Analog Surface Wave Multipoint Repeater for Bandwidth Expansion

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current wireless infrastructure faces challenges in providing sufficient bandwidth to meet increasing data demands from ubiquitous smartphones and devices, particularly in areas served by macrocells, as existing systems require higher bandwidth and rely on electrical circuits for signal propagation.

Innovation Solution

A guided wave communication system that uses electromagnetic waves bound to or guided by transmission media such as wires or dielectric materials, allowing for propagation without an electrical return path, enabling efficient data transmission over longer distances with reduced loss.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Area of stationary object

If macrocell base station devices and wireless infrastructure are used to provide mobile bandwidth, then coverage area is improved, but bandwidth capacity becomes insufficient to meet increasing data demands

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecoverage areaVSAvoidbandwidth capacity

Core Design Contradiction:

Area of stationary objectVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the transmission function by deploying multiple distributed access points along transmission media (such as power lines) rather than relying on a single macrocell base station. This segmentation allows bandwidth capacity to be distributed across multiple nodes, thereby increasing overall system capacity while maintaining wide coverage area through the extended transmission medium network.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Reliability

If electrical circuits are used for signal propagation in existing wireless infrastructure, then signal transmission is achieved, but signal loss increases over distance

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesignal transmissionVSAvoidsignal loss

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The patent substitutes electrical circuit-based signal propagation with electromagnetic wave propagation along transmission media. By using electromagnetic waves that travel along the outer surface of transmission media (such as power lines) rather than through electrical circuits, the system achieves more efficient signal transmission with reduced loss over distance, while maintaining reliable communication.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Productivity

If small cell deployment with microcells and picocells is pursued to provide additional mobile bandwidth, then bandwidth capacity is improved, but device complexity and infrastructure requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebandwidth capacityVSAvoidinfrastructure complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies universality by using existing transmission media infrastructure (such as power lines) for communication purposes in addition to their primary function. This multi-functionality allows the system to provide enhanced bandwidth capacity without requiring separate dedicated communication infrastructure, thereby increasing productivity while minimizing the increase in device complexity and infrastructure requirements.

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

This solution enhances bandwidth capacity and reduces signal loss, allowing for reliable data transmission along transmission media like power lines without the need for electrical circuits, thereby addressing the bandwidth demands and infrastructure limitations.

Implementation Method 1

electromagnetic waves that propagate along a surface of a transmission medium

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectSurface wave propagation: Surface Acoustic Wave

Implementation Method 2

analog repeater pairs mounted on the transmission medium bidirectionally receive and amplify the electromagnetic waves

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectromagnetic wave amplification: Electromagnetic Induction

Data Source

PatentUS10200106B1Analog surface wave multipoint repeater and methods for use therewith

Publication Date: 2019.02.05 AT&T INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY I L P

AI summary

In accordance with one or more embodiments, an analog surface wave multi-point repeater includes a first launcher configured to transmit and receive first guided electromagnetic waves that propagate on an outer surface of a first segment of a transmission medium without requiring an electrical return path. A transceiver includes a splitter coupled to a second launcher and the third launcher and a low noise amplifier configured to receive a second microwave signal from the second launcher and the third launcher via the splitter. A directional coupler is configured to couple the second microwave signal from the second launcher and the first microwave signal to the splitter to facilitate transmission of the second guided electromagnetic waves by the second launcher on the second segment of the transmission medium and to further facilitate transmission of the third guided electromagnetic waves by the third launcher on the third segment of the transmission medium.