Abstract: In accordance with one or more embodiments, a guided wave launcher includes an array of antennas that generates first electromagnetic field signals. A lens is configured to guide the first electromagnetic field signals to a surface of a transmission medium, the first electromagnetic field signals inducing a first guided electromagnetic wave that is guided by the surface of the transmission medium and propagates along the transmission medium without requiring an electrical return path.

Abstract: In accordance with one or more embodiments, a guided wave launcher includes an array of antennas configured to generate near field signals. A controller is configured to: select, in response to a first control signal, at least one of a plurality of guided wave modes; and adjust beam steering parameters of the array of antennas according to the selected one(s) of the plurality of guided wave modes. The near field signals combine to induce a guided electromagnetic wave having the selected one(s) of the plurality of guided wave modes, wherein the first guided electromagnetic wave is guided by the transmission medium and propagates along the transmission medium without requiring an electrical return path.

Abstract: In accordance with one or more embodiments, a guided wave launcher includes an array of antennas that generates first near field signals. A dielectric lens is configured to guide the first near field signals to a surface of a transmission medium, the first near field signals inducing a first guided electromagnetic wave that is guided by the surface of the transmission medium and propagates along the transmission medium without requiring an electrical return path.

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 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 coupling system includes a transmitter configured to generate a first signal conveying first data. A coupler is configured to transmit the first signal as a first guided electromagnetic wave that is guided by at least a portion of a surface of a wrap wire that secures an overhead telephony cable to a messenger wire, wherein the first guided electromagnetic wave propagates along the at least the portion of the surface of the messenger wire without requiring an electrical return path.

Abstract: In accordance with one or more embodiments, a coupling system includes a transmitter configured to generate a first signal conveying first data. A coupler is configured to transmit the first signal as a first guided electromagnetic wave that is guided by at least a portion of a surface of a messenger wire that supports an overhead telephony cable, wherein the first guided electromagnetic wave propagates along the at least the portion of the surface of the messenger wire without requiring an electrical return path.

Abstract: In accordance with one or more embodiments, a guided wave launcher includes an array of antennas that generates first near field signals. A reflector is configured to guide the first near field signals to a surface of a transmission medium, the first near field signals inducing a first guided electromagnetic wave that is guided by the surface of the transmission medium and propagates along the transmission medium without requiring an electrical return path.

Abstract: In accordance with one or more embodiments, a system includes a transceiver configured to generate an electromagnetic signal conveying first data. A coupler is configured to generate, responsive to the electromagnetic signal, an electromagnetic wave along a surface of a transmission medium, wherein the electromagnetic wave is within a non-optical frequency band, wherein the electromagnetic wave propagates via a cylindrical scattering wave mode along the surface of the transmission medium without requiring an electrical return path.

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 guided wave launcher includes an array of antennas configured to generate near field signals. A controller is configured to: select, in response to a first control signal, at least one of a plurality of guided wave modes; and adjust beam steering parameters of the array of antennas according to the selected one(s) of the plurality of guided wave modes. The near field signals combine to induce a guided electromagnetic wave having the selected one(s) of the plurality of guided wave modes, wherein the first guided electromagnetic wave is guided by the transmission medium and propagates along the transmission medium without requiring an electrical return path.

Abstract: In accordance with one or more embodiments, a guided wave launcher includes an array of antennas that generates first near field signals. A dielectric lens is configured to guide the first near field signals to a surface of a transmission medium, the first near field signals inducing a first guided electromagnetic wave that is guided by the surface of the transmission medium and propagates along the transmission medium without requiring an electrical return path.

Abstract: In accordance with one or more embodiments, a guided wave launcher includes an array of antennas that generates first near field signals. A reflector is configured to guide the first near field signals to a surface of a transmission medium, the first near field signals inducing a first guided electromagnetic wave that is guided by the surface of the transmission medium and propagates along the transmission medium without requiring an electrical return path.

Abstract: In accordance with one or more embodiments, a system includes a transceiver configured to generate an electromagnetic signal conveying first data. A coupler is configured to generate, responsive to the electromagnetic signal, an electromagnetic wave along a surface of a transmission medium, wherein the electromagnetic wave is within a non-optical frequency band, wherein the electromagnetic wave propagates via a cylindrical scattering wave mode along the surface of the transmission medium without requiring an electrical return path.

Abstract: In accordance with one or more embodiments, a system includes an array of antennas. A plurality of transceivers is configured to generate first signals, in response to control signals. A controller is configured to generate the control signals to control, via the plurality of transceivers, an antenna aperture of the array of antennas. The array of antennas is configured to generate, in response to first signals, radiated waves according to the antenna aperture of the array of antennas, the radiated waves inducing a first guided electromagnetic wave that is guided by a surface of a transmission medium and propagates along the transmission medium without requiring an electrical return path.

Abstract: In accordance with one or more embodiments, a system includes an impedance matching circuit that includes one or more adjustable circuit elements, wherein the impedance matching circuit receives an input signal and generates an output signal in response to the input signal. A guided wave launcher is configured to generate, in response to the output signal, a first guided electromagnetic wave along 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. A controller is configured to generate one or more control signals in response to a channel quality indicator, wherein the one or more control signals adjust the one or more adjustable circuit elements of the impedance matching circuit, wherein adjustment of the one or more adjustable circuit elements facilitates reducing an impedance mismatch of the guided wave launcher.

Abstract: In accordance with one or more embodiments, a system includes an array of antennas. A plurality of transceivers is configured to generate first signals, in response to control signals. A controller is configured to generate the control signals to control, via the plurality of transceivers, an antenna aperture of the array of antennas. The array of antennas is configured to generate, in response to first signals, radiated waves according to the antenna aperture of the array of antennas, the radiated waves inducing a first guided electromagnetic wave that is guided by a surface of a transmission medium and propagates along the transmission medium without requiring an electrical return path.

Abstract: In accordance with one or more embodiments, a system includes an impedance matching circuit that includes one or more adjustable circuit elements, wherein the impedance matching circuit receives an input signal and generates an output signal in response to the input signal. A guided wave launcher is configured to generate, in response to the output signal, a first guided electromagnetic wave along 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. A controller is configured to generate one or more control signals in response to a channel quality indicator, wherein the one or more control signals adjust the one or more adjustable circuit elements of the impedance matching circuit, wherein adjustment of the one or more adjustable circuit elements facilitates reducing an impedance mismatch of the guided wave launcher.

Abstract: In accordance with one or more embodiments, a system includes a transceiver configured to generate an electromagnetic signal conveying first data. A coupler is configured to generate, responsive to the electromagnetic signal, an electromagnetic wave along a surface of a transmission medium, wherein the electromagnetic wave is within a non-optical frequency band, wherein the electromagnetic wave propagates via a cylindrical scattering wave mode along the surface of the transmission medium without requiring an electrical return path.

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.