Abstract: In accordance with one or more embodiments, a communication device includes a dual-band antenna array configured to transmit first radio frequency (RF) signals to a remote device in an RF band and to transmit first millimeter wave (MMW) signals to the remote device in a MMW frequency band, wherein the MMW frequency band is above the RF band. A base transceiver station is configured to generate a consolidated steering matrix in accordance with the transmission of the first RF signals to the remote device in the RF band. A remote radio head is configured to convert the consolidated steering matrix to a converted steering matrix that facilitates the transmission of the first MMW signals to the remote device in the MMW frequency band, and further configured to generate the first MMW signals in accordance with the converted steering matrix.

Abstract: In accordance with one or more embodiments, a planar surface wave launcher includes a substrate having a planar substrate surface. A planar antenna having first and second antenna elements on the planar substrate surface, the first and second antenna elements having edges on an aperture side of the planar surface wave launcher and opposing edges, is configured to transmit and receive first guided electromagnetic waves on a surface of a transmission medium. A conductive ground plane is provided on the planar substrate surface and coplanar to the planar antenna, the conductive ground plane having a mating edge with a shape conforming to the opposing edges of the first and second antenna elements, the mating edge electrically isolated from the opposing edges of the first and second antenna elements, wherein the transmission medium is spaced a distance apart from, and parallel to, the conductive ground plane.

Abstract: Aspects of the subject disclosure may include, a system for generating electromagnetic signals that resonate in a cavity having a plurality of reflectors resulting in resonating electromagnetic signals and combining the resonating electromagnetic signals to form an electromagnetic wave that traverses a reflector and couples onto a physical transmission medium. Other embodiments are disclosed.

Abstract: Aspects of the subject disclosure may include, a system for determining from one or more conditions a range of energy that can be obtained from a transmission medium to power the first waveguide system, selecting according to the range of energy a group of components of a plurality of selectable components of the first waveguide system, and enabling the group of components and powering down a remainder of the plurality of selectable components, wherein the group of components facilitates an exchange of electromagnetic waves between the first waveguide system and a second waveguide system via the transmission medium. Other embodiments are disclosed.

Abstract: Aspects of the subject disclosure may include, a waveguide device including a coupler that transmits or receives electromagnetic waves that propagate along a transmission medium without requiring an electrical return path, where the electromagnetic waves are guided by the transmission medium. The waveguide device can include a housing that houses the coupler, where the housing has a first portion comprising a material that reflects particular wavelengths of light. Other embodiments are disclosed.

Abstract: Aspects of the subject disclosure may include, a system for determining from one or more conditions for a retransmission of electromagnetic waves received by the waveguide system via a transmission medium, a duty cycle for retransmitting the electromagnetic waves, retransmitting the electromagnetic waves utilizing a first repeater type of the waveguide system during a first portion of the duty cycle, and retransmitting the electromagnetic waves utilizing a second repeater type of the waveguide system during a second portion of the duty cycle. Other embodiments are disclosed.

Abstract: In accordance with one or more embodiments, a surface wave repeater or other surface wave device includes a heating and cooling unit. The heating and cooling unit is configured to control the temperature of the surface wave repeater or other surface wave device.

Abstract: Aspects of the subject disclosure may include, receiving, by a waveguide system, a communication signal that conveys data; transmitting, via a coupler of the waveguide system, electromagnetic waves, where the electromagnetic waves propagate along a transmission medium without requiring an electrical return path, and where the electromagnetic waves convey the data; and mitigating, by the waveguide system, interference to the electromagnetic waves associated with residual electromagnetic waves propagating along the transmission medium. Other embodiments are disclosed.

Abstract: Aspects of the subject disclosure may include, a system for receiving electromagnetic waves that propagate along a transmission medium, responsive to a signal quality of the electromagnetic waves satisfying a threshold: generating updated electromagnetic waves by conditioning the electromagnetic waves without modifying digital signals conveyed by the electromagnetic waves and inducing propagation of the updated electromagnetic waves along the transmission medium. Other embodiments are disclosed.

Abstract: Aspects of the subject disclosure may include, a system for receiving electromagnetic waves that propagate along a transmission medium, generating, according to the electromagnetic waves, signals that convey data and routing information, and providing the signals to a switch that facilitates routing, according to the routing information, a first portion of the data conveyed by the signals to an access point, a second portion of the data conveyed by the signals to a second waveguide system, or a combination thereof. Other embodiments are disclosed.

Abstract: In accordance with one or more embodiments, a communication device includes a dual-band antenna array configured to transmit first radio frequency (RF) signals to a remote device in an RF band and to transmit first millimeter wave (MMW) signals to the remote device in a MMW frequency band, wherein the MMW frequency band is above the RF band. A base transceiver station is configured to generate a consolidated steering matrix in accordance with the transmission of the first RF signals to the remote device in the RF band. A remote radio head is configured to convert the consolidated steering matrix to a converted steering matrix that facilitates the transmission of the first MMW signals to the remote device in the MMW frequency band via the dual-band antenna array in accordance with an antenna beam pattern having at least one selected null direction, and further configured to generate the first MMW signals in accordance with the converted steering matrix.

Abstract: Aspects of the subject disclosure may include a planar antenna configured to transmit first signals as a first guided electromagnetic wave that is bound to a surface of a transmission medium, wherein the first guided electromagnetic wave propagates along the surface of the transmission medium without requiring an electrical return path, wherein the planar antenna includes an array of patch antennas that generates first near field signals in response to the first signals and a plurality of directors configured to guide a portion of the first near field signals from the array of patch antennas to the surface of the transmission medium, and wherein the portion of the first near field signals combines to induce the first guided electromagnetic wave that is bound to the surface of the transmission medium.

Abstract: Aspects of the subject disclosure may include, a first waveguide system that includes a transmitter that facilitates generation of an electromagnetic wave, and a directional coupler that facilitates inducing propagation of the electromagnetic wave along a transmission medium. The electromagnetic wave can be directed to a second waveguide system coupled to the transmission medium, and propagates along the transmission medium without requiring an electrical return path. Other embodiments are disclosed.

Abstract: Aspects of the subject disclosure may include, a system for receiving signals that convey data, obtaining energy from a telecommunication line of a telecommunications network where an AC or DC power signal is injected into the telecommunication line and where the energy is utilized by at least a subset of components of a waveguide system, and transmitting electromagnetic waves that convey the data where the electromagnetic waves propagate along the telecommunication line without requiring an electrical return path. Other embodiments are disclosed.

Abstract: In accordance with one or more embodiments, a transceiver is configured to generate a first signal in response to receiving a first guided electromagnetic wave from a remote system via a launcher. A controller is configured to generate a channel quality indicator in response to the first signal. The transceiver is further configured to generate a second signal that conveys the channel quality indicator. The launcher, responsive to the second signal, is further configured to launch a second guided electromagnetic wave that conveys the channel quality indicator to the remote system, wherein the second guided electromagnetic wave is guided by the transmission medium and propagates along the transmission medium.

Abstract: In accordance with one or more embodiments, a surface wave repeater includes a transceiver that generates a pilot signal that identifies the surface wave repeater. The transceiver adds the pilot signal to a microwave signal to create a combined signal. The transceiver couples the combined signal to a launcher to facilitate transmission of guided electromagnetic waves conveying data along with the pilot signal on a segment of a transmission medium.

Abstract: In accordance with one or more embodiments, a surface wave launcher is configured to transmit and receive guided electromagnetic waves via the aperture that propagate along a transmission medium without requiring an electrical return path. The surface wave launcher includes a coaxial port having an inner conductor and an outer conductor. A conductive tray is coupled to the inner conductor and is configured to surround, at least in part, a portion of the transmission medium. A dielectric layer surrounds, at least in part, a portion of the conductive tray. A conductive cone, is coupled to the outer conductor at a feed-point of the conductive cone, and coaxially surrounds the transmission medium, wherein the conductive cone is adjacent to the dielectric layer at the feed-point and forms an aperture.

Abstract: Aspects of the subject disclosure may include, a system for generating a plurality of electromagnetic waves having differing signal characteristics, each electromagnetic wave of the plurality of electromagnetic waves conveying a communication signal, and the plurality of electromagnetic waves propagating along a transmission medium without radiating into free space. The system can be further configured for generating, by an antenna coupled to the transmission medium, a plurality of wireless signals according to the plurality of electromagnetic waves. The differing signal characteristics of the plurality of electromagnetic waves thereby enables a device to obtain the communication signal by combining the plurality of wireless signals. Other embodiments are disclosed.

Abstract: Aspects of the subject disclosure may include, a system for receiving communication signals that convey data, obtaining energy from a telecommunication line of a telecommunications network where an AC or DC power signal is injected into the telecommunication line and where the energy is utilized by at least a subset of components of a waveguide system, and transmitting electromagnetic waves that convey the data where the electromagnetic waves propagate along a power line of a power grid without requiring an electrical return path. Other embodiments are disclosed.

Abstract: Aspects of the subject disclosure may include, a system for receiving, via an optical fiber, optical power signals where the optical fiber is connected with a light source, converting, by an optical power converter, the optical power signals to electrical energy, where the electrical energy is utilized as power, and transmitting or receiving, via a coupler, electromagnetic waves that convey data where the electromagnetic waves propagate along a transmission medium without requiring an electrical return path. Other embodiments are disclosed.