Waveguide Retention Structures for Antenna Alignment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current server and high-performance computing architectures face challenges in achieving cost-efficient and power-effective data transfer over short to medium distances, as traditional electrical solutions become expensive and power-hungry, while optical solutions incur a high cost penalty for shorter distances, and aligning millimeter-wave antennas with waveguide members to maximize energy transfer is complicated by shape and size variations.
Innovation Solution
The development of waveguide member retention structures formed on the exterior surface of semiconductor packages, which are precisely positioned using photolithography to align and retain waveguide members of various shapes and configurations, ensuring optimal energy transfer from millimeter-wave antennas to waveguide members through friction or interference fits.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If traditional electrical cables are used for short interconnects, then data transfer is achieved, but power consumption and cost increase significantly at higher data rates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces electrical signal transmission through cables with electromagnetic wave transmission through waveguides. The semiconductor package with integrated antenna emits millimeter-wave electromagnetic signals that couple directly to the waveguide, eliminating the need for electrical cables and their associated power consumption while enabling higher data transfer rates through the waveguide's lower loss characteristics
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes the transition from guided electromagnetic waves in the waveguide to free-space propagation from the antenna. The waveguide confines and guides the electromagnetic energy efficiently, then the antenna radiates it into free space, creating an effective interface between the waveguide transmission mode and the antenna radiation mode for high-speed data communication
2Length of stationary object
If optical fiber solutions are used for long distances, then reach and bandwidth are improved, but cost increases severely for short to medium distances
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the transmission medium from optical fiber to metal waveguide and operates in the millimeter-wave frequency range (30-300 GHz). This parameter change enables effective transmission at short to medium distances (up to several meters) with lower cost compared to optical fiber, while achieving data rates exceeding 25 Gbps through the waveguide's low attenuation properties in this frequency range
3Use of energy by moving object
If waveguide members are used for data transfer, then power efficiency improves, but alignment complexity increases due to shape and size variations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent designs the waveguide member retention structures to accommodate multiple waveguide member shapes and configurations (rectangular, circular, triangular cross-sections) through a single universal retention mechanism. The retention structures use friction fits and interference fits that work effectively with various geometries, eliminating the need for different alignment mechanisms for different waveguide types and simplifying the overall system
Solution Approach 2:
The waveguide member retention structures are designed to self-align and self-retain waveguide members through friction and interference fits. The structures automatically accommodate shape and size variations of different waveguide members without requiring external alignment tools or complex adjustment mechanisms, enabling easy installation and positioning
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 enables efficient data transfer at rates exceeding 25 Gbps with reduced power consumption and cost, by accurately positioning waveguide members relative to millimeter-wave antennas, improving signal-to-noise ratio and performance in blade servers and rack-to-rack communication systems.
Implementation Method 1
ensuring optimal energy transfer from millimeter-wave antennas to waveguide members through friction or interference fits
Data Source
AI summary
A waveguide coupling system may include at least one waveguide member retention structure disposed on an exterior surface of a semiconductor package. The waveguide member retention structure may be disposed a defined distance or at a defined location with respect to an antenna carried by the semiconductor package. The waveguide member retention structure may engage and guide a waveguide member slidably inserted into the respective waveguide member retention structure. The waveguide member retention structure may position the waveguide member at a defined location with respect to the antenna to maximize the power transfer from the antenna to the waveguide member.