Guided Wave Transmission Medium for Long-Range Data

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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 handle the increased data usage without significant losses in signal intensity over distance.

Innovation Solution

A guided wave communication system that utilizes electromagnetic waves bound to transmission media such as wires, 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, and can propagate over long distances with reduced loss.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Quantity of substance

If traditional wireless infrastructure is used to provide broadband access, then mobile bandwidth can be increased through small cell deployment, but signal intensity suffers significant loss over distance

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemobile bandwidthVSAvoidsignal intensity loss

Core Design Contradiction:

Quantity of substanceVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses existing utility infrastructure (power lines, communication cables) as intermediary transmission media to carry guided electromagnetic waves. These intermediaries guide the waves along specific paths, preventing signal dispersion and maintaining intensity over long distances, thus resolving the contradiction between bandwidth provision and signal loss.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces traditional wireless electromagnetic radiation with guided electromagnetic wave propagation along physical media. This substitution changes the transmission mechanism from free-space propagation (which suffers exponential attenuation) to guided propagation (which maintains signal integrity), thereby reducing signal intensity loss while providing broadband access.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Loss of energy

If guided electromagnetic waves are used for data transmission, then propagation loss is reduced and transmission distance is extended, but the system requires specialized coupling infrastructure

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepropagation lossVSAvoidcoupling infrastructure

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of energyVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent makes existing utility infrastructure serve dual purposes: power lines continue to deliver electrical power while simultaneously guiding electromagnetic waves for data transmission. This multi-functionality reduces the need for dedicated transmission infrastructure, offsetting the complexity of implementing guided wave systems by utilizing already-deployed structures.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The existing utility infrastructure serves itself by guiding electromagnetic waves without requiring separate dedicated transmission lines. The power lines and communication cables perform their primary function while automatically providing the secondary function of wave guidance, thereby reducing overall system complexity despite the specialized coupling requirements.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

3Reliability

If electromagnetic waves are bound to transmission media for efficient data transmission, then transmission reliability is improved, but the system cannot utilize existing wireless infrastructure

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetransmission reliabilityVSAvoidinfrastructure compatibility

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses existing utility infrastructure as intermediaries that bridge the gap between guided wave technology and existing networks. These intermediaries (power lines, cables) provide a reliable transmission path for guided electromagnetic waves while maintaining compatibility with the broader communication infrastructure, thus achieving both reliability and adaptability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

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 enables reliable and efficient data transmission with reduced propagation loss, supporting high-bandwidth communication over long distances without the need for separate electrical return paths, enhancing network capacity and coverage.

Implementation Method 1

A transmission medium is disclosed for guiding electromagnetic waves from a first location to a second location

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectGuided electromagnetic waves: Waveguide

Implementation Method 2

The transmission medium includes a conductor and a dielectric surrounding the conductor

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectDielectric: Dielectric

Data Source

PatentUS10404321B2Transmission medium and communication interfaces and methods for use therewith

Publication Date: 2019.09.03 AT&T INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY I L P

AI summary

Aspects of the subject disclosure may include, for example, a system for receiving first electromagnetic waves via a transmission medium without utilizing an electrical return path, and inducing second electromagnetic waves at an interface of the transmission medium without the electrical return path. In an embodiment, the first and second electromagnetic waves have a non-optical frequency range. Other embodiments are disclosed.