Abstract: Aspects of the subject disclosure may include, a coupler having a controller device; and a plurality of conductive members that each have a distal end, a proximal end, and a curved shape. Each of the plurality of conductive members can have an opening through a surface thereof, and each of the plurality of conductive members can be connected to the controller device. The distal end of each of the plurality of conductive members can be farther away from an outer surface of a transmission medium than the proximal end, and a width of each of the plurality of conductive members can increase in a direction from the proximal end to the distal end. The controller device can facilitate transmission of signals via the plurality of conductive members, and the signals can induce electromagnetic waves that propagate along the transmission medium without requiring an electrical return path. Other embodiments are disclosed.

Abstract: Aspects of the subject disclosure may include, for example, a launching device including a transmitter configured to generate a radio frequency signal in a microwave frequency band. A helical antenna is configured to launch the radio frequency signal as a guided electromagnetic wave that is bound to an outer surface of a transmission medium, wherein the guided electromagnetic wave propagates along the outer surface of the transmission medium without an electrical return path. 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: 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, 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.

Abstract: Aspects of the subject disclosure may include, a receiver that operates by: receiving via a first launcher first received guided electromagnetic waves that propagate on an outer surface of a first transmission medium without requiring an electrical return path, wherein the first transmission medium has a first type of a plurality of types of transmission media; converting the received first guided electromagnetic waves to a first signal; launching, via a second launcher and based on the first signal, transmitted second guided electromagnetic waves that propagate on an outer surface of a second transmission medium without requiring an electrical return path, wherein the second transmission medium has a second type of the plurality of types of transmission media that differs from the first type.

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, first signals and second signals; wirelessly providing, via a first dielectric antenna of a first waveguide system, the first signals to an access point; and wirelessly providing, via a second dielectric antenna of the first waveguide system, the second signals to a second waveguide system. Other embodiments are disclosed.

Abstract: In accordance with one or more embodiments, a transmission device includes a transmitter configured to generate a transmit signal conveying transmit data in accordance with a communication protocol having first protocol transmit parameters. A coupler is configured to convert the transmit signal to transmitted guided electromagnetic waves that propagate along a surface of a transmission medium without requiring an electrical return path. The coupler is further configured to convert to a receive signal, received guided electromagnetic waves from a remote device that propagate along the surface of the transmission medium, wherein the remote device is configured to receive the transmitted guided electromagnetic waves. A corona discharge detector is configured to generate, based on the receive signal, corona discharge data that indicates corona discharge activity in proximity to the transmission medium during a time period.

Abstract: Aspects of the subject disclosure may include, an access point that facilitates receiving from a system a modulated signal in a first spectral segment, wherein the system is configured to receive a plurality of ultra-wideband electromagnetic waves via a transmission medium and extract the modulated signal in the first spectral segment from a plurality of modulated signals conveyed by the plurality of ultra-wideband electromagnetic waves, and wherein the plurality of ultra-wideband electromagnetic waves operates in a second spectral segment that differs from the first spectral segment, and transmitting the modulated signal in the first spectral segment to a communication device. 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: Aspects of the subject disclosure may include, for example, a launching device including a transmitter configured to generate a radio frequency signal in a microwave frequency band. A slotline antenna is configured to launch the radio frequency signal as a guided electromagnetic wave that is bound to an outer surface of a transmission medium, wherein the guided electromagnetic wave propagates along the outer surface of the transmission medium without an electrical return path. 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: 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 that facilitates receiving a first group of electromagnetic waves, wherein the first group of electromagnetic waves propagate along a first span of a transmission medium without requiring an electrical return path and without traversing a first supporting device or a second supporting device. The first span of the transmission medium is supported by the first supporting device and the second supporting device, and the first group of electromagnetic waves convey a first communication signal. The first communication signal is extracted from the first group of electromagnetic waves, and the first communication signal is transmitted to a communication device. Other embodiments are disclosed.

Abstract: In accordance with one or more embodiments, an access point includes a first communication interface that receives, first guided electromagnetic waves from a first waveguide system wherein the first guided electromagnetic waves convey a first plurality of resource blocks containing first data. A data switch selects first selected portions of the first data corresponding to a first subset of the first plurality of resource blocks for transmission to at least one communication device in proximity to the access point and select second selected portions of the first data corresponding to a second subset of the first plurality of resource blocks by omitting the first subset from the first plurality of resource blocks. A second communication interface generates second guided electromagnetic waves conveying the second selected portions of the first data to facilitate reuse of the first subset of the first plurality of resource blocks by a second waveguide system.

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, a system that facilitates receiving a plurality of ultra-wideband electromagnetic waves that propagates along a surface of a transmission medium without requiring an electrical return path, wherein the plurality of ultra-wideband electromagnetic waves conveys a plurality of communication signals, obtaining, from the plurality of ultra-wideband electromagnetic waves, at least one communication signal from the plurality of communication signals, and distributing the at least one communication signal to at least one communication device. 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: 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: 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.