Guided Wave Coupler for Millimeter-Wave Data Transmission
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current communication networks face challenges in providing sufficient bandwidth to meet increasing data demands, particularly with the rise of smart devices and reliance on broadband services, as traditional wireless infrastructure struggles to keep pace with the growing need for higher bandwidth capabilities.
Innovation Solution
A guided wave communication system that utilizes electromagnetic waves bound to a transmission medium, such as wires, to transmit data without requiring a separate electrical return path, allowing for efficient data transfer over long distances with reduced loss, using couplers to launch and extract guided waves at millimeter-wave frequencies.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If traditional wireless infrastructure is used to provide broadband access, then existing networks can maintain current operations, but they cannot meet increasing bandwidth demands from smart devices and broadband services
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the fundamental transmission parameter from traditional wireless radio frequency to guided electromagnetic waves at millimeter-wave frequencies bound to transmission media. This parameter change enables significantly higher bandwidth capability while using existing infrastructure, directly resolving the contradiction between maintaining current operations and meeting increased data demands
2Productivity
If guided wave communication system is implemented, then data transmission efficiency and bandwidth capability are improved, but device complexity increases due to required couplers and frequency conversion components
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces couplers as intermediary devices that bridge the traditional wireless domain and the guided wave domain. These couplers enable efficient energy transfer between free-space waves and guided waves bound to transmission media, facilitating high-speed data transfer while managing system complexity through standardized interface components
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces traditional mechanical/electrical signal processing with electromagnetic field-based guided wave transmission. By substituting conventional signal transmission methods with guided electromagnetic waves, the system achieves higher efficiency while consolidating functions into integrated frequency conversion components
3Speed
If millimeter-wave frequencies are used for guided wave transmission, then bandwidth capability and data transfer speed are enhanced, but propagation loss and signal attenuation increase
Solution Approach 1:
The guided transmission medium acts as an intermediary that confines and directs millimeter-wave energy, preventing dispersion and reducing propagation loss. The couplers serve as additional intermediaries that efficiently launch and extract guided waves, enabling high-speed data transfer over practical distances while managing energy loss through controlled coupling mechanisms
4Ease of manufacture
If single-wire transmission lines are used for guided wave communication, then infrastructure cost and installation complexity are reduced, but transmission reliability and signal stability may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes existing single-wire infrastructure serve multiple functions: it acts as both the transmission medium for guided waves and maintains compatibility with traditional electrical return paths. This multi-functionality enables simplified installation while preserving transmission reliability through the dual-nature of the transmission line
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 with reduced propagation loss, supporting increased bandwidth demands and allowing for the use of single-wire transmission lines, thus enhancing network capacity and coverage.
Implementation Method 1
a converter circuit configured to convert the received signal from a higher frequency to a lower frequency
Data Source
AI summary
Aspects of the subject disclosure may include, for example, a repeater device having a first coupler to extract downstream channel signals from first guided electromagnetic waves bound to a transmission medium of a guided wave communication system. An amplifier amplifies the downstream channel signals to generate amplified downstream channel signals. A channel selection filter selects one or more of the amplified downstream channel signals to wirelessly transmit to the at least one client device via an antenna. A second coupler guides the amplified downstream channel signals to the transmission medium of the guided wave communication system to propagate as second guided electromagnetic waves. Other embodiments are disclosed.