Apparatus and methods for sending or receiving electromagnetic signals

• US 10,170,840 B2
• Filed: 09/23/2016
• Issued: 01/01/2019
• Est. Priority Date: 07/14/2015
• 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., Bennett, Robert, Barzegar, Farhad, Gerszberg, Irwin, Barnickel, Donald J
• Primary Examiner(s): Jones, Stephen E
• Application Number:
  US15/274,987
• Publication Number:
  US 20170033465A1
• Time in Patent Office: 830 Days
• Field of Search: 333251, 333 21 R, 333 21 A, 333 24 R, 333239, 333242, 333248
• CPC Class Codes: H01P 1/16 for mode selection, e.g. mode suppression or mode promotion; for mode conversion
• CPC Class Codes: H01P 3/16 Dielectric waveguides, i.e. without a longitudinal conductor
• CPC Class Codes: H01P 5/08 for linking dissimilar lines or devices H01P1/16, H01P5/04 take precedence; linking lines of the same kind but with different dimensions H01P5/02
• CPC Class Codes: H01P 5/087 Transitions to a dielectric waveguide
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 1/50 Structural association of antennas with earthing switches, lead-in devices or lightning protectors
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 13/02 Waveguide horns
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 13/06 Waveguide mouths horns H01Q13/02
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 19/08 for modifying the radiation pattern of a radiating horn in which it is located corrugated horns H01Q13/0208; producing a circular polarisation H01Q13/0241
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 21/205 providing an omnidirectional coverage turnstile aerials H01Q21/26
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 3/08 for varying two co-ordinates of the orientation
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 3/36 with variable phase-shifters
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 3/00 Electrically-conductive connections not otherwise provided for
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 3/00 Line transmission systems combined with near-field transmission systems H04B5/00
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 3/52 Systems for transmission between fixed stations via waveguides
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 3/54 Systems for transmission via power distribution lines
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 5/28 using the near field of leaky cables, e.g. of leaky coaxial cables

Abstract

Aspects of the subject disclosure may include, a generator that facilitates generation of an electromagnetic wave, a core, and a waveguide that facilitates guiding the electromagnetic wave towards the core to induce a second electromagnetic wave that propagates along the core. The core and/or the waveguide can be configured to reduce radiation loss of the second electromagnetic wave, propagation loss of the second electromagnetic wave, or a combination thereof. Other embodiments are disclosed.

Claims

1. A device, comprising:

a generator that facilitates generation of a first electromagnetic wave;

a core; and

a waveguide that facilitates guiding the first electromagnetic wave towards the core,

wherein the core comprises a first region, a second region, and a third region,

wherein the core comprises an interface in the first region,

wherein the first electromagnetic wave induces at the interface a second electromagnetic wave,

wherein the waveguide is configured to confine the second electromagnetic wave at least in part within the core in the first region,

wherein the second region of the core is configured to reduce a radiation loss of the second electromagnetic wave as the second electromagnetic wave propagates into the second region, and

wherein the third region of the core is configured to reduce a propagation loss of the second electromagnetic wave as the second electromagnetic wave propagates into the third region.

2. The device of claim 1, wherein the interface is configured to reduce a reflection by the first electromagnetic wave at a surface of the interface.

3. The device of claim 2, wherein the surface of the interface comprises a tapered structure to reduce the reflection by the first electromagnetic wave at the surface of the interface.

4. The device of claim 1, wherein the first region of the core is located within the waveguide, and wherein an inner surface of the waveguide confines the second electromagnetic at least in part within the core in the first region.

5. The device of claim 1, wherein the second region of the core has a tapered structure to reduce the radiation loss of the second electromagnetic wave as the second electromagnetic wave propagates into the second region.

6. The device of claim 1, wherein the third region of the core is configured with a diameter to reduce the propagation loss of the second electromagnetic wave as the second electromagnetic wave propagates into the third region.

7. The device of claim 1, wherein the generator comprises at least one transmitter located within the waveguide, and wherein the core comprises a non-conducting material or an insulated conductor.

8. The device of claim 1, wherein the interface comprises an outer surface of the core in the first region.

9. The device of claim 8, wherein the outer surface of the core in the first region is separated from an inner surface of the waveguide.

10. The device of claim 1, further comprising a receiver for receiving electromagnetic waves via the core.

11. The device of claim 1, wherein the generation of the first electromagnetic wave includes selecting a wave mode, a wave length, an operating frequency, or a combination thereof to reduce the propagation loss of the second electromagnetic wave as the second electromagnetic wave propagates into the third region.

12. The device of claim 1, wherein the generator comprises at least one transmitter located within the waveguide, and wherein the waveguide comprises a mechanism for installing the waveguide on the core.

13. A device, comprising:

a generator that facilitates generation of a first electromagnetic wave;

a core; and

a waveguide that facilitates guiding the first electromagnetic wave towards the core,

wherein the core comprises a first region, a second region, and a third region,

wherein the core comprises an interface in the first region,

wherein the interface comprises a tapered structure,

wherein the first electromagnetic wave induces at the interface a second electromagnetic wave,

wherein the waveguide is configured to confine the second electromagnetic wave at least in part within the core in the first region,

wherein the second region of the core has a tapered structure and is configured to reduce a radiation loss of the second electromagnetic wave as the second electromagnetic wave propagates into the second region, and

wherein the third region of the core is configured to reduce a propagation loss of the second electromagnetic wave as the second electromagnetic wave propagates into the third region.

14. The device of claim 13, wherein the generator comprises at least one transmitter located within the waveguide.

15. The device of claim 13, wherein the core comprises a non-conducting material or an insulated conductor.

16. The device of claim 13, wherein the third region of the core is configured with a diameter to reduce the propagation loss of the second electromagnetic wave as the second electromagnetic wave propagates into the third region.

17. The device of claim 13, wherein the generation of the first electromagnetic wave includes selecting a wave mode, a wave length, an operating frequency, or a combination thereof to reduce the propagation loss of the second electromagnetic wave as the second electromagnetic wave propagates into the third region.

18. A device, comprising:

means for generating a first electromagnetic wave; and

means for guiding the first electromagnetic wave towards a core,

wherein the core comprises an interface in a first region of the core,

wherein the first electromagnetic wave induces at the interface a second electromagnetic wave,

wherein the interface is configured to reduce a reflection by the first electromagnetic wave at a surface of the interface,

wherein the means for guiding confines the second electromagnetic at least in part within the core in the first region, and

wherein the means for guiding or a second region of the core is configured to reduce a radiation loss of the second electromagnetic wave as the second electromagnetic wave propagates into the second region.

19. The device of claim 18, wherein the interface comprises an outer surface of the core in the first region, wherein the outer surface of the core in the first region is separated from an inner surface of the means for guiding, and wherein a portion of the inner surface of the means for guiding reduces a reflection by the first electromagnetic wave at the outer surface of the core.

20. The device of claim 18, wherein the second region of the core has a tapered structure to reduce the radiation loss of the second electromagnetic wave as the second electromagnetic wave propagates into the second region.

21. The device of claim 18, wherein the surface of the interface comprises a tapered structure.

22. The device of claim 18, further comprising means for receiving electromagnetic waves.

23. The device of claim 22, the means for receiving electromagnetic waves receives the electromagnetic waves via the core.