Apparatus and methods for dynamic impedance matching of a guided wave launcher
First Claim
1. A launcher, comprising:
- an impedance matching circuit that includes one or more adjustable elements, wherein the impedance matching circuit receives an input radio frequency (RF) signal and generates an output RF signal in response to the input RF signal;
a guided wave launcher configured to generate, in response to the output RF signal, a guided electromagnetic wave along a surface of a transmission medium, wherein the guided electromagnetic wave propagates along the surface of the transmission medium without requiring an electrical return path, and wherein the guided electromagnetic wave has a non-optical carrier frequency;
a mismatch probe configured to generate a mismatch signal based on the output RF signal, wherein the mismatch signal indicates an impedance mismatch of the guided wave launcher; and
a controller configured to adjust the one or more adjustable elements of the impedance matching circuit, wherein an adjustment of the one or more adjustable elements facilitates reducing the impedance mismatch of the guided wave launcher.
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Abstract
Aspects of the subject disclosure may include, for example, a guided wave launcher generates, in response to an output RF signal, a guided electromagnetic wave along a surface of a transmission medium, wherein the guided electromagnetic wave propagates along the surface of the transmission medium without requiring an electrical return path, and wherein the guided electromagnetic wave has a non-optical carrier frequency. A mismatch probe generates a mismatch signal based on the output RF signal, wherein the mismatch signal indicates an impedance mismatch of the guided wave launcher. A controller generates one or more control signals in response to the mismatch signal, wherein the one or more control signals adjust one or more adjustable circuit elements of an impedance matching circuit, wherein adjustment of the one or more adjustable circuit elements facilitates reducing the impedance mismatch of the guided wave launcher. Other embodiments are disclosed.
175 Citations
20 Claims
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1. A launcher, comprising:
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an impedance matching circuit that includes one or more adjustable elements, wherein the impedance matching circuit receives an input radio frequency (RF) signal and generates an output RF signal in response to the input RF signal; a guided wave launcher configured to generate, in response to the output RF signal, a guided electromagnetic wave along a surface of a transmission medium, wherein the guided electromagnetic wave propagates along the surface of the transmission medium without requiring an electrical return path, and wherein the guided electromagnetic wave has a non-optical carrier frequency; a mismatch probe configured to generate a mismatch signal based on the output RF signal, wherein the mismatch signal indicates an impedance mismatch of the guided wave launcher; and a controller configured to adjust the one or more adjustable elements of the impedance matching circuit, wherein an adjustment of the one or more adjustable elements facilitates reducing the impedance mismatch of the guided wave launcher. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13)
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14. A method, comprising:
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receiving an input radio frequency (RF) signal at an impedance matching circuit from a transmitter; generating, via the impedance matching circuit, an output RF signal in response to the input RF signal; generating, in response to the output RF signal and via a guided wave launcher, a guided electromagnetic wave along a surface of a transmission medium, wherein the guided electromagnetic wave propagates along the surface of the transmission medium without requiring an electrical return path, and wherein the transmission medium is opaque to optical signals; generating a mismatch signal based on the output RF signal, wherein the mismatch signal indicates an impedance mismatch of the guided wave launcher; and adjusting, in response to the mismatch signal, one or more adjustable circuit elements of the impedance matching circuit, wherein the adjusting facilitates reducing the impedance mismatch of the guided wave launcher to compensate for impedance changes of the guided wave launcher resulting from changing weather conditions in an area of the transmission medium. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16, 17, 18)
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19. A device, comprising:
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circuit means for receiving an input radio frequency (RF) signal at an impedance matching circuit and generating an output RF signal in response to the input RF signal; launcher means for generating, in response to the output RF signal, a guided electromagnetic wave along a surface of a transmission medium, wherein the guided electromagnetic wave propagates along the surface of the transmission medium without requiring an electrical return path, and wherein the guided electromagnetic wave has a non-optical carrier frequency; probe means for generating a mismatch signal based on the output RF signal, wherein the mismatch signal indicates an impedance mismatch of the launcher means; and controller means for adjusting an impedance of the circuit means, wherein the impedance reduces the impedance mismatch of the launcher means. - View Dependent Claims (20)
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Specification