Inductive Coupler Device for Orthogonal Signal Injection

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing communications systems using multiple conductors face challenges in efficiently injecting signals to enhance transmission capacity and reliability, particularly in achieving orthogonal multi-injection modes.

Innovation Solution

A device with inductive couplers and signal injection loops that allow for orthogonal signal injection across multiple conductors, utilizing high magnetic permeability materials like nanocrystalline or ferromagnetic ceramics to manage current directions and turns, enabling differential, pseudo-differential, and common mode injections.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If signals are injected inductive style on multiple conductors to enhance transmission capacity, then communication performance is improved, but the complexity of the injection device increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetransmission capacityVSAvoidinjection device complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The injection device is divided into multiple independent inductive couplers, each responsible for injecting signals on specific conductors. Each coupler can be configured separately to handle different injection modes (differential, common, pseudo-differential) on different conductor pairs, allowing modular scaling without requiring a completely complex monolithic device

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Each inductive coupler is designed to perform multiple functions: it can inject signals in differential mode, common mode, or pseudo-differential mode depending on the configuration. The same coupler structure can serve multiple injection purposes by adjusting the winding connections and orientations, reducing the need for separate dedicated injection devices for each mode

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Reliability

If orthogonal multi-injection modes are implemented on multiple conductors, then signal interference is reduced, but the device structure becomes more complex

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesignal injection qualityVSAvoiddevice structure
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Each inductive coupler is locally optimized for specific injection modes on specific conductor pairs. The winding configurations, orientations, and connection patterns are tailored to achieve orthogonal injection for the local conductor pair, ensuring minimal interference. This localized optimization allows the overall system to achieve high reliability without requiring uniform complexity throughout the entire device

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

Instead of trying to achieve orthogonal injection through complex signal processing or multiple separate injection devices, the invention inverts the approach by using simple inductive couplers with carefully configured windings that naturally produce orthogonal modes. The complexity is inverted from the signal processing domain to the physical configuration domain, where geometric arrangements of windings create the desired orthogonal properties

Inventive Principle:
Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

3Productivity

If multiple inductive couplers are used for orthogonal injection, then transmission capacity increases, but the number of components and assembly complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetransmission capacityVSAvoidassembly complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

Multiple inductive couplers are merged into a single integrated assembly where the conductors pass through multiple couplers in sequence. The couplers are positioned close together and share common conductor paths, allowing them to be manufactured and assembled as one unit rather than separate components. This merging reduces the overall number of discrete parts and simplifies assembly while maintaining the functionality of multiple independent injection points

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

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

The device optimally injects signals orthogonally, reducing interference and increasing communication performance by maximizing transmission capacity and coverage.

Implementation Method 1

A device with inductive couplers and signal injection loops that allow for orthogonal signal injection across multiple conductors

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectromagnetic induction: Electromagnetic Induction

Implementation Method 2

utilizing high magnetic permeability materials like nanocrystalline or ferromagnetic ceramics to manage current directions and turns

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectMagnetic permeability: Ferromagnetism

Data Source

PatentEP2211478B1Device enabling multiple inductive injections through multiple conductors
Publication Date: 2017.09.20 MARVELL HISPANIA SL
  • EP2211478B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2211478B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2211478B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

Which permits the application of methods for increasing the performance of a communications system on a medium made up of N conductors (21 to 2N) and a reference plane (4) by means of injecting signals (11 to 1N) inductively in up to N combinations of the conductors, including injection in common mode (11), such that said injected signals can be made to be orthogonal to each other.