Apparatus and methods for communicating utilizing an antenna array and multiple communication paths

• US 10,594,597 B2
• Filed: 01/04/2019
• Issued: 03/17/2020
• Est. Priority Date: 07/14/2015
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property I LP (AT&T, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property I LP (AT&T, Inc.)
• Inventors: Barzegar, Farhad, Henry, Paul Shala, Bennett, Robert, Gerszberg, Irwin, Willis, III, Thomas M., Barnickel, Donald J., Johnson, Shikik
• Primary Examiner(s): Trinh, Sonny
• Application Number:
  US16/240,138
• Publication Number:
  US 20190140938A1
• Time in Patent Office: 438 Days
• Field of Search: 4555621
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 1/2291 used in bluetooth or WI-FI devices of Wireless Local Area Networks [WLAN] H01Q1/241 takes precedence; WLAN in general H04W
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 13/24 constituted by a dielectric or ferromagnetic rod or pipe H01Q13/28 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 21/00 Antenna arrays or systems arrangements for changing or varying the orientation or the shape of the directional pattern of the waves radiated from an antenna or antenna system H01Q3/00
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 21/06 Arrays of individually energised antenna units similarly polarised and spaced apart
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 3/30 varying the relative phase between the radiating elements of an array H01Q3/2605, H01Q3/2658, H01Q3/2682, H01Q3/44 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 3/00 Line transmission systems combined with near-field transmission systems H04B5/00
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 3/36 Repeater circuits H04B3/58 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 3/54 Systems for transmission via power distribution lines
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 3/58 Repeater circuits
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 7/0617 for beam forming
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/6418 Hybrid transport
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 45/24 Multipath

Abstract

Aspects of the subject disclosure may include, a system that can transmit first wireless signals associated with communication signals, where the first wireless signals are directed via beam steering by an antenna array towards a wireless receiver. The system can transmit second wireless signals associated with the communication signals, where the second wireless signals are directed via the beam steering by the antenna array towards a transmission medium. The second wireless signals can induce electromagnetic waves at a physical interface of the transmission medium where the electromagnetic waves are associated with the communication signals. Other embodiments are disclosed.

Claims

1. A method, comprising:

transmitting, by a first communication device including an antenna array, first wireless signals that are directed via a beam steering by the antenna array towards a wireless receiver; and

transmitting, by the first communication device, second wireless signals that are directed towards a transmission medium via an adjustment of the beam steering by the antenna array,

wherein the second wireless signals induce electromagnetic waves at a physical interface of the transmission medium, and wherein the electromagnetic waves are guided to propagate along the transmission medium without requiring an electrical return path.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the adjustment of the beam steering comprises providing a phase adjustment to a signal driving at least one antenna of the antenna array.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the transmission medium comprises a power line.

4. The method of claim 3, wherein the wireless receiver is located at a second communication device, and wherein the first communication device and the second communication device are positioned on a first utility pole and a second utility pole, respectively.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the antenna array comprises polyrod antennas.

6. The method of claim 1, further comprising adjusting a transmit power associated with the first wireless signals, the second wireless signals, or both resulting in different first and second transmit powers of the first wireless signals and the second wireless signals, respectively.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein the first wireless signals convey a first subset of communication signals, wherein the second wireless signals convey a second subset of the communication signals, and wherein the electromagnetic waves convey the second subset of the communication signals.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein the first wireless signals, the second wireless signals and the electromagnetic waves each convey communication signals.

9. A first communication device, comprising:

a plurality of transmitters; and

an antenna array, wherein each transmitter of the plurality of transmitters is coupled to a respective antenna of the antenna array,

wherein a first portion of antennas of the antenna array transmits first wireless signals, wherein the first wireless signals are directed via a beam steering by the first portion of antennas towards a wireless receiver; and

wherein a second portion of antennas of the antenna array transmits second wireless signals, wherein the second wireless signals are directed towards a transmission medium via an adjustment of the beam steering by the second portion of antennas,

wherein the second wireless signals induce electromagnetic waves at a physical interface of the transmission medium that are guided to propagate without requiring an electrical return path.

10. The first communication device of claim 9, wherein the antenna array comprises an array of polyrod antennas.

11. The first communication device of claim 10, wherein each of the polyrod antennas comprises a core that is coupled to a waveguide that is configured to confine an electromagnetic wave of the electromagnetic waves at least in part within the core in a particular region of the core.

12. The first communication device of claim 10, wherein each of the polyrod antennas includes a core having a plurality of regions, wherein the core comprises an interface in a first region of the plurality of regions, wherein one of the plurality of transmitters generates a first electromagnetic wave of the electromagnetic waves that induces a second electromagnetic wave at the interface of the first region, wherein the core is coupled to a waveguide that is configured to confine the second electromagnetic wave at least in part within the core in the first region.

13. The first communication device of claim 9, wherein the adjustment of the beam steering comprises providing a phase adjustment to a signal driving at least one antenna of the antenna array.

14. The first communication device of claim 9, wherein the transmission medium comprises a power line.

15. The first communication device of claim 14, wherein the wireless receiver is located at a second communication device, and wherein the first communication device and the second communication device are positioned on a first utility pole and a second utility pole, respectively.

16. The first communication device of claim 9, wherein the first wireless signals convey a first subset of communication signals, wherein the second wireless signals convey a second subset of the communication signals, and wherein the electromagnetic waves convey the second subset of the communication signals.

17. The first communication device of claim 9, wherein the first wireless signals, the second wireless signals and the electromagnetic waves convey communication signals.

18. The first communication device of claim 9, wherein the antennas included in the second portion of antennas of the antenna array are positioned adjacent to each other in the antenna array.

19. A method, comprising:

receiving, by a communication device including an antenna array, first wireless signals; and

transmitting, by the communication device, second wireless signals, wherein the second wireless signals are directed towards a transmission medium via a beam steering by the antenna array,

wherein the second wireless signals induce electromagnetic waves at a physical interface of the transmission medium that are guided to propagate without requiring an electrical return path.

20. The method of claim 19, wherein the antenna array comprises an array of polyrod antennas, and wherein the transmission medium comprises a power line.