Multi-arm dielectric coupling system and methods for use therewith
AssigneeAT&T Intellectual Property I, L.P.
InventorsPaul Shala Henry, Giovanni Vannucci, Thomas M. Willis, III
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
In accordance with one or more embodiments, a dielectric coupler includes a neck portion configured to receive a first electromagnetic waves from a hollow waveguide. A plurality of arms is configured to generate, responsive to the first electromagnetic waves, second electromagnetic waves along a surface of a transmission medium, wherein the plurality of arms each end at differing azimuthal orientations relative to the transmission medium and wherein the second electromagnetic waves propagate along the surface of the transmission medium without requiring an electrical return path. A splitter portion is configured to split the first electromagnetic waves among the plurality of arms.
Claims20
A coupling system comprising:
- a waveguide configured to guide first electromagnetic waves conveying data from a transmitter;
- and
- a dielectric coupler including:
- a neck portion configured to receive the first electromagnetic waves from the waveguide;
- a plurality of arms configured to generate, responsive to the first electromagnetic waves, second electromagnetic waves along a surface of a transmission medium, wherein the plurality of arms each has an end at a differing azimuthal orientation relative to the transmission medium and wherein the second electromagnetic waves propagate along the surface of the transmission medium without requiring an electrical return path;
- and
- a splitter portion configured to split the first electromagnetic waves among the plurality of arms.
A dielectric coupler comprising:
- a neck portion configured to receive first electromagnetic waves from a waveguide;
- a plurality of arms configured to generate, responsive to the first electromagnetic waves, second electromagnetic waves along a surface of a transmission medium, wherein the plurality of arms each ending at a differing azimuthal orientation relative to the transmission medium and wherein the second electromagnetic waves propagate along the surface of the transmission medium without requiring an electrical return path;
- and
- a splitter portion configured to split the first electromagnetic waves among the plurality of arms.
A method comprising:
- receiving, via a one-piece dielectric coupler, first electromagnetic waves from a waveguide;
- generating, via a plurality of dielectric arms of the one-piece dielectric coupler and responsive to the first electromagnetic wave, second electromagnetic waves along an outer surface of a transmission medium, wherein the plurality of dielectric arms each has an end at a differing azimuthal orientation relative to the outer surface of the transmission medium and wherein the second electromagnetic waves propagate along the outer surface of the transmission medium without requiring an electrical return path;
- and
- splitting, via the one-piece dielectric coupler, the first electromagnetic waves among the plurality of dielectric arms.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.