METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR STEERING RADIATION ON AN OUTER SURFACE OF A STRUCTURE

• US 20190013577A1
• Filed: 07/05/2017
• Published: 01/10/2019
• Est. Priority Date: 07/05/2017
• 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, VANNUCCI, GIOVANNI, WILLIS, III, THOMAS M.
• Granted Patent: US 10,727,583 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• CPC Class Codes: H01P 5/087 Transitions to a dielectric waveguide
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 1/528 reducing the re-radiation of a support structure in a parabolic reflector antenna H01Q19/023
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 13/02 Waveguide horns
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 13/0208 Corrugated horns waveguide mouth antenna with corrugated flange H01Q13/065; manufacturing details H01Q13/0283
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 13/203 Leaky coaxial lines
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 3/00 Arrangements for changing or varying the orientation or the shape of the directional pattern of the waves radiated from an antenna or antenna system means for positioning H01Q1/125
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 9/30 with feed to end of elongated active element, e.g. unipole H01Q9/44 takes precedence
• 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: H04W 16/28 using beam steering

Abstract

Aspects of the subject disclosure may include, a system that includes a coupler having a structure that facilitates guiding electromagnetic waves along a transmission medium, wherein the electromagnetic waves propagate along the transmission medium without requiring an electrical return path, and a device coupled to an outer surface of the structure, wherein the device facilitates steering a wireless signal generated by a flow of an electrical current on the outer surface of the structure. Other embodiments are disclosed.

Claims

1. A communication device, comprising:

a coupler having an inner surface and an outer surface, wherein the inner surface of the coupler facilitates guiding electromagnetic waves along a transmission medium, wherein the electromagnetic waves induce an electrical current on the inner surface of the coupler that propagates to the outer surface of the coupler, and wherein the electromagnetic waves propagate along the transmission medium without requiring an electrical return path; and

a device coupled to the outer surface of the coupler, wherein the device facilitates steering a wireless signal generated by a flow of the electrical current on the outer surface of the coupler.

2. The communication device of claim 1, wherein the steering of the wireless signal comprises at least reducing a radiation of the wireless signal towards a terrestrial surface.

3. The communication device of claim 1, wherein the device facilitates the steering of the wireless signal away from a terrestrial surface.

4. The communication device of claim 1, wherein the device comprises an antenna that facilitates the steering of the wireless signal.

5. The communication device of claim 4, wherein the antenna comprises a monopole antenna.

6. The communication device of claim 1, wherein the device comprises a textured surface.

7. The communication device of claim 6, wherein the textured surface facilitates the steering of the wireless signal by reducing the flow of the electrical current in a region of the outer surface of the coupler.

8. The communication device of claim 1, wherein the electrical current comprises a radio frequency electrical current.

9. The communication device of claim 1, wherein the coupler facilitates receiving other electromagnetic waves that propagate along the transmission medium.

10. The communication device of claim 1, further comprising a transmitter coupled to the coupler, wherein the transmitter facilitates receiving a communication signal that is converted to the electromagnetic waves that propagate along the transmission medium, and wherein the electromagnetic waves conveys data included in the communication signal.

11. A method, comprising:

guiding, by a coupler having an inner surface and an outer surface, electromagnetic waves along a transmission medium, wherein the guiding is facilitated by the inner surface of the coupler, wherein the electromagnetic waves induce an electrical current on the inner surface of the coupler that propagates to the outer surface of the coupler, wherein the electromagnetic waves propagate along the transmission medium without requiring an electrical return path; and

steering, by a device coupled to the outer surface of the coupler, a transmission of a wireless signal away from one or more communication devices, wherein the wireless signal is generated by a flow of the electrical current on the outer surface of the coupler.

12. The method of claim 11, wherein the device comprises an antenna that facilitates the steering of the transmission of the wireless signal.

13. The method of claim 12, wherein the antenna comprises a monopole antenna.

14. The method of claim 11, wherein the device comprises a textured surface.

15. The method of claim 14, wherein the textured surface facilitates the steering of the transmission of the wireless signal.

16. The method of claim 11, wherein the electrical current comprises a radio frequency electrical current.

17. The method of claim 11, further comprising receiving, by the coupler, other electromagnetic waves that propagate along the transmission medium.

18. A waveguide system, comprising:

a transmitter that facilitates receiving a communication signal that is converted to electromagnetic waves that propagate along a transmission medium, and wherein the electromagnetic waves convey data included by the communication signal;

a coupler having an inner surface and an outer surface, wherein the inner surface facilitates guiding the electromagnetic waves to the transmission medium, wherein the electromagnetic waves induce an electrical current on the inner surface of the coupler that propagates to the outer surface of the coupler; and

a component, coupled to the outer surface of the coupler, that facilitates steering a wireless signal radiated from the outer surface of the coupler, wherein the wireless signal is generated according to a flow of the electrical current on the outer surface of the coupler.

19. The waveguide system of claim 18, wherein the component comprises an antenna that facilitates the steering of the wireless signal.

20. The waveguide system of claim 18, wherein the component comprises a textured surface in a region of the outer surface, and wherein the textured surface facilitates the steering of the wireless signal.