Two-Dimensional Signal/Power Transmission (2DT) Technology for In-Room Networking and Circuit Integration in Fabrics

　Shinoda Lab, The Univ. of Tokyo, JAPAN

2008 YouTube

Wireless 2DT technology using electromagnetic waves was launched from our lab. (Oct. 2006)

Electromagnetic waves typically in microwave frequency range are confined and guided in a thin sheet-like 2D medium. A coupler put near the surface can be coupled with the medium selectively and efficiently, which enables safe wireless power transmission in general environments and wide-band signal transmission free from interfering with the outside space. The medium can be produced from various low cost materials.

The following terms represent the identical technology
Two-dimensional communication (2DC)
Two-dimensional signal transmission (2DST) technology
Two-dimensional waveguide power transmission (2DWPT)
Two-dimensional waveguide transmission (2DWT)

The followings are also frequently used
Surface signal/power supply, Surface communication, Surface LAN, Surface network

Current commercial products using 2DT technology
LAN Sheet (Itoki Corp.), Cell Form (Teijin Ltd.), Touch LAN (Icom Inc.), Ultra-Thin RFID Antenna (Convergence Systems Limited), @Cell LAN, @Cell RFID (Cellcross Co., Ltd.), etc..

Video 1 (2005)

Top view of 2D microwave propagation

(inside the sheet)

A low-cost sheet provides two-dimensional
signal transmission space

2D microwave radiation
through a proximity connector

Cross-sectional view of 2D microwave
propagation

Video 2 (2007)

＊NICTユニバーサルシティグループおよび
 (株)セルクロスと共同で開発

Desktop connection of peripheral devices

A loudspeaker, mouse, keyboard, and fan without wires nor batteries

The right video demonstrates that sensor chips (tactile sensor chips) work in the 2DT sheet without electrical contact to the sheet.  The proximity connection allows displacement of the sensor chip in 2DT sheet (fabrics), which endows the functional sheet with toughness keeping the elasticity.

Video 3 (2006)