# US 2019/0173601 A1 · Methods and apparatus for controllable coupling of an electromagnetic wave > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 2019/0173601 A1 - Document ID: US20190173601A1 - Status: Published application - Kind: A1 - Application number: 15/828,902 - Filed: 2017-12-01 - Published: 2019-06-06 - Earliest claimed: 2017-12-01 - Assignees: AT&T Intellectual Property I, L.P. - Applicants: AT&T Intellectual Property I, L.P. - Inventors: Peter Wolniansky; Giovanni Vannucci; Paul Shala Henry; Zoe Goodman-Frost; Thomas M. Willis, III - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20190173601A1 ## CPC - H04J 14/007: {Orthogonal Optical Code Multiplex} - G02B 6/29332: {Wavelength selective couplers, i.e. based on evanescent coupling between light guides, e.g. fused fibre couplers with transverse coupling between fibres having different propagation constant wavelength dependency} - H04B 10/90: Non-optical transmission systems, e.g. transmission systems employing non-photonic corpuscular radiation - H04B 10/40: Transceivers - H04B 10/50: Transmitters - H04B 10/60: Receivers - H04J: MULTIPLEX COMMUNICATION (transmission in general H04B; peculiar to transmission of digital information H04L5/00; systems for the simultaneous or sequential transmission of more than one television signal H04N7/08; in exchanges H04Q11/00; stereophonic systems H04S) - G02B: OPTICAL ELEMENTS, SYSTEMS OR APPARATUS - H04B: TRANSMISSION ## Abstract Aspects of the subject disclosure may include, a coupler having a first member coupled to a transmission medium, a first component coupled to the first member, a second member coupled to the transmission medium, and a second component coupled to the second member. The first component can facilitate transmission of first signals via the first member, and the second component can facilitate transmission of second signals via the second member. The first signals and the second signals can in turn induce electromagnetic waves that propagate along the transmission medium without requiring an electrical return path. Other embodiments are disclosed. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A coupler, comprising: a first member coupled to a transmission medium; a first component of a splitting device, the first component coupled to the first member; a second member coupled to the transmission medium; and a second component of the splitting device, the second component coupled to the second member, wherein a distal end of each of the first member and the second member is separated from an outer surface of the transmission medium, wherein the first component facilitates transmission of first signals via the first member, wherein the second component facilitates transmission of second signals via the second member, wherein the first signals differ from the second signals, and wherein the first signals and the second signals induce first electromagnetic waves that propagate along the transmission medium without requiring an electrical return path. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The coupler of claim 1, wherein the first component comprises a first amplifier, a first phase shifter, or a combination thereof, wherein the second component comprises a second amplifier, a second phase shifter, or a combination thereof, and wherein the first component operates independently of the second component. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The coupler of claim 1, wherein a first operation of the first component is adjustable independently of a second operation of the second component. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The coupler of claim 1, wherein a first adjustment of a first operation of the first component, a second adjustment of a second operation of the second component, or both results in an adjustment of a wave mode of the first electromagnetic waves. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The coupler of claim 1, wherein a first adjustment of a first operation of the first component, a second adjustment of a second operation of the second component, or both enables mitigation of an obstruction that adversely affects a propagation of the first electromagnetic waves along the transmission medium. ### Claim 6 (depends on 5) The coupler of claim 5, wherein the obstruction comprises an accumulation of water on the outer surface of the transmission medium. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The coupler of claim 1, wherein a first operation of the first component, a second operation of the second component, or both induces the first electromagnetic waves according to an impedance of the transmission medium, a diameter of the transmission medium, a dielectric material disposed on the transmission medium, or any combinations thereof. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The coupler of claim 1, wherein a first operation of the first component, a second operation of the second component, or both steers the first signals, the second signals, or both to induce the first electromagnetic waves. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The coupler of claim 1, wherein the first component facilitates receiving via the first member a first portion of second electromagnetic waves propagating along the transmission medium, and wherein the second component facilitates receiving via the second member a second portion of the second electromagnetic waves propagating along the transmission medium. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) The coupler of claim 1, wherein the first component and the second component are configured according to a first multi-input multi-output (MIMO) transmission technique for transmitting the first electromagnetic waves, a second MIMO reception technique for receiving second electromagnetic waves, or a combination thereof. ### Claim 11 (depends on 1) The coupler of claim 1, further comprising a base coupled to the outer surface of the transmission medium for supporting the first member, the first component of the splitting device, the second member, the second component of the splitting device, or any combinations thereof. ### Claim 12 (depends on 11) The coupler of claim 11, wherein the base comprises a grounding structure for the first component, the second component, or a combination thereof. ### Claim 13 (depends on 1) The coupler of claim 1, wherein the first member comprises a first conductive member, and wherein the second member comprises a second conductive member. ### Claim 14 (depends on 1) The coupler of claim 1, wherein the first member and the second member are non-linear. ### Claim 15 (depends on 1) The coupler of claim 1, wherein portions, other than the distal end, of each of the first member and the second member are separated from the outer surface of the transmission medium. ### Claim 16 (depends on 1) The coupler of claim 1, wherein the transmission medium comprises an insulated conductor, an uninsulated conductor, or a dielectric core. ### Claim 17 A coupler, comprising: a first member coupled to a transmission medium; a first component coupled to the first member; a second member coupled to the transmission medium; and a second component coupled to the second member, wherein the first component facilitates transmission of first signals via the first member, wherein the second component facilitates transmission of second signals via the second member, wherein the first member is decoupled from the second member, and wherein the first signals and the second signals induce electromagnetic waves that propagate along the transmission medium without requiring an electrical return path. ### Claim 18 (depends on 17) The coupler of claim 17, wherein a first operation of the first component, a second operation of the second component, or both induces the electromagnetic waves according to an impedance of the transmission medium, a diameter of the transmission medium, a dielectric material disposed on the transmission medium, or any combinations thereof. ### Claim 19 A coupler, comprising: a first member coupled to a transmission medium; a first component coupled to the first member; a second member coupled to the transmission medium; and a second component coupled to the second member, wherein the first component facilitates receiving first signals via the first member, wherein the second component facilitates receiving second signals via the second member, wherein the first member is decoupled from the second member, and wherein the first signals and the second signals are generated from electromagnetic waves that propagate along the transmission medium without requiring an electrical return path. ### Claim 20 (depends on 19) The coupler of claim 19, wherein the first component selectively processes the first signals and the second component selectively processes the second signals according to a multi-input multi-output (MIMO) technique.