Dielectric Waveguide With Void Spaces For High-Bandwidth Transmission

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Solution Overview

Problem

Traditional electrical cabling for high-speed interconnections in server systems is becoming expensive and power-hungry, while optical solutions are costly and inefficient, necessitating a more effective method for high-bandwidth data transmission over longer distances.

Innovation Solution

The use of waveguides with a conductive layer around a dielectric core, featuring void spaces to reduce losses and enhance structural support, allowing for efficient propagation of electromagnetic waves over frequencies up to 300 GHz, thereby addressing the limitations of traditional cabling and optical solutions.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Loss of energy

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

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepower consumptionVSAvoiddata transmission capability

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of energyVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces traditional electrical signal transmission through conductive cables with electromagnetic wave propagation through a waveguide structure. This substitution transitions from electrical conduction to electromagnetic wave guidance, enabling high-bandwidth data transmission with lower power consumption and reduced signal loss over extended distances

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the transmission medium parameters by using a dielectric core with void spaces instead of traditional conductive cables. This parameter change enables operation at frequencies up to 300 GHz, providing high bandwidth while reducing power consumption and signal degradation compared to conventional electrical cabling

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Productivity

If optical cables are used for longer interconnect distances, then bandwidth is improved, but power consumption and cost increase severely

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovebandwidthVSAvoidpower consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSUse of energy by stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent substitutes optical fiber transmission with a waveguide-based electromagnetic wave transmission system. This alternative provides comparable high bandwidth performance for long-distance interconnects while significantly reducing power consumption and cost, avoiding the severe penalties associated with optical solutions

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Length of stationary object

If electrical cables are extended for longer distances, then interconnect distance is improved, but signal quality degrades and power consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveinterconnect distanceVSAvoidsignal quality

Core Design Contradiction:

Length of stationary objectVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces extended electrical cable transmission with waveguide-based electromagnetic wave propagation. This substitution maintains signal quality over extended interconnect distances by guiding electromagnetic waves through a structured dielectric medium with void spaces, preventing the signal degradation that occurs in traditional electrical cables

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the transmission parameters by operating at frequencies up to 300 GHz through a waveguide structure, enabling long-distance transmission with maintained signal integrity. The dielectric material with void spaces provides optimal electromagnetic field confinement and reduced loss compared to conventional cable extensions

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

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 waveguide solution provides a cost-effective and power-efficient means of achieving high-bandwidth data transmission over extended distances, reducing the risk of buckling and kinking while maintaining low signal loss, thus meeting the performance requirements of emerging server architectures.

Implementation Method 1

an elongate waveguide core including a dielectric material

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectDielectric: Dielectric

Implementation Method 2

a conductive layer arranged around the waveguide core

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectromagnetic wave propagation: Electromagnetic Induction

Data Source

PatentUS11031666B2Waveguide comprising a dielectric waveguide core surrounded by a conductive layer, where the core includes multiple spaces void of dielectric

Publication Date: 2021.06.08 INTEL CORP

AI summary

An apparatus comprises a waveguide including: an elongate waveguide core including a dielectric material, wherein the waveguide core includes at least one space arranged lengthwise along the waveguide core that is void of the dielectric material; and a conductive layer arranged around the waveguide core.