Dielectric transmission medium connector and methods for use therewith

• US 9,947,982 B2
• Filed: 04/10/2016
• Issued: 04/17/2018
• 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, Taylor, William Scott, Bennett, Robert, Barzegar, Farhad, Gerszberg, Irwin, Barnickel, Donald J, Willis, III, Thomas M.
• Primary Examiner(s): Jones, Stephen E
• Assistant Examiner(s): Outten, Scott S
• Application Number:
  US15/095,092
• Publication Number:
  US 20170018831A1
• Time in Patent Office: 737 Days
• Field of Search: 333239
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/02 Optical fibres with cladding with or without a coating
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/3829 Bent or angled connectors G02B6/3827 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/4401 Optical cables glass fibres with a protective coating G02B6/02395
• CPC Class Codes: H01P 1/16 for mode selection, e.g. mode suppression or mode promotion; for mode conversion
• CPC Class Codes: H01P 3/12 Hollow waveguides H01P3/20 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H01P 3/122 Dielectric loaded (not air)
• CPC Class Codes: H01P 3/16 Dielectric waveguides, i.e. without a longitudinal conductor
• CPC Class Codes: H01P 5/087 Transitions to a dielectric waveguide
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 3/52 Systems for transmission between fixed stations via waveguides

Abstract

Aspects of the subject disclosure may include, for example, a connector that includes a first port configured to receive electromagnetic waves guided by a first dielectric core of a first transmission medium. A waveguide is configured to guide the electromagnetic waves from the first port to a second port. The second port is configured to transmit the electromagnetic waves to a second dielectric core of a second transmission medium. Other embodiments are disclosed.

Claims

1. A connector comprising:

a first port configured to receive electromagnetic waves at non-optical frequencies guided by a first dielectric core of a conductorless cable; and

a waveguide configured to guide the electromagnetic waves from the first port to a second port, wherein the waveguide includes a third dielectric core, wherein the electromagnetic waves are bound to the third dielectric core, wherein the third dielectric core is surrounded, at least in part, by a dielectric cladding having a first dielectric constant that is less than a second dielectric constant of the third dielectric core, wherein the dielectric cladding is surrounded, at least in part, by an insulating jacket, and wherein a first portion of the electromagnetic waves propagates within the third dielectric core and a second portion of the electromagnetic waves propagates inside the dielectric cladding;

wherein the second port is configured to transmit the electromagnetic waves to a second dielectric core of a dielectric antenna.

2. The connector of claim 1, wherein the third dielectric core includes a bulbous portion.

3. The connector of claim 1, wherein the third dielectric core includes a bulbous portion that mitigates radiation as the electromagnetic waves are guided about an angle of connection.

4. The connector of claim 3, wherein the angle of connection is adjustable and wherein the third dielectric core includes a ball and socket joint.

5. The connector of claim 1, wherein the third dielectric core comprises a polyurethane material.

6. The connector of claim 5, wherein the third dielectric core includes a bulbous portion that mitigates radiation as the electromagnetic waves are guided about an angle of connection.

7. The connector of claim 6, wherein the second portion contains more energy than the first portion.

8. The connector of claim 1, wherein the dielectric antenna facilitates wireless network communication with at least one client device in a non-cellular frequency band.

9. The connector of claim 1, wherein the waveguide comprises a polyethylene material.

10. The connector of claim 1, wherein the third dielectric core includes a bulbous portion of a polyurethane material.

11. A connector comprising:

a first port coupleable to a first dielectric core of a first cable that operates without an electrical return path, wherein the first port receives electromagnetic waves from the first cable at non-optical frequencies; and

a waveguide configured to guide the electromagnetic waves from the first port to a second port in accordance with an angle of connection, wherein the waveguide includes a third dielectric core and wherein the electromagnetic waves are guided by the third dielectric core, wherein the angle of connection is adjustable and wherein the third dielectric core includes a ball and socket joint, wherein the third dielectric core is surrounded, at least in part, by a dielectric cladding having a first dielectric constant that is less than a second dielectric constant of the third dielectric core, and wherein a first portion of the electromagnetic waves propagates inside the third dielectric core and a second portion of the electromagnetic waves propagates inside the dielectric cladding;

wherein the second port is coupleable to a second dielectric core of a second cable to facilitate wireless network connectivity with at least one client device via an antenna at the non-optical frequencies.

12. The connector of claim 11, wherein the waveguide comprises a polyethylene material.

13. The connector of claim 11, wherein the third dielectric core includes a bulbous portion.

14. The connector of claim 11, wherein the third dielectric core includes a bulbous portion that mitigates radiation as the electromagnetic waves are guided about the angle of connection.

15. The connector of claim 11, wherein the third dielectric core comprises a polyurethane material.

16. The connector of claim 11, wherein the third dielectric core comprises a high density polyethylene material.

17. The connector of claim 11, wherein the third dielectric core includes a bulbous portion of a polyurethane material.

18. The connector of claim 11, wherein the dielectric cladding is surrounded, at least in part, by an insulating jacket.

19. The connector of claim 11, wherein the second portion contains more energy than the first portion.