Methods and apparatus for adjusting an operational characteristic of an antenna

A method, comprising:

• receiving, via at least one dielectric core coupled to a dielectric antenna, a first electromagnetic wave supplied by the dielectric antenna in a first position, wherein the first electromagnetic wave propagates along the at least one dielectric core;
• receiving, via the at least one dielectric core, a second electromagnetic wave supplied by the dielectric antenna in a second position, wherein the second electromagnetic wave propagates along the at least one dielectric core;
• measuring a ratio of power gain of the dielectric antenna according to a first signal strength of the first electromagnetic wave and a second signal strength of the second electromagnetic wave;
• detecting that the ratio of power gain is below a threshold;
• and
• adjusting an operational characteristic of a system utilizing the dielectric antenna to increase the ratio of power gain.

A device, comprising:

• means for receiving a first electromagnetic wave supplied by a dielectric antenna in a first position, wherein the first electromagnetic wave propagates along an outer surface of a feedline of the dielectric antenna;
• means for receiving a second electromagnetic wave supplied by the dielectric antenna in a second position, wherein the second electromagnetic wave propagates along the outer surface of the feedline of the dielectric antenna;
• means for measuring a ratio of a first signal strength of the first electromagnetic wave and a second signal strength of the second electromagnetic wave;
• means for detecting that the ratio is below a threshold;
• and
• means for adjusting an operational characteristic of a system to increase the ratio.