Method and apparatus for exchanging communication signals

• US 10,277,273 B2
• Filed: 01/16/2018
• Issued: 04/30/2019
• Est. Priority Date: 07/31/2015
• 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: Bennett, Robert, Henry, Paul Shala, Barzegar, Farhad, Gerszberg, Irwin, Barnickel, Donald J., Willis, III, Thomas M.
• Primary Examiner(s): Tran, Khanh C
• Application Number:
  US15/872,029
• Publication Number:
  US 20180159591A1
• Time in Patent Office: 469 Days
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 2203/5466 using three phases conductors
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 2203/5483 using coupling circuits
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 3/50 Systems for transmission between fixed stations via two-conductor transmission lines H04B3/54 takes precedence
• 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

Abstract

Aspects of the subject disclosure may include, for example, receiving, by each of a plurality of receivers, one of a plurality of electromagnetic waves, each electromagnetic wave of the plurality of electromagnetic waves guided by a different one of a plurality of twin-lead transmission lines, each twin-lead transmission line sharing a wire, and each electromagnetic wave of the plurality of electromagnetic waves including a different one of a plurality of communication signals, and obtaining, by each of the plurality of receivers, one of the plurality of communication signals. Other embodiments are disclosed.

Claims

1. A device, comprising:

an antenna that facilitates receiving an electromagnetic wave of a plurality of electromagnetic waves, wherein each electromagnetic wave of the plurality of electromagnetic waves is guided by a different one of a plurality of twin-lead transmission lines, wherein the plurality of electromagnetic waves propagate along the plurality of twin-lead transmission lines without requiring an electrical return path, and wherein each electromagnetic wave of the plurality of electromagnetic waves conveys a different one of a plurality of communication signals; and

a receiver that facilitates obtaining, from the electromagnetic wave that is received by the antenna, the different one of the plurality of communication signals.

2. The device of claim 1, wherein the antenna extracts energy from a twin-lead transmission line of the plurality of twin-lead transmission lines.

3. The device of claim 1, wherein the antenna comprises a dipole antenna having elements disposed between conductors of each of the plurality of twin-lead transmission lines.

4. The device of claim 1, wherein the antenna comprises a dipole antenna, and wherein an operating frequency of the different one of the communication signals is associated with dimensions of the dipole antenna.

5. The device of claim 1, wherein the plurality of electromagnetic waves operates in a non-optical frequency range.

6. The device of claim 1, wherein the plurality of twin-lead transmission lines comprise insulated conductors.

7. The device of claim 1, wherein the plurality of twin-lead transmission lines comprise uninsulated conductors.

8. The device of claim 1, wherein the plurality of twin-lead transmission lines comprise a plurality of twisted pairs of insulated conductors.

9. The device of claim 8, wherein each respective twin-lead transmission line of the plurality of twin-lead transmission lines corresponds to a respective twisted pair of insulated conductors of the plurality of twisted pairs of insulated conductors.

10. The device of claim 1, wherein the antenna is positioned between the plurality of twin-lead transmission lines.

11. A method, comprising:

receiving, by an antenna of a communication device, a respective electromagnetic wave of a plurality of electromagnetic waves, the respective electromagnetic wave guided by a respective cable pair of a bundle of cables, wherein the respective electromagnetic wave propagates without requiring an electrical return path, and wherein the bundle of cables comprises an insulated conductor, an uninsulated conductor, or any combination thereof; and

obtaining, by the antenna from the respective electromagnetic wave, a respective communication signal of a plurality of communication signals conveyed by the plurality of electromagnetic waves.

12. The method of claim 11, wherein the plurality of electromagnetic waves operates in a non-optical frequency range.

13. The method of claim 11, wherein the bundle of cables comprises a plurality of twisted pairs of uninsulated conductors.

14. The method of claim 11, wherein the bundle of cables comprises a plurality of twisted pairs of insulated conductors.

15. The method of claim 14, wherein the respective cable pair of the bundle of cables corresponds to a respective twisted pair of insulated conductors of the plurality of twisted pairs of insulated conductors.

16. The method of claim 15, wherein each respective twisted pair of insulated conductors of the plurality of twisted pairs of insulated conductors has a respective electrical return path that enables transmission of electrical signals.

17. The method of claim 11, wherein the plurality of electromagnetic waves employs phase shift keying, frequency shift keying, quadrature amplitude modulation, amplitude modulation, multi-carrier modulation, frequency division multiplexing, time division multiplexing, code division multiplexing, multiplexing via differing wave propagation modes, or any combinations thereof.

18. A device, comprising:

a spacer that facilitates separation of a plurality of transmission lines; and

an antenna that facilitates receiving an electromagnetic wave of a plurality of electromagnetic waves, wherein each electromagnetic wave of the plurality of electromagnetic waves is guided by a different one of the plurality of transmission lines, wherein each electromagnetic wave of the plurality of electromagnetic waves propagates without requiring an electrical return path, and wherein the antenna is coupled to the spacer.

19. The device of claim 18, wherein each electromagnetic wave of the plurality of electromagnetic waves conveys a different one of a plurality of communication signals.

20. The device of claim 18, wherein the plurality of electromagnetic waves operates in a non-optical frequency range.