Guided Wave Couplers for Bandwidth Expansion

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Current communication networks face challenges in providing sufficient bandwidth to meet increasing data demands, especially with the rise of smart devices and reliance on broadband services, as traditional wireless infrastructure struggles to efficiently manage bandwidth distribution.

Innovation Solution

A guided wave communication system that utilizes electromagnetic waves bound to transmission media like wires, enabling efficient data transmission without the need for electrical return paths, using couplers to launch and extract guided waves at non-optical frequencies, such as millimeter-wave and microwave frequencies.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Quantity of substance

If traditional wireless infrastructure is used to provide broadband access, then coverage area is maintained, but bandwidth capacity becomes insufficient to meet increasing data demands

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebandwidth capacityVSAvoiddata transmission efficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

Quantity of substanceVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces guided electromagnetic waves as an intermediary transmission medium between transmitter and receiver. These guided waves propagate along transmission media (wires, cables, pipes) rather than through free space, enabling efficient data transmission that supplements traditional wireless infrastructure and provides additional bandwidth capacity without requiring electrical return paths.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Quantity of substance

If more transmission media are deployed to increase bandwidth, then data transmission capacity improves, but system complexity and installation difficulty increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebandwidth capacityVSAvoidsystem complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Quantity of substanceVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent makes existing transmission media serve multiple functions - they simultaneously guide electromagnetic waves for data transmission while maintaining their original purposes (power distribution, fluid transport, etc.). This multi-functionality approach increases bandwidth capacity without requiring dedicated new infrastructure, thereby avoiding increased system complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The transmission media themselves serve as the guiding structure for electromagnetic waves, using their own physical structure (surface, interior) for dual purposes. The existing infrastructure 'services' itself by providing both its original function and electromagnetic wave guidance, eliminating the need for additional specialized components.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

3Productivity

If guided waves are used for data transmission, then bandwidth capacity and transmission efficiency improve, but signal loss may occur over distance

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedata transmission efficiencyVSAvoidsignal loss

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses the transmission media as an intermediary that confines and guides electromagnetic waves, preventing energy dissipation into free space. The guided waves remain bound to the transmission medium structure, which acts as a waveguide, reducing signal loss compared to unguided wireless transmission over the same distance.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

4Productivity

If bidirectional transmission is implemented on a single wire, then bandwidth utilization improves, but signal interference between directions may occur

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebandwidth utilizationVSAvoidsignal transmission reliability

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the electromagnetic spectrum into different frequency bands for upstream and downstream transmission. By allocating specific frequency ranges to each transmission direction, the system enables bidirectional communication on the same transmission medium while minimizing interference between opposite-direction signals.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

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 enhances bandwidth capacity, reduces signal loss, and allows for bi-directional data transmission along a single wire, addressing the limitations of traditional wireless communication systems by providing a more efficient and reliable data transfer method.

Implementation Method 1

A plurality of coupling devices are configured to launch the first signals on a transmission medium as a plurality of first guided electromagnetic waves at a corresponding plurality of non-optical carrier frequencies

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectromagnetic wave propagation: Electromagnetic Induction

Implementation Method 2

The first guided electromagnetic waves are bound to a physical structure of the transmission medium

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectGuided wave propagation: Waveguide

Data Source

PatentUS10432312B2Node device, repeater and methods for use therewith

Publication Date: 2019.10.01 AT&T INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY I L P

AI summary

Aspects of the subject disclosure may include, for example, a node device includes an interface configured to receive first signals. A plurality of coupling devices are configured to launch the first signals on a transmission medium as a plurality of first guided electromagnetic waves at corresponding plurality of non-optical carrier frequencies, wherein the plurality of first guided electromagnetic waves are bound to a physical structure of the transmission medium. Other embodiments are disclosed.