensors detect and mitigate disturbances.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If small cell deployment is pursued to provide additional mobile bandwidth, then network connectivity and bandwidth are improved, but device complexity and infrastructure requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a guided wave communication system as an intermediary technology that uses existing power line infrastructure to transmit communication signals. The dielectric waveguide coupler acts as a mediator that couples electromagnetic waves to power lines, enabling dual-use of existing infrastructure for both power delivery and communication, thereby improving bandwidth without proportionally increasing infrastructure complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The system enables power lines to serve multiple functions simultaneously - traditional power delivery and guided wave communication. By making the infrastructure multi-functional, the patent avoids the need for dedicated communication infrastructure, thus improving network bandwidth while minimizing additional infrastructure requirements
2Productivity
If guided wave communication is implemented along power grid wires, then network connectivity is enhanced, but interference from high voltage lines and disturbances increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent converts the potentially harmful electromagnetic fields from high voltage power lines into useful guided waves for communication. By using the power lines as waveguides and coupling electromagnetic waves onto them, the system transforms the electromagnetic interference environment into a beneficial transmission medium, improving connectivity while utilizing the existing electromagnetic infrastructure
Solution Approach 2:
The dielectric waveguide coupler serves as an intermediary device that enables controlled coupling between free-space electromagnetic waves and guided waves on power lines. This mediator allows selective signal transmission while isolating the communication system from harmful disturbances and high voltage effects, thus improving connectivity while mitigating interference
3Productivity
If traditional macrocell base station devices are used, then coverage area is maintained, but bandwidth capability becomes insufficient for increasing data usage demand
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the traditional macrocell coverage area into multiple smaller zones, each served by small cells utilizing guided wave communication on local power lines. This segmentation allows each cell to provide targeted high-bandwidth service to its local area, collectively achieving system-wide bandwidth improvement while maintaining overall coverage through the distributed small cell architecture
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 and bandwidth by enabling efficient guided wave communication along power grid wires, effectively addressing the increased demand and providing reliable data transmission while minimizing interference and disruptions.
Implementation Method 1
A guided wave communication system utilizing a dielectric waveguide coupler that facilitates the propagation of electromagnetic waves along a wire
Implementation Method 2
allowing for the transmission and reception of signals as guided waves, which can couple to a wire surface to travel longitudinally
Data Source
AI summary
Aspects of the subject disclosure may include, for example, a transmission system having a coupling device, a bypass circuit, a memory and a processor. The coupling device can facilitate transmission or reception of electromagnetic waves that propagate along a surface of a transmission medium. The memory can store instructions, which when executed by the processor, causes the processor to perform operations including restarting a timer to prevent the bypass circuit from disabling the transmission or reception of electromagnetic waves by the coupling device. Other embodiments are disclosed.