Millimeter Wave Signal Conversion Through Building Barriers

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Solution Overview

Problem

High energy efficient building materials obstruct and degrade 5G millimeter wave radio signals, leading to poor wireless service within structures, and existing solutions like WiFi are not always available or free for visitors.

Innovation Solution

A method and system that convert millimeter wave signals to optical or electrical signals using a conversion protocol, allowing these signals to be transmitted through a conduit across barriers, preserving the wireless transmission protocol stack, and then converted back for reception by wireless devices inside the structure.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Use of energy by stationary object

If high energy efficient building materials are used for windows and doors, then energy efficiency is improved, but millimeter wave radio signal transmission is obstructed and degraded

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveenergy efficiencyVSAvoidradio signal transmission

Core Design Contradiction:

Use of energy by stationary objectVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces an intermediary device (signal converter system) that mediates between the external millimeter wave signal and the internal wireless device. The converter receives the blocked mmWave signal, converts it to a different protocol (such as WiFi or wired connection), and transmits it internally, thereby bypassing the obstruction caused by energy efficient building materials.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces the direct electromagnetic wave transmission mechanism (which is blocked by building materials) with an alternative transmission mechanism. Instead of relying on millimeter waves penetrating the barrier, the system converts the signal to another form (optical/electrical signals through conduits or alternative wireless protocols) that can bypass or penetrate the obstruction more effectively.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Device complexity

If millimeter wave signals are transmitted directly through building materials, then direct transmission is maintained, but signal strength is significantly attenuated

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetransmission system simplicityVSAvoidsignal strength

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The converter acts as an intermediary that receives the weakened millimeter wave signal and regenerates it through conversion to another protocol. This intermediary device compensates for the signal strength loss by actively converting and retransmitting the signal rather than relying on passive penetration through building materials.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Reliability

If signal conversion and retransmission infrastructure is deployed, then wireless service quality is improved, but device complexity and infrastructure requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvewireless service qualityVSAvoidinfrastructure complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The signal converter is designed with multi-functionality, capable of handling multiple wireless protocols (millimeter wave, WiFi, wired connections) and performing both signal reception and transmission functions. This universal device reduces the need for multiple specialized infrastructure components, thereby managing complexity while improving service quality.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

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

Enhances wireless service within buildings by regenerating 5G millimeter wave radio signals, mitigating signal strength loss due to building materials and line-of-sight issues, providing improved coverage without the need for additional infrastructure like Distributed Antenna Systems.

Implementation Method 1

converting the millimeter wave signal to at least one of an optical signal or an electrical signal

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectromagnetic signal conversion:

Implementation Method 2

transmitting the optical signal or the electrical signal on a conduit to a second receiver

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectSignal transmission through conduit:

Implementation Method 3

converting the optical or electrical signal from the conversion protocol back to the wireless transmission protocol

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectOptical/electrical to electromagnetic signal conversion:

Data Source

PatentUS20230171670A1Cellular radio signal (e.g., 5g millimeter wave) transmission through high energy efficient building materials

Publication Date: 2023.06.01 DAS MANOJ KUMAR

AI summary

A method, system, and apparatus for improving the signal strength of millimeter wave signals inside structures received from outside of the structure. In an embodiment, a method 700 includes receiving, at a first receiver external to a barrier, a millimeter wave signal, the millimeter wave signal comprising a wireless transmission protocol 702. The method 700 also includes converting the millimeter wave signal to an optical or electrical signal using a converted protocol that preserves the original signal's stack layer 704. The method 700 also includes transmitting the optical signal or the electrical signal on a conduit to a second receiver disposed on a second side of the barrier 706. The method 700 also includes converting the optical or electrical signal from the protocol back to the wireless transmission protocol 708 and transmitting the converted signal in the original wireless transmission protocol to a wireless device disposed within the structure 710.