Guided Wave Communication System for Reduced Propagation Loss

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current communication networks face challenges in providing high bandwidth and efficient data transmission, especially with the increasing demand from smartphones and other portable devices, as traditional wireless infrastructure struggles to maintain signal strength and reduce propagation loss over long distances.

Innovation Solution

A guided wave communication system that utilizes electromagnetic waves bound to transmission media such as wires or dielectric materials, allowing for efficient propagation along the surface or within the medium without the need for an electrical return path, using couplers to launch and extract waves at millimeter-wave frequencies.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Length of stationary object

If traditional wireless infrastructure is used to provide broadband access, then coverage area is extended, but propagation loss increases and signal strength decreases over long distances

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecoverage areaVSAvoidpropagation loss

Core Design Contradiction:

Length of stationary objectVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a transmission medium (such as a wire or dielectric material) as an intermediary to guide electromagnetic waves between locations. This mediator enables the signal to travel along a defined path with reduced propagation loss compared to traditional wireless transmission through air or vacuum, thereby extending effective coverage distance while maintaining signal strength.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Productivity

If higher bandwidth capability is provided to address increased data demand, then data transmission capacity increases, but signal strength and coverage are compromised

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebandwidth capabilityVSAvoidsignal strength

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The transmission medium serves as a reliable intermediary that guides electromagnetic waves with minimal loss, enabling higher bandwidth capability to be achieved while maintaining signal strength. The guided wave mode confines energy to the transmission medium, providing reliable transmission even at higher data rates that would otherwise suffer from propagation loss in traditional wireless systems.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Ease of operation

If electromagnetic waves are transmitted through air or vacuum, then wireless communication is achieved, but propagation loss increases over distance

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvewireless communicationVSAvoidpropagation loss

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs a transmission medium as an intermediary to guide electromagnetic waves, replacing reliance on air or vacuum propagation. This approach maintains the ease of wireless communication at the interface while significantly reducing propagation loss during transmission through the guided wave mode confined to the transmission medium.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent substitutes the natural propagation mechanism through air or vacuum with a guided wave mechanism along a transmission medium. This replacement changes the fundamental transmission approach from unguided electromagnetic radiation to guided wave propagation, resulting in reduced energy loss over distance.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

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 system achieves reduced propagation loss and increased signal strength by guiding electromagnetic waves along transmission media, enabling longer distances and higher bandwidth without the need for separate electrical return paths, thus addressing the limitations of traditional wireless communication.

Implementation Method 1

generating instances of electromagnetic waves to produce combined electromagnetic waves having a fundamental wave mode and a non-optical operating frequency, and directing the combined electromagnetic waves to an interface of a transmission medium for guiding propagation of the combined electromagnetic wave

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectromagnetic wave propagation: Electromagnetic Induction

Data Source

PatentUS10135546B2Methods and apparatus for inducing a fundamental wave mode on a transmission medium

Publication Date: 2018.11.20 AT&T INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY I L P

AI summary

Aspects of the subject disclosure may include, for example, a system for generating electromagnetic waves having a fundamental wave mode, and directing the electromagnetic waves to an interface of a transmission medium for guiding propagation of the electromagnetic waves. Other embodiments are disclosed.