Magnetic coupler for launching and receiving electromagnetic waves and methods thereof

A method, comprising:

• receiving, by a receiving portion, a radio frequency signal conveying data;
• magnetically coupling, by a magnetic coupler, the radio frequency signal to a transmission medium as an electromagnetic wave that propagates along the transmission medium without relying on an electrical return path;
• and
• directing, by a reflector in a form of a conductive isolator, propagation of the electromagnetic wave in a first direction along the transmission medium, the reflector preventing at least in part propagation of the electromagnetic wave in a second direction opposite the first direction, wherein a first structural characteristic of the reflector facilitates matching the reflector to an operating frequency range of the electromagnetic wave, and wherein a second structural characteristic of the reflector facilitates directivity of propagation of the electromagnetic wave in the first direction and further facilitates preventing at least in part propagation of the electromagnetic wave in the second direction opposite the first direction.

A waveguide system, comprising:

• a receiver;
• a magnetic coupler;
• a reflector in a form of a conductive isolator;
• 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:
• receiving, by the receiver, a radio frequency signal conveying data;
• and
• magnetically coupling, by the magnetic coupler, the radio frequency signal to a transmission medium as an electromagnetic wave that propagates along the transmission medium without relying on an electrical return path, the reflector directing propagation of the electromagnetic wave in a first direction along the transmission medium, wherein a first dimension of the reflector facilitates matching the reflector to an operating frequency range of the electromagnetic wave, and wherein a second dimension of the reflector facilitates directivity of propagation of the electromagnetic wave in the first direction and further facilitates preventing at least in part propagation of the electromagnetic wave in a second direction opposite the first direction.