DIELECTRIC COUPLING SYSTEM WITH MODE CONTROL AND METHODS FOR USE THEREWITH
First Claim
1. A coupling system comprising:
- a plurality of hollow waveguides configured to guide first electromagnetic waves conveying data from a plurality of transmitters;
a plurality of dielectric couplers configured to generate, responsive to the first electromagnetic waves, second electromagnetic waves along a surface of a transmission medium, wherein the plurality of dielectric couplers each has an end at a differing azimuthal orientation relative to the transmission medium and wherein the second electromagnetic waves propagate along the surface of the transmission medium without requiring an electrical return path; and
a controller configured to control a generation of the first electromagnetic waves in accordance with a first set of phases, wherein the second electromagnetic waves generated by the plurality of dielectric couplers combine on the surface of the transmission medium to propagate via a first selected wave mode.
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Abstract
In accordance with one or more embodiments, a coupling system includes a plurality of dielectric couplers configured to generate, responsive to first electromagnetic waves received via a hollow waveguide, second electromagnetic waves along a surface of a transmission medium, wherein the plurality of dielectric couplers each have an end at differing azimuthal orientations relative to the transmission medium and wherein the second electromagnetic waves propagate along the surface of the transmission medium without requiring an electrical return path. A controller is configured to control a generation of the first electromagnetic waves in accordance with a first set of phases, wherein the second electromagnetic waves generated by the plurality of dielectric couplers combine on the surface of the transmission medium to propagate via a first selected wave mode.
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Citations
20 Claims
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1. A coupling system comprising:
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a plurality of hollow waveguides configured to guide first electromagnetic waves conveying data from a plurality of transmitters; a plurality of dielectric couplers configured to generate, responsive to the first electromagnetic waves, second electromagnetic waves along a surface of a transmission medium, wherein the plurality of dielectric couplers each has an end at a differing azimuthal orientation relative to the transmission medium and wherein the second electromagnetic waves propagate along the surface of the transmission medium without requiring an electrical return path; and a controller configured to control a generation of the first electromagnetic waves in accordance with a first set of phases, wherein the second electromagnetic waves generated by the plurality of dielectric couplers combine on the surface of the transmission medium to propagate via a first selected wave mode. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. A coupling system comprising:
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a plurality of dielectric couplers configured to generate, responsive to first electromagnetic waves received via a plurality of hollow waveguides, second electromagnetic waves along a surface of a transmission medium, wherein the plurality of dielectric couplers each having an end at a differing azimuthal orientation relative to the transmission medium and wherein the second electromagnetic waves propagate along the surface of the transmission medium without requiring an electrical return path; and a controller configured to control a generation of the first electromagnetic waves in accordance with a first set of phases, wherein the second electromagnetic waves generated by the plurality of dielectric couplers combine on the surface of the transmission medium to propagate via a first selected wave mode. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19)
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20. A method comprising:
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generating, via a plurality of dielectric couplers and responsive to first electromagnetic waves received from a plurality of transmitters, second electromagnetic waves along an outer surface of a transmission medium, wherein the plurality of dielectric couplers each has an end at a differing azimuthal orientation relative to the transmission medium and wherein the second electromagnetic waves propagate along the outer surface of the transmission medium without requiring an electrical return path; and controlling, via a controller, phases of the first electromagnetic waves, wherein the second electromagnetic waves generated by the plurality of dielectric couplers combine on the outer surface of the transmission medium to propagate via a selected wave mode of a plurality of wave modes.
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Specification