Abstract: Aspects of the subject disclosure may include, for example, a transmission device that includes at least one transceiver configured to modulate data to generate a plurality of first electromagnetic waves. A plurality of couplers are configured to couple at least a portion of the plurality of first electromagnetic waves to a transmission medium, wherein the plurality of couplers generate a plurality of mode division multiplexed second electromagnetic waves that propagate along the outer surface of the transmission medium. Other embodiments are disclosed.

Abstract: Aspects of the subject disclosure may include, for example, a repeater device having a first coupler to extract downstream channel signals from first guided electromagnetic waves bound to a transmission medium of a guided wave communication system. An amplifier amplifies the downstream channel signals to generate amplified downstream channel signals. A channel selection filter selects one or more of the amplified downstream channel signals to wirelessly transmit to the at least one client device via an antenna. A second coupler guides the amplified downstream channel signals to the transmission medium of the guided wave communication system to propagate as second guided electromagnetic waves. Other embodiments are disclosed.

Abstract: In accordance with one or more embodiments, a surface wave launcher includes a launcher body configured to surround, at least in part, a transmission medium. A planar antenna includes a first antenna element, a second antenna element and an aperture, the first antenna element and the second antenna element having first portions on opposing sides of the launcher body and second portions on an aperture end of the launcher body, wherein the second portions are perpendicular to the launcher body and the transmission medium and wherein the planar antenna is configured to transmit and receive guided electromagnetic waves that propagate along the transmission medium without requiring an electrical return path. A reflector, configured to direct transmission and reception of the first guided electromagnetic wave to and from the aperture, is electrically coupled to the conductive launcher body on an end of the launcher body opposite to the aperture end of the conductive launcher body.

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: Aspects of the subject disclosure may include, for example, a system for transmitting a source test signal directed to a second system of a distributed communication system for a retransmission of the source test signal by the second system and a plurality of other systems of the distributed communication system, receiving a plurality of returned test signals from the second system, wherein the plurality of returned test signals corresponds to a retransmission of the source test signal by at least one of the plurality of other systems, and determining from the plurality of returned test signals whether any one of the plurality of other systems is experiencing an operational fault based on an expected round trip delay for each of the plurality of returned test signals. Other embodiments are disclosed.

Abstract: Aspects of the subject disclosure may include, for example, receiving, by a feed point of a dielectric antenna, electromagnetic waves from a dielectric core coupled to the feed point without an electrical return path, where at least a portion of the dielectric antenna comprises a conductive surface, directing, by the feed point, the electromagnetic waves to a proximal portion of the dielectric antenna, and radiating, via an aperture of the dielectric antenna, a wireless signal responsive to the electromagnetic waves being received at the aperture. Other embodiments are disclosed.

Abstract: Aspects of the subject disclosure may include, for example, receiving, by a feed point of a dielectric antenna, electromagnetic waves from a dielectric core coupled to the feed point without an electrical return path, where at least a portion of the dielectric antenna comprises a conductive surface, directing, by the feed point, the electromagnetic waves to a proximal portion of the dielectric antenna, and radiating, via an aperture of the dielectric antenna, a wireless signal responsive to the electromagnetic waves being received at the aperture. Other embodiments are disclosed.

Abstract: Aspects of the subject disclosure may include, for example, a method for receiving a request to steer wireless signals generated by a plurality of dielectric antennas, and adjusting, by the controller, a plurality of adjustable delays coupled to a transceiver to adjust an orientation of wireless signals received or generated by the plurality of dielectric antennas, each of the plurality of dielectric antennas comprising a feed point coupled to a different one of the plurality of adjustable delays, the transceiver facilitating reception or transmission of electromagnetic waves propagating via a different one of the feed points of the plurality of dielectric antennas along corresponding dielectric feedlines without an electrical return path. Other embodiments are disclosed.

Abstract: Aspects of the subject disclosure may include, a system that can include a coupler that facilitates propagation of electromagnetic waves along a transmission medium without requiring an electrical return path, and a suppressor coupled to an inner surface of the structure that facilitates at least a reduction in a flow of an electrical current from the inner surface of the structure to an outer surface of the structure. 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.

Abstract: Aspects of the subject disclosure may include, a system that includes a coupler having a structure that facilitates guiding electromagnetic waves along a transmission medium, wherein the electromagnetic waves propagate along the transmission medium without requiring an electrical return path, and a device coupled to an outer surface of the structure, wherein the device facilitates steering a wireless signal generated by a flow of an electrical current on the outer surface of the structure. Other embodiments are disclosed.

Abstract: In accordance with one or more embodiments, a communication device includes a dielectric antenna having a feed point and an aperture. A cable comprising a conductorless core is coupled to the feed point of the dielectric antenna. A transmitter is coupled to the cable and facilitates a transmission of first electromagnetic waves to the feed point of the dielectric antenna. The first electromagnetic waves are guided by the conductorless core and propagate along the conductorless core without requiring an electrical return path, and the first electromagnetic waves generate free-space wireless signals from the aperture of the antenna in accordance with a circularly polarized antenna beam pattern.

Abstract: Aspects of the subject disclosure may include, a first antenna system having a first antenna with a first aperture that is longitudinally aligned to a physical transmission medium, and a transmitter coupled to the first antenna that facilitates transmitting a wireless signal having at least a portion of an electromagnetic field structure that intersects the physical transmission medium. The portion of the electromagnetic field structure of the wireless signal intersecting the physical transmission medium enables the wireless signal to be guided at least in part by the physical transmission medium towards a second aperture of a second antenna longitudinally aligned with the physical transmission medium. Other embodiments are disclosed.

Abstract: Aspects of the subject disclosure may include, receiving a signal, and launching, according to the signal, an electromagnetic wave along a transmission medium, where the electromagnetic wave propagates along the transmission medium without requiring an electrical return path, and where the electromagnetic wave has a phase delay profile that is dependent on an azimuth angle about an axis of the transmission medium. Other embodiments are disclosed.

Abstract: Aspects of the subject disclosure may include, for example, a transmission medium that includes a dielectric core comprising a plurality of rigid dielectric members configured to propagate guided electromagnetic waves. A dielectric cladding is disposed on at least a portion of an outer surface of the first dielectric core. Other embodiments are disclosed.

Abstract: Aspects of the subject disclosure may include, a system that guides electromagnetic waves that propagate along a transmission medium without requiring an electrical return path, and at least reduces radiation on an outer surface of a structure reducing a flow of an electrical current from an inner surface of the structure to the outer surface of the structure. Other embodiments are disclosed.

Abstract: Aspects of the subject disclosure may include, for example, a system for receiving first electromagnetic waves via a transmission medium without utilizing an electrical return path, and inducing second electromagnetic waves at an interface of the transmission medium without the electrical return path. In an embodiment, the first and second electromagnetic waves have a non-optical frequency range. Other embodiments are disclosed.

Abstract: Aspects of the subject disclosure may include, for example, a cable can include a core, a plurality of strips of cladding disposed on the core, and a coupler that facilitates inducing electromagnetic waves that propagate along the core, where a first dielectric constant of the core exceeds a second dielectric constant of each strip of cladding of the plurality of strips of cladding, and where the electromagnetic waves propagate along the core without requiring an electrical return path. Other embodiments are disclosed.

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: 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.