Method and apparatus for reducing radiation from an external surface of a waveguide structure

• US 10,103,777 B1
• Filed: 07/05/2017
• Issued: 10/16/2018
• Est. Priority Date: 07/05/2017
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property I LP (AT&T, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property I LP (AT&T, Inc.)
• Inventors: Henry, Paul Shala, Willis, III, Thomas M., Vannucci, Giovanni
• Primary Examiner(s): Lam, Kenneth
• Application Number:
  US15/641,880
• Time in Patent Office: 468 Days
• CPC Class Codes: H01P 5/087 Transitions to a dielectric waveguide
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 1/528 reducing the re-radiation of a support structure in a parabolic reflector antenna H01Q19/023
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 13/0208 Corrugated horns waveguide mouth antenna with corrugated flange H01Q13/065; manufacturing details H01Q13/0283
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 3/28 Reducing interference caused by currents induced in cable sheathing or armouring
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 3/52 Systems for transmission between fixed stations via waveguides

Abstract

Aspects of the subject disclosure may include, a system that guides electromagnetic waves that propagate along a transmission medium without requiring an electrical return path, and at least reduces radiation on an outer surface of a structure reducing a flow of an electrical current from an inner surface of the structure to the outer surface of the structure. Other embodiments are disclosed.

Claims

1. A communication device, comprising:

a coupler having a structure that facilitates guiding electromagnetic waves along a transmission medium, wherein the electromagnetic waves propagate along the transmission medium without requiring an electrical return path; and

a suppressor positioned on an outer surface of the structure, wherein the suppressor facilitates at least a reduction in a flow of an electrical current from an inner surface of the structure to the outer surface of the structure.

2. The communication device of claim 1, wherein the electrical current is induced on the inner surface of the structure by the electromagnetic waves.

3. The communication device of claim 1, wherein the suppressor comprises a second structure that reflects at least a portion of the electrical current.

4. The communication device of claim 3, wherein the second structure comprises a textured surface.

5. The communication device of claim 4, wherein the textured surface comprises at least one notch.

6. The communication device of claim 5, wherein an absorbent material is disposed in the at least one notch, and wherein the absorbent material absorbs at least a portion of the electrical current.

7. The communication device of claim 4, wherein the textured surface comprises a plurality of notches.

8. The communication device of claim 7, wherein an absorbent material is disposed between a first notch and a second notch of the plurality of notches, and wherein the absorbent material absorbs at least a portion of the electrical current.

9. The communication device of claim 3, wherein the second structure comprises a quarter wavelength structure.

10. The communication device of claim 1, wherein the suppressor is located near a rim of the structure.

11. The communication device of claim 1, wherein the suppressor is an integral part of the structure.

12. The communication device of claim 1, wherein the inner surface of the structure comprises a conductive material.

13. The communication device of claim 1, wherein the suppressor reduces radiation from the electrical current into free space as a wireless signal.

14. The communication device of claim 1, wherein the structure facilitates receiving other electromagnetic waves that propagate along the transmission medium.

15. A method, comprising:

guiding, by a coupler having a structure, electromagnetic waves that propagate along a transmission medium without requiring an electrical return path; and

reducing, by a suppressor located on an outer surface of the structure, a flow of an electrical current originating from an inner surface of the structure to the outer surface of the structure.

16. The method of claim 15, wherein the electrical current is induced on the inner surface of the structure by the electromagnetic waves.

17. The method of claim 15, wherein the suppressor comprises a textured structure that reflects or absorbs at least a portion of the electrical current.

18. A waveguide system, comprising:

a transmitter that facilitates generating first electromagnetic waves;

a coupler having a structure that facilitates inducing, according to the first electromagnetic waves, second electromagnetic waves that propagate along a surface of a transmission medium without requiring an electrical return path; and

a filter disposed on an outer surface of the structure, wherein the filter facilitates at least a reduction in a flow of an electrical current from an inner surface of the structure to the outer surface of the structure, wherein the electrical current is induced at least in part by the first electromagnetic waves.

19. The waveguide system of claim 18, wherein the filter comprises a crenellated structure.

20. The waveguide system of claim 18, wherein the filter comprises a textured surface that reflects or absorbs at least a portion of the electrical current.