Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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MAGNETIC COUPLING DEVICE WITH REFLECTIVE PLATE AND METHODS
FOR USE THEREWITH
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application claims priority to U.S. Patent Application Serial
No. 15/273,348,
filed 22 September 2016, which is a continuation-in-part of and claims
priority to U.S.
Application No. 14/697,723, filed 28 April 2015. The contents of the foregoing
are hereby
incorporated by reference into this application as if set forth herein in
full.
FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE
[0002] The subject disclosure relates to a method and apparatus for
managing utilization
of wireless resources.
BACKGROUND
[0003] As smart phones and other portable devices increasingly become
ubiquitous, and
data usage increases, macrocell base station devices and existing wireless
infrastructure in turn
require higher bandwidth capability in order to address the increased demand.
To provide
additional mobile bandwidth, small cell deployment is being pursued, with
microcells and
picocells providing coverage for much smaller areas than traditional
macrocells.
[0004] In addition, most homes and businesses have grown to rely on
broadband data
access for services such as voice, video and Internet browsing, etc. Broadband
access networks
include satellite, 4G or 5G wireless, power line communication, fiber, cable,
and telephone
networks.
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BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0005] Reference will now be made to the accompanying drawings, which are
not
necessarily drawn to scale, and wherein:
[0006] FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating an example, non-limiting
embodiment of a
guided-wave communications system in accordance with various aspects described
herein.
[0007] FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating an example, non-limiting
embodiment of a
transmission device in accordance with various aspects described herein.
[0008] FIG. 3 is a graphical diagram illustrating an example, non-limiting
embodiment of
an electromagnetic field distribution in accordance with various aspects
described herein.
[0009] FIG. 4 is a graphical diagram illustrating an example, non-limiting
embodiment of
an electromagnetic field distribution in accordance with various aspects
described herein.
[0010] FIG. 5A is a graphical diagram illustrating an example, non-limiting
embodiment
of a frequency response in accordance with various aspects described herein.
[0011] FIG. 5B is a graphical diagram illustrating example, non-limiting
embodiments of
a longitudinal cross-section of an insulated wire depicting fields of guided
electromagnetic
waves at various operating frequencies in accordance with various aspects
described herein.
[0012] FIG. 6 is a graphical diagram illustrating an example, non-limiting
embodiment of
an electromagnetic field distribution in accordance with various aspects
described herein.
[0013] FIG. 7 is a block diagram illustrating an example, non-limiting
embodiment of an
arc coupler in accordance with various aspects described herein.
[0014] FIG. 8 is a block diagram illustrating an example, non-limiting
embodiment of an
arc coupler in accordance with various aspects described herein.
[0015] FIG. 9A is a block diagram illustrating an example, non-limiting
embodiment of a
stub coupler in accordance with various aspects described herein.
[0016] FIG. 9B is a diagram illustrating an example, non-limiting
embodiment of an
electromagnetic distribution in accordance with various aspects described
herein.
[0017] FIGs. 10A and 10B are block diagrams illustrating example, non-
limiting
embodiments of couplers and transceivers in accordance with various aspects
described herein.
[0018] FIG. 11 is a block diagram illustrating an example, non-limiting
embodiment of a
dual stub coupler in accordance with various aspects described herein.
[0019] FIG. 12 is a block diagram illustrating an example, non-limiting
embodiment of a
repeater system in accordance with various aspects described herein.
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[0020] FIG. 13 illustrates a block diagram illustrating an example, non-
limiting
embodiment of a bidirectional repeater in accordance with various aspects
described herein.
[0021] FIG. 14 is a block diagram illustrating an example, non-limiting
embodiment of a
waveguide system in accordance with various aspects described herein.
[0022] FIG. 15 is a block diagram illustrating an example, non-limiting
embodiment of a
guided-wave communications system in accordance with various aspects described
herein.
[0023] FIGs. 16A and 16B are block diagrams illustrating an example, non-
limiting
embodiment of a system for managing a communication system in accordance with
various
aspects described herein.
[0024] FIG. 17A illustrates a flow diagram of an example, non-limiting
embodiment of a
method for detecting and mitigating disturbances occurring in a communication
network of the
system of FIGs. 16A and 16B.
[0025] FIG. 17B illustrates a flow diagram of an example, non-limiting
embodiment of a
method for detecting and mitigating disturbances occurring in a communication
network of the
system of FIGs. 16A and 16B.
[0026] FIG. 18A is a block diagram illustrating an example, non-limiting
embodiment of
a communication system in accordance with various aspects described herein.
[0027] FIG. 18B is a block diagram illustrating an example, non-limiting
embodiment of
a portion of the communication system of FIG. 18A in accordance with various
aspects
described herein.
[0028] FIGs. 18C-18D are block diagrams illustrating example, non-limiting
embodiments of a communication node of the communication system of FIG. 18A in
accordance with various aspects described herein.
[0029] FIG. 19A is a graphical diagram illustrating an example, non-
limiting embodiment
of downlink and uplink communication techniques for enabling a base station to
communicate
with communication nodes in accordance with various aspects described herein.
[0030] FIG. 19B is a block diagram illustrating an example, non-limiting
embodiment of
a communication node in accordance with various aspects described herein.
[0031] FIG. 19C is a block diagram illustrating an example, non-limiting
embodiment of
a communication node in accordance with various aspects described herein.
[0032] FIG. 19D is a graphical diagram illustrating an example, non-
limiting embodiment
of a frequency spectrum in accordance with various aspects described herein.
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[0033] FIG. 19E is a graphical diagram illustrating an example, non-
limiting embodiment
of a frequency spectrum in accordance with various aspects described herein.
[0034] FIG. 19F is a graphical diagram illustrating an example, non-
limiting embodiment
of a frequency spectrum in accordance with various aspects described herein.
[0035] FIG. 19G is a graphical diagram illustrating an example, non-
limiting embodiment
of a frequency spectrum in accordance with various aspects described herein.
[0036] FIG. 1911 is a block diagram illustrating an example, non-limiting
embodiment of
a transmitter in accordance with various aspects described herein.
[0037] FIG. 191 is a block diagram illustrating an example, non-limiting
embodiment of a
receiver in accordance with various aspects described herein.
[0038] FIG. 20A is a block diagrams of an example, non-limiting embodiment
of a
coupling device in accordance with various aspects described herein.
[0039] FIG. 20B is a graphical diagram of an example, non-limiting
embodiment of a
electromagnetic field distribution in accordance with various aspects
described herein
[0040] FIGs. 20C, 20D, 20E, and 20F are pictorial diagrams of example, non-
limiting
embodiments of coupling device components in accordance with various aspects
described
herein.
[0041] FIG. 20G illustrates a flow diagram of an example, non-limiting
embodiment of a
method.
[0042] FIG. 21 is a block diagram of an example, non-limiting embodiment of
a computing
environment in accordance with various aspects described herein.
[0043] FIG. 22 is a block diagram of an example, non-limiting embodiment of
a mobile
network platform in accordance with various aspects described herein.
[0044] FIG. 23 is a block diagram of an example, non-limiting embodiment of
a
communication device in accordance with various aspects described herein.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0045] One or more embodiments are now described with reference to the
drawings,
wherein like reference numerals are used to refer to like elements throughout.
In the following
description, for purposes of explanation, numerous details are set forth in
order to provide a
thorough understanding of the various embodiments. It is evident, however,
that the various
embodiments can be practiced without these details (and without applying to
any particular
networked environment or standard).
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[0046] In an embodiment, a guided wave communication system is presented
for sending
and receiving communication signals such as data or other signaling via guided
electromagnetic waves. The guided electromagnetic waves include, for example,
surface
waves or other electromagnetic waves that are bound to or guided by a
transmission medium.
It will be appreciated that a variety of transmission media can be utilized
with guided wave
communications without departing from example embodiments. Examples of such
transmission media can include one or more of the following, either alone or
in one or more
combinations: wires, whether insulated or not, and whether single-stranded or
multi-stranded;
conductors of other shapes or configurations including wire bundles, cables,
rods, rails, pipes;
non-conductors such as dielectric pipes, rods, rails, or other dielectric
members; combinations
of conductors and dielectric materials; or other guided wave transmission
media.
[0047] The inducement of guided electromagnetic waves on a transmission
medium can be
independent of any electrical potential, charge or current that is injected or
otherwise
transmitted through the transmission medium as part of an electrical circuit.
For example, in
the case where the transmission medium is a wire, it is to be appreciated that
while a small
current in the wire may be formed in response to the propagation of the guided
waves along
the wire, this can be due to the propagation of the electromagnetic wave along
the wire surface,
and is not formed in response to electrical potential, charge or current that
is injected into the
wire as part of an electrical circuit. The electromagnetic waves traveling on
the wire therefore
do not require a circuit to propagate along the wire surface. The wire
therefore is a single wire
transmission line that is not part of a circuit. Also, in some embodiments, a
wire is not
necessary, and the electromagnetic waves can propagate along a single line
transmission
medium that is not a wire.
[0048] More generally, "guided electromagnetic waves" or "guided waves" as
described
by the subject disclosure are affected by the presence of a physical object
that is at least a part
of the transmission medium (e.g., a bare wire or other conductor, a
dielectric, an insulated wire,
a conduit or other hollow element, a bundle of insulated wires that is coated,
covered or
surrounded by a dielectric or insulator or other wire bundle, or another form
of solid, liquid or
otherwise non-gaseous transmission medium) so as to be at least partially
bound to or guided
by the physical object and so as to propagate along a transmission path of the
physical
object. Such a physical object can operate as at least a part of a
transmission medium that
guides, by way of an interface of the transmission medium (e.g., an outer
surface, inner surface,
an interior portion between the outer and the inner surfaces or other boundary
between elements
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of the transmission medium), the propagation of guided electromagnetic waves,
which in turn
can carry energy, data and/or other signals along the transmission path from a
sending device
to a receiving device.
[0049] Unlike free space propagation of wireless signals such as unguided
(or unbounded)
electromagnetic waves that decrease in intensity inversely by the square of
the distance traveled
by the unguided electromagnetic waves, guided electromagnetic waves can
propagate along a
transmission medium with less loss in magnitude per unit distance than
experienced by
unguided electromagnetic waves.
[0050] Unlike electrical signals, guided electromagnetic waves can
propagate from a
sending device to a receiving device without requiring a separate electrical
return path between
the sending device and the receiving device. As a consequence, guided
electromagnetic waves
can propagate from a sending device to a receiving device along a transmission
medium having
no conductive components (e.g., a dielectric strip), or via a transmission
medium having no
more than a single conductor (e.g., a single bare wire or insulated wire).
Even if a transmission
medium includes one or more conductive components and the guided
electromagnetic waves
propagating along the transmission medium generate currents that flow in the
one or more
conductive components in a direction of the guided electromagnetic waves, such
guided
electromagnetic waves can propagate along the transmission medium from a
sending device to
a receiving device without requiring a flow of opposing currents on an
electrical return path
between the sending device and the receiving device.
[0051] In a non-limiting illustration, consider electrical systems that
transmit and receive
electrical signals between sending and receiving devices by way of conductive
media. Such
systems generally rely on electrically separate forward and return paths. For
instance, consider
a coaxial cable having a center conductor and a ground shield that are
separated by an insulator.
Typically, in an electrical system a first terminal of a sending (or
receiving) device can be
connected to the center conductor, and a second terminal of the sending (or
receiving) device
can be connected to the ground shield. If the sending device injects an
electrical signal in the
center conductor via the first terminal, the electrical signal will propagate
along the center
conductor causing forward currents in the center conductor, and return
currents in the ground
shield. The same conditions apply for a two terminal receiving device.
[0052] In contrast, consider a guided wave communication system such as
described in the
subject disclosure, which can utilize different embodiments of a transmission
medium
(including among others a coaxial cable) for transmitting and receiving guided
electromagnetic
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waves without an electrical return path. In one embodiment, for example, the
guided wave
communication system of the subject disclosure can be configured to induce
guided
electromagnetic waves that propagate along an outer surface of a coaxial
cable. Although the
guided electromagnetic waves will cause forward currents on the ground shield,
the guided
electromagnetic waves do not require return currents to enable the guided
electromagnetic
waves to propagate along the outer surface of the coaxial cable. The same can
be said of other
transmission media used by a guided wave communication system for the
transmission and
reception of guided electromagnetic waves. For example, guided electromagnetic
waves
induced by the guided wave communication system on an outer surface of a bare
wire, or an
insulated wire can propagate along the bare wire or the insulated bare wire
without an electrical
return path.
[0053] Consequently, electrical systems that require two or more conductors
for carrying
forward and reverse currents on separate conductors to enable the propagation
of electrical
signals injected by a sending device are distinct from guided wave systems
that induce guided
electromagnetic waves on an interface of a transmission medium without the
need of an
electrical return path to enable the propagation of the guided electromagnetic
waves along the
interface of the transmission medium.
[0054] It is further noted that guided electromagnetic waves as described
in the subject
disclosure can have an electromagnetic field structure that lies primarily or
substantially
outside of a transmission medium so as to be bound to or guided by the
transmission medium
and so as to propagate non-trivial distances on or along an outer surface of
the transmission
medium. In other embodiments, guided electromagnetic waves can have an
electromagnetic
field structure that lies primarily or substantially inside a transmission
medium so as to be
bound to or guided by the transmission medium and so as to propagate non-
trivial distances
within the transmission medium. In other embodiments, guided electromagnetic
waves can
have an electromagnetic field structure that lies partially inside and
partially outside a
transmission medium so as to be bound to or guided by the transmission medium
and so as to
propagate non-trivial distances along the transmission medium. The desired
electronic field
structure in an embodiment may vary based upon a variety of factors, including
the desired
transmission distance, the characteristics of the transmission medium itself,
and environmental
conditions/characteristics outside of the transmission medium (e.g., presence
of rain, fog,
atmospheric conditions, etc.).
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[0055] It is further noted that guided wave systems as described in the
subject disclosure
also differ from fiber optical systems. Guided wave systems of the subject
disclosure can
induce guided electromagnetic waves on an interface of a transmission medium
constructed of
an opaque material (e.g., a dielectric cable made of polyethylene) or a
material that is otherwise
resistive to the transmission of light waves (e.g., a bare conductive wire or
an insulated
conductive wire) enabling propagation of the guided electromagnetic waves
along the interface
of the transmission medium over non-trivial distances. Fiber optic systems in
contrast cannot
function with a transmission medium that is opaque or other resistive to the
transmission of
light waves.
[0056] Various embodiments described herein relate to coupling devices,
that can be
referred to as "waveguide coupling devices", "waveguide couplers" or more
simply as
"couplers", "coupling devices" or "launchers" for launching and/or extracting
guided
electromagnetic waves to and from a transmission medium at millimeter-wave
frequencies
(e.g., 30 to 300 GHz), wherein the wavelength can be small compared to one or
more
dimensions of the coupling device and/or the transmission medium such as the
circumference
of a wire or other cross sectional dimension, or lower microwave frequencies
such as 300M1Hz
to 30GHz. Transmissions can be generated to propagate as waves guided by a
coupling device,
such as: a strip, arc or other length of dielectric material; a horn,
monopole, rod, slot or other
antenna; an array of antennas; a magnetic resonant cavity, or other resonant
coupler; a coil, a
strip line, a waveguide or other coupling device. In operation, the coupling
device receives an
electromagnetic wave from a transmitter or transmission medium. The
electromagnetic field
structure of the electromagnetic wave can be carried inside the coupling
device, outside the
coupling device or some combination thereof. When the coupling device is in
close proximity
to a transmission medium, at least a portion of an electromagnetic wave
couples to or is bound
to the transmission medium, and continues to propagate as guided
electromagnetic waves. In
a reciprocal fashion, a coupling device can extract guided waves from a
transmission medium
and transfer these electromagnetic waves to a receiver.
[0057] According to an example embodiment, a surface wave is a type of
guided wave that
is guided by a surface of a transmission medium, such as an exterior or outer
surface of the
wire, or another surface of the wire that is adjacent to or exposed to another
type of medium
having different properties (e.g., dielectric properties). Indeed, in an
example embodiment, a
surface of the wire that guides a surface wave can represent a transitional
surface between two
different types of media. For example, in the case of a bare or uninsulated
wire, the surface of
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the wire can be the outer or exterior conductive surface of the bare or
uninsulated wire that is
exposed to air or free space. As another example, in the case of insulated
wire, the surface of
the wire can be the conductive portion of the wire that meets the insulator
portion of the wire,
or can otherwise be the insulator surface of the wire that is exposed to air
or free space, or can
otherwise be any material region between the insulator surface of the wire and
the conductive
portion of the wire that meets the insulator portion of the wire, depending
upon the relative
differences in the properties (e.g., dielectric properties) of the insulator,
air, and/or the
conductor and further dependent on the frequency and propagation mode or modes
of the
guided wave.
[0058] According to an example embodiment, the term "about" a wire or other
transmission medium used in conjunction with a guided wave can include
fundamental guided
wave propagation modes such as a guided waves having a circular or
substantially circular field
distribution, a symmetrical electromagnetic field distribution (e.g., electric
field, magnetic
field, electromagnetic field, etc.) or other fundamental mode pattern at least
partially around a
wire or other transmission medium. In addition, when a guided wave propagates
"about" a
wire or other transmission medium, it can do so according to a guided wave
propagation mode
that includes not only the fundamental wave propagation modes (e.g., zero
order modes), but
additionally or alternatively non-fundamental wave propagation modes such as
higher-order
guided wave modes (e.g., 1st order modes, 2nd order modes, etc.), asymmetrical
modes and/or
other guided (e.g., surface) waves that have non-circular field distributions
around a wire or
other transmission medium. As used herein, the term "guided wave mode" refers
to a guided
wave propagation mode of a transmission medium, coupling device or other
system component
of a guided wave communication system.
[0059] For example, such non-circular field distributions can be unilateral
or multi-lateral
with one or more axial lobes characterized by relatively higher field strength
and/or one or
more nulls or null regions characterized by relatively low-field strength,
zero-field strength or
substantially zero-field strength. Further, the field distribution can
otherwise vary as a function
of azimuthal orientation around the wire such that one or more angular regions
around the wire
have an electric or magnetic field strength (or combination thereof) that is
higher than one or
more other angular regions of azimuthal orientation, according to an example
embodiment. It
will be appreciated that the relative orientations or positions of the guided
wave higher order
modes or asymmetrical modes can vary as the guided wave travels along the
wire.
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[0060] As used herein, the term "millimeter-wave" can refer to
electromagnetic
waves/signals that fall within the "millimeter-wave frequency band" of 30 GHz
to 300 GHz.
The term "microwave" can refer to electromagnetic waves/signals that fall
within a
"microwave frequency band" of 300 MHz to 300 GHz. The term "radio frequency"
or "RF"
can refer to electromagnetic waves/signals that fall within the "radio
frequency band" of 10
kHz to 1 THz. It is appreciated that wireless signals, electrical signals, and
guided
electromagnetic waves as described in the subject disclosure can be configured
to operate at
any desirable frequency range, such as, for example, at frequencies within,
above or below
millimeter-wave and/or microwave frequency bands. In particular, when a
coupling device or
transmission medium includes a conductive element, the frequency of the guided
electromagnetic waves that are carried by the coupling device and/or propagate
along the
transmission medium can be below the mean collision frequency of the electrons
in the
conductive element. Further, the frequency of the guided electromagnetic waves
that are
carried by the coupling device and/or propagate along the transmission medium
can be a non-
optical frequency, e.g., a radio frequency below the range of optical
frequencies that begins at
1 THz.
[0061] As used herein, the term "antenna" can refer to a device that is
part of a transmitting
or receiving system to transmit/radiate or receive wireless signals.
[0062] In accordance with one or more embodiments, a coupling device
includes a
receiving portion, that receives a radio frequency signal conveying data from
a transmitting
device. A magnetic coupler magnetically couples the radio frequency signal to
a transmission
medium as a guided electromagnetic wave that is bound by an outer surface of
the transmission
medium. A cap includes a dielectric portion that secures the transmission
medium adjacent to
the magnetic coupler and a reflective plate reduces electromagnetic emissions
from the
magnetic coupler.
[0063] In accordance with one or more embodiments, a coupling device
includes a
receiving portion that receives a radio frequency signal conveying data. A
cavity resonator
magnetically couples the radio frequency signal to a wire as a guided
electromagnetic wave
that is bound by the wire. A cap includes a dielectric portion that secures
the wire adjacent to
the cavity resonator and a reflective plate that reduces electromagnetic
emissions from the
cavity resonator.
[0064] In accordance with one or more embodiments, a method includes
receiving, via a
receiving portion, a signal and launching, via a cavity resonator, the signal
on a transmission
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medium as a guided electromagnetic wave that is bound by an outer surface of
the transmission
medium, wherein a dielectric portion secures the wire adjacent to the cavity
resonator and a
reflective plate reduces electromagnetic emissions from the cavity resonator.
[0065] Referring now to FIG. 1, a block diagram 100 illustrating an
example, non-limiting
embodiment of a guided wave communications system is shown. In operation, a
transmission
device 101 receives one or more communication signals 110 from a communication
network
or other communications device that includes data and generates guided waves
120 to convey
the data via the transmission medium 125 to the transmission device 102. The
transmission
device 102 receives the guided waves 120 and converts them to communication
signals 112
that include the data for transmission to a communications network or other
communications
device. The guided waves 120 can be modulated to convey data via a modulation
technique
such as phase shift keying, frequency shift keying, quadrature amplitude
modulation, amplitude
modulation, multi-carrier modulation such as orthogonal frequency division
multiplexing and
via multiple access techniques such as frequency division multiplexing, time
division
multiplexing, code division multiplexing, multiplexing via differing wave
propagation modes
and via other modulation and access strategies.
[0066] The communication network or networks can include a wireless
communication
network such as a mobile data network, a cellular voice and data network, a
wireless local area
network (e.g., WiFi or an 802.xx network), a satellite communications network,
a personal area
network or other wireless network. The communication network or networks can
also include
a wired communication network such as a telephone network, an Ethernet
network, a local area
network, a wide area network such as the Internet, a broadband access network,
a cable
network, a fiber optic network, or other wired network. The communication
devices can
include a network edge device, bridge device or home gateway, a set-top box,
broadband
modem, telephone adapter, access point, base station, or other fixed
communication device, a
mobile communication device such as an automotive gateway or automobile,
laptop computer,
tablet, smartphone, cellular telephone, or other communication device.
[0067] In an example embodiment, the guided wave communication system 100
can
operate in a bi-directional fashion where transmission device 102 receives one
or more
communication signals 112 from a communication network or device that includes
other data
and generates guided waves 122 to convey the other data via the transmission
medium 125 to
the transmission device 101. In this mode of operation, the transmission
device 101 receives
the guided waves 122 and converts them to communication signals 110 that
include the other
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data for transmission to a communications network or device. The guided waves
122 can be
modulated to convey data via a modulation technique such as phase shift
keying, frequency
shift keying, quadrature amplitude modulation, amplitude modulation, multi-
carrier
modulation such as orthogonal frequency division multiplexing and via multiple
access
techniques such as frequency division multiplexing, time division
multiplexing, code division
multiplexing, multiplexing via differing wave propagation modes and via other
modulation and
access strategies.
[0068] The
transmission medium 125 can include a cable having at least one inner portion
surrounded by a dielectric material such as an insulator or other dielectric
cover, coating or
other dielectric material, the dielectric material having an outer surface and
a corresponding
circumference. In an example embodiment, the transmission medium 125 operates
as a single-
wire transmission line to guide the transmission of an electromagnetic wave.
When the
transmission medium 125 is implemented as a single wire transmission system,
it can include
a wire. The wire can be insulated or uninsulated, and single-stranded or multi-
stranded (e.g.,
braided). In other embodiments, the transmission medium 125 can contain
conductors of other
shapes or configurations including wire bundles, cables, rods, rails, pipes.
In addition, the
transmission medium 125 can include non-conductors such as dielectric pipes,
rods, rails, or
other dielectric members; combinations of conductors and dielectric materials,
conductors
without dielectric materials or other guided wave transmission media. It
should be noted that
the transmission medium 125 can otherwise include any of the transmission
media previously
discussed.
[0069]
Further, as previously discussed, the guided waves 120 and 122 can be
contrasted
with radio transmissions over free space / air or conventional propagation of
electrical power
or signals through the conductor of a wire via an electrical circuit. In
addition to the
propagation of guided waves 120 and 122, the transmission medium 125 may
optionally
contain one or more wires that propagate electrical power or other
communication signals in a
conventional manner as a part of one or more electrical circuits.
[0070]
Referring now to FIG. 2, a block diagram 200 illustrating an example, non-
limiting
embodiment of a transmission device is shown. The transmission device 101 or
102 includes
a communications interface (I/F) 205, a transceiver 210 and a coupler 220.
[0071] In
an example of operation, the communications interface 205 receives a
communication signal 110 or 112 that includes data. In various embodiments,
the
communications interface 205 can include a wireless interface for receiving a
wireless
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communication signal in accordance with a wireless standard protocol such as
LTE or other
cellular voice and data protocol, WiFi or an 802.11 protocol, WIMAX protocol,
Ultra
Wideband protocol, Bluetooth protocol, Zigbee protocol, a direct broadcast
satellite (DB S) or
other satellite communication protocol or other wireless protocol. In addition
or in the
alternative, the communications interface 205 includes a wired interface that
operates in
accordance with an Ethernet protocol, universal serial bus (USB) protocol, a
data over cable
service interface specification (DOCSIS) protocol, a digital subscriber line
(DSL) protocol, a
Firewire (IEEE 1394) protocol, or other wired protocol. In additional to
standards-based
protocols, the communications interface 205 can operate in conjunction with
other wired or
wireless protocol. In addition, the communications interface 205 can
optionally operate in
conjunction with a protocol stack that includes multiple protocol layers
including a MAC
protocol, transport protocol, application protocol, etc.
[0072] In an example of operation, the transceiver 210 generates an
electromagnetic wave
based on the communication signal 110 or 112 to convey the data. The
electromagnetic wave
has at least one carrier frequency and at least one corresponding wavelength.
The carrier
frequency can be within a millimeter-wave frequency band of 30GHz ¨ 300GHz,
such as
60GHz or a carrier frequency in the range of 30-40GHz or a lower frequency
band of 300 MHz
¨ 30GHz in the microwave frequency range such as 26-30GHz, 11 GHz, 6 GHz or
3GHz, but
it will be appreciated that other carrier frequencies are possible in other
embodiments. In one
mode of operation, the transceiver 210 merely upconverts the communications
signal or signals
110 or 112 for transmission of the electromagnetic signal in the microwave or
millimeter-wave
band as a guided electromagnetic wave that is guided by or bound to the
transmission medium
125. In another mode of operation, the communications interface 205 either
converts the
communication signal 110 or 112 to a baseband or near baseband signal or
extracts the data
from the communication signal 110 or 112 and the transceiver 210 modulates a
high-frequency
carrier with the data, the baseband or near baseband signal for transmission.
It should be
appreciated that the transceiver 210 can modulate the data received via the
communication
signal 110 or 112 to preserve one or more data communication protocols of the
communication
signal 110 or 112 either by encapsulation in the payload of a different
protocol or by simple
frequency shifting. In the alternative, the transceiver 210 can otherwise
translate the data
received via the communication signal 110 or 112 to a protocol that is
different from the data
communication protocol or protocols of the communication signal 110 or 112.
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[0073] In an example of operation, the coupler 220 couples the
electromagnetic wave to
the transmission medium 125 as a guided electromagnetic wave to convey the
communications
signal or signals 110 or 112. While the prior description has focused on the
operation of the
transceiver 210 as a transmitter, the transceiver 210 can also operate to
receive electromagnetic
waves that convey other data from the single wire transmission medium via the
coupler 220
and to generate communications signals 110 or 112, via communications
interface 205 that
includes the other data. Consider embodiments where an additional guided
electromagnetic
wave conveys other data that also propagates along the transmission medium
125. The coupler
220 can also couple this additional electromagnetic wave from the transmission
medium 125
to the transceiver 210 for reception.
[0074] The transmission device 101 or 102 includes an optional training
controller 230. In
an example embodiment, the training controller 230 is implemented by a
standalone processor
or a processor that is shared with one or more other components of the
transmission device 101
or 102. The training controller 230 selects the carrier frequencies,
modulation schemes and/or
guided wave modes for the guided electromagnetic waves based on feedback data
received by
the transceiver 210 from at least one remote transmission device coupled to
receive the guided
electromagnetic wave.
[0075] In an example embodiment, a guided electromagnetic wave transmitted
by a remote
transmission device 101 or 102 conveys data that also propagates along the
transmission
medium 125. The data from the remote transmission device 101 or 102 can be
generated to
include the feedback data. In operation, the coupler 220 also couples the
guided
electromagnetic wave from the transmission medium 125 and the transceiver
receives the
electromagnetic wave and processes the electromagnetic wave to extract the
feedback data.
[0076] In an example embodiment, the training controller 230 operates based
on the
feedback data to evaluate a plurality of candidate frequencies, modulation
schemes and/or
transmission modes to select a carrier frequency, modulation scheme and/or
transmission mode
to enhance performance, such as throughput, signal strength, reduce
propagation loss, etc.
[0077] Consider the following example: a transmission device 101 begins
operation under
control of the training controller 230 by sending a plurality of guided waves
as test signals such
as pilot waves or other test signals at a corresponding plurality of candidate
frequencies and/or
candidate modes directed to a remote transmission device 102 coupled to the
transmission
medium 125. The guided waves can include, in addition or in the alternative,
test data. The
test data can indicate the particular candidate frequency and/or guide-wave
mode of the signal.
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In an embodiment, the training controller 230 at the remote transmission
device 102 receives
the test signals and/or test data from any of the guided waves that were
properly received and
determines the best candidate frequency and/or guided wave mode, a set of
acceptable
candidate frequencies and/or guided wave modes, or a rank ordering of
candidate frequencies
and/or guided wave modes. This selection of candidate frequenc(ies) or/and
guided-mode(s)
are generated by the training controller 230 based on one or more optimizing
criteria such as
received signal strength, bit error rate, packet error rate, signal to noise
ratio, propagation loss,
etc. The training controller 230 generates feedback data that indicates the
selection of
candidate frequenc(ies) or/and guided wave mode(s) and sends the feedback data
to the
transceiver 210 for transmission to the transmission device 101. The
transmission device 101
and 102 can then communicate data with one another based on the selection of
candidate
frequenc(ies) or/and guided wave mode(s).
[0078] In other embodiments, the guided electromagnetic waves that contain
the test
signals and/or test data are reflected back, repeated back or otherwise looped
back by the
remote transmission device 102 to the transmission device 101 for reception
and analysis by
the training controller 230 of the transmission device 101 that initiated
these waves. For
example, the transmission device 101 can send a signal to the remote
transmission device 102
to initiate a test mode where a physical reflector is switched on the line, a
termination
impedance is changed to cause reflections, a loop back mode is switched on to
couple
electromagnetic waves back to the source transmission device 102, and/or a
repeater mode is
enabled to amplify and retransmit the electromagnetic waves back to the source
transmission
device 102. The training controller 230 at the source transmission device 102
receives the test
signals and/or test data from any of the guided waves that were properly
received and
determines selection of candidate frequenc(ies) or/and guided wave mode(s).
[0079] While the procedure above has been described in a start-up or
initialization mode
of operation, each transmission device 101 or 102 can send test signals,
evaluate candidate
frequencies or guided wave modes via non-test such as normal transmissions or
otherwise
evaluate candidate frequencies or guided wave modes at other times or
continuously as well.
In an example embodiment, the communication protocol between the transmission
devices 101
and 102 can include an on-request or periodic test mode where either full
testing or more
limited testing of a subset of candidate frequencies and guided wave modes are
tested and
evaluated. In other modes of operation, the re-entry into such a test mode can
be triggered by
a degradation of performance due to a disturbance, weather conditions, etc. In
an example
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embodiment, the receiver bandwidth of the transceiver 210 is either
sufficiently wide or swept
to receive all candidate frequencies or can be selectively adjusted by the
training controller 230
to a training mode where the receiver bandwidth of the transceiver 210 is
sufficiently wide or
swept to receive all candidate frequencies.
[0080] Referring now to FIG. 3, a graphical diagram 300 illustrating an
example, non-
limiting embodiment of an electromagnetic field distribution is shown. In this
embodiment, a
transmission medium 125 in air includes an inner conductor 301 and an
insulating jacket 302
of dielectric material, as shown in cross section. The diagram 300 includes
different gray-
scales that represent differing electromagnetic field strengths generated by
the propagation of
the guided wave having an asymmetrical and non-fundamental guided wave mode.
[0081] In particular, the electromagnetic field distribution corresponds to
a modal "sweet
spot" that enhances guided electromagnetic wave propagation along an insulated
transmission
medium and reduces end-to-end transmission loss. In this particular mode,
electromagnetic
waves are guided by the transmission medium 125 to propagate along an outer
surface of the
transmission medium ¨ in this case, the outer surface of the insulating jacket
302.
Electromagnetic waves are partially embedded in the insulator and partially
radiating on the
outer surface of the insulator. In this fashion, electromagnetic waves are
"lightly" coupled to
the insulator so as to enable electromagnetic wave propagation at long
distances with low
propagation loss.
[0082] As shown, the guided wave has a field structure that lies primarily
or substantially
outside of the transmission medium 125 that serves to guide the
electromagnetic waves. The
regions inside the conductor 301 have little or no field. Likewise regions
inside the insulating
jacket 302 have low field strength. The majority of the electromagnetic field
strength is
distributed in the lobes 304 at the outer surface of the insulating jacket 302
and in close
proximity thereof. The presence of an asymmetric guided wave mode is shown by
the high
electromagnetic field strengths at the top and bottom of the outer surface of
the insulating jacket
302 (in the orientation of the diagram) ¨ as opposed to very small field
strengths on the other
sides of the insulating jacket 302.
[0083] The example shown corresponds to a 38 GHz electromagnetic wave
guided by a
wire with a diameter of 1.1 cm and a dielectric insulation of thickness of
0.36 cm. Because the
electromagnetic wave is guided by the transmission medium 125 and the majority
of the field
strength is concentrated in the air outside of the insulating jacket 302
within a limited distance
of the outer surface, the guided wave can propagate longitudinally down the
transmission
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medium 125 with very low loss. In the example shown, this "limited distance"
corresponds to
a distance from the outer surface that is less than half the largest cross
sectional dimension of
the transmission medium 125. In this case, the largest cross sectional
dimension of the wire
corresponds to the overall diameter of 1.82 cm, however, this value can vary
with the size and
shape of the transmission medium 125. For example, should the transmission
medium 125 be
of a rectangular shape with a height of .3cm and a width of .4cm, the largest
cross sectional
dimension would be the diagonal of .5cm and the corresponding limited distance
would be
.25cm. The dimensions of the area containing the majority of the field
strength also vary with
the frequency, and in general, increase as carrier frequencies decrease.
[0084] It should also be noted that the components of a guided wave
communication
system, such as couplers and transmission media can have their own cut-off
frequencies for
each guided wave mode. The cut-off frequency generally sets forth the lowest
frequency that
a particular guided wave mode is designed to be supported by that particular
component. In an
example embodiment, the particular asymmetric mode of propagation shown is
induced on the
transmission medium 125 by an electromagnetic wave having a frequency that
falls within a
limited range (such as Fc to 2Fc) of the lower cut-off frequency Fc for this
particular
asymmetric mode. The lower cut-off frequency Fc is particular to the
characteristics of
transmission medium 125. For embodiments as shown that include an inner
conductor 301
surrounded by an insulating jacket 302, this cutoff frequency can vary based
on the dimensions
and properties of the insulating jacket 302 and potentially the dimensions and
properties of the
inner conductor 301 and can be determined experimentally to have a desired
mode pattern. It
should be noted however, that similar effects can be found for a hollow
dielectric or insulator
without an inner conductor. In this case, the cutoff frequency can vary based
on the dimensions
and properties of the hollow dielectric or insulator.
[0085] At frequencies lower than the lower cut-off frequency, the
asymmetric mode is
difficult to induce in the transmission medium 125 and fails to propagate for
all but trivial
distances. As the frequency increases above the limited range of frequencies
about the cut-off
frequency, the asymmetric mode shifts more and more inward of the insulating
jacket 302. At
frequencies much larger than the cut-off frequency, the field strength is no
longer concentrated
outside of the insulating jacket, but primarily inside of the insulating
jacket 302. While the
transmission medium 125 provides strong guidance to the electromagnetic wave
and
propagation is still possible, ranges are more limited by increased losses due
to propagation
within the insulating jacket 302 -- as opposed to the surrounding air.
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[0086] Referring now to FIG. 4, a graphical diagram 400 illustrating an
example, non-
limiting embodiment of an electromagnetic field distribution is shown. In
particular, a cross
section diagram 400, similar to FIG. 3 is shown with common reference numerals
used to refer
to similar elements. The example shown corresponds to a 60 GHz wave guided by
a wire with
a diameter of 1.1 cm and a dielectric insulation of thickness of 0.36 cm.
Because the frequency
of the guided wave is above the limited range of the cut-off frequency of this
particular
asymmetric mode, much of the field strength has shifted inward of the
insulating jacket 302.
In particular, the field strength is concentrated primarily inside of the
insulating jacket 302.
While the transmission medium 125 provides strong guidance to the
electromagnetic wave and
propagation is still possible, ranges are more limited when compared with the
embodiment of
FIG. 3, by increased losses due to propagation within the insulating jacket
302.
[0087] Referring now to FIG. 5A, a graphical diagram illustrating an
example, non-
limiting embodiment of a frequency response is shown. In particular, diagram
500 presents a
graph of end-to-end loss (in dB) as a function of frequency, overlaid with
electromagnetic field
distributions 510, 520 and 530 at three points for a 200cm insulated medium
voltage wire. The
boundary between the insulator and the surrounding air is represented by
reference numeral
525 in each electromagnetic field distribution.
[0088] As discussed in conjunction with FIG. 3, an example of a desired
asymmetric mode
of propagation shown is induced on the transmission medium 125 by an
electromagnetic wave
having a frequency that falls within a limited range (such as Fc to 2Fc) of
the lower cut-off
frequency Fc of the transmission medium for this particular asymmetric mode.
In particular,
the electromagnetic field distribution 520 at 6 GHz falls within this modal
"sweet spot" that
enhances electromagnetic wave propagation along an insulated transmission
medium and
reduces end-to-end transmission loss. In this particular mode, guided waves
are partially
embedded in the insulator and partially radiating on the outer surface of the
insulator. In this
fashion, the electromagnetic waves are "lightly" coupled to the insulator so
as to enable guided
electromagnetic wave propagation at long distances with low propagation loss.
[0089] At lower frequencies represented by the electromagnetic field
distribution 510 at 3
GHz, the asymmetric mode radiates more heavily generating higher propagation
losses. At
higher frequencies represented by the electromagnetic field distribution 530
at 9 GHz, the
asymmetric mode shifts more and more inward of the insulating jacket providing
too much
absorption, again generating higher propagation losses.
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[0090] Referring now to FIG. 5B, a graphical diagram 550 illustrating
example, non-
limiting embodiments of a longitudinal cross-section of a transmission medium
125, such as
an insulated wire, depicting fields of guided electromagnetic waves at various
operating
frequencies is shown. As shown in diagram 556, when the guided electromagnetic
waves are
at approximately the cutoff frequency (fi) corresponding to the modal "sweet
spot", the guided
electromagnetic waves are loosely coupled to the insulated wire so that
absorption is reduced,
and the fields of the guided electromagnetic waves are bound sufficiently to
reduce the amount
radiated into the environment (e.g., air). Because absorption and radiation of
the fields of the
guided electromagnetic waves is low, propagation losses are consequently low,
enabling the
guided electromagnetic waves to propagate for longer distances.
[0091] As shown in diagram 554, propagation losses increase when an
operating frequency
of the guide electromagnetic waves increases above about two-times the cutoff
frequency (J)¨
or as referred to, above the range of the "sweet spot". More of the field
strength of the
electromagnetic wave is driven inside the insulating layer, increasing
propagation losses. At
frequencies much higher than the cutoff frequency (fi) the guided
electromagnetic waves are
strongly bound to the insulated wire as a result of the fields emitted by the
guided
electromagnetic waves being concentrated in the insulation layer of the wire,
as shown in
diagram 552. This in turn raises propagation losses further due to absorption
of the guided
electromagnetic waves by the insulation layer. Similarly, propagation losses
increase when the
operating frequency of the guided electromagnetic waves is substantially below
the cutoff
frequency (fi), as shown in diagram 558. At frequencies much lower than the
cutoff frequency
(fi) the guided electromagnetic waves are weakly (or nominally) bound to the
insulated wire
and thereby tend to radiate into the environment (e.g., air), which in turn,
raises propagation
losses due to radiation of the guided electromagnetic waves.
[0092] Referring now to FIG. 6, a graphical diagram 600 illustrating an
example, non-
limiting embodiment of an electromagnetic field distribution is shown. In this
embodiment, a
transmission medium 602 is a bare wire, as shown in cross section. The diagram
300 includes
different gray-scales that represent differing electromagnetic field strengths
generated by the
propagation of a guided wave having a symmetrical and fundamental guided wave
mode at a
single carrier frequency.
[0093] In this particular mode, electromagnetic waves are guided by the
transmission
medium 602 to propagate along an outer surface of the transmission medium ¨ in
this case, the
outer surface of the bare wire. Electromagnetic waves are "lightly" coupled to
the wire so as
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to enable electromagnetic wave propagation at long distances with low
propagation loss. As
shown, the guided wave has a field structure that lies substantially outside
of the transmission
medium 602 that serves to guide the electromagnetic waves. The regions inside
the conductor
602 have little or no field.
[0094] Referring now to FIG. 7, a block diagram 700 illustrating an
example, non-limiting
embodiment of an arc coupler is shown. In particular a coupling device is
presented for use in
a transmission device, such as transmission device 101 or 102 presented in
conjunction with
FIG. 1. The coupling device includes an arc coupler 704 coupled to a
transmitter circuit 712
and termination or damper 714. The arc coupler 704 can be made of a dielectric
material, or
other low-loss insulator (e.g., Teflon, polyethylene, etc.), or made of a
conducting (e.g.,
metallic, non-metallic, etc.) material, or any combination of the foregoing
materials. As shown,
the arc coupler 704 operates as a waveguide and has a wave 706 propagating as
a guided wave
about a waveguide surface of the arc coupler 704. In the embodiment shown, at
least a portion
of the arc coupler 704 can be placed near a wire 702 or other transmission
medium, (such as
transmission medium 125), in order to facilitate coupling between the arc
coupler 704 and the
wire 702 or other transmission medium, as described herein to launch the
guided wave 708 on
the wire. The arc coupler 704 can be placed such that a portion of the curved
arc coupler 704
is tangential to, and parallel or substantially parallel to the wire 702. The
portion of the arc
coupler 704 that is parallel to the wire can be an apex of the curve, or any
point where a tangent
of the curve is parallel to the wire 702. When the arc coupler 704 is
positioned or placed thusly,
the wave 706 travelling along the arc coupler 704 couples, at least in part,
to the wire 702, and
propagates as guided wave 708 around or about the wire surface of the wire 702
and
longitudinally along the wire 702. The guided wave 708 can be characterized as
a surface wave
or other electromagnetic wave that is guided by or bound to the wire 702 or
other transmission
medium.
[0095] A portion of the wave 706 that does not couple to the wire 702
propagates as a wave
710 along the arc coupler 704. It will be appreciated that the arc coupler 704
can be configured
and arranged in a variety of positions in relation to the wire 702 to achieve
a desired level of
coupling or non-coupling of the wave 706 to the wire 702. For example, the
curvature and/or
length of the arc coupler 704 that is parallel or substantially parallel, as
well as its separation
distance (which can include zero separation distance in an embodiment), to the
wire 702 can
be varied without departing from example embodiments. Likewise, the
arrangement of arc
coupler 704 in relation to the wire 702 may be varied based upon
considerations of the
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respective intrinsic characteristics (e.g., thickness, composition,
electromagnetic properties,
etc.) of the wire 702 and the arc coupler 704, as well as the characteristics
(e.g., frequency,
energy level, etc.) of the waves 706 and 708.
[0096] The guided wave 708 stays parallel or substantially parallel to the
wire 702, even
as the wire 702 bends and flexes. Bends in the wire 702 can increase
transmission losses,
which are also dependent on wire diameters, frequency, and materials. If the
dimensions of
the arc coupler 704 are chosen for efficient power transfer, most of the power
in the wave 706
is transferred to the wire 702, with little power remaining in wave 710. It
will be appreciated
that the guided wave 708 can still be multi-modal in nature (discussed
herein), including having
modes that are non-fundamental or asymmetric, while traveling along a path
that is parallel or
substantially parallel to the wire 702, with or without a fundamental
transmission mode. In an
embodiment, non-fundamental or asymmetric modes can be utilized to minimize
transmission
losses and/or obtain increased propagation distances.
[0097] It is noted that the term parallel is generally a geometric
construct which often is
not exactly achievable in real systems. Accordingly, the term parallel as
utilized in the subject
disclosure represents an approximation rather than an exact configuration when
used to
describe embodiments disclosed in the subject disclosure. In an embodiment,
substantially
parallel can include approximations that are within 30 degrees of true
parallel in all dimensions.
[0098] In an embodiment, the wave 706 can exhibit one or more wave
propagation modes.
The arc coupler modes can be dependent on the shape and/or design of the
coupler 704. The
one or more arc coupler modes of wave 706 can generate, influence, or impact
one or more
wave propagation modes of the guided wave 708 propagating along wire 702. It
should be
particularly noted however that the guided wave modes present in the guided
wave 706 may
be the same or different from the guided wave modes of the guided wave 708. In
this fashion,
one or more guided wave modes of the guided wave 706 may not be transferred to
the guided
wave 708, and further one or more guided wave modes of guided wave 708 may not
have been
present in guided wave 706. It should also be noted that the cut-off frequency
of the arc coupler
704 for a particular guided wave mode may be different than the cutoff
frequency of the wire
702 or other transmission medium for that same mode. For example, while the
wire 702 or
other transmission medium may be operated slightly above its cutoff frequency
for a particular
guided wave mode, the arc coupler 704 may be operated well above its cut-off
frequency for
that same mode for low loss, slightly below its cut-off frequency for that
same mode to, for
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example, induce greater coupling and power transfer, or some other point in
relation to the arc
coupler's cutoff frequency for that mode.
[0099] In
an embodiment, the wave propagation modes on the wire 702 can be similar to
the arc coupler modes since both waves 706 and 708 propagate about the outside
of the arc
coupler 704 and wire 702 respectively. In some embodiments, as the wave 706
couples to the
wire 702, the modes can change form, or new modes can be created or generated,
due to the
coupling between the arc coupler 704 and the wire 702. For example,
differences in size,
material, and/or impedances of the arc coupler 704 and wire 702 may create
additional modes
not present in the arc coupler modes and/or suppress some of the arc coupler
modes. The wave
propagation modes can comprise the fundamental transverse electromagnetic mode
(Quasi-
TEMoo), where only small electric and/or magnetic fields extend in the
direction of
propagation, and the electric and magnetic fields extend radially outwards
while the guided
wave propagates along the wire. This guided wave mode can be donut shaped,
where few of
the electromagnetic fields exist within the arc coupler 704 or wire 702.
[0100]
Waves 706 and 708 can comprise a fundamental TEM mode where the fields
extend radially outwards, and also comprise other, non-fundamental (e.g.,
asymmetric, higher-
level, etc.) modes. While particular wave propagation modes are discussed
above, other wave
propagation modes are likewise possible such as transverse electric (TE) and
transverse
magnetic (TM) modes, based on the frequencies employed, the design of the arc
coupler 704,
the dimensions and composition of the wire 702, as well as its surface
characteristics, its
insulation if present, the electromagnetic properties of the surrounding
environment, etc. It
should be noted that, depending on the frequency, the electrical and physical
characteristics of
the wire 702 and the particular wave propagation modes that are generated,
guided wave 708
can travel along the conductive surface of an oxidized uninsulated wire, an
unoxidized
uninsulated wire, an insulated wire and/or along the insulating surface of an
insulated wire.
[0101] In
an embodiment, a diameter of the arc coupler 704 is smaller than the diameter
of the wire 702. For the millimeter-band wavelength being used, the arc
coupler 704 supports
a single waveguide mode that makes up wave 706. This single waveguide mode can
change
as it couples to the wire 702 as guided wave 708. If the arc coupler 704 were
larger, more than
one waveguide mode can be supported, but these additional waveguide modes may
not couple
to the wire 702 as efficiently, and higher coupling losses can result.
However, in some
alternative embodiments, the diameter of the arc coupler 704 can be equal to
or larger than the
diameter of the wire 702, for example, where higher coupling losses are
desirable or when used
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in conjunction with other techniques to otherwise reduce coupling losses
(e.g., impedance
matching with tapering, etc.).
[0102] In an embodiment, the wavelength of the waves 706 and 708 are
comparable in
size, or smaller than a circumference of the arc coupler 704 and the wire 702.
In an example,
if the wire 702 has a diameter of 0.5 cm, and a corresponding circumference of
around 1.5 cm,
the wavelength of the transmission is around 1.5 cm or less, corresponding to
a frequency of
70 GHz or greater. In another embodiment, a suitable frequency of the
transmission and the
carrier-wave signal is in the range of 30 ¨ 100 GHz, perhaps around 30-60 GHz,
and around
38 GHz in one example. In an embodiment, when the circumference of the arc
coupler 704
and wire 702 is comparable in size to, or greater, than a wavelength of the
transmission, the
waves 706 and 708 can exhibit multiple wave propagation modes including
fundamental and/or
non-fundamental (symmetric and/or asymmetric) modes that propagate over
sufficient
distances to support various communication systems described herein. The waves
706 and 708
can therefore comprise more than one type of electric and magnetic field
configuration. In an
embodiment, as the guided wave 708 propagates down the wire 702, the
electrical and magnetic
field configurations will remain the same from end to end of the wire 702. In
other
embodiments, as the guided wave 708 encounters interference (distortion or
obstructions) or
loses energy due to transmission losses or scattering, the electric and
magnetic field
configurations can change as the guided wave 708 propagates down wire 702.
[0103] In an embodiment, the arc coupler 704 can be composed of nylon,
Teflon,
polyethylene, a polyamide, or other plastics. In other embodiments, other
dielectric materials
are possible. The wire surface of wire 702 can be metallic with either a bare
metallic surface,
or can be insulated using plastic, dielectric, insulator or other coating,
jacket or sheathing. In
an embodiment, a dielectric or otherwise non-conducting/insulated waveguide
can be paired
with either a bare/metallic wire or insulated wire. In other embodiments, a
metallic and/or
conductive waveguide can be paired with a bare/metallic wire or insulated
wire. In an
embodiment, an oxidation layer on the bare metallic surface of the wire 702
(e.g., resulting
from exposure of the bare metallic surface to oxygen/air) can also provide
insulating or
dielectric properties similar to those provided by some insulators or
sheathings.
[0104] It is noted that the graphical representations of waves 706, 708
and 710 are
presented merely to illustrate the principles that wave 706 induces or
otherwise launches a
guided wave 708 on a wire 702 that operates, for example, as a single wire
transmission line.
Wave 710 represents the portion of wave 706 that remains on the arc coupler
704 after the
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generation of guided wave 708. The actual electric and magnetic fields
generated as a result
of such wave propagation may vary depending on the frequencies employed, the
particular
wave propagation mode or modes, the design of the arc coupler 704, the
dimensions and
composition of the wire 702, as well as its surface characteristics, its
optional insulation, the
electromagnetic properties of the surrounding environment, etc.
[0105] It is noted that arc coupler 704 can include a termination circuit
or damper 714
at the end of the arc coupler 704 that can absorb leftover radiation or energy
from wave 710.
The termination circuit or damper 714 can prevent and/or minimize the leftover
radiation or
energy from wave 710 reflecting back toward transmitter circuit 712. In an
embodiment, the
termination circuit or damper 714 can include termination resistors, and/or
other components
that perform impedance matching to attenuate reflection. In some embodiments,
if the coupling
efficiencies are high enough, and/or wave 710 is sufficiently small, it may
not be necessary to
use a termination circuit or damper 714. For the sake of simplicity, these
transmitter 712 and
termination circuits or dampers 714 may not be depicted in the other figures,
but in those
embodiments, transmitter and termination circuits or dampers may possibly be
used.
[0106] Further, while a single arc coupler 704 is presented that
generates a single
guided wave 708, multiple arc couplers 704 placed at different points along
the wire 702 and/or
at different azimuthal orientations about the wire can be employed to generate
and receive
multiple guided waves 708 at the same or different frequencies, at the same or
different phases,
at the same or different wave propagation modes.
[0107] FIG. 8, a block diagram 800 illustrating an example, non-limiting
embodiment
of an arc coupler is shown. In the embodiment shown, at least a portion of the
coupler 704 can
be placed near a wire 702 or other transmission medium, (such as transmission
medium 125),
in order to facilitate coupling between the arc coupler 704 and the wire 702
or other
transmission medium, to extract a portion of the guided wave 806 as a guided
wave 808 as
described herein. The arc coupler 704 can be placed such that a portion of the
curved arc
coupler 704 is tangential to, and parallel or substantially parallel to the
wire 702. The portion
of the arc coupler 704 that is parallel to the wire can be an apex of the
curve, or any point where
a tangent of the curve is parallel to the wire 702. When the arc coupler 704
is positioned or
placed thusly, the wave 806 travelling along the wire 702 couples, at least in
part, to the arc
coupler 704, and propagates as guided wave 808 along the arc coupler 704 to a
receiving device
(not expressly shown). A portion of the wave 806 that does not couple to the
arc coupler
propagates as wave 810 along the wire 702 or other transmission medium.
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[0108] In an embodiment, the wave 806 can exhibit one or more wave
propagation
modes. The arc coupler modes can be dependent on the shape and/or design of
the coupler
704. The one or more modes of guided wave 806 can generate, influence, or
impact one or
more guide-wave modes of the guided wave 808 propagating along the arc coupler
704. It
should be particularly noted however that the guided wave modes present in the
guided wave
806 may be the same or different from the guided wave modes of the guided wave
808. In
this fashion, one or more guided wave modes of the guided wave 806 may not be
transferred
to the guided wave 808, and further one or more guided wave modes of guided
wave 808 may
not have been present in guided wave 806.
[0109] Referring now to FIG. 9A, a block diagram 900 illustrating an
example, non-
limiting embodiment of a stub coupler is shown. In particular a coupling
device that includes
stub coupler 904 is presented for use in a transmission device, such as
transmission device 101
or 102 presented in conjunction with FIG. 1. The stub coupler 904 can be made
of a dielectric
material, or other low-loss insulator (e.g., Teflon, polyethylene and etc.),
or made of a
conducting (e.g., metallic, non-metallic, etc.) material, or any combination
of the foregoing
materials. As shown, the stub coupler 904 operates as a waveguide and has a
wave 906
propagating as a guided wave about a waveguide surface of the stub coupler
904. In the
embodiment shown, at least a portion of the stub coupler 904 can be placed
near a wire 702 or
other transmission medium, (such as transmission medium 125), in order to
facilitate coupling
between the stub coupler 904 and the wire 702 or other transmission medium, as
described
herein to launch the guided wave 908 on the wire.
[0110] In an embodiment, the stub coupler 904 is curved, and an end of
the stub coupler
904 can be tied, fastened, or otherwise mechanically coupled to a wire 702.
When the end of
the stub coupler 904 is fastened to the wire 702, the end of the stub coupler
904 is parallel or
substantially parallel to the wire 702. Alternatively, another portion of the
dielectric waveguide
beyond an end can be fastened or coupled to wire 702 such that the fastened or
coupled portion
is parallel or substantially parallel to the wire 702. The fastener 910 can be
a nylon cable tie
or other type of non-conducting/dielectric material that is either separate
from the stub coupler
904 or constructed as an integrated component of the stub coupler 904. The
stub coupler 904
can be adjacent to the wire 702 without surrounding the wire 702.
[0111] Like the arc coupler 704 described in conjunction with FIG. 7,
when the stub
coupler 904 is placed with the end parallel to the wire 702, the guided wave
906 travelling
along the stub coupler 904 couples to the wire 702, and propagates as guided
wave 908 about
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the wire surface of the wire 702. In an example embodiment, the guided wave
908 can be
characterized as a surface wave or other electromagnetic wave.
[0112] It is noted that the graphical representations of waves 906 and
908 are presented
merely to illustrate the principles that wave 906 induces or otherwise
launches a guided wave
908 on a wire 702 that operates, for example, as a single wire transmission
line. The actual
electric and magnetic fields generated as a result of such wave propagation
may vary depending
on one or more of the shape and/or design of the coupler, the relative
position of the dielectric
waveguide to the wire, the frequencies employed, the design of the stub
coupler 904, the
dimensions and composition of the wire 702, as well as its surface
characteristics, its optional
insulation, the electromagnetic properties of the surrounding environment,
etc.
[0113] In an embodiment, an end of stub coupler 904 can taper towards the
wire 702
in order to increase coupling efficiencies. Indeed, the tapering of the end of
the stub coupler
904 can provide impedance matching to the wire 702 and reduce reflections,
according to an
example embodiment of the subject disclosure. For example, an end of the stub
coupler 904
can be gradually tapered in order to obtain a desired level of coupling
between waves 906 and
908 as illustrated in FIG. 9A.
[0114] In an embodiment, the fastener 910 can be placed such that there
is a short length
of the stub coupler 904 between the fastener 910 and an end of the stub
coupler 904. Maximum
coupling efficiencies are realized in this embodiment when the length of the
end of the stub
coupler 904 that is beyond the fastener 910 is at least several wavelengths
long for whatever
frequency is being transmitted.
[0115] Turning now to FIG. 9B, a diagram 950 illustrating an example, non-
limiting
embodiment of an electromagnetic distribution in accordance with various
aspects described
herein is shown. In particular, an electromagnetic distribution is presented
in two dimensions
for a transmission device that includes coupler 952, shown in an example stub
coupler
constructed of a dielectric material. The coupler 952 couples an
electromagnetic wave for
propagation as a guided wave along an outer surface of a wire 702 or other
transmission
medium.
[0116] The coupler 952 guides the electromagnetic wave to a junction at
xo via a
symmetrical guided wave mode. While some of the energy of the electromagnetic
wave that
propagates along the coupler 952 is outside of the coupler 952, the majority
of the energy of
this electromagnetic wave is contained within the coupler 952. The junction at
xo couples the
electromagnetic wave to the wire 702 or other transmission medium at an
azimuthal angle
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corresponding to the bottom of the transmission medium. This coupling induces
an
electromagnetic wave that is guided to propagate along the outer surface of
the wire 702 or
other transmission medium via at least one guided wave mode in direction 956.
The majority
of the energy of the guided electromagnetic wave is outside or, but in close
proximity to the
outer surface of the wire 702 or other transmission medium. In the example
shown, the junction
at xo forms an electromagnetic wave that propagates via both a symmetrical
mode and at least
one asymmetrical surface mode, such as the first order mode presented in
conjunction with
FIG. 3, that skims the surface of the wire 702 or other transmission medium.
[0117] It is noted that the graphical representations of guided waves are
presented
merely to illustrate an example of guided wave coupling and propagation. The
actual electric
and magnetic fields generated as a result of such wave propagation may vary
depending on the
frequencies employed, the design and/or configuration of the coupler 952, the
dimensions and
composition of the wire 702 or other transmission medium, as well as its
surface characteristics,
its insulation if present, the electromagnetic properties of the surrounding
environment, etc.
[0118] Turning now to FIG. 10A, illustrated is a block diagram 1000 of an
example,
non-limiting embodiment of a coupler and transceiver system in accordance with
various
aspects described herein. The system is an example of transmission device 101
or 102. In
particular, the communication interface 1008 is an example of communications
interface 205,
the stub coupler 1002 is an example of coupler 220, and the
transmitter/receiver device 1006,
diplexer 1016, power amplifier 1014, low noise amplifier 1018, frequency
mixers 1010 and
1020 and local oscillator 1012 collectively form an example of transceiver
210.
[0119] In operation, the transmitter/receiver device 1006 launches and
receives waves
(e.g., guided wave 1004 onto stub coupler 1002). The guided waves 1004 can be
used to
transport signals received from and sent to a host device, base station,
mobile devices, a
building or other device by way of a communications interface 1008. The
communications
interface 1008 can be an integral part of system 1000. Alternatively, the
communications
interface 1008 can be tethered to system 1000. The communications interface
1008 can
comprise a wireless interface for interfacing to the host device, base
station, mobile devices, a
building or other device utilizing any of various wireless signaling protocols
(e.g., LTE, WiFi,
WiMAX, IEEE 802.xx, etc.) including an infrared protocol such as an infrared
data association
(IrDA) protocol or other line of sight optical protocol. The communications
interface 1008 can
also comprise a wired interface such as a fiber optic line, coaxial cable,
twisted pair, category
(CAT-5) cable or other suitable wired or optical mediums for communicating
with the host
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device, base station, mobile devices, a building or other device via a
protocol such as an
Ethernet protocol, universal serial bus (USB) protocol, a data over cable
service interface
specification (DOCSIS) protocol, a digital subscriber line (DSL) protocol, a
Firewire (IEEE
1394) protocol, or other wired or optical protocol. For embodiments where
system 1000
functions as a repeater, the communications interface 1008 may not be
necessary.
[0120] The output signals (e.g., Tx) of the communications interface 1008
can be
combined with a carrier wave (e.g., millimeter-wave carrier wave) generated by
a local
oscillator 1012 at frequency mixer 1010. Frequency mixer 1010 can use
heterodyning
techniques or other frequency shifting techniques to frequency shift the
output signals from
communications interface 1008. For example, signals sent to and from the
communications
interface 1008 can be modulated signals such as orthogonal frequency division
multiplexed
(OFDM) signals formatted in accordance with a Long-Term Evolution (LTE)
wireless protocol
or other wireless 3G, 4G, 5G or higher voice and data protocol, a Zigbee,
WIMAX,
UltraWideband or IEEE 802.11 wireless protocol; a wired protocol such as an
Ethernet
protocol, universal serial bus (USB) protocol, a data over cable service
interface specification
(DOCSIS) protocol, a digital subscriber line (DSL) protocol, a Firewire (IEEE
1394) protocol
or other wired or wireless protocol. In an example embodiment, this frequency
conversion can
be done in the analog domain, and as a result, the frequency shifting can be
done without regard
to the type of communications protocol used by a base station, mobile devices,
or in-building
devices. As new communications technologies are developed, the communications
interface
1008 can be upgraded (e.g., updated with software, firmware, and/or hardware)
or replaced and
the frequency shifting and transmission apparatus can remain, simplifying
upgrades. The
carrier wave can then be sent to a power amplifier ("PA") 1014 and can be
transmitted via the
transmitter receiver device 1006 via the diplexer 1016.
[0121] Signals received from the transmitter/receiver device 1006 that
are directed
towards the communications interface 1008 can be separated from other signals
via diplexer
1016. The received signal can then be sent to low noise amplifier ("LNA") 1018
for
amplification. A frequency mixer 1020, with help from local oscillator 1012
can downshift the
received signal (which is in the millimeter-wave band or around 38 GHz in some
embodiments)
to the native frequency. The communications interface 1008 can then receive
the transmission
at an input port (Rx).
[0122] In an embodiment, transmitter/receiver device 1006 can include a
cylindrical or
non-cylindrical metal (which, for example, can be hollow in an embodiment, but
not
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necessarily drawn to scale) or other conducting or non-conducting waveguide
and an end of
the stub coupler 1002 can be placed in or in proximity to the waveguide or the
transmitter/receiver device 1006 such that when the transmitter/receiver
device 1006 generates
a transmission, the guided wave couples to stub coupler 1002 and propagates as
a guided wave
1004 about the waveguide surface of the stub coupler 1002. In some
embodiments, the guided
wave 1004 can propagate in part on the outer surface of the stub coupler 1002
and in part inside
the stub coupler 1002. In other embodiments, the guided wave 1004 can
propagate
substantially or completely on the outer surface of the stub coupler 1002. In
yet other
embodiments, the guided wave 1004 can propagate substantially or completely
inside the stub
coupler 1002. In this latter embodiment, the guided wave 1004 can radiate at
an end of the
stub coupler 1002 (such as the tapered end shown in FIG. 4) for coupling to a
transmission
medium such as a wire 702 of FIG. 7. Similarly, if guided wave 1004 is
incoming (coupled to
the stub coupler 1002 from a wire 702), guided wave 1004 then enters the
transmitter / receiver
device 1006 and couples to the cylindrical waveguide or conducting waveguide.
While
transmitter/receiver device 1006 is shown to include a separate waveguide --
an antenna, cavity
resonator, klystron, magnetron, travelling wave tube, or other radiating
element can be
employed to induce a guided wave on the coupler 1002, with or without the
separate
waveguide.
[0123] In
an embodiment, stub coupler 1002 can be wholly constructed of a dielectric
material (or another suitable insulating material), without any metallic or
otherwise conducting
materials therein. Stub coupler 1002 can be composed of nylon, Teflon,
polyethylene, a
polyamide, other plastics, or other materials that are non-conducting and
suitable for
facilitating transmission of electromagnetic waves at least in part on an
outer surface of such
materials. In
another embodiment, stub coupler 1002 can include a core that is
conducting/metallic, and have an exterior dielectric surface. Similarly, a
transmission medium
that couples to the stub coupler 1002 for propagating electromagnetic waves
induced by the
stub coupler 1002 or for supplying electromagnetic waves to the stub coupler
1002 can, in
addition to being a bare or insulated wire, be wholly constructed of a
dielectric material (or
another suitable insulating material), without any metallic or otherwise
conducting materials
therein.
[0124] It
is noted that although FIG. 10A shows that the opening of transmitter receiver
device 1006 is much wider than the stub coupler 1002, this is not to scale,
and that in other
embodiments the width of the stub coupler 1002 is comparable or slightly
smaller than the
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opening of the hollow waveguide. It is also not shown, but in an embodiment,
an end of the
coupler 1002 that is inserted into the transmitter/receiver device 1006 tapers
down in order to
reduce reflection and increase coupling efficiencies.
[0125] Before coupling to the stub coupler 1002, the one or more
waveguide modes of
the guided wave generated by the transmitter/receiver device 1006 can couple
to the stub
coupler 1002 to induce one or more wave propagation modes of the guided wave
1004. The
wave propagation modes of the guided wave 1004 can be different than the
hollow metal
waveguide modes due to the different characteristics of the hollow metal
waveguide and the
dielectric waveguide. For instance, wave propagation modes of the guided wave
1004 can
comprise the fundamental transverse electromagnetic mode (Quasi-TEM00), where
only small
electrical and/or magnetic fields extend in the direction of propagation, and
the electric and
magnetic fields extend radially outwards from the stub coupler 1002 while the
guided waves
propagate along the stub coupler 1002. The fundamental transverse
electromagnetic mode
wave propagation mode may or may not exist inside a waveguide that is hollow.
Therefore,
the hollow metal waveguide modes that are used by transmitter/receiver device
1006 are
waveguide modes that can couple effectively and efficiently to wave
propagation modes of
stub coupler 1002.
[0126] It will be appreciated that other constructs or combinations of
the
transmitter/receiver device 1006 and stub coupler 1002 are possible. For
example, a stub
coupler 1002' can be placed tangentially or in parallel (with or without a
gap) with respect to
an outer surface of the hollow metal waveguide of the transmitter/receiver
device 1006'
(corresponding circuitry not shown) as depicted by reference 1000' of FIG.
10B. In another
embodiment, not shown by reference 1000', the stub coupler 1002' can be placed
inside the
hollow metal waveguide of the transmitter/receiver device 1006' without an
axis of the stub
coupler 1002' being coaxially aligned with an axis of the hollow metal
waveguide of the
transmitter/receiver device 1006'. In either of these embodiments, the guided
wave generated
by the transmitter/receiver device 1006' can couple to a surface of the stub
coupler 1002' to
induce one or more wave propagation modes of the guided wave 1004' on the stub
coupler
1002' including a fundamental mode (e.g., a symmetric mode) and/or a non-
fundamental mode
(e.g., asymmetric mode).
[0127] In one embodiment, the guided wave 1004' can propagate in part on
the outer
surface of the stub coupler 1002' and in part inside the stub coupler 1002'.
In another
embodiment, the guided wave 1004' can propagate substantially or completely on
the outer
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surface of the stub coupler 1002'. In yet other embodiments, the guided wave
1004' can
propagate substantially or completely inside the stub coupler 1002'. In this
latter embodiment,
the guided wave 1004' can radiate at an end of the stub coupler 1002' (such as
the tapered end
shown in FIG. 9) for coupling to a transmission medium such as a wire 702 of
FIG. 9.
[0128] It will be further appreciated that other constructs the
transmitter/receiver device
1006 are possible. For example, a hollow metal waveguide of a
transmitter/receiver device
1006" (corresponding circuitry not shown), depicted in FIG. 10B as reference
1000", can be
placed tangentially or in parallel (with or without a gap) with respect to an
outer surface of a
transmission medium such as the wire 702 of FIG. 4 without the use of the stub
coupler 1002.
In this embodiment, the guided wave generated by the transmitter/receiver
device 1006" can
couple to a surface of the wire 702 to induce one or more wave propagation
modes of a guided
wave 908 on the wire 702 including a fundamental mode (e.g., a symmetric mode)
and/or a
non-fundamental mode (e.g., asymmetric mode). In another embodiment, the wire
702 can be
positioned inside a hollow metal waveguide of a transmitter/receiver device
1006" '
(corresponding circuitry not shown) so that an axis of the wire 702 is
coaxially (or not
coaxially) aligned with an axis of the hollow metal waveguide without the use
of the stub
coupler 1002¨see FIGs. 10B reference 1000". In this embodiment, the guided
wave
generated by the transmitter/receiver device 1006" ' can couple to a surface
of the wire 702 to
induce one or more wave propagation modes of a guided wave 908 on the wire
including a
fundamental mode (e.g., a symmetric mode) and/or a non-fundamental mode (e.g.,
asymmetric
mode).
[0129] In the embodiments of 1000" and 1000", for a wire 702 having an
insulated
outer surface, the guided wave 908 can propagate in part on the outer surface
of the insulator
and in part inside the insulator. In embodiments, the guided wave 908 can
propagate
substantially or completely on the outer surface of the insulator, or
substantially or completely
inside the insulator. In the embodiments of 1000" and 1000', for a wire 702
that is a bare
conductor, the guided wave 908 can propagate in part on the outer surface of
the conductor and
in part inside the conductor. In another embodiment, the guided wave 908 can
propagate
substantially or completely on the outer surface of the conductor.
[0130] Referring now to FIG. 11, a block diagram 1100 illustrating an
example, non-
limiting embodiment of a dual stub coupler is shown. In particular, a dual
coupler design is
presented for use in a transmission device, such as transmission device 101 or
102 presented
in conjunction with FIG. 1. In an embodiment, two or more couplers (such as
the stub couplers
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1104 and 1106) can be positioned around a wire 1102 in order to receive guided
wave 1108.
In an embodiment, one coupler is enough to receive the guided wave 1108. In
that case, guided
wave 1108 couples to coupler 1104 and propagates as guided wave 1110. If the
field structure
of the guided wave 1108 oscillates or undulates around the wire 1102 due to
the particular
guided wave mode(s) or various outside factors, then coupler 1106 can be
placed such that
guided wave 1108 couples to coupler 1106. In some embodiments, four or more
couplers can
be placed around a portion of the wire 1102, e.g., at 90 degrees or another
spacing with respect
to each other, in order to receive guided waves that may oscillate or rotate
around the wire
1102, that have been induced at different azimuthal orientations or that have
non-fundamental
or higher order modes that, for example, have lobes and/or nulls or other
asymmetries that are
orientation dependent. However, it will be appreciated that there may be less
than or more than
four couplers placed around a portion of the wire 1102 without departing from
example
embodiments.
[0131] It should be noted that while couplers 1106 and 1104 are
illustrated as stub
couplers, any other of the coupler designs described herein including arc
couplers, antenna or
horn couplers, magnetic couplers, etc., could likewise be used. It will also
be appreciated that
while some example embodiments have presented a plurality of couplers around
at least a
portion of a wire 1102, this plurality of couplers can also be considered as
part of a single
coupler system having multiple coupler subcomponents. For example, two or more
couplers
can be manufactured as single system that can be installed around a wire in a
single installation
such that the couplers are either pre-positioned or adjustable relative to
each other (either
manually or automatically with a controllable mechanism such as a motor or
other actuator) in
accordance with the single system.
[0132] Receivers coupled to couplers 1106 and 1104 can use diversity
combining to
combine signals received from both couplers 1106 and 1104 in order to maximize
the signal
quality. In other embodiments, if one or the other of the couplers 1104 and
1106 receive a
transmission that is above a predetermined threshold, receivers can use
selection diversity when
deciding which signal to use. Further, while reception by a plurality of
couplers 1106 and 1104
is illustrated, transmission by couplers 1106 and 1104 in the same
configuration can likewise
take place. In particular, a wide range of multi-input multi-output (MIMO)
transmission and
reception techniques can be employed for transmissions where a transmission
device, such as
transmission device 101 or 102 presented in conjunction with FIG. 1 includes
multiple
transceivers and multiple couplers.
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[0133] It is noted that the graphical representations of waves 1108 and
1110 are
presented merely to illustrate the principles that guided wave 1108 induces or
otherwise
launches a wave 1110 on a coupler 1104. The actual electric and magnetic
fields generated as
a result of such wave propagation may vary depending on the frequencies
employed, the design
of the coupler 1104, the dimensions and composition of the wire 1102, as well
as its surface
characteristics, its insulation if any, the electromagnetic properties of the
surrounding
environment, etc.
[0134] Referring now to FIG. 12, a block diagram 1200 illustrating an
example, non-
limiting embodiment of a repeater system is shown. In particular, a repeater
device 1210 is
presented for use in a transmission device, such as transmission device 101 or
102 presented
in conjunction with FIG. 1. In this system, two couplers 1204 and 1214 can be
placed near a
wire 1202 or other transmission medium such that guided waves 1205 propagating
along the
wire 1202 are extracted by coupler 1204 as wave 1206 (e.g. as a guided wave),
and then are
boosted or repeated by repeater device 1210 and launched as a wave 1216 (e.g.
as a guided
wave) onto coupler 1214. The wave 1216 can then be launched on the wire 1202
and continue
to propagate along the wire 1202 as a guided wave 1217. In an embodiment, the
repeater
device 1210 can receive at least a portion of the power utilized for boosting
or repeating through
magnetic coupling with the wire 1202, for example, when the wire 1202 is a
power line or
otherwise contains a power-carrying conductor. It should be noted that while
couplers 1204
and 1214 are illustrated as stub couplers, any other of the coupler designs
described herein
including arc couplers, antenna or horn couplers, magnetic couplers, or the
like, could likewise
be used.
[0135] In some embodiments, repeater device 1210 can repeat the
transmission
associated with wave 1206, and in other embodiments, repeater device 1210 can
include a
communications interface 205 that extracts data or other signals from the wave
1206 for
supplying such data or signals to another network and/or one or more other
devices as
communication signals 110 or 112 and/or receiving communication signals 110 or
112 from
another network and/or one or more other devices and launch guided wave 1216
having
embedded therein the received communication signals 110 or 112. In a repeater
configuration,
receiver waveguide 1208 can receive the wave 1206 from the coupler 1204 and
transmitter
waveguide 1212 can launch guided wave 1216 onto coupler 1214 as guided wave
1217.
Between receiver waveguide 1208 and transmitter waveguide 1212, the signal
embedded in
guided wave 1206 and/or the guided wave 1216 itself can be amplified to
correct for signal
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loss and other inefficiencies associated with guided wave communications or
the signal can be
received and processed to extract the data contained therein and regenerated
for transmission.
In an embodiment, the receiver waveguide 1208 can be configured to extract
data from the
signal, process the data to correct for data errors utilizing for example
error correcting codes,
and regenerate an updated signal with the corrected data. The transmitter
waveguide 1212 can
then transmit guided wave 1216 with the updated signal embedded therein. In an
embodiment,
a signal embedded in guided wave 1206 can be extracted from the transmission
and processed
for communication with another network and/or one or more other devices via
communications
interface 205 as communication signals 110 or 112. Similarly, communication
signals 110 or
112 received by the communications interface 205 can be inserted into a
transmission of guided
wave 1216 that is generated and launched onto coupler 1214 by transmitter
waveguide 1212.
[0136] It is noted that although FIG. 12 shows guided wave transmissions
1206 and
1216 entering from the left and exiting to the right respectively, this is
merely a simplification
and is not intended to be limiting. In other embodiments, receiver waveguide
1208 and
transmitter waveguide 1212 can also function as transmitters and receivers
respectively,
allowing the repeater device 1210 to be bi-directional.
[0137] In an embodiment, repeater device 1210 can be placed at locations
where there
are discontinuities or obstacles on the wire 1202 or other transmission
medium. In the case
where the wire 1202 is a power line, these obstacles can include transformers,
connections,
utility poles, and other such power line devices. The repeater device 1210 can
help the guided
(e.g., surface) waves jump over these obstacles on the line and boost the
transmission power at
the same time. In other embodiments, a coupler can be used to jump over the
obstacle without
the use of a repeater device. In that embodiment, both ends of the coupler can
be tied or
fastened to the wire, thus providing a path for the guided wave to travel
without being blocked
by the obstacle.
[0138] Turning now to FIG. 13, illustrated is a block diagram 1300 of an
example,
non-limiting embodiment of a bidirectional repeater in accordance with various
aspects
described herein. In particular, a bidirectional repeater device 1306 is
presented for use in a
transmission device, such as transmission device 101 or 102 presented in
conjunction with
FIG. 1. It should be noted that while the couplers are illustrated as stub
couplers, any other of
the coupler designs described herein including arc couplers, antenna or horn
couplers, magnetic
couplers, or the like, could likewise be used. The bidirectional repeater 1306
can employ
diversity paths in the case of when two or more wires or other transmission
media are present.
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Since guided wave transmissions have different transmission efficiencies and
coupling
efficiencies for transmission medium of different types such as insulated
wires, un-insulated
wires or other types of transmission media and further, if exposed to the
elements, can be
affected by weather, and other atmospheric conditions, it can be advantageous
to selectively
transmit on different transmission media at certain times. In various
embodiments, the various
transmission media can be designated as a primary, secondary, tertiary, etc.
whether or not such
designation indicates a preference of one transmission medium over another.
[0139] In the embodiment shown, the transmission media include an
insulated or
uninsulated wire 1302 and an insulated or uninsulated wire 1304 (referred to
herein as wires
1302 and 1304, respectively). The repeater device 1306 uses a receiver coupler
1308 to receive
a guided wave traveling along wire 1302 and repeats the transmission using
transmitter
waveguide 1310 as a guided wave along wire 1304. In other embodiments,
repeater device
1306 can switch from the wire 1304 to the wire 1302, or can repeat the
transmissions along the
same paths. Repeater device 1306 can include sensors, or be in communication
with sensors
(or a network management system 1601 depicted in FIG. 16A) that indicate
conditions that
can affect the transmission. Based on the feedback received from the sensors,
the repeater
device 1306 can make the determination about whether to keep the transmission
along the same
wire, or transfer the transmission to the other wire.
[0140] Turning now to FIG. 14, illustrated is a block diagram 1400
illustrating an
example, non-limiting embodiment of a bidirectional repeater system. In
particular, a
bidirectional repeater system is presented for use in a transmission device,
such as transmission
device 101 or 102 presented in conjunction with FIG. 1. The bidirectional
repeater system
includes waveguide coupling devices 1402 and 1404 that receive and transmit
transmissions
from other coupling devices located in a distributed antenna system or
backhaul system.
[0141] In various embodiments, waveguide coupling device 1402 can receive
a
transmission from another waveguide coupling device, wherein the transmission
has a plurality
of subcarriers. Diplexer 1406 can separate the transmission from other
transmissions, and
direct the transmission to low-noise amplifier ("LNA") 1408. A frequency mixer
1428, with
help from a local oscillator 1412, can downshift the transmission (which is in
the millimeter-
wave band or around 38 GHz in some embodiments) to a lower frequency, such as
a cellular
band (-1.9 GHz) for a distributed antenna system, a native frequency, or other
frequency for a
backhaul system. An extractor (or demultiplexer) 1432 can extract the signal
on a subcarrier
and direct the signal to an output component 1422 for optional amplification,
buffering or
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isolation by power amplifier 1424 for coupling to communications interface
205. The
communications interface 205 can further process the signals received from the
power
amplifier 1424 or otherwise transmit such signals over a wireless or wired
interface to other
devices such as a base station, mobile devices, a building, etc. For the
signals that are not being
extracted at this location, extractor 1432 can redirect them to another
frequency mixer 1436,
where the signals are used to modulate a carrier wave generated by local
oscillator 1414. The
carrier wave, with its subcarriers, is directed to a power amplifier ("PA")
1416 and is
retransmitted by waveguide coupling device 1404 to another system, via
diplexer 1420.
[0142] An
LNA 1426 can be used to amplify, buffer or isolate signals that are received
by the communication interface 205 and then send the signal to a multiplexer
1434 which
merges the signal with signals that have been received from waveguide coupling
device 1404.
The signals received from coupling device 1404 have been split by diplexer
1420, and then
passed through LNA 1418, and downshifted in frequency by frequency mixer 1438.
When the
signals are combined by multiplexer 1434, they are upshifted in frequency by
frequency mixer
1430, and then boosted by PA 1410, and transmitted to another system by
waveguide coupling
device 1402. In an embodiment bidirectional repeater system can be merely a
repeater without
the output device 1422. In this embodiment, the multiplexer 1434 would not be
utilized and
signals from LNA 1418 would be directed to mixer 1430 as previously described.
It will be
appreciated that in some embodiments, the bidirectional repeater system could
also be
implemented using two distinct and separate unidirectional repeaters. In an
alternative
embodiment, a bidirectional repeater system could also be a booster or
otherwise perform
retransmissions without downshifting and upshifting. Indeed in example
embodiment, the
retransmissions can be based upon receiving a signal or guided wave and
performing some
signal or guided wave processing or reshaping, filtering, and/or
amplification, prior to
retransmission of the signal or guided wave.
[0143]
Referring now to FIG. 15, a block diagram 1500 illustrating an example, non-
limiting embodiment of a guided wave communications system is shown. This
diagram depicts
an exemplary environment in which a guided wave communication system, such as
the guided
wave communication system presented in conjunction with FIG. 1, can be used.
[0144] To
provide network connectivity to additional base station devices, a backhaul
network that links the communication cells (e.g., microcells and macrocells)
to network devices
of a core network correspondingly expands. Similarly, to provide network
connectivity to a
distributed antenna system, an extended communication system that links base
station devices
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and their distributed antennas is desirable. A guided wave communication
system 1500 such
as shown in FIG. 15 can be provided to enable alternative, increased or
additional network
connectivity and a waveguide coupling system can be provided to transmit
and/or receive
guided wave (e.g., surface wave) communications on a transmission medium such
as a wire
that operates as a single-wire transmission line (e.g., a utility line), and
that can be used as a
waveguide and/or that otherwise operates to guide the transmission of an
electromagnetic
wave.
[0145] The guided wave communication system 1500 can comprise a first
instance of
a distribution system 1550 that includes one or more base station devices
(e.g., base station
device 1504) that are communicably coupled to a central office 1501 and/or a
macrocell site
1502. Base station device 1504 can be connected by a wired (e.g., fiber and/or
cable), or by a
wireless (e.g., microwave wireless) connection to the macrocell site 1502 and
the central office
1501. A second instance of the distribution system 1560 can be used to provide
wireless voice
and data services to mobile device 1522 and to residential and/or commercial
establishments
1542 (herein referred to as establishments 1542). System 1500 can have
additional instances
of the distribution systems 1550 and 1560 for providing voice and/or data
services to mobile
devices 1522-1524 and establishments 1542 as shown in FIG. 15.
[0146] Macrocells such as macrocell site 1502 can have dedicated
connections to a
mobile network and base station device 1504 or can share and/or otherwise use
another
connection. Central office 1501 can be used to distribute media content and/or
provide internet
service provider (ISP) services to mobile devices 1522-1524 and establishments
1542. The
central office 1501 can receive media content from a constellation of
satellites 1530 (one of
which is shown in FIG. 15) or other sources of content, and distribute such
content to mobile
devices 1522-1524 and establishments 1542 via the first and second instances
of the
distribution system 1550 and 1560. The central office 1501 can also be
communicatively
coupled to the Internet 1503 for providing internet data services to mobile
devices 1522-1524
and establishments 1542.
[0147] Base station device 1504 can be mounted on, or attached to,
utility pole 1516.
In other embodiments, base station device 1504 can be near transformers and/or
other locations
situated nearby a power line. Base station device 1504 can facilitate
connectivity to a mobile
network for mobile devices 1522 and 1524. Antennas 1512 and 1514, mounted on
or near
utility poles 1518 and 1520, respectively, can receive signals from base
station device 1504
and transmit those signals to mobile devices 1522 and 1524 over a much wider
area than if the
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antennas 1512 and 1514 were located at or near base station device 1504.
[0148] It is noted that FIG. 15 displays three utility poles, in each
instance of the
distribution systems 1550 and 1560, with one base station device, for purposes
of simplicity.
In other embodiments, utility pole 1516 can have more base station devices,
and more utility
poles with distributed antennas and/or tethered connections to establishments
1542.
[0149] A transmission device 1506, such as transmission device 101 or 102
presented
in conjunction with FIG. 1, can transmit a signal from base station device
1504 to antennas
1512 and 1514 via utility or power line(s) that connect the utility poles
1516, 1518, and 1520.
To transmit the signal, radio source and/or transmission device 1506
upconverts the signal (e.g.,
via frequency mixing) from base station device 1504 or otherwise converts the
signal from the
base station device 1504 to a microwave band signal and the transmission
device 1506 launches
a microwave band wave that propagates as a guided wave traveling along the
utility line or
other wire as described in previous embodiments. At utility pole 1518, another
transmission
device 1508 receives the guided wave (and optionally can amplify it as needed
or desired or
operate as a repeater to receive it and regenerate it) and sends it forward as
a guided wave on
the utility line or other wire. The transmission device 1508 can also extract
a signal from the
microwave band guided wave and shift it down in frequency or otherwise convert
it to its
original cellular band frequency (e.g., 1.9 GHz or other defined cellular
frequency) or another
cellular (or non-cellular) band frequency. An antenna 1512 can wireless
transmit the
downshifted signal to mobile device 1522. The process can be repeated by
transmission device
1510, antenna 1514 and mobile device 1524, as necessary or desirable.
[0150] Transmissions from mobile devices 1522 and 1524 can also be
received by
antennas 1512 and 1514 respectively. The transmission devices 1508 and 1510
can upshift or
otherwise convert the cellular band signals to microwave band and transmit the
signals as
guided wave (e.g., surface wave or other electromagnetic wave) transmissions
over the power
line(s) to base station device 1504.
[0151] Media content received by the central office 1501 can be supplied
to the second
instance of the distribution system 1560 via the base station device 1504 for
distribution to
mobile devices 1522 and establishments 1542. The transmission device 1510 can
be tethered
to the establishments 1542 by one or more wired connections or a wireless
interface. The one
or more wired connections may include without limitation, a power line, a
coaxial cable, a fiber
cable, a twisted pair cable, a guided wave transmission medium or other
suitable wired
mediums for distribution of media content and/or for providing internet
services. In an example
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embodiment, the wired connections from the transmission device 1510 can be
communicatively coupled to one or more very high bit rate digital subscriber
line (VDSL)
modems located at one or more corresponding service area interfaces (SAIs ¨
not shown) or
pedestals, each SAT or pedestal providing services to a portion of the
establishments 1542. The
VDSL modems can be used to selectively distribute media content and/or provide
internet
services to gateways (not shown) located in the establishments 1542. The SAIs
or pedestals
can also be communicatively coupled to the establishments 1542 over a wired
medium such as
a power line, a coaxial cable, a fiber cable, a twisted pair cable, a guided
wave transmission
medium or other suitable wired mediums. In other example embodiments, the
transmission
device 1510 can be communicatively coupled directly to establishments 1542
without
intermediate interfaces such as the SAIs or pedestals.
[0152] In another example embodiment, system 1500 can employ diversity
paths,
where two or more utility lines or other wires are strung between the utility
poles 1516, 1518,
and 1520 (e.g., for example, two or more wires between poles 1516 and 1520)
and redundant
transmissions from base station/macrocell site 1502 are transmitted as guided
waves down the
surface of the utility lines or other wires. The utility lines or other wires
can be either insulated
or uninsulated, and depending on the environmental conditions that cause
transmission losses,
the coupling devices can selectively receive signals from the insulated or
uninsulated utility
lines or other wires. The selection can be based on measurements of the signal-
to-noise ratio
of the wires, or based on determined weather/environmental conditions (e.g.,
moisture
detectors, weather forecasts, etc.). The use of diversity paths with system
1500 can enable
alternate routing capabilities, load balancing, increased load handling,
concurrent bi-directional
or synchronous communications, spread spectrum communications, etc.
[0153] It is noted that the use of the transmission devices 1506, 1508,
and 1510 in FIG.
15 are by way of example only, and that in other embodiments, other uses are
possible. For
instance, transmission devices can be used in a backhaul communication system,
providing
network connectivity to base station devices. Transmission devices 1506, 1508,
and 1510 can
be used in many circumstances where it is desirable to transmit guided wave
communications
over a wire, whether insulated or not insulated. Transmission devices 1506,
1508, and 1510
are improvements over other coupling devices due to no contact or limited
physical and/or
electrical contact with the wires that may carry high voltages. The
transmission device can be
located away from the wire (e.g., spaced apart from the wire) and/or located
on the wire so long
as it is not electrically in contact with the wire, as the dielectric acts as
an insulator, allowing
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for cheap, easy, and/or less complex installation. However, as previously
noted conducting or
non-dielectric couplers can be employed, for example in configurations where
the wires
correspond to a telephone network, cable television network, broadband data
service, fiber
optic communications system or other network employing low voltages or having
insulated
transmission lines.
[0154] It is further noted, that while base station device 1504 and
macrocell site 1502
are illustrated in an embodiment, other network configurations are likewise
possible. For
example, devices such as access points or other wireless gateways can be
employed in a similar
fashion to extend the reach of other networks such as a wireless local area
network, a wireless
personal area network or other wireless network that operates in accordance
with a
communication protocol such as a 802.11 protocol, WIMAX protocol,
UltraWideband
protocol, Bluetooth protocol, Zigbee protocol or other wireless protocol.
[0155] Referring now to FIGs. 16A & 16B, block diagrams illustrating an
example,
non-limiting embodiment of a system for managing a power grid communication
system are
shown. Considering FIG. 16A, a waveguide system 1602 is presented for use in a
guided wave
communications system, such as the system presented in conjunction with FIG.
15. The
waveguide system 1602 can comprise sensors 1604, a power management system
1605, a
transmission device 101 or 102 that includes at least one communication
interface 205,
transceiver 210 and coupler 220.
[0156] The waveguide system 1602 can be coupled to a power line 1610 for
facilitating
guided wave communications in accordance with embodiments described in the
subject
disclosure. In an example embodiment, the transmission device 101 or 102
includes coupler
220 for inducing electromagnetic waves on a surface of the power line 1610
that longitudinally
propagate along the surface of the power line 1610 as described in the subject
disclosure. The
transmission device 101 or 102 can also serve as a repeater for retransmitting
electromagnetic
waves on the same power line 1610 or for routing electromagnetic waves between
power lines
1610 as shown in FIGs. 12-13.
[0157] The transmission device 101 or 102 includes transceiver 210
configured to, for
example, up-convert a signal operating at an original frequency range to
electromagnetic waves
operating at, exhibiting, or associated with a carrier frequency that
propagate along a coupler
to induce corresponding guided electromagnetic waves that propagate along a
surface of the
power line 1610. A carrier frequency can be represented by a center frequency
having upper
and lower cutoff frequencies that define the bandwidth of the electromagnetic
waves. The
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power line 1610 can be a wire (e.g., single stranded or multi-stranded) having
a conducting
surface or insulated surface. The transceiver 210 can also receive signals
from the coupler 220
and down-convert the electromagnetic waves operating at a carrier frequency to
signals at their
original frequency.
[0158] Signals received by the communications interface 205 of
transmission device
101 or 102 for up-conversion can include without limitation signals supplied
by a central office
1611 over a wired or wireless interface of the communications interface 205, a
base station
1614 over a wired or wireless interface of the communications interface 205,
wireless signals
transmitted by mobile devices 1620 to the base station 1614 for delivery over
the wired or
wireless interface of the communications interface 205, signals supplied by in-
building
communication devices 1618 over the wired or wireless interface of the
communications
interface 205, and/or wireless signals supplied to the communications
interface 205 by mobile
devices 1612 roaming in a wireless communication range of the communications
interface 205.
In embodiments where the waveguide system 1602 functions as a repeater, such
as shown in
FIGs. 12-13, the communications interface 205 may or may not be included in
the waveguide
system 1602.
[0159] The electromagnetic waves propagating along the surface of the
power line
1610 can be modulated and formatted to include packets or frames of data that
include a data
payload and further include networking information (such as header information
for identifying
one or more destination waveguide systems 1602). The networking information
may be
provided by the waveguide system 1602 or an originating device such as the
central office
1611, the base station 1614, mobile devices 1620, or in-building devices 1618,
or a combination
thereof. Additionally, the modulated electromagnetic waves can include error
correction data
for mitigating signal disturbances. The networking information and error
correction data can
be used by a destination waveguide system 1602 for detecting transmissions
directed to it, and
for down-converting and processing with error correction data transmissions
that include voice
and/or data signals directed to recipient communication devices
communicatively coupled to
the destination waveguide system 1602.
[0160] Referring now to the sensors 1604 of the waveguide system 1602,
the sensors
1604 can comprise one or more of a temperature sensor 1604a, a disturbance
detection sensor
1604b, a loss of energy sensor 1604c, a noise sensor 1604d, a vibration sensor
1604e, an
environmental (e.g., weather) sensor 1604f, and/or an image sensor 1604g. The
temperature
sensor 1604a can be used to measure ambient temperature, a temperature of the
transmission
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device 101 or 102, a temperature of the power line 1610, temperature
differentials (e.g.,
compared to a setpoint or baseline, between transmission device 101 or 102 and
1610, etc.), or
any combination thereof In one embodiment, temperature metrics can be
collected and
reported periodically to a network management system 1601 by way of the base
station 1614.
[0161] The disturbance detection sensor 1604b can perform measurements on
the
power line 1610 to detect disturbances such as signal reflections, which may
indicate a presence
of a downstream disturbance that may impede the propagation of electromagnetic
waves on the
power line 1610. A signal reflection can represent a distortion resulting
from, for example, an
electromagnetic wave transmitted on the power line 1610 by the transmission
device 101 or
102 that reflects in whole or in part back to the transmission device 101 or
102 from a
disturbance in the power line 1610 located downstream from the transmission
device 101 or
102.
[0162] Signal reflections can be caused by obstructions on the power line
1610. For
example, a tree limb may cause electromagnetic wave reflections when the tree
limb is lying
on the power line 1610, or is in close proximity to the power line 1610 which
may cause a
corona discharge. Other obstructions that can cause electromagnetic wave
reflections can
include without limitation an object that has been entangled on the power line
1610 (e.g.,
clothing, a shoe wrapped around a power line 1610 with a shoe string, etc.), a
corroded build-
up on the power line 1610 or an ice build-up. Power grid components may also
impede or
obstruct with the propagation of electromagnetic waves on the surface of power
lines 1610.
Illustrations of power grid components that may cause signal reflections
include without
limitation a transformer and a joint for connecting spliced power lines. A
sharp angle on the
power line 1610 may also cause electromagnetic wave reflections.
[0163] The disturbance detection sensor 1604b can comprise a circuit to
compare
magnitudes of electromagnetic wave reflections to magnitudes of original
electromagnetic
waves transmitted by the transmission device 101 or 102 to determine how much
a downstream
disturbance in the power line 1610 attenuates transmissions. The disturbance
detection sensor
1604b can further comprise a spectral analyzer circuit for performing spectral
analysis on the
reflected waves. The spectral data generated by the spectral analyzer circuit
can be compared
with spectral profiles via pattern recognition, an expert system, curve
fitting, matched filtering
or other artificial intelligence, classification or comparison technique to
identify a type of
disturbance based on, for example, the spectral profile that most closely
matches the spectral
data. The spectral profiles can be stored in a memory of the disturbance
detection sensor 1604b
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or may be remotely accessible by the disturbance detection sensor 1604b. The
profiles can
comprise spectral data that models different disturbances that may be
encountered on power
lines 1610 to enable the disturbance detection sensor 1604b to identify
disturbances locally.
An identification of the disturbance if known can be reported to the network
management
system 1601 by way of the base station 1614. The disturbance detection sensor
1604b can also
utilize the transmission device 101 or 102 to transmit electromagnetic waves
as test signals to
determine a roundtrip time for an electromagnetic wave reflection. The round
trip time
measured by the disturbance detection sensor 1604b can be used to calculate a
distance traveled
by the electromagnetic wave up to a point where the reflection takes place,
which enables the
disturbance detection sensor 1604b to calculate a distance from the
transmission device 101 or
102 to the downstream disturbance on the power line 1610.
[0164] The distance calculated can be reported to the network management
system
1601 by way of the base station 1614. In one embodiment, the location of the
waveguide
system 1602 on the power line 1610 may be known to the network management
system 1601,
which the network management system 1601 can use to determine a location of
the disturbance
on the power line 1610 based on a known topology of the power grid. In another
embodiment,
the waveguide system 1602 can provide its location to the network management
system 1601
to assist in the determination of the location of the disturbance on the power
line 1610. The
location of the waveguide system 1602 can be obtained by the waveguide system
1602 from a
pre-programmed location of the waveguide system 1602 stored in a memory of the
waveguide
system 1602, or the waveguide system 1602 can determine its location using a
GPS receiver
(not shown) included in the waveguide system 1602.
[0165] The power management system 1605 provides energy to the
aforementioned
components of the waveguide system 1602. The power management system 1605 can
receive
energy from solar cells, or from a transformer (not shown) coupled to the
power line 1610, or
by inductive coupling to the power line 1610 or another nearby power line. The
power
management system 1605 can also include a backup battery and/or a super
capacitor or other
capacitor circuit for providing the waveguide system 1602 with temporary
power. The loss of
energy sensor 1604c can be used to detect when the waveguide system 1602 has a
loss of power
condition and/or the occurrence of some other malfunction. For example, the
loss of energy
sensor 1604c can detect when there is a loss of power due to defective solar
cells, an obstruction
on the solar cells that causes them to malfunction, loss of power on the power
line 1610, and/or
when the backup power system malfunctions due to expiration of a backup
battery, or a
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detectable defect in a super capacitor. When a malfunction and/or loss of
power occurs, the
loss of energy sensor 1604c can notify the network management system 1601 by
way of the
base station 1614.
[0166] The noise sensor 1604d can be used to measure noise on the power
line 1610
that may adversely affect transmission of electromagnetic waves on the power
line 1610. The
noise sensor 1604d can sense unexpected electromagnetic interference, noise
bursts, or other
sources of disturbances that may interrupt reception of modulated
electromagnetic waves on a
surface of a power line 1610. A noise burst can be caused by, for example, a
corona discharge,
or other source of noise. The noise sensor 1604d can compare the measured
noise to a noise
profile obtained by the waveguide system 1602 from an internal database of
noise profiles or
from a remotely located database that stores noise profiles via pattern
recognition, an expert
system, curve fitting, matched filtering or other artificial intelligence,
classification or
comparison technique. From the comparison, the noise sensor 1604d may identify
a noise
source (e.g., corona discharge or otherwise) based on, for example, the noise
profile that
provides the closest match to the measured noise. The noise sensor 1604d can
also detect how
noise affects transmissions by measuring transmission metrics such as bit
error rate, packet loss
rate, jitter, packet retransmission requests, etc. The noise sensor 1604d can
report to the
network management system 1601 by way of the base station 1614 the identity of
noise sources,
their time of occurrence, and transmission metrics, among other things.
[0167] The vibration sensor 1604e can include accelerometers and/or
gyroscopes to
detect 2D or 3D vibrations on the power line 1610. The vibrations can be
compared to vibration
profiles that can be stored locally in the waveguide system 1602, or obtained
by the waveguide
system 1602 from a remote database via pattern recognition, an expert system,
curve fitting,
matched filtering or other artificial intelligence, classification or
comparison technique.
Vibration profiles can be used, for example, to distinguish fallen trees from
wind gusts based
on, for example, the vibration profile that provides the closest match to the
measured vibrations.
The results of this analysis can be reported by the vibration sensor 1604e to
the network
management system 1601 by way of the base station 1614.
[0168] The environmental sensor 1604f can include a barometer for
measuring
atmospheric pressure, ambient temperature (which can be provided by the
temperature sensor
1604a), wind speed, humidity, wind direction, and rainfall, among other
things. The
environmental sensor 1604f can collect raw information and process this
information by
comparing it to environmental profiles that can be obtained from a memory of
the waveguide
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system 1602 or a remote database to predict weather conditions before they
arise via pattern
recognition, an expert system, knowledge-based system or other artificial
intelligence,
classification or other weather modeling and prediction technique. The
environmental sensor
1604f can report raw data as well as its analysis to the network management
system 1601.
[0169] The image sensor 1604g can be a digital camera (e.g., a charged
coupled device
or CCD imager, infrared camera, etc.) for capturing images in a vicinity of
the waveguide
system 1602. The image sensor 1604g can include an electromechanical mechanism
to control
movement (e.g., actual position or focal points/zooms) of the camera for
inspecting the power
line 1610 from multiple perspectives (e.g., top surface, bottom surface, left
surface, right
surface and so on). Alternatively, the image sensor 1604g can be designed such
that no
electromechanical mechanism is needed in order to obtain the multiple
perspectives. The
collection and retrieval of imaging data generated by the image sensor 1604g
can be controlled
by the network management system 1601, or can be autonomously collected and
reported by
the image sensor 1604g to the network management system 1601.
[0170] Other sensors that may be suitable for collecting telemetry
information
associated with the waveguide system 1602 and/or the power lines 1610 for
purposes of
detecting, predicting and/or mitigating disturbances that can impede the
propagation of
electromagnetic wave transmissions on power lines 1610 (or any other form of a
transmission
medium of electromagnetic waves) may be utilized by the waveguide system 1602.
[0171] Referring now to FIG. 16B, block diagram 1650 illustrates an
example, non-
limiting embodiment of a system for managing a power grid 1653 and a
communication system
1655 embedded therein or associated therewith in accordance with various
aspects described
herein. The communication system 1655 comprises a plurality of waveguide
systems 1602
coupled to power lines 1610 of the power grid 1653. At least a portion of the
waveguide
systems 1602 used in the communication system 1655 can be in direct
communication with a
base station 1614 and/or the network management system 1601. Waveguide systems
1602 not
directly connected to a base station 1614 or the network management system
1601 can engage
in communication sessions with either a base station 1614 or the network
management system
1601 by way of other downstream waveguide systems 1602 connected to a base
station 1614
or the network management system 1601.
[0172] The network management system 1601 can be communicatively coupled
to
equipment of a utility company 1652 and equipment of a communications service
provider
1654 for providing each entity, status information associated with the power
grid 1653 and the
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communication system 1655, respectively. The network management system 1601,
the
equipment of the utility company 1652, and the communications service provider
1654 can
access communication devices utilized by utility company personnel 1656 and/or
communication devices utilized by communications service provider personnel
1658 for
purposes of providing status information and/or for directing such personnel
in the
management of the power grid 1653 and/or communication system 1655.
[0173] FIG. 17A illustrates a flow diagram of an example, non-limiting
embodiment
of a method 1700 for detecting and mitigating disturbances occurring in a
communication
network of the systems of FIGs. 16A & 16B. Method 1700 can begin with step
1702 where
a waveguide system 1602 transmits and receives messages embedded in, or
forming part of,
modulated electromagnetic waves or another type of electromagnetic waves
traveling along a
surface of a power line 1610. The messages can be voice messages, streaming
video, and/or
other data/information exchanged between communication devices communicatively
coupled
to the communication system 1655. At step 1704 the sensors 1604 of the
waveguide system
1602 can collect sensing data. In an embodiment, the sensing data can be
collected in step 1704
prior to, during, or after the transmission and/or receipt of messages in step
1702. At step 1706
the waveguide system 1602 (or the sensors 1604 themselves) can determine from
the sensing
data an actual or predicted occurrence of a disturbance in the communication
system 1655 that
can affect communications originating from (e.g., transmitted by) or received
by the waveguide
system 1602. The waveguide system 1602 (or the sensors 1604) can process
temperature data,
signal reflection data, loss of energy data, noise data, vibration data,
environmental data, or any
combination thereof to make this determination. The waveguide system 1602 (or
the sensors
1604) may also detect, identify, estimate, or predict the source of the
disturbance and/or its
location in the communication system 1655. If a disturbance is neither
detected/identified nor
predicted/estimated at step 1708, the waveguide system 1602 can proceed to
step 1702 where
it continues to transmit and receive messages embedded in, or forming part of,
modulated
electromagnetic waves traveling along a surface of the power line 1610.
[0174] If at step 1708 a disturbance is detected/identified or
predicted/estimated to
occur, the waveguide system 1602 proceeds to step 1710 to determine if the
disturbance
adversely affects (or alternatively, is likely to adversely affect or the
extent to which it may
adversely affect) transmission or reception of messages in the communication
system 1655. In
one embodiment, a duration threshold and a frequency of occurrence threshold
can be used at
step 1710 to determine when a disturbance adversely affects communications in
the
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communication system 1655. For illustration purposes only, assume a duration
threshold is set
to 500 ms, while a frequency of occurrence threshold is set to 5 disturbances
occurring in an
observation period of 10 sec. Thus, a disturbance having a duration greater
than 500ms will
trigger the duration threshold. Additionally, any disturbance occurring more
than 5 times in a
sec time interval will trigger the frequency of occurrence threshold.
[0175] In one embodiment, a disturbance may be considered to adversely
affect signal
integrity in the communication systems 1655 when the duration threshold alone
is exceeded.
In another embodiment, a disturbance may be considered as adversely affecting
signal integrity
in the communication systems 1655 when both the duration threshold and the
frequency of
occurrence threshold are exceeded. The latter embodiment is thus more
conservative than the
former embodiment for classifying disturbances that adversely affect signal
integrity in the
communication system 1655. It will be appreciated that many other algorithms
and associated
parameters and thresholds can be utilized for step 1710 in accordance with
example
embodiments.
[0176] Referring back to method 1700, if at step 1710 the disturbance
detected at step
1708 does not meet the condition for adversely affected communications (e.g.,
neither exceeds
the duration threshold nor the frequency of occurrence threshold), the
waveguide system 1602
may proceed to step 1702 and continue processing messages. For instance, if
the disturbance
detected in step 1708 has a duration of 1 msec with a single occurrence in a
10 sec time period,
then neither threshold will be exceeded. Consequently, such a disturbance may
be considered
as having a nominal effect on signal integrity in the communication system
1655 and thus
would not be flagged as a disturbance requiring mitigation. Although not
flagged, the
occurrence of the disturbance, its time of occurrence, its frequency of
occurrence, spectral data,
and/or other useful information, may be reported to the network management
system 1601 as
telemetry data for monitoring purposes.
[0177] Referring back to step 1710, if on the other hand the disturbance
satisfies the
condition for adversely affected communications (e.g., exceeds either or both
thresholds), the
waveguide system 1602 can proceed to step 1712 and report the incident to the
network
management system 1601. The report can include raw sensing data collected by
the sensors
1604, a description of the disturbance if known by the waveguide system 1602,
a time of
occurrence of the disturbance, a frequency of occurrence of the disturbance, a
location
associated with the disturbance, parameters readings such as bit error rate,
packet loss rate,
retransmission requests, jitter, latency and so on. If the disturbance is
based on a prediction by
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one or more sensors of the waveguide system 1602, the report can include a
type of disturbance
expected, and if predictable, an expected time occurrence of the disturbance,
and an expected
frequency of occurrence of the predicted disturbance when the prediction is
based on historical
sensing data collected by the sensors 1604 of the waveguide system 1602.
[0178] At step 1714, the network management system 1601 can determine a
mitigation,
circumvention, or correction technique, which may include directing the
waveguide system
1602 to reroute traffic to circumvent the disturbance if the location of the
disturbance can be
determined. In one embodiment, the waveguide coupling device 1402 detecting
the
disturbance may direct a repeater such as the one shown in FIGs. 13-14 to
connect the
waveguide system 1602 from a primary power line affected by the disturbance to
a secondary
power line to enable the waveguide system 1602 to reroute traffic to a
different transmission
medium and avoid the disturbance. In an embodiment where the waveguide system
1602 is
configured as a repeater the waveguide system 1602 can itself perform the
rerouting of traffic
from the primary power line to the secondary power line. It is further noted
that for
bidirectional communications (e.g., full or half-duplex communications), the
repeater can be
configured to reroute traffic from the secondary power line back to the
primary power line
for processing by the waveguide system 1602.
[0179] In another embodiment, the waveguide system 1602 can redirect
traffic by
instructing a first repeater situated upstream of the disturbance and a second
repeater situated
downstream of the disturbance to redirect traffic from a primary power line
temporarily to a
secondary power line and back to the primary power line in a manner that
avoids the
disturbance. It is further noted that for bidirectional communications (e.g.,
full or half-duplex
communications), repeaters can be configured to reroute traffic from the
secondary power line
back to the primary power line.
[0180] To avoid interrupting existing communication sessions occurring on
a
secondary power line, the network management system 1601 may direct the
waveguide system
1602 to instruct repeater(s) to utilize unused time slot(s) and/or frequency
band(s) of the
secondary power line for redirecting data and/or voice traffic away from the
primary power
line to circumvent the disturbance.
[0181] At step 1716, while traffic is being rerouted to avoid the
disturbance, the
network management system 1601 can notify equipment of the utility company
1652 and/or
equipment of the communications service provider 1654, which in turn may
notify personnel
of the utility company 1656 and/or personnel of the communications service
provider 1658 of
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the detected disturbance and its location if known. Field personnel from
either party can attend
to resolving the disturbance at a determined location of the disturbance. Once
the disturbance
is removed or otherwise mitigated by personnel of the utility company and/or
personnel of the
communications service provider, such personnel can notify their respective
companies and/or
the network management system 1601 utilizing field equipment (e.g., a laptop
computer,
smartphone, etc.) communicatively coupled to network management system 1601,
and/or
equipment of the utility company and/or the communications service provider.
The notification
can include a description of how the disturbance was mitigated and any changes
to the power
lines 1610 that may change a topology of the communication system 1655.
[0182] Once the disturbance has been resolved (as determined in decision
1718), the
network management system 1601 can direct the waveguide system 1602 at step
1720 to restore
the previous routing configuration used by the waveguide system 1602 or route
traffic
according to a new routing configuration if the restoration strategy used to
mitigate the
disturbance resulted in a new network topology of the communication system
1655. In another
embodiment, the waveguide system 1602 can be configured to monitor mitigation
of the
disturbance by transmitting test signals on the power line 1610 to determine
when the
disturbance has been removed. Once the waveguide system 1602 detects an
absence of the
disturbance it can autonomously restore its routing configuration without
assistance by the
network management system 1601 if it determines the network topology of the
communication
system 1655 has not changed, or it can utilize a new routing configuration
that adapts to a
detected new network topology.
[0183] FIG. 17B illustrates a flow diagram of an example, non-limiting
embodiment
of a method 1750 for detecting and mitigating disturbances occurring in a
communication
network of the system of FIGs. 16A and 16B. In one embodiment, method 1750 can
begin
with step 1752 where a network management system 1601 receives from equipment
of the
utility company 1652 or equipment of the communications service provider 1654
maintenance
information associated with a maintenance schedule. The network management
system 1601
can at step 1754 identify from the maintenance information, maintenance
activities to be
performed during the maintenance schedule. From these activities, the network
management
system 1601 can detect a disturbance resulting from the maintenance (e.g.,
scheduled
replacement of a power line 1610, scheduled replacement of a waveguide system
1602 on the
power line 1610, scheduled reconfiguration of power lines 1610 in the power
grid 1653, etc.).
[0184] In another embodiment, the network management system 1601 can
receive at
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step 1755 telemetry information from one or more waveguide systems 1602. The
telemetry
information can include among other things an identity of each waveguide
system 1602
submitting the telemetry information, measurements taken by sensors 1604 of
each waveguide
system 1602, information relating to predicted, estimated, or actual
disturbances detected by
the sensors 1604 of each waveguide system 1602, location information
associated with each
waveguide system 1602, an estimated location of a detected disturbance, an
identification of
the disturbance, and so on. The network management system 1601 can determine
from the
telemetry information a type of disturbance that may be adverse to operations
of the waveguide,
transmission of the electromagnetic waves along the wire surface, or both. The
network
management system 1601 can also use telemetry information from multiple
waveguide systems
1602 to isolate and identify the disturbance. Additionally, the network
management system
1601 can request telemetry information from waveguide systems 1602 in a
vicinity of an
affected waveguide system 1602 to triangulate a location of the disturbance
and/or validate an
identification of the disturbance by receiving similar telemetry information
from other
waveguide systems 1602.
[0185] In yet another embodiment, the network management system 1601 can
receive
at step 1756 an unscheduled activity report from maintenance field personnel.
Unscheduled
maintenance may occur as result of field calls that are unplanned or as a
result of unexpected
field issues discovered during field calls or scheduled maintenance
activities. The activity
report can identify changes to a topology configuration of the power grid 1653
resulting from
field personnel addressing discovered issues in the communication system 1655
and/or power
grid 1653, changes to one or more waveguide systems 1602 (such as replacement
or repair
thereof), mitigation of disturbances performed if any, and so on.
[0186] At step 1758, the network management system 1601 can determine
from reports
received according to steps 1752 through 1756 if a disturbance will occur
based on a
maintenance schedule, or if a disturbance has occurred or is predicted to
occur based on
telemetry data, or if a disturbance has occurred due to an unplanned
maintenance identified in
a field activity report. From any of these reports, the network management
system 1601 can
determine whether a detected or predicted disturbance requires rerouting of
traffic by the
affected waveguide systems 1602 or other waveguide systems 1602 of the
communication
system 1655.
[0187] When a disturbance is detected or predicted at step 1758, the
network
management system 1601 can proceed to step 1760 where it can direct one or
more waveguide
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systems 1602 to reroute traffic to circumvent the disturbance. When the
disturbance is
permanent due to a permanent topology change of the power grid 1653, the
network
management system 1601 can proceed to step 1770 and skip steps 1762, 1764,
1766, and 1772.
At step 1770, the network management system 1601 can direct one or more
waveguide systems
1602 to use a new routing configuration that adapts to the new topology.
However, when the
disturbance has been detected from telemetry information supplied by one or
more waveguide
systems 1602, the network management system 1601 can notify maintenance
personnel of the
utility company 1656 or the communications service provider 1658 of a location
of the
disturbance, a type of disturbance if known, and related information that may
be helpful to such
personnel to mitigate the disturbance. When a disturbance is expected due to
maintenance
activities, the network management system 1601 can direct one or more
waveguide systems
1602 to reconfigure traffic routes at a given schedule (consistent with the
maintenance
schedule) to avoid disturbances caused by the maintenance activities during
the maintenance
schedule.
[0188] Returning back to step 1760 and upon its completion, the process
can continue
with step 1762. At step 1762, the network management system 1601 can monitor
when the
disturbance(s) have been mitigated by field personnel. Mitigation of a
disturbance can be
detected at step 1762 by analyzing field reports submitted to the network
management system
1601 by field personnel over a communications network (e.g., cellular
communication system)
utilizing field equipment (e.g., a laptop computer or handheld
computer/device). If field
personnel have reported that a disturbance has been mitigated, the network
management system
1601 can proceed to step 1764 to determine from the field report whether a
topology change
was required to mitigate the disturbance. A topology change can include
rerouting a power
line 1610, reconfiguring a waveguide system 1602 to utilize a different power
line 1610,
otherwise utilizing an alternative link to bypass the disturbance and so on.
If a topology change
has taken place, the network management system 1601 can direct at step 1770
one or more
waveguide systems 1602 to use a new routing configuration that adapts to the
new topology.
[0189] If, however, a topology change has not been reported by field
personnel, the
network management system 1601 can proceed to step 1766 where it can direct
one or more
waveguide systems 1602 to send test signals to test a routing configuration
that had been used
prior to the detected disturbance(s). Test signals can be sent to affected
waveguide systems
1602 in a vicinity of the disturbance. The test signals can be used to
determine if signal
disturbances (e.g., electromagnetic wave reflections) are detected by any of
the waveguide
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systems 1602. If the test signals confirm that a prior routing configuration
is no longer subject
to previously detected disturbance(s), then the network management system 1601
can at step
1772 direct the affected waveguide systems 1602 to restore a previous routing
configuration.
If, however, test signals analyzed by one or more waveguide coupling device
1402 and reported
to the network management system 1601 indicate that the disturbance(s) or new
disturbance(s)
are present, then the network management system 1601 will proceed to step 1768
and report
this information to field personnel to further address field issues. The
network management
system 1601 can in this situation continue to monitor mitigation of the
disturbance(s) at step
1762.
[0190] In the aforementioned embodiments, the waveguide systems 1602 can
be
configured to be self-adapting to changes in the power grid 1653 and/or to
mitigation of
disturbances. That is, one or more affected waveguide systems 1602 can be
configured to self-
monitor mitigation of disturbances and reconfigure traffic routes without
requiring instructions
to be sent to them by the network management system 1601. In this embodiment,
the one or
more waveguide systems 1602 that are self-configurable can inform the network
management
system 1601 of its routing choices so that the network management system 1601
can maintain
a macro-level view of the communication topology of the communication system
1655.
[0191] While for purposes of simplicity of explanation, the respective
processes are
shown and described as a series of blocks in FIGs. 17A and 17B, respectively,
it is to be
understood and appreciated that the claimed subject matter is not limited by
the order of the
blocks, as some blocks may occur in different orders and/or concurrently with
other blocks
from what is depicted and described herein. Moreover, not all illustrated
blocks may be
required to implement the methods described herein.
[0192] Turning now to FIG. 18A, a block diagram illustrating an example,
non-
limiting embodiment of a communication system 1800 in accordance with various
aspects of
the subject disclosure is shown. The communication system 1800 can include a
macro base
station 1802 such as a base station or access point having antennas that
covers one or more
sectors (e.g., 6 or more sectors). The macro base station 1802 can be
communicatively coupled
to a communication node 1804A that serves as a master or distribution node for
other
communication nodes 1804B-E distributed at differing geographic locations
inside or beyond
a coverage area of the macro base station 1802. The communication nodes 1804
operate as a
distributed antenna system configured to handle communications traffic
associated with client
devices such as mobile devices (e.g., cell phones) and/or fixed/stationary
devices (e.g., a
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communication device in a residence, or commercial establishment) that are
wirelessly coupled
to any of the communication nodes 1804. In particular, the wireless resources
of the macro
base station 1802 can be made available to mobile devices by allowing and/or
redirecting
certain mobile and/or stationary devices to utilize the wireless resources of
a communication
node 1804 in a communication range of the mobile or stationary devices.
[0193] The communication nodes 1804A-E can be communicatively coupled to
each
other over an interface 1810. In one embodiment, the interface 1810 can
comprise a wired or
tethered interface (e.g., fiber optic cable). In other embodiments, the
interface 1810 can
comprise a wireless RF interface forming a radio distributed antenna system.
In various
embodiments, the communication nodes 1804A-E can be configured to provide
communication services to mobile and stationary devices according to
instructions provided
by the macro base station 1802. In other examples of operation however, the
communication
nodes 1804A-E operate merely as analog repeaters to spread the coverage of the
macro base
station 1802 throughout the entire range of the individual communication nodes
1804A-E.
[0194] The micro base stations (depicted as communication nodes 1804) can
differ
from the macro base station in several ways. For example, the communication
range of the
micro base stations can be smaller than the communication range of the macro
base station.
Consequently, the power consumed by the micro base stations can be less than
the power
consumed by the macro base station. The macro base station optionally directs
the micro base
stations as to which mobile and/or stationary devices they are to communicate
with, and which
carrier frequency, spectral segment(s) and/or timeslot schedule of such
spectral segment(s) are
to be used by the micro base stations when communicating with certain mobile
or stationary
devices. In these cases, control of the micro base stations by the macro base
station can be
performed in a master-slave configuration or other suitable control
configurations. Whether
operating independently or under the control of the macro base station 1802,
the resources of
the micro base stations can be simpler and less costly than the resources
utilized by the macro
base station 1802.
[0195] Turning now to FIG. 18B, a block diagram illustrating an example,
non-limiting
embodiment of the communication nodes 1804B-E of the communication system 1800
of FIG.
18A is shown. In this illustration, the communication nodes 1804B-E are placed
on a utility
fixture such as a light post. In other embodiments, some of the communication
nodes 1804B-
E can be placed on a building or a utility post or pole that is used for
distributing power and/or
communication lines. The communication nodes 1804B-E in these illustrations
can be
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configured to communicate with each other over the interface 1810, which in
this illustration
is shown as a wireless interface. The communication nodes 1804B-E can also be
configured
to communicate with mobile or stationary devices 1806A-C over a wireless
interface 1811 that
conforms to one or more communication protocols (e.g., fourth generation (4G)
wireless
signals such as LTE signals or other 4G signals, fifth generation (5G)
wireless signals,
WiMAX, 802.11 signals, ultra-wideband signals, etc.). The communication nodes
1804 can
be configured to exchange signals over the interface 1810 at an operating
frequency that may
be higher (e.g., 28 GHz, 38 GHz, 60 GHz, 80GHz or higher) than the operating
frequency used
for communicating with the mobile or stationary devices (e.g., 1.9GHz) over
interface 1811.
The high carrier frequency and a wider bandwidth can be used for communicating
between the
communication nodes 1804 enabling the communication nodes 1804 to provide
communication services to multiple mobile or stationary devices via one or
more differing
frequency bands, (e.g. a 900 MHz band, 1.9 GHz band, a 2.4 GHz band, and/or a
5.8 GHz
band, etc.) and/or one or more differing protocols, as will be illustrated by
spectral downlink
and uplink diagrams of FIG. 19A described below. In other embodiments,
particularly where
the interface 1810 is implemented via a guided wave communications system on a
wire, a
wideband spectrum in a lower frequency range (e.g. in the range of 2-6 GHz, 4-
10 GHz, etc.)
can be employed.
[0196] Turning now to FIGs. 18C-18D, block diagrams illustrating example,
non-
limiting embodiments of a communication node 1804 of the communication system
1800 of
FIG. 18A is shown. The communication node 1804 can be attached to a support
structure 1818
of a utility fixture such as a utility post or pole as shown in FIG. 18C. The
communication
node 1804 can be affixed to the support structure 1818 with an arm 1820
constructed of plastic
or other suitable material that attaches to an end of the communication node
1804. The
communication node 1804 can further include a plastic housing assembly 1816
that covers
components of the communication node 1804. The communication node 1804 can be
powered
by a power line 1821 (e.g., 110/220 VAC). The power line 1821 can originate
from a light
pole or can be coupled to a power line of a utility pole.
[0197] In an embodiment where the communication nodes 1804 communicate
wirelessly with other communication nodes 1804 as shown in FIG. 18B, a top
side 1812 of the
communication node 1804 (illustrated also in FIG. 18D) can comprise a
plurality of antennas
1822 (e.g., 16 dielectric antennas devoid of metal surfaces) coupled to one or
more transceivers
such as, for example, in whole or in part, the transceiver 1400 illustrated in
FIG. 14. Each of
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the plurality of antennas 1822 of the top side 1812 can operate as a sector of
the communication
node 1804, each sector configured for communicating with at least one
communication node
1804 in a communication range of the sector. Alternatively, or in combination,
the interface
1810 between communication nodes 1804 can be a tethered interface (e.g., a
fiber optic cable,
or a power line used for transport of guided electromagnetic waves as
previously described).
In other embodiments, the interface 1810 can differ between communication
nodes 1804. That
is, some communications nodes 1804 may communicate over a wireless interface,
while others
communicate over a tethered interface. In yet other embodiments, some
communications
nodes 1804 may utilize a combined wireless and tethered interface.
[0198] A bottom side 1814 of the communication node 1804 can also
comprise a
plurality of antennas 1824 for wirelessly communicating with one or more
mobile or stationary
devices 1806 at a carrier frequency that is suitable for the mobile or
stationary devices 1806.
As noted earlier, the carrier frequency used by the communication node 1804
for
communicating with the mobile or station devices over the wireless interface
1811 shown in
FIG. 18B can be different from the carrier frequency used for communicating
between the
communication nodes 1804 over interface 1810. The plurality of antennas 1824
of the bottom
portion 1814 of the communication node 1804 can also utilize a transceiver
such as, for
example, in whole or in part, the transceiver 1400 illustrated in FIG. 14.
[0199] Turning now to FIG. 19A, a block diagram illustrating an example,
non-
limiting embodiment of downlink and uplink communication techniques for
enabling a base
station to communicate with the communication nodes 1804 of FIG. 18A is shown.
In the
illustrations of FIG. 19A, downlink signals (i.e., signals directed from the
macro base station
1802 to the communication nodes 1804) can be spectrally divided into control
channels 1902,
downlink spectral segments 1906 each including modulated signals which can be
frequency
converted to their original/native frequency band for enabling the
communication nodes 1804
to communicate with one or more mobile or stationary devices 1906, and pilot
signals 1904
which can be supplied with some or all of the spectral segments 1906 for
mitigating distortion
created between the communication nodes 1904. The pilot signals 1904 can be
processed by
the top side 1816 (tethered or wireless) transceivers of downstream
communication nodes 1804
to remove distortion from a receive signal (e.g., phase distortion). Each
downlink spectral
segment 1906 can be allotted a bandwidth 1905 sufficiently wide (e.g., 50MHz)
to include a
corresponding pilot signal 1904 and one or more downlink modulated signals
located in
frequency channels (or frequency slots) in the spectral segment 1906. The
modulated signals
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can represent cellular channels, WLAN channels or other modulated
communication signals
(e.g., 10-20 MHz), which can be used by the communication nodes 1804 for
communicating
with one or more mobile or stationary devices 1806.
[0200] Uplink modulated signals generated by mobile or stationary
communication
devices in their native/original frequency bands can be frequency converted
and thereby
located in frequency channels (or frequency slots) in the uplink spectral
segment 1910. The
uplink modulated signals can represent cellular channels, WLAN channels or
other modulated
communication signals. Each uplink spectral segment 1910 can be allotted a
similar or same
bandwidth 1905 to include a pilot signal 1908 which can be provided with some
or each spectral
segment 1910 to enable upstream communication nodes 1804 and/or the macro base
station
1802 to remove distortion (e.g., phase error).
[0201] In the embodiment shown, the downlink and uplink spectral segments
1906 and
1910 each comprise a plurality of frequency channels (or frequency slots),
which can be
occupied with modulated signals that have been frequency converted from any
number of
native/original frequency bands (e.g. a 900 MHz band, 1.9 GHz band, a 2.4 GHz
band, and/or
a 5.8 GHz band, etc.). The modulated signals can be up-converted to adjacent
frequency
channels in downlink and uplink spectral segments 1906 and 1910. In this
fashion, while some
adjacent frequency channels in a downlink spectral segment 1906 can include
modulated
signals originally in a same native/original frequency band, other adjacent
frequency channels
in the downlink spectral segment 1906 can also include modulated signals
originally in
different native/original frequency bands, but frequency converted to be
located in adjacent
frequency channels of the downlink spectral segment 1906. For example, a first
modulated
signal in a 1.9GHz band and a second modulated signal in the same frequency
band (i.e.,
1.9GHz) can be frequency converted and thereby positioned in adjacent
frequency channels of
a downlink spectral segment 1906. In another illustration, a first modulated
signal in a 1.9GHz
band and a second communication signal in a different frequency band (i.e.,
2.4GHz) can be
frequency converted and thereby positioned in adjacent frequency channels of a
downlink
spectral segment 1906. Accordingly, frequency channels of a downlink spectral
segment 1906
can be occupied with any combination of modulated signals of the same or
differing signaling
protocols and of a same or differing native/original frequency bands.
[0202] Similarly, while some adjacent frequency channels in an uplink
spectral
segment 1910 can include modulated signals originally in a same frequency
band, adjacent
frequency channels in the uplink spectral segment 1910 can also include
modulated signals
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originally in different native/original frequency bands, but frequency
converted to be located
in adjacent frequency channels of an uplink segment 1910. For example, a first
communication
signal in a 2.4GHz band and a second communication signal in the same
frequency band (i.e.,
2.4GHz) can be frequency converted and thereby positioned in adjacent
frequency channels of
an uplink spectral segment 1910. In another illustration, a first
communication signal in a
1.9GHz band and a second communication signal in a different frequency band
(i.e., 2.4GHz)
can be frequency converted and thereby positioned in adjacent frequency
channels of the uplink
spectral segment 1906. Accordingly, frequency channels of an uplink spectral
segment 1910
can be occupied with any combination of modulated signals of a same or
differing signaling
protocols and of a same or differing native/original frequency bands. It
should be noted that a
downlink spectral segment 1906 and an uplink spectral segment 1910 can
themselves be
adjacent to one another and separated by only a guard band or otherwise
separated by a larger
frequency spacing, depending on the spectral allocation in place.
[0203]
Turning now to FIG. 19B, a block diagram 1920 illustrating an example, non-
limiting embodiment of a communication node is shown. In particular, the
communication
node device such as communication node 1804A of a radio distributed antenna
system includes
a base station interface 1922, duplexer/diplexer assembly 1924, and two
transceivers 1930 and
1932. It should be noted however, that when the communication node 1804A is
collocated
with a base station, such as a macro base station 1802, the duplexer/diplexer
assembly 1924
and the transceiver 1930 can be omitted and the transceiver 1932 can be
directly coupled to the
base station interface 1922.
[0204] In
various embodiments, the base station interface 1922 receives a first
modulated signal having one or more down link channels in a first spectral
segment for
transmission to a client device such as one or more mobile communication
devices. The first
spectral segment represents an original/native frequency band of the first
modulated signal.
The first modulated signal can include one or more downlink communication
channels
conforming to a signaling protocol such as a LTE or other 4G wireless
protocol, a 5G wireless
communication protocol, an ultra-wideband protocol, a WiMAX protocol, a 802.11
or other
wireless local area network protocol and/or other communication protocol.
The
duplexer/diplexer assembly 1924 transfers the first modulated signal in the
first spectral
segment to the transceiver 1930 for direct communication with one or more
mobile
communication devices in range of the communication node 1804A as a free space
wireless
signal. In various embodiments, the transceiver 1930 is implemented via analog
circuitry that
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merely provides: filtration to pass the spectrum of the downlink channels and
the uplink
channels of modulated signals in their original/native frequency bands while
attenuating out-
of-band signals, power amplification, transmit/receive switching, duplexing,
diplexing, and
impedance matching to drive one or more antennas that sends and receives the
wireless signals
of interface 1810.
[0205] In other embodiments, the transceiver 1932 is configured to
perform frequency
conversion of the first modulated signal in the first spectral segment to the
first modulated
signal at a first carrier frequency based on, in various embodiments, an
analog signal processing
of the first modulated signal without modifying the signaling protocol of the
first modulated
signal. The first modulated signal at the first carrier frequency can occupy
one or more
frequency channels of a downlink spectral segment 1906. The first carrier
frequency can be in
a millimeter-wave or microwave frequency band. As used herein analog signal
processing
includes filtering, switching, duplexing, diplexing, amplification, frequency
up and down
conversion, and other analog processing that does not require digital signal
processing, such as
including without limitation either analog to digital conversion, digital to
analog conversion,
or digital frequency conversion. In other embodiments, the transceiver 1932
can be configured
to perform frequency conversion of the first modulated signal in the first
spectral segment to
the first carrier frequency by applying digital signal processing to the first
modulated signal
without utilizing any form of analog signal processing and without modifying
the signaling
protocol of the first modulated signal. In yet other embodiments, the
transceiver 1932 can be
configured to perform frequency conversion of the first modulated signal in
the first spectral
segment to the first carrier frequency by applying a combination of digital
signal processing
and analog processing to the first modulated signal and without modifying the
signaling
protocol of the first modulated signal.
[0206] The transceiver 1932 can be further configured to transmit one or
more control
channels, one or more corresponding reference signals, such as pilot signals
or other reference
signals, and/or one or more clock signals together with the first modulated
signal at the first
carrier frequency to a network element of the distributed antenna system, such
as one or more
downstream communication nodes 1904B-E, for wireless distribution of the first
modulated
signal to one or more other mobile communication devices once frequency
converted by the
network element to the first spectral segment. In particular, the reference
signal enables the
network element to reduce a phase error (and/or other forms of signal
distortion) during
processing of the first modulated signal from the first carrier frequency to
the first spectral
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segment. The control channel can include instructions to direct the
communication node of the
distributed antenna system to convert the first modulated signal at the first
carrier frequency to
the first modulated signal in the first spectral segment, to control frequency
selections and reuse
patterns, handoff and/or other control signaling. In embodiments where the
instructions
transmitted and received via the control channel are digital signals, the
transceiver can 1932
can include a digital signal processing component that provides analog to
digital conversion,
digital to analog conversion and that processes the digital data sent and/or
received via the
control channel. The clock signals supplied with the downlink spectral segment
1906 can be
utilized to synchronize timing of digital control channel processing by the
downstream
communication nodes 1904B-E to recover the instructions from the control
channel and/or to
provide other timing signals.
[0207] In various embodiments, the transceiver 1932 can receive a second
modulated
signal at a second carrier frequency from a network element such as a
communication node
1804B-E. The second modulated signal can include one or more uplink frequency
channels
occupied by one or more modulated signals conforming to a signaling protocol
such as a LTE
or other 4G wireless protocol, a 5G wireless communication protocol, an ultra-
wideband
protocol, a 802.11 or other wireless local area network protocol and/or other
communication
protocol. In particular, the mobile or stationary communication device
generates the second
modulated signal in a second spectral segment such as an original/native
frequency band and
the network element frequency converts the second modulated signal in the
second spectral
segment to the second modulated signal at the second carrier frequency and
transmits the
second modulated signal at the second carrier frequency as received by the
communication
node 1804A. The transceiver 1932 operates to convert the second modulated
signal at the
second carrier frequency to the second modulated signal in the second spectral
segment and
sends the second modulated signal in the second spectral segment, via the
duplexer/diplexer
assembly 1924 and base station interface 1922, to a base station, such as
macro base station
1802, for processing.
[0208] Consider the following examples where the communication node 1804A
is
implemented in a distributed antenna system. The uplink frequency channels in
an uplink
spectral segment 1910 and downlink frequency channels in a downlink spectral
segment 1906
can be occupied with signals modulated and otherwise formatted in accordance
with a DOCSIS
2.0 or higher standard protocol, a WiMAX standard protocol, an ultra-wideband
protocol, a
802.11 standard protocol, a 4G or 5G voice and data protocol such as an LTE
protocol and/or
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other standard communication protocol. In addition to protocols that conform
with current
standards, any of these protocols can be modified to operate in conjunction
with the system of
FIG. 18A. For example, a 802.11 protocol or other protocol can be modified to
include
additional guidelines and/or a separate data channel to provide collision
detection/multiple
access over a wider area (e.g. allowing network elements or communication
devices
communicatively coupled to the network elements that are communicating via a
particular
frequency channel of a downlink spectral segment 1906 or uplink spectral
segment 1910 to
hear one another). In various embodiments all of the uplink frequency channels
of the uplink
spectral segment 1910 and downlink frequency channel of the downlink spectral
segment 1906
can all be formatted in accordance with the same communications protocol. In
the alternative
however, two or more differing protocols can be employed on both the uplink
spectral segment
1910 and the downlink spectral segment 1906 to, for example, be compatible
with a wider
range of client devices and/or operate in different frequency bands.
[0209] When two or more differing protocols are employed, a first subset
of the
downlink frequency channels of the downlink spectral segment 1906 can be
modulated in
accordance with a first standard protocol and a second subset of the downlink
frequency
channels of the downlink spectral segment 1906 can be modulated in accordance
with a second
standard protocol that differs from the first standard protocol. Likewise a
first subset of the
uplink frequency channels of the uplink spectral segment 1910 can be received
by the system
for demodulation in accordance with the first standard protocol and a second
subset of the
uplink frequency channels of the uplink spectral segment 1910 can be received
in accordance
with a second standard protocol for demodulation in accordance with the second
standard
protocol that differs from the first standard protocol.
[0210] In accordance with these examples, the base station interface 1922
can be
configured to receive modulated signals such as one or more downlink channels
in their
original/native frequency bands from a base station such as macro base station
1802 or other
communications network element. Similarly, the base station interface 1922 can
be configured
to supply to a base station modulated signals received from another network
element that is
frequency converted to modulated signals having one or more uplink channels in
their
original/native frequency bands. The base station interface 1922 can be
implemented via a
wired or wireless interface that bidirectionally communicates communication
signals such as
uplink and downlink channels in their original/native frequency bands,
communication control
signals and other network signaling with a macro base station or other network
element. The
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duplexer/diplexer assembly 1924 is configured to transfer the downlink
channels in their
original/native frequency bands to the transceiver 1932 which frequency
converts the
frequency of the downlink channels from their original/native frequency bands
into the
frequency spectrum of interface 1810 ¨ in this case a wireless communication
link used to
transport the communication signals downstream to one or more other
communication nodes
1804B-E of the distributed antenna system in range of the communication device
1804A.
[0211] In various embodiments, the transceiver 1932 includes an analog
radio that
frequency converts the downlink channel signals in their original/native
frequency bands via
mixing or other heterodyne action to generate frequency converted downlink
channels signals
that occupy downlink frequency channels of the downlink spectral segment 1906.
In this
illustration, the downlink spectral segment 1906 is within the downlink
frequency band of the
interface 1810. In an embodiment, the downlink channel signals are up-
converted from their
original/native frequency bands to a 28 GHz, 38 GHz, 60 GHz, 70 GHz or 80 GHz
band of the
downlink spectral segment 1906 for line-of-sight wireless communications to
one or more
other communication nodes 1804B-E. It is noted, however, that other frequency
bands can
likewise be employed for a downlink spectral segment 1906 (e.g., 3GHz to 5
GHz). For
example, the transceiver 1932 can be configured for down-conversion of one or
more downlink
channel signals in their original/native spectral bands in instances where the
frequency band of
the interface 1810 falls below the original/native spectral bands of the one
or more downlink
channels signals.
[0212] The transceiver 1932 can be coupled to multiple individual
antennas, such as
antennas 1822 presented in conjunction with FIG. 18D, for communicating with
the
communication nodes 1804B, a phased antenna array or steerable beam or multi-
beam antenna
system for communicating with multiple devices at different locations. The
duplexer/diplexer
assembly 1924 can include a duplexer, triplexer, splitter, switch, router
and/or other assembly
that operates as a "channel duplexer" to provide bi-directional communications
over multiple
communication paths via one or more original/native spectral segments of the
uplink and
downlink channels.
[0213] In addition to forwarding frequency converted modulated signals
downstream
to other communication nodes 1804B-E at a carrier frequency that differs from
their
original/native spectral bands, the communication node 1804A can also
communicate all or a
selected portion of the modulated signals unmodified from their
original/native spectral bands
to client devices in a wireless communication range of the communication node
1804A via the
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wireless interface 1811. The duplexer/diplexer assembly 1924 transfers the
modulated signals
in their original/native spectral bands to the transceiver 1930. The
transceiver 1930 can include
a channel selection filter for selecting one or more downlink channels and a
power amplifier
coupled to one or more antennas, such as antennas 1824 presented in
conjunction with FIG.
18D, for transmission of the downlink channels via wireless interface 1811 to
mobile or fixed
wireless devices.
[0214] In addition to downlink communications destined for client
devices,
communication node 1804A can operate in a reciprocal fashion to handle uplink
communications originating from client devices as well. In operation, the
transceiver 1932
receives uplink channels in the uplink spectral segment 1910 from
communication nodes
1804B-E via the uplink spectrum of interface 1810. The uplink frequency
channels in the
uplink spectral segment 1910 include modulated signals that were frequency
converted by
communication nodes 1804B-E from their original/native spectral bands to the
uplink
frequency channels of the uplink spectral segment 1910. In situations where
the interface 1810
operates in a higher frequency band than the native/original spectral segments
of the modulated
signals supplied by the client devices, the transceiver 1932 down-converts the
up-converted
modulated signals to their original frequency bands. In situations, however,
where the interface
1810 operates in a lower frequency band than the native/original spectral
segments of the
modulated signals supplied by the client devices, the transceiver 1932 up-
converts the down-
converted modulated signals to their original frequency bands. Further, the
transceiver 1930
operates to receive all or selected ones of the modulated signals in their
original/native
frequency bands from client devices via the wireless interface 1811. The
duplexer/diplexer
assembly 1924 transfers the modulated signals in their original/native
frequency bands received
via the transceiver 1930 to the base station interface 1922 to be sent to the
macro base station
1802 or other network element of a communications network. Similarly,
modulated signals
occupying uplink frequency channels in an uplink spectral segment 1910 that
are frequency
converted to their original/native frequency bands by the transceiver 1932 are
supplied to the
duplexer/diplexer assembly 1924 for transfer to the base station interface
1922 to be sent to the
macro base station 1802 or other network element of a communications network.
[0215] Turning now to FIG. 19C, a block diagram 1935 illustrating an
example, non-
limiting embodiment of a communication node is shown. In particular, the
communication
node device such as communication node 1804B, 1804C, 1804D or 1804E of a radio
distributed
antenna system includes transceiver 1933, duplexer/diplexer assembly 1924, an
amplifier 1938
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and two transceivers 1936A and 1936B.
[0216] In
various embodiments, the transceiver 1936A receives, from a communication
node 1804A or an upstream communication node 1804B-E, a first modulated signal
at a first
carrier frequency corresponding to the placement of the channels of the first
modulated signal
in the converted spectrum of the distributed antenna system (e.g., frequency
channels of one or
more downlink spectral segments 1906). The
first modulated signal includes first
communications data provided by a base station and directed to a mobile
communication
device. The transceiver 1936A is further configured to receive, from a
communication node
1804A one or more control channels and one or more corresponding reference
signals, such as
pilot signals or other reference signals, and/or one or more clock signals
associated with the
first modulated signal at the first carrier frequency. The first modulated
signal can include one
or more downlink communication channels conforming to a signaling protocol
such as a LTE
or other 4G wireless protocol, a 5G wireless communication protocol, an ultra-
wideband
protocol, a WiMAX protocol, a 802.11 or other wireless local area network
protocol and/or
other communication protocol.
[0217] As
previously discussed, the reference signal enables the network element to
reduce a phase error (and/or other forms of signal distortion) during
processing of the first
modulated signal from the first carrier frequency to the first spectral
segment (i.e.,
original/native spectrum). The
control channel includes instructions to direct the
communication node of the distributed antenna system to convert the first
modulated signal at
the first carrier frequency to the first modulated signal in the first
spectral segment, to control
frequency selections and reuse patterns, handoff and/or other control
signaling. The clock
signals can synchronize timing of digital control channel processing by the
downstream
communication nodes 1804B-E to recover the instructions from the control
channel and/or to
provide other timing signals.
[0218] The
amplifier 1938 can be a bidirectional amplifier that amplifies the first
modulated signal at the first carrier frequency together with the reference
signals, control
channels and/or clock signals for coupling via the duplexer/diplexer assembly
1924 to
transceiver 1936B, which in this illustration, serves as a repeater for
retransmission of the
amplified the first modulated signal at the first carrier frequency together
with the reference
signals, control channels and/or clock signals to one or more others of the
communication
nodes 1804B-E that are downstream from the communication node 1804B-E that is
shown and
that operate in a similar fashion.
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[0219] The amplified first modulated signal at the first carrier
frequency together with
the reference signals, control channels and/or clock signals are also coupled
via the
duplexer/diplexer assembly 1924 to the transceiver 1933. The transceiver 1933
performs
digital signal processing on the control channel to recover the instructions,
such as in the form
of digital data, from the control channel. The clock signal is used to
synchronize timing of the
digital control channel processing. The transceiver 1933 then performs
frequency conversion
of the first modulated signal at the first carrier frequency to the first
modulated signal in the
first spectral segment in accordance with the instructions and based on an
analog (and/or
digital) signal processing of the first modulated signal and utilizing the
reference signal to
reduce distortion during the converting process. The transceiver 1933
wirelessly transmits the
first modulated signal in the first spectral segment for direct communication
with one or more
mobile communication devices in range of the communication node 1804B-E as
free space
wireless signals.
[0220] In various embodiments, the transceiver 1936B receives a second
modulated
signal at a second carrier frequency in an uplink spectral segment 1910 from
other network
elements such as one or more other communication nodes 1804B-E that are
downstream from
the communication node 1804B-E that is shown. The second modulated signal can
include
one or more uplink communication channels conforming to a signaling protocol
such as a LTE
or other 4G wireless protocol, a 5G wireless communication protocol, an ultra-
wideband
protocol, a 802.11 or other wireless local area network protocol and/or other
communication
protocol. In particular, one or more mobile communication devices generate the
second
modulated signal in a second spectral segment such as an original/native
frequency band and
the downstream network element performs frequency conversion on the second
modulated
signal in the second spectral segment to the second modulated signal at the
second carrier
frequency and transmits the second modulated signal at the second carrier
frequency in an
uplink spectral segment 1910 as received by the communication node 1804B-E
shown. The
transceiver 1936B operates to send the second modulated signal at the second
carrier frequency
to amplifier 1938, via the duplexer/diplexer assembly 1924, for amplification
and
retransmission via the transceiver 1936A back to the communication node 1804A
or upstream
communication nodes 1804B-E for further retransmission back to a base station,
such as macro
base station 1802, for processing.
[0221] The transceiver 1933 may also receive a second modulated signal in
the second
spectral segment from one or more mobile communication devices in range of the
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communication node 1804B-E. The transceiver 1933 operates to perform frequency
conversion
on the second modulated signal in the second spectral segment to the second
modulated signal
at the second carrier frequency, for example, under control of the
instructions received via the
control channel, inserts the reference signals, control channels and/or clock
signals for use by
communication node 1804A in reconverting the second modulated signal back to
the
original/native spectral segments and sends the second modulated signal at the
second carrier
frequency, via the duplexer/diplexer assembly 1924 and amplifier 1938, to the
transceiver
1936A for amplification and retransmission back to the communication node
1804A or
upstream communication nodes 1804B-E for further retransmission back to a base
station, such
as macro base station 1802, for processing.
[0222] Turning now to FIG. 19D, a graphical diagram 1940 illustrating an
example,
non-limiting embodiment of a frequency spectrum is shown. In particular, a
spectrum 1942 is
shown for a distributed antenna system that conveys modulated signals that
occupy frequency
channels of a downlink segment 1906 or uplink spectral segment 1910 after they
have been
converted in frequency (e.g. via up-conversion or down-conversion) from one or
more
original/native spectral segments into the spectrum 1942.
[0223] In the example presented, the downstream (downlink) channel band
1944
includes a plurality of downstream frequency channels represented by separate
downlink
spectral segments 1906. Likewise the upstream (uplink) channel band 1946
includes a plurality
of upstream frequency channels represented by separate uplink spectral
segments 1910. The
spectral shapes of the separate spectral segments are meant to be placeholders
for the frequency
allocation of each modulated signal along with associated reference signals,
control channels
and clock signals. The actual spectral response of each frequency channel in a
downlink
spectral segment 1906 or uplink spectral segment 1910 will vary based on the
protocol and
modulation employed and further as a function of time.
[0224] The number of the uplink spectral segments 1910 can be less than
or greater
than the number of the downlink spectral segments 1906 in accordance with an
asymmetrical
communication system. In this case, the upstream channel band 1946 can be
narrower or wider
than the downstream channel band 1944. In the alternative, the number of the
uplink spectral
segments 1910 can be equal to the number of the downlink spectral segments
1906 in the case
where a symmetrical communication system is implemented. In this case, the
width of the
upstream channel band 1946 can be equal to the width of the downstream channel
band 1944
and bit stuffing or other data filling techniques can be employed to
compensate for variations
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in upstream traffic. While the downstream channel band 1944 is shown at a
lower frequency
than the upstream channel band 1946, in other embodiments, the downstream
channel band
1844 can be at a higher frequency than the upstream channel band 1946. In
addition, the
number of spectral segments and their respective frequency positions in
spectrum 1942 can
change dynamically over time. For example, a general control channel can be
provided in the
spectrum 1942 (not shown) which can indicate to communication nodes 1804 the
frequency
position of each downlink spectral segment 1906 and each uplink spectral
segment 1910.
Depending on traffic conditions, or network requirements necessitating a
reallocation of
bandwidth, the number of downlink spectral segments 1906 and uplink spectral
segments 1910
can be changed by way of the general control channel. Additionally, the
downlink spectral
segments 1906 and uplink spectral segments 1910 do not have to be grouped
separately. For
instance, a general control channel can identify a downlink spectral segment
1906 being
followed by an uplink spectral segment 1910 in an alternating fashion, or in
any other
combination which may or may not be symmetric. It is further noted that
instead of utilizing a
general control channel, multiple control channels can be used, each
identifying the frequency
position of one or more spectral segments and the type of spectral segment
(i.e., uplink or
downlink).
[0225] Further, while the downstream channel band 1944 and upstream
channel band
1946 are shown as occupying a single contiguous frequency band, in other
embodiments, two
or more upstream and/or two or more downstream channel bands can be employed,
depending
on available spectrum and/or the communication standards employed. Frequency
channels of
the uplink spectral segments 1910 and downlink spectral segments 1906 can be
occupied by
frequency converted signals modulated formatted in accordance with a DOCSIS
2.0 or higher
standard protocol, a WiMAX standard protocol, an ultra-wideband protocol, a
802.11 standard
protocol, a 4G or 5G voice and data protocol such as an LTE protocol and/or
other standard
communication protocol. In addition to protocols that conform with current
standards, any of
these protocols can be modified to operate in conjunction with the system
shown. For example,
a 802.11 protocol or other protocol can be modified to include additional
guidelines and/or a
separate data channel to provide collision detection/multiple access over a
wider area (e.g.
allowing devices that are communicating via a particular frequency channel to
hear one
another). In various embodiments all of the uplink frequency channels of the
uplink spectral
segments 1910 and downlink frequency channel of the downlink spectral segments
1906 are
all formatted in accordance with the same communications protocol. In the
alternative
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however, two or more differing protocols can be employed on both the uplink
frequency
channels of one or more uplink spectral segments 1910 and downlink frequency
channels of
one or more downlink spectral segments 1906 to, for example, be compatible
with a wider
range of client devices and/or operate in different frequency bands.
[0226] It should be noted that, the modulated signals can be gathered
from differing
original/native spectral segments for aggregation into the spectrum 1942. In
this fashion, a first
portion of uplink frequency channels of an uplink spectral segment 1910 may be
adjacent to a
second portion of uplink frequency channels of the uplink spectral segment
1910 that have
been frequency converted from one or more differing original/native spectral
segments.
Similarly, a first portion of downlink frequency channels of a downlink
spectral segment 1906
may be adjacent to a second portion of downlink frequency channels of the
downlink spectral
segment 1906 that have been frequency converted from one or more differing
original/native
spectral segments. For example, one or more 2.4 GHz 802.11 channels that have
been
frequency converted may be adjacent to one or more 5.8 GHz 802.11 channels
that have also
been frequency converted to a spectrum 1942 that is centered at 80 GHz. It
should be noted
that each spectral segment can have an associated reference signal such as a
pilot signal that
can be used in generating a local oscillator signal at a frequency and phase
that provides the
frequency conversion of one or more frequency channels of that spectral
segment from its
placement in the spectrum 1942 back into it original/native spectral segment.
[0227] Turning now to FIG. 19E, a graphical diagram 1950 illustrating an
example,
non-limiting embodiment of a frequency spectrum is shown. In particular a
spectral segment
selection is presented as discussed in conjunction with signal processing
performed on the
selected spectral segment by transceivers 1930 of communication node 1840A or
transceiver
1932 of communication node 1804B-E. As shown, a particular uplink frequency
portion 1958
including one of the uplink spectral segments 1910 of uplink frequency channel
band 1946 and
a particular downlink frequency portion 1956 including one of the downlink
spectral segments
1906 of downlink channel frequency band 1944 is selected to be passed by
channel selection
filtration, with the remaining portions of uplink frequency channel band 1946
and downlink
channel frequency band 1944 being filtered out ¨ i.e. attenuated so as to
mitigate adverse effects
of the processing of the desired frequency channels that are passed by the
transceiver. It should
be noted that while a single particular uplink spectral segment 1910 and a
particular downlink
spectral segment 1906 are shown as being selected, two or more uplink and/or
downlink
spectral segments may be passed in other embodiments.
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[0228] While the transceivers 1930 and 1932 can operate based on static
channel filters
with the uplink and downlink frequency portions 1958 and 1956 being fixed, as
previously
discussed, instructions sent to the transceivers 1930 and 1932 via the control
channel can be
used to dynamically configure the transceivers 1930 and 1932 to a particular
frequency
selection. In this fashion, upstream and downstream frequency channels of
corresponding
spectral segments can be dynamically allocated to various communication nodes
by the macro
base station 1802 or other network element of a communication network to
optimize
performance by the distributed antenna system.
[0229] Turning now to FIG. 19F, a graphical diagram 1960 illustrating an
example,
non-limiting embodiment of a frequency spectrum is shown. In particular, a
spectrum 1962 is
shown for a distributed antenna system that conveys modulated signals
occupying frequency
channels of uplink or downlink spectral segments after they have been
converted in frequency
(e.g. via up-conversion or down-conversion) from one or more original/native
spectral
segments into the spectrum 1962.
[0230] As previously discussed two or more different communication
protocols can be
employed to communicate upstream and downstream data. When two or more
differing
protocols are employed, a first subset of the downlink frequency channels of a
downlink
spectral segment 1906 can be occupied by frequency converted modulated signals
in
accordance with a first standard protocol and a second subset of the downlink
frequency
channels of the same or a different downlink spectral segment 1910 can be
occupied by
frequency converted modulated signals in accordance with a second standard
protocol that
differs from the first standard protocol. Likewise a first subset of the
uplink frequency channels
of an uplink spectral segment 1910 can be received by the system for
demodulation in
accordance with the first standard protocol and a second subset of the uplink
frequency
channels of the same or a different uplink spectral segment 1910 can be
received in accordance
with a second standard protocol for demodulation in accordance with the second
standard
protocol that differs from the first standard protocol.
[0231] In the example shown, the downstream channel band 1944 includes a
first
plurality of downstream spectral segments represented by separate spectral
shapes of a first
type representing the use of a first communication protocol. The downstream
channel band
1944' includes a second plurality of downstream spectral segments represented
by separate
spectral shapes of a second type representing the use of a second
communication protocol.
Likewise the upstream channel band 1946 includes a first plurality of upstream
spectral
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segments represented by separate spectral shapes of the first type
representing the use of the
first communication protocol. The upstream channel band 1946' includes a
second plurality
of upstream spectral segments represented by separate spectral shapes of the
second type
representing the use of the second communication protocol. These separate
spectral shapes are
meant to be placeholders for the frequency allocation of each individual
spectral segment along
with associated reference signals, control channels and/or clock signals.
While the individual
channel bandwidth is shown as being roughly the same for channels of the first
and second
type, it should be noted that upstream and downstream channel bands 1944,
1944', 1946 and
1946' may be of differing bandwidths. Additionally, the spectral segments in
these channel
bands of the first and second type may be of differing bandwidths, depending
on available
spectrum and/or the communication standards employed.
[0232] Turning now to FIG. 19G, a graphical diagram 1970 illustrating an
example,
non-limiting embodiment of a frequency spectrum is shown. In particular a
portion of the
spectrum 1942 or 1962 of FIGs. 19D-19F is shown for a distributed antenna
system that
conveys modulated signals in the form of channel signals that have been
converted in frequency
(e.g. via up-conversion or down-conversion) from one or more original/native
spectral
segments.
[0233] The portion 1972 includes a portion of a downlink or uplink
spectral segment
1906 and 1910 that is represented by a spectral shape and that represents a
portion of the
bandwidth set aside for a control channel, reference signal, and/or clock
signal. The spectral
shape 1974, for example, represents a control channel that is separate from
reference signal
1979 and a clock signal 1978. It should be noted that the clock signal 1978 is
shown with a
spectral shape representing a sinusoidal signal that may require conditioning
into the form of a
more traditional clock signal. In other embodiments however, a traditional
clock signal could
be sent as a modulated carrier wave such by modulating the reference signal
1979 via amplitude
modulation or other modulation technique that preserves the phase of the
carrier for use as a
phase reference. In other embodiments, the clock signal could be transmitted
by modulating
another carrier wave or as another signal. Further, it is noted that both the
clock signal 1978
and the reference signal 1979 are shown as being outside the frequency band of
the control
channel 1974.
[0234] In another example, the portion 1975 includes a portion of a
downlink or uplink
spectral segment 1906 and 1910 that is represented by a portion of a spectral
shape that
represents a portion of the bandwidth set aside for a control channel,
reference signal, and/or
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clock signal. The spectral shape 1976 represents a control channel having
instructions that
include digital data that modulates the reference signal, via amplitude
modulation, amplitude
shift keying or other modulation technique that preserves the phase of the
carrier for use as a
phase reference. The clock signal 1978 is shown as being outside the frequency
band of the
spectral shape 1976. The reference signal, being modulated by the control
channel instructions,
is in effect a subcarrier of the control channel and is in-band to the control
channel. Again,
the clock signal 1978 is shown with a spectral shape representing a sinusoidal
signal, in other
embodiments however, a traditional clock signal could be sent as a modulated
carrier wave or
other signal. In this case, the instructions of the control channel can be
used to modulate the
clock signal 1978 instead of the reference signal.
[0235] Consider the following example, where the control channel 1976 is
carried via
modulation of a reference signal in the form of a continuous wave (CW) from
which the phase
distortion in the receiver is corrected during frequency conversion of the
downlink or uplink
spectral segment 1906 and 1910 back to its original/native spectral segment.
The control
channel 1976 can be modulated with a robust modulation such as pulse amplitude
modulation,
binary phase shift keying, amplitude shift keying or other modulation scheme
to carry
instructions between network elements of the distributed antenna system such
as network
operations, administration and management traffic and other control data. In
various
embodiments, the control data can include without limitation:
= Status information that indicates online status, offline status, and
network
performance parameters of each network element.
= Network device information such as module names and addresses, hardware
and
software versions, device capabilities, etc.
= Spectral information such as frequency conversion factors, channel
spacing, guard
bands, uplink/downlink allocations, uplink and downlink channel selections,
etc.
= Environmental measurements such as weather conditions, image data, power
outage information, line of sight blockages, etc.
[0236] In a further example, the control channel data can be sent via
ultra-wideband
(UWB) signaling. The control channel data can be transmitted by generating
radio energy at
specific time intervals and occupying a larger bandwidth, via pulse-position
or time
modulation, by encoding the polarity or amplitude of the UWB pulses and/or by
using
orthogonal pulses. In particular, UWB pulses can be sent sporadically at
relatively low pulse
rates to support time or position modulation, but can also be sent at rates up
to the inverse of
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the UWB pulse bandwidth. In this fashion, the control channel can be spread
over an UWB
spectrum with relatively low power, and without interfering with CW
transmissions of the
reference signal and/or clock signal that may occupy in-band portions of the
UWB spectrum
of the control channel.
[0237] Turning now to FIG. 1911, a block diagram 1980 illustrating an
example, non-
limiting embodiment of a transmitter is shown. In particular, a transmitter
1982 is shown for
use with, for example, a receiver 1981 and a digital control channel processor
1995 in a
transceiver, such as transceiver 1933 presented in conjunction with FIG. 19C.
As shown, the
transmitter 1982 includes an analog front-end 1986, clock signal generator
1989, a local
oscillator 1992, a mixer 1996, and a transmitter front end 1984.
[0238] The amplified first modulated signal at the first carrier
frequency together with
the reference signals, control channels and/or clock signals are coupled from
the amplifier 1938
to the analog front-end 1986. The analog front end 1986 includes one or more
filters or other
frequency selection to separate the control channel signal 1987, a clock
reference signal 1978,
a pilot signal 1991 and one or more selected channels signals 1994.
[0239] The digital control channel processor 1995 performs digital signal
processing
on the control channel to recover the instructions, such as via demodulation
of digital control
channel data, from the control channel signal 1987. The clock signal generator
1989 generates
the clock signal 1990, from the clock reference signal 1978, to synchronize
timing of the digital
control channel processing by the digital control channel processor 1995. In
embodiments
where the clock reference signal 1978 is a sinusoid, the clock signal
generator 1989 can provide
amplification and limiting to create a traditional clock signal or other
timing signal from the
sinusoid. In embodiments where the clock reference signal 1978 is a modulated
carrier signal,
such as a modulation of the reference or pilot signal or other carrier wave,
the clock signal
generator 1989 can provide demodulation to create a traditional clock signal
or other timing
signal.
[0240] In various embodiments, the control channel signal 1987 can be
either a digitally
modulated signal in a range of frequencies separate from the pilot signal 1991
and the clock
reference 1988 or as modulation of the pilot signal 1991. In operation, the
digital control
channel processor 1995 provides demodulation of the control channel signal
1987 to extract
the instructions contained therein in order to generate a control signal 1993.
In particular, the
control signal 1993 generated by the digital control channel processor 1995 in
response to
instructions received via the control channel can be used to select the
particular channel signals
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1994 along with the corresponding pilot signal 1991 and/or clock reference
1988 to be used for
converting the frequencies of channel signals 1994 for transmission via
wireless interface 1811.
It should be noted that in circumstances where the control channel signal 1987
conveys the
instructions via modulation of the pilot signal 1991, the pilot signal 1991
can be extracted via
the digital control channel processor 1995 rather than the analog front-end
1986 as shown.
[0241] The digital control channel processor 1995 may be implemented via
a
processing module such as a microprocessor, micro-controller, digital signal
processor,
microcomputer, central processing unit, field programmable gate array,
programmable logic
device, state machine, logic circuitry, digital circuitry, an analog to
digital converter, a digital
to analog converter and/or any device that manipulates signals (analog and/or
digital) based on
hard coding of the circuitry and/or operational instructions. The processing
module may be, or
further include, memory and/or an integrated memory element, which may be a
single memory
device, a plurality of memory devices, and/or embedded circuitry of another
processing
module, module, processing circuit, and/or processing unit. Such a memory
device may be a
read-only memory, random access memory, volatile memory, non-volatile memory,
static
memory, dynamic memory, flash memory, cache memory, and/or any device that
stores digital
information. Note that if the processing module includes more than one
processing device, the
processing devices may be centrally located (e.g., directly coupled together
via a wired and/or
wireless bus structure) or may be distributedly located (e.g., cloud computing
via indirect
coupling via a local area network and/or a wide area network). Further note
that the memory
and/or memory element storing the corresponding operational instructions may
be embedded
within, or external to, the microprocessor, micro-controller, digital signal
processor,
microcomputer, central processing unit, field programmable gate array,
programmable logic
device, state machine, logic circuitry, digital circuitry, an analog to
digital converter, a digital
to analog converter or other device. Still further note that, the memory
element may store, and
the processing module executes, hard coded and/or operational instructions
corresponding to
at least some of the steps and/or functions described herein and such a memory
device or
memory element can be implemented as an article of manufacture.
[0242] The local oscillator 1992 generates the local oscillator signal
1997 utilizing the
pilot signal 1991 to reduce distortion during the frequency conversion
process. In various
embodiments the pilot signal 1991 is at the correct frequency and phase of the
local oscillator
signal 1997 to generate the local oscillator signal 1997 at the proper
frequency and phase to
convert the channel signals 1994 at the carrier frequency associated with
their placement in the
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spectrum of the distributed antenna system to their original/native spectral
segments for
transmission to fixed or mobile communication devices. In this case, the local
oscillator 1992
can employ bandpass filtration and/or other signal conditioning to generate a
sinusoidal local
oscillator signal 1997 that preserves the frequency and phase of the pilot
signal 1991. In other
embodiments, the pilot signal 1991 has a frequency and phase that can be used
to derive the
local oscillator signal 1997. In this case, the local oscillator 1992 employs
frequency division,
frequency multiplication or other frequency synthesis, based on the pilot
signal 1991, to
generate the local oscillator signal 1997 at the proper frequency and phase to
convert the
channel signals 1994 at the carrier frequency associated with their placement
in the spectrum
of the distributed antenna system to their original/native spectral segments
for transmission to
fixed or mobile communication devices.
[0243] The mixer 1996 operates based on the local oscillator signal 1997
to shift the
channel signals 1994 in frequency to generate frequency converted channel
signals 1998 at
their corresponding original/native spectral segments. While a single mixing
stage is shown,
multiple mixing stages can be employed to shift the channel signals to
baseband and/or one or
more intermediate frequencies as part of the total frequency conversion. The
transmitter (Xmtr)
front-end 1984 includes a power amplifier and impedance matching to wirelessly
transmit the
frequency converted channel signals 1998 as a free space wireless signals via
one or more
antennas, such as antennas 1824, to one or more mobile or fixed communication
devices in
range of the communication node 1804B-E.
[0244] Turning now to FIG. 191, a block diagram 1985 illustrating an
example, non-
limiting embodiment of a receiver is shown. In particular, a receiver 1981 is
shown for use
with, for example, transmitter 1982 and digital control channel processor 1995
in a transceiver,
such as transceiver 1933 presented in conjunction with FIG. 19C. As shown, the
receiver
1981 includes an analog receiver (RCVR) front-end 1983, local oscillator 1992,
and mixer
1996. The digital control channel processor 1995 operates under control of
instructions from
the control channel to generate the pilot signal 1991, control channel signal
1987 and clock
reference signal 1978.
[0245] The control signal 1993 generated by the digital control channel
processor 1995
in response to instructions received via the control channel can also be used
to select the
particular channel signals 1994 along with the corresponding pilot signal 1991
and/or clock
reference 1988 to be used for converting the frequencies of channel signals
1994 for reception
via wireless interface 1811. The analog receiver front end 1983 includes a low
noise amplifier
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and one or more filters or other frequency selection to receive one or more
selected channels
signals 1994 under control of the control signal 1993.
[0246] The local oscillator 1992 generates the local oscillator signal
1997 utilizing the
pilot signal 1991 to reduce distortion during the frequency conversion
process. In various
embodiments the local oscillator employs bandpass filtration and/or other
signal conditioning,
frequency division, frequency multiplication or other frequency synthesis,
based on the pilot
signal 1991, to generate the local oscillator signal 1997 at the proper
frequency and phase to
frequency convert the channel signals 1994, the pilot signal 1991, control
channel signal 1987
and clock reference signal 1978 to the spectrum of the distributed antenna
system for
transmission to other communication nodes 1804A-E. In particular, the mixer
1996 operates
based on the local oscillator signal 1997 to shift the channel signals 1994 in
frequency to
generate frequency converted channel signals 1998 at the desired placement
within spectrum
spectral segment of the distributed antenna system for coupling to the
amplifier 1938, to
transceiver 1936A for amplification and retransmission via the transceiver
1936A back to the
communication node 1804A or upstream communication nodes 1804B-E for further
retransmission back to a base station, such as macro base station 1802, for
processing. Again,
while a single mixing stage is shown, multiple mixing stages can be employed
to shift the
channel signals to baseband and/or one or more intermediate frequencies as
part of the total
frequency conversion.
[0247] Turning now to FIGs. 20A, block diagram 2000 is shown of an
example, non-
limiting embodiment of a coupling device in accordance with various aspects
described herein.
In particular, a coupling device is shown that includes a receiving portion
2010 that receives
an RF signal 2012 conveying first data from a transmitting device. A magnetic
coupler 2002
magnetically couples the RF signal 2012 to a transmission medium 2006 as a
guided
electromagnetic wave 2008 that is bound by an outer surface of the
transmission medium 2006
to propagate longitudinally along the transmission medium 2006. While the
transmission
medium 2006 is shown only on one side of the magnetic coupler 2002, it should
be noted that
the transmission medium 2006 can traverse two sides of the magnetic coupler
2002. While not
specifically shown, in this case, a guided wave, similar to guided
electromagnetic wave 2008,
can be launched in the opposite direction on the transmission medium 2006 from
the other side
of the magnetic coupler 2002.
[0248] In an embodiment, the transmission medium 2006 is a wire, such as
an insulated
wire or cable or an uninsulated wire. However, transmission medium 2006 can
include any of
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the transmission media 125 previously described.
[0249] In the embodiment shown, the magnetic coupler 2002 includes a
rectangular
cavity resonator that launches the guided electromagnetic wave 2008 that
propagates along the
transmission medium via an HiEll mode, TMoo mode or other TMom mode and/or one
or more
other modes. The cavity resonator can resonate at different frequencies and
generate electric
and magnetic fields in accordance with, for example, an TEio mode, however
different modes
can also be generated, based on the particular configuration of the cavity
resonator and the
frequency of the RF signal 2012. In particular, the receiving portion 2010 can
include a coaxial
connector and an antenna within the cavity resonator (not specifically shown)
that radiates the
RF signal 2012 within the cavity resonator. In the alternative the receiving
portion can include
a waveguide, such as a hollow waveguide or dielectric waveguide, such as a
dielectric stub,
that guides the RF signal 2012 as a guided electromagnetic wave into the
interior of the cavity
resonator. While the receiving portion is shown as having a cylindrical shape,
other shapes are
likewise possible, particularly in the circumstances when the receiving
portion 2010 is
implemented as a waveguide.
[0250] Following along with the examples presented above, the cavity
resonator
responds to the RF signal 2012 by generating an H-field (magnetic field), via
for example
standing waves at or near the resonant frequency, that induce the guided
electromagnetic wave
2008 on the transmission medium 2006 via magnetic coupling. In a particular
embodiment,
the cavity resonator is constructed from a section of a rectangular waveguide
that has a cut-off
frequency that is slightly above the carrier frequency of the RF signal 2012
or otherwise above
some or all of the range of frequencies present in the RF signal 2012.
Consider an example
where the carrier frequency of the RF signal 2012 is 3GHz. The cutoff
frequency,
corresponding to the TE10 mode or other mode of the cavity resonator, may be
in the range of
3.01 GHz to 3.5GHz -- causing the cavity resonator to operate slightly below
cutoff of the
electromagnetic mode of the resonator. It should be noted that in other
embodiments,
frequencies above the cutoff frequency can also be employed.
[0251] While the disclosure above has focused on the operation of a
magnetic coupling
device as a transmitter for launching a guided wave 2008 on a transmission
medium 2006, the
same coupler design can be used as a receiver for extracting a guided wave
from the
transmission medium 2006 that, for example, was sent by a remote transmission
device. In
this mode of operation, the magnetic coupler 2002 magnetically decouples a
portion of a guided
electromagnetic wave 2008, conveying first data from a transmitting device,
that is bound by
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an outer surface of the transmission medium 2006 and propagating
longitudinally along the
transmission medium 2006, into an electromagnetic wave. The receiving portion
2010 receives
the electromagnetic wave and provides it to a device such as a receiver or
transceiver.
[0252] Further, while the description above has focused on the operation
of the
magnetic coupler as having a cut-off frequency that is above the carrier
frequency of the RF
signal 2012, in other designs the magnetic coupler can be operated at a cut-
off frequency that
is at or below the carrier frequency of the RF signal 2012, depending on the
guided wave mode
or modes in use, the characteristics of the magnetic coupler 2002 and
transmission medium
2006, whether the coupling device is used for transmission or reception or
both, and/or other
factors.
[0253] While the magnetic coupler has been described and shown as a
rectangular
cavity resonator, other configurations of cavity resonators, such as a
cylindrical cavity
resonator or cavity resonator of another shape can also be employed. In
addition, or in the
alternative, the magnetic coupler can include an inductive resonator such as a
helical coil
resonator or other inductive resonator, capacitive resonator or other magnetic
coupling device.
[0254] In the embodiment shown, the coupling device includes a cap, such
as a lid,
cover or other housing having a dielectric portion 2004 that covers the
magnetic coupler 2002
and secures a portion of the transmission medium 2006 to the magnetic coupler
2002. In
addition, the cap further includes a reflective plate 2014 that operates alone
or in combination
with the dielectric portion 2004 to reduce emissions from the magnetic coupler
2002. The
reflective plate 2014 can be constructed of metal or other conductive material
or otherwise
have a metallic or conductive surface. While the reflective plate 2014 is
shown as having a
rectangular shape, other shapes are possible, particularly in circumstances
where the magnetic
coupler 2002 is of a different shape or includes a mounting flange of a
different shape and/or
the dielectric portion 2004 is of a different shape.
[0255] As shown, the dielectric portion 2004 includes a slot for securing
the
transmission medium 2006 to the magnetic coupler 2002. The dielectric portion
2004 can be
constructed of a dielectric material such as a cellular dielectric having a
cellular structure
aligned to promote the transmission of the fields upward through the
dielectric portion 2004
from the magnetic coupler 2002 in the orientation shown -- for reflection by
the reflective plate
2014 back downward through the dielectric portion 2004 toward the magnetic
coupling 2002.
In the embodiment shown, the reflective plate 2014 is spaced a distance apart
from the magnetic
coupler 2002 corresponding to substantially one-half of the wavelength of the
RF signal 2012
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when traversing the dielectric portion 2004. As used herein substantially one-
half of the
wavelength corresponds to value within the range of +/- 10% of k/2. In the
fashion, the phase
of the magnetic field reflected by the reflective plate 2014 back to at the
top surface of the
magnetic coupling 2002, is substantially one wavelength from the phase of the
magnetic field
generated by the magnetic coupling at this point. In this fashion the
generated magnetic field
and reflected magnetic field add constructively for greater coupling of the RF
signal to the
transmission medium 2006 as guided electromagnetic waves via a desired mode.
[0256] It should be noted that other dielectric materials such as Teflon
or other
dielectrics could likewise be used in the construction of the dielectric
portion 2004. It should
be noted however that. For a given resonance frequency, the choice of
dielectric material can
impact the dimensions of the coupler, and specifically the thickness of the
dielectric portion
2004 given the differences in the propagation velocity in different materials.
While the cap
is shown as having a rectangular shape, other shapes are possible,
particularly in circumstances
where the magnetic coupler 2002 is of a different shape or includes a mounting
flange of a
different shape.
[0257] Furthermore, while a particular coupler configuration is shown,
other
configurations are likewise possible. For example, consider an embodiment
where the distance
between the distance between the magnetic coupler 2002 and the reflective
plate 2014 is a full
wavelength and the dielectric portion 2004 supports the transmission medium
2006 at the
midpoint such that the distance from the center of the wire to both the
reflective plate 2014 and
the magnetic coupler 2002 is substantially one-half of the wavelength. In this
design an energy
"null" is placed at the center of the dielectric block along the longitudinal
axis of the wire. The
effect is to put more energy at the surface of the wire and/or its insulating
jacket (if any) where
it would propagate rather than in the center of the conductor where it
dissipates. The energy
on the top of the wire would be out-of-phase with the energy on the bottom of
the wire ¨
supporting an HEll mode, TMoo mode or other TMom mode and/or one or more other
modes of
guided wave propagation along the transmission medium 2006. In this case, the
diameter of
the wire must be of sufficient size as to generate a beneficial energy
distribution at the operating
frequency of the coupler ¨ e.g. so that sufficient energy is generated in the
top and bottom
regions of the wire to support the desired propagation mode. It should be
noted that frequencies
of 5 GHz and below can be supported by such a design for use with a wire, such
as an insulated
wire, with a diameter of 1 centimeter or more, however other frequencies
and/or wire sizes and
configurations are likewise possible.
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[0258] Turning now to FIG. 20B, a graphical diagram 2020 of an example,
non-
limiting embodiment of an electromagnetic field distribution in accordance
with various
aspects described herein, is shown. In particular, an electromagnetic
distribution is presented
in two dimensions for a transmission device that includes coupling device
2022, that includes
a magnetic coupler 2002 or other magnetic coupling device. The coupling device
2022 couples
an electromagnetic wave to transmission medium 2006 for propagation as a
guided wave along
an outer surface of the transmission medium 2006.
[0259] The coupling device 2022 forms a guided electromagnetic wave that
propagates
via a symmetrical mode and/or at least one asymmetrical mode that is bound to
and/or
otherwise guided by the surface of the transmission medium 2006. It is noted
that the graphical
representations of guided waves are presented merely to illustrate an example
of guided wave
coupling and propagation. The actual electric and magnetic fields generated as
a result of such
wave propagation may vary depending on the frequencies employed, the design
and/or
configuration of the coupling device 2022, the dimensions and composition of
the transmission
medium 2006, as well as its surface characteristics and the electromagnetic
properties of the
surrounding environment, etc.
[0260] Turning now to FIGs. 20C, 20D, 20E and 20F, pictorial diagrams
2030, 2040,
2050 and 2060 are shown, corresponding to example, non-limiting embodiments of
coupling
device components in accordance with various aspects described herein.
[0261] Considering FIG. 20C, a rectangular cavity resonator 2032 is shown
that
includes a stub antenna 2036 for radiating an electromagnetic field in the
cavity. The cavity
resonator also includes a rectangular mounting flange 2034 that includes ten
mounting holes
for attaching a cap including a dielectric portion and reflective plate.
[0262] Considering FIG. 20D, a coupling device is shown that includes a
rectangular
cavity resonator 2042, and a Teflon cap dielectric portion 2044 that includes
a slot that runs all
the way through the cap dielectric portion 2044 for holding a transmission
medium 125, such
as an insulated or bare wire. As shown, the cap has the reflective plate
removed. The dielectric
portion 2044 and a reflective plate are securable to the rectangular cavity
resonator 2042 via
mounting bolts.
[0263] Considering FIG. 20E, a reflective plate 2052 is shown for use,
for example, in
conjunction with a rectangular cavity resonator 2042 and dielectric portion
2044. The
reflective plate 2052 is constructed of metal, such as an aluminum alloy or
other conductive
metal to reduce unwanted emissions from the magnetic coupler and improve
coupling to the
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transmission medium 1806. As shown the, reflective plate 2052 includes ten
mounting holes
that mate with similar mounting holes in the rectangular cavity resonator 1922
and Teflon cap
1924.
[0264] Considering FIG. 20F, a coupling device is shown that includes a
rectangular
cavity resonator 2062 having a coaxial interface port for receiving and
transmitting and a
circular mounting flange for coupling to a cylindrical dielectric portion 2064
and a top
reflective plate 2066. The cylindrical dielectric portion 2064 includes a slot
that runs all the
way through the cylindrical dielectric portion 2064 for holding a transmission
medium 125,
such as an insulated or bare wire. As shown, the cylindrical dielectric
portion 2064 is secured
to the rectangular cavity resonator 2062 via mounting bolts.
[0265] Turning now to FIG. 20G, a flow diagram of an example, non-
limiting
embodiment of a method, is shown. In particular, a method is presented for use
with one or
more functions and features presented in conjunction with FIGs. 1-19 and 20A-
20F. Step
2072 includes receiving a first electromagnetic wave conveying first data.
Step 2074 includes
launching, via a cavity resonator, the first electromagnetic wave on a wire as
a guided
electromagnetic wave that is bound by an outer surface of the wire, wherein a
dielectric portion
secures the wire adjacent to the cavity resonator and a reflective plate
reduces electromagnetic
emissions from the cavity resonator.
[0266] In various embodiments, the cavity resonator operates below a cut-
off frequency
of the cavity resonator and further that responds to the radio frequency
signal by generating a
magnetic field that induces the guided electromagnetic wave on the
transmission medium via
magnetic coupling. The signal can comprise an electrical signal that is
supplied to an antenna
of the cavity resonator that magnetically radiates the signal within the
cavity resonator to induce
the guided electromagnetic wave on the outer surface of the transmission
medium.
[0267] While for purposes of simplicity of explanation, the respective
processes are
shown and described as a series of blocks in FIG. 20G, it is to be understood
and appreciated
that the claimed subject matter is not limited by the order of the blocks, as
some blocks may
occur in different orders and/or concurrently with other blocks from what is
depicted and
described herein. Moreover, not all illustrated blocks may be required to
implement the
methods described herein.
[0268] Referring now to FIG. 21, there is illustrated a block diagram of
a computing
environment in accordance with various aspects described herein. In order to
provide
additional context for various embodiments of the embodiments described
herein, FIG. 21 and
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the following discussion are intended to provide a brief, general description
of a suitable
computing environment 2100 in which the various embodiments of the subject
disclosure can
be implemented. While the embodiments have been described above in the general
context of
computer-executable instructions that can run on one or more computers, those
skilled in the
art will recognize that the embodiments can be also implemented in combination
with other
program modules and/or as a combination of hardware and software.
[0269] Generally, program modules comprise routines, programs,
components, data
structures, etc., that perform particular tasks or implement particular
abstract data types.
Moreover, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the inventive methods
can be practiced
with other computer system configurations, comprising single-processor or
multiprocessor
computer systems, minicomputers, mainframe computers, as well as personal
computers, hand-
held computing devices, microprocessor-based or programmable consumer
electronics, and the
like, each of which can be operatively coupled to one or more associated
devices.
[0270] As used herein, a processing circuit includes processor as well as
other
application specific circuits such as an application specific integrated
circuit, digital logic
circuit, state machine, programmable gate array or other circuit that
processes input signals or
data and that produces output signals or data in response thereto. It should
be noted that while
any functions and features described herein in association with the operation
of a processor
could likewise be performed by a processing circuit.
[0271] The terms "first," "second," "third," and so forth, as used in the
claims, unless
otherwise clear by context, is for clarity only and doesn't otherwise indicate
or imply any order
in time. For instance, "a first determination," "a second determination," and
"a third
determination," does not indicate or imply that the first determination is to
be made before the
second determination, or vice versa, etc.
[0272] The illustrated embodiments of the embodiments herein can be also
practiced
in distributed computing environments where certain tasks are performed by
remote processing
devices that are linked through a communications network. In a distributed
computing
environment, program modules can be located in both local and remote memory
storage
devices.
[0273] Computing devices typically comprise a variety of media, which can
comprise
computer-readable storage media and/or communications media, which two terms
are used
herein differently from one another as follows. Computer-readable storage
media can be any
available storage media that can be accessed by the computer and comprises
both volatile and
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nonvolatile media, removable and non-removable media. By way of example, and
not
limitation, computer-readable storage media can be implemented in connection
with any
method or technology for storage of information such as computer-readable
instructions,
program modules, structured data or unstructured data.
[0274] Computer-readable storage media can comprise, but are not limited
to, random
access memory (RAM), read only memory (ROM), electrically erasable
programmable read
only memory (EEPROM),flash memory or other memory technology, compact disk
read only
memory (CD-ROM), digital versatile disk (DVD) or other optical disk storage,
magnetic
cassettes, magnetic tape, magnetic disk storage or other magnetic storage
devices or other
tangible and/or non-transitory media which can be used to store desired
information. In this
regard, the terms "tangible" or "non-transitory" herein as applied to storage,
memory or
computer-readable media, are to be understood to exclude only propagating
transitory signals
per se as modifiers and do not relinquish rights to all standard storage,
memory or computer-
readable media that are not only propagating transitory signals per se.
[0275] Computer-readable storage media can be accessed by one or more
local or
remote computing devices, e.g., via access requests, queries or other data
retrieval protocols,
for a variety of operations with respect to the information stored by the
medium.
[0276] Communications media typically embody computer-readable
instructions, data
structures, program modules or other structured or unstructured data in a data
signal such as a
modulated data signal, e.g., a carrier wave or other transport mechanism, and
comprises any
information delivery or transport media. The term "modulated data signal" or
signals refers to
a signal that has one or more of its characteristics set or changed in such a
manner as to encode
information in one or more signals. By way of example, and not limitation,
communication
media comprise wired media, such as a wired network or direct-wired
connection, and wireless
media such as acoustic, RF, infrared and other wireless media.
[0277] With reference again to FIG. 21, the example environment 2100 for
transmitting and receiving signals via or forming at least part of a base
station (e.g., base station
devices 1504, macrocell site 1502, or base stations 1614) or central office
(e.g., central office
1501 or 1611). At least a portion of the example environment 2100 can also be
used for
transmission devices 101 or 102. The example environment can comprise a
computer 2102,
the computer 2102 comprising a processing unit 2104, a system memory 2106 and
a system
bus 2108. The system bus 2108 couples system components including, but not
limited to, the
system memory 2106 to the processing unit 2104. The processing unit 2104 can
be any of
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various commercially available processors. Dual microprocessors and other
multiprocessor
architectures can also be employed as the processing unit 2104.
[0278] The system bus 2108 can be any of several types of bus structure
that can further
interconnect to a memory bus (with or without a memory controller), a
peripheral bus, and a
local bus using any of a variety of commercially available bus architectures.
The system
memory 2106 comprises ROM 2110 and RAM 2112. A basic input/output system
(BIOS) can
be stored in a non-volatile memory such as ROM, erasable programmable read
only memory
(EPROM), EEPROM, which BIOS contains the basic routines that help to transfer
information
between elements within the computer 2102, such as during startup. The RAM
2112 can also
comprise a high-speed RAM such as static RAM for caching data.
[0279] The computer 2102 further comprises an internal hard disk drive
(HDD) 2114
(e.g., EIDE, SATA), which internal hard disk drive 2114 can also be configured
for external
use in a suitable chassis (not shown), a magnetic floppy disk drive (FDD)
2116, (e.g., to read
from or write to a removable diskette 2118) and an optical disk drive 2120,
(e.g., reading a CD-
ROM disk 2122 or, to read from or write to other high capacity optical media
such as the DVD).
The hard disk drive 2114, magnetic disk drive 2116 and optical disk drive 2120
can be
connected to the system bus 2108 by a hard disk drive interface 2124, a
magnetic disk drive
interface 2126 and an optical drive interface 2128, respectively. The
interface 2124 for external
drive implementations comprises at least one or both of Universal Serial Bus
(USB) and
Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) 1394 interface
technologies. Other
external drive connection technologies are within contemplation of the
embodiments described
herein.
[0280] The drives and their associated computer-readable storage media
provide
nonvolatile storage of data, data structures, computer-executable
instructions, and so forth. For
the computer 2102, the drives and storage media accommodate the storage of any
data in a
suitable digital format. Although the description of computer-readable storage
media above
refers to a hard disk drive (HDD), a removable magnetic diskette, and a
removable optical
media such as a CD or DVD, it should be appreciated by those skilled in the
art that other types
of storage media which are readable by a computer, such as zip drives,
magnetic cassettes, flash
memory cards, cartridges, and the like, can also be used in the example
operating environment,
and further, that any such storage media can contain computer-executable
instructions for
performing the methods described herein.
[0281] A number of program modules can be stored in the drives and RAM
2112,
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comprising an operating system 2130, one or more application programs 2132,
other program
modules 2134 and program data 2136. All or portions of the operating system,
applications,
modules, and/or data can also be cached in the RAM 2112. The systems and
methods described
herein can be implemented utilizing various commercially available operating
systems or
combinations of operating systems. Examples of application programs 2132 that
can be
implemented and otherwise executed by processing unit 2104 include the
diversity selection
determining performed by transmission device 101 or 102.
[0282] A user can enter commands and information into the computer 2102
through
one or more wired/wireless input devices, e.g., a keyboard 2138 and a pointing
device, such as
a mouse 2140. Other input devices (not shown) can comprise a microphone, an
infrared (IR)
remote control, a joystick, a game pad, a stylus pen, touch screen or the
like. These and other
input devices are often connected to the processing unit 2104 through an input
device interface
2142 that can be coupled to the system bus 2108, but can be connected by other
interfaces,
such as a parallel port, an IEEE 1394 serial port, a game port, a universal
serial bus (USB) port,
an IR interface, etc.
[0283] A monitor 2144 or other type of display device can be also
connected to the
system bus 2108 via an interface, such as a video adapter 2146. It will also
be appreciated that
in alternative embodiments, a monitor 2144 can also be any display device
(e.g., another
computer having a display, a smart phone, a tablet computer, etc.) for
receiving display
information associated with computer 2102 via any communication means,
including via the
Internet and cloud-based networks. In addition to the monitor 2144, a computer
typically
comprises other peripheral output devices (not shown), such as speakers,
printers, etc.
[0284] The computer 2102 can operate in a networked environment using
logical
connections via wired and/or wireless communications to one or more remote
computers, such
as a remote computer(s) 2148. The remote computer(s) 2148 can be a
workstation, a server
computer, a router, a personal computer, portable computer, microprocessor-
based
entertainment appliance, a peer device or other common network node, and
typically comprises
many or all of the elements described relative to the computer 2102, although,
for purposes of
brevity, only a memory/storage device 2150 is illustrated. The logical
connections depicted
comprise wired/wireless connectivity to a local area network (LAN) 2152 and/or
larger
networks, e.g., a wide area network (WAN) 2154. Such LAN and WAN networking
environments are commonplace in offices and companies, and facilitate
enterprise-wide
computer networks, such as intranets, all of which can connect to a global
communications
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network, e.g., the Internet.
[0285] When used in a LAN networking environment, the computer 2102 can
be
connected to the local network 2152 through a wired and/or wireless
communication network
interface or adapter 2156. The adapter 2156 can facilitate wired or wireless
communication to
the LAN 2152, which can also comprise a wireless AP disposed thereon for
communicating
with the wireless adapter 2156.
[0286] When used in a WAN networking environment, the computer 2102 can
comprise a modem 2158 or can be connected to a communications server on the
WAN 2154
or has other means for establishing communications over the WAN 2154, such as
by way of
the Internet. The modem 2158, which can be internal or external and a wired or
wireless device,
can be connected to the system bus 2108 via the input device interface 2142.
In a networked
environment, program modules depicted relative to the computer 2102 or
portions thereof, can
be stored in the remote memory/storage device 2150. It will be appreciated
that the network
connections shown are example and other means of establishing a communications
link
between the computers can be used.
[0287] The computer 2102 can be operable to communicate with any wireless
devices
or entities operatively disposed in wireless communication, e.g., a printer,
scanner, desktop
and/or portable computer, portable data assistant, communications satellite,
any piece of
equipment or location associated with a wirelessly detectable tag (e.g., a
kiosk, news stand,
restroom), and telephone. This can comprise Wireless Fidelity (Wi-Fi) and
BLUETOOTH
wireless technologies. Thus, the communication can be a predefined structure
as with a
conventional network or simply an ad hoc communication between at least two
devices.
[0288] Wi-Fi can allow connection to the Internet from a couch at home, a
bed in a
hotel room or a conference room at work, without wires. Wi-Fi is a wireless
technology similar
to that used in a cell phone that enables such devices, e.g., computers, to
send and receive data
indoors and out; anywhere within the range of a base station. Wi-Fi networks
use radio
technologies called IEEE 802.11 (a, b, g, n, ac, ag etc.) to provide secure,
reliable, fast wireless
connectivity. A Wi-Fi network can be used to connect computers to each other,
to the Internet,
and to wired networks (which can use IEEE 802.3 or Ethernet). Wi-Fi networks
operate in the
unlicensed 2.4 and 5 GHz radio bands for example or with products that contain
both bands
(dual band), so the networks can provide real-world performance similar to the
basic 10BaseT
wired Ethernet networks used in many offices.
[0289] FIG. 22 presents an example embodiment 2200 of a mobile network
platform
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2210 that can implement and exploit one or more aspects of the disclosed
subject matter
described herein. In one or more embodiments, the mobile network platform 2210
can generate
and receive signals transmitted and received by base stations (e.g., base
station devices 1504,
macrocell site 1502, or base stations 1614), central office (e.g., central
office 1501 or 1611),or
transmission device 101 or 102 associated with the disclosed subject matter.
Generally,
wireless network platform 2210 can comprise components, e.g., nodes, gateways,
interfaces,
servers, or disparate platforms, that facilitate both packet-switched (PS)
(e.g., internet protocol
(IP), frame relay, asynchronous transfer mode (ATM)) and circuit-switched (CS)
traffic (e.g.,
voice and data), as well as control generation for networked wireless
telecommunication. As
a non-limiting example, wireless network platform 2210 can be included in
telecommunications carrier networks, and can be considered carrier-side
components as
discussed elsewhere herein. Mobile network platform 2210 comprises CS gateway
node(s)
2222 which can interface CS traffic received from legacy networks like
telephony network(s)
2240 (e.g., public switched telephone network (PSTN), or public land mobile
network
(PLMN)) or a signaling system #7 (SS7) network 2270. Circuit switched gateway
node(s)
2222 can authorize and authenticate traffic (e.g., voice) arising from such
networks.
Additionally, CS gateway node(s) 2222 can access mobility, or roaming, data
generated
through SS7 network 2270; for instance, mobility data stored in a visited
location register
(VLR), which can reside in memory 2230. Moreover, CS gateway node(s) 2222
interfaces CS-
based traffic and signaling and PS gateway node(s) 2218. As an example, in a
3GPP UMTS
network, CS gateway node(s) 2222 can be realized at least in part in gateway
GPRS support
node(s) (GGSN). It should be appreciated that functionality and specific
operation of CS
gateway node(s) 2222, PS gateway node(s) 2218, and serving node(s) 2216, is
provided and
dictated by radio technology(ies) utilized by mobile network platform 2210 for
telecommunication.
[0290] In addition to receiving and processing CS-switched traffic and
signaling, PS
gateway node(s) 2218 can authorize and authenticate PS-based data sessions
with served
mobile devices. Data sessions can comprise traffic, or content(s), exchanged
with networks
external to the wireless network platform 2210, like wide area network(s)
(WANs) 2250,
enterprise network(s) 2270, and service network(s) 2280, which can be embodied
in local area
network(s) (LANs), can also be interfaced with mobile network platform 2210
through PS
gateway node(s) 2218. It is to be noted that WANs 2250 and enterprise
network(s) 2260 can
embody, at least in part, a service network(s) like IP multimedia subsystem
(IMS). Based on
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radio technology layer(s) available in technology resource(s) 2217, packet-
switched gateway
node(s) 2218 can generate packet data protocol contexts when a data session is
established;
other data structures that facilitate routing of packetized data also can be
generated. To that
end, in an aspect, PS gateway node(s) 2218 can comprise a tunnel interface
(e.g., tunnel
termination gateway (TTG) in 3GPP UMTS network(s) (not shown)) which can
facilitate
packetized communication with disparate wireless network(s), such as Wi-Fi
networks.
[0291] In embodiment 2200, wireless network platform 2210 also comprises
serving
node(s) 2216 that, based upon available radio technology layer(s) within
technology
resource(s) 2217, convey the various packetized flows of data streams received
through PS
gateway node(s) 2218. It is to be noted that for technology resource(s) 2217
that rely primarily
on CS communication, server node(s) can deliver traffic without reliance on PS
gateway
node(s) 2218; for example, server node(s) can embody at least in part a mobile
switching
center. As an example, in a 3GPP UMTS network, serving node(s) 2216 can be
embodied in
serving GPRS support node(s) (SGSN).
[0292] For radio technologies that exploit packetized communication,
server(s) 2214
in wireless network platform 2210 can execute numerous applications that can
generate
multiple disparate packetized data streams or flows, and manage (e.g.,
schedule, queue, format
...) such flows. Such application(s) can comprise add-on features to standard
services (for
example, provisioning, billing, customer support ...) provided by wireless
network platform
2210. Data streams (e.g., content(s) that are part of a voice call or data
session) can be
conveyed to PS gateway node(s) 2218 for authorization/authentication and
initiation of a data
session, and to serving node(s) 2216 for communication thereafter. In addition
to application
server, server(s) 2214 can comprise utility server(s), a utility server can
comprise a
provisioning server, an operations and maintenance server, a security server
that can implement
at least in part a certificate authority and firewalls as well as other
security mechanisms, and
the like. In an aspect, security server(s) secure communication served through
wireless
network platform 2210 to ensure network's operation and data integrity in
addition to
authorization and authentication procedures that CS gateway node(s) 2222 and
PS gateway
node(s) 2218 can enact. Moreover, provisioning server(s) can provision
services from external
network(s) like networks operated by a disparate service provider; for
instance, WAN 2250 or
Global Positioning System (GPS) network(s) (not shown). Provisioning server(s)
can also
provision coverage through networks associated to wireless network platform
2210 (e.g.,
deployed and operated by the same service provider), such as the distributed
antennas networks
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shown in FIG. 1(s) that enhance wireless service coverage by providing more
network
coverage. Repeater devices such as those shown in FIGs 7, 8, and 9 also
improve network
coverage in order to enhance subscriber service experience by way of UE 2275.
[0293] It is to be noted that server(s) 2214 can comprise one or more
processors
configured to confer at least in part the functionality of macro network
platform 2210. To that
end, the one or more processor can execute code instructions stored in memory
2230, for
example. It is should be appreciated that server(s) 2214 can comprise a
content manager 2215,
which operates in substantially the same manner as described hereinbefore.
[0294] In example embodiment 2200, memory 2230 can store information
related to
operation of wireless network platform 2210. Other operational information can
comprise
provisioning information of mobile devices served through wireless platform
network 2210,
subscriber databases; application intelligence, pricing schemes, e.g.,
promotional rates, flat-
rate programs, couponing campaigns; technical specification(s) consistent with
telecommunication protocols for operation of disparate radio, or wireless,
technology layers;
and so forth. Memory 2230 can also store information from at least one of
telephony
network(s) 2240, WAN 2250, enterprise network(s) 2270, or SS7 network 2260. In
an aspect,
memory 2230 can be, for example, accessed as part of a data store component or
as a remotely
connected memory store.
[0295] In order to provide a context for the various aspects of the
disclosed subject
matter, FIG. 22, and the following discussion, are intended to provide a
brief, general
description of a suitable environment in which the various aspects of the
disclosed subject
matter can be implemented. While the subject matter has been described above
in the general
context of computer-executable instructions of a computer program that runs on
a computer
and/or computers, those skilled in the art will recognize that the disclosed
subject matter also
can be implemented in combination with other program modules. Generally,
program modules
comprise routines, programs, components, data structures, etc. that perform
particular tasks
and/or implement particular abstract data types.
[0296] FIG. 23 depicts an illustrative embodiment of a communication
device 2300.
The communication device 2300 can serve as an illustrative embodiment of
devices such as
mobile devices and in-building devices referred to by the subject disclosure
(e.g., in FIGs.15,
16A and 16B).
[0297] The communication device 2300 can comprise a wireline and/or
wireless
transceiver 2302 (herein transceiver 2302), a user interface (UI) 2304, a
power supply 2314, a
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location receiver 2316, a motion sensor 2318, an orientation sensor 2320, and
a controller 2306
for managing operations thereof. The transceiver 2302 can support short-range
or long-range
wireless access technologies such as Bluetooth , ZigBee , WiFi, DECT, or
cellular
communication technologies, just to mention a few (Bluetooth and ZigBee are
trademarks
registered by the Bluetooth Special Interest Group and the ZigBee Alliance,
respectively).
Cellular technologies can include, for example, CDMA-1X, UMTS/HSDPA, GSM/GPRS,
TDMA/EDGE, EV/DO, WiMAX, SDR, LTE, as well as other next generation wireless
communication technologies as they arise. The transceiver 2302 can also be
adapted to support
circuit-switched wireline access technologies (such as PSTN), packet-switched
wireline access
technologies (such as TCP/IP, VoIP, etc.), and combinations thereof
[0298] The UI 2304 can include a depressible or touch-sensitive keypad
2308 with a
navigation mechanism such as a roller ball, a joystick, a mouse, or a
navigation disk for
manipulating operations of the communication device 2300. The keypad 2308 can
be an
integral part of a housing assembly of the communication device 2300 or an
independent device
operably coupled thereto by a tethered wireline interface (such as a USB
cable) or a wireless
interface supporting for example Bluetooth . The keypad 2308 can represent a
numeric keypad
commonly used by phones, and/or a QWERTY keypad with alphanumeric keys. The UI
2304
can further include a display 2310 such as monochrome or color LCD (Liquid
Crystal Display),
OLED (Organic Light Emitting Diode) or other suitable display technology for
conveying
images to an end user of the communication device 2300. In an embodiment where
the display
2310 is touch-sensitive, a portion or all of the keypad 2308 can be presented
by way of the
display 2310 with navigation features.
[0299] The display 2310 can use touch screen technology to also serve as
a user
interface for detecting user input. As a touch screen display, the
communication device 2300
can be adapted to present a user interface having graphical user interface
(GUI) elements that
can be selected by a user with a touch of a finger. The touch screen display
2310 can be
equipped with capacitive, resistive or other forms of sensing technology to
detect how much
surface area of a user's finger has been placed on a portion of the touch
screen display. This
sensing information can be used to control the manipulation of the GUI
elements or other
functions of the user interface. The display 2310 can be an integral part of
the housing
assembly of the communication device 2300 or an independent device
communicatively
coupled thereto by a tethered wireline interface (such as a cable) or a
wireless interface.
[0300] The UI 2304 can also include an audio system 2312 that utilizes
audio
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technology for conveying low volume audio (such as audio heard in proximity of
a human ear)
and high volume audio (such as speakerphone for hands free operation). The
audio system 2312
can further include a microphone for receiving audible signals of an end user.
The audio system
2312 can also be used for voice recognition applications. The UI 2304 can
further include an
image sensor 2313 such as a charged coupled device (CCD) camera for capturing
still or
moving images.
[0301] The power supply 2314 can utilize common power management
technologies
such as replaceable and rechargeable batteries, supply regulation
technologies, and/or charging
system technologies for supplying energy to the components of the
communication device
2300 to facilitate long-range or short-range portable communications.
Alternatively, or in
combination, the charging system can utilize external power sources such as DC
power
supplied over a physical interface such as a USB port or other suitable
tethering technologies.
[0302] The location receiver 2316 can utilize location technology such as
a global
positioning system (GPS) receiver capable of assisted GPS for identifying a
location of the
communication device 2300 based on signals generated by a constellation of GPS
satellites,
which can be used for facilitating location services such as navigation. The
motion sensor 2318
can utilize motion sensing technology such as an accelerometer, a gyroscope,
or other suitable
motion sensing technology to detect motion of the communication device 2300 in
three-
dimensional space. The orientation sensor 2320 can utilize orientation sensing
technology such
as a magnetometer to detect the orientation of the communication device 2300
(north, south,
west, and east, as well as combined orientations in degrees, minutes, or other
suitable
orientation metrics).
[0303] The communication device 2300 can use the transceiver 2302 to also
determine
a proximity to a cellular, WiFi, Bluetooth , or other wireless access points
by sensing
techniques such as utilizing a received signal strength indicator (RSSI)
and/or signal time of
arrival (TOA) or time of flight (TOF) measurements. The controller 2306 can
utilize
computing technologies such as a microprocessor, a digital signal processor
(DSP),
programmable gate arrays, application specific integrated circuits, and/or a
video processor
with associated storage memory such as Flash, ROM, RAM, SRAM, DRAM or other
storage
technologies for executing computer instructions, controlling, and processing
data supplied by
the aforementioned components of the communication device 2300.
[0304] Other components not shown in FIG. 23 can be used in one or more
embodiments of the subject disclosure. For instance, the communication device
2300 can
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include a slot for adding or removing an identity module such as a Subscriber
Identity Module
(SIM) card or Universal Integrated Circuit Card (UICC). SIM or UICC cards can
be used for
identifying subscriber services, executing programs, storing subscriber data,
and so on.
[0305] In the subject specification, terms such as "store," "storage,"
"data store," data
storage," "database," and substantially any other information storage
component relevant to
operation and functionality of a component, refer to "memory components," or
entities
embodied in a "memory" or components comprising the memory. It will be
appreciated that
the memory components described herein can be either volatile memory or
nonvolatile
memory, or can comprise both volatile and nonvolatile memory, by way of
illustration, and not
limitation, volatile memory, non-volatile memory, disk storage, and memory
storage. Further,
nonvolatile memory can be included in read only memory (ROM), programmable ROM
(PROM), electrically programmable ROM (EPROM), electrically erasable ROM
(EEPROM),
or flash memory. Volatile memory can comprise random access memory (RAM),
which acts
as external cache memory. By way of illustration and not limitation, RAM is
available in many
forms such as synchronous RAM (SRAM), dynamic RAM (DRAM), synchronous DRAM
(SDRAM), double data rate SDRAM (DDR SDRAM), enhanced SDRAM (ESDRAM),
Synchlink DRAM (SLDRAM), and direct Rambus RAM (DRRAM). Additionally, the
disclosed memory components of systems or methods herein are intended to
comprise, without
being limited to comprising, these and any other suitable types of memory.
[0306] Moreover, it will be noted that the disclosed subject matter can
be practiced with
other computer system configurations, comprising single-processor or
multiprocessor
computer systems, mini-computing devices, mainframe computers, as well as
personal
computers, hand-held computing devices (e.g., PDA, phone, smartphone, watch,
tablet
computers, netbook computers, etc.), microprocessor-based or programmable
consumer or
industrial electronics, and the like. The illustrated aspects can also be
practiced in distributed
computing environments where tasks are performed by remote processing devices
that are
linked through a communications network; however, some if not all aspects of
the subject
disclosure can be practiced on stand-alone computers. In a distributed
computing environment,
program modules can be located in both local and remote memory storage
devices.
[0307] Some of the embodiments described herein can also employ
artificial
intelligence (Al) to facilitate automating one or more features described
herein. For example,
artificial intelligence can be used in optional training controller 230
evaluate and select
candidate frequencies, modulation schemes, MIMO modes, and/or guided wave
modes in order
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to maximize transfer efficiency. The embodiments (e.g., in connection with
automatically
identifying acquired cell sites that provide a maximum value/benefit after
addition to an
existing communication network) can employ various AI-based schemes for
carrying out
various embodiments thereof Moreover, the classifier can be employed to
determine a ranking
or priority of the each cell site of the acquired network. A classifier is a
function that maps an
input attribute vector, x = (xl, x2, x3, x4,
xn), to a confidence that the input belongs to a
class, that is, f(x) = confidence (class). Such classification can employ a
probabilistic and/or
statistical-based analysis (e.g., factoring into the analysis utilities and
costs) to prognose or
infer an action that a user desires to be automatically performed. A support
vector machine
(SVM) is an example of a classifier that can be employed. The SVM operates by
finding a
hypersurface in the space of possible inputs, which the hypersurface attempts
to split the
triggering criteria from the non-triggering events. Intuitively, this makes
the classification
correct for testing data that is near, but not identical to training data.
Other directed and
undirected model classification approaches comprise, e.g., naive Bayes,
Bayesian networks,
decision trees, neural networks, fuzzy logic models, and probabilistic
classification models
providing different patterns of independence can be employed. Classification
as used herein
also is inclusive of statistical regression that is utilized to develop models
of priority.
[0308] As
will be readily appreciated, one or more of the embodiments can employ
classifiers that are explicitly trained (e.g., via a generic training data) as
well as implicitly
trained (e.g., via observing UE behavior, operator preferences, historical
information, receiving
extrinsic information). For example, SVMs can be configured via a learning or
training phase
within a classifier constructor and feature selection module. Thus, the
classifier(s) can be used
to automatically learn and perform a number of functions, including but not
limited to
determining according to a predetermined criteria which of the acquired cell
sites will benefit
a maximum number of subscribers and/or which of the acquired cell sites will
add minimum
value to the existing communication network coverage, etc.
[0309] As
used in some contexts in this application, in some embodiments, the terms
"component," "system" and the like are intended to refer to, or comprise, a
computer-related
entity or an entity related to an operational apparatus with one or more
specific functionalities,
wherein the entity can be either hardware, a combination of hardware and
software, software,
or software in execution. As an example, a component may be, but is not
limited to being, a
process running on a processor, a processor, an object, an executable, a
thread of execution,
computer-executable instructions, a program, and/or a computer. By way of
illustration and
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not limitation, both an application running on a server and the server can be
a component. One
or more components may reside within a process and/or thread of execution and
a component
may be localized on one computer and/or distributed between two or more
computers. In
addition, these components can execute from various computer readable media
having various
data structures stored thereon. The components may communicate via local
and/or remote
processes such as in accordance with a signal having one or more data packets
(e.g., data from
one component interacting with another component in a local system,
distributed system,
and/or across a network such as the Internet with other systems via the
signal). As another
example, a component can be an apparatus with specific functionality provided
by mechanical
parts operated by electric or electronic circuitry, which is operated by a
software or firmware
application executed by a processor, wherein the processor can be internal or
external to the
apparatus and executes at least a part of the software or firmware
application. As yet another
example, a component can be an apparatus that provides specific functionality
through
electronic components without mechanical parts, the electronic components can
comprise a
processor therein to execute software or firmware that confers at least in
part the functionality
of the electronic components. While various components have been illustrated
as separate
components, it will be appreciated that multiple components can be implemented
as a single
component, or a single component can be implemented as multiple components,
without
departing from example embodiments.
[0310] Further, the various embodiments can be implemented as a method,
apparatus
or article of manufacture using standard programming and/or engineering
techniques to
produce software, firmware, hardware or any combination thereof to control a
computer to
implement the disclosed subject matter. The term "article of manufacture" as
used herein is
intended to encompass a computer program accessible from any computer-readable
device or
computer-readable storage/communications media. For example, computer readable
storage
media can include, but are not limited to, magnetic storage devices (e.g.,
hard disk, floppy disk,
magnetic strips), optical disks (e.g., compact disk (CD), digital versatile
disk (DVD)), smart
cards, and flash memory devices (e.g., card, stick, key drive). Of course,
those skilled in the
art will recognize many modifications can be made to this configuration
without departing from
the scope or spirit of the various embodiments.
[0311] In addition, the words "example" and "exemplary" are used herein
to mean
serving as an instance or illustration. Any embodiment or design described
herein as
"example" or "exemplary" is not necessarily to be construed as preferred or
advantageous over
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other embodiments or designs. Rather, use of the word example or exemplary is
intended to
present concepts in a concrete fashion. As used in this application, the term
"or" is intended to
mean an inclusive "or" rather than an exclusive "or". That is, unless
specified otherwise or
clear from context, "X employs A or B" is intended to mean any of the natural
inclusive
permutations. That is, if X employs A; X employs B; or X employs both A and B,
then "X
employs A or B" is satisfied under any of the foregoing instances. In
addition, the articles "a"
and "an" as used in this application and the appended claims should generally
be construed to
mean "one or more" unless specified otherwise or clear from context to be
directed to a singular
form.
[0312] Moreover, terms such as "user equipment," "mobile station,"
"mobile,"
subscriber station," "access terminal," "terminal," "handset," "mobile device"
(and/or terms
representing similar terminology) can refer to a wireless device utilized by a
subscriber or user
of a wireless communication service to receive or convey data, control, voice,
video, sound,
gaming or substantially any data-stream or signaling-stream. The foregoing
terms are utilized
interchangeably herein and with reference to the related drawings.
[0313] Furthermore, the terms "user," "subscriber," "customer,"
"consumer" and the
like are employed interchangeably throughout, unless context warrants
particular distinctions
among the terms. It should be appreciated that such terms can refer to human
entities or
automated components supported through artificial intelligence (e.g., a
capacity to make
inference based, at least, on complex mathematical formalisms), which can
provide simulated
vision, sound recognition and so forth.
[0314] As employed herein, the term "processor" can refer to
substantially any
computing processing unit or device comprising, but not limited to comprising,
single-core
processors; single-processors with software multithread execution capability;
multi-core
processors; multi-core processors with software multithread execution
capability; multi-core
processors with hardware multithread technology; parallel platforms; and
parallel platforms
with distributed shared memory. Additionally, a processor can refer to an
integrated circuit,
an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), a digital signal processor
(DSP), a field
programmable gate array (FPGA), a programmable logic controller (PLC), a
complex
programmable logic device (CPLD), a discrete gate or transistor logic,
discrete hardware
components or any combination thereof designed to perform the functions
described herein.
Processors can exploit nano-scale architectures such as, but not limited to,
molecular and
quantum-dot based transistors, switches and gates, in order to optimize space
usage or enhance
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performance of user equipment. A processor can also be implemented as a
combination of
computing processing units.
[0315] As used herein, terms such as "data storage," data storage,"
"database," and
substantially any other information storage component relevant to operation
and functionality
of a component, refer to "memory components," or entities embodied in a
"memory" or
components comprising the memory. It will be appreciated that the memory
components or
computer-readable storage media, described herein can be either volatile
memory or
nonvolatile memory or can include both volatile and nonvolatile memory.
[0316] What has been described above includes mere examples of various
embodiments. It is, of course, not possible to describe every conceivable
combination of
components or methodologies for purposes of describing these examples, but one
of ordinary
skill in the art can recognize that many further combinations and permutations
of the present
embodiments are possible. Accordingly, the embodiments disclosed and/or
claimed herein are
intended to embrace all such alterations, modifications and variations that
fall within the spirit
and scope of the appended claims. Furthermore, to the extent that the term
"includes" is used
in either the detailed description or the claims, such term is intended to be
inclusive in a manner
similar to the term "comprising" as "comprising" is interpreted when employed
as a transitional
word in a claim.
[0317] In addition, a flow diagram may include a "start" and/or
"continue" indication.
The "start" and "continue" indications reflect that the steps presented can
optionally be
incorporated in or otherwise used in conjunction with other routines. In this
context, "start"
indicates the beginning of the first step presented and may be preceded by
other activities not
specifically shown. Further, the "continue" indication reflects that the steps
presented may be
performed multiple times and/or may be succeeded by other activities not
specifically shown.
Further, while a flow diagram indicates a particular ordering of steps, other
orderings are
likewise possible provided that the principles of causality are maintained.
[0318] As may also be used herein, the term(s) "operably coupled to",
"coupled to",
and/or "coupling" includes direct coupling between items and/or indirect
coupling between
items via one or more intervening items. Such items and intervening items
include, but are not
limited to, junctions, communication paths, components, circuit elements,
circuits, functional
blocks, and/or devices. As an example of indirect coupling, a signal conveyed
from a first
item to a second item may be modified by one or more intervening items by
modifying the
form, nature or format of information in a signal, while one or more elements
of the information
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in the signal are nevertheless conveyed in a manner than can be recognized by
the second item.
In a further example of indirect coupling, an action in a first item can cause
a reaction on the
second item, as a result of actions and/or reactions in one or more
intervening items.
[0319] Although specific embodiments have been illustrated and described
herein, it
should be appreciated that any arrangement which achieves the same or similar
purpose may
be substituted for the embodiments described or shown by the subject
disclosure. The subject
disclosure is intended to cover any and all adaptations or variations of
various
embodiments. Combinations of the above embodiments, and other embodiments not
specifically described herein, can be used in the subject disclosure. For
instance, one or more
features from one or more embodiments can be combined with one or more
features of one or
more other embodiments. In one or more embodiments, features that are
positively recited can
also be negatively recited and excluded from the embodiment with or without
replacement by
another structural and/or functional feature. The steps or functions described
with respect to
the embodiments of the subject disclosure can be performed in any order. The
steps or
functions described with respect to the embodiments of the subject disclosure
can be performed
alone or in combination with other steps or functions of the subject
disclosure, as well as from
other embodiments or from other steps that have not been described in the
subject disclosure.
Further, more than or less than all of the features described with respect to
an embodiment can
also be utilized.
