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: 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, coupler having an array of dielectric antennas positioned around an outer surface of a transmission medium. A processing system can perform operations including selecting at least two dielectric antennas of the array of dielectric antennas, and configuring at least two transmitters coupled to the at least two dielectric antennas according to a wave mode type to generate, via the at least two dielectric antennas, first wireless signals and second wireless signals that combine to induce propagation of electromagnetic waves along a transmission medium according to the wave mode type without requiring an electrical return path. Other embodiments are disclosed.

Abstract: Aspects of the subject disclosure may include, for example, wirelessly receiving test signals when an unmanned aircraft is at different positions in proximity to a transmission medium where the first group of test signals is transmitted from different locations, determining RF parameters associated with each of the test signals, and generating placement information indicative of a target location for a communication device to be positioned, where the placement information is generated based on the RF parameters. Other embodiments are disclosed.

Abstract: Aspects of the subject disclosure may include, providing, by a power supply of a communication device, energy to a transmitter of the communication device, wherein the power supply directly obtains the energy from a transmission medium via a capacitive divider and a DC converter, and wherein the communication device includes an insulator that electrically insulates the transmission medium from a utility structure supporting the communication device; generating, by the transmitter of the communication device, a signal; and inducing according to the signal, by a coupler of the communication device, an electromagnetic wave that propagates along the transmission medium without requiring an electrical return path. Other embodiments are disclosed.

Abstract: In accordance with the present disclosure, a communication network includes a surface wave transceiver, mounted on a medium voltage power line, configured to bidirectionally communicate wireless network data via guided electromagnetic waves that propagate along a surface of the medium voltage power line. A plurality of analog surface wave repeater pairs, a plurality of digital surface wave regenerator pairs, are mounted on the medium voltage power line. A plurality of access points, supported by corresponding ones of a plurality of utility poles that also support the medium voltage power line, is configured to wirelessly transmit the wireless network data to a plurality of client devices in accordance with a wireless network protocol and to wirelessly receive client data from the plurality of client devices in accordance with the wireless network protocol. A plurality of surface wave add/drop multiplexer pairs, is also mounted on the medium voltage power line.

Abstract: A distributed antenna and backhaul system provide network connectivity for a small cell deployment. Rather than building new structures, and installing additional fiber and cable, embodiments described herein disclose using high-bandwidth, millimeter-wave communications and existing power line infrastructure. Above ground backhaul connections via power lines and line-of-sight millimeter-wave band signals as well as underground backhaul connections via buried electrical conduits can provide connectivity to the distributed base stations. An overhead millimeter-wave system can also be used to provide backhaul connectivity. Modules can be placed onto existing infrastructure, such as streetlights and utility poles, and the modules can contain base stations and antennas to transmit the millimeter-waves to and from other modules.

Abstract: In accordance with one or more embodiments, a communication network includes a surface wave transceiver, mounted on a coaxial cable of a broadband cable network, configured to bidirectionally communicate wireless network data via guided electromagnetic waves that propagate along a surface of the coaxial cable. A plurality of analog surface wave repeater pairs, and a plurality of digital surface wave regenerator pairs, are also mounted on the coaxial cable. A plurality of access points, supported by corresponding ones of a plurality of utility poles that also support the coaxial cable, is configured to wirelessly transmit the wireless network data to a plurality of client devices in accordance with a wireless network protocol and to wirelessly receive client data from the plurality of client devices in accordance with the wireless network protocol. A plurality of surface wave add/drop multiplexer pairs, is also mounted on the coaxial cable.

Abstract: Aspects of the subject disclosure may include, detecting a communication device in transit, determining a trajectory of the communication device, selecting a section from a plurality of sections of an omnidirectional array of dielectric antennas according to the trajectory of the communication device, where the section corresponds to a set of one or more dielectric antennas from the omnidirectional array of dielectric antennas coupled to a set of launchers, and directing the set of launchers to launch electromagnetic waves directed to the set of one or more dielectric antennas to generate a beam pattern directed to the communication device while in transit. Other embodiments are disclosed.

Abstract: Aspects of the subject disclosure may include, receiving a communication signal, and generating an electromagnetic wave that propagates along an outer surface of a dielectric layer environmentally formed on a cable. The dielectric layer can be a liquid disposed on an outer surface of the cable that enables the electromagnetic wave to propagate along the dielectric layer of the cable without an electrical return path, and conveys the communication signal. Other embodiments are disclosed.

Abstract: In accordance with one or more embodiments, an access point includes a first communication interface having: a first coupler configured to receive, via a first transmission medium, first guided electromagnetic waves from a first waveguide system of a distributed antenna system, wherein the first guided electromagnetic waves propagate along the first transmission medium without requiring an electrical return path; and also a first receiver configured to receive first data from the first guided electromagnetic waves. A data switch is configured to select first selected portions of the first data for transmission to at least one communication device in proximity to the access point.

Abstract: Aspects of the subject disclosure may include, for example, a system that performs operations including detecting a signal degradation of guided electromagnetic waves bound to a transmission medium without utilizing an electrical return path, the guided electromagnetic waves having a non-optical frequency range, and adjusting an alignment of at least a portion of fields of the guided electromagnetic waves to mitigate the signal degradation. 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, for example, a client node device having a radio configured to wirelessly receive downstream channel signals from a communication network. An access point repeater (APR) launches the downstream channel signals on a guided wave communication system as guided electromagnetic waves that propagate along a transmission medium and to wirelessly transmit the downstream channel signals to at least one client device. Other embodiments are disclosed.

Abstract: Aspects of the subject disclosure may include, for example, a dielectric antenna and a convex dielectric radome having an operating face that radiates or receives microwave signals. The operating face is shaped to reduce an accumulation of water on the operating face.

Abstract: A repeater includes a first coupler that receives a guided electromagnetic wave that propagates along a surface of a transmission medium without requiring an electrical return path, the first coupler generating a received signal in response to the guided electromagnetic wave. A controllable isolator is coupled to the transmission medium between the first coupler and a second coupler. The controllable isolator responds to a control signal by: attenuating a residual portion of the guided electromagnetic wave before reaching the second coupler, when the control signal indicates a repeater mode of operation and passing the residual portion of the guided electromagnetic wave to the second coupler, when the control signal indicates a bypass mode of operation. Repeater circuitry includes processing circuitry configured to generate the control signal and transceiver circuitry configured to generate a transmit signal based on the received signal in the repeater mode of operation.

Abstract: Aspects of the subject disclosure may include, for example, a node device includes an interface configured to receive first signals. A plurality of coupling devices are configured to launch the first signals on a transmission medium as a plurality of first guided electromagnetic waves at corresponding plurality of non-optical carrier frequencies, wherein the plurality of first guided electromagnetic waves are bound to a physical structure of the transmission medium. 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: Aspects of the subject disclosure may include, for example, a solid dielectric antenna having a non-uniform spatial distribution of relative permittivity.

Abstract: Aspects of the subject disclosure may include, a system that facilitates receiving a radio frequency signal conveying data, magnetically coupling the radio frequency signal to a transmission medium as an electromagnetic wave that propagates along the transmission medium, and directing propagation of the electromagnetic wave in a first direction along the transmission medium and preventing at least in part propagation of the electromagnetic wave in a second direction opposite the first direction. Other embodiments are disclosed.