Guided Wave Communication System for Reduced Propagation Loss

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Solution Overview

Problem

The increasing demand for higher bandwidth in wireless communication due to the proliferation of smartphones and data usage poses challenges for traditional macrocell base stations, requiring innovative solutions for efficient data transmission and reception, especially in environments where traditional electrical circuits are not feasible.

Innovation Solution

A guided wave communication system that utilizes electromagnetic waves bound to transmission media such as wires or dielectric materials, allowing for data transmission without the need for an electrical circuit, using couplers and waveguides to launch and extract guided waves at millimeter-wave frequencies, enabling efficient data transfer over long distances with reduced propagation loss.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Length of stationary object

If traditional wireless signals are used for data transmission, then coverage area is large, but propagation loss increases with distance causing signal intensity to decrease

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetransmission distanceVSAvoidpropagation loss

Core Design Contradiction:

Length of stationary objectVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses transmission media (wires or dielectric materials) as intermediaries to guide electromagnetic waves. Instead of allowing waves to propagate freely through space where intensity decreases with distance, the waves are bound to and guided along the transmission medium, which maintains signal strength over long distances by confining the electromagnetic energy to the vicinity of the medium.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Adaptability or versatility

If traditional electrical circuits are used for data transmission, then reliable data transfer is achieved, but the system becomes infeasible in environments where electrical circuits cannot be deployed

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedeployment flexibilityVSAvoiddata transmission reliability

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces traditional electrical circuit-based data transmission with electromagnetic wave guidance along transmission media. This substitution allows data transmission in environments where electrical circuits are not feasible, as the system relies on electromagnetic fields bound to the transmission medium rather than conventional electrical connectivity requiring complete circuit paths.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Productivity

If macrocell base stations are used to provide wireless coverage, then large area coverage is achieved, but bandwidth capacity becomes insufficient due to increased data demand

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebandwidth capacityVSAvoidcoverage area

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the wireless communication infrastructure by introducing guided wave transmission as a complementary or alternative pathway. Instead of relying solely on macrocell base stations that must serve large areas with limited bandwidth, the system divides data transmission into guided pathways (along transmission media) that can provide high-capacity connections without the need for extensive wireless coverage infrastructure.

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 enables efficient data transmission with reduced propagation loss and the ability to transmit data along a single wire or dielectric surface, overcoming the limitations of traditional wireless signals which decrease in intensity with distance, and does not require an electrical return path, thus enhancing bandwidth capacity in wireless communication systems.

Implementation Method 1

A guided wave communication system that utilizes electromagnetic waves bound to transmission media such as wires or dielectric materials

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectGuided electromagnetic waves: Electromagnetic Induction

Implementation Method 2

using couplers and waveguides to launch and extract guided waves at millimeter-wave frequencies, enabling efficient data transfer over long distances with reduced propagation loss

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectWaveguide confinement: Waveguide

Data Source

PatentUS11658422B2Apparatus and methods for sending or receiving electromagnetic signals

Publication Date: 2023.05.23 AT&T INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY I L P

AI summary

Aspects of the subject disclosure may include a generator that facilitates generation of an electromagnetic wave, a core, and a waveguide that facilitates guiding the electromagnetic wave towards the core to induce a second electromagnetic wave that propagates along the core. The core and/or the waveguide can be configured to reduce radiation loss of the second electromagnetic wave, propagation loss of the second electromagnetic wave, or a combination thereof. Other embodiments are disclosed.