TRANSMISSION MEDIUM HAVING MULTIPLE CORES AND METHODS FOR USE THEREWITH

• US 20170309985A1
• Filed: 07/13/2017
• Published: 10/26/2017
• Est. Priority Date: 05/14/2015
• 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, TAYLOR, WILLIAM SCOTT, BENNETT, ROBERT, BARZEGAR, FARHAD, GERSZBERG, IRWIN, BARNICKEL, DONALD J., WILLIS, III, THOMAS M.
• Granted Patent: US 10,381,703 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• CPC Class Codes: H01P 3/10 Wire waveguides, i.e. with a single solid longitudinal conductor
• CPC Class Codes: H01P 3/16 Dielectric waveguides, i.e. without a longitudinal conductor
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 2203/5487 cables
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 3/32 Reducing cross-talk, e.g. by compensating
• 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 3/56 Circuits for coupling, blocking, or by-passing of signals

Abstract

Aspects of the subject disclosure may include, for example, a transmission medium for propagating electromagnetic waves. The transmission medium can include a plurality of cores for selectively guiding an electromagnetic wave of a plurality of electromagnetic waves longitudinally along each core, and a shell surrounding at least a portion of each core for reducing exposure of the electromagnetic wave of each core. Other embodiments are disclosed.

Claims

1. A transmission medium, comprising:

a plurality of cables bundled together in the transmission medium, each cable comprising a core;

a dielectric layer surrounding at least a portion of each core of the plurality of cables, wherein each core is configured to enable an electromagnetic wave having a non-optical frequency range to be bound to the core rather than the dielectric layer, wherein the electromagnetic wave propagates along the core without requiring an electrical return path, and wherein the dielectric layer reduces exposure of the electromagnetic wave to an adverse environment; and

a material interspersed in an area between the dielectric layer and the plurality of cables to reduce a cross-talk between the electromagnetic wave of a first core of a first cable of the plurality of cables and the electromagnetic wave of a second core of a second cable of the plurality of cables.

2. The transmission medium of claim 1, wherein the material comprises a dielectric foam.

3. The transmission medium of claim 2, wherein the dielectric foam sufficiently separates the plurality of cables from each other to reduce the cross-talk therebetween.

4. The transmission medium of claim 1, wherein the material is an absorption material that polarizes the electromagnetic wave propagating in each core to reduce the cross-talk between the plurality of cables.

5. The transmission medium of claim 4, wherein absorption material comprises a carbon material.

6. The transmission medium of claim 5, wherein the carbon material comprises carbon beads.

7. The transmission medium of claim 1, further comprising a cover that surrounds an outer surface of the dielectric layer to further reduce exposure of the electromagnetic wave.

8. The transmission medium of claim 1, wherein each core of the plurality of cables is opaque, thereby restricting a propagation of light waves in each core.

9. The transmission medium of claim 1, wherein the dielectric layer comprises a dielectric foam.

10. The transmission medium of claim 1, further comprising a sleeve surrounding the dielectric layer.

11. A method, comprising:

generating, by a plurality of launchers, a plurality of signals, wherein each signal of the plurality of signals conveys different data; and

selectively coupling, to each core of a plurality of cores, a corresponding signal of the plurality of signals to generate a guided electromagnetic wave at each core of the plurality of cores, wherein each core of the plurality of cores is surrounded at least in part by a respective cladding, wherein the respective cladding of a corresponding core reduces exposure of the guided electromagnetic wave of the corresponding core, wherein the guided electromagnetic wave has a non-optical frequency range, and wherein a material included within the respective cladding of the corresponding core reduces a cross-talk between the plurality of cores.

12. The method of claim 11, wherein the respective cladding of the corresponding core comprises a dielectric foam disposed on an outer surface of the corresponding core.

13. The method of claim 11, wherein each core of the plurality of cores is opaque, thereby restricting a propagation of light waves in each core.

14. The method of claim 11, wherein the plurality of cores is surrounded by a cover.

15. The method of claim 11, wherein each core comprises an opaque respective non-conductive core.

16. The method of claim 11, wherein the material polarizes the guided electromagnetic wave at each core to reduce the cross-talk between the plurality of cores.

17. The method of claim 11, wherein absorption material comprises carbon beads.

18. A multi-guide cable, comprising:

a plurality of cores, each core of the plurality of cores having no electrical return path, a respective core of the plurality of cores enabling a respective electromagnetic wave of a plurality of electromagnetic waves to be bound to and to propagate along the respective core, and the plurality of cores configured to reduce a propagation loss of the plurality of electromagnetic waves when operating in a non-optical frequency range;

a cladding surrounding at least a portion of each core; and

a material included in the cladding of each core to reduce a cross-talk between the plurality of electromagnetic waves propagating along the plurality of cores.

19. The multi-guide cable of claim 18, wherein the respective electromagnetic wave of the plurality of electromagnetic waves is induced on the respective core by a radiating element.

20. The multi-guide cable of claim 18, wherein each core of the plurality of cores is opaque resulting in an increased propagation loss for transmitting light waves in each core.