Transmission device with impairment compensation and methods for use therewith

• US 9,312,919 B1
• Filed: 10/21/2014
• Issued: 04/12/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 10/21/2014
• 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: Barzegar, Farhad, Gerszberg, Irwin, Bennett, Robert, Henry, Paul Shala
• Primary Examiner(s): Aghdam, Freshteh N
• Application Number:
  US14/519,598
• Publication Number:
  US 20160112093A1
• Time in Patent Office: 539 Days
• Field of Search: 375/224
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: H01P 5/00 Coupling devices of the waveguide type
• CPC Class Codes: H01P 5/02 with invariable factor of coupling H01P5/12 takes precedence choke joints H01P1/04, H01P1/06
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 15/02 Reducing interference from electric apparatus by means located at or near the interfering apparatus
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 17/345 Interference values signal-to-interference ratio [SIR] or carrier-to-interference ratio [CIR] H04B17/336
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 3/546 Combination of signalling, telemetering, protection circuits for remote indication of supply or distribution network condition H02J13/00

Abstract

Aspects of the subject disclosure may include, for example, a waveguide system that includes a transmission device having a coupler positioned with respect to a transmission medium to facilitate transmission or reception of electromagnetic waves that transport communications data. The electromagnetic waves propagate along an outer surface of the transmission medium. A training controller detects an impairment on the transmission medium adverse to the transmission or reception of the electromagnetic waves and adjusts the electromagnetic waves to reduce the effects of the impairment on the transmission medium. Other embodiments are disclosed.

Claims

1. A waveguide system, comprising:

a coupler that is positioned with respect to a transmission medium to facilitate transmission of electromagnetic waves that propagate along an outer surface of the transmission medium, wherein the electromagnetic waves transport communications data; and

a training controller that detects an impairment on at least a portion of the outer surface of the transmission medium that is adverse to the transmission of the electromagnetic waves and that adjusts the electromagnetic waves to reduce adverse effects of the impairment, wherein the training controller adjusts an envelope of the electromagnetic waves to place a local minimum of the envelope in a location that corresponds to at least one of;

a position of the impairment on the at least the portion of the outer surface of the transmission medium or azimuthal orientation of the impairment on the outer surface of the transmission medium.

2. The waveguide system of claim 1, wherein the training controller adjusts an envelope of the electromagnetic waves by adjusting at least one carrier frequency of the electromagnetic waves based on feedback data received from at least one remote transmission device coupled to receive the electromagnetic waves.

3. The waveguide system of claim 2, wherein the training controller coordinates the adjusting of the at least one carrier frequency of the electromagnetic waves with the at least one remote transmission device coupled to receive the electromagnetic waves.

4. The waveguide system of claim 1, further comprising a sensor that facilitates detection of the impairment by the training controller.

5. The waveguide system of claim 1, wherein the transmission medium comprises a single wire transmission medium.

6. The waveguide system of claim 1, wherein the transmission medium comprises a power line of a power grid for distribution of electric power.

7. The waveguide system of claim 1, wherein detecting the impairment on the at least the portion of the outer surface of the transmission medium is based on transmission of electromagnetic wave test signals on the transmission medium.

8. The waveguide system of claim 1, wherein the location that corresponds to the impairment on the at least the portion of the outer surface of the transmission medium, includes a displacement and an azimuthal orientation.

9. The waveguide system of claim 1, wherein detecting the impairment on the at least the portion of the outer surface of the transmission medium is based on detecting an absence of acknowledgement data from at least one remote transmission device.

10. A method comprising:

facilitating, via a transmission device, transmission or reception of electromagnetic waves that propagate along an outer surface of a transmission medium, wherein the electromagnetic waves transport communications data;

detecting an impairment on the outer surface of the transmission medium that is adverse to the transmission of the electromagnetic waves; and

adjusting an envelope of the electromagnetic waves to mitigate adverse effects of the impairment, wherein adjusting the envelope of the electromagnetic waves includes adjusting at least one carrier frequency of the electromagnetic waves based on feedback data received from at least one remote transmission device coupled to receive the electromagnetic waves.

11. The method of claim 10, wherein adjusting the envelope of the electromagnetic waves includes placing a local minimum of the envelope in a location that corresponds to a position of the impairment on the outer surface of the transmission medium.

12. The method of claim 10, further comprising:

coordinating the adjusting of the at least one carrier frequency of the electromagnetic waves with the at least one remote transmission device coupled to receive the electromagnetic waves.

13. The method of claim 10, further comprising:

facilitating detection of the impairment via a sensor.

14. The method of claim 10, wherein the transmission medium comprises a power line of a power grid for distribution of electric power.

15. The method of claim 10, wherein detecting the impairment on the outer surface of the transmission medium is based on transmitting electromagnetic wave test signals on the transmission medium.

16. The method of claim 10, wherein detecting the impairment on the outer surface of the transmission medium is based on detecting an absence of acknowledgement data from at least one remote transmission device.

17. A waveguide system, comprising:

a transmission device including a coupler, wherein the coupler is positioned with respect to a transmission medium to facilitate transmission or reception of electromagnetic waves that propagate along an outer surface of the transmission medium; and

a training controller, coupled to the transmission device, that detects an impairment on the transmission medium adverse to the transmission or reception of the electromagnetic waves and that adjusts the electromagnetic waves to place a local minimum in a location that corresponds to the impairment on the transmission medium.

18. The waveguide system of claim 17, wherein the training controller adjusts an envelope of the electromagnetic waves by adjusting at least one carrier frequency of the electromagnetic waves based on feedback data received from at least one remote transmission device coupled to receive the electromagnetic waves.

19. The waveguide system of claim 17, wherein the training controller detects the impairment on the transmission medium based on feedback data received from at least one remote transmission device coupled to receive the electromagnetic waves.

20. The waveguide system of claim 17, wherein the training controller detects the impairment on the transmission medium based on an absence of feedback data received from at least one remote transmission device coupled to receive the electromagnetic waves.

21. The waveguide system of claim 17, wherein the location that corresponds to the impairment on the transmission medium, includes a displacement and an azimuthal orientation.