Dielectric Waveguide Ribbon for Server Interconnects

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Solution Overview

Problem

Traditional electrical cabling for high-speed interconnections in electronic systems, such as server clusters, is becoming expensive and power-hungry, while optical solutions are costly and power-intensive, lacking viable options for certain data rates and distances.

Innovation Solution

The use of waveguides to propagate electromagnetic waves with a conductive layer formed by wrapping a dielectric core with conductive tape or applying a conductive material, offering a cost-effective and power-efficient alternative for high-bandwidth connections.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Use of energy by moving object

If traditional electrical cabling is used for high-speed interconnections, then data transmission capability is maintained, but power consumption increases and cost becomes expensive

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepower consumptionVSAvoiddata transmission capability

Core Design Contradiction:

Use of energy by moving objectVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent substitutes electrical signal transmission through conventional copper cables with electromagnetic wave propagation through waveguide structures. This replacement transitions from electrical conduction to electromagnetic wave guidance, achieving lower power consumption while maintaining high-speed data transmission capability through the waveguide's electromagnetic field propagation mechanism

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the transmission medium parameters from electrical conductors to dielectric waveguide structures with specific electromagnetic properties. By adjusting the waveguide dimensions, dielectric material properties, and operating frequency, the system achieves optimal power efficiency and data transmission performance simultaneously

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Productivity

If optical cables are used for long-distance interconnections, then bandwidth is improved, but power consumption and cost increase severely

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovebandwidthVSAvoidpower consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces optical fiber transmission with waveguide-based electromagnetic wave propagation. This substitution maintains high bandwidth capability through the waveguide's ability to support multiple electromagnetic modes while reducing power consumption by eliminating the need for optical converters and associated power-intensive components

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The waveguide structure serves multiple functions simultaneously: it provides high-bandwidth data transmission, achieves long-distance propagation, and reduces power consumption. The single waveguide structure replaces the need for separate electrical and optical transmission systems, providing universal functionality across different transmission requirements

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Length of stationary object

If electrical cables are used to extend reach, then interconnect distance is improved, but quality requirements and power requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveinterconnect distanceVSAvoidpower requirements

Core Design Contradiction:

Length of stationary objectVSUse of energy by stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent substitutes conventional electrical cable extension with waveguide-based electromagnetic propagation. This replacement enables extended interconnect distances through the waveguide's low-loss electromagnetic field propagation characteristics, reducing the power requirements that would otherwise be needed for signal boosting and equalization in electrical cables

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

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

Waveguides provide the necessary bandwidth for high-speed data transmission with reduced power consumption and cost, addressing the limitations of traditional electrical and optical solutions.

Implementation Method 1

A waveguide can be used to propagate electromagnetic waves including electromagnetic waves having a wavelength in millimeters (mm) or micrometers (μm)

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectromagnetic wave propagation: Electromagnetic Induction

Data Source

PatentUS10263312B2Plurality of dielectric waveguides including dielectric waveguide cores for connecting first and second server boards

Publication Date: 2019.04.16 INTEL CORP

AI summary

A method of making a waveguide ribbon that includes a plurality of waveguides comprises joining a first sheet of dielectric material to a first conductive sheet of conductive material, patterning the first sheet of dielectric material to form a plurality of dielectric waveguide cores on the first conductive sheet, and coating the dielectric waveguide cores with substantially the same conductive material as the conductive sheet to form the plurality of waveguides.