EHF Communication Units Eliminate Connector Impedance
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional connector architectures in electronic systems introduce impedance discontinuities, degrading signal quality and requiring expensive equalization circuits, while being prone to mechanical issues and alignment challenges, which limits high-speed data transfer and stability in modular and portable devices.
Innovation Solution
The use of Extremely High Frequency (EHF) communication units, such as EHF comm-link chips, with embedded antennas and protocol bridge elements for contactless communication, which translate and compress data signals to ensure stable and secure high-bandwidth data transfer without the need for physical connectors, utilizing bond wires or flip-chip configurations for efficient signal routing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional mechanical connectors are used for signal transmission between PCBs, then physical connection is established, but impedance discontinuities occur causing signal quality degradation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces mechanical connectors with electromagnetic field-based wireless communication. EHF communication units transmit signals through air or vacuum using electromagnetic waves, eliminating physical contact points and associated impedance discontinuities. This substitution of mechanical transmission with electromagnetic field transmission resolves the signal quality degradation caused by connector interfaces.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces electromagnetic fields as an intermediary medium for signal transmission. Instead of direct physical contact through connectors, signals are transmitted via electromagnetic waves that propagate through space. This intermediary approach eliminates the need for mechanical interfaces and their associated impedance issues while maintaining signal integrity.
2Reliability
If conventional mechanical connectors are used, then connection is established, but mechanical wear and alignment issues occur over time
Solution Approach 1:
The patent eliminates mechanical connectors entirely by using wireless EHF communication. Without mechanical contact points, there is no wear, no friction, and no alignment requirements. The connection stability is maintained through electromagnetic field propagation, which does not degrade over time like mechanical components.
Solution Approach 2:
The wireless communication system requires no maintenance or adjustment. The electromagnetic field transmission automatically adapts to environmental conditions without mechanical wear or alignment drift. The system serves itself by eliminating the need for physical maintenance that mechanical connectors require.
3Reliability
If contactless EHF communication is used, then mechanical vulnerabilities are eliminated, but new communication protocols and signal processing are required
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces protocol bridge elements as intermediary components that translate between conventional digital protocols and EHF wireless communication protocols. These bridge elements handle the complexity of signal modulation, encoding, and decoding, isolating the core system from protocol-specific complexities while maintaining signal integrity through standardized interfaces.
4Productivity
If high-speed data transfer is implemented through conventional connectors, then data rate increases, but expensive equalization circuits are required
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces mechanical connector-based high-speed transmission with wireless EHF communication. The latter inherently supports high data rates through wide bandwidth electromagnetic spectrum utilization without requiring complex equalization circuits to compensate for connector-induced signal degradation. The wireless medium provides natural signal integrity at high speeds.
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 stable and secure high-bandwidth communication by eliminating signal integrity issues and mechanical vulnerabilities, enabling efficient data transfer with reduced power consumption and manufacturing complexity, while ensuring modular and portable device functionality.
Implementation Method 1
a first EHF communication unit in a first communication device and a second EHF communication unit in a second communication device. The first and second EHF communication units are configured to communicate with each other wirelessly through an air interface
Data Source
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AI summary
A communication device includes an EHF communication unit, a data signal line, and a protocol bridge element. The EHF communication unit includes a transceiver, and an antenna coupled to the transceiver. The data signal line carries a data signal conforming to a first communication protocol. The protocol bridge element is coupled to the data signal line and EHF communication unit, and configured to receive a first protocol-compliant data signal from the data signal line, translate the first protocol-compliant data signal to an outbound binary signal, time- compress the outbound binary signal, and transmit the outbound time-compressed signal to the transceiver. The protocol bridge element is further configured to receive an inbound time-compressed signal from the transceiver, time-decompress inbound time-compressed signal to an inbound binary signal, translate inbound binary signal to conform to a second communication protocol, and provide second protocol- compliant signal to the first data signal line.