Dielectric Waveguide Coupler for Contactless Power Line Communication
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
The increasing demand for higher bandwidth in wireless communication systems, particularly in small cell deployments and residential/commercial internet services, is not adequately met by existing technologies, which often have asymmetric bandwidths and require physical contact with wires, limiting flexibility and efficiency.
Innovation Solution
A guided wave communication system using a dielectric waveguide coupler that facilitates the transmission and reception of electromagnetic waves along a wire surface, allowing for increased bandwidth without direct electrical contact, and includes sensors to detect and mitigate disturbances, enabling efficient data transfer over power grids and other transmission lines.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If power line communications are used to provide additional bandwidth, then network connectivity is improved, but physical contact with wires is required which limits flexibility
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a coupler as an intermediary device that bridges the waveguide and the power line. This coupler enables electromagnetic wave coupling onto the power line without requiring direct physical contact or electrical connection between the communication device and the wire, thus maintaining flexibility while achieving network connectivity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces traditional electrical contact-based communication with electromagnetic wave-based communication. Instead of requiring physical electrical connections to power lines, the system uses electromagnetic waves that can be coupled onto the power line surface, eliminating the need for direct mechanical/electrical contact while maintaining communication functionality.
2Productivity
If asymmetric bandwidth is used for downlink and uplink communications, then demand for data downloads is met, but overall bandwidth efficiency is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the bandwidth parameter allocation by providing symmetric bandwidth capabilities for both downlink and uplink communications. The system can dynamically allocate equal bandwidth resources to both directions, allowing flexible adaptation to different communication demands while maximizing total bandwidth utilization, rather than being constrained by fixed asymmetric allocations.
3Reliability
If sensors are added to detect and mitigate disturbances, then communication reliability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a self-service disturbance mitigation system where sensors detect disturbances on the power line and automatically trigger compensation mechanisms. The system monitors its own operational environment and self-corrects for identified issues without requiring external intervention or complex manual configuration, thereby improving reliability while keeping the control logic relatively simple.
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 provides enhanced network connectivity and bandwidth, improves data transfer efficiency, and reduces physical contact-related limitations, enabling flexible and reliable communication systems for both downlink and uplink data transmission.
Implementation Method 1
A guided wave communication system using a dielectric waveguide coupler that facilitates the transmission and reception of electromagnetic waves along a wire surface
Implementation Method 2
a dielectric waveguide coupler that facilitates the transmission and reception of electromagnetic waves along a wire surface
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
Aspects of the subject disclosure may include, for example, a system for exchanging electrical signals and guided electromagnetic waves between customer premises equipment and service provider equipment to provide uplink and/or downlink communication services. Other embodiments are disclosed.