METHOD AND APPARATUS THAT PROVIDES FAULT TOLERANCE IN A COMMUNICATION NETWORK
First Claim
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1. A waveguide system, comprising:
- a first coupler, wherein the first coupler is positioned with respect to a first transmission medium, wherein the first coupler facilitates transmission of first electromagnetic waves that propagate along a surface of the first transmission medium, wherein the first electromagnetic waves convey data, and wherein the first transmission medium is utilized as a primary communication link;
a communications interface coupled to a second transmission medium, wherein the second transmission medium is utilized as a secondary communication link;
a processing system including a processor; and
a memory that stores executable instructions that, when executed by the processing system, facilitate performance of operations, wherein the operations comprise;
detecting a fault in the primary communication link; and
responsive to detecting the fault, redirecting first data to the secondary communication link, wherein the first data comprises at least a portion of the data conveyed by the first electromagnetic waves.
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Abstract
A system for detecting a fault in a first transmission medium that affects a transmission or reception of electromagnetic waves that convey data and that propagate along a surface of the first transmission medium, selecting a backup communication medium from one or more backup communication mediums according to one or more selection criteria, and redirecting at least a portion of the data to the backup communication medium to mitigate the fault. Other embodiments are disclosed.
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Citations
20 Claims
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1. A waveguide system, comprising:
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a first coupler, wherein the first coupler is positioned with respect to a first transmission medium, wherein the first coupler facilitates transmission of first electromagnetic waves that propagate along a surface of the first transmission medium, wherein the first electromagnetic waves convey data, and wherein the first transmission medium is utilized as a primary communication link; a communications interface coupled to a second transmission medium, wherein the second transmission medium is utilized as a secondary communication link; a processing system including a processor; and a memory that stores executable instructions that, when executed by the processing system, facilitate performance of operations, wherein the operations comprise; detecting a fault in the primary communication link; and responsive to detecting the fault, redirecting first data to the secondary communication link, wherein the first data comprises at least a portion of the data conveyed by the first electromagnetic waves. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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15. A communication system, comprising:
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a plurality of waveguide systems, each of the plurality of waveguide systems facilitating transmission of first electromagnetic waves that propagate along a surface of a first transmission medium or a second transmission medium, wherein the electromagnetic waves convey data directed to a recipient device, wherein the first transmission medium is used as a primary communication link, and wherein the second transmission medium is used as a backup communication link; a processing system including a processor; and a memory that stores executable instructions that, when executed by the processing system, facilitate performance of operations, wherein the operations comprise directing a waveguide system of the plurality of waveguide systems to redirect first data to the backup communication link responsive to detecting a fault in the primary communication link, wherein the first data comprises at least a portion of the data. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18)
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19. A method, comprising:
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transmitting, by a waveguide system via a first coupler positioned with respect to a first transmission medium, first electromagnetic waves that propagate along a surface of the first transmission medium, wherein the first electromagnetic waves convey data, and wherein the first transmission medium is utilized as a primary communication link; detecting, by the waveguide system, a fault in the primary communication link; and redirecting, by the waveguide system, first data to a second transmission medium utilized as a backup communication medium to mitigate the fault, wherein the waveguide system facilitates redirection of the first data via a second coupler positioned with respect to the second transmission medium, wherein the first data comprises at least a portion of the data. - View Dependent Claims (20)
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Specification