Glass Window Optical and Magnetic Link for Wireless Communication
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Solution Overview
Problem
Establishing a reliable wireless link between outdoor and indoor devices is challenging due to significant electromagnetic wave loss through walls and windows, particularly for microwave and millimeter-wave communication systems.
Innovation Solution
A system utilizing a glass window barrier with a first electrical surface containing an induction coil and a photo-detector, and a second surface with an induction coil and a photo-emitter, to convey electrical power and communication signals through the glass window using alternating magnetic fields and optical signals, respectively.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If electromagnetic waves are used for wireless communication between outdoor and indoor devices, then communication capability is achieved, but significant power loss occurs when propagating through walls and windows
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an optical intermediary (light) to transfer data through the window barrier. The indoor device converts electrical signals to optical signals, transmits them through the transparent window, and the outdoor device converts them back to electrical signals. This intermediary approach bypasses the electromagnetic wave attenuation problem of direct wireless transmission through the window.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the electromagnetic wave transmission mechanism with an optical transmission mechanism. Instead of using radio waves or microwaves that suffer from significant loss through glass, the system uses visible light or optical signals that can pass through transparent windows with minimal attenuation, effectively substituting one physical transmission medium for another more suitable one.
2Reliability
If a customer-premises-equipment (CPE) is placed indoors to alleviate propagation problems, then indoor communication is improved, but communication with outdoor devices remains difficult or impossible due to high propagation loss
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses the transparent window as an optical intermediary to bridge the indoor and outdoor environments. By converting communication signals to optical form, the system可以利用 the window's transparency to transmit data between indoor and outdoor devices without the signal penetration loss that plagues traditional electromagnetic wave transmission through glass.
3Power
If electrical power is transmitted through the glass window using induction coils, then power delivery to outdoor devices is achieved, but system complexity increases with multiple components required
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the transparent window multi-functional by enabling it to serve both as a structural barrier and as a transmission medium for optical signals. Additionally, the window can simultaneously transmit both data (via optical signals) and power (via induction coils or integrated photovoltaic elements), reducing the need for separate power and data transmission infrastructure.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent combines power transmission and data transmission functions into a single window interface. Instead of requiring separate systems for power delivery and communication, the design integrates both functions through the window, either by using the same optical pathway or by coordinating induction coils and photodetectors within the window structure to handle both energy and information transfer.
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
Facilitates communication between outdoor and indoor devices by effectively transmitting electrical power and communication signals across a glass window barrier, overcoming the issue of electromagnetic wave loss.
Implementation Method 1
the first induction coil is configured to further covey said electrical power, in a form of an alternating magnetic field, through the glass window, to the second induction coil
Implementation Method 2
the photo-emitter is configured to send the decoded data set, in a form of an optical signal, through the glass window, to the photo-detector
Implementation Method 3
the photo-detector is configured to convert the optical signal into an electrical signal
Data Source
AI summary
Systems and methods for communicating through a glass window barrier, in which one communication device, placed outdoors near the glass window, utilizes optical signals to propagate communication signals through the glass window, and thereby communicate with another communication device placed indoors near the same glass window. The outdoor communication device receives power from a power source located indoors, in which power is transported from the indoor power source to the outdoor communication device through the same glass window in a form of an alternating magnetic field. The outdoor communication device may be either placed near the glass window or mechanically fixed to the glass window on one side, and the indoor communication device may be either placed near the glass window or mechanically fixed to the glass window on the other side. Certain known properties of glass windows are exploited, such as transparency to both optical radiation and magnetic fields.