Multiband Dielectric Waveguide Interconnect for High-Frequency Signal Propagation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Traditional electrical cabling approaches for high-performance computing systems are inadequate in supporting required data rates while being expensive, power-inefficient, and introducing latency, necessitating the use of millimeter-wave bands for waveguide communication, but standard waveguides become lossy at high frequencies, leading to interference and reduced bandwidth density.

Innovation Solution

A multiband waveguide interconnect system is designed using a dielectric waveguide with a high-permittivity core and a low-permittivity cladding, where the cladding acts as a secondary transmission medium, and a conductive shield is added around the cladding to reduce interference, allowing for efficient propagation of high-frequency signals while maintaining bandwidth density.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Speed

If millimeter-wave bands are used for waveguide communication to achieve high data rates, then bandwidth and speed are improved, but transmission loss increases and interference occurs

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedata rateVSAvoidtransmission loss

Core Design Contradiction:

SpeedVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The waveguide structure is segmented into multiple functional layers: a core waveguide for primary signal transmission and a cladding layer acting as a secondary transmission medium. This segmentation allows the system to handle high-frequency signals more effectively by distributing the transmission function across multiple structural elements, thereby reducing overall transmission loss while maintaining high data rates.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The waveguide employs a composite structure combining a core region and a cladding region with different electromagnetic properties. The cladding acts as a secondary transmission medium that complements the core, enabling efficient high-frequency signal propagation by reducing transmission losses that would otherwise occur in a single-material waveguide at millimeter-wave frequencies.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

2Device complexity

If standard waveguides are used at high frequencies, then simplicity is maintained, but interference increases and bandwidth density decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvewaveguide structureVSAvoidinterference

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The cladding is introduced as an intermediary element between the core waveguide and the external environment. This cladding layer acts as a secondary transmission medium that mediates the electromagnetic field distribution, reducing interference effects while preserving signal integrity. The intermediary cladding structure enables the waveguide to operate at high frequencies without the interference problems that plague standard waveguides.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Ease of manufacture

If electrical cabling is used for high-performance computing systems, then ease of implementation is maintained, but cost increases, power efficiency decreases, and latency increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveimplementation easeVSAvoidpower efficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces traditional electrical cabling (conductive medium) with a dielectric waveguide structure that guides electromagnetic waves. This substitution eliminates the resistive losses inherent in electrical conductors, dramatically improving power efficiency. The waveguide structure, while conceptually different, maintains ease of implementation through standardized fabrication processes and provides lower latency due to faster signal propagation in the dielectric medium.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

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 system achieves reduced transmission losses and increased bandwidth density by utilizing the cladding as a secondary transmission medium, effectively addressing the challenges of high-frequency signal propagation and interference in waveguide communication.

Implementation Method 1

A multiband waveguide interconnect system is designed using a dielectric waveguide with a high-permittivity core and a low-permittivity cladding

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectDielectric: Dielectric

Implementation Method 2

a conductive shield is added around the cladding to reduce interference

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectromagnetic shielding: Faraday Cage

Data Source

PatentUS10964992B2Electromagnetic wave launcher including an electromagnetic waveguide, wherein a millimeter wave signal and a lower frequency signal are respectively launched at different portions of the waveguide

Publication Date: 2021.03.30 INTEL CORP

AI summary

There is disclosed in one example an electromagnetic wave launcher apparatus, including: an interface to an electromagnetic waveguide; a first launcher configured to launch a high-frequency electromagnetic signal onto a first cross-sectional portion of the waveguide; and a second launcher configured to launch a lower-frequency electromagnetic signal onto a second cross-sectional portion of the waveguide.