Guided Wave Communication System Reducing Signal 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 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 propagation along the surface or within the medium without the need for an electrical return path, using couplers and transceivers to launch and extract waves at millimeter-wave frequencies.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Length of stationary object
If traditional wireless infrastructure is used to provide broadband access, then coverage area is extended, but signal loss increases significantly over long distances
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses transmission media (wires, cables, or other conductive structures) as intermediaries to guide electromagnetic waves from the source to the destination. These intermediaries confine and direct the wave propagation, preventing the signal from dispersing into free space and thereby reducing attenuation over distance. The waveguide system acts as a mediator that maintains signal integrity throughout the transmission path.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs waveguide slots with specific geometric parameters (size, shape, orientation, and spacing) to control the generation and propagation characteristics of electromagnetic waves. By adjusting these parameters, the system optimizes wave coupling efficiency and propagation modes, enabling long-distance transmission with minimal loss. The waveguide structure transforms the radiation pattern and impedance characteristics to match the transmission medium.
2Productivity
If small cell deployment is pursued to provide additional mobile bandwidth, then bandwidth capability increases, but infrastructure complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The waveguide communication system can be deployed using existing infrastructure elements such as utility poles, building structures, or dedicated transmission lines. The same waveguide slots and transmission media can support multiple frequency bands and service types (data, voice, video), eliminating the need for separate infrastructure for each service and reducing overall system complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from traditional two-dimensional wireless space propagation to guided wave propagation along a one-dimensional transmission path. This dimensional change allows the system to achieve high bandwidth capability through controlled waveguide modes while simplifying infrastructure requirements, as the transmission path is clearly defined and easier to manage compared to omnidirectional wireless coverage.
3Productivity
If electromagnetic waves are directed to transmission medium interface to induce propagation, then signal transmission efficiency improves, but wave mode control becomes more difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The waveguide slots are designed with asymmetric geometries and orientations to selectively excite specific wave modes in the transmission medium. By controlling the asymmetry of the slot configuration (such as slot width, length, and angular orientation), the system can generate desired wave modes (TE, TM, or hybrid modes) while suppressing unwanted modes, thereby simplifying wave mode control despite the complexity of guided wave propagation.
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 reduces signal loss and enables reliable, high-bandwidth data transmission over longer distances with lower propagation losses compared to traditional wireless methods, supporting both fundamental and non-fundamental wave modes.
Implementation Method 1
generating electromagnetic waves and directing instances of the electromagnetic waves to an interface of a transmission medium to induce propagation of guided electromagnetic waves
Data Source
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Figure 5A~5B
AI summary
Aspects of the subject disclosure may include, for example, a system for generating first electromagnetic waves and directing instances of the first electromagnetic waves to an interface of a transmission medium to induce propagation of second electromagnetic waves substantially having a non-fundamental wave mode. Other embodiments are disclosed.