Dielectric Waveguide Coupler for Power Line Communication

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Solution Overview

Problem

The increasing demand for bandwidth in communication networks due to widespread smartphone use and data consumption necessitates enhanced connectivity, particularly with the deployment of small cells like microcells and picocells, which require advanced infrastructure to manage increased traffic effectively.

Innovation Solution

A guided wave communication system utilizing a dielectric waveguide coupler that facilitates the transmission and reception of electromagnetic waves along a wire, such as a power line, enabling efficient network connectivity and adaptive communication modes to mitigate disturbances and faults, thereby ensuring reliable data transfer.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If small cell deployment is pursued to provide additional mobile bandwidth, then network connectivity is improved, but device complexity and infrastructure requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvenetwork connectivityVSAvoidinfrastructure requirements

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The waveguide system enables existing power grid infrastructure to serve dual purposes: traditional power transmission and electromagnetic wave guidance for communication. This multi-functionality allows small cell deployment without requiring separate dedicated infrastructure, thereby improving network connectivity while avoiding increased device complexity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The dielectric waveguide acts as an intermediary that couples electromagnetic waves between free space and the power line infrastructure. This mediator enables efficient energy and signal transfer along existing wires, facilitating small cell deployment without directly modifying the complex power grid infrastructure

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Adaptability or versatility

If electromagnetic waves are transmitted along power grid wires for communication, then network connectivity is enhanced, but susceptibility to power grid disturbances increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvenetwork connectivityVSAvoidpower grid disturbances

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The system detects power grid disturbances such as voltage sags and noise, and uses this information to dynamically adjust communication parameters. By monitoring the harmful disturbances and adapting the waveguide transmission accordingly, the system converts the presence of disturbances into an opportunity for proactive error prevention and maintenance of reliable communication

Inventive Principle:

Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

Solution Approach 2:

The communication system dynamically adjusts its operation based on real-time power grid conditions. When disturbances are detected, the system modifies transmission power, frequency, or modulation schemes to maintain communication quality, thereby enhancing adaptability while mitigating the impact of harmful factors

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

3Ease of manufacture

If existing wireless infrastructure is used to address bandwidth demand, then implementation simplicity is maintained, but bandwidth capability is insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveimplementation simplicityVSAvoidbandwidth capability

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSPower

Solution Approach 1:

The invention merges communication functions with existing power distribution infrastructure by guiding electromagnetic waves along power lines. This combination leverages the already-deployed wire network for dual purposes, achieving enhanced bandwidth capability without requiring entirely new infrastructure construction, thus maintaining implementation simplicity while increasing power

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

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 system provides increased bandwidth and network resilience by allowing electromagnetic waves to propagate as surface waves along wires, adapting to disturbances and faults, ensuring continuous communication services even in challenging environments.

Implementation Method 1

a waveguide that facilitates propagation of a first electromagnetic wave at least in part on a waveguide surface

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectWaveguide: Waveguide

Implementation Method 2

in response to the waveguide being positioned with respect to a wire, the first electromagnetic wave couples at least in part to a wire surface

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectromagnetic coupling: Electromagnetic Induction

Data Source

PatentUS10205484B2Method and apparatus for responding to events affecting communications in a communication network

Publication Date: 2019.02.12 AT&T INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY I L P

AI summary

Aspects of the subject disclosure may include, for example, a waveguide system for determining an event associated with a mode of transmitting or receiving electromagnetic waves on a surface of a transmission medium, identifying according to the event an updated mode for transmitting or receiving adjusted electromagnetic waves on the surface of a transmission medium, and transmitting or receiving the adjusted electromagnetic waves based on the updated mode. Other embodiments are disclosed.