Method and apparatus for configuring a communication interface
First Claim
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1. A method, comprising:
- receiving, by a network interface device (NID), electromagnetic waves guided by an insulated surface of a transmission medium, wherein the transmission medium is coupled to the NID, wherein the transmission medium has an electrical return path to enable a flow of electrical signals in a conductive material of the transmission medium, wherein the electromagnetic waves propagate along the insulated surface of the transmission medium without requiring the electrical return path, and wherein the electromagnetic waves convey first digital subscriber line (DSL) signals;
providing, by the NID, first electrical signals that are based upon the electromagnetic waves to a first DSL device, wherein the first electrical signals convey the first DSL signals; and
transmitting, by the NID, second electrical signals received by the NID from the first DSL device, wherein the second electrical signals convey second DSL signals, wherein the transmitting is into the conductive material of the transmission medium, wherein the second electrical signals received from the first DSL device that convey the second DSL signals are directed to a second DSL device, and wherein the electrical return path of the transmission medium enables the second electrical signals to propagate along the conductive material of the transmission medium.
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Abstract
Aspects of the subject disclosure may include, for example, a system for exchanging electrical signals and guided electromagnetic waves between customer premises equipment and service provider equipment to provide uplink and/or downlink communication services. Other embodiments are disclosed.
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Citations
20 Claims
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1. A method, comprising:
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receiving, by a network interface device (NID), electromagnetic waves guided by an insulated surface of a transmission medium, wherein the transmission medium is coupled to the NID, wherein the transmission medium has an electrical return path to enable a flow of electrical signals in a conductive material of the transmission medium, wherein the electromagnetic waves propagate along the insulated surface of the transmission medium without requiring the electrical return path, and wherein the electromagnetic waves convey first digital subscriber line (DSL) signals; providing, by the NID, first electrical signals that are based upon the electromagnetic waves to a first DSL device, wherein the first electrical signals convey the first DSL signals; and transmitting, by the NID, second electrical signals received by the NID from the first DSL device, wherein the second electrical signals convey second DSL signals, wherein the transmitting is into the conductive material of the transmission medium, wherein the second electrical signals received from the first DSL device that convey the second DSL signals are directed to a second DSL device, and wherein the electrical return path of the transmission medium enables the second electrical signals to propagate along the conductive material of the transmission medium. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
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13. An apparatus, comprising:
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a receiver that facilitates receiving first electrical signals via at least one conductor coupled to the apparatus and that facilitates generating first digital subscriber line (DSL) signals based on the first electrical signals, wherein the first DSL signals convey first data; and a network interface device (NID) that facilitates converting the first DSL signals to electromagnetic waves guided by an insulated portion of a transmission medium, wherein the transmission medium has an electrical return path to enable a flow of electrical signals in a conductive portion of the transmission medium, wherein the electromagnetic waves propagate along the insulated portion of the transmission medium without requiring the electrical return path, wherein the electromagnetic waves convey the first data supplied by the first DSL signals, wherein the NID facilitates receiving second electrical signals via the conductive portion of the transmission medium, wherein the second electrical signals comprise second DSL signals that convey second data, wherein the electrical return path of the transmission medium enables the second electrical signals to propagate along the conductive portion of the transmission medium, and wherein the first data and the second data are different. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16)
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17. An apparatus, comprising:
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an optical receiver that facilitates receiving optical signals from a fiber cable and that facilitates generating first digital subscriber line (DSL) signals from the optical signals, wherein the first DSL signals convey first data; a transmitter that facilitates converting the first DSL signals to guided electromagnetic waves that propagate along an insulated portion of a transmission medium, wherein the transmission medium has an electrical return path to enable a flow of electrical signals in a conductive material of the transmission medium, wherein the guided electromagnetic waves propagate along the insulated portion of the transmission medium without requiring the electrical return path, and wherein the guided electromagnetic waves convey the first data; and an electrical receiver that facilitates receiving electrical signals via the conductive material of the transmission medium, wherein the electrical return path of the transmission medium enables the electrical signals to propagate along the conductive material of the transmission medium, and wherein the electrical signals convey second data. - View Dependent Claims (18, 19, 20)
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Specification