Methods and apparatus for inducing electromagnetic waves within pathways of a cable

A method, comprising:

• receiving, by a communication device coupled to a first plurality of conductive surfaces of a plurality of uninsulated conductors, a communication signal, wherein the first plurality of conductive surfaces forms a first hollow pathway that is bounded by internal conductive surfaces of the plurality of uninsulated conductors;
• and
• generating, by the communication device, transmission signals at the first plurality of conductive surfaces, wherein the transmission signals convey the communication signal, wherein the transmission signals induce guided electromagnetic waves that propagate along the first hollow pathway without requiring an electrical return path, wherein the guided electromagnetic waves convey the communication signal, wherein the guided electromagnetic waves are directed to a receiving device via the first hollow pathway, wherein the receiving device is coupled to the first hollow pathway, and wherein the receiving device facilitates receiving the guided electromagnetic waves and extracting the communication signal from the guided electromagnetic waves.

A system, comprising:

• a plurality of uninsulated conductors, wherein the plurality of uninsulated conductors forms a first hollow waveguide that is bounded by internal conductive surfaces of the plurality of uninsulated conductors;
• and
• a communication device coupled to a first plurality of external conductive surfaces of the plurality of uninsulated conductors, wherein the communication device facilitates receiving a communication signal and generating transmission signals at the first plurality of external conductive surfaces, wherein the transmission signals convey the communication signal and induce guided electromagnetic waves that propagate along the first hollow waveguide without requiring an electrical return path, wherein the guided electromagnetic waves convey the communication signal, wherein the guided electromagnetic waves are directed to a receiving device via the first hollow waveguide, wherein the receiving device is coupled to the first hollow waveguide, and wherein the receiving device facilitates receiving the guided electromagnetic waves and extracting the communication signal from the guided electromagnetic waves.