Dielectric Waveguide Interconnect for Portable Devices
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing data transport methods in portable electronic devices, such as laptops, face interference issues due to metal conductors acting as antennas and experiencing metal fatigue, while fiber optic solutions are complex and power-intensive, necessitating a reliable and cost-effective high-speed data transport system.
Innovation Solution
A high-speed data transport system utilizing electromagnetic energy with a carrier frequency in the sub-THz to THz range, employing dielectric wave guides that can be flexible and cylindrical, using near-field coupling and stepped indices of refraction to minimize signal loss and interference, and allowing for bending and twisting without significant integrity loss.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Speed
If metal conductors are used for high-speed data transport, then data transmission capability is improved, but electromagnetic interference with wireless circuits increases and metal fatigue occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces metal conductors (electrical transmission medium) with dielectric waveguides (optical transmission medium) for high-speed data transport. This substitution eliminates the antenna effect and electromagnetic interference inherent in metal conductors while maintaining high bandwidth capability. The dielectric waveguide carries optical signals instead of electrical signals, fundamentally resolving the EMI problem.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs composite material structures including dielectric waveguides with metal shielding layers or absorptive materials. These composite structures provide both mechanical support and electromagnetic interference suppression, allowing the system to achieve high-speed data transmission without the harmful antenna effects of pure metal conductors.
2Reliability
If fiber optic cables are used to eliminate electromagnetic interference and metal fatigue, then reliability is improved, but device complexity and power consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and eliminates the complex photonic communication components (lasers, photodetectors, amplifiers) from the system while retaining the benefits of dielectric waveguide transmission. By using dielectric waveguides at sub-THz frequencies with simpler modulation schemes, the system achieves reliable transmission without requiring expensive and complex photonic circuits.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the operating frequency parameter from optical frequencies (requiring complex photonic components) to sub-THz frequencies (compatible with simpler electronic circuits). This parameter change allows the system to use dielectric waveguides without requiring laser sources or photodetectors, thereby reducing device complexity while maintaining transmission reliability.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If fiber optic cables are used to eliminate electromagnetic interference, then interference resistance is improved, but manufacturing complexity and cost increase due to alignment precision requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses flexible dielectric waveguide structures that can be easily routed and connected without requiring precision alignment. These flexible waveguides can be bent and positioned more tolerantly compared to rigid fiber optic cables, significantly reducing manufacturing complexity and improving yield while maintaining EMI resistance.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the wavelength parameter from optical wavelengths (requiring micron-level alignment precision) to sub-THz wavelengths with millimeter-scale dimensions. This parameter change increases the tolerance for alignment errors during manufacturing, reducing complexity and cost while maintaining immunity to electromagnetic interference.
4Speed
If metal conductors are used for data transport in portable devices, then data transmission capability is improved, but metal fatigue from repeated bending occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces metal conductors with dielectric waveguides that are inherently more resistant to fatigue from repeated bending. Dielectric materials used in waveguides can withstand flexible movements without the metal fatigue that plagues copper conductors in portable devices with moving parts like laptop hinges.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs composite material structures where dielectric waveguide cores are embedded in flexible protective jackets or integrated with flexible circuit boards. These composite structures provide both mechanical flexibility and transmission reliability, eliminating metal fatigue while maintaining high-speed data transmission capability through the dielectric waveguide.
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 reliable, high-speed data transport with reduced interference and power consumption, suitable for portable devices, by using dielectric wave guides that maintain signal integrity through near-field coupling and flexible designs, addressing the limitations of metal conductors and fiber optics.
Implementation Method 1
using near-field coupling and stepped indices of refraction to minimize signal loss and interference
Implementation Method 2
using near-field coupling and stepped indices of refraction to minimize signal loss and interference
Data Source
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AI summary
The described embodiments relate generally to a dielectric wave guide interconnect for an electronic device including a first routing circuit, a second routing circuit, and a dielectric wave guide coupling the first routing circuit to the second routing circuit. The interconnect may also include a first coupling element securing a first end of the dielectric wave guide proximal to the first routing circuit and a conductive element to insulate the dielectric wave guide from radio-frequency (RF) signals. In some embodiments, the first routing circuit is in a bottom portion of the electronic device; and the second routing circuit is in a top portion of the electronic device. An electronic device including a dielectric wave guide interconnect as above is also disclosed. A coupler for an electronic device including a first end adapted to receive an electrical signal and a propagating electromagnetic signal is also disclosed.