Guided Wave Rainfall Sensor Using Electromagnetic Propagation

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Solution Overview

Problem

The increasing demand for higher bandwidth in communication networks due to widespread use of smartphones and data-intensive services poses challenges for traditional wireless infrastructure, particularly in providing efficient and reliable data transmission over long distances without significant loss.

Innovation Solution

A guided wave communication system that utilizes electromagnetic waves bound to transmission media such as wires or dielectric materials, allowing for efficient data transmission 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

1Productivity

If traditional wireless infrastructure is used to provide broadband data access, then mobile bandwidth can be increased through small cell deployment, but propagation loss increases and transmission distance is limited

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemobile bandwidthVSAvoidpropagation loss

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces traditional wireless electromagnetic wave propagation through air with guided electromagnetic wave propagation along transmission media such as wires or dielectric materials. This substitution of the transmission medium fundamentally changes the propagation mechanism, enabling signals to travel longer distances with lower attenuation while maintaining high bandwidth capability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces transmission media (wires or dielectric materials) as an intermediary between the signal source and destination. These intermediaries guide the electromagnetic waves along their length, providing a controlled propagation path that reduces energy loss compared to unguided wireless transmission through air.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If guided wave communication system is implemented, then propagation loss is reduced and transmission distance is extended, but device complexity increases due to required transmission media and couplers

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetransmission reliabilityVSAvoidsystem complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent leverages existing infrastructure elements (wires, dielectric materials) that serve dual purposes: their original function plus serving as transmission media for guided wave communication. This multi-functionality reduces the need for entirely new infrastructure, thereby limiting the increase in system complexity while achieving improved transmission reliability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The transmission media itself provides the guiding function for electromagnetic waves without requiring additional active components along the transmission path. The passive structure of the wire or dielectric material inherently confines and guides the waves, eliminating the need for complex active guidance systems.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

3Productivity

If millimeter-wave frequencies are used for data transmission, then bandwidth capacity is increased, but propagation loss and atmospheric attenuation increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedata transmission capacityVSAvoidatmospheric attenuation

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The patent substitutes unguided wireless millimeter-wave transmission with guided transmission along physical media. This substitution protects the high-frequency signals from atmospheric attenuation by confining them within or along the transmission medium, allowing millimeter-wave frequencies to be used effectively for high-capacity data transmission without the severe atmospheric losses that would otherwise occur.

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 enables data transmission over longer distances with lower energy consumption, supporting high-bandwidth communication networks by leveraging the physical properties of transmission media to guide electromagnetic waves.

Implementation Method 1

induce electromagnetic waves to propagate along the transmission medium

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectromagnetic wave propagation: Electromagnetic Induction

Implementation Method 2

receive reflected electromagnetic waves from the transmission medium

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectReflection: Reflection

Data Source

PatentUS10228455B2Apparatus and methods for sensing rainfall

Publication Date: 2019.03.12 AT&T INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY I L P

AI summary

Aspects of the subject disclosure may include, for example, a rainfall sensor having a rainfall analyzer configured to induce transmitted electromagnetic waves that are guided by a transmission medium to propagate along the transmission medium, wherein the transmitted electromagnetic waves propagate without requiring an electrical return path, wherein the rainfall analyzer receives reflected electromagnetic waves from the transmission medium in response to the transmitted electromagnetic waves and wherein the rainfall analyzer analyzes the reflected electromagnetic waves and generates rainfall data in response thereto. Other embodiments are disclosed.