Abstract: Methods and systems capable of launching signal-carrying transverse electromagnetic waves onto a transmission line in the higher voltage region of the transmission distribution network. Such methods and systems may include a surface wave launcher located in the higher voltage region, a network unit located in a lower voltage region, and an arrester separating the surface wave launcher and the network unit, the arrester preventing voltage from arcing over from the higher voltage region to the lower voltage region where the arrester provides the signal to the surface wave launcher.

Abstract: Disclosed are one or more preferred geometric configurations for a device communicably coupled to a power transmission line and capable of launching transverse electromagnetic waves onto the transmission line. The waves propagate data received from a data source and may include a reflector and a coupler adjacent to each other through a transverse magnetic wave that propagates longitudinally along the surface of the transmission line.

Abstract: Methods and systems capable of launching signal-carrying transverse electromagnetic waves onto a transmission line in the higher voltage region of the transmission distribution network. Such methods and systems may include a surface wave launcher located in the higher voltage region, a network unit located in a lower voltage region, and an arrester separating the surface wave launcher and the network unit, the arrester preventing voltage from arcing over from the higher voltage region to the lower voltage region where the arrester provides the signal to the surface wave launcher.

Abstract: Disclosed is a device communicably coupled to a power transmission line and capable of launching transverse electromagnetic waves onto the transmission line. The waves propagate data received from a data source connected to the device through a center conductor surrounded by a shield conductor. The device may include a reflector and a coupler adjacent to each other, the reflector electrically connected to the shield conductor and the coupler electrically connected to the center conductor at an unshielded connection point, wherein time-varying E-fields between the reflector and coupler are caused by the data received from the data source, and induce a transverse magnetic wave that propagates longitudinally along the surface of the transmission line.

Abstract: Methods and systems capable of launching signal-carrying transverse electromagnetic waves onto a transmission line in the higher voltage region of the transmission distribution network. Such methods and systems may include a surface wave launcher located in the higher voltage region, a network unit located in a lower voltage region, and an arrester separating the surface wave launcher and the network unit, the arrester preventing voltage from arcing over from the higher voltage region to the lower voltage region where the arrester provides the signal to the surface wave launcher.

Abstract: Disclosed is a signal conductor formed as a metal oxide varistor (MOV), the MOV having a first MOV and a second MOV separated by an insulator. In some embodiments, the disclosed signal conductor may be used in a system communicably coupled to a power transmission distribution network, the system capable of launching transverse electromagnetic waves onto a transmission line, where the electromagnetic waves propagating a data signal conveyed to the system by the MOV.

Abstract: Disclosed is a device communicably coupled to a power transmission line and capable of launching transverse electromagnetic waves onto the transmission line. The waves propagate data received from a data source connected to the device through a center conductor surrounded by a shield conductor. The device may include a reflector and a coupler adjacent to each other, the reflector electrically connected to the shield conductor and the coupler electrically connected to the center conductor at an unshielded connection point, wherein time-varying E-fields between the reflector and coupler are caused by the data received from the data source, and induce a transverse magnetic wave that propagates longitudinally along the surface of the transmission line.

Abstract: Methods and systems capable of launching signal-carrying transverse electromagnetic waves onto a transmission line in the higher voltage region of the transmission distribution network. Such methods and systems may include a surface wave launcher located in the higher voltage region, a network unit located in a lower voltage region, and an arrester separating the surface wave launcher and the network unit, the arrester preventing voltage from arcing over from the higher voltage region to the lower voltage region where the arrester provides the signal to the surface wave launcher.

Abstract: Disclosed are one or more preferred geometric configurations for a device communicably coupled to a power transmission line and capable of launching transverse electromagnetic waves onto the transmission line. The waves propagate data received from a data source and may include a reflector and a coupler adjacent to each other through a transverse magnetic wave that propagates longitudinally along the surface of the transmission line.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for scrambling an original analog video signal samples predetermined portions of the original video signal at a first rate and stores the sampled portions of the original video signal within a memory device. The stored video signal is read out of the memory device at a second rate, which is less than the first rate, to produce a time expanded scrambled video signal. A predetermined code is inserted into the time expanded scrambled video signal which is then converted into an analog scrambled video signal and transmitted through a channel. A method and apparatus for descrambling the scrambled video signal to produce a reconstructed video signal samples the scrambled video signal at the second rate, stores the sampled scrambled video signal into a memory and reads the sampled scrambled video signal out of the memory at the first rate.

Abstract: A CATV system uses a single single-mode optical fiber for transmitting a composite optical signal containing television signals in different frequency channels for a plurality of subscriber terminals from a headend terminal to a distribution terminal, and converts the transmitted signals at the distribution terminal into electrical signals for distribution to a plurality of subscriber terminals over a plurality of coaxial cables. The distribution terminal further receives electrical service request signals from each of the plurality of subscriber terminals, and converts each received service request signal into an optical service request signal for transmission to the headend terminal over the same single-mode optical fiber as used from transmitting the composite optical signal. Wavelength-division multiplexer/demultiplexers couple the optical fiber to the headend terminal and the distribution terminal to enable bidirectional transmission.

Abstract: Apparatus and a method are provided for aligning an analog laser transmitter. Operational characteristics of the laser are determined. These characteristics are used to derive the power level required of a communication signal to properly modulate the laser for communication across an optical fiber. The magnitude of an input communication signal is then adjusted to the derived level, and maintained at this level for proper modulation. The alignment is performed upon the replacement of laser components in the field. The alignment may also be periodically effected to compensate for normal degradation of laser components over time.