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US 10,727,583 B2Granted
Method and apparatus for steering radiation on an outer surface of a structure
AssigneeAT&T Intellectual Property I, L.P.
InventorsPaul Shala Henry, Giovanni Vannucci, Thomas M. Willis, III
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Aspects of the subject disclosure may include, a system that includes a coupler having a structure that facilitates guiding electromagnetic waves along a transmission medium, wherein the electromagnetic waves propagate along the transmission medium without requiring an electrical return path, and a device coupled to an outer surface of the structure, wherein the device facilitates steering a wireless signal generated by a flow of an electrical current on the outer surface of the structure. Other embodiments are disclosed.
Claims20
A first communication device, comprising:
- a horn coupler having a metallic inner surface and a metallic outer surface, wherein the metallic inner surface of the horn coupler facilitates guiding electromagnetic waves along a transmission medium, wherein the electromagnetic waves induce an electrical current on the metallic inner surface of the horn coupler that propagates to the metallic outer surface of the horn coupler, and wherein the electromagnetic waves propagate along the transmission medium without requiring an electrical return path;
- an antenna coupled to the metallic outer surface of the horn coupler, wherein the antenna facilitates steering a wireless signal generated by a flow of the electrical current on the metallic outer surface of the horn coupler, and wherein the wireless signal is steered longitudinally along the transmission medium to avoid interference in whole or in part with a second communication device located above or below the transmission medium in a vicinity of the first communication device;
- and
- a crenellated structure located at a rim of the horn coupler and positioned on the metallic outer surface of the horn coupler, wherein the crenellated structure includes an absorbent material disposed on one or more portions of the crenellated structure, wherein the crenellated structure reduces the flow of the electrical current from the metallic inner surface of the horn coupler to the metallic outer surface of the horn coupler.
1 more element
A method, comprising:
- guiding, by a horn coupler having a metallic inner surface and a metallic outer surface, electromagnetic waves along a transmission medium, wherein the guiding is facilitated by the metallic inner surface of the horn coupler, wherein the electromagnetic waves induce an electrical current on the metallic inner surface of the horn coupler that propagates to the metallic outer surface of the horn coupler, wherein the electromagnetic waves propagate along the transmission medium without requiring an electrical return path;
- longitudinally steering, by an antenna coupled to the metallic outer surface of the horn coupler, a transmission of a wireless signal along the transmission medium to avoid interference in whole or in part with one or more communication devices located above or below the transmission medium, wherein the wireless signal is generated by a flow of the electrical current on the metallic outer surface of the horn coupler;
- and
- reducing, by a crenellated structure, located at a rim of the horn coupler and positioned on the metallic outer surface of the horn coupler, the flow of the electrical current from the metallic inner surface of the horn coupler to the metallic outer surface of the horn coupler, wherein the crenellated structure includes an absorbent material disposed on one or more portions of the crenelated structure.
1 more element
A waveguide system, comprising:
- a transmitter that facilitates receiving a communication signal that is converted to electromagnetic waves that propagate along a transmission medium, and wherein the electromagnetic waves convey data included by the communication signal;
- a horn coupler having a metallic inner surface and a metallic outer surface, wherein the metallic inner surface facilitates guiding the electromagnetic waves to the transmission medium, wherein the electromagnetic waves induce an electrical current on the metallic inner surface of the horn coupler that propagates to the metallic outer surface of the horn coupler;
- and
- an antenna, coupled to the metallic outer surface of the horn coupler, that facilitates steering a wireless signal radiated from the metallic outer surface of the horn coupler, wherein the wireless signal is generated according to a flow of the electrical current on the metallic outer surface of the horn coupler, and wherein the wireless signal is steered longitudinally along the transmission medium to avoid interference in whole or in part with a communication device located above or below the transmission medium in a vicinity of the waveguide system;
- and
- a crenellated structure located at a rim of the horn coupler and positioned on the metallic outer surface of the horn coupler, wherein the crenellated structure includes an absorbent material disposed on one or more portions of the crenellated structure, wherein the crenellated structure reduces the flow of electrical current from the metallic inner surface of the horn coupler to the metallic outer surface of horn coupler.
3 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.