Launcher and coupling system to support desired guided wave mode

• US 9,876,605 B1
• Filed: 10/21/2016
• Issued: 01/23/2018
• Est. Priority Date: 10/21/2016
• 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, Barnickel, Donald J., Barzegar, Farhad, Bennett, Robert, Gerszberg, Irwin, Willis, III, Thomas M.
• Primary Examiner(s): Guarino, Rahel
• Application Number:
  US15/331,388
• Time in Patent Office: 459 Days
• CPC Class Codes: H01P 1/16 for mode selection, e.g. mode suppression or mode promotion; for mode conversion
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 3/52 Systems for transmission between fixed stations via waveguides
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 3/54 Systems for transmission via power distribution lines
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 1/0025 Transmission of mode-switching indication

Abstract

Aspects of the subject disclosure may include, for example, a launcher that includes a hollow waveguide that guides a first electromagnetic wave conveying data from a transmitting device. A dielectric stub coupler receives the first electromagnetic wave from the hollow waveguide to form a second electromagnetic wave that propagates along a portion of the dielectric stub coupler adjacent to a transmission medium, wherein second electromagnetic wave propagates along the dielectric stub coupler via a first guided wave mode and a second guided wave mode, and wherein the portion has a length that supports a coupling of the second guided wave mode for propagation along an outer surface of the transmission medium.

Claims

1. A launcher comprising:

a hollow waveguide that guides a first electromagnetic wave conveying data from a transmitting device; and

a dielectric stub coupler that receives the first electromagnetic wave from the hollow waveguide to form a second electromagnetic wave that propagates along a portion of the dielectric stub coupler adjacent to a transmission medium, wherein the second electromagnetic wave has a first guided wave mode and a second guided wave mode, and wherein the portion of the dielectric stub coupler has a length that supports a coupling of the second guided wave mode of the second electromagnetic wave for propagation along an outer surface of the transmission medium.

2. The launcher of claim 1, wherein the dielectric stub coupler is conductorless.

3. The launcher of claim 1, wherein the portion of the dielectric stub coupler is separated from the transmission medium by a gap.

4. The launcher of claim 1, wherein the portion of the dielectric stub coupler is aligned parallel to a longitudinal axis of the transmission medium.

5. The launcher of claim 1, further comprising a reflective plate aligned parallel to the portion of the dielectric stub coupler, wherein the dielectric stub coupler is between the reflective plate and the transmission medium.

6. The launcher of claim 1, wherein the dielectric stub coupler guides the second guided wave mode at a second speed that is higher than a first speed of the first guided wave mode.

7. The launcher of claim 1, wherein the dielectric stub coupler includes a tapered, rounded or beveled end that terminates adjacent to the transmission medium.

8. The launcher of claim 7, wherein the dielectric stub coupler includes a receiving end, opposite from the tapered, rounded or beveled end, that is within the hollow waveguide.

9. A coupling module comprising:

a hollow waveguide that guides a first electromagnetic wave conveying data from a transmitting device;

a dielectric stub coupler that receives the first electromagnetic wave from the hollow waveguide to form a second electromagnetic wave, that guides the second electromagnetic wave along a portion of the dielectric stub coupler adjacent to a transmission medium, wherein the second electromagnetic wave propagates along the dielectric stub coupler, wherein the second electromagnetic wave has a first guided wave mode and a second guided wave mode, and wherein the portion of the dielectric stub coupler supports a coupling of the second guided wave mode of the second electromagnetic wave for propagation along an outer surface of the transmission medium while suppressing the first guided wave mode of the second electromagnetic wave; and

a reflective surface aligned parallel to the portion of the dielectric stub coupler, wherein the portion of the dielectric stub coupler is between the reflective surface and the transmission medium.

10. The coupling module of claim 9, wherein the dielectric stub coupler is conductorless.

11. The coupling module of claim 9, wherein the portion of the dielectric stub coupler is separated from the transmission medium by a gap.

12. The coupling module of claim 9, wherein the portion of the dielectric stub coupler is aligned parallel to a longitudinal axis of the transmission medium.

13. The coupling module of claim 9, wherein the dielectric stub coupler guides the second guided wave mode at a second speed that is higher than a first speed of the first guided wave mode.

14. The coupling module of claim 9, wherein the dielectric stub coupler includes a tapered, rounded or beveled end that terminates adjacent to the transmission medium.

15. A coupling system comprising:

waveguide means for guiding a first electromagnetic wave conveying data from a transmitting device; and

conductorless coupling means for receiving the first electromagnetic wave from the waveguide means and for forming a second electromagnetic wave that propagates along a portion of the conductorless coupling means adjacent to a transmission medium, wherein the second electromagnetic wave has a first guided wave mode and a second guided wave mode, and wherein the portion of the conductorless coupling means has a length that supports a coupling of the second guided wave mode for propagation along an outer surface of the transmission medium.

16. The coupling system of claim 15, further comprising:

reflecting means for enhancing coupling of the second guided wave mode to the transmission medium.

17. The coupling system of claim 15, wherein the portion of the conductorless coupling means is separated from the transmission medium by a gap.

18. The coupling system of claim 15, wherein the portion of the conductorless coupling means is aligned parallel to a longitudinal axis of the transmission medium.

19. The coupling system of claim 15, wherein the conductorless coupling means includes a tapered, rounded or beveled end that terminates adjacent to the transmission medium.

20. The coupling system of claim 19, wherein the conductorless coupling means includes a receiving end, opposite from the tapered, rounded or beveled end, that is within the waveguide means and has a length that enhances the receiving of the first electromagnetic wave from the waveguide means.