Guided Surface Wave Probe for Geolocation
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Solution Overview
Problem
For over a century, there has been no practical structure for efficiently launching open surface guided waves over planar or spherical surfaces of lossy, homogeneous media, despite theoretical possibilities.
Innovation Solution
Guided surface waveguide probes are configured to excite electric fields that couple into a guided surface waveguide mode along the surface of a lossy conducting medium, such as the Earth, by synthesizing a wave front incident at a complex Brewster angle, resulting in zero reflection and launching a guided electromagnetic field as a guided surface wave.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of energy
If conventional antenna structures are used to transmit radio waves, then radiation fields can be launched, but field strength decays geometrically with distance resulting in significant signal loss
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the fundamental propagation parameter from radiated waves to guided surface waves, transforming the field decay characteristic from geometric (1/r) to exponential attenuation along the surface. This parameter change enables efficient energy transmission over lossy media by exploiting the unique propagation characteristics of surface waves that are bound to the interface between conductive media and air.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a guided surface wave mode as an intermediary propagation mechanism that travels along the surface of conductive media. This surface wave acts as a mediator between the transmitter and receiver, allowing energy to be transmitted efficiently by coupling into the surface waveguide mode rather than relying on conventional radiated fields that suffer from geometric spreading.
2Productivity
If guided surface waveguide modes are excited, then efficient energy transmission along the surface can be achieved, but complex phase and amplitude relationships must be synthesized
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs dynamic adjustment of the probe structure's electrical characteristics through variable capacitors and inductors to match the complex Brewster angle conditions. This dynamic tuning allows the system to adapt to different frequencies and media conditions, optimizing the phase and amplitude relationships required for efficient surface wave excitation without requiring fixed complex circuitry.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the operational parameters of the probe structure by adjusting capacitance and inductance values to achieve the complex Brewster angle. By dynamically modifying these electrical parameters, the system can synthesize the required wave front conditions for efficient surface wave coupling while maintaining a relatively simple probe structure that can be tuned rather than permanently complex.
3Reliability
If wave front is synthesized at complex Brewster angle, then zero reflection and efficient surface wave launching can be achieved, but precise control of electric field phase and amplitude is required
Solution Approach 1:
The patent incorporates feedback mechanisms through adjustable capacitors and inductors that allow tuning of the probe's electrical characteristics. This feedback capability enables precise control of the electric field's phase and amplitude by monitoring and adjusting the reactive components, ensuring that the complex Brewster angle conditions are met for maximum surface wave launching efficiency without requiring extremely tight manufacturing tolerances.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses dynamic tuning elements (variable capacitors and inductors) to achieve precise phase and amplitude control. Rather than relying on fixed manufacturing precision, the system dynamically adjusts its electrical parameters to compensate for variations and achieve the required precision for complex Brewster angle synthesis, making the system more tolerant of manufacturing variations.
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 solution enables the efficient launch of guided surface waves along lossy conducting media, achieving significant field strength at close distances and exponential decay with distance, resembling transmission line propagation, while avoiding the geometric spreading of radiated waves.
Implementation Method 1
guided surface waveguide modes along the surface of lossy, homogeneous media, such as the Earth
Implementation Method 2
excite electric fields that couple into a guided surface waveguide mode
Implementation Method 3
synthesizing a wave front incident at a complex Brewster angle, resulting in zero reflection
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed are various approaches for determining a location using guided surface waves. A wavelength and a phase of a base guided surface wave launched from a ground station and received by the guided surface wave receive structure are identified. A range of an overlaid guided surface wave launched from the ground station and received by the guided surface wave receive structure are identified., wherein the range of the overlaid guided surface wave is measured as a number of wavelengths of the base guided surface wave. A distance of the guided surface wave receive structure from the ground station based at least in part on the phase of the base guided surface wave and the range of the overlaid guided surface wave is calculated. Finally, a location of the guided surface wave receive structure based at least in part on the distance of the guided surface wave receive structure from the ground station is determined.