System and method for launching guided electromagnetic waves with channel feedback

A method comprising:

• receiving, via a launcher, a first guided electromagnetic wave from a remote system that is guided by a transmission medium and propagates along the transmission medium without requiring an electrical return path;
• generating, via a transceiver, a signal in response to receiving the first guided electromagnetic wave;
• generating, via a controller, a channel quality indicator in response to the signal;
• adjusting, via the controller, an impedance matching circuit based on the channel quality indicator;
• and
• launching, via the launcher, a second guided electromagnetic wave that conveys the channel quality indicator to the remote system, wherein the second guided electromagnetic wave is launched toward a reflector configured to direct the second guided electromagnetic wave onto a surface of the transmission medium, is guided by the transmission medium, and propagates along the transmission medium.

A system comprising:

• means for receiving a first guided electromagnetic wave from a remote system that is guided by a transmission medium and propagates along the transmission medium without requiring an electrical return path;
• means for generating a signal in response to receiving the first guided electromagnetic wave;
• means for generating a channel quality indicator by determining an impulse function and adjusting an impedance matching circuit based on the channel quality indicator;
• means for directing electromagnetic waves, launched by the system, onto a surface of the transmission medium;
• and
• means for launching a second guided electromagnetic wave that conveys the channel quality indicator to the remote system, wherein the second guided electromagnetic wave is directed onto the surface of the transmission medium by the means for directing electromagnetic waves, is guided by the transmission medium, and propagates along the transmission medium.