Method and apparatus for proximity sensing

A first device, comprising:

• a receiver;
• a processing system including a processor and coupled with the receiver;
• and
• a memory that stores executable instructions that, when executed by the processing system, facilitate performance of operations, the operations comprising:
• receiving, by the receiver, electromagnetic waves at a physical interface of a transmission medium, wherein the electromagnetic waves are generated by a transmitter of a second device and propagate without requiring an electrical return path, and wherein the electromagnetic waves are guided by the transmission medium from the transmitter of the second device to the receiver;
• and
• detecting a physical object in proximity to the transmission medium based on a value of a parameter associated with the electromagnetic waves not satisfying a parameter threshold.