Dielectric Waveguide PCB With Coaxial Vias For High-Speed Transmission
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
High-speed data transmission over short distances using differential signaling is limited by noise and radiated emissions, while fiber optics, though capable of higher speeds, requires expensive and bulky optical transmitters and receivers.
Innovation Solution
A multi-layer printed circuit board (PCB) with a dielectric waveguide having a core and cladding where the core material has a higher dielectric constant than the cladding, coupled with coaxial vias that radiate and receive electromagnetic signals, allowing for high-speed data transmission without the need for optical components.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If differential signaling is used for short high speed buses, then noise and radiated emissions are reduced, but transmission distance is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces traditional electrical differential signaling with electromagnetic wave propagation through a dielectric waveguide. This substitution enables signals to travel much farther by confining electromagnetic energy within the waveguide structure, overcoming the distance limitations of conventional PCB trace differential signaling while maintaining noise immunity through the waveguide's inherent shielding.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a dielectric waveguide as an intermediary medium between transmitter and receiver. This waveguide, with its core-cladding structure, acts as a mediator that guides and confines electromagnetic signals, enabling long-distance transmission while protecting the signal from external interference and reducing radiated emissions.
2Speed
If fiber optics is used for high speed data transmission, then transmission speed and distance are improved, but device cost and size increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces expensive, complex optical transmitters and receivers with simpler, integrated circuit-compatible electromagnetic signal sources and detectors. By using standard electrical signals to excite the dielectric waveguide, the system achieves fiber-optic-like performance without requiring costly optical components, making high-speed long-distance transmission accessible to conventional electronics.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the operating parameters from optical frequency to electromagnetic frequency ranges compatible with standard electronics. By operating at lower frequencies than optical fiber but higher than traditional PCB traces, the dielectric waveguide achieves a compromise that enables high-speed transmission using conventional electrical components rather than expensive optical devices.
3Productivity
If data transmission speed increases above 25 Gb/s, then data rate is improved, but effective bus length is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent substitutes traditional PCB trace transmission with dielectric waveguide propagation. This substitution fundamentally changes the transmission mechanism, allowing high-speed signals to travel much farther by confining electromagnetic energy within the waveguide's core, thereby maintaining signal integrity at data rates above 25 Gb/s over extended distances.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies local quality by creating a specialized transmission medium (dielectric waveguide) with specific properties optimized for high-speed long-distance signal propagation. The core-cladding structure provides localized electromagnetic confinement with higher dielectric constant in the core, enabling signals to travel farther at high speeds compared to uniform PCB traces.
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
Enables efficient transmission of data at speeds greater than 70 Gb/s over longer distances with reduced signal attenuation and without the use of expensive optical transmitters and receivers, by containing electromagnetic signals primarily within the core of the dielectric waveguide.
Implementation Method 1
the cladding is disposed on at least two sides of the core, and where a material of the core has a higher dielectric constant than a material of the cladding
Implementation Method 2
a first coaxial via including a first center conductor and a first outer conductor surrounding the first center conductor, where the first center conductor extends at least partially into a first end of the core
Data Source
AI summary
Embodiments herein describe a high-speed communication channel in a PCB that includes a dielectric waveguide coupled at respective ends to coaxial vias. The dielectric waveguide includes a core and a cladding where the material of the core has a higher dielectric constant than the material of the cladding. Thus, electromagnetic signals propagating in the core are internally reflected at the interface between the core and cladding such that the electromagnetic signals are primary contained in the core. The coaxial vias include a center conductor and an outer conductor (or shield) which extend through one or more layers of the PCB. One of the coaxial vias radiates electromagnetic signals into the dielectric waveguide at a first end of the core while the other coaxial via receives the radiated signals at a second end of the core.