Method and apparatus for providing power to waveguide systems
First Claim
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1. A network element, comprising:
- a light source;
a processing system including a processor; and
a memory that stores executable instructions that, when executed by the processing system, facilitate performance of operations, the operations comprising;
transmitting, via an optical fiber coupled to the light source, optical power signals to a waveguide system, wherein the optical power signals are generated by the light source, wherein the optical fiber is coupled to an optical power converter of the waveguide system to facilitate converting the optical power signals to electrical energy to be utilized as power by the waveguide system; and
transmitting communication signals to the waveguide system, wherein the communication signals convey data, wherein the transmitting the communication signals facilitates the waveguide system transmitting electromagnetic waves that are generated according to the communication signals, wherein the electromagnetic waves propagate along a transmission medium without requiring an electrical return path, and wherein the electromagnetic waves convey the data.
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Abstract
Aspects of the subject disclosure may include, a system for receiving first optical power signals via an optical fiber connected with a light source of a network device, converting the first optical power signals to electrical energy utilizing an optical power converter where the electrical energy is utilized as power by the system, and transmitting or receiving electromagnetic waves that propagate along a transmission medium without requiring an electrical return path, and wherein the electromagnetic waves convey data. Other embodiments are disclosed.
231 Citations
20 Claims
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1. A network element, comprising:
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a light source; a processing system including a processor; and a memory that stores executable instructions that, when executed by the processing system, facilitate performance of operations, the operations comprising; transmitting, via an optical fiber coupled to the light source, optical power signals to a waveguide system, wherein the optical power signals are generated by the light source, wherein the optical fiber is coupled to an optical power converter of the waveguide system to facilitate converting the optical power signals to electrical energy to be utilized as power by the waveguide system; and transmitting communication signals to the waveguide system, wherein the communication signals convey data, wherein the transmitting the communication signals facilitates the waveguide system transmitting electromagnetic waves that are generated according to the communication signals, wherein the electromagnetic waves propagate along a transmission medium without requiring an electrical return path, and wherein the electromagnetic waves convey the data. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
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9. A method, comprising:
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transmitting, by a network element comprising a light source, via an optical fiber, optical power signals to a waveguide system, wherein the optical power signals are generated by the light source, wherein the optical fiber is coupled to an optical power converter of the waveguide system to facilitate converting the optical power signals to electrical energy to be utilized as power by the waveguide system; and transmitting, by the network element, communication signals to the waveguide system, wherein the communication signals convey data, wherein the transmitting the communication signals facilitates the waveguide system transmitting electromagnetic waves that are generated according to the communication signals, wherein the electromagnetic waves propagate along a transmission medium without requiring an electrical return path, wherein the network element is mounted on a structure supporting the transmission medium, and wherein the electromagnetic waves convey the data. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
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16. A network element, comprising:
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a light source; a processing system including a processor; and a memory that stores executable instructions that, when executed by the processing system, facilitate performance of operations, the operations comprising; transmitting, via an optical fiber coupled to the light source, optical power signals to a waveguide system, wherein the optical power signals are generated by the light source, wherein the optical fiber is coupled to an optical power converter of the waveguide system to facilitate converting the optical power signals to electrical energy to be utilized as power by the waveguide system; and transmitting communication signals to the waveguide system, wherein the communication signals convey data, wherein the transmitting the communication signals facilitates the waveguide system transmitting electromagnetic waves that are generated according to the communication signals, wherein the electromagnetic waves propagate along a power line of a power grid without requiring an electrical return path, and wherein the electromagnetic waves convey the data. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18, 19, 20)
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Specification