Transmission medium having a coupler mechanically coupled to the transmission medium
First Claim
Patent Images
1. An apparatus, comprising:
- a dielectric coupler that facilitates propagation of a first electromagnetic wave along the dielectric coupler, wherein the dielectric coupler does not surround, in whole or in substantial part, an outer surface of a transmission medium, wherein the first electromagnetic wave couples to the transmission medium, thereby forming a second electromagnetic wave, wherein the second electromagnetic wave has a wave propagation mode that enables the second electromagnetic wave to propagate along the transmission medium, wherein at least a portion of the dielectric coupler is mechanically coupled to the transmission medium.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A dielectric waveguide coupling system for launching and extracting guided wave communication transmissions from a wire. At millimeter-wave frequencies, wherein the wavelength is small compared to the macroscopic size of the equipment, transmissions can propagate as guided waves guided by a strip of dielectric material. Unlike conventional waveguides, the electromagnetic field associated with the dielectric waveguide is primarily outside of the waveguide. When this dielectric waveguide strip is brought into close proximity to a wire, the guided waves decouple from the dielectric waveguide and couple to the wire, and continue to propagate as guided waves about the surface of the wire.
207 Citations
20 Claims
-
1. An apparatus, comprising:
a dielectric coupler that facilitates propagation of a first electromagnetic wave along the dielectric coupler, wherein the dielectric coupler does not surround, in whole or in substantial part, an outer surface of a transmission medium, wherein the first electromagnetic wave couples to the transmission medium, thereby forming a second electromagnetic wave, wherein the second electromagnetic wave has a wave propagation mode that enables the second electromagnetic wave to propagate along the transmission medium, wherein at least a portion of the dielectric coupler is mechanically coupled to the transmission medium. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
-
10. An apparatus, comprising:
a first coupler that has an outer surface defining a cross-sectional area of the first coupler, wherein a transmission medium is positioned outside of the cross-sectional area of the first coupler such that a first electromagnetic wave propagating along the transmission medium couples at least in part to the first coupler and travels along the first coupler as a second electromagnetic wave, and the first coupler comprises a material that is not electrically conductive, wherein at least a portion of the first coupler is mechanically coupled to the transmission medium. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17)
-
18. A method, comprising:
-
generating, by a transmission device, a first electromagnetic wave that propagates along a dielectric coupler; and positioning the dielectric coupler in proximity to a transmission medium to facilitate coupling of at least a part of the first electromagnetic wave to the transmission medium, thereby forming a second electromagnetic wave that propagates along the transmission medium, and wherein the second electromagnetic wave has a wave propagation mode that enables the second electromagnetic wave to travel along the transmission medium without requiring an electrical return path, wherein at least a portion of the dielectric coupler is mechanically coupled to the transmission medium. - View Dependent Claims (19, 20)
-
Specification