Apparatus and methods for generating an electromagnetic wave having a wave mode that mitigates interference

• US 10,033,108 B2
• Filed: 10/14/2016
• Issued: 07/24/2018
• 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, Willis, III, Thomas M., Bennett, Robert, Barzegar, Farhad, Gerszberg, Irwin, Barnickel, Donald J.
• Primary Examiner(s): TON, DANG T
• Application Number:
  US15/293,608
• Publication Number:
  US 20170033466A1
• Time in Patent Office: 648 Days
• Field of Search: 370230
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 13/06 Waveguide mouths horns H01Q13/02
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 9/0485 Dielectric resonator antennas
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 3/36 Repeater circuits H04B3/58 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 3/52 Systems for transmission between fixed stations via waveguides

Abstract

Aspects of the subject disclosure may include, receiving an electrical signal, and generating on an outer surface of a transmission medium, according to the electrical signal, electromagnetic waves having a target wave mode. At least a portion of electric fields of the electromagnetic waves has a spatial alignment that reduces a propagation loss of the electromagnetic waves when the electric fields of the electromagnetic waves propagate through a substance disposed on the outer surface of the transmission medium in a direction of propagation of the electromagnetic waves. Other embodiments are disclosed.

Claims

1. A method, comprising:

configuring a plurality of transmitters of a launcher to generate an electromagnetic wave, wherein the electromagnetic wave is modulated to convey communication data; and

inducing, by the launcher, the electromagnetic wave on an outer surface of a transmission medium according to a target field structure, wherein the target field structure comprises at least a portion of electric fields of the electromagnetic wave having a spatial alignment that reduces a propagation loss of the electromagnetic wave when at least the portion of electric fields of the electromagnetic wave traverses a substance disposed on the outer surface of the transmission medium in a direction of propagation of the electromagnetic wave.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the target field structure is achieved by inducing the electromagnetic wave according to a transverse magnetic wave mode.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein the transverse magnetic wave mode comprises a TM0m wave mode, and wherein m is greater than 0.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the target field structure is achieved by inducing the electromagnetic wave according to a hybrid wave mode.

5. The method of claim 4, wherein the hybrid wave mode comprises an EH1m wave mode, and wherein m is greater than 0.

6. The method of claim 4, wherein the hybrid wave mode comprises an HE2m wave mode, and wherein m is greater than 1.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein the electromagnetic wave has a cutoff frequency greater than 0 Hertz.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein the configuring the plurality of transmitters responsive to detecting a signal degradation in another electromagnetic wave received by the launcher that has a field structure that differs from the target field structure, wherein the substance comprises a liquid, and wherein the transmission medium comprises an insulated conductor, or a dielectric core that facilitates coupling to a dielectric antenna for radiating a wireless signal.

9. The method of claim 1, wherein the spatial alignment of the at least the portion of electric fields is substantially not azimuthal to the outer surface of the transmission medium.

10. The method of claim 1, wherein the spatial alignment of the at least the portion of electric fields is substantially not longitudinally aligned with the outer surface of the transmission medium.

11. The method of claim 1, wherein the configuring the plurality of transmitters causes the plurality of transmitters to generate a plurality of wireless signals, each having a target phase, that combine to form the electromagnetic wave having the spatial alignment.

12. A launcher, comprising:

a generator; and

a circuit coupled to the generator,

wherein the circuit performs operations including;

configuring the generator to generate an electromagnetic wave, wherein the electromagnetic wave is modulated to convey data; and

coupling the electromagnetic wave on an outer surface of a transmission medium according to a target wave mode, wherein the target wave mode comprises at least a portion of electric fields of the electromagnetic wave having a spatial alignment that is substantially perpendicular to the outer surface of the transmission medium thereby reducing a propagation loss of the electromagnetic wave when at least the portion of electric fields of the electromagnetic wave enters a substance disposed on the outer surface of the transmission medium.

13. The launcher of claim 12, wherein the target wave mode comprises a transverse magnetic wave mode.

14. The launcher of claim 12, wherein the configuring the generator causes the generator to generate a plurality of wireless signals, each having a target phase, that combine to form the electromagnetic wave having the spatial alignment.

15. The launcher of claim 12, wherein the target wave mode comprises a hybrid wave mode.

16. The launcher of claim 15, wherein the hybrid wave mode comprises an EH1m wave mode or an HE2n wave mode, wherein m is great than 0, and wherein n is greater than 1.

17. The launcher of claim 12, wherein the substance comprises a liquid, and wherein the electromagnetic wave has a cutoff frequency above 0 Hertz and wherein the transmission medium comprises an insulated conductor, or a dielectric core that facilitates coupling to a dielectric antenna for radiating a wireless signal.

18. A device, comprising:

means for receiving an electrical signal; and

means for generating on an outer surface of a transmission medium, according to the electrical signal, an electromagnetic wave having a target wave mode, wherein the electromagnetic wave is modulated to convey information, and wherein at least a portion of electric fields of the electromagnetic wave has a spatial alignment that reduces a propagation loss of the electromagnetic wave when at least the portion of electric fields of the electromagnetic wave propagates through a substance disposed on the outer surface of the transmission medium in a direction of propagation of the electromagnetic wave.

19. The device of claim 18, wherein the target wave mode comprises a transverse magnetic wave mode or a hybrid wave mode.

20. The device of claim 18, wherein the means for generating produces a plurality of wireless signals, each having a target phase, that combine to form the electromagnetic wave having the target wave mode.