Transmission medium and method for facilitating propagation of electromagnetic waves via a core
AssigneeAT&T Intellectual Property I, L.P.
InventorsRobert Bennett, Paul Shala Henry, Farhad Barzegar, Irwin Gerszberg, Donald J Barnickel, Thomas M. Willis, III
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Abstract
Aspects of the subject disclosure may include, for example, a transmission medium for propagating electromagnetic waves. The transmission medium can include a core for propagating electromagnetic waves guided by the core without an electrical return path, a rigid material surrounding the core, wherein an inner surface of the rigid material is separated from an outer surface of the core, and a conductive layer disposed on the rigid material. Other embodiments are disclosed.
Claims20
A cable, comprising:
- a core having a length, wherein the core facilitates propagation of electromagnetic waves guided by the core without requiring an electrical return path and without utilizing an optical frequency;
- a shell surrounding at least a portion of the core;
- a jacket surrounding the shell and the core, wherein the jacket facilitates reducing exposure of the core to an environment that impedes the propagation of the electromagnetic waves along the core;
- and
- a plurality of metallic conductors surrounding the jacket, wherein the plurality of metallic conductors extends contiguously throughout the length of the core.
A method, comprising:
- receiving, at a cable, a communication signal and a power signal;
- and
- propagating, by the cable, guided electromagnetic waves and the power signal, wherein the guided electromagnetic waves convey the communication signal, wherein the cable comprises a core surrounded by a metallic layer, wherein the guided electromagnetic waves are guided by the core without requiring an electrical return path and without utilizing an optical frequency, wherein the core comprises a conductor, wherein the conductor is distinct from the metallic layer, wherein the conductor has an insulation layer disposed thereon, wherein the cable further comprises a dielectric material disposed between the insulation layer and the metallic layer, wherein a first dielectric constant of the insulation layer exceeds a second dielectric constant of the dielectric material, and wherein the power signal propagates on the conductor or the metallic layer of the cable utilizing the electrical return path.
A transmission medium, comprising:
- a core that facilitates propagation of guided electromagnetic waves without requiring an electrical return path, the core utilizing an opaque material that is non-conducive for propagation of light waves;
- a rigid material surrounding the core, wherein an inner surface of the rigid material is separated from an outer surface of the core;
- and
- a conductive layer disposed on the rigid material.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.