Abstract: A method includes generating a first gain control signal and a second gain control signal in response to a gain transition signal indicating a transition of a power converter from a first gain mode to a second gain mode. The method further includes causing the power converter to enter the first gain mode in response to the first gain control signal, and causing the power converter to enter the second gain mode in response to the second gain control signal. A circuit includes a gain transition controller generating a first gain control signal and a second gain control signal in response to a gain transition signal, and a gain control circuit causing the power converter to enter the first gain mode in response to the first gain control signal and causing the power converter to enter the second gain mode in response to the second gain control signal.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a satellite microphone assembly for use in teleconferencing or other audio based communications comprises a base housing a microphone and volume control electronics. The base is enclosed by a cylinder, rotatable about the base and having a top surface configured to be an actuatable button to toggle a mute/unmute status of the microphone. The cylinder has a sidewall configured to be engaged by a user such that the user can rotate the cylinder. An optical sensor is supported by the base, and is configured to detect a rotation of the cylinder and to output information about a direction and a degree of rotation of the cylinder to the volume control electronics, causing a rotation of the cylinder to affect the volume level of a speaker.

Abstract: A signal processing apparatus includes: an obtaining portion configured to obtain an impulse response in a semi-open state in which, among a plurality of acoustic feedback systems, at least one acoustic feedback system is open and at least one acoustic feedback system is closed; and a calculating portion configured to calculate a gain correction amount based on the impulse response that the obtaining portion has obtained and to output a calculated gain correction amount.

Abstract: A method, and a corresponding apparatus, for processing an input signal comprise filtering the input signal to separate a passband frequency component of the input signal from a stopband frequency component of the input signal, and adjusting relative signal power values of the passband frequency component and the stopband frequency component of the input signal based at least in part on signal values of a number of samples associated with the input signal. In the case of audio signals, for example, such processing is used for spectral expansion of the input signal by enhancing the power of the stopband, or low and high frequencies, component with respect to the power of the passband component of the input signal. As a result, a better audio quality is achieved.

Abstract: A temperature compensated oscillation circuit includes an oscillation circuit that oscillates a resonator, a fractional N-PLL circuit that multiplies frequency of an oscillation signal which is output by the oscillation circuit, on the basis of a frequency division ratio which is input, a temperature measurement unit that measures temperature, and a storage unit that stores a temperature correction table for correcting frequency temperature characteristics of the oscillation signal, in which the frequency division ratio of the fractional N-PLL circuit is set on the basis of a measurement value obtained by the temperature measurement unit and the temperature correction table.

Abstract: A filter circuit in a radio frequency power detection circuit includes input and output lines, wherein: an input terminal of the input and output lines is connected with a first capacitor, the first capacitor is connected with a first filtering sub-circuit; the first filtering sub-circuit is connected with a third capacitor, the third capacitor is connected with a second filtering sub-circuit; the second filtering sub-circuit is connected with an output terminal of the input and output lines. The filter circuit of the present invention is able to effectively improve the detection accuracy of the radio frequency electric source output power, thereby improving the power output accuracy of the radio frequency electric source.

Abstract: An acoustic wave device includes: a support substrate; a first piezoelectric substrate bonded to a first principal surface of the support substrate, the first piezoelectric substrate being a single crystal substrate, a first acoustic wave resonator located on an opposite surface of the first piezoelectric substrate from a surface to which the support substrate is bonded, the first acoustic wave resonator including an IDT; a second piezoelectric substrate bonded to a second principal surface of the support substrate opposite from the first principal surface, the second piezoelectric substrate being a single crystal substrate; and a second acoustic wave resonator located on an opposite surface of the second piezoelectric substrate from a surface to which the support substrate is bonded, the second acoustic wave resonator including an IDT.

Abstract: A filter device that reduces spurious emissions generated in a frequency band 1.2 to 1.4 times greater than a center frequency of a passband of a filter. In one example the filter device includes a first filter connected between a common contact and a first signal contact and having a first passband, and a second filter connected between the common contact and a second signal contact and having a second passband with a center frequency in a range of 1.2 to 1.4 times greater than a center frequency of the first passband. The first filter includes a SAW filter formed on a piezoelectric substrate, a SAW resonator formed on the piezoelectric substrate and connected in series between the common contact and the SAW filter, and a dielectric film covering the SAW filter and SAW resonator, the dielectric film having a reduced thickness in a region corresponding to the SAW resonator.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a CNFET double-edge pulse JKL flip-flop, comprising a double-edge pulse signal generator, 31 CNFET tubes, 6 NTI gate circuits having the same circuit structure, 6 PTI gate circuits having the same circuit structure as well as the 1st and 2nd two-value inverters having the same circuit structure; it features in correct logic functions as well as high-speed and low power consumption.

Abstract: A relaxation oscillator 2 comprises: a comparator 4 comprising: a differential pair of transistors 140, 142, 144. 40, 42, 44; a static current source 32; and a dynamic current source 32; and at least one energy storage component 8, 14; wherein the comparator 4 is arranged to provide an output signal which triggers the charging or discharging of the energy storage component 8, the dynamic current source 32 being enabled prior to the charging or discharging being triggered and disabled after a predetermined time.

Abstract: Routing of a gate signal for controlling a discrete power switching device (such as in an inverter for an electric vehicle drive) is configured to compensate for the common source inductance inherent in the switching device as a result of its integrated circuit packaging. The power device has a gate signal path via a gate pin and a power signal path via first and second power pins, wherein the gate signal path and the power signal path have a first mutual inductance. A circuit board apparatus provides a gate wiring loop juxtaposed with the power signal path, wherein the gate wiring loop and the power signal path have a second mutual inductance substantially canceling the first mutual inductance. The resulting reduction in common source inductance avoids the reductions in switching speed and the increased switching losses otherwise introduced by the common source inductance.

Abstract: This application relates to an active diode circuit for letting current pass in one direction and blocking current in the opposite direction. The active diode circuit comprises a transistor, a control voltage generation circuit for generating a control voltage that is supplied to a control terminal of the transistor, and a sensing circuit for detecting a quantity indicative of a current flowing through the transistor. The control voltage generation circuit generates the control voltage in dependence on the detected quantity. The application further relates to a method of controlling a transistor to function as an active diode so that current may pass in one direction and is blocked in the opposite direction.

Abstract: A thyristor switch is constituted of a pair of arms connected in anti-parallel, each of the anus including a plurality of thyristors connected in series. A controller includes a phase detecting unit configured to detect a phase of a power supply voltage supplied from an alternating-current power supply, and a gate signal generating unit configured to interrupt a gate signal when an open command is provided to the static switch and the phase of the power supply voltage detected by the phase detecting unit matches a target phase. The target phase is set outside of a phase range where interruption of the gate signal is prohibited, the phase range being set so as to include a zero crossing point at which a load current is switched in polarity.

Abstract: An apparatus for driving a thyristor in an alternating-current power grid includes a non-isolated power supply circuit and a throttling circuit. One terminal of a power supply input of the non-isolated power supply circuit is connected to a first terminal of the thyristor. The other terminal of the power supply input is connected to another phase of the power supply relative to the first terminal or a neutral lead. The non-isolated power supply circuit forms a signal trigger loop through the throttling circuit, a second terminal of the thyristor and the first terminal of the thyristor. A control terminal of the throttling circuit is connected to a third terminal of the thyristor. The apparatus of the present invention has advantages of occupying a small space and having a simple circuit, a great instantaneous triggering current, a high cost effectiveness, and a low power consumption.

Abstract: A touch panel is manufactured by a method that decreases undesirable reflections of external light while improving the visibility of emitted light. The touch panel includes a base layer including an active region responsive to an external touch to generate an electronic signal and a peripheral region adjacent to the active region, and a first conductive pattern disposed on the active region and a second conductive pattern disposed on the peripheral region, each of the first conductive pattern and the second conductive pattern including a conductive layer having an external light reflectivity and a darkening layer disposed over the conductive layer. External light reflectivity of each of the first and second conductive patterns is lower than that of the conductive layer.

Abstract: An input device includes a first component with an actuating layer and a first electrode arranged adjacent thereto, a second component with a carrier and a second electrode, and a device which electrically contacts the first and second electrodes. The first and second electrodes face each other with an air gap therebetween. The first electrode, under an influence of an actuating force acting on the actuating surface undergoes, upon an actuation, a displacement so as to move the first electrode closer to the second electrode against an elastic restoring force. A detection and evaluation device applies a measuring capacitance to the first and second electrodes and detects a change in the measuring capacitance dependent on the displacement moving the first and second electrodes closer to each other in order to associate the actuation with a switching or controlling function after detecting a predetermined change in the measuring capacitance.

Abstract: A device includes a power supply line, an output terminal, a circuit configured to perform a logic operation on a first signal and a second signal to produce a third signal, first, second and third transistors. The first transistor is coupled between the power supply line and the output terminal and includes a control gate supplied with the third signal. The second and third transistors are coupled in series between the power supply line and the output terminal. The second transistor includes a control gate supplied with the first signal and the third transistor includes a control gate supplied with a fourth signal that is different from each of the first, second and third signals.

Abstract: Local on-die termination controllers for effecting termination of a high-speed signaling links simultaneously engage on-die termination structures within multiple integrated-circuit memory devices disposed on the same memory module, and/or within the same integrated-circuit package, and coupled to the high-speed signaling link. A termination control bus is coupled to memory devices on a module, and provides for peer-to-peer communication of termination control signals.

Abstract: A transmitter is disclosed with a pull-up feedback circuit and a feedback circuit. The transmitter includes an output driver for driving an output terminal.

Abstract: A low clock power data-gated flip-flop is provided. The data-gated flip-flop includes an exclusive OR component including a first exclusive OR input, a second exclusive OR input, and a first exclusive OR output. The first exclusive OR input is configured to receive a data input to the data-gated flip-flop. The data-gated flip-flop includes a first latch including a first latch data input and a first latch reset input, the first exclusive OR output being coupled to the first latch data input and the first latch reset input. The data-gated flip-flop includes a second latch having a data output, the data output coupled to the second exclusive OR input.

Abstract: This disclosure relates to leakage current reduction in integrated circuits (ICs). In one aspect, an IC can include a digital logic circuit and a polarization circuit. The digital logic circuit can have a plurality of inputs and can include a plurality of logic gates. The polarization circuit can receive a standby signal and a digital input signal comprising a plurality of bits. When the standby signal is deactivated, the polarization circuit can control the plurality of inputs of the digital logic circuit based on the digital input signal. However, when the standby signal is activated the polarization circuit can control the plurality of inputs of the digital logic circuit to a low power state associated with a smaller leakage current of the plurality of logic gates relative to at least one other state of the digital logic circuit.

Abstract: The series regulator has: a differential amplifier; a level shifter including a level shift transistor with a drain connected to a gate; and a source follower including an output transistor. The differential amplifier includes an amplification stage having a non-inverting input terminal for input of a reference voltage, an inverting input terminal for input of a feedback voltage, and an amplifier output terminal. The differential amplifier has a DC operation point where an error of an output voltage at the amplifier output terminal to an input voltage to the non-inverting input terminal is equal to or under a gate-source voltage of an input transistor, and a follower output terminal of the source follower is feedback-connected to the inverting input terminal. The level shifter performs a level shift to make an output voltage of the source follower coincident with the voltage at the amplifier output terminal of the differential amplifier.

Abstract: A subsampling motion detector configured to detect motion information of an object under measurement receives a first wireless radio frequency (RF) signal and transmits a second wireless RF signal, the first wireless RF signal being generated by reflecting the second wireless RF signal from the object. The subsampling motion detector includes a controllable oscillator outputting an oscillation signal, wherein the first wireless RF signal is injected to the controllable oscillator for controlling the controllable oscillator through injecting locking.

Abstract: A ring oscillator (200) comprises a feedback chain (110, 122) having a plurality of inverters (111-113). The ring oscillator (200) also comprises, for at least one of the inverters (111-113) of the chain (110, 122), a further inverter (211). Each of the at least one further inverter (211) is connected in parallel with the corresponding inverter (111-113) of the chain (110, 122) by means of a capacitor (250).

Abstract: To convert a first stage input to a digital output, a delta-sigma modulator, an analog-to-digital converter and an associated signal conversion method based on an MASH structure are provided. The analog-to-digital converter includes the delta-sigma modulator and a sample and hold circuit. The delta-sigma modulator includes a first signal converter, a second signal converter and a digital cancellation logic. The first signal converter converts the first stage input to a first converted output. The first signal converter shapes a first stage quantization error to generate a second stage input. The first stage input and the second stage input are analog signals. The second signal converter converts the second stage input to a second converted output. The digital cancellation logic generates a digital output according to the first converted output and the second converted output.

Abstract: An exemplary quantizer includes a multi-bit analog-to-digital converter (ADC) and a first digital-to-analog converter (DAC) feedback circuit. The multi-bit ADC has an internal DAC associated with comparison of each sampled analog input of the multi-bit ADC. The multi-bit ADC converts a currently-sampled analog input into a first digital output. A first noise-shaped truncation output is derived from the first digital output. The first DAC feedback circuit transfers a first truncation residue associated with the first noise-shaped truncation output to the internal DAC. The transferred first truncation residue is reflected in comparison of a later-sampled analog input of the multi-bit ADC via the internal DAC.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a pre-5th-Generation (5G) or 5G communication system to be provided for supporting higher data rates Beyond 4th-Generation (4G) communication system such as Long Term Evolution (LTE). An operation method of a receiving device in a wireless system includes receiving a polar codeword generated by a polar code, generating a majority of decoding paths by decoding a bit value corresponding to one index that is selected among a majority of indexes indicating respective bits included in the polar codeword, determining a first candidate group that includes at least one decoding path among the majority of decoding paths, and determining, as a second candidate group, at least one decoding path passing a CRC check among the first candidate group. A number of the at least one decoding path included in the first candidate group is determined based on a result of a CRC check performed prior to the CRC check.

Abstract: Post-processing circuitry for LDPC decoding includes check node processor for processing shifted LLR values, a hard decision decoder circuitry for receiving processed LLR information and performing parity checks on the processed LLR information. Post-processing control circuitry controls updating of LLR information in the check node processor. The check node processor, hard decision decoder, and control circuitry cooperate to identify check nodes with unsatisfied parity checks after an iteration cycle, identify neighborhood variable nodes that are connected with unsatisfied check nodes, identify satisfied check nodes which are connected to neighborhood variable nodes, and modify messages from neighborhood variable nodes to satisfied check nodes if needed to introduce perturbations to resolve decoding errors.

Abstract: Methods, apparatus, systems and articles of manufacture to determine and apply polarity-based error correction code are disclosed. In some examples, the methods and apparatus create an array by setting a first set of bit locations of a code word to have a first value and setting a second set of bit locations of the code word to have a second value different from the first value. In some examples, when the array satisfies a parity check, the methods and apparatus determine that bit locations having the first value from the array form a polarity-based error correction code.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of transmitting and a method of receiving signals and corresponding apparatus. One aspect of the present invention relates to an efficient L1 signaling method for an efficient transmitter and an efficient receiver using the efficient L1 signaling method for an efficient cable broadcasting.

Abstract: A driver circuit for driving a passive resonant antenna-circuit, the latter comprising an inductance (L) and a capacitance (C) in parallel. The driver circuit comprises a first and a second interface node (Ni1, Ni2) connectable to the resonant antenna circuit, and comprises control circuitry for monitoring an oscillating voltage signal (Vosc) provided by the resonant antenna circuit, and for extracting timing information and amplitude information of said oscillating voltage signal (Vosc), and excitation circuitry for generating an excitation signal based on the measured timing and amplitude information, and for applying the excitation signal to the antenna circuit.

Abstract: A radio frequency circuit is described, which comprises a first power amplifier comprising a first output, a second power amplifier comprising a second output, a third power amplifier comprising a third output, and a fourth power amplifier comprising a fourth output. The first power amplifier, the second power amplifier, the third power amplifier and the fourth power amplifier are configured to perform an amplification based on a radio communication signal to produce a first amplifier output signal, a second amplifier output signal, a third amplifier output signal, and a fourth amplifier output signal. Furthermore, the present application also relates to a transmitter comprising such a radio frequency amplifier circuit.

Abstract: A digital predistortion linearization method is provided for increasing the instantaneous or operational bandwidth for RF power amplifiers employed in wideband communication systems. Embodiments of the present invention provide a method of increasing DPD linearization bandwidth using a feedback filter integrated into existing digital platforms for multi-channel wideband wireless transmitters. An embodiment of the present invention utilizes a DPD feedback signal in conjunction with a low power band-pass filter in the DPD feedback path.

Abstract: A digital microwave radio system includes a splitter that splits a common baseband input into two baseband outputs, first and second transmitters, each transmitter electrically connected to a baseband output of the splitter via a mixer, a common local oscillator electrically connected to the mixer of the first transmitter and the mixer of the second transmitter via an adjustable phase shifter, respectively, and a combiner. The common local oscillator is configured to up-convert each baseband output into a radio-frequency signal using a corresponding mixer. The combiner combines the two radio-frequency signals into a 0-degree phase-shift output and a 180-degree phase-shift output, respectively. A phase error control loop adjusts the phase shifter to minimize the 180-degree phase-shift radio-frequency output. A combiner gain control loop adjusts the output power level of the two transmitters in accordance with an actual power detector reading at the 0-degree phase-shift radio-frequency output.

Abstract: An echo cancellation circuit includes: a delay module, receiving an input signal and delaying the input signal to generate a plurality of delayed signals; a multiplication module, multiplying the plurality of delayed signals by a plurality of coefficients to generate a plurality of multiplication results, respectively; a summing circuit, performing a summation on the plurality of multiplication results to generate a summation signal; a subtraction circuit, receiving a first delay signal and generating a subtracted signal according to the first delayed signal and the summation signal; and a coefficient calculating circuit, calculating the plurality of coefficients according to the subtracted signal. The echo cancellation circuit outputs an output signal as the subtracted signal.

Abstract: A device for processing a received signal by a receiver disrupted by a transmitter, wherein the transmitters and receiver are co-located, includes: a first coupler configured to take a first reference signal; an analogue circuit for processing the first reference signal; a second coupler configured to combine the modified reference signal with the signal received by an antenna of the receiver; a first analogue-to-digital conversion module digitising the first reference signal; the second analogue conversion module digitising the combined signal in order to deliver a digital combined signal to the digital signal-processing device, wherein signal-processing device delivers a resulting digital signal to a data-processing module of the receiver device.

Abstract: A delay circuit for time offsetting an input radiofrequency signal, includes an all-pass filter having a given central frequency to linearize a phase-shift of an output signal relative to the input signal as a function of the frequency on a first frequency range; and first and second antiresonant circuits having respectively first and second central frequencies, the all-pass filter and the antiresonant circuits configured to linearize the phase-shift of the output signal relative to the input signal as a function of the frequency on a second frequency range including the first range. The difference between first and second central frequencies is less than 30% of the value of one of both frequencies, the difference between the first central frequency and the given central frequency of the all-pass filter is less than 30% of the value of a highest frequency between the first central frequency and the given central frequency.

Abstract: Disclosed is a User Equipment device configured to select a suitable acknowledgement timing configuration in a time division duplex-frequency division duplex (TDD-FDD) carrier aggregation (CA) enabled wireless network, comprising establishing, by a user equipment (UE), a connection to a primary serving cell (PCell) and a secondary serving cell (SCell) of a base station, the PCell having a first TDD or first FDD configuration, the SCell having a second FDD or second TDD configuration, receiving, by the UE, downlink data through the PCell and SCell, categorizing a type of downlink data subframe in use by the SCell, selecting, by the UE, a hybrid automatic repeat request (HARQ) timing configuration based on the type of downlink data subframe for use by the SCell, and transmitting acknowledgement information associated with the downlink data according to the selected hybrid automatic repeat request (HARQ) timing configuration on PCell. Other embodiments may be described and claimed.

Abstract: A programmable multi-band receiver includes a signal coupler, programmable signal scaler including a fixed capacitance part including a series set of switchable capacitor arrays positioned before Electrostatic Discharge (ESD) protecting circuitry coupled to a variable capacitance part after the ESD protecting circuitry, reconfigurable mixer array, then a baseband polyphase filter. The variable capacitance part includes a parallel set of paths each including a capacitor and at least one switch for setting a center frequency for band selection. The reconfigurable mixer array is coupled to receive phase signals from a local oscillator (LO) circuit and includes a plurality of mixer switch elements for providing image rejection. The received signal strength is adjusted by the programmable signal scaler so that the electrostatic discharge circuit (ESD) can operate without the need of a negative supply voltage.

Abstract: The invention relates to a detachable tablet computer protective case, wherein it consists of protective case and leather cover, and protective case connection area is equipped on one side of said protective case, wherein slot is set on said protective case connection area; wherein leather cover connection area is equipped on one side of said leather cover, wherein magnet is fixed on said leather cover connection area; wherein camera lens hole is equipped on the top of protective case; wherein logo hole is set on the middle position of protective case. The invention has a easy scientific structure; and can protect tablet computer from scratches and break; and can be portable tablet computer protective case through disassembly.

Abstract: A protective case includes a first half frame, which has a first body portion and a first strengthened portion connected to two different positions on the first body portion, and a second half frame, which has a second body portion and a second strengthened portion connected to two different positions on the second body portion. Two first abutting portions are provided at two different positions on the first body portion, and the first strengthened portion has a second abutting portion. Two third abutting portions adapted to abut against the first abutting portions are respectively provided at two different positions on the second body portion. The second strengthened portion has a fourth abutting portion adapted to abut against the second abutting portion. Whereby, the first body portion and the second body portion form a complete frame, which surrounds an outer periphery of an electronic device to provide a protective effect.

Abstract: A protective case for housing a mobile device is provided. The case comprises a shell assembly including a top shell and a bottom shell that at least partially enclose and form a perimeter around the device. The case further includes a backing assembly comprising an upper backing element and a lower backing element configured to join together along a parting line between a top end and a bottom end of the shell assembly. The case also includes a lock assembly for use in drawing together the upper and lower backing elements to hold the components of the shell assembly together.

Abstract: A protective cover for a tablet computer is disclosed, which comprises a back cover and a front cover. The front cover includes an input side and a connector including a planar portion and a coupler for removably connecting the front cover to the back cover. The planar portion engages at least portion of a front surface of the tablet computer and the coupler engages an edge of the back cover.

Abstract: Systems and methods for improving isolation between a cosite transmitter-receiver system. The transmitter may send a first plurality of transmit signals from multiple transmit ports. The first plurality of transmit signals may be related to one another by a first set of complex weights. The receiver may detect channel-impaired versions of the first plurality of transmit signals at one or more receive ports. The receiver may analyze channel-impaired versions of the first plurality of transmit signals to estimate channel state information. The transmitter may use the channel state information to determine a second set of complex weights which will reduce the power received at one or more ports of the receiver when applied to a second plurality of transmit signals. The second set of complex weights may vary with frequency.

Abstract: A semiconductor die comprises a first active device, at least one of a second active device and a passive component, and electromagnetic shielding configured to at least partially electromagnetically isolate the first active device from the at least one of the second active device and the passive component. The electromagnetic shielding includes one of a grounded metal layer and via stack, and a grounded metal layer disposed one of above and below the first active device.

Abstract: A system for frequency isolation modified self-interference cancellation includes a transmit coupler, that samples an RF transmit signal; an RF self-interference canceller that transforms the sampled RF transmit signal to an RF self-interference cancellation signal; a receive coupler that combines the RF self-interference cancellation signal with the RF receive signal to form a reduced-interference receive signal; and a frequency shifter that frequency shifts only one of the RF transmit signal and the reduced-interference receive signal.

Abstract: Provided are multiuser communication methods and devices for Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA). N modulated symbols which are obtained by modulating a code block coded by a channel coder are acquired, where N is a positive integer more than or equal to 2. The N modulated symbols are spread according to N spread sequences with a specified length, and there may be at least two different spread sequences in the N spread sequences with the specified length. The spread modulated symbols are transmitted.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method for mitigating crosstalk performed by a network node of a wireless communication network operable in a base station system of the wireless communication network, the base station system comprising an intermediate radio unit, IRU, a baseband unit, BBU, connected to the IRU and a plurality of radio heads, RHs, connected to the IRU via a plurality of metallic conductors.

Abstract: An electronic device, a cable, and a method of driving the same are provided. The cable that transmits data and power includes a notification device comprising notification circuitry configured to output a notification when the power is transmitted, a first connector positioned at one end of the cable, a second connector positioned at an other end of the cable, a wire connecting the first and second connectors and including a data line that transmits the data and a power line that transmits the power, and a cable controller connected to the power line and configured to identify a characteristic of power transmitted through the power line and to change a form of the notification output from the notification device based on the identified power characteristic.

Abstract: Aspects of the subject disclosure may include, for example, a device that facilitates transmitting electromagnetic waves along a surface of a wire that facilitates delivery of electric energy to devices, and sensing a condition that is adverse to the electromagnetic waves propagating along the surface of the wire. Other embodiments are disclosed.