Apparatus and methods for launching guided waves via plural waveguide systems
First Claim
1. A method, comprising:
- generating, by a first launcher having a first plurality of circuits, first electromagnetic waves in a wave direction along a longitudinal axis of a transmission medium; and
generating, by a second launcher having a second plurality of circuits, second electromagnetic waves in the wave direction along the longitudinal axis of the transmission medium, wherein the first electromagnetic waves and the second electromagnetic waves combine to induce a third electromagnetic wave in the wave direction along the longitudinal axis of the transmission medium, wherein the third electromagnetic wave propagates along an outer surface of the transmission medium without utilizing an electrical return path, and wherein the third electromagnetic wave has a non-optical operating frequency and a non-fundamental wave mode, a fundamental wave mode, or a combination thereof;
wherein the first launcher comprises a first hollow shell for directing the first electromagnetic waves to the outer surface of the transmission medium, wherein the first hollow shell surrounds the outer surface of the transmission medium, wherein the first plurality of circuits each includes one of a first plurality of antennas, wherein the first plurality of antennas is arranged within the first hollow shell, spaced apart from the transmission medium and arranged concentrically around the outer surface of the transmission medium in a plane that is perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the transmission medium; and
wherein the second launcher comprises a second hollow shell for directing the second electromagnetic waves to the outer surface of the transmission medium, and wherein the second plurality of circuits each includes one of a second plurality of antennas, wherein the second plurality of antennas is arranged within the second hollow shell, spaced apart from the transmission medium and arranged concentrically around the outer surface of the transmission medium in the plane that is perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the transmission medium.
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Accused Products
Abstract
Aspects of the subject disclosure may include, for example, a system having a first plurality of transmitters for launching according to a signal, first electromagnetic waves, and a second plurality of transmitters for launching, according to the signal, second electromagnetic waves. The first electromagnetic waves and the second electromagnetic waves combine at an interface of a transmission medium to induce a propagation of a third electromagnetic wave, the third electromagnetic wave having a non-fundamental wave mode and a non-optical operating frequency, and wherein the second plurality of transmitters are spaced apart from the first plurality of transmitters in a direction of propagation of the third electromagnetic wave. Other embodiments are disclosed.
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Citations
20 Claims
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1. A method, comprising:
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generating, by a first launcher having a first plurality of circuits, first electromagnetic waves in a wave direction along a longitudinal axis of a transmission medium; and generating, by a second launcher having a second plurality of circuits, second electromagnetic waves in the wave direction along the longitudinal axis of the transmission medium, wherein the first electromagnetic waves and the second electromagnetic waves combine to induce a third electromagnetic wave in the wave direction along the longitudinal axis of the transmission medium, wherein the third electromagnetic wave propagates along an outer surface of the transmission medium without utilizing an electrical return path, and wherein the third electromagnetic wave has a non-optical operating frequency and a non-fundamental wave mode, a fundamental wave mode, or a combination thereof; wherein the first launcher comprises a first hollow shell for directing the first electromagnetic waves to the outer surface of the transmission medium, wherein the first hollow shell surrounds the outer surface of the transmission medium, wherein the first plurality of circuits each includes one of a first plurality of antennas, wherein the first plurality of antennas is arranged within the first hollow shell, spaced apart from the transmission medium and arranged concentrically around the outer surface of the transmission medium in a plane that is perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the transmission medium; and wherein the second launcher comprises a second hollow shell for directing the second electromagnetic waves to the outer surface of the transmission medium, and wherein the second plurality of circuits each includes one of a second plurality of antennas, wherein the second plurality of antennas is arranged within the second hollow shell, spaced apart from the transmission medium and arranged concentrically around the outer surface of the transmission medium in the plane that is perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the transmission medium. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
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16. A system, comprising:
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a signal interface configured to receive a signal; a first plurality of transmitters configured to launch, according to the signal, first electromagnetic waves in a wave direction along a longitudinal axis of a transmission medium; a second plurality of transmitters configured to launch, according to the signal, second electromagnetic waves in the wave direction along the longitudinal axis of the transmission medium; a first hollow shell for directing the first electromagnetic waves to an outer surface of the transmission medium, wherein the first hollow shell surrounds an outer surface of the transmission medium, wherein the first plurality of transmitters each includes one of a first plurality of antennas, wherein the first plurality of antennas is arranged within the first hollow shell, spaced apart from the transmission medium and arranged concentrically around the outer surface of the transmission medium in a plane that is perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the transmission medium; and a second hollow shell, wherein the second plurality of transmitters each includes one of a second plurality of antennas, wherein the second plurality of antennas is arranged within the second hollow shell, spaced apart from the transmission medium and arranged concentrically around the outer surface of the transmission medium in the plane that is perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the transmission medium; wherein the first electromagnetic waves and the second electromagnetic waves combine at the outer surface of the transmission medium to induce a propagation of a third electromagnetic wave in the wave direction along the longitudinal axis of the outer surface of the transmission medium, the third electromagnetic wave having a non-fundamental wave mode, a fundamental wave mode, or a combination thereof and a non-optical operating frequency, and wherein the second plurality of transmitters is spaced apart from the first plurality of transmitters along the longitudinal axis of the transmission medium. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18)
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19. A system, comprising:
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first transmission means for generating first electromagnetic waves in a wave direction along a longitudinal axis of a transmission medium; second transmission means for generating second electromagnetic waves in the wave direction along the longitudinal axis of the transmission medium; and waveguide means for directing the first electromagnetic waves and the second electromagnetic waves to an outer surface of the transmission medium to induce a propagation of a third electromagnetic wave in the wave direction along the longitudinal axis of the outer surface of the transmission medium, the third electromagnetic wave having a non-optical frequency, wherein the first transmission means has a first plurality of radiating elements in a first plane that is perpendicular to the wave direction along the longitudinal axis of the transmission medium, the second transmission means has a second plurality of radiating elements in a second plane that is perpendicular to the wave direction along the longitudinal axis of the transmission medium, and wherein the first plane is parallel to, and a distance apart from, the second plane, and wherein the waveguide means includes; a first hollow shell for directing the first electromagnetic waves to the outer surface of the transmission medium, wherein the first hollow shell surrounds the outer surface of the transmission medium, wherein the first plurality of radiating elements each includes one of a first plurality of antennas, wherein the first plurality of antennas is arranged within the first hollow shell, spaced apart from the transmission medium and arranged concentrically around the outer surface of the transmission medium in the first plane; and a second hollow shell, wherein the second plurality of radiating elements each includes one of a second plurality of antennas, wherein the second plurality of antennas is arranged within the second hollow shell, spaced apart from the transmission medium and arranged concentrically around the outer surface of the transmission medium in the second plane. - View Dependent Claims (20)
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Specification