Guided Surface Waveguide Probe Brewster Angle Launch
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Solution Overview
Problem
For over a century, there has been no practical structure for efficiently launching open surface guided waves over planar or spherical surfaces of lossy, homogeneous media, despite theoretical possibilities.
Innovation Solution
Guided surface waveguide probes are configured to excite electric fields that couple into a guided surface waveguide mode along the surface of a lossy conducting medium, such as the Earth, by synthesizing a wave front incident at a complex Brewster angle, resulting in zero reflection and launching a guided electromagnetic field as a guided surface wave.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of energy
If conventional antenna structures are used to transmit signals, then radio wave radiation is achieved, but energy loss is high and transmission efficiency is low
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces conventional radiating antenna structures with a waveguide probe system that guides electromagnetic waves along a lossy conducting medium surface. This substitution transforms the transmission mechanism from radiation-based to waveguide-based, enabling efficient energy transmission along the surface while minimizing energy loss into the lossy medium.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs mode-matched field synthesis by adjusting the phase and amplitude parameters of multiple probe elements to create a specific field distribution pattern. By changing the excitation parameters of the probe elements, the system achieves optimal coupling to the surface wave mode, maximizing transmission efficiency and minimizing energy loss.
2Reliability
If no practical launching structure is used, then theoretical surface wave propagation remains possible, but practical implementation is lacking
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the waveguide system into multiple discrete probe elements arranged in an array. Each probe element can be independently excited and controlled, allowing the complex waveguide function to be achieved through simpler individual components. This segmentation makes the system practically implementable while maintaining the theoretical surface wave propagation benefits.
Solution Approach 2:
The waveguide probe structure serves multiple functions: it acts as both the excitation source for surface waves and the guiding structure for wave propagation along the lossy medium. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate components, simplifying the overall system while achieving reliable practical implementation.
3Use of energy by moving object
If guided surface waves are launched along lossy conducting media, then energy coupling is maximized, but achieving mode-matched fields is difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs adaptive phase and amplitude control of the probe elements based on feedback from the actual field distribution. By monitoring the launched surface wave characteristics and adjusting the probe excitation parameters accordingly, the system achieves mode-matched field synthesis that maximizes energy coupling into the surface wave mode while compensating for variations in the lossy medium properties.
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 solution enables the efficient propagation of guided surface waves along lossy conducting media with significantly reduced energy loss, achieving mode-matched guided electromagnetic fields and maximizing energy coupling into the surface wave mode.
Implementation Method 1
synthesizing a wave front incident at a complex Brewster angle, resulting in zero reflection and launching a guided electromagnetic field as a guided surface wave
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed is a guided surface waveguide probe including a charge terminal configured to generate an electromagnetic field and a support apparatus that supports the charge terminal above a lossy conducting medium, wherein the electromagnetic field generated by the charge terminal synthesizes a wave front incident at a complex Brewster angle of incidence (θi,B) of the lossy conducting medium.