Apparatus and methods for sending or receiving electromagnetic signals

• US 10,594,039 B2
• Filed: 11/21/2018
• Issued: 03/17/2020
• 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:
  US16/198,120
• Publication Number:
  US 20190097324A1
• Time in Patent Office: 482 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 and a second 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 located within the waveguide,

wherein a tapered section of the waveguide covering the second region is configured to reduce a radiation loss of the second electromagnetic wave as the second electromagnetic wave propagates and expands into the second region, and

wherein the core comprises a third region that is not located within the waveguide.

2. The device of claim 1, wherein the second electromagnetic wave propagates along the core in the third region and is directed to another device coupled to the core in the third region.

3. The device of claim 2, wherein the second electromagnetic wave has a first average propagation loss in the second region, wherein the second electromagnetic wave has a second average propagation loss in the third region, and wherein the first average propagation loss exceeds the second average propagation loss.

4. The device of claim 2, wherein the third region of the core is configured with a diameter to reduce a propagation loss of the second electromagnetic wave as the second electromagnetic wave propagates into the third region.

5. The device of claim 2, wherein the first region, the second region, and the third region of the core are configured with a same diameter.

6. 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.

7. The device of claim 1, wherein a surface of the interface comprises a tapered structure to reduce a reflection of the first electromagnetic wave at the surface of the interface.

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 9, wherein a portion of the inner surface of the waveguide comprises a tapered structure to reduce a reflection by the first electromagnetic wave at the outer surface of the core.

11. The device of claim 1, wherein the core is a dielectric core coupled to a dielectric antenna for radiating a wireless signal.

12. The device of claim 1, wherein the generator comprises at least one transmitter located within the waveguide.

13. The device of claim 1, wherein the core comprises a non-conducting material or an insulated conductor.

14. A device, comprising:

a core; and

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

wherein the core comprises a first region and a second region, the first region and the second region being located within the waveguide,

wherein the core comprises an interface in the first region,

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

wherein a tapered section of the waveguide covering the second region is configured to reduce a radiation loss of the second electromagnetic wave as the second electromagnetic wave propagates and expands into the second region, and

wherein the core comprises a third region that is not located within the waveguide.

15. The device of claim 14, wherein the waveguide is adapted for guiding electromagnetic waves, and further comprising a generator that facilitates generation of the first electromagnetic wave.

16. The device of claim 14, wherein a propagation loss of the second electromagnetic wave is reduced by adjusting a performance parameter of the first electromagnetic wave.

17. The device of claim 16, wherein the performance parameter comprises a wave mode, a wavelength, an operating frequency, or any combination thereof.

18. A device, comprising:

a core; and

a waveguide that facilitates guiding and receiving a first electromagnetic wave at an aperture of the waveguide,

wherein the core comprises a first region and a second region, wherein the first region and the second region are located within the waveguide, and wherein the aperture of the waveguide is located in the second region,

wherein the core comprises an interface in the first region,

wherein a tapered section of the waveguide covering the second region is configured to reduce a radiation loss of the first electromagnetic wave as the first electromagnetic wave propagates and expands into the first region,

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

wherein the first electromagnetic wave induces a second electromagnetic wave at the interface of the core in the first region, and

wherein the core comprises a third region that is not located within the waveguide.

19. The device of claim 18, further comprising an antenna in the first region and configured to receive the second electromagnetic wave.

20. The device of claim 18, wherein the interface of the core comprises a tapered structure.