Vehicle Optical Hub System for Signal Quality and Accessibility
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional vehicle communication systems using coaxial cables face limitations due to signal loss, noise susceptibility, and space constraints, which necessitate end devices to be located close to antennas, compromising accessibility and operational conditions.
Innovation Solution
A vehicle communication system utilizing optical cables and hub devices to convert RF signals to optical carrier signals, transmitted over a single optical fiber at non-overlapping wavelength bands, allowing for remote placement of end devices and improved signal quality.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If coaxial cables are used to connect end devices to antennas, then signal transmission is achieved, but signal loss and noise susceptibility increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the electrical coaxial cable transmission system with an optical fiber transmission system. The RF signals are converted to optical signals for transmission through the optical cable, eliminating the signal loss and noise susceptibility associated with electrical cable transmission. This substitution of transmission medium fundamentally resolves the contradiction between maintaining signal quality and minimizing energy loss.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the transmission parameter from electrical signals in coaxial cable to optical signals in fiber optic cable. By converting the signal type and transmission medium, the system achieves dramatically lower attenuation and immunity to electromagnetic interference, thereby resolving the signal loss problem while maintaining reliable communication.
2Reliability
If end devices are located proximate to antennas to limit signal loss, then signal quality is maintained, but space limitations and inaccessibility issues arise
Solution Approach 1:
The optical transmission system replaces the electrical coaxial cable system, enabling end devices to be relocated to accessible positions within the vehicle. The optical cable's superior transmission characteristics allow for longer distances between end devices and antennas without signal degradation, thereby improving accessibility and ease of operation while maintaining signal quality.
3Ease of operation
If end devices are installed farther away from antennas in more convenient areas, then accessibility and operating conditions improve, but signal loss and energy efficiency deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent substitutes optical fiber cable for coaxial cable, enabling end devices to be positioned in convenient, accessible locations throughout the vehicle without incurring the signal loss penalties that would normally accompany increased distance from antennas. The optical transmission medium's low attenuation characteristics eliminate the trade-off between accessibility and signal loss.
4Reliability
If RF signals are amplified to satisfy signal quality standards, then signal quality is maintained, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The optical transmission system replaces the electrical amplification approach with optical signal transmission. Instead of amplifying RF signals electrically (which consumes energy), the system converts signals to optical domain for transmission, achieving long-distance signal propagation without active amplification and thereby reducing energy consumption while maintaining signal quality.
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 provides low signal loss, reduced noise interference, increased flexibility in device placement, and improved energy efficiency, enabling efficient communication over long distances with reduced weight and maintenance accessibility.
Implementation Method 1
transmit the optical carrier signals along the optical cable at different, non-overlapping wavelength bands of a combined optical signal
Implementation Method 2
convert the optical carrier signals to RF signals, amplify the RF signals, and transmit the RF signals to the one or more antennas
Data Source
AI summary
A vehicle communication system includes an optical cable, a centralized hub device, and an antenna hub device. The centralized hub device is connected to a first end of the optical cable and is configured to receive radio frequency (RF) signals from multiple end devices. The centralized hub device is configured to convert the RF signals to respective optical carrier signals and transmit the optical carrier signals along the optical cable at different, non-overlapping wavelength bands of a combined optical signal. The antenna hub device is connected to a second end of the optical cable. The antenna hub device is configured to receive the combined optical signal and to convert the optical carrier signals thereof to RF signals, amplify the RF signals, and transmit the RF signals to one or more antennas.