Hollow Polymeric Waveguide for Low-Loss Data Transmission

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current data center communication systems, such as fiber optics and copper-based active cables, face limitations in energy efficiency and distance due to high power dissipation and loss characteristics, particularly in high-speed data links.

Innovation Solution

The use of a circular and hollow plastic waveguide, known as 'wave cable,' made from polymeric materials like Teflon or polyethylene, which acts as a low-loss and low-dispersion guiding channel for millimeter wave frequencies, combined with an RF transceiver and front-end antennas, enhances energy efficiency by 10-100 times and supports high-speed data transmission over longer distances.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Use of energy by moving object

If fiber optic or copper-based active cable is used for data center communications, then data transmission capability is achieved, but power dissipation is high (a few milli-watts)

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepower dissipationVSAvoidtransmission capability

Core Design Contradiction:

Use of energy by moving objectVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces traditional electrical signal transmission through copper cables with electromagnetic wave propagation through a hollow dielectric waveguide. This substitution of transmission mechanism eliminates resistive heating in conductors, achieving ultra-low power dissipation (picowatt range) while maintaining high-speed data transmission capability through millimeter wave frequencies

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The invention changes the operating frequency parameter to millimeter wave range (30-300 GHz), which enables high-bandwidth data transmission through the hollow waveguide while keeping power consumption extremely low. The dielectric material parameters are also optimized to minimize loss tangent and achieve low attenuation over distance

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Ease of manufacture

If solid rectangular plastic waveguide is used, then manufacturing cost is reduced, but transmission distance is limited (0.12 m) due to dielectric loss and dispersion

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemanufacturing costVSAvoidtransmission distance

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSLength of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the electromagnetic energy from the solid dielectric material by creating a hollow waveguide structure. The hollow core allows electromagnetic waves to propagate with minimal interaction with the dielectric walls, dramatically reducing dielectric loss and dispersion effects that limit transmission distance in solid plastic waveguides

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The invention uses a composite structure combining a hollow dielectric material (such as Teflon or polyethylene) with an air or vacuum core. This composite design leverages the low-cost manufacturing advantage of plastic materials while the air core minimizes dielectric losses, achieving both economical production and extended transmission distance (1-100 meters)

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

3Use of energy by moving object

If hollow plastic waveguide is used, then energy efficiency is improved (10-100 times), but structural complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveenergy efficiencyVSAvoidstructural complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Use of energy by moving objectVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs thin-walled hollow plastic tubing as the waveguide structure, which is mechanically flexible and easy to manufacture. The thin wall design minimizes dielectric loss while maintaining structural integrity, achieving high energy efficiency without requiring complex rigid structures or multiple components

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

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 achieves an energy efficiency of 1.1 pJ/m with a 3.3 Gbps data rate at 7.6 m, significantly better than existing technologies, with a 5-fold improvement over copper-based cables and 40-fold over solid rectangular plastic waveguides, while maintaining low system complexity and cost.

Implementation Method 1

a hollow polymeric cable for guiding electromagnetic radiation; the cable comprising an inner channel defining an air-core or noble gas filled chamber

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectromagnetic radiation propagation: Waveguide

Implementation Method 2

the inner channel is surrounded by a dielectric polymeric layer

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectTotal internal reflection: Total Internal Reflection

Data Source

PatentUS9917342B2Waveguide having a hollow polymeric layer coated with a higher dielectric constant material

Publication Date: 2018.03.13 RGT UNIV OF CALIFORNIA

AI summary

A wave cable transceiver system is disclosed incorporating an air-core or noble gas filled hollow plastic waveguide. The system may include a transmitter receiver, in-antennas and a tubular plastic waveguide with the inner air-core. The hollow plastic waveguide is a low loss and low dispersion guiding channel for the electromagnetic radiation.