Guided Wave Network Termination 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 they require higher bandwidth capabilities and rely on traditional infrastructure that is not optimized for small cell deployments and broadband access.
Innovation Solution
A guided wave communication system that uses electromagnetic waves bound to a transmission medium, such as wires, to transmit data without the need for an electrical return path, allowing for efficient propagation of signals 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
1Loss of energy
If traditional electromagnetic wave transmission is used, then data transmission can be achieved, but propagation loss increases over long distances
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a transmission medium (such as a wire or cable) as an intermediary to guide electromagnetic waves. The guided wave communication system uses this medium to confine and direct the electromagnetic energy, reducing dispersion and attenuation compared to free-space propagation. This mediator enables long-distance transmission with reduced energy loss.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the propagation parameters by transitioning from unguided electromagnetic waves in free space to guided electromagnetic waves confined within a transmission medium. This parameter change includes modifying the wave propagation mode, confinement characteristics, and interaction with the environment, resulting in reduced propagation loss over distance.
2Device complexity
If separate electrical return path is used, then complete circuit is formed, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the requirement for a separate electrical return path by using the Earth or a reference potential as the return path. The guided wave system transmits signals along a single conductor with the return current flowing through the Earth or ground, eliminating the need for a dedicated return conductor and simplifying the transmission line structure to a single-wire configuration.
Solution Approach 2:
The transmission medium serves multiple functions: it guides the electromagnetic wave forward and provides the return path for the signal through the Earth or ground. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate forward and return conductors, reducing system complexity while maintaining reliable signal transmission.
3Productivity
If broadband data access is provided to meet increasing demand, then network capacity increases, but infrastructure requirements become more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces traditional complex broadband infrastructure (multiple conductors, shielding, grounding systems) with a simplified guided wave transmission system. By using electromagnetic waves bound to a transmission medium and the Earth as return path, it substitutes complex mechanical electrical infrastructure with a more streamlined system that achieves high bandwidth capacity.
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 system enables efficient data transmission with reduced propagation loss, supporting high bandwidth requirements and allowing for the use of single-wire transmission lines, which can propagate signals without the need for a separate electrical return path, enhancing network capacity and reliability.
Implementation Method 1
A downstream channel modulator modulates the downstream data into downstream channel signals corresponding to downstream frequency channels of a guided wave communication system
Implementation Method 2
An upstream channel demodulator demodulates upstream channel signals corresponding to upstream frequency channels from the guided wave communication system
Implementation Method 3
A guided wave communication system that uses electromagnetic waves bound to a transmission medium, such as wires, to transmit data without the need for an electrical return path, allowing for efficient propagation of signals over long distances with reduced loss
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.