Method and apparatus for mitigating interference in a waveguide communication system

A method, comprising:

• receiving, by a first waveguide system, a communication signal that conveys data;
• transmitting, via a coupler of the first waveguide system, electromagnetic waves, wherein the electromagnetic waves propagate along a transmission medium without requiring an electrical return path, wherein the electromagnetic waves have a non-optical frequency, wherein the electromagnetic waves convey the data;
• and
• mitigating, by the first waveguide system, an interference to the electromagnetic waves associated with residual electromagnetic waves propagating along the transmission medium.

A first waveguide system, comprising:

• a coupler;
• 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:
• generating mitigation electromagnetic waves based on residual electromagnetic waves propagating along a transmission medium;
• launching the mitigation electromagnetic waves along the transmission medium, wherein the mitigation electromagnetic waves cancel in whole or in part the residual electromagnetic waves;
• receiving a communication signal that conveys data;
• and
• transmitting, via the coupler, electromagnetic waves, wherein the electromagnetic waves propagate along the transmission medium without requiring an electrical return path, wherein the electromagnetic waves have a non-optical frequency, and wherein the electromagnetic waves convey the data.