Apparatus and methods for mitigating a fault that adversely affects ultra-wideband transmissions

A system, comprising:

• a processing system including a processor;
• and
• a memory that stores executable instructions that, when executed by the processing system, facilitate performance of operations, the operations comprising:
• transmitting a first plurality of ultra-wideband electromagnetic waves that propagates along a first surface of a first transmission medium without requiring an electrical return path, wherein the first plurality of ultra-wideband electromagnetic waves conveys a first communication signal, wherein the first surface is located on a first span of the first transmission medium, wherein the first span is supported by a first supporting device and a second supporting device, wherein the system is coupled to the first span, and wherein the first plurality of ultra-wideband electromagnetic waves propagates along the first span without traversing the first supporting device or the second supporting device;
• detecting an attenuation of the first plurality of ultra-wideband electromagnetic waves that affects a propagation of the first plurality of ultra-wideband electromagnetic waves along the first surface of the first transmission medium;
• and
• redirecting at least a portion of the first plurality of ultra-wideband electromagnetic waves to a second surface of a second transmission medium to mitigate the attenuation.

A waveguide system, comprising:

• a processing system including a processor;
• and
• a memory that stores executable instructions that, when executed by the processing system, facilitate performance of operations, the operations comprising:
• transmitting a plurality of ultra-wideband electromagnetic waves that propagates along a first surface of a first transmission medium without requiring an electrical return path, wherein the plurality of ultra-wideband electromagnetic waves conveys a plurality of communication signals, wherein the first surface is located on a first span of the first transmission medium, wherein the first span is supported by a first supporting device and a second supporting device, wherein the waveguide system is coupled to the first span, and wherein the plurality of ultra-wideband electromagnetic waves propagates along the first span without traversing the first supporting device or the second supporting device;
• detecting an attenuation in the plurality of ultra-wideband electromagnetic waves that affects a propagation of the plurality of ultra-wideband electromagnetic waves along the first surface of the first transmission medium;
• and
• responsive to the detecting, redirecting at least a portion of the plurality of ultra-wideband electromagnetic waves to a second surface of a second transmission medium.