Ventilation Ducts as Waveguides for Millimeter-Wave Backhaul
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing wireless communication systems face difficulties in maintaining reliable backhaul communications between access points, especially at higher frequencies like millimeter wavelengths, due to signal degradation and penetration losses through building infrastructure such as walls and obstructions.
Innovation Solution
The use of ventilation ducts as guiding structures to confine and propagate millimeter-wave signals, known as ducthauling, which minimizes signal loss and interference by containing the wireless signaling within the ducts, effectively eliminating spreading loss and penetration loss through walls and floors.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If millimeter-wave frequencies are used for backhaul communications, then bandwidth and data rate are improved, but signal penetration capability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces ventilation ducts as intermediary structures to guide millimeter-wave signals between access points. The ducts act as waveguides that confine and direct the high-frequency signals through building infrastructure, enabling millimeter-wave backhaul communications while overcoming the penetration limitation by providing a protected transmission path through the building structure.
2Device complexity
If wireless backhaul communications are used between APs, then installation complexity is reduced, but signal loss increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent repurposes existing ventilation ducts, which were originally designed for air flow, to also serve as waveguides for millimeter-wave signal transmission. This multi-functional use of existing infrastructure eliminates the need for dedicated signal transmission paths, maintaining low installation complexity while significantly reducing signal loss compared to traditional wireless transmission through building materials.
3Device complexity
If direct wireless transmission through walls is used, then infrastructure requirements are simplified, but signal degradation worsens
Solution Approach 1:
The ventilation ducts serve as intermediary transmission channels that replace direct wireless transmission through walls. The ducts provide a controlled electromagnetic environment that protects signals from degradation caused by building materials, while still utilizing existing building infrastructure rather than requiring new dedicated transmission paths.
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
Ducthauling significantly reduces signal loss and interference, allowing for reliable wireless backhaul communications between access points at frequencies that would otherwise be unsuitable for direct wireless transmission, thereby enhancing network coverage and stability.
Implementation Method 1
The use of ventilation ducts as guiding structures to confine and propagate millimeter-wave signals, known as ducthauling
Implementation Method 2
effectively eliminating spreading loss and penetration loss through walls and floors
Data Source
AI summary
Facilitating backhaul between multiples access points (APs) using ducts or other bounded passageways within a building, dwelling, etc. is contemplated. The backhaul may be utilized to facilitate exchange of data obtained by the APs through fronthaul with one or more clients. The data exchanged between the APs through backhaul may be referred to as ducthauling.