Guided Wave Antenna Array for Wireless Bandwidth

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Solution Overview

Problem

The increasing demand for higher bandwidth in wireless communication due to the proliferation of smartphones and data-intensive services poses challenges for existing wireless infrastructure, particularly in providing efficient communication solutions that can handle increased data usage without significant interference or propagation losses.

Innovation Solution

A guided wave communication system that utilizes an antenna array and transmission medium, such as insulated wires, to propagate electromagnetic waves without requiring an electrical return path, allowing for efficient data transmission with reduced interference and propagation losses by leveraging dielectric materials and couplers to induce and extract guided waves.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If traditional wireless infrastructure is used to provide broadband access, then coverage area is maintained, but bandwidth capability is insufficient to address increased data demand

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebandwidth capabilityVSAvoidcoverage area

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the wireless communication infrastructure into macrocells for broad coverage and small cells (microcells and picocells) for high-bandwidth localized areas. This segmentation allows the system to simultaneously maintain extensive coverage while providing enhanced bandwidth capability where needed through the deployment of multiple small cell units throughout the coverage area.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Productivity

If small cell deployment is pursued to provide additional mobile bandwidth, then bandwidth capability is improved, but infrastructure complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemobile bandwidthVSAvoidinfrastructure complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs small cell base station devices that can function as both microcells and picocells depending on deployment requirements, providing multi-functionality within the same infrastructure type. These small cells can be deployed in various configurations and can serve multiple purposes including data transmission, voice services, and backhaul connectivity, thereby managing infrastructure complexity while delivering enhanced mobile bandwidth.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Ease of operation

If electromagnetic waves are transmitted through traditional wireless media, then communication coverage is achieved, but propagation losses and interference increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecommunication coverageVSAvoidpropagation losses

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces insulated transmission media as intermediary structures to guide electromagnetic wave propagation between small cell base stations and remote devices. These insulated media act as mediators that channel the electromagnetic energy efficiently, reducing radiation losses and interference compared to traditional omnidirectional wireless transmission, while still maintaining communication coverage through the guided wave structure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

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 enables reliable and efficient data transmission over long distances with reduced interference and propagation losses, effectively addressing the bandwidth demands of modern communication needs while minimizing infrastructure requirements.

Implementation Method 1

A guided wave communication system that utilizes an antenna array and transmission medium, such as insulated wires, to propagate electromagnetic waves without requiring an electrical return path

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectromagnetic wave generation and propagation: Electromagnetic Induction

Implementation Method 2

leveraging dielectric materials and couplers to induce and extract guided waves

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectDielectric insulation: Dielectric

Implementation Method 3

leveraging dielectric materials and couplers to induce and extract guided waves

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectromagnetic coupling: Electromagnetic Induction

Data Source

PatentUS10205655B2Apparatus and methods for communicating utilizing an antenna array and multiple communication paths

Publication Date: 2019.02.12 AT&T INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY I L P

AI summary

Aspects of the subject disclosure may include, a system that can transmit first wireless signals associated with communication signals, where the first wireless signals are directed via beam steering by an antenna array towards a wireless receiver. The system can transmit second wireless signals associated with the communication signals, where the second wireless signals are directed via the beam steering by the antenna array towards a transmission medium. The second wireless signals can induce electromagnetic waves at a physical interface of the transmission medium where the electromagnetic waves are associated with the communication signals. Other embodiments are disclosed.