Multi-Core Transmission Medium Guiding Electromagnetic Waves

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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 maintain signal strength and reduce propagation loss over long distances.

Innovation Solution

A guided wave communication system that utilizes electromagnetic waves bound to a transmission medium, such as wires or dielectric materials, to propagate signals without the need for a separate electrical return path, allowing for efficient data transmission over long distances with reduced loss by using couplers to launch and extract guided waves at millimeter-wave frequencies.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Length of stationary object

If traditional wireless infrastructure is used to provide broadband access, then coverage area is extended, but signal strength and bandwidth capability deteriorate over long distances

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecoverage distanceVSAvoidsignal strength

Core Design Contradiction:

Length of stationary objectVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a transmission medium (such as a wire or cable) as an intermediary carrier to guide electromagnetic waves between base stations and user equipment. This mediator enables reliable signal transmission over long distances by confining the electromagnetic energy to the transmission medium, preventing the signal strength deterioration that occurs with traditional wireless propagation in free space.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Length of stationary object

If wireless signals are transmitted over long distances, then coverage area increases, but propagation loss increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetransmission distanceVSAvoidpropagation loss

Core Design Contradiction:

Length of stationary objectVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The transmission medium acts as an energy-confining intermediary that guides electromagnetic waves along a defined path. By restricting the electromagnetic energy to propagate within or along the transmission medium rather than dispersing in free space, the system achieves low propagation loss over extended distances while maintaining energy efficiency.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Loss of energy

If electromagnetic waves are bound to a transmission medium for guided wave communication, then propagation loss is reduced, but device complexity increases due to need for couplers and return paths

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepropagation lossVSAvoidsystem structure

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of energyVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts and eliminates the need for a separate electrical return path by utilizing the ground or earth as the return path. The guided electromagnetic waves propagate along the transmission medium with the ground serving as the implicit return conductor, thereby simplifying the system structure while maintaining energy efficiency and reducing propagation loss.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

4Productivity

If millimeter-wave frequencies are used for data transmission, then bandwidth capability increases, but propagation loss and signal attenuation increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebandwidth capabilityVSAvoidsignal attenuation

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The transmission medium serves as an effective intermediary for millimeter-wave frequencies by guiding the high-frequency electromagnetic waves along a confined path. This guidance mechanism prevents the rapid signal attenuation that typically occurs with millimeter waves in free space, enabling high bandwidth capability to be maintained over practical transmission distances.

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 solution enables reliable and efficient data transmission with reduced propagation loss and increased bandwidth, supporting high-frequency signals over long distances without the need for a separate return path, enhancing network capacity and coverage.

Implementation Method 1

electromagnetic waves bound to a transmission medium, such as wires or dielectric materials, to propagate signals

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectGuided electromagnetic wave propagation: Electromagnetic Induction

Implementation Method 2

using couplers to launch and extract guided waves at millimeter-wave frequencies

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectromagnetic coupling: Electromagnetic Induction

Data Source

PatentUS10128553B2Transmission medium having multiple cores and methods for use therewith

Publication Date: 2018.11.13 AT&T INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY I L P

AI summary

Aspects of the subject disclosure may include, for example, a transmission medium for propagating electromagnetic waves. The transmission medium can include a plurality of cores for selectively guiding an electromagnetic wave of a plurality of electromagnetic waves longitudinally along each core, and a shell surrounding at least a portion of each core for reducing exposure of the electromagnetic wave of each core. Other embodiments are disclosed.