Dielectric Waveguide Coupler for Utility Line Signal Transmission
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Solution Overview
Problem
The increasing demand for bandwidth in transportation systems due to ubiquitous smartphones and portable devices poses challenges for existing wireless infrastructure, necessitating enhanced network connectivity and bandwidth capabilities, particularly in small cell deployments like microcells and picocells.
Innovation Solution
A guided wave communication system utilizing a dielectric waveguide coupler that facilitates the transmission and reception of electromagnetic waves along a wire surface, enabling increased network connectivity and bandwidth by coupling waves to utility lines, which operate as waveguides, allowing for efficient propagation of signals without requiring electrical potential or current through the wire.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If small cell deployment is pursued to provide additional mobile bandwidth, then network connectivity and bandwidth capability are improved, but infrastructure complexity and deployment cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies multi-functionality by enabling utility lines to serve dual purposes: their traditional function for power distribution and a new function as waveguides for electromagnetic signal transmission. This allows existing infrastructure to provide both electrical energy delivery and communication services, thereby improving bandwidth capability without proportionally increasing infrastructure complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The invention enables the utility line system to serve itself by using its own physical structure as a waveguide for signal transmission. The utility line inherently provides both power delivery and communication functions through its existing construction, reducing the need for separate dedicated communication infrastructure and lowering deployment costs
2Area of stationary object
If traditional wireless infrastructure is used to address increased data demand, then network coverage is maintained, but bandwidth capacity becomes insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from traditional three-dimensional space-based wireless propagation to one-dimensional guided wave propagation along utility lines. This dimensional change enables signals to travel efficiently along the length of utility lines, dramatically extending network coverage area while providing high bandwidth capacity through the guided wave channel
3Productivity
If utility lines are used as waveguides for signal propagation, then bandwidth capacity is improved, but signal transmission reliability may be affected by environmental disturbances
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a dielectric waveguide coupler as an intermediary device that facilitates controlled coupling between free-space electromagnetic waves and guided waves on the utility line. This intermediary enables efficient signal transfer while isolating the guided wave system from environmental disturbances, thereby maintaining high bandwidth capacity and signal transmission reliability simultaneously
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 by leveraging utility lines as waveguides, supporting efficient signal propagation and mitigating disturbances, thus addressing the bandwidth demands in transportation systems.
Implementation Method 1
a waveguide that facilitates propagation of a first electromagnetic wave at least in part on a waveguide surface of the waveguide
Implementation Method 2
the first electromagnetic wave couples at least in part to a wire surface of the wire and travels at least partially around the wire surface as a second electromagnetic wave
Data Source
AI summary
Aspects of the subject disclosure may include, for example, a system for transmitting first electromagnetic waves that propagate on a surface of a component of a transit system, and receiving second electromagnetic waves that propagate on the surface of the component of the transit system. Other embodiments are disclosed.