Guided-wave transmission device with non-fundamental mode propagation and methods for use therewith
13 claims: 11 independent, 2 dependent
- 1第1のデータを含む通信信号を受信する通信インターフェースと、 前記通信インターフェースに結合され、前記第1のデータを搬送する前記通信信号に基づいて第1の電磁波を生成する送受信機と、 前記送受信機に結合され、前記第1の電磁波を、誘電体材料によって取り囲まれる少なくとも1つの内側部分を有する伝送媒体に結合する結合器と、を備え、 前記誘電体材料は、 外面と、 対応する外周と、を有し、 前記伝送媒体への前記第1の電磁波の結合は、少なくとも1つの搬送波周波数を有する第2の電磁波を形成し、 前記第2の電磁波は、非基本モードを含む少なくとも1つの導波モードを介して前記誘電体材料の前記外面に沿って伝搬するように導波され る、送信デバイスであって 、 前記送受信機に結合され、テスト信号又はテストデータの解析に基づいて、前記少なくとも1つの搬送波周波数を選択するトレーニングコントローラを更に備え、 前記誘電体材料は絶縁被覆を含み、前記誘電体材料の前記外面は前記絶縁被覆の外面に対応し、前記非基本モードは、 前記 絶縁被覆の外面にあり、ローブ内に分布する電磁場強度の大部分を有する非対称モードである、送信デバイス。
- 2第3の電磁波が第2のデータを搬送し、前記第3の電磁波も前記伝送媒体の前記誘電体材料の前記外面に沿って伝搬し、前記第2のデータは少なくとも1つの遠隔送信デバイスによるテスト信号又はテストデータの前記解析を含み、 前記結合器は、前記伝送媒体から前記第3の電磁波も結合して、第4の電磁波を形成し、 前記送受信機は前記第4の電磁波を受信し、該第4の電磁波を処理して、前記第2のデータを抽出する、請求項 1 に記載の送信デバイス。
- 3前記トレーニングコントローラは、複数の候補周波数を評価し、前記テスト信号又は前記テストデータの前記解析に基づいて、前記複数の候補周波数のうちの1つとして、前記少なくとも1つの搬送波周波数を選択する、請求項 1 に記載の送信デバイス。
- 4前記複数の候補周波数は、マイクロ波周波数帯域内にある、請求項 3 に記載の送信デバイス。
- 5前記複数の候補周波数がミリメートル波周波数帯域内にある、請求項 3 に記載の送信デバイス。
- 6前記第1の電磁波は、基本モードを含む少なくとも1つの導波モードを介して前記結合器に沿って伝搬するように導波され、前記結合器と前記伝送媒体との間の接合部が、前記第2の電磁波の前記非基本モードを誘導する、請求項1に記載の送信デバイス。
- 7前記伝送媒体が分散アンテナシステムの一部である、請求項1に記載の送信デバイス。
- 8通信インターフェースを介して、第1のデータを含む通信信号を受信するステップと、 送受信機によって、前記第1のデータを搬送する前記通信信号に基づいて、第1の電磁波を生成するステップと、 結合器を介して、前記第1の電磁波を、誘電体材料によって取り囲まれる少なくとも1つの内側部分を有する伝送媒体に結合するステップと、を含み、 前記誘電体材料は、 外面と、 対応する外周と、を有し、 前記伝送媒体への前記第1の電磁波の結合は、少なくとも1つの搬送波周波数を有する第2の電磁波を形成し、 前記第2の電磁波は、非基本モードを含む少なくとも1つの導波モードを介して前記誘電体材料の前記外面に沿って伝搬するように導波され、 前記誘電体材料は絶縁被覆を含み、前記誘電体材料の前記外面は前記絶縁被覆の外面に対応し、前記非基本モードは、 前記 絶縁被覆の外面にあり、ローブ内に分布する電磁場強度の大部分を有する非対称モードである、方法 であって、 トレーニングコントローラを介して、テスト信号又はテストデータの解析に基づいて、前記少なくとも1つの搬送波周波数を選択するステップを更に含む、方法 。
- 9第3の電磁波が第2のデータを搬送し、前記第3の電磁波も前記伝送媒体の前記誘電体材料の前記外面に沿って伝搬し、前記第2のデータは少なくとも1つの遠隔送信デバイスによるテスト信号又はテストデータの前記解析を含み、 前記結合器は、前記伝送媒体から前記第3の電磁波も結合して、第4の電磁波を形成し、 前記送受信機は前記第4の電磁波を受信し、該第4の電磁波を処理して、前記第2のデータを抽出する、請求項 8 に記載の方法。
- 10前記選択する ステップ は、複数の候補周波数を評価することと、前記テスト信号又は前記テストデータの前記解析に基づいて、前記複数の候補周波数のうちの1つとして、前記少なくとも1つの搬送波周波数を選択することとを含む、請求項 8 に記載の方法。
- 11前記複数の候補周波数は、マイクロ波周波数帯域内にある、請求項 10 に記載の方法。
- 12前記複数の候補周波数は、ミリメートル波周波数帯域内にある、請求項 10 に記載の方法。
- 13前記第1の電磁波は、基本モードを含む少なくとも1つの導波モードを介して前記結合器に沿って伝搬するように導波され、 前記結合器と前記伝送媒体との間の接合部が、前記第2の電磁波の前記非基本モードを誘導する、請求項 8 に記載の方法。
Independent claims13
162 paragraphs, as filed
[Cross-reference of related applications]
This application claims the priority of US Patent Application No. 14 / 519,487 filed on October 21, 2014. The above contents form part of this specification by reference, as if all described herein.
The present disclosure relates to communication via microwave transmission in a communication network.
As smartphones and other portable devices become more prevalent and data usage increases, macrocell base station devices and existing wireless infrastructures will offer higher bandwidth capacity than ever before to meet increasing demand. In need of. Small cell deployments are being driven to provide additional mobile bandwidth, in which microcells and picocells provide coverage for much smaller areas than previous macrocells.
<figref num="1">It is a block diagram which shows the non-limiting embodiment of an example of a waveguide communication system by various aspects described herein.</figref><figref num="2">It is a block diagram which shows the non-limiting embodiment of an example of the dielectric waveguide coupler by various aspects described herein.</figref><figref num="3">It is a block diagram which shows the non-limiting embodiment of an example of the dielectric waveguide coupler by various aspects described herein.</figref><figref num="4">It is a block diagram which shows the non-limiting embodiment of an example of the dielectric waveguide coupler by various aspects described herein.</figref><figref num="5">FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating a non-limiting embodiment of an example of a dielectric waveguide coupler and transmitter / receiver according to the various aspects described herein.</figref><figref num="6">It is a block diagram which shows the non-limiting embodiment of an example of a double dielectric waveguide coupler according to various aspects described herein.</figref><figref num="7">It is a block diagram which shows the non-limiting embodiment of the example of the bidirectional dielectric waveguide coupler by various aspects described herein.</figref><figref num="8">It is a block diagram which shows the non-limiting embodiment of the example of the bidirectional dielectric waveguide coupler by various aspects described herein.</figref><figref num="9">FIG. 6 is a block diagram illustrating a non-limiting embodiment of an example of a bidirectional repeater system according to the various aspects described herein.</figref><figref num="10">FIG. 5 is a flow diagram of a non-limiting embodiment of an example of a method for transmitting transmission using a dielectric waveguide coupler as described herein.</figref><figref num="11">It is a block diagram of a non-limiting embodiment of an example of a computing environment according to various aspects described herein.</figref><figref num="12">It is a block diagram of a non-limiting embodiment of an example of a mobile network platform according to various aspects described herein.</figref><figref num="13a">FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating a non-limiting embodiment of an example of a slotted waveguide coupler according to the various aspects described herein.</figref><figref num="13b">FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating a non-limiting embodiment of an example of a slotted waveguide coupler according to the various aspects described herein.</figref><figref num="13c">FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating a non-limiting embodiment of an example of a slotted waveguide coupler according to the various aspects described herein.</figref><figref num="14a">It is a block diagram which shows the non-limiting embodiment of an example of a waveguide coupling system by various aspects described herein.</figref><figref num="14b">It is a block diagram which shows the non-limiting embodiment of an example of a waveguide coupling system by various aspects described herein.</figref><figref num="15">It is a block diagram which shows the non-limiting embodiment of an example of a waveguide communication system by various aspects described herein.</figref><figref num="16">FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating a non-limiting embodiment of an example of a transmitting device according to the various aspects described herein.</figref><figref num="17">It is a figure which shows the non-limiting embodiment of the example of the electromagnetic distribution by various aspects described herein.</figref><figref num="18">FIG. 5 illustrates non-limiting embodiments of a plurality of examples of electromagnetic distribution according to the various aspects described herein.</figref><figref num="19">FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating a non-limiting embodiment of an example of a transmitting device according to the various aspects described herein.</figref><figref num="20">It is a flow chart of the non-limiting embodiment of an example of the transmission method described in this specification.</figref><figref num="21">It is a flow chart of the non-limiting embodiment of an example of the transmission method described in this specification.</figref><figref num="22">It is a flow diagram of a non-limiting embodiment of an example of the method of selecting a carrier frequency described herein.</figref><figref num="23">It is a flow diagram of a non-limiting embodiment of an example of the method of selecting a carrier frequency described herein.</figref>
Here, one or more embodiments are described with reference to the drawings, in which the same reference numerals are used to refer to the same elements throughout. In the following description, a number of details are provided for the purposes of the description to provide a complete understanding of the various embodiments. However, it is clear that various embodiments can be implemented without these details (and without application to any particular networked environment or standard).
Backhaul networks that link communication cells (eg, microcells and macrocells) to network devices in the core network expand accordingly to provide network connectivity to additional base station devices. Similarly, an extended communication system that links a base station device and its distributed antennas is desired to provide network connectivity to the distributed antenna system. A waveguide communication system can be provided to allow alternative network connections, additional network connections, or additional network connections, acting as a wire or other conductor acting as a single-line transmission line, or as a waveguide. Transmit and / or receive waveguide (eg, surface wave) communication on a transmission medium such as a dielectric material and / or another transmission medium that operates to guide the transmission of electromagnetic waves in another way. Therefore, a waveguide coupling system can be provided.
In one exemplary embodiment, the waveguide coupler used in a waveguide coupling system is a dielectric material or other low-loss insulator (eg, Teflon, polyethylene, etc.), or conductive (eg, metal, non-metallic, etc.). It can be formed from a material (such as metal) or any combination of the above materials. References to "dielectric waveguides" throughout the detailed description are for illustration purposes only and are not limited to embodiments composed solely of dielectric materials. In other embodiments, other dielectric or insulating materials are possible. In waveguide communication, without departing from the exemplary embodiment, various transmission media, i.e., whether insulated or not, either single or stranded wire; wire bundles, cables, rods, rails, pipes. Conductors of other shapes or configurations, including; non-conductors such as dielectric pipes, rods, rails or other dielectric members; combinations of conductors and dielectric materials; or other waveguide transmission media, etc. may be utilized. You will understand what you can do.
To consider these and / or other matters, in one or more embodiments, the transmitting device comprises a communication interface that receives a first communication signal containing the first data. The transmitter / receiver generates a first electromagnetic wave based on a first communication signal carrying the first data, and the first electromagnetic wave has at least one carrier frequency and at least one corresponding wavelength. .. The coupler couples the first electromagnetic wave to a transmission medium having at least one inner portion surrounded by the dielectric material, the dielectric material having an outer surface and a corresponding outer circumference, the first to the transmission medium. The coupling of one electromagnetic wave forms a second electromagnetic wave, which is guided so as to propagate along the outer surface of the dielectric material through at least one waveguide mode, including an asymmetric mode. At least one waveguide frequency is within the waveguide or milliwave frequency band, and the corresponding single or plural wavelengths are shorter than the outer circumference of the transmission medium.
In one or more embodiments, the transmitting device comprises a transmitter that produces a first electromagnetic wave based on a communication signal carrying data, the first electromagnetic wave having at least one carrier frequency and at least one. It has two corresponding wavelengths. The coupler couples the first electromagnetic wave to a single wire transmission medium having an outer surface and a corresponding outer circumference, and the coupling of the first electromagnetic wave to the single wire transmission medium forms a second electromagnetic wave and a second. Electromagnetic waves are waveguideed along the outer surface of a single-line transmission medium via at least one waveguide mode, including an asymmetric mode, and at least one carrier frequency is within the millimeter or microwave frequency band and corresponds. The single or multiple wavelengths to be used are shorter than the outer circumference of the single wire transmission medium.
In one or more embodiments, the method comprises generating a first electromagnetic wave based on a communication signal carrying data, the first electromagnetic wave having at least one carrier frequency and at least one correspondence. It has a wavelength to be used. The coupler couples the first electromagnetic wave to a single wire transmission medium having an outer waveguide surface and a corresponding outer circumference, and the coupling of the first electromagnetic wave to the single wire transmission medium forms a second electromagnetic wave. The second electromagnetic wave is guided so as to propagate along the outer dielectric surface of the single wire transmission medium via at least one waveguide mode, and at least one carrier frequency is in the millimeter wave frequency band and corresponds. The single or multiple waveguides are shorter than the outer circumference of the single wire transmission medium. Propagation along the outer surface of a single-line transmission medium can be made possible, for example, by a field structure that is primarily or substantially external to the transmission medium that serves to guide the waves.
In one or more embodiments, the transmitting device comprises a transmitter that produces a first electromagnetic wave carrying data. The coupler couples the first electromagnetic wave to a single-wire transmission medium having an outer surface to form a second electromagnetic wave, the second electromagnetic wave being at least one including an asymmetric mode or a non-basic mode with a lower cutoff frequency. It is guided so as to propagate along the outer surface of the single-line transmission medium through two waveguide modes. The carrier frequency of the second electromagnetic wave is chosen to be within a limited range of the lower cutoff frequency, so that the majority of the electric field is less than half the largest cross-sectional dimension of the single wire transmission medium from the outer surface. It is designed to be concentrated within the distance and / or to reduce the propagation loss. In one or more embodiments, the method comprises generating a first electromagnetic wave that carries data. The coupler couples the first electromagnetic wave to a single-wire transmission medium having an outer surface to form a second electromagnetic wave, the second electromagnetic wave being at least one including an asymmetric mode or a non-basic mode with a lower cutoff frequency. It is guided so as to propagate along the outer surface of the single-line transmission medium through two waveguide modes. The carrier frequency of the second electromagnetic wave is chosen to be within a limited range of the lower cutoff frequency, so that the majority of the electric field is less than half the largest cross-sectional dimension of the single wire transmission medium from the outer surface. It is designed to be concentrated within the distance and / or to reduce the propagation loss.
In one or more embodiments, the method comprises generating a first electromagnetic wave based on a communication signal carrying data, the first electromagnetic wave having at least one carrier frequency. The first electromagnetic wave is coupled to a single wire transmission medium having an outer surface, the coupling of the first electromagnetic wave to the single wire transmission medium forms a second electromagnetic wave, and the second electromagnetic wave has a lower cutoff frequency. Waveguided to propagate along the outer surface of a single-line transmission medium through at least one waveguide mode, including an asymmetric mode, one or more carrier frequencies fall within a limited range of lower cutoff frequencies. Is selected.
Various embodiments described herein relate to transmission systems for transmitting and extracting waveguide (eg, surface wave communication, which is an electromagnetic wave) transmission from an electric wire. At microwave or millimeter wave frequencies, the wavelength is small compared to the size of the instrument and the transmission propagates as a wave guided by a waveguide, such as a strip or length of a dielectric material or other coupler. Can be done. The electromagnetic field structure of the waveguide can exist inside and / or outside the coupler. When this coupler is brought very close to the transmission medium (eg, wire, transmission line or other transmission medium), at least part of the waveguide separates from the waveguide, couples to the transmission medium and around the surface of the wire. Continues to propagate as a waveguide like a surface wave.
According to an exemplary embodiment, surface waves have different properties (eg, dielectric properties) depending on the surface of the transmission medium, which can include the outer or outer surface of the wire, the outer and outer surfaces of the dielectric or insulating coating. A type of waveguide that is guided by another surface of a transmission medium that is adjacent to or exposed to another type of medium that it has. In practice, in one exemplary embodiment, the surface of a transmission medium that guides surface waves can represent a transition surface between two different types of media. For example, in the case of a bare wire or non-insulated wire, the surface of the wire can be the outer or external conductive surface of the bare wire or non-insulated wire exposed to air or free space. As another example, in the case of an insulated wire, the surface of the wire can be the conductive portion of the wire in contact with the insulating portion of the wire, or else of the wire exposed to the air or free space. It can be an insulating surface, or it can be any material area between the insulating surface of the wire and the conductive part of the wire in contact with the insulating part of the wire, which is the insulator. Depends on the relative differences in the properties of the air and / or conductors (eg, dielectric properties), as well as the frequency of the waveguide and the single or multiple propagation modes.
According to an exemplary embodiment, waveguides such as surface waves can be contrasted with wireless transmission over free space / air, or conventional propagation of power or signals through conductors of electrical wires. In practice, according to the surface wave or waveguide systems described herein, conventional power or signals can still be propagated or transmitted through the conductors of the wires, while waveguides (surface waves and other (Including electromagnetic waves) can surround all or part of the surface of the wire and propagate along the wire with low loss, according to an exemplary embodiment. In one exemplary embodiment, the surface wave can have a field structure (eg, an electromagnetic field structure), the structure of which is predominantly or substantially external to the transmission medium that serves to guide the surface wave. Exists in.
In an exemplary embodiment, the waveguide used herein is a Sommerfeld wave used as a propagating means along the wire, limited to waves with wavelengths greater than or equal to the outer circumference of the wire. Can be compared with. In an exemplary embodiment, the waveguides used herein can be contrasted with a G-wave or E-wave system that operates through basic mode propagation without being based on at least one asymmetric mode propagation. it can. In an exemplary embodiment, the waveguides used herein are in the conductor at frequencies such as the optical frequency, which is well above and above the γ of the conductive material, i.e., the average collision frequency of electrons. It can be compared with the surface plasmon waveguide along a single-wire metal wire that presupposes an electron bunch to be formed. These prior art systems are used when the waveguide contains an asymmetric mode in which the waveguide propagates at a low loss frequency, such as within the microwave or millimeter wave band, which is less than the average collision frequency of electrons in the conductive material. Could not cope with waveguide propagation for. These prior art systems include waveguide propagation for transmission media containing an outer dielectric when the waveguide contains an asymmetric mode in which it propagates with low loss with a concentrated field around the outer surface of the dielectric. Could not be dealt with.
According to an exemplary embodiment, an electromagnetic wave traveling along an electric wire is induced by another electromagnetic wave traveling along a waveguide close to the electric wire. The induction of electromagnetic waves can be independent of any potential, charge or current that is injected through the wires as part of an electrical circuit or otherwise transmitted. A small current may be formed in the wire in response to the propagation of the electromagnetic wave through the wire, which may be due to the propagation of the electromagnetic wave along the surface of the wire in the electrical circuit. It should be understood that it is not formed in response to the potential, charge or current injected into the wire as part. Therefore, electromagnetic waves traveling on the wire do not require a circuit to propagate along the wire surface. Therefore, the wire is a single line transmission line that does not require a circuit. Also, in some embodiments, no wires are required and the electromagnetic waves can propagate along a single wire transmission medium that is not a wire.
According to an exemplary embodiment, the term "single wire transmission medium" is used with transmission via electromagnetic waves guided by a wire, but the wire is a circuit to support such propagation. It is not required to be part of. The transmission system can include multiple single wire transmission media that serve to transmit such waveguides, with different waves being guided by different single wire transmission media.
According to an exemplary embodiment, the term "around" an electric wire used with a waveguide (eg, a surface wave) can include a fundamental wave propagation mode and other waveguides. Assuming that the wire has a circular or otherwise substantially circular cross section, the basic mode is a field distribution that is at least partially circular or substantially circular around the wire (eg, electric field, magnetic field, etc.). It is a symmetric mode with an electromagnetic field, etc.). Further, when a waveguide propagates "around" a circular stranded wire or other wire having a circular or substantially circular cross section, the waveguide is one wave propagation mode (at least one waveguide mode). Propagates longitudinally along the wire through the wire, the wave propagation mode of which is not only the fundamental wave propagation mode (eg, 0th order mode), but also, or instead, the higher order waveguide mode (eg, 0th order mode). , Primary mode, secondary mode, etc.), asymmetric mode and / or other non-basic wave propagation modes such as other waveguides (eg surface waves) with a non-circular field distribution around the wire. Can be done. As used herein, the term "substantially circular" means a shape that differs from a perfect circle by less than (+/- 15%). As used herein, the term "non-circular" means a shape that is not substantially circular.
For example, such a non-circular field distribution is characterized by one or more axial lobes characterized by relatively high field intensities, and / or relatively low field intensities, zero field intensities or substantial zero field intensities. Can be one-sided or multi-directional with one or more nulls or null regions characterized by. Further, the field distribution is such that, according to an exemplary embodiment, one or more regions of the axial orientation around the wire have a higher electric or magnetic field strength than one or more other regions of the axial orientation ( Or a combination thereof) can be varied in another way as a function of longitudinal axial orientation around the wire. It will be appreciated that the relative position of the higher or asymmetric mode can change as the waveguide progresses along the wire.
When considering other wires, conductors or dielectrics with a non-circular cross section (ie, a substantially non-circular cross section), the terms symmetric mode and asymmetric mode may not apply equally. For example, the basic mode of a rectangular waveguide may not have a circular or substantially circular field distribution. Therefore, the terms basic mode and non-basic mode can be used in this more general sense.
Here, with reference to FIG. 1, a block diagram showing a non-limiting embodiment of an example of a waveguide communication system 100 is shown. The waveguide communication system 100 illustrates an exemplary environment in which a transmitting device, coupler or coupling module can be used.
The waveguide communication system 100 can include an example distributed antenna system that includes one or more base station devices (eg, base station device 104) that are communicably coupled to a macrocell site 102 or other network connection. .. The base station device 104 can be connected to the macrocell site 102 by a wired connection (eg, fiber and / or cable) or by a wireless connection (eg, microwave wireless). A macro cell, such as the macro cell site 102, can have a dedicated connection to the mobile network, and the base station device 104 can share the connection of the macro cell site 102 and / or use it in another way. The base station device 104 can be installed on the utility pole 116 or can be mounted on the utility pole 116. In other embodiments, the base station device 104 can be located near the transformer and / or elsewhere located near the power line.
The base station device 104 can facilitate the connection of the mobile devices 122 and 124 to the mobile network. Antennas 112 and 114 installed on or near utility poles 118 and 120, respectively, can receive signals from base station device 104, with antennas 112 and 114 located at or near base station 104. These signals can be transmitted to mobile devices 122 and 124 over a much larger area than if they were.
Note that Figure 1 shows three utility poles with one base station device for brevity. In other embodiments, the utility pole 116 can have more base station devices and one or more utility poles with distributed antennas.
A transmitting device, such as the dielectric waveguide coupling device 106, transmits a signal from the base station device 104 to the antennas 112 and 114 via a transmission line or power line (s) connecting the utility poles 116, 118 and 120. can do. To transmit the signal, the radio source and / or combiner 106 upconverts the signal from the base station device 104 (eg, via frequency mixing) or otherwise, the base station device 104. Converts a signal from to a microwave or millimeter wave band signal having at least one carrier frequency within the microwave or millimeter wave frequency band. The dielectric waveguide coupling device 106 emits a millimeter wave band, which propagates as a waveguide (eg, a surface wave or other electromagnetic wave) traveling along a transmission line or other wire. At utility pole 118, another transmitting device, such as the dielectric waveguide coupling device 108, can receive the waveguide (and can amplify the waveguide as needed or optionally optionally, or guide it. It can act as a digital repeater that receives and reproduces) and transmits it forward as a waveguide (eg, a surface wave or other electromagnetic wave) over a transmission line or other wire. The dielectric waveguide coupling device 108 also extracts a signal from the millimeter waveguide and shifts the signal downward with respect to frequency, or otherwise the original cellular band frequency (eg, 1.9 GHz or the like). Can be converted to a specified cellular frequency) or another cellular (or non-cellular) band frequency. The antenna 112 can transmit a downwardly shifted signal to the mobile device 122 (eg, wirelessly). The process can be repeated as needed or optionally by transmitting devices such as the dielectric waveguide coupling device 110, antenna 114 and mobile device 124.
Also, transmissions from mobile devices 122 and 124 can be received by antennas 112 and 114, respectively. Repeaters on dielectric waveguide coupling devices 108 and 110 either shift the cellular band signal upward to the millimeter wave band or otherwise convert it and waveguide the signal (eg, surface waves or other electromagnetic waves). ) It can be transmitted to the base station device 104 via a power line (s) as a transmission.
In one exemplary embodiment, the system 100 may utilize a diversity path, in which two or more transmission lines or other wires are stretched between utility poles 116, 118 and 120 (eg, utility poles). Redundant transmission from the base station 104, two or more wires between 116 and 120), is transmitted downstream on the surface of the transmission line or other wire as a waveguide. The transmission line or other wire can be either insulated or non-insulated, and depending on the environmental conditions that cause transmission loss, the coupling device selectively selects the signal from the insulated or non-insulated transmission line or other wire. Can be received. The choice can be based on measurements of the signal-to-noise ratio of the wire or can be based on identified weather / environmental conditions (eg, moisture detectors, weather forecasts, etc.). Using the diversity path with System 100 can enable alternative routing capabilities, load balancing, increased load handling, simultaneous bidirectional or synchronous communication, spectral spread communication, etc. (more exemplary details). See Figure 8 for).
Note that the use of the dielectric waveguide coupling devices 106, 108 and 110 of FIG. 1 is only an example, and that other uses are possible in other embodiments. For example, a dielectric waveguide coupled device can be used in a backhaul communication system to provide a network connection to a base station device. Dielectric waveguide coupling devices, whether insulated or not, can be used in a number of situations where it is desirable to transmit waveguide communication over wire. Dielectric waveguide coupling devices are improved over other coupling devices due to physical and / or limited contact with wires that may carry high voltages. To. According to the dielectric waveguide coupling device, the device can be located away from the wire (eg, spaced from the wire) and / or because the dielectric acts as an insulator. It can be located on the wire as long as it is not in electrical contact with the wire, which allows for an inexpensive, easy and / or uncomplicated installation. However, as mentioned above, especially in configurations where the wires utilize telephone networks, cable television networks, broadband data services, fiber optic communication systems or other networks that utilize low voltage or have isolated transmission lines. , Conductive or non-dielectric couplers can be utilized.
Although the base station device 104 and the macrocell site 102 are exemplified in one exemplary embodiment, it should be further noted that other network configurations are possible as well. For example, using devices such as access points or other wireless gateways as well, wireless local area networks, wireless personal area networks, or 802.11 protocols, WIMAX protocols, ultra-broadband protocols, Bluetooth protocols, Zigbee protocols or other wireless protocols. It is possible to extend the communication range of other networks such as other wireless networks that operate according to the communication protocol such as.
Here, with reference to FIG. 2, a block diagram of a non-limiting embodiment of an example of a dielectric waveguide coupling system 200 according to the various aspects described herein is shown. The system 200 includes a dielectric waveguide 204 having a wave 206 propagating as a waveguide around the waveguide surface of the dielectric waveguide 204. In one exemplary embodiment, the dielectric waveguide 204 is curved and, as described herein, at least the waveguide 204 to facilitate coupling between the waveguide 204 and the wire 202. A portion can be placed near the wire 202. The dielectric waveguide 204 can be arranged such that a portion of the curved dielectric waveguide 204 is parallel to or substantially parallel to the wire 202. The portion of the dielectric waveguide 204 parallel to the wire can be the apex of the curve or any point whose tangent to the curve is parallel to the wire 202. When the dielectric waveguide 204 is positioned or arranged in this way, the wave 206 traveling along the dielectric waveguide 204 is at least partially coupled to the wire 202 and is around or around the wire surface of the wire 202. Is propagated in the longitudinal direction along the electric wire 202 as a waveguide 208. The waveguide 208 can be characterized as a surface wave or other electromagnetic wave, but other types of waveguide 208 can be supported as well without departing from the exemplary embodiments. The portion of the wave 206 that is not coupled to the wire 202 propagates as a wave 210 along the dielectric waveguide 204. The dielectric waveguide 204 can be configured and placed at various positions with respect to the wire 202 to achieve the desired level of coupling or uncoupling of the wave 206 with respect to the wire 202. For example, the curvature and / or length of a dielectric waveguide 204 that is parallel or substantially parallel, and its separation distance from wire 202, which in an exemplary embodiment includes a separation distance of 0. Can be modified without departing from the exemplary embodiment. Similarly, the arrangement of the dielectric waveguide 204 with respect to the wire 202 is such that the wire 202 and the dielectric
The waveguide 208 propagates in a direction that is parallel or substantially parallel to the wire 202, even if the wire 202 is bent and flexible. Bending in wire 202 can increase transmission loss, which also depends on wire diameter, frequency and material. When the dimensions of the dielectric waveguide 204 are selected for efficient power transfer, most of the power in the wave 206 is transmitted to the wire 202 and little power remains in the wave 210. While traveling along a path that is parallel or substantially parallel to wire 202 with or without basic transmission mode, the waveguide 208 is still, in fact, non-basic or asymmetric. It will be appreciated that it can be multimode (discussed herein), including having certain modes. In one exemplary embodiment, non-basic or asymmetric modes can be utilized to minimize transmission losses and / or obtain long propagation distances.
It should be noted that the term parallel is generally a geometric composition that is often not exactly achievable in a real system. Therefore, the term parallel, as used in the present disclosure, refers to an approximation rather than an exact configuration when used to describe an embodiment disclosed in the present disclosure. In one embodiment, "substantially parallel" can include approximations that are within 30 degrees of true parallel in all dimensions.
In one exemplary embodiment, the wave 206 can exhibit one or more wave propagation modes. The dielectric waveguide mode can depend on the shape and / or design of the waveguide 204. Does one or more dielectric waveguide modes of wave 206 generate or influence one or more waveguide modes of waveguide 208 propagating along wire 202? , Or can have a strong impact. In one exemplary embodiment, the wave propagation mode on the wire 202 is similar to the dielectric waveguide mode, since both the waves 206 and 208 propagate around the outer surfaces of the dielectric waveguide 204 and the wire 202, respectively. There is a possibility. In some embodiments, when the wave 206 couples to wire 202, the mode can change shape due to the coupling between the dielectric waveguide 204 and wire 202. For example, differences in size, material and / or impedance between the dielectric waveguide 204 and the wire 202 may create additional modes that do not exist in the dielectric waveguide mode, and / or of the dielectric waveguide modes. May suppress some of them. Wave propagation mode is basic transverse electromagnetic mode (pseudo TEM)<sub>00</sub>) Can be included, in which mode, while the waveguide propagates along the wire, only a small electric and / or magnetic field extends in the propagation direction, and the electric and magnetic fields extend radially outward. To do. This waveguide mode can be in the shape of a donut and there is almost no electromagnetic field in the dielectric waveguide 204 or wire 202. Waves 206 and 208 can include basic TEM modes in which the field extends radially outwards, and can also include other non-basic (eg, asymmetric, higher order, etc.) modes. Specific wave propagation modes have been discussed so far, but the frequencies used, the design of the dielectric waveguide 204, the dimensions and composition of the wire 202, as well as its surface properties, its optional insulation, surroundings. Other wave propagation modes such as the transverse electric field (TE) mode and the transverse magnetic field (TM) mode are also possible based on the electromagnetic characteristics of the environment and the like. Depending on the frequency, the electrical and physical properties of the wire 202, and the particular wave propagation mode produced, the waveguide 208 is a conductive surface of oxidized, non-oxidized, non-oxidized, insulated wire. Note that it can proceed along and / or along the insulating surface of the insulated wire.
In one exemplary embodiment, the diameter of the dielectric waveguide 204 is smaller than the diameter of the wire 202. When microwave or millimeter wave band wavelengths are used, the dielectric waveguide 204 supports a single waveguide mode that constitutes the wave 206. This single waveguide mode can change when coupled to wire 202 as a surface wave 208. If the dielectric waveguide 204 is larger, it can support more than one waveguide mode, but these additional waveguide modes may not be efficiently coupled to wire 202, resulting in Higher-order coupling losses may occur. However, in some alternative embodiments, the diameter of the dielectric waveguide 204 causes the coupling loss, for example, when higher order coupling losses are desired, or by another method (eg, impedance matching by taper processing, etc.). When used with other techniques to reduce, it can be greater than or equal to the diameter of wire 202.
In one exemplary embodiment, the wavelengths of the waves 206 and 208 are comparable to or smaller than the size of the perimeter of the dielectric waveguide 204 and wire 202. In one example, if the wire 202 has a diameter of 0.5 cm and a corresponding perimeter of about 1.5 cm, the wavelength of transmission is about 1.5 cm or less, which corresponds to frequencies above 20 GHz. In another embodiment, suitable frequencies for transmission and carrier signals are in the range of 30GHz-100GHz, probably about 30GHz-60GHz, in one example about 38GHz. In one exemplary embodiment, waves 206 and 208 are described herein when the perimeter of the dielectric waveguide 204 and wire 202 is comparable to or greater than the size of the transmission wavelength. Multiple wave propagation modes can be shown, including basic and / or non-basic (symmetric and / or asymmetric) modes that propagate over a distance sufficient to support a variety of communication systems. Therefore, waves 206 and 208 can include two or more types of electric and magnetic field configurations. In one exemplary embodiment, when the waveguide 208 propagates downstream through wire 202, the electric and magnetic field configurations remain the same between the endpoints of wire 202. In other embodiments, when the waveguide 208 faces interference or loses energy due to transmission loss, the electric and magnetic field configurations may change as the waveguide 208 propagates downstream through wire 202. There is.
In one exemplary embodiment, the dielectric waveguide 204 can be made of nylon, Teflon, polyethylene, polyamide or other plastic. In other embodiments, other dielectric materials are possible. The wire surface of the wire 202 can be a metal with a bare metal surface, or can be insulated with a plastic, dielectric, insulator or other coating material. In one exemplary embodiment, the dielectric waveguide or otherwise non-conductive / insulated wire can be paired with a bare wire / metal wire or an insulated wire. In other embodiments, metal and / or conductive waveguides can be paired with bare / metal or insulated wires. Also, in one exemplary embodiment, the oxide layer on the exposed metal surface of the wire 202 (eg, resulting from exposing the exposed metal surface to oxygen / air) is provided by some insulator or coating material. Insulation or dielectric properties similar to those given can be provided.
Graphical representations of waves 206, 208 and 210 are presented to illustrate the principle by which waves 206 guide or otherwise transmit waveguides 208 over wire 202 acting as, for example, a single line transmission line. Please note that this is just the case. The wave 210 represents a portion of the wave 206 that remains on the dielectric waveguide 204 after the generation of the waveguide 208. The actual electric and magnetic fields generated as a result of such wave propagation are the frequencies utilized, one or more specific wave propagation modes, the design of the dielectric waveguide 204, the dimensions and composition of the wire 202, and the like. In addition, it may differ depending on its surface characteristics, its optional insulation, the electromagnetic characteristics of the surrounding environment, and the like.
It should be noted that the dielectric waveguide 204 may include a termination circuit or damper 214 capable of absorbing the remaining radiation or energy from the wave 210 at the end of the dielectric waveguide 204. The termination circuit or damper 214 can prevent and / or minimize the remaining radiation from the wave 210 being reflected back towards the transmitter circuit 212. In one exemplary embodiment, the termination circuit or damper 214 may include a termination resistor and / or other component that performs impedance matching to attenuate reflections. In some embodiments, it may not be necessary to use a termination circuit or damper 214 if the coupling efficiency is high enough and / or if the wave 210 is small enough. For brevity, these transmitters 212 and termination circuits or dampers 214 are not shown in other figures, but in some cases transmitters and termination circuits or dampers may be used in their embodiments. is there.
Further, a single dielectric waveguide 204 is presented that produces a single waveguide 208, but is located at different points along the wire 202 and / or in different axial orientations around the wire. Can be utilized to generate and receive multiple waveguides 208 at the same or different frequencies, in the same or different phases, and / or in the same or different wave propagation modes. By modulation techniques such as phase modulation, frequency modulation, orthogonal amplitude modulation, amplitude modulation, multicarrier modulation, and by multiple access techniques such as frequency split multiplexing, time split multiplexing, code split multiplexing, and multiplexing with different wave propagation modes. And other modulation or access methods can be used to modulate one or more waveguide 208s to carry data.
With reference to FIG. 3, a block diagram of a non-limiting embodiment of an example of a dielectric waveguide coupling system 300 according to the various aspects described herein is shown. The system 300 implements a coupler comprising a dielectric waveguide 304 and a wire 302, the wire 302 having a wave 306 propagating as a waveguide around the surface of the wire 302. In one exemplary embodiment, the wave 306 can be characterized as a surface wave or other electromagnetic wave.
In one exemplary embodiment, the dielectric waveguide 304 is curved, or otherwise has a certain curvature, and a portion of the curved dielectric waveguide 304 is parallel to or otherwise parallel to the wire 302. It can be placed near the wires 302 so that they are substantially parallel. The portion of the dielectric waveguide 304 parallel to the wire can be the apex of the curve or any point whose tangent to the curve is parallel to the wire 302. When the dielectric waveguide 304 is near the wire, the waveguide 306 traveling along the wire 302 can be coupled to the dielectric waveguide 304 and propagates around the dielectric waveguide 304 as a waveguide 308. can do. The portion of the waveguide 306 that is not coupled to the dielectric waveguide 304 propagates along the wire 302 as a waveguide 310 (eg, a surface wave or other electromagnetic wave).
The waveguides 306 and 308 remain parallel to the wires 302 and the dielectric waveguide 304, respectively, even when the wires 302 and the dielectric waveguide 304 bend and bend. Bending can increase transmission loss, which also depends on wire diameter, frequency and material. When the dimensions of the dielectric waveguide 304 are selected for efficient power transfer, most of the energy in the waveguide 306 is coupled to the dielectric waveguide 304 and most of it remains in the waveguide 310. Absent.
In one exemplary embodiment, a receiver circuit can be placed at the end of the waveguide 304 to receive the wave 308. A termination circuit can be placed at the opposite end of the waveguide 304 to receive the waveguide traveling in the opposite direction to the waveguide coupled to the waveguide 304. In this way, the termination circuit will prevent and / or minimize the reflection received by the receiver circuit. If the reflection is small, the termination circuit may not be needed.
Note that the dielectric waveguide 304 can be configured such that the selected polarization of the surface wave 306 is coupled to the dielectric waveguide 304 as a waveguide 308. For example, if the waveguide 306 is configured with a waveguide or wave propagation mode with each polarization, the dielectric waveguide 304 is one or more of the selected polarizations (s). It can be configured to receive multiple waveguides. Thus, the waveguide 308 coupled to the dielectric waveguide 304 is a set of waveguides corresponding to one or more of the selected polarizations (s), and the additional waveguide 310 , Can include waveguides that do not match the selected polarization (s).
The dielectric waveguide 304 is specific based on the angle / rotation around the wire 302 in which the dielectric waveguide 304 is located (the axial orientation of the coupler) and the axial pattern of the waveguide field structure. It can be configured to receive a polarized wave guide. For example, if the coupler is directed to feed the waveguide along the horizontal approach path, and the waveguide 306 is horizontally polarized (ie, the field structure of the waveguide is concentrated on the horizontal axis). In some cases, most of the waveguide 306 is transmitted as a wave 308 to the dielectric waveguide. In another example, if the dielectric waveguide 304 rotates about 90 degrees around the wire 302, most of the energy from the waveguide 306 remains coupled to the wire as the waveguide 310, and only a small amount. Only the part that is connected to the electric wire 302 as a wave 308.
Note that in FIG. 3 and other figures herein, the waves 306, 308 and 310 are shown using three circular symbols. These symbols are used to represent general waveguides, but do not mean that the waves 306, 308 and 310 are always circularly polarized or otherwise circularly oriented. In practice, waves 306, 308 and 310 can include a basic TEM mode in which the field extends radially outwards, and can also include other non-basic (eg, higher order) modes. .. These modes can also be actually asymmetric (eg, radial, bilateral, three-way, four-way, etc.).
It should also be noted that the guided communication over the wires is fully duplexed, which allows simultaneous communication in both directions. A wave traveling in one direction can pass through a wave traveling in the opposite direction. Due to the principle of superposition as applied to waves, electromagnetic fields may cancel out for a short period of time at certain points. Waves traveling in opposite directions propagate as if the other wave were not there, but the synthetic effect on the observer can be a stationary standing wave pattern. Interference diminishes when the waveguides pass through each other and are no longer superposed. When the waveguide (eg, surface wave or other electromagnetic wave) couples to the waveguide and moves away from the wire, any interference caused by the other waveguide (eg, surface wave or other electromagnetic wave) is reduced. In one exemplary embodiment, when a waveguide 306 (eg, a surface wave or other electromagnetic wave) approaches a dielectric waveguide 304, it travels from left to right on the wire 302 by causing local interference. Another waveguide (eg, surface wave or other electromagnetic wave) (not shown) passes through. When the waveguide 306 couples to the dielectric waveguide 304 as a wave 308 and moves away from the wire 302, any interference caused by the passing waveguide is diminished.
The graphic representation of the electromagnetic waves 306, 308 and 310 is provided only to illustrate the principle by which the waveguide 306 guides the wave 308 over the dielectric waveguide 304 or otherwise sends it out. Please note. Wave 310 represents the portion of the waveguide 306 that remains on the wire 302 after the generation of the waveguide 308. The actual electric and magnetic fields generated as a result of such waveguides are the shape and / or design of the dielectric waveguide, the relative position of the dielectric waveguide with respect to the wire, the frequency used, and the dielectric waveguide. It may vary depending on one or more of the design of the 304, the dimensions and composition of the wire 302, its surface properties, its optional insulation, the electromagnetic properties of the ambient environment, and the like.
With reference to FIG. 4, a block diagram of a non-limiting embodiment of an example of a dielectric waveguide coupling system 400 according to the various aspects described herein is shown. System 400 implements a coupler with a dielectric waveguide 404 having a wave 406 propagating as a waveguide around the waveguide surface of the dielectric waveguide 404. In one exemplary embodiment, the dielectric waveguide 404 is curved and the ends of the dielectric waveguide 404 can be connected to wire 402, fixed, or otherwise mechanical. Can be combined with. When the end of the dielectric waveguide 404 is fixed to the wire 402, the end of the dielectric waveguide 404 is parallel to or substantially parallel to the wire 402. Alternatively, another portion of the dielectric waveguide beyond the end can be fixed or coupled to the wire 402 so that the fixed or coupled portion is parallel or substantially parallel to the wire 402. it can. The coupling device 410 can be a nylon cable tie or other type of non-conductive / dielectric material and is either separate from the dielectric waveguide 404 or configured as an integral component of the dielectric waveguide 404. Will be done. In another embodiment, the dielectric waveguide 404 can be mechanically disconnected from the wire 402, leaving a gap between the coupler and the wire 402. The dielectric waveguide 404 can be adjacent to the wire 402 without surrounding the wire 402.
When the dielectric waveguide 404 is arranged so that its ends are parallel to the wire 402, the waveguide 406 traveling along the dielectric waveguide 404 is coupled to the wire 402 and the wire surface of the wire 402. Propagates as a waveguide 408. In one exemplary embodiment, the waveguide 408 can be characterized as a surface wave or other electromagnetic wave.
Graphical representations of waves 406 and 408 are presented to illustrate the principle by which waves 406 guide or otherwise transmit waveguide 408 over wire 402, which operates as, for example, a single line transmission line. Note that it is not too much. The actual electric and magnetic fields generated as a result of such waveguides are the shape and / or design of the dielectric waveguide, the relative position of the dielectric waveguide with respect to the wire, the frequency used, and the dielectric waveguide. It may vary depending on one or more of the design of the 404, the dimensions and composition of the wire 402, its surface properties, its optional insulation, the electromagnetic properties of the ambient environment, and the like.
In one exemplary embodiment, the end of the dielectric waveguide 404 can be tapered towards wire 402 to increase coupling efficiency. In practice, according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, the tapering of the end of the dielectric waveguide 404 can provide impedance matching with the wire 402. For example, the end of the dielectric waveguide 404 can be tapered gradually to obtain the desired coupling level between the waves 406 and 408 as shown in FIG.
In one exemplary embodiment, the coupling device 410 can be arranged such that a short length dielectric waveguide 404 is present between the coupling device 410 and the end of the dielectric waveguide 404. No matter what frequency is transmitted, maximum coupling efficiency is achieved when the length of the end of the dielectric waveguide 404 beyond the coupling device 410 is at least a few wavelengths. However, shorter lengths are also possible.
With reference to FIG. 5, a non-limiting example of a dielectric waveguide coupler and transmitter / receiver system 500 (collectively referred to herein as system 500) according to the various aspects described herein. A block diagram of various embodiments is shown. System 500 implements a transmitter device with a coupler that includes a transmitter / receiver device 506 that sends and receives waves (eg, waveguide 504 on a dielectric waveguide 502). Waveguide 504 can be used to transport signals transmitted and received to base station device 508, mobile device 522 or building 524 by communication interface 501. The communication interface 501 can be an integral part of the system 500. Alternatively, the communication interface 501 can be tethered to system 500. Communication interface 501 comprises a wireless interface for configuring an interface with base station 508, mobile device 522 or building 524 using any of various wireless signaling protocols (eg LTE, WiFi, WiMAX, etc.). be able to. The communication interface 501 may also include a wired interface such as an optical fiber line, a coaxial cable, a twisted pair cable, or another wired medium suitable for transmitting a signal to the base station 508 or the building 524. In embodiments where the system 500 functions as a repeater, the communication interface 501 may not be needed.
The output signal (eg, Tx) of the communication interface 501 can be combined with the millimeter wave carrier generated by the local oscillator 512 in the frequency mixer 510. The frequency mixer 510 can frequency shift the output signal from the communication interface 501 using a heterodyne technique or other frequency shifting technique. For example, signals transmitted to and from communication interface 501 are long-term evolution (LTE) wireless protocols or other wireless 3G, 4G, 5G or higher-order voice and data protocols, Zigbee, WIMAX, ultra-wideband. It can be a signal to be modulated, such as an Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplexing (OFDM) signal formatted according to wideband or IEEE 802.11 wireless protocols, or other wireless protocols. In an exemplary embodiment, this frequency conversion can be performed in the analog domain, and as a result, the frequency shift takes into account the type of communication protocol used by base station 508, mobile device 522 or building device 524. Can be done without. As new communication technologies are developed, the communication interface 501 can be upgraded or replaced, but the frequency shift and transmission equipment remains the same, facilitating the upgrade. The carrier wave can then be sent to the power amplifier ("PA") 514 and via the diplexer 516 and via the transmitter / receiver device 506.
The signal received from the transmitter / receiver device 506 and directed to the communication interface 501 can be separated from other signals via the diplexer 516. The transmission can then be sent to a low noise amplifier ("LNA") 518 for amplification. The frequency mixer 520, with the help of the local oscillator 512, can shift its transmission (it is in the millimeter wave band or about 38 GHz in some embodiments) downward to its original frequency. The communication interface 501 can then receive its transmission at the input port (Rx).
In one embodiment, the transmitter / receiver device 506 is a cylindrical or non-cylindrical metal (eg, can be hollow in one embodiment, but is not necessarily drawn to scale), or other. Conductive or non-conductive waveguides can be included, with the ends of the dielectric waveguide 502 in the waveguide or transmitter / receiver device 506, or in close proximity to the waveguide or transmitter / receiver device 506. And thereby, when the transmitter / receiver device 506 generates transmission, the waveguide couples to the waveguide 502 and as a waveguide 504 around the waveguide surface of the dielectric waveguide 502. It can be propagated. In some embodiments, the waveguide 504 is capable of propagating partly on the outer surface of the dielectric waveguide 502 and partly inside the dielectric waveguide 502. In other embodiments, the waveguide 504 can propagate substantially or completely over the outer surface of the dielectric waveguide 502. In yet another embodiment, the waveguide 504 can propagate substantially or completely inside the dielectric waveguide 502. In this latter embodiment, the waveguide 504 radiates at the end of the dielectric waveguide 502 (such as the tapered end shown in FIG. 4) in order to couple to a transmission medium such as wire 402 in FIG. be able to. Similarly, when the waveguide 504 is arriving (coupled from the wire to the dielectric waveguide 502), the waveguide 504 enters the transmitter / receiver device 506 and is a cylindrical waveguide or conductive conductor. Connect to the waveguide. Transmitter / receiver device 506 is shown to include a separate waveguide, but utilizes an antenna, cavity resonator, klystron, magnetron, traveling wave tube or other radiation element without the use of a separate waveguide. Then, the waveguide can be guided on the waveguide 502.
In one embodiment, the dielectric waveguide 502 can be composed entirely of a dielectric material (or another suitable insulating material) without the use of any metal or other conductive material. Dielectric waveguide 502 is nylon, Teflon, polyethylene, polyamide, other plastics, or non-conductive and is suitable for facilitating the transmission of electromagnetic waves on at least a portion of the outer surface of such materials. It can be composed of other materials. In another embodiment, the dielectric waveguide 502 includes a core that is made of conductive / metal and can have an outer dielectric surface. Similarly, the transmission medium coupled to the dielectric waveguide 502 to propagate the electromagnetic waves induced by the dielectric waveguide 502 or to supply the electromagnetic waves to the dielectric waveguide 502 is any metal or other. It can be composed entirely of a dielectric material (or another suitable insulating material) without the use of conductive materials.
FIG. 5 shows that the opening of the transmitter / receiver device 506 is much wider than the dielectric waveguide 502, but this is not to scale and, in other embodiments, the width of the dielectric waveguide 502. Note that is as small as, or slightly smaller than, the opening of the hollow waveguide. Also, although not shown, in one embodiment, the end of the waveguide 502 inserted into the transmitter / receiver device 506 is tapered to reduce reflections and increase coupling efficiency.
The transmitter / receiver device 506 can be communicably coupled to the communication interface 501, and alternative, the transmitter / receiver device 506 is one or more distributed antennas 112 and a plurality of distributed antennas 112 as shown in FIG. It can also be communicatively combined with 114. In other embodiments, the transmitter / receiver device 506 can form part of a repeater system for a backhaul network.
One or more waveguide modes of the waveguide generated by the transmitter / receiver device 506 before coupling to the dielectric waveguide 502 are coupled to the dielectric waveguide 502 and one of the waveguides 504. Alternatively, a plurality of wave propagation modes can be induced. The wave propagation mode of the waveguide 504 may differ from the hollow metal waveguide mode due to the difference in characteristics between the hollow metal waveguide and the dielectric waveguide. For example, the wave propagation mode of the waveguide 504 is the basic transverse electromagnetic mode (pseudo TEM).<sub>00</sub>) Can be included, in which mode only a small electric and / or magnetic field extends in the propagation direction while the waveguide propagates along the dielectric waveguide 502, and the electric and magnetic fields are conducted in the dielectric. It extends radially outward from the waveguide 502. Basic lateral electromagnetic mode The wave propagation mode may not exist inside a hollow waveguide. Therefore, the hollow metal waveguide mode used by the transmitter / receiver device 506 is a waveguide mode that can be effectively and efficiently coupled to the wave propagation mode of the dielectric waveguide 502.
With reference to FIG. 6, a block diagram of a non-limiting embodiment of an example of a double dielectric waveguide coupling system 600 according to the various aspects described herein is shown. In one exemplary embodiment, a coupler module is shown in which two or more dielectric waveguides (eg, 604 and 606) are positioned around wire 602 to receive the waveguide 608. In one exemplary embodiment, the waveguide 608 can be characterized as a surface wave or other electromagnetic wave. In one exemplary embodiment, one dielectric waveguide is sufficient to receive the waveguide 608. In that case, the waveguide 608 couples to the dielectric waveguide 604 and propagates as a waveguide 610. When the field structure of the waveguide 608 vibrates or oscillates around the wire 602 due to various external factors, the dielectric waveguide 606 is arranged so that the waveguide 608 is coupled to the dielectric waveguide 606. be able to. In some embodiments, waveguides that may oscillate or rotate around wire 602, guided in different axial orientations, or, for example, orientation-dependent lobes and / or nulls or other asymmetry. In order to receive a waveguide having a non-basic mode or a higher order mode having a property, four or more dielectric waveguides are placed around a part of the wire 602, for example, at 90 degrees to each other, or separately. Can be placed at intervals of. However, it will be appreciated that less than four or more than four dielectric waveguides may be placed around some of the wires 602 without departing from the exemplary embodiment. Also, some exemplary embodiments have presented a plurality of dielectric waveguides around at least a portion of wire 602, which is a plurality of dielectric waveguide subcomponents. It will also be appreciated that it can also be considered as part of a single dielectric waveguide system with. For example, two or more dielectric waveguides can be manufactured as a single system that can be installed around the wire in a single installation so that the dielectric waveguides are pre-installed according to a single system. Positioned Or can be adjustable (either manual or automatic) with respect to each other. The receiver coupled to the dielectric waveguides 606 and 604 can combine the signals received from both dielectric waveguides 606 and 604 using diversity synthesis to maximize signal quality. .. In another embodiment, if either one of the dielectric waveguides 604 and 606 receives a transmission above a predetermined threshold, the receiver will have selective diversity when deciding which signal to use. Can be used.
It should be noted that the graphic representation of the waves 608 and 610 is only presented to illustrate the principle by which the waveguide 608 guides the wave 610 over the dielectric waveguide 604 or otherwise delivers it. I want to. The actual electric and magnetic fields generated as a result of such wave propagation are the frequencies utilized, the design of the dielectric waveguide 604, the dimensions and composition of the wire 602, and its surface properties, its optional insulation, It may differ depending on the electromagnetic characteristics of the surrounding environment.
With reference to FIG. 7, a block diagram of a non-limiting embodiment of an example of a bidirectional dielectric waveguide coupling system 700 according to the various aspects described herein is shown. Such a system 700 implements a transmit device with a coupling module with two dielectric waveguides 704 and 714. The coupling module is placed near the wire 702 so that the waveguide propagating along the wire 702 (eg, surface waves or other electromagnetic waves) is coupled to the dielectric waveguide 704 as a wave 706 and then. It can be boosted or reproduced by the repeater device 710 so that it is delivered over the dielectric waveguide 714 as a waveguide 716. The waveguide 716 can then be coupled to wire 702 and continue to propagate along wire 702. In one exemplary embodiment, the repeater device 710 can receive at least a portion of the power used to boost or reproduce through magnetic coupling with a wire 702 that can be a power line.
In some embodiments, the repeater device 710 can reproduce the transmission associated with the wave 706, and in other embodiments, the repeater device 710 is a distributed antenna system and / or base located near the repeater device 710. Can be associated with station devices. The receiver waveguide 708 can receive the wave 706 from the dielectric waveguide 704 and the transmitter waveguide 712 can transmit the waveguide 716 over the dielectric waveguide 714. Between the receiver waveguide 708 and the transmitter waveguide 712, the signal can be amplified to compensate for signal loss and other inefficiencies associated with waveguide communication, or the signal is received and there. The data contained in can be processed to extract and replayed for transmission. In one exemplary embodiment, the signal can be extracted from the transmission for processing and then otherwise radiated to a nearby mobile device via a distributed antenna communicably coupled to the repeater device 710. can do. Similarly, the signal and / or communication received by the distributed antenna can be inserted into the transmission generated by the transmitter waveguide 712 and transmitted over the dielectric waveguide 714. Therefore, the repeater system 700 shown in FIG. 7 can be functionally equivalent to the dielectric waveguide coupling devices 108 and 110 of FIG.
Note that FIG. 7 shows the waveguide 706 entering from the left and the waveguide 716 exiting to the right, but this is for simplicity only and is not intended to be limited. In other embodiments, the receiver waveguide 708 and the transmitter waveguide 712 can also serve as transmitters and receivers, respectively, thereby allowing the repeater device 710 to be bidirectional.
In one exemplary embodiment, the repeater device 710 can be placed on the wire 702 where there is a break or obstacle. These obstacles can include transformers, connections, utility poles and other such power line devices. The repeater device 710 can help the waveguide (eg, surface waves) jump over these obstacles on the line and at the same time boost the transmission power. In other embodiments, dielectric waveguides can be used to jump over obstacles without the use of repeater devices. In that embodiment, both ends of the dielectric waveguide can be connected or fixed to a wire, thereby providing a path for the waveguide to proceed unobstructed by obstacles.
Referring now to FIG. 8, a block diagram of a non-limiting embodiment of the bidirectional dielectric waveguide detector 800 according to the various aspects described herein is shown. The bidirectional dielectric waveguide coupler 800 implements a transmitting device with a coupling module that can utilize a diversity path when two or more wires are stretched over a utility pole. Waveguided transmission has different transmission and coupling efficiencies in the case of insulated and non-insulated wire, based on weather, rainfall and atmospheric conditions, so that at a particular point in time, either insulated or non-insulated wire. It may be advantageous to selectively transmit.
In the embodiment shown in FIG. 8, the repeater device uses a receiver waveguide 808 that receives the waveguide traveling along the non-insulated wire 802 and isolates its transmission using the transmitter waveguide 810. Reproduced as a waveguide along the wire 804. In other embodiments, the repeater device can switch from insulated wire 804 to non-insulated wire 802, or its transmission can be reproduced along the same path. The repeater device 806 may include or communicate with sensors that indicate conditions that may affect transmission. Based on the feedback received from the sensor, the repeater device 806 can make a decision as to whether to keep the transmission along the same wire or to transfer the transmission to another wire.
Here, with reference to FIG. 9, a block diagram showing a non-limiting embodiment of an example of the bidirectional repeater system 900 is shown. The bidirectional repeater system 900 implements a transmit device having a coupling module with waveguide coupling devices 902 and 904 that receive and transmit transmissions from a distributed antenna system or other coupling device located within a backhaul system.
In various embodiments, the waveguide coupled device 902 can receive a transmission from another waveguide coupled device, the transmission having a plurality of subcarriers. The diplexer 906 can separate the transmission from other transmissions, for example by filtration, and send the transmission to a low noise amplifier ("LNA") 908. The frequency mixer 928, with the help of the local oscillator 912, makes its transmission (it is in the millimeter wave band or about 38 GHz in some embodiments) at a lower frequency, i.e. the cellular band in the case of a distributed antenna system. It can be shifted down to (about 1.9GHz), the original frequency, or other frequencies in the case of backhaul systems. The extractor 932 can extract a signal on the subcarrier corresponding to the antenna or other output component 922 and send the signal to the output component 922. For signals that have not been extracted at this antenna position, the extractor 932 can redirect those signals to another frequency mixer 936, where they are used to local oscillators. Modulates the carrier wave produced by the 914. The carrier, along with its subcarrier, is sent to the power amplifier ("PA") 916 and resent to another repeater system by the waveguide coupling device 904 via the diplexer 920.
At the output device 922, the PA 924 can boost the signal for transmission to the mobile device. The LNA926 can be used to amplify a weak signal received from a mobile device, which can then be sent to the multiplexer 934, which receives the signal from the waveguide coupling device 904. Fuse with the signal. The output device 922 can be coupled to an antenna or other antenna in a distributed antenna system, for example, via a diplexer, duplexer or transmit / receive switch (not specifically shown). The signal received from the coupling device 904 is split by the diplexer 920, then passed through the LNA 918 and shifted downwards with respect to frequency by the frequency mixer 938. When the signals are combined by the multiplexer 934, they are shifted upwards with respect to frequency by the frequency mixer 930 and then boosted by the PA910 and sent back to the transmitter or another by the waveguide coupling device 902. Sent to repeaters. In an exemplary embodiment, the bidirectional repeater system 900 can be simply a repeater without an antenna / output device 922. It will be appreciated that in some embodiments, the bidirectional repeater system 900 can also be implemented using two different and separate unidirectional repeaters. In an alternative embodiment, the bidirectional repeater system 900 can be a booster or can otherwise perform retransmissions without downward and upward shifts. In practice, in an exemplary embodiment, retransmissions include receiving a signal or waveguide and some signal or waveguide processing or shaping, filtering and / or amplification prior to retransmission of the signal or waveguide. It can be based on what you do.
FIG. 10 shows the processes associated with the above system. The process of FIG. 10 can be carried out, for example, by the systems 100, 200, 300, 400, 500, 600, 700, 800 and 900 shown in FIGS. 1-9, respectively. For simplicity, these methods are illustrated and described as a series of blocks, but some blocks are shown and / or others in a different order than illustrated and described herein. Please understand and recognize that the subject matter claimed is not limited by the order of the blocks, as it may occur at the same time as the blocks. In addition, not all illustrated blocks may be required to implement the methods described below.
FIG. 10 shows a flow diagram of a non-limiting embodiment of an example of a method for transmitting transmission using a dielectric waveguide coupler as described herein. Method 1000 can be started at 1002, where at 1002 a first electromagnetic wave propagating at least partially over the waveguide surface is radiated by the transmitting device, and the waveguide surface is the wire of the wire. Does not surround the entire or substantive part of the surface. The transmission generated by the transmitter can be based on signals received from base station devices, access points, network or mobile devices.
In 1004, based on constructing a waveguide in close proximity to the wire, the waveguide then couples at least part of the first electromagnetic wave to the wire surface and propagates at least partially around the wire surface. A second electromagnetic wave (eg, a surface wave) is formed and the wire is in close proximity to the waveguide. This can be done in response to positioning a portion of the dielectric waveguide (eg, the tangent to the curve of the dielectric waveguide) near the wire and parallel to the wire, and the wavelength of the electromagnetic wave is , Shorter than the outer circumference of the wire and the outer circumference of the dielectric waveguide. Waveguides or surface waves remain parallel to the wire as the wire bends and bends. Bending can increase transmission loss, which also depends on wire diameter, frequency and material. As described herein, a coupling interface between the wire and the wire can be configured to achieve the desired coupling level, and the coupling interface is the impedance between the waveguide and the wire. Tapering the ends of the waveguide can be included to improve matching.
The transmission radiated by the transmitter can exhibit one or more waveguide modes. The waveguide mode can depend on the shape and / or design of the waveguide. The propagation mode on the wire may differ from the waveguide mode due to the difference in characteristics between the waveguide and the wire. Waveguides exhibit multiple wave propagation modes when the outer circumference of the wire is comparable to or greater than the size of the transmission wavelength. Therefore, the waveguide can include two or more types of electric and magnetic field configurations. When a waveguide (eg, a surface wave) propagates downstream through a wire, the electric and magnetic field configurations may remain substantially the same between the ends of the wire, or rotation, dispersion, attenuation, or other effects. The transmission may change as it traverses the wire.
With reference to FIG. 11, a block diagram of the computing environment according to the various aspects described herein is shown. To provide further context with respect to the various embodiments described herein, the studies in FIG. 11 and the following are appropriate to be able to implement the various embodiments of the embodiments described herein. It is intended to provide a concise and general description of the computing environment 1100. Although embodiments have been described in the general context of computer executable instructions that can be executed on one or more computers, those embodiments can be combined with other program modules and / or hardware. Those skilled in the art will recognize that it can also be implemented as a combination of hardware and software.
In general, a program module includes routines, programs, components, data structures, etc. that perform a particular task or perform a particular abstract data type. In addition, single-processor or multiprocessor computer systems, minicomputers, mainframe computers and personal computers, handheld computing devices, each of which can operably combine the methods of the invention into one or more related devices. It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that it can be implemented with other computer system configurations, including microprocessor-based or programmable household appliances.
Terms such as "first," "second," and "third" should only be clarified when used in the claims, unless otherwise specified by the context. It is intended and does not otherwise indicate or imply any order with respect to time. For example, the "first judgment," "second judgment," and "third judgment" do not imply or imply that the first judgment is made before the second judgment. The reverse is also true.
Illustrative embodiments of embodiments herein can also be performed in a distributed computing environment in which certain tasks are performed by remote processing devices linked through a communication network. In a distributed computing environment, program modules can be located in both local and remote memory storage devices.
Computing devices typically include a variety of media, which can include computer-readable storage media and / or communication media, the two terms of which are different from each other herein, as follows: used. Computer-readable storage media can be any available storage medium accessible by a computer, including both volatile and non-volatile media, removable and non-removable media. By way of example, but not limited to, computer readable storage media are implemented in connection with any method or technique for storing information such as computer readable instructions, program modules, structured or unstructured data. be able to.
Computer-readable storage media include, but are not limited to, random access memory (RAM), read-only memory (ROM), electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM), flash memory or other memory technology, and compact disk read-only memory. (CD-ROM), digital versatile disk (DVD) or other optical disk storage device, magnetic cassette, magnetic tape, magnetic disk storage device or other magnetic storage device, or can be used to store desired information. Other tangible and / or non-temporary media can be included. In this regard, the term "tangible" or "non-temporary" as applied herein to a storage device, memory or computer-readable medium, as a modifier, is the transient propagating signal itself. It should be understood to exclude only, and does not waive any rights to all standard storage, memory or computer readable media, not just the temporary propagating signal itself.
Computer-readable storage media are accessed by one or more local or remote computing devices, eg, via access requests, queries, or other data retrieval protocols, for various actions on the information stored by the media. be able to.
Communication media typically embody computer-readable instructions, data structures, program modules or other structured or unstructured data in data signals to be modulated, such as carrier waves or other transport mechanisms, and any information. Includes delivery or transport medium. The term "modulated data signal" or signal refers to a signal having one or more of the characteristics set or modified to encode information within one or more signals. By way of example, but not limited to, communication media include wired media such as wired networks or directly connected connections, and wireless media such as acoustic, RF, infrared and other wireless media.
With reference to FIG. 11 again, an exemplary environment 1100 for transmitting and receiving signals through base stations (eg, base station devices 104 and 508) and repeater devices (eg, repeater devices 710, 806 and 900) , Computer 1102, which includes a processing unit 1104, system memory 1106, and system bus 1108. System bus 1108 binds system components, including, but not limited to, system memory 1106 to processing unit 1104. The processing unit 1104 can be any of a variety of commercially available processors. Dual microprocessors and other multiprocessor architectures are also available as processing unit 1104.
The system bus 1108 can be further interconnected to a memory bus (with or without a memory controller), a peripheral bus, and a local bus using any of a variety of commercially available bus architectures. It can be any of the types of bus structures. System memory 1106 includes ROM 1110 and RAM 1112. The basic input / output system (BIOS) can be stored in non-volatile memory such as ROM, erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROM), EEPROM, etc., and the BIOS transfers information between elements in computer 1102 during booting, etc. Includes basic routines to help transfer. The RAM 1112 can also include high speed RAM such as static RAM for caching data.
The computer 1102 has an internal hard disk drive (HDD) 1114 (eg EIDE, SATA) and a magnetic floppy disk drive (FDD) 1116 (eg) that can also be configured for external use in a suitable chassis (not shown). , For reading or writing to a removable diskette 1118) and an optical disk drive 1120 (for reading, for example, reading or writing a CD-ROM disk 1122, or reading or writing to another high capacity optical medium such as a DVD). The hard disk drive 1114, the magnetic disk drive 1116, and the optical disk drive 1120 can be connected to the system bus 1108 by the hard disk drive interface 1124, the magnetic disk drive interface 1126, and the optical drive interface 1128, respectively. Interfaces 1124 for implementing external drives include at least one or both of the Universal Serial Bus (USB) and the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) 1394 interface technologies. Other external drive connection techniques are also within the scope of consideration of the embodiments described herein.
The drive and its associated computer-readable storage medium provide non-volatile storage of data, data structures, computer-executable instructions, and the like. For computer 1102, the drive and storage medium correspond to the storage of any data in a suitable digital format. The above description of computer-readable storage media refers to hard disk drives (HDDs), removable magnetic disksets, and removable optical media such as CDs or DVDs, but can be read by a computer such as zip drives, magnetic cassettes, flash memory cards, cartridges, etc. Other types of storage media that are possible can also be used in an exemplary operating environment, and any such storage medium may include computer-executable instructions for performing the methods described herein. What can be done should be understood by those skilled in the art.
Multiple program modules can be stored in the drive and RAM 1112, including the operating system 1130, one or more application programs 1132, other program modules 1134, and program data 1136. Operating systems, applications, modules and / or all or part of the data can also be cached in RAM 1112. The systems and methods described herein can be implemented utilizing various commercially available operating systems or combinations of operating systems. An example of application program 1132 that can be implemented by processing unit 1104 or otherwise executed includes a diversity selection decision performed by repeater device 806. In addition, the base station device 508 shown in FIG. 5 stores in memory a number of applications and programs that can be executed by the processing unit 1104 in this exemplary computing environment 1100.
The user can enter commands and information into computer 1102 through one or more wired / wireless input devices, such as pointing devices such as keyboard 1138 and mouse 1140. Other input devices (not shown) can include microphones, infrared (IR) remote controls, joysticks, gamepads, stylus pens, touch screens, and the like. These input devices and other input devices are often connected to processing unit 1104 through input device interface 1142, which can be coupled to system bus 1108, but parallel port, IEEE1394 serial port, game port, universal. It can also be connected via other interfaces such as a serial bus (USB) port or IR interface.
The monitor 1144 or other type of display device can also be connected to the system bus 1108 via an interface such as the video adapter 1146. Also, in an alternative embodiment, the monitor 1144 comprises any display device (eg, a display) for receiving display information associated with computer 1102 via any means of communication, including via the Internet and cloud-based networks. It will be understood that it can also be another computer, smartphone, tablet computer, etc. that it has. In addition to monitor 1144, computers typically include other peripheral output devices (not shown) such as speakers and printers.
Computer 1102 may operate in a networked environment using logical connections over wired and / or wireless communication with one or more remote computers, such as the remote computer (s) 1148. it can. The remote computer (s) 1148 can be a workstation, server computer, router, personal computer, portable computer, microprocessor built-in entertainment equipment, peer device or other common network node, typically computer 1102. Although it contains many or all of the elements described with respect to, only one memory / storage device 1150 is shown for brevity. The logical connections shown include wired / wireless connections to local area networks (LAN) 1152 and / or larger networks, such as wide area networks (WAN) 1154. Such LAN and WAN networking environments are common in offices and enterprises, all of which facilitate global communications networks, such as enterprise-scale computer networks such as intranets that can connect to the Internet.
When used in a LAN networked environment, the computer 1102 can connect to the local network 1152 through a wired and / or wireless communication network interface or adapter 1156. The adapter 1156 can facilitate wired or wireless communication with the LAN 1152, where the LAN can also include a wireless AP for communicating with the wireless adapter 1156.
When used in a WAN networked environment, the computer 1102 can include a modem 1158, can connect to a communication server on the WAN 1154, or establish communication over the WAN 1154, for example by the Internet. Has other means. The modem 1158 can be an internal or external and wired or wireless device and can be connected to the system bus 1108 via the input device interface 1142. In a networked environment, the program module shown for computer 1102 or a portion thereof can be stored in remote memory / storage device 1150. It will be appreciated that the network connection shown is an example and other means of establishing communication links between computers can be used.
The computer 1102 is associated with any wireless device or entity that is operationally positioned in wireless communication, such as a printer, scanner, desktop and / or portable computer, portable data assistant, communications satellite, wirelessly detectable tag. Or it can be operational to communicate with any part of the location (eg, a kiosk, newsstand, dressing room), and a telephone. It can include wireless fidelity (Wi-Fi) and BLUETOOTH® wireless technology. In this way, the communication can have a defined structure, as in the case of conventional networks, or simply ad hoc communication between at least two devices.
Wi-Fi allows you to connect to the Internet wirelessly from your chaise lounge at home, from your bed in your hotel room, or from your meeting room at work. Wi-Fi is a wireless technology similar to that used in mobile phones, which allows such devices, such as computers, to send and receive data both indoors and outdoors within the range of a base station. become able to. Wi-Fi networks use a wireless technology called IEEE 802.11 (a, b, g, n, ac, etc.) to provide secure, reliable, and high-speed wireless connectivity. Wi-Fi networks allow computers to connect to each other, to the Internet, and to wired networks (which can use IEEE 802.3 or Ethernet). Wi-Fi networks operate in, for example, unlicensed 2.4GHz and 5GHz radio bands, or with products that include both bands (dual bands), so networks are the basis used in many offices. It can provide real-world performance similar to a 10BaseT wired Ethernet network.
FIG. 12 presents an exemplary embodiment 1200 of a mobile network platform 1210 that can implement and utilize one or more aspects of the disclosed subject matter described herein. In one or more embodiments, the mobile network platform 1210 is associated with the disclosed subject matter by a base station (eg, base station devices 104 and 508) and a repeater device (eg, repeater devices 710, 806 and 900). It can generate and receive signals to be transmitted and received. In general, wireless network platforms 1210 include both packet-switched (PS) traffic (eg, Internet Protocol (IP), Frame Relay, Asynchronous Transfer Mode (ATM)) and circuit-switched (CS) traffic (eg, voice and data). It can also include components that facilitate control generation for networked wireless telecommunications, such as nodes, gateways, interfaces, servers or heterogeneous platforms. As a non-limiting example, the wireless network platform 1210 can be included within a telecommunications carrier network and can be considered a carrier-side component, as discussed elsewhere herein. The mobile network platform 1210 is such as a telephone network (s) 1240 (eg, Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN) or Public Land Mobile Network (PLMN)), or signaling system # 7 (SS7) network 1260. Includes a CS gateway node (s) 1212 that can have an interface with CS traffic received from the legacy network. Circuit-switched gateway nodes (s) 1212 can allow and authenticate traffic (eg, voice) originating from such networks. In addition, the CS gateway node (s) 1212 You can access mobility or roaming data generated through SS7 network 1260, such as mobility data stored in a visitor location register (VLR) that can reside in memory 1230. In addition, the CS gateway node (s) 1212 has interfaces with CS-based traffic and signaling as well as the PS gateway node (s) 1218. As an example, in a 3GPP UMTS network, the CS gateway node (s) 1212 can be implemented at least partially in the gateway GPRS support node (s) (GGSN). Features and specific behavior of CS gateway node (s) 1212, PS gateway node (s) 1218 and serving node (s) 1216 are mobile network platforms for telecommunications. It should be understood that it is provided and determined by the radio technology (s) utilized by 1210. In a UMTS network, the CS gateway node (s) 1212 can be implemented at least partially in the gateway GPRS support node (s) (GGSN). Features and specific behavior of CS gateway node (s) 1212, PS gateway node (s) 1218 and serving node (s) 1216 are mobile network platforms for telecommunications. It should be understood that it is provided and determined by the radio technology (s) utilized by 1210. In a UMTS network, the CS gateway node (s) 1212 can be implemented at least partially in the gateway GPRS support node (s) (GGSN). Features and specific behavior of CS gateway node (s) 1212, PS gateway node (s) 1218 and serving node (s) 1216 are mobile network platforms for telecommunications. It should be understood that it is provided and determined by the radio technology (s) utilized by 1210.
In addition to receiving and processing CS exchange traffic and signaling, the PS gateway node (s) 1218 can allow and authenticate PS-based data sessions with served mobile devices. Data sessions are external to wireless network platforms 1210 such as wide area networks (s) (WAN) 1250, corporate networks (s) 1270 and service networks (s) 1280. It can contain traffic or content (s) that are exchanged with a network, which can be embodied in a local area network (s) (LAN), and PS gateway nodes (s). You can also interface with the mobile network platform 1210 through the 1218). Note that WAN 1250 and corporate network (s) 1270 can at least partially embody service networks (s) such as the IP Multimedia Subsystem (IMS). Based on the wireless technology layer (s) available in the technology resource (s), the packet-switched gateway node (s) 1218, when a data session is established, Packet data protocol contexts can be generated, and other data structures can be generated that facilitate the routing of packetized data. To that end, in one aspect, the PS gateway node (s) 1218 can facilitate packetized communication with heterogeneous wireless networks (s) such as Wi-Fi networks. It can be equipped with a capable tunnel interface (eg, a tunnel termination gateway (TTG) in a 3GPP UMTS network (s) (not shown)).
In embodiment 1200, the wireless network platform 1210 also comprises a serving node (s) 1216, which is an available radio technology layer (s) within a technical resource (s). Based on (there is), it carries various packetized flows of data streams received through the PS gateway node (s) 1218. For technical resources (s) that rely primarily on CS communications, the server node (s) can deliver traffic without relying on the PS gateway node (s) 1218 (s). Please note. For example, a server node (s) can at least partially embody a mobile exchange center. As an example, in a 3GPP UMTS network, a serving node (s) 1216 can be embodied in a serving GPRS support node (s) (SGSN).
For wireless technologies that utilize packetized communications, the server (s) 1214 within the wireless network platform 1210 may generate multiple heterogeneous packetized data streams or flows, such flows. Can run a number of applications that can manage (eg, schedule, queue, format ...). Such applications (s) are standard services provided by the wireless network platform 1210 (eg provisioning, billing, customer support ... ) Can include an add-on mechanism. Transport a data stream (eg, content that is part of a voice call or data session (s) to a PS gateway node (s) 1218 for authorization / authentication and initiation of a data session. Can then be transported to the serving node (s) 1216 for communication. In addition to the application server, the server (s) 1214 can include a utility server (s), which can include provisioning servers, operations and maintenance servers, certification authorities and firewalls as well. It can include a security server or the like that can at least partially implement other security mechanisms. In one aspect, the security server (s) protects the communications served through the wireless network platform 1210, the CS gateway node (s) 1212 and the PS gateway node (s). Ensure network operation and data integrity, in addition to the authorization and authentication procedures that 1218 can specify. In addition, the provisioning server (s) may be a service from an external network (s), such as a network operated by a heterogeneous service provider, eg, WAN1250 or a Global Positioning System (GPS) network (s). (In some cases) (not shown) can be provisioned. The provisioning server (s) are also associated with a wireless network platform 1210, such as the distributed antenna network shown in Figure 1, which improves wireless service coverage by providing additional network coverage (eg, the same service). Provision coverage through the network (deployed and operated by the provider) You can also do it. Repeater devices such as those shown in FIGS. 7, 8 and 9 also improve network coverage in order to improve the subscriber service experience with UE1275.
Note that the server (s) 1214 may have one or more processors configured to at least partially provide the functionality of the macro network platform 1210. To that end, one or more processors can, for example, execute code instructions stored in memory 1230. It should be understood that the server (s) 1214 can be equipped with a content manager that behaves substantially as described above.
In an exemplary embodiment 1200, the memory 1230 can store information related to the operation of the wireless network platform 1210. Other operational information includes provisioning information for mobile devices served through the wireless platform network 1210, subscriber databases; application intelligence, pricing schemes such as promotional fees, flat-rate programs, coupon distribution campaigns; heterogeneous wireless or wireless, technology. It can include technical specifications (s) that match the telecommunications protocol for layer operation. The memory 1230 can also store information from at least one of the telephone network (s) 1240, WAN1250, corporate network (s) 1270, or SS7 network 1260. In one aspect, the memory 1230 can be accessed, for example, as part of a data store component or as a remotely connected memory store.
To provide a situation regarding the various aspects of the disclosed subject matter, FIG. 12 and the following studies provide a concise and general description of the appropriate environment in which the various aspects of the disclosed subject matter can be realized. Intended to do. The subject matter has been described so far in the general context of computer-executable instructions for computer programs running on one and / or multiple computers, but the disclosed subject matter is realized in combination with other program modules. It will be recognized by those skilled in the art that it can also be done. In general, a program module includes routines, programs, components, data structures, etc. that perform a particular task and / or realize a particular abstract data type.
Here, with reference to FIGS. 13a, 13b and 13c, a block diagram of a non-limiting embodiment of an example of a slotted waveguide coupler system 1300 according to the various aspects described herein is shown. .. In detail, cross sections of various waveguides near the junction where the waveguides transmit waveguides along the wires are presented. In FIG. 13a, the waveguide coupler system is provided in the waveguide 1302 so that the wire 1306 fits in or near a slot formed in the waveguide 1302 extending longitudinally with respect to the wire 1306. It includes a wire 1306 that is positioned relative to it. Both ends 1304a and 1304b of the waveguide 1302, as well as the waveguide 1302 itself, surround less than 180 degrees of the wire surface of the wire 1306.
In FIG. 13b, the waveguide coupler system comprises a wire 1314 positioned with respect to the waveguide 1308, which is in a slot formed in the waveguide 1308 extending longitudinally with respect to the wire 1314. It is designed to fit in or near. The slot surface of waveguide 1308 can be non-parallel, and two different exemplary embodiments are shown in Figure 13b. In the first embodiment, the slot surfaces 1310a and 1310b can be non-parallel, slightly wider than the width of wire 1314, and can face outward. In other embodiments, the slot surfaces 1312a and 1312b can still be non-parallel, but can be narrowed to form a slot opening narrower than the width of wire 1314. Any range of angles on the non-parallel slot surface is possible, and these are two exemplary embodiments.
In Figure 13c, the waveguide coupler system shows wire 1320 that fits within a slot formed within the waveguide 1316. The slot surfaces 1318a and 1318b in this exemplary embodiment can be parallel, but the axis 1326 of the wire 1320 is not aligned with the axis 1324 of the waveguide 1316. The waveguide 1316 and wire 1320 are therefore not coaxially aligned. In another embodiment illustrated, the possible positions of the wires in 1322 also have a shaft 1328 that is not aligned with the shaft 1324 of the waveguide 1316.
In FIGS. 13a, 13b and 13c, three different implementations showing a) a waveguide surface surrounding less than 180 degrees of wire, b) a non-parallel slot surface, and c) a wire and waveguide that are not coaxially aligned. Although the forms have been shown separately, it should be understood that in various embodiments, various combinations of listed features are possible.
Referring now to FIG. 14, a non-limiting embodiment of an example of a waveguide coupling system 1400 according to the various aspects described herein is shown. FIG. 14 shows a cross-sectional representation of an embodiment of a waveguide and an electric wire shown in FIGS. 2, 3, 4, and the like. As can be seen in 1400, wire 1404 is adjacent to and in contact with waveguide 1402 and can be positioned. In another embodiment, as shown in the waveguide coupling system 1410 in FIG. 14b, the wire 1414 can still be located near the waveguide strip 1412, but is not in actual contact. In either case, the electromagnetic wave traveling along the waveguide can induce other electromagnetic waves on the wire and vice versa. Also, in any embodiment, the wires 1404 and 1414 are arranged outside the cross-sectional area defined by the outer surfaces of the waveguides 1402 and 1412.
In the present disclosure, when a waveguide does not surround an axial region of a surface that exceeds 180 degrees when viewed in cross section, the waveguide does not surround the wire surface of the wire in a substantial portion. To avoid misunderstanding, when a waveguide surrounds an axial region of a surface of 180 degrees or less when viewed in cross section, the waveguide does not surround the surface of the wire in a substantial portion.
It should be understood that FIGS. 14a and 14b show the wires 1404 and 1414 having a circular shape and the waveguides 1402 and 1412 having a rectangular shape, which are not intended to be limiting. In other embodiments, the wires and waveguides can have various shapes, sizes and configurations. Shapes can include, but are not limited to, oval or other elliptical shapes, octagons with sharp or rounded edges, quadrangles or other polygons, or other shapes. Further, in some embodiments, the wires 1404 and 1414 can be stranded wires, including thinner gauge wires such as helical strands, blades, or other connections from individual strands to a single wire. Any of the wires and waveguides illustrated and described throughout the present disclosure may include one or more of these embodiments.
In the present specification, the terms "store", "storage", "data store", "data storage device", "database", and any other information storage component related to the operation and function of the component are referred to as "memory". Refers to an entity or a component having memory embodied in "component" and "memory". The memory components described herein can be either volatile or non-volatile memory, or can include both volatile and non-volatile memory, and are exemplary, but not limited to. However, it will be appreciated that volatile memory, non-volatile memory, disk storage and memory storage can be included. Further, in read-only memory (ROM), programmable ROM (PROM), electrically programmable ROM (EPROM), electrically erasable ROM (EEPROM) or flash memory, non-volatile memory can be included. Volatile memory can include random access memory (RAM) that acts as external cache memory. By way of example, but not limited to, RAM is synchronous RAM (SRAM), dynamic RAM (DRAM), synchronous DRAM (SDRAM), double data rate SDRAM (DDR SDRAM), enhanced SDRAM (ESDRAM), Synchlink DRAM (SLDRAM). And are available in many forms such as direct Rambus RAM (DRRAM). Further, the disclosed memory components of the systems or methods herein are intended to include, but are not limited to, these, and any other suitable types of memory.
Further disclosed subjects are single-processor or multiprocessor computer systems, mini-computing devices, main-frame computers, as well as personal computers, handheld computing devices (eg, PDA, telephones, watches, tablet computers, netbook computers, etc.). Note that it can be practiced in other computer system configurations, including microprocessor-based or programmable home appliances or industrial electronic equipment. The illustrated embodiment can also be practiced in a distributed computing environment where tasks are performed by remote processing devices linked through a communication network. However, some, but not all, aspects of the present disclosure can be practiced on a stand-alone computer. In a distributed computing environment, program modules can be located in both local and remote memory storage devices.
Some of the embodiments described herein can also utilize artificial intelligence (AI) to facilitate automation of one or more features described herein. For example, artificial intelligence can be used to determine the location around the wire on which the dielectric waveguides 604 and 606 should be located in order to maximize transmission efficiency. Multiple embodiments (eg, related to automatically identifying the acquired cell site that offers the maximum value / benefit after being added to an existing communication network) are used to perform various embodiments of AI. Various methods based on can be used. In addition, classifiers can be used to determine the ranking or prioritization of each cell site in the acquisition network. A classifier is a function that maps the input attribute vector x = (x1, x2, x3, x4, ..., xn) to the confidence that the input belongs to one class, i.e. f (x) = trust. Degree (class). Such classifications include probabilistic and / or statistical analysis (eg, taking into account the usefulness and cost of the analysis) to predict or infer the behavior that the user wants to be performed automatically. It can be used. A support vector machine (SVM) is an example of a classifier available. The SVM works by finding the hypersurface in the space of possible inputs, which attempts to separate the trigger criteria from non-triggered events. Intuitively, this makes the classification accurate to test data that is close to training data, but not identical. Other directed and undirected model classification techniques can utilize stochastic classification models that provide different independent patterns, including, for example, naive Bayesian networks, Bayesian networks, decision trees, neural networks, fuzzy logic models. As used herein, classification also includes statistical regression used to develop a model of priority.
As will be readily appreciated, one or more of the embodiments will be implicitly trained (eg, by observing UE behavior, operator preferences, historical information, and receiving external information. ), As well as a classifier that is clearly trained (eg, with general training data) is available. For example, the SVM can be configured via a learning or training stage within the classifier constructor and feature selection module. Therefore, using a classifier (s), but not limited to, which of the acquired cell sites will benefit the largest number of subscribers, and according to predetermined criteria, and / Or can automatically learn and perform multiple functions, including determining which of the acquired cell sites will add a minimum to the existing communication network coverage, etc. it can.
In some embodiments, terms such as "component", "system", etc. are computer-related entities, or can be used with one or more specific functions, as used in some contexts in this application. It is intended to refer to or include an entity associated with a device, which entity can be either hardware, a combination of hardware and software, software or running software. As an example, components can be, but are not limited to, processes, processors, objects, executables, threads of execution, computer-executable instructions, programs and / or computers that run on the processor. By way of example, but not limited to, both the application running on the server and the server can be components. One or more components may reside within a thread of process and / or execution, and the components may be localized on one computer and / or distributed among two or more computers. is there. In addition, these components can be run from a variety of computer-readable media with different data structures stored therein. A component interacts with another system over a signal, for example, over a network such as one or more data packets (data from a component that interacts with another component in a local system, a distributed system, and / or the Internet). It is possible to communicate via local and / or remote processes according to the signal having the data) from the component. As another example, a component can be a device with specific functionality provided by a mechanical component operated by an electrical or electronic circuit operated by a software or firmware application performed by the processor, the processor. Software that can be inside or outside the device Or run at least part of the firmware application. As yet another example, a component can be a device that provides a particular function through an electronic component without the use of mechanical components, where the electronic component provides software or firmware that at least partially provides the functionality of the electronic component. It can include a processor in it for execution. Although various components have been exemplified as separate components, it is possible to realize multiple components as a single component or a single component as multiple components without departing from the exemplary embodiment. Will be understood.
In addition, various embodiments use standard programming and / or engineering techniques to create software, firmware, hardware, or any combination thereof that controls a computer to achieve the disclosed subject matter. , Method, device or product. As used herein, the term "product" is intended to include any computer-readable device, or computer program accessible from a computer-readable storage / communication medium. For example, computer-readable storage media include, but are not limited to, magnetic storage devices (eg, hard disks, floppy disks, magnetic strips), optical disks (eg, compact discs (CDs), digital versatile discs (DVDs)), smart cards and It can include flash memory devices (eg, cards, sticks, key drives). Of course, one of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that numerous changes can be made to this configuration without departing from the scope or intent of the various embodiments.
In addition, the terms "example" and "exemplary" are used herein to mean serve as an example or an example. Any embodiment or design described herein as "example" or "exemplary" should not necessarily be construed as preferred or advantageous over other embodiments or designs. Rather, the use of the word example or exemplary is intended to present the concept concretely. As used in this application, the term "or" is intended to mean an inclusive "or" rather than an exclusive "or". That is, unless otherwise indicated, or unless otherwise apparent in the context, "X utilizes A or B" is intended to mean either a natural inclusive permutation. That is, when X uses A, X uses B, or X uses both A and B, "X is A or B" under any of the above cases. Use "is satisfied. In addition, the article "one (" a "and") used in this application and the appended claims. "an") "should generally be construed to mean" one or more "unless otherwise indicated or unless it is clear from the context that it is intended for the singular.
In addition, it represents terms (and / or similar terminology) such as "user device", "mobile station", "mobile subscriber station", "access terminal", "terminal", "handset", "mobile device". Terminology) refers to a wireless device used by a subscriber or user of a wireless communication service to receive or carry data, control, voice, video, sound, games or virtually any data or signaling stream. be able to. The above terms are used interchangeably herein and with reference to the relevant drawings.
In addition, terms such as "user," "subscriber," "customer," and "consumer" are used interchangeably throughout, unless certain differences between the terms are justified in the context. Such terms are supported through real human beings, or artificial intelligence (eg, the ability to reason at least based on complex mathematical forms) that can provide simulated vision, speech recognition, etc. It should be understood that it can refer to automated components.
As used herein, the term "processor" includes, but is not limited to, a single-core processor, a single processor capable of software multi-thread execution, a multi-core processor, a multi-core processor capable of software multi-thread execution, and hardware. It can refer to virtually any computing unit or device, including multi-core processors using multi-threaded technology, parallel platforms, and parallel platforms with distributed shared memory. In addition, the processors are integrated circuits, application specific integrated circuits (ASICs), digital signal processors (DSPs), field programmable gate arrays (FPGAs), programmable logic controllers (PLCs), complex programmable logic devices (CPLDs), discrete gates or It can refer to transistor logic, discrete hardware components, or any combination thereof designed to perform the functions described herein. Processors can utilize nanoscale architectures such as transistors, switches and gates based on molecules or quantum dots to optimize space utilization or improve performance of user equipment. The processor can also be realized as a combination of computing processing units.
Here, with reference to FIG. 15, a block diagram showing a non-limiting embodiment of an example of a waveguide communication system 1550 is shown. During operation, the transmitting device 1500 receives one or more communication signals 1510 containing data from a communication network or other communication device and transports the data to the transmitting device 1502 via the transmission medium 1525. Generate. The transmitting device 1502 receives the waveguides 1520 and converts them into communication signals 1512 containing data for transmission to a communication network or other communication device. One or more communication networks are wireless communications such as mobile data networks cellular voice and data networks, wireless local area networks (eg WiFi and 802.xx networks), satellite communications networks, personal area networks or other wireless networks. Can include networks. One or more communication networks include wired communication networks such as telephone networks, Ethernet networks, local area networks, wide area networks such as the Internet, broadband access networks, cable networks, fiber optic networks or other wired networks. be able to. Communication devices include network edge devices, bridge devices or home gateways, set-top boxes, broadband modems, telephone adapters, access points, base stations or other fixed communication devices, in-vehicle gateways, laptop computers, tablets, smartphones, cellular phones. Mobile communication devices such as, or other communication devices can be included.
In one exemplary embodiment, the waveguide communication system 1550 can operate bidirectionally, and the transmitting device 1502 receives one or more communication signals 1512, including other data, from the communication network or device. , Generates a waveguide 1522 that transports other data to the transmission device 1500 via the transmission medium 1525. In this mode of operation, the transmitting device 1500 receives the waveguide 1522 and converts the waveguide into a communication signal 1510 containing other data for transmission to the communication network or device.
The transmission medium 1525 can include an electric wire or other conductor or inner portion having at least one inner portion surrounded by a dielectric material such as an insulating or other dielectric coating, coating or other dielectric material, and is dielectric. The body material has an outer surface and a corresponding outer circumference. In one exemplary embodiment, the transmission medium 1525 operates as a single-line transmission line that guides the transmission of electromagnetic waves. When the transmission medium 1525 is realized as a single wire transmission system, it can include electric wires. The wires can be insulated or non-insulated, and single or stranded (eg, by blades). In other embodiments, the transmission medium 1525 may include conductors of other shapes or configurations, including wire bundles, cables, rods, rails, pipes. Further, the transmission medium 1525 can include non-conductors such as dielectric pipes, rods, rails or other dielectric members; combinations of conductors and dielectric materials or other waveguide transmission media. It should be noted that the transmission medium 1525 may, in other circumstances, include any of the transmission media discussed above in connection with FIGS. 1-14.
According to an exemplary embodiment, the waveguides 1520 and 1522 can be contrasted with wireless transmission over free space / air, or conventional propagation of power or signals through conductors of wires. Specifically, the waveguides 1520 and 1522 surround all or part of the surface of the transmission medium and, with low loss, surface waves propagating along the transmission medium from the transmitting device 1500 to the transmitting device 1502 and vice versa. Other electromagnetic waves. The waveguides 1520 and 1522 can have a field structure (eg, an electromagnetic field structure) that is predominantly or substantially external to the transmission medium 1525. In addition to the propagation of the waveguides 1520 and 1522, the transmission medium 1525 optionally has one or more wires that propagate power or other communication signals as part of one or more electrical circuits. Can include.
Here, with reference to FIG. 16, a block diagram showing a non-limiting embodiment of an example of transmitting device 1500 or 1502 is shown. The transmitting device 1500 or 1502 includes a communication interface (I / F) 1600, a transmitter / receiver 1610, and a coupler 1620.
In one example of operation, the communication interface 1600 receives a communication signal 1510 or 1512 containing the first data. In various embodiments, the communication interface 1600 is an LTE or other cellular voice and data protocol, WiFi or 802.11 protocol, WIMAX protocol, ultra-broadband protocol, Bluetooth protocol, Zigbee protocol, direct broadcast satellite (DBS) or other satellite communication. It can include a wireless interface for receiving wireless communication signals according to wireless standard protocols, such as protocols, or other wireless profiles. In addition to or instead, the communication interface 1600 is an Ethernet protocol, a universal serial bus (USB) protocol, a cable data service interface standard (DOCSIS) protocol, a digital subscriber line (DSL) protocol, and a firewall (IEEE1394). Includes a wired interface that operates according to the protocol, or other wired protocol. In addition to standards-based protocols, the communication interface 1600 can work with other wired or wireless protocols. In addition, the communication interface 1600 can optionally operate with a protocol stack that includes multiple protocol layers.
In one example of operation, the transmitter / receiver 1610 generates a first electromagnetic wave based on a communication signal 1510 or 1512 carrying the first data. The first electromagnetic wave has at least one carrier frequency and at least one corresponding wavelength. In various embodiments, the transmitter / receiver 1610 is a microwave transmitter / receiver operating at a carrier frequency having a corresponding wavelength shorter than the outer circumference (or in alternative embodiments, diameter or width) of the transmission medium 1525. The carrier frequency can be in the millimeter wave frequency band of 30 GHz to 300 GHz, or in the lower frequency band of 3 GHz to 30 GHz within the microwave frequency band, but other carrier frequencies are also possible in other embodiments. It is understood that there is. In one mode of operation, the transmitter / receiver 1610 simply upconverts one or more communication signals 1510 or 1512 to transmit a first electromagnetic signal within the microwave or millimeter wave band. In another mode of operation, the communication interface 1600 converts the communication signal 1510 or 1512 into a baseband signal or a signal near the baseband, or extracts the first data from the communication signal 1510 or 1512 and the transmitter / receiver 1610 Modulates the first data, baseband signal or signal near the baseband for transmission.
In one example of operation, the coupler 1620 couples the first electromagnetic wave to the transmission medium 1525. The coupler 1620 can be implemented by either a dielectric waveguide coupler or the couplers and coupling devices described in connection with FIGS. 1-14. In one exemplary embodiment, the transmission medium 1525 comprises an electric wire or other inner element surrounded by a dielectric material having an outer surface. The dielectric material can include an insulating coating, a dielectric coating or other dielectric on the outer surface of the transmission medium 1525. The inner portion may include a dielectric or other insulator, a conductor, air or other gas or void, or one or more conductors.
In one example of operation, the coupling of the first electromagnetic wave to the transmission medium 1525 forms a second electromagnetic wave, which is in asymmetric mode and optionally in basic (symmetric) mode or other asymmetric mode. Waveguided so as to propagate along the outer surface of the dielectric material of the transmission medium through at least one waveguide mode, including one or more other modes, including (non-basic) modes. The outer surface of the dielectric material can be an insulating coating, a dielectric coating or the outer surface of another dielectric. In one exemplary embodiment, the first electromagnetic wave generated by the transmitter / receiver 1610 is waveguided along the coupler via at least one waveguide mode, including a symmetric mode, with the coupler. The junction with the transmission medium induces an asymmetric mode of the second electromagnetic wave and, optionally, a symmetric mode of the second electromagnetic wave.
In one exemplary embodiment, the transmission medium 1525 is a single wire transmission medium having an outer surface and a corresponding outer circumference, and the combiner 1620 couples a first electromagnetic wave to the single wire transmission medium. In particular, the coupling of the first electromagnetic wave to the single wire transmission medium forms a second electromagnetic wave, the second electromagnetic wave with at least one asymmetric mode and optionally with a symmetric mode and another asymmetric mode. Waveguided to propagate along the outer surface of a single-line transmission medium through at least one waveguide mode, including at least one carrier frequency within the microwave or millimeter wave frequency band and at least one corresponding wavelength. Is shorter than the outer circumference of the single-line transmission medium. In one mode of operation, the first electromagnetic wave is waveguided along at least one waveguide mode, including a symmetric mode, to provide a junction between the coupler and the transmission medium. , Induces the asymmetric mode of the second electromagnetic wave and, when present, the symmetric mode of the second electromagnetic wave.
The discussion so far has focused on the operation of the transmitter / receiver 1610 as a transmitter, but the transmitter / receiver 1610 receives an electromagnetic wave that carries a second piece of data from a single-line transmission medium via a coupler 1620. It can also operate to generate a communication signal 1510 or 1512 containing the second data via the communication interface 1600. Consider an embodiment in which a third electromagnetic wave, which also propagates along the outer surface of the dielectric material of the transmission medium 1525, carries the second data. Further, the coupler 1620 combines the third electromagnetic wave from the transmission medium 1525 to form the fourth electromagnetic wave. The transmitter / receiver 1610 receives the fourth electromagnetic wave and generates a second communication signal containing the second data. Communication interface 1600 sends a second communication signal to a communication network or communication device.
Here, with reference to FIG. 17, a diagram showing a non-limiting embodiment of an example of electromagnetic field distribution is shown. In this embodiment, the transmission medium 1525 in air includes an inner conductor 1700 and an insulating coating 1702 of a dielectric material and is shown in cross section. The figure contains different grayscales representing the different electromagnetic field intensities produced by the propagation of a waveguide with an asymmetric mode. The waveguide has a field structure that exists mainly or substantially outside the transmission medium 1525 that serves to guide the waves. The area inside conductor 1700 has little or no field. Similarly, the area inside the insulation coating 1702 has low field strength. Most of the electromagnetic field strength is on the outer surface of the insulation coating 1702 and is distributed in the lobe 1704, which is in close proximity to it. The presence of an asymmetric waveguide mode is indicated by the high electromagnetic field strength at the top and bottom of the outer surface of the insulation coating 1702, as opposed to the very small field strength on the other side of the insulation coating 1702.
The example illustrated corresponds to a 38 GHz wave guided by a wire with a diameter of 1.1 cm and a dielectric insulator with a thickness of 0.36 cm. Waveguides are very low loss, as the electromagnetic waves are guided by the transmission medium 1525 and most of the field strength is concentrated in the air outside the insulation coating 1702, which is within a limited distance on the outer surface. It can propagate in the longitudinal direction toward the downstream of the transmission medium 1525. In the illustrated example, this "limited distance" corresponds to a distance from the outer surface that is less than half the largest cross-sectional diameter of the transmission medium 1525. In this case, the largest cross-sectional diameter of the wire corresponds to a total diameter of 1.82 cm, but this value may vary depending on the size and shape of the transmission medium 1525. For example, if the transmission medium consists of a rectangular shape with a height of 0.3 cm and a width of 0.4 cm, the largest cross-sectional diameter will be 0.5 cm diagonal and the corresponding limited distance will be 0.25 cm. Become.
In one exemplary embodiment, this particular asymmetric propagation mode is a frequency that falls within a limited range (Fc ~ Fc + 25%, etc.) of the lower cutoff frequency Fc of the asymmetric mode, ie a particular asymmetry or It is guided on the transmission medium 1525 by an electromagnetic wave with the lowest frequency that can support the basic mode. For embodiments as illustrated that include an inner conductor 1700 surrounded by insulation coating 1702, this cutoff frequency is based on the dimensions and characteristics of insulation coating 1702 and potentially the dimensions and characteristics of inner conductor 1700. Can be different and can be experimentally determined to have the desired mode pattern. However, it should be noted that a similar effect can be found in the case of hollow dielectrics or insulators that do not use inner conductors. In this case, the cutoff frequency may vary based on the dimensions and properties of the hollow dielectric or insulator.
At frequencies below the lower cutoff frequency, the asymmetric mode is difficult to guide into the transmission medium 1525 and cannot propagate except for a short distance. As the frequency increases beyond the limited frequency range near the cutoff frequency, the asymmetric mode shifts further inward of the insulation coating 1702. At frequencies well above the cutoff frequency, the field strength is no longer concentrated outside the insulation coating, but is predominantly inside the insulation coating 1702. The transmission medium 1525 provides strong waveguides to electromagnetic waves and is still capable of propagation, but the range is further limited by the increased loss due to propagation within the insulation coating 1702, as opposed to ambient air. ..
Here, with reference to FIG. 18, a diagram showing a non-limiting embodiment of an example of various electromagnetic field distributions is shown. In detail, a cross-sectional view 1800 similar to FIG. 17 is shown with a common reference number used to refer to similar elements. The example shown in cross section 1800 corresponds to a 60 GHz wave guided by a wire with a diameter of 1.1 cm and a dielectric insulator with a thickness of 0.36 cm. Since the frequency of the wave exceeds the limited range of cutoff frequency, the asymmetric mode is shifted inside the insulation coating 1702. In particular, the field strength is concentrated primarily inside the insulation coating 1702. The transmission medium 1525 provides strong waveguides to electromagnetic waves and is still capable of propagation, but the range is further limited as compared to the embodiment of FIG. 17 due to the increased loss due to propagation within the insulation coating 1702. Be done.
Also, FIGS. 1802, 1804, 1806 and 1808 are similar to FIG. 1800, but in a longitudinal cross section and also shown in smaller dimensions, air containing an inner conductor and an insulating coating of a dielectric material. The embodiment of the transmission medium 1525 in the present is presented. These figures contain different grayscales representing the different electromagnetic field intensities produced by the propagation of waveguides with asymmetric modes at different frequencies.
At frequencies below the cutoff frequency, represented by FIG. 1808, the electric field is not strongly coupled to the surface of the transmission medium 1525. The asymmetric mode is difficult to guide in the transmission medium 1525 and cannot propagate along the transmission medium except for a short distance. At frequencies within a limited range of cutoff frequencies, as represented by FIG. 1806, a certain amount of electric field strength is within the insulation coating, but the waveguide guides the outside of the insulation coating and waves. It has a field strength that is mainly or substantially external to the transmitting medium 1525 that plays a role. As discussed in connection with FIG. 17, the region inside the conductor 1700 has little or no field, and the propagation is over a reasonable distance and lower than in other frequency ranges. Supported by loss. As the frequency increases beyond the limited range of frequencies near the cutoff frequency, as represented by Figure 1804, the asymmetric mode shifts further inward of the insulation coating of the transmission medium 1525, increasing propagation loss. However, the effective travel distance becomes shorter. At frequencies well above the cutoff frequency, as represented by Figure 1802, the field strength is no longer concentrated outside the insulation coating, but is predominantly inside the insulation coating 1702. The transmission medium 1525 provides strong waveguides to electromagnetic waves and is still capable of propagation, but the range is further limited by the increased loss due to propagation within the insulation coating 1702, as opposed to ambient air. ..
Here, with reference to FIG. 19, a block diagram showing a non-limiting embodiment of an example of a transmitting device is shown. In detail, a diagram similar to FIG. 16 is presented with a common reference number used to reference similar elements. The transmitting device 1500 or 1502 includes a communication interface 1600 that receives a communication signal 1510 or 1512 containing data. The transmitter / receiver 1610 generates a first electromagnetic wave based on a communication signal 1510 or 1512 carrying the first data, and the first electromagnetic wave has at least one carrier frequency. The coupler 1620 couples the first electromagnetic wave to a transmission medium 1525 having at least one inner portion surrounded by the dielectric material, which has an outer surface and a corresponding outer circumference. The first electromagnetic wave is coupled to the transmission medium to form a second electromagnetic wave, and the second electromagnetic wave is guided so as to propagate along the outer surface of the dielectric material via at least one waveguide mode. .. At least one waveguide mode includes an asymmetric mode with a lower cutoff frequency, and at least one carrier frequency is selected to fall within a limited range of lower cutoff frequencies.
The transmitting device 1500 or 1502 includes an optional training controller 1900. In an exemplary embodiment, the training controller 1900 is implemented by a stand-alone processor, or a processor shared with one or more other components of the transmitting device 1500 or 1502. The training controller 1900 falls within a limited range of the lower cutoff frequency based on the feedback data received by the transmitter / receiver 1610 from at least one remote transmitting device coupled to receive the second electromagnetic wave. Select at least one carrier frequency so as to.
In one exemplary embodiment, the third electromagnetic wave transmitted by the remote transmission device 1500 or 1502 carries the second data, and the third electromagnetic wave also propagates to the transmission medium along the outer surface of the 1525 dielectric material. To do. The second data can be generated to include feedback data. During operation, the combiner 1620 also combines the third electromagnetic wave from the transmission medium 1525 to form a fourth electromagnetic wave, and the transmitter / receiver receives the fourth electromagnetic wave, processes the fourth electromagnetic wave, and processes the second electromagnetic wave. Extract data.
In an exemplary embodiment, the training controller 1900 evaluates a plurality of candidate frequencies based on feedback data and, as one of the plurality of candidate frequencies, within a limited range of the lower cutoff frequency. It works to select at least one carrier frequency to enter. For example, the candidate frequencies are within the microwave or millimeter wave frequency band, have a wavelength longer than the outer circumference of the transmission medium 1525, and are less than the average collision frequency of electrons in the conductors that form part of the transmission medium 1525. Based on such criteria, based on experimental results showing a limited range of frequencies near the cutoff frequency in the case of a particular transmission medium 1525 and the selected asymmetric mode, and / or in experimental results or simulations. You can choose based on.
Consider the following example: Transmission device 1500 sends multiple waveguides as test signals, such as waves of corresponding multiple candidate frequencies or pilot waves, destined for remote transmission device 1502 coupled to transmission medium 1525. Starts operation under the control of the training controller 1900. The transmitting device 1500 can generate a first electromagnetic wave, and the first electromagnetic wave is coupled on the transmission medium as a second electromagnetic wave. The waveguide modes may vary, but in general, the carrier frequency of one or more of the second electromagnetic waves is equal to the carrier frequency of one or more of the first electromagnetic waves. However, if the coupling contains non-linearity due to a non-linear element of the junction, coupler or other non-linearity, the carrier frequency of one or more waveguide modes of the second electromagnetic wave may be one or more. It can be a harmonic frequency, a sum of two or more carrier frequencies, or a difference between two or more carrier frequencies. In each case, one or more carrier frequencies of the electromagnetic waves transmitted on the transmission medium are combined based on knowledge of the linear or non-linear effect of coupling and further to transmit waves on the transmission medium. It can be selected based on the selection of one or more carrier frequencies of the wave.
The waveguide may, or instead, include test data at a plurality of corresponding candidate frequencies destined for the remote transmission device 1502 coupled to the transmission medium 1525. The test data can indicate a particular candidate frequency for the signal. In one embodiment, the training controller 1900 in the remote transmission device 1502 receives a test signal and / or test data from any of the properly received waveguides and receives the best candidate frequency, a set of acceptable candidate frequencies, or Determine the rank ordering of candidate frequencies. The one or more candidate frequencies are based on an analysis of received signal strength, bit error rate, packet error rate, signal-to-noise ratio, carrier frequency with the lowest or lowest transmission loss, or any of the criteria above. Generated by the training controller 1900 based on one or more optimization criteria, such as carrier frequencies detected to fall within a limited range of non-basic mode cutoffs, or other optimization criteria. Can be generated by the transmitter / receiver 1610 of the remote transmission device 1502. The training controller 1900 generates feedback data indicating one or more candidate frequencies and sends the feedback data to the transmitter / receiver 1610 for transmission to the transmission device 1500. The transmitting devices 1500 and 1502 can then communicate with each other using one or more of the indicated carrier frequencies.
In other embodiments, electromagnetic waves containing test signals and / or test data are reflected by the remote transmitting device 1500 to the transmitting device 1502 for reception and analysis by the training controller 1900 of the transmitting device 1502 that initiated these waves. Will be returned, sent back as is, or otherwise looped back. For example, the transmitting device 1502 can send a signal to the remote transmitting device 1500 to start a test mode in which a physical reflector is switched on the line, the termination impedance is changed to cause reflection, and the electromagnetic wave is transmitted from the source. The loopback circuit is switched on to couple back to device 1502, and / or repeater mode is enabled to amplify the electromagnetic wave and resend it back to the source transmitting device 1502. The training controller 1900 at the source transmitting device 1502 receives the test signal and / or test data from any of the properly received waveguides and of the best candidate frequency, acceptable candidate frequency set, or candidate frequency. Determine rank ordering. This one or more frequencies are generated by the training controller 1900 based on one or more optimization criteria such as received signal strength, bit error rate, packet error rate, signal-to-noise ratio, or others. Optimization criteria can be generated by the transmitter / receiver 1610 of the remote transmission device 1502.
Although the above procedure was described in the start or initialization mode of operation, each transmitting device 1500 or 1502 may also be able to send test signals at other times or evaluate candidate frequencies in another way. Can be done. In an exemplary embodiment, the communication protocol between transmitting devices 1500 and 1502 can include periodic test modes, where a subset of candidate frequencies is fully tested, or more limited tests are performed. Be evaluated. In other modes of operation, performance degradation due to disturbances, weather conditions, etc. can trigger retries of such test modes. In one exemplary embodiment, the receiver bandwidth of the transmitter / receiver 1610 is wide enough to include all candidate frequencies, or the training controller 1900 allows the receiver bandwidth of the transmitter / receiver 1610 to include all candidate frequencies. It can be selectively adjusted to a training mode that is wide enough to include.
Although the above waveguide has been described as propagating over the outer surface of the outer dielectric surface of the transmission medium 1525, other outer surfaces of the transmission medium 1525, including the outer surface of the bare wire, can be used as well. .. In addition, the training controller 1900, previously described as selecting candidate frequencies within a limited range of the lower cutoff frequency of asymmetric mode, is a candidate with or without asymmetric mode. Using the training controller 1900, with or without consideration of whether the frequency falls within a limited range of the lower cutoff frequency of any particular mode, throughput, packet error rate, signal strength. Optimal propagation along transmission medium 1525 based on one or more performance criteria such as, signal-to-noise ratio, signal-to-noise + interference ratio, channel separation in multi-channel systems, and / or other performance criteria. Candidate frequencies can be established to be, substantially optimized, or parate-optimized.
Here, with reference to FIG. 20, a flow diagram showing a non-limiting embodiment of an example of the transmission method 2000 is shown. The method can be used with one or more functions and features described in connection with FIGS. 1-19. Step 2002 comprises generating a first electromagnetic wave based on a communication signal carrying data, the first electromagnetic wave having at least one carrier frequency and at least one corresponding wavelength. Step 2004 comprises coupling the first electromagnetic wave to a single wire transmission medium having an outer waveguide surface and a corresponding outer periphery by means of a coupler, and the coupling of the first electromagnetic wave to the single wire transmission medium is the first. Two electromagnetic waves are formed, the second electromagnetic wave is guided so as to propagate along the outer dielectric surface of the single-line transmission medium through at least one waveguide mode, and the single or multiple carrier frequencies are microwaves. Alternatively, it is in the milliwave frequency band and has one or more corresponding wavelengths shorter than the outer circumference of the single-wire transmission medium.
In one exemplary embodiment, at least one waveguide mode of the second electromagnetic wave includes an asymmetric mode and a symmetric mode. The method can further include waveguideing the first electromagnetic wave so that it propagates along the coupler via at least one waveguide mode, including a symmetric mode, with the coupler and the transmission medium. The junction between them can induce both the asymmetric mode of the second electromagnetic wave and the symmetric mode of the second electromagnetic wave.
In one exemplary embodiment, the single wire transmission medium comprises a wire having an average collision frequency of certain electrons, and at least one carrier frequency is less than the average collision frequency of electrons. The single wire transmission medium can include an electric wire surrounded by an insulating coating, and the outer dielectric surface of the single wire transmission medium can correspond to the outer surface of the insulating coating. The single wire transmission medium can include an electric wire surrounded by a dielectric material, and the outer dielectric surface of the single wire transmission medium can correspond to the outer surface of the dielectric material.
Here, with reference to FIG. 21, a flow diagram showing a non-limiting embodiment of an example of the transmission method 2100 is shown. The method can be used with one or more functions and features described in connection with FIGS. 1-20. Step 2102 involves generating a first electromagnetic wave based on a communication signal carrying data, the first electromagnetic wave having at least one carrier frequency. Step 2104 involves coupling the first electromagnetic wave to a single-wire transmission medium having an outer surface by means of a coupler, and the coupling of the first electromagnetic wave to the single-wire transmission medium forms a second electromagnetic wave, the second. Electromagnetic waves are guided along the outer surface of a single-line transmission medium through at least one waveguide mode, including an asymmetric mode with a lower cutoff frequency, and at least one carrier frequency is the lower cutoff. Selected to be within a limited range of off frequencies.
In one exemplary embodiment, the single wire transmission medium comprises an electric wire surrounded by a dielectric material, and the outer surface of the single wire transmission medium corresponds to the outer surface of the dielectric material.
Here, with reference to FIG. 22, a flow diagram showing a non-limiting embodiment of an example of the method 2200 for selecting a carrier wave is shown. The method can be used with one or more functions and features described in connection with FIGS. 1-21. Step 2202 comprises receiving feedback data received from at least one remote transmitting device that is coupled to receive a second electromagnetic wave. Step 2204 includes selecting at least one carrier frequency to be within a limited range of the lower cutoff frequency based on the feedback data.
In one exemplary embodiment, the third electromagnetic wave carries the second data, and the third electromagnetic wave also propagates along the outer surface of the dielectric material of the transmission medium. The second data includes feedback data. In addition, the coupler combines the third electromagnetic wave from the transmission medium, and the method is to receive the fourth electromagnetic wave and to process the fourth electromagnetic wave to extract the second data. Further included.
Here, with reference to FIG. 23, a flow diagram showing a non-limiting embodiment of an example of the method 2300 for selecting a carrier frequency is shown. The method can be used with one or more functions and features described in connection with FIGS. 1-21 and is particularly suitable for performing step 2202 described in FIG. Step 2302 involves evaluating multiple candidate frequencies. Step 2304 involves selecting at least one carrier frequency that falls within a limited range of the lower cutoff frequency as one of a plurality of candidate frequencies based on the feedback data. Multiple candidate frequencies can fall within the microwave or millimeter wave frequency band.
As used herein, terms such as "data storage", "database", and virtually any other information storage component related to the operation and function of the component are "memory components", or Refers to an entity embodied in "memory" or a component having memory. It is understood that the memory component or computer-readable storage medium described herein can be either volatile or non-volatile memory, or can include both volatile and non-volatile memory. Yeah.
As used herein, the term "millimeter wave" can refer to electromagnetic waves that fall within the "millimeter wave frequency band" of 30 GHz to 300 GHz. The term "microwave" can refer to electromagnetic waves that fall into the "microwave frequency band" of 300MHz to 300GHz.
In addition, the flow chart may include a "start" and / or "continue" indication. The "start" and "continue" indications indicate that the presented steps can optionally be incorporated into other routines or can be used in other ways with other routines. In this context, "beginning" indicates the beginning of the first step presented and may be preceded by other activities not specifically illustrated. In addition, the "continuation" indication indicates that the presented step may be performed multiple times and / or may be taken over by an activity not specifically shown. In addition, the flow chart shows a particular order of steps, but other orders are possible as long as the principle of causality is maintained.
Also, as used herein, the terms "operably combined to", "combined to", and / or "combined" are direct combinations between items. , And / or include indirect binding between items via one or more intervening items. Such items and intervening items include, but are not limited to, junctions, communication paths, components, circuit elements, circuits, functional blocks and / or devices. As an example of indirect coupling, the data carried from the first item to the second item is modified by one or more intervening items by changing the form, nature or format of the information in the signal. However, nevertheless, one or more information elements in the signal are carried so that the second item can recognize them. In a further example of indirect binding, the action on the first item can cause a reaction on the second item as a result of the action and / or reaction within one or more intervening items.
What has been described so far includes mere examples of various embodiments. Of course, not all possible combinations of components or methods can be described to illustrate these examples, but one of ordinary skill in the art recognizes that many further combinations and substitutions of this embodiment are possible. be able to. Accordingly, the embodiments disclosed and / or claimed herein are intended to include all such modifications, modifications and modifications that fall within the spirit and scope of the appended claims. .. Further, as long as the term "includes" is used either in the detailed description or in the claims, such terms are claimed by the term "comprising". It is intended to be as comprehensive as it is interpreted when used as a transitional word in the scope of.
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Every citation, both waysCites: the store holds 3 of 4
| Document | Relation | Office |
|---|---|---|
| US20130064311A1 | Cites | United States of America |
| GB00777194A | Cites | United Kingdom |
| US20140155054A1 | Cites | United States of America |
| 中島将光 著,「マイクロ波工学 -基礎と原理-」,森北出版株式会社,1975年 4月15日,第182-188頁 | Non-patent | – |
26 members in 9 offices
Priority claims5
| Document | Office | Kind | Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| 14519487 | United States of America | – | |
| 201414519487 | United States of America | A | |
| 201414519487 | United States of America | A | |
| 14519487 | – | – | – |
| US201414519487 | – | – | – |
Members26
| Document | Office | Kind | |
|---|---|---|---|
| US2016112135A1 | United States of America | A1 | |
| CA2964085A1 | Canada | A1 | |
| WO2016064504A1 | World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) | A1 | |
| US2016197409A1 | United States of America | A1 | |
| US9525210B2 | United States of America | B2 | |
| US2017047662A1 | United States of America | A1 | |
| US9627768B2 | United States of America | B2 | |
| US2017179609A1 | United States of America | A1 | |
| KR20170072301A | Republic of Korea | A | |
| MX2017005076A | Mexico | A | |
| CN107005277A | China | A | |
| EP3210310A1 | European Patent Office (EPO) | A1 | |
| JP2017539119A | Japan | A | |
| US9954286B2 | United States of America | B2 | |
| BR112017008275A2 | Brazil | A2 | |
| JP6383105B2 | Japan | B2 | |
| US10079434B2 | United States of America | B2 | |
| US2018375213A1 | United States of America | A1 | |
| JP2019004477A | Japan | A | |
| CA2964085C | Canada | C | |
| US10270181B2 | United States of America | B2 | |
| EP3210310B1 | European Patent Office (EPO) | B1 | |
| US2019190158A1 | United States of America | A1 | |
| JP6553263B2This record | Japan | B2 | |
| US10374319B2 | United States of America | B2 | |
| KR102050709B1 | Republic of Korea | B1 |
8 legal events, as the office reported them to INPADOC
Over the term
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| Event | Code | |
|---|---|---|
| Cancellation because of no payment of annual feesLAPS | LAPS | |
| Receipt of annual feesJAPANESE INTERMEDIATE CODE: R250R250 | R250 | |
| Certificate of patent or registration of utility modelJAPANESE INTERMEDIATE CODE: R150R150 | R150 | |
| First payment of annual fees (during grant procedure)JAPANESE INTERMEDIATE CODE: A61A61 | A61 | |
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Numbers
- Publication
- 6553263
- Publication, DOCDB
- 6553263
- Publication, EPODOC
- JP6553263B
- Application
- 144689
- Application, DOCDB
- 2018144689
- Application, EPODOC
- JP20180144689
Titles2
- Japanese
- 非基本モード伝搬を用いる導波送信デバイス及びそれとともに使用するための方法
- English
- Waveguide transmission devices with non-basic mode propagation and methods for use with them
Classification
- CPC, 17
- H04B3/54
- H04B3/52
- H01Q13/28
- H01P3/10
- H01Q13/08
- H04B10/0799
- H04B10/25753
- H04B10/2581
- H04W88/085
- H04B3/36
- H04B3/32
- H01Q1/2291
- H04W16/26
- H01Q1/246
- H01Q1/40
- H04B1/40
- H04B7/024
- IPC, 3
- H01P5 08
- H01P3 10
- H04B13 00
