Segmented Slotted Waveguide Coupling Across Thermal Expansion Gaps
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing communication systems using slot waveguides for vehicle-to-station communication face limitations due to wave attenuation and thermal expansion issues, which restrict communication range and reliability, especially in long trajectories.
Innovation Solution
A communication system with a slot waveguide divided into sections separated by gaps, where each section has an antenna connected to a coupling device that bridges the gaps, allowing antennas from adjacent sections to be coupled to a common transmitting and receiving device, enabling continuous communication across the gaps with low insertion loss.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Length of stationary object
If the slotted waveguide is made as a single long section, then the communication range is extended, but thermal expansion causes deformation and assembly complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The slotted waveguide is divided into multiple separate sections that can be assembled in segments. Each section is manufactured independently and then joined together using coupling devices, making the overall system easier to manufacture and assemble while achieving the required total length for extended communication range.
2Ease of manufacture
If the slotted waveguide is divided into multiple sections, then assembly is easier and thermal expansion is accommodated, but signal attenuation increases at the gaps between sections
Solution Approach 1:
Coupling devices are introduced as intermediary components between the separate waveguide sections. These coupling devices serve as mediators that connect the sections while minimizing signal loss, allowing the system to benefit from modular assembly while maintaining signal integrity across the joints.
3Stability of the object's composition
If gaps are introduced between waveguide sections, then thermal expansion is accommodated, but communication reliability decreases due to signal loss
Solution Approach 1:
The coupling devices act as intermediaries that bridge the gaps between waveguide sections. They maintain electrical continuity and signal transmission across the gaps, ensuring communication reliability is preserved while still allowing the sections to expand and contract independently with temperature changes.
4Reliability
If a single access point covers a large area, then frequent radio cell changes are avoided, but the communication range is limited by wave attenuation
Solution Approach 1:
The waveguide system is segmented into multiple sections with coupling devices that minimize attenuation. This allows the signal to be transmitted over longer distances with acceptable loss, extending the effective coverage area of a single access point and reducing the frequency of radio cell changes.
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 configuration enhances communication reliability and range by allowing bidirectional communication across section gaps, reducing interference and enabling simultaneous communication in different channels, thus supporting long vehicle trajectories with minimal signal attenuation.
Implementation Method 1
using a slotted waveguide extending parallel to the path of movement of the vehicle, into which at least one antenna connected to a transmitting and receiving device of the vehicle and at least one antenna connected to a transmitting and receiving device of the stationary station protrude
Implementation Method 2
the slotted waveguide consists of at least two sections separated from one another by a gap
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~5
AI summary
The invention relates to a communications system for communication between at least one vehicle (4; 5) guided along a predefined movement path and a stationary station (6) using a slotted waveguide (1) which extends parallel to the movement path of the vehicle (4, 5) and into which at least one antenna (16A, 16B; 17A, 17B; 18A, 18B) connected to a transceiver unit (10; 11; 12) of the stationary station (6) and at least one antenna (21A, 21B; 22A, 22B) of the vehicle (4; 5) project, wherein the antenna (21A, 21B; 22A, 22B) of the vehicle (4; 5) is moved in the longitudinal direction of the slotted waveguide (1) with a movement of the vehicle (4; 5), the slotted waveguide (1) consists of at least two sections (1A; 1B; 1C; 1D) separated from one another by a respective gap (7; 8; 9), at least one antenna (16A, 16B; 17A, 17B; 18A, 18B) projecting into the respective section (1A; 1B; 1C; 1D) is provided for each section (1A; 1B; 1C; 1D) of the slotted waveguide (1), and two neighbouring antennas (16A, 16B; 17A, 17B; 18A, 18B) projecting into different sections (1A; 1B; 1C; 1D) of the slotted waveguide (1) are coupled via a coupling device (13; 14; 15) both to a common transceiver unit (10; 11; 12) of the stationary station (6) and to one another.