Magnetic Coupler Guided Wave Transmission Medium

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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 portable devices, as traditional wireless infrastructure struggles to manage 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 a transmission medium, such as wires, to propagate signals without the need for an electrical return path, using coupling devices like arc or stub couplers to launch and extract guided waves at millimeter-wave frequencies, allowing for efficient data transmission with reduced propagation loss.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Loss of energy

If traditional wireless signals are used for data transmission, then wireless communication is enabled, but signal intensity reduces significantly over distance

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesignal intensity lossVSAvoidtransmission distance

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of energyVSLength of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a transmission medium (such as a wire or cable) as an intermediary carrier for electromagnetic waves. Instead of propagating through free space where signals attenuate rapidly, the guided electromagnetic waves travel along the transmission medium which acts as a mediator to maintain signal intensity over longer distances with reduced propagation loss.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces traditional electrical signal transmission through circuits with electromagnetic wave propagation guided by a transmission medium. This substitution allows the use of electromagnetic field theory rather than circuit theory, enabling signals to travel along the medium without requiring a return path, thereby reducing energy loss and extending transmission distance.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Productivity

If higher bandwidth capability is provided to address increased data demand, then data transmission capacity increases, but signal loss and propagation issues worsen

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedata transmission capacityVSAvoidpropagation loss

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The patent utilizes millimeter-wave frequencies (high frequency band) to provide higher bandwidth capability for increased data transmission capacity. By operating in the millimeter-wave range, the system achieves greater productivity in terms of data capacity while the guided wave propagation mechanism maintains lower propagation loss compared to traditional wireless signals at these frequencies.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Reliability

If separate electrical return paths are used for signal transmission, then complete circuit operation is achieved, but device complexity and installation requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecircuit operation completenessVSAvoidreturn path requirements

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts and eliminates the requirement for a separate electrical return path from the transmission system. By using guided electromagnetic waves that propagate along the transmission medium, the system achieves complete circuit operation through the medium itself acting as both forward and return path, thereby reducing device complexity and installation requirements.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

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 enables reliable and efficient data transmission over longer distances with lower propagation losses compared to traditional wireless signals, as guided waves can travel along the transmission medium with minimal intensity reduction, supporting increased bandwidth demands without the need for separate electrical return paths.

Implementation Method 1

A magnetic coupler magnetically couples the RF signal to a transmission medium as a guided electromagnetic wave

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectMagnetic coupling: Magnetic Field

Data Source

PatentUS10432259B2Magnetic coupling device and methods for use therewith

Publication Date: 2019.10.01 AT&T INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY I L P

AI summary

Aspects of the subject disclosure may include, for example, a coupling device including a receiving portion that receives a radio frequency signal conveying data from a transmitting device. A magnetic coupler magnetically couples the radio frequency signal to a transmission medium as a guided electromagnetic wave that is bound by an outer surface of the transmission medium. Other embodiments are disclosed.