Apparatus and methods for transmitting wireless signals

• US 9,628,116 B2
• Filed: 07/14/2015
• Issued: 04/18/2017
• Est. Priority Date: 07/14/2015
• 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, Bennett, Robert, Barzegar, Farhad, Gerszberg, Irwin, Barnickel, Donald J, Willis, III, Thomas M.
• Primary Examiner(s): Nguyen, Lee
• Application Number:
  US14/799,272
• Publication Number:
  US 20170019130A1
• Time in Patent Office: 644 Days
• Field of Search: 455 7, 455 14, 455 16, 455402
• CPC Class Codes: H01P 1/16 for mode selection, e.g. mode suppression or mode promotion; for mode conversion
• CPC Class Codes: H01P 3/16 Dielectric waveguides, i.e. without a longitudinal conductor
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 1/24 with receiving set
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 13/02 Waveguide horns
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 13/24 constituted by a dielectric or ferromagnetic rod or pipe H01Q13/28 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 19/062 for focusing
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 1/04 Circuits
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 1/16 Circuits
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 3/52 Systems for transmission between fixed stations via waveguides
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 3/00 Circuits for transducers , loudspeakers or microphones

Abstract

Aspects of the subject disclosure may include, for example, an antenna structure having a feed point for coupling to a dielectric core of a cable that propagates electromagnetic waves without an electrical return path, and a dielectric antenna, substantially or entirely devoid of conductive external surfaces, coupled to the feed point, the dielectric antenna facilitating receipt, at the feed point, the electromagnetic waves for propagating the electromagnetic waves to an aperture of the dielectric antenna for radiating a wireless signal. Other embodiments are disclosed.

Claims

1. A communication device, comprising:

a dielectric antenna including a feed point, the dielectric antenna for radiating a wireless signal from the dielectric antenna in response to electromagnetic waves received at the feed point, wherein the dielectric antenna has substantially or entirely no conductive external surfaces;

a cable comprising a dielectric core covered by a shell, the dielectric core coupled to the feed point of the dielectric antenna; and

a transmitter, coupled to the cable, the transmitter facilitating a transmission of the electromagnetic waves, the electromagnetic waves guided by the dielectric core to the feed point of the dielectric antenna.

2. The communication device of claim 1, wherein the wireless signal radiates from an aperture of the dielectric antenna.

3. The communication device of claim 1, wherein the dielectric antenna has a composition that is substantially or entirely devoid of conductive materials.

4. The communication device of claim 1, wherein the dielectric core is opaque, thereby resistant to propagation of electromagnetic waves having an optical operating frequency.

5. The communication device of claim 1, wherein the electromagnetic waves propagate at least in part on an outer surface of the dielectric core without utilizing an electrical return path.

6. The communication device of claim 1, wherein the shell comprises a dielectric layer disposed on the dielectric core.

7. The communication device of claim 6, wherein the dielectric core comprises a first dielectric constant, wherein the shell comprises a second dielectric constant, and wherein the first dielectric constant exceeds the second dielectric constant to enable the electromagnetic waves to be bound to the dielectric core.

8. The communication device of claim 1, wherein the dielectric antenna comprises a high density dielectric material.

9. The communication device of claim 8, wherein the high density dielectric material comprises a high density polyethylene material, a high density polyurethane material, or a synthetic resin.

10. The communication device of claim 1, wherein the feed point of the dielectric antenna comprises a dielectric feed point that couples to the dielectric core of the cable.

11. The communication device of claim 10, wherein cross-sections of the dielectric feed point and the dielectric core have similar dimensions.

12. The communication device of claim 1, wherein the shell comprises a low density dielectric material.

13. The communication device of claim 12, wherein the low density dielectric material comprises an expanded polyethylene material.

14. The communication device of claim 1, wherein the transmitter comprises a slotted waveguide for inducing the electromagnetic waves guided by the dielectric core.

15. The communication device of claim 1, wherein the transmitter comprises a microwave circuit coupled to an antenna and a waveguide structure for inducing the electromagnetic waves guided by the dielectric core.

16. The communication device of claim 1, wherein the transmitter is configured to perform waveform adjustments to the wireless signal radiated by the dielectric antenna.

17. The communication device of claim 1, wherein the transmitter is configured to perform a directional adjustment of the wireless signal radiated by the dielectric antenna.

18. The communication device of claim 17, wherein the transmitter comprises an electromechanical device to perform the directional adjustment of the electromagnetic waves radiated by the dielectric antenna.

19. The communication device of claim 1, wherein the electromagnetic waves have a hybrid wave mode.

20. The communication device of claim 1, wherein the dielectric antenna has a horn structure.

21. The communication device of claim 1, wherein the dielectric antenna has a pyramidal structure.

22. A method, comprising:

receiving, by a feed point of a dielectric antenna, electromagnetic waves from a dielectric core coupled to the feed point, wherein external surfaces of the dielectric antenna are non-conductive;

directing, by the feed point, the electromagnetic waves to a proximal portion of the dielectric antenna; and

radiating, via an aperture of the dielectric antenna, a wireless signal responsive to the electromagnetic waves propagating to the aperture.

23. The method of claim 22, wherein the dielectric antenna is void of a conductive material.

24. The method of claim 22, wherein the electromagnetic waves have a hybrid wave mode that reduce leakage of the electromagnetic waves at external surfaces of the dielectric antenna while the electromagnetic waves propagate towards the aperture.

25. The method of claim 22, further comprising:

receiving, by the dielectric antenna, a second wireless signal; and

providing, to the feed point by the dielectric antenna, second electromagnetic waves generated by the second wireless signal received by the dielectric antenna.

26. The method of claim 22, wherein the dielectric antenna comprises a tapered horn structure or a pyramidal structure.

27. An antenna structure, comprising:

a feed point for coupling to a dielectric core of a cable that propagates electromagnetic waves without an electrical return path; and

a dielectric antenna, substantially or entirely devoid of conductive external surfaces, coupled to the feed point, the dielectric antenna facilitating receipt, at the feed point, the electromagnetic waves for propagating the electromagnetic waves to an aperture of the dielectric antenna for radiating a wireless signal.

28. The antenna structure of claim 27, wherein the feed point comprises a dielectric material.

29. The antenna structure of claim 27, wherein the feed point couples to the dielectric core with a coupling device.

30. The antenna structure of claim 27, wherein the electromagnetic waves have a non-optical operating frequency.

31. The antenna structure of claim 27, wherein the dielectric antenna comprises a tapered horn structure.

32. The antenna structure of claim 27, wherein the dielectric antenna comprises a pyramidal structure.