Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatus for EM communications. One of the methods includes determining, at a first device, that a second device is present; initiating a half duplex communication with the second device; configuring communication with the second device including determining whether full duplex communication is available; in response to a determination that full duplex communication is not available, communicating with the second device in half duplex mode; and in response to a determination that full duplex communication is available, communication with the second device in full duplex mode.

Abstract: According to some embodiments, a tester tests one or more DUTs by utilizing one or more respective reference devices. The tester comprises one or more test sites and one or more test circuits operatively coupled to each of the test sites. Each test site is configured to: hold a reference device and a DUT, transmit a transmitted electromagnetic RF signal including a test data pattern to the DUT, and receive a received electromagnetic RF signal emitted from the DUT. The test circuits are configured to: receive a first electrical signal converted from the received electromagnetic RF signal, extract first data from the first electrical signal, determine a first error rate between the test data pattern and the first data, and generate a test result on the basis of the first error rate.

Abstract: Embodiments discussed herein refer to connectors that enable two structures or devices to be coupled together in a manner that enables consistent and reliable operation of contactless communications and power transfer. The connector integrates power and alignment such that when two connectors are coupled together the power connections are also responsible for connector alignment. The connector alignment ensures that contactless communication channels, spanning between the connectors, are aligned to enable consistent and reliable operation of contactless communications.

Abstract: A universal protocol engine circuit aggregates data of multiple communication ports that may use different communication protocols according to a configurable communication protocol. In a transmitter mode, the universal protocol engine circuit references a slot table defining a sequence of the ports to generate output data from the input data received from the ports, and transmits the output data over a wired or wireless communication link. In a receiver mode, the universal protocol engine circuit references the slot table to parse input data from the communication link into output data for each of the ports. The sequence of ports of the slot table may be configurable according to the speed or other properties of the communication ports.

Abstract: Embodiments discussed herein refer to systems and structures for focusing dispersal of electromagnetic signals. Focusing of the electromagnetic signals is achieved by a reflective lens that is constructed from several extremely high frequency focusing layers. Each focusing layer can include an extremely high frequency focusing window that, collectively, define the geometry of a cavity backed reflective lens and its ability to focus electromagnetic signal dispersion.

Abstract: Conduit structures for redirecting extremely high frequency (EHF) signals are disclosed herein. The conduit structures discussed herein are designed to re-direct EHF or RF signal energy from a first signal path to a second signal path. The conduit structures according to embodiments discussed herein can re-direct the RF signal energy while simultaneously adhering to specified signaling characteristic of the RF signal and minimizing stray RF signal radiation within a device to support device-to-device contactless communications.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatus for EM communications. One of the apparatus includes a plurality of receive samplers arranged in parallel and configured to receive an amplitude modulated input signal, each sampler being clocked at a same rate but not a same phase, the rate being in relation with the input signal; a plurality of envelope extractors, wherein each envelop extractor is communicatively coupled to a respective output of one of the plurality of receive samplers, and wherein each envelope extractor is configured to extract the envelope of the input signal after sampling; and a combiner communicatively coupled to the envelope extractors to combine the signal envelopes sampled at their respective phases, creating a combined output that provides an approximate copy of the input signal envelope, providing an output signal for performing symbol synchronization.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to extremely high frequency (“EHF”) systems and methods for the use thereof, and more particularly to board-to-board connections using contactless connectors.

Abstract: Embodiments discussed herein refer to systems, methods, and circuits for managing and establishing contactless communications lanes between two contactlessly coupled systems. A contactless communication lane can be formed for each coupled pair of contactless communication units existing in the two systems. A contactless communications interface can enable software-defined connectivity that manages use of the contactless communication data lanes to enable data communications according to a selected one of a plurality of communications interfaces. The contactless communications interface may serve as a protocol translator and virtualization layer for enabling higher level software such as an operating system of a first system to communicate with a second system without requiring interface protocol specific hardware and software. This advantageously simplifies hardware and software components needed to simultaneously service a multitude of interface protocols.

Abstract: An adapter may facilitate easy and swift data transfer amongst two previously incompatible electronic devices. Such an adapter may be operative to communicate data with a first of the two electronic devices using a contactless communication link and a first communication protocol and to communicate data with a second of the two electronic devices using a mechanical communication link and/or using a second communication protocol that is different than the first communication protocol, such that data may be transferred between the first and second electronic devices via the adapter. The adapter may be communicatively coupled to both the first electronic device and the second electronic device at the same time. The adapter may rapidly transition between communicating data with the first device and communicating data with the second device (e.g., without altering a physical connection between the adapter and one of the first and second devices during such a transition).

Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatus for EM communications. One of the apparatus includes a super-regenerative amplifier (SRA) configured to receive a binary phase shift keying (BPSK) modulated signal and to output an amplitude signal as a function of changes in phase in the BPSK modulated signal; a pseudo synchronous demodulator that rectifies the amplitude signal and generates an envelope of the rectified amplitude signal; and an analog to digital converter that converts the amplitude values of the envelope to digital binary values.

Abstract: Conduit structures for guiding extremely high frequency (EHF) signals are disclosed herein. The conduit structures can include EHF containment channels that define EHF signal pathways through which EHF signal energy is directed. The conduit structures can minimize or eliminate crosstalk among adjacent paths within a device and across devices. Launch structures that interface with waveguides are also disclosed herein. Launch structures can control the EHF interface impedance between a contactless communication unit and the waveguide. Waveguide structures discussed herein are designed to provide maximum bandwidth with minimal jitter over a desired distance.

Abstract: A system, such as a server rack, includes rack mountable devices that communicate using one or more extremely high frequency (EHF) communication devices. A rack mountable device includes a rack mountable chassis including multiple sides, and a circuit board along a side of the rack mountable chassis, the circuit board having a surface. The EHF communication devices are positioned along the side of the rack mountable chassis and attached to the surface of the circuit board. Each of the EHF communication devices is configured to convert between an EHF electromagnetic signal and an electrical data signal. The EHF communication devices form EHF communication channels with other EHF communication devices in other rack mountable devices, or in the server rack to provide high bandwidth data transfer utilizing space on the sides of the rack mountable device.

Abstract: Systems and apparatuses for electromagnetic communications are provided. One of the apparatuses includes a housing portion for an electronic device, wherein the housing portion comprises: a first region formed from a first material; and a second region comprising an arrangement of structures formed from the first material and a second material, wherein the arrangement of structures reduce propagation of electromagnetic radiation propagating through the second region.

Abstract: Embodiments discussed herein refer to systems, methods, and circuits for conforming to power up sequencing rules of a conventional hard-wired data connection even though the hard-wired data connection that would ordinarily exist between two data controllers has been replaced with one or more contactless connectors. A consequence of replacing the hard-wired connection with a contactless connector is that the data controllers no longer directly control the power sequencing between the controllers because they are not able to directly communicate with each other over the hard-wired data connections. Power sequence assist circuitry may be used to assists the data controllers in establishing a link in accordance with the power sequencing rules of a particular wired interface despite the intentionally broken hard-wired data connection between the two controllers by instructing the contactless connectors to communicate with their respective data controllers in compliance with the power sequencing rules.

Abstract: According to some embodiments, a tester tests one or more DUTs by utilizing one or more respective reference devices. The tester comprises one or more test sites and one or more test circuits operatively coupled to each of the test sites. Each test site is configured to: hold a reference device and a DUT, transmit a transmitted electromagnetic RF signal including a test data pattern to the DUT, and receive a received electromagnetic RF signal emitted from the DUT. The test circuits are configured to: receive a first electrical signal converted from the received electromagnetic RF signal, extract first data from the first electrical signal, determine a first error rate between the test data pattern and the first data, and generate a test result on the basis of the first error rate.

Abstract: Systems and apparatus for electromagnetic communications are provided. One of the apparatuses include a communication module, the communication module including: a printed circuit board; a plurality of integrated circuit packages, each integrated circuit package including at least one transmitter, receiver, or transceiver; a plurality of signal guiding structures, each signal guiding structure being associated with a corresponding integrated circuit package of the plurality of integrated circuit packages; and one or more signal blocking structures positioned between one or more pairs of integrated circuit packages.

Abstract: Hinge assemblies that serve as conduits for guiding extremely high frequency (EHF) signals are disclosed herein. The hinge assembly can contain EHF signal energy as data is transmitted from one structure to the other and the hinge assembly can also include a one or more waveguides that define EHF signal pathways through which EHF signal energy is directed. Each hinge assembly may serve as a conduit structure for each coupled pair of contactless communication units (CCUs), and multiple hinge assemblies may be used as separate conduit structures each of several coupled pairs of contactless communication unit.

Abstract: Embodiments discussed herein refer to electric vehicle charging ports having integrated contactless communication units (CCUs). The electric vehicle charging ports include male and female connector assemblies that can be coupled together in a manner that enables consistent and reliable operation of contactless communications and power transfer. The connector integrates power and alignment such that when two connector assemblies are coupled together, power connections are made in combination with establishing contactless communications links between counterpart CCUs in both connector assemblies. The fixed alignment of the connector assemblies ensures that contactless communication channels, spanning between the connector assemblies, are aligned to enable consistent and reliable operation of contactless communications.

Abstract: Systems and apparatuses for electromagnetic communications are provided. One of the apparatuses includes a housing portion for an electronic device, wherein the housing portion comprises: a first region formed from a first material; and a second region comprising an arrangement of structures formed from the first material and a second material, wherein the arrangement of structures reduce propagation of electromagnetic radiation propagating through the second region.