JP2019535172A - Magnetic coupling device having reflector and method of using the same - Google Patents

Abstract

Aspects of the present disclosure may include, for example, a coupling device that includes a receiver that receives a radio frequency signal carrying data from a transmitting device. A magnetic coupler magnetically couples a radio frequency signal to a transmission medium as a guided electromagnetic wave coupled by the outer surface of the transmission medium. The cap includes a dielectric that secures the transmission medium adjacent to the magnetic coupler and a reflector that reduces electromagnetic radiation from the magnetic coupler. Other embodiments are also disclosed.

Description

This application is a continuation-in-part of US Patent Application Publication No. 14 / 697,723, filed April 28, 2015, and claimed priority on September 22, 2016. It claims the priority of the filed US patent application Ser. No. 15 / 273,348. The above contents are hereby incorporated by reference as if fully set forth herein.

  The present disclosure relates to a method and apparatus for managing utilization of radio resources.

  As smartphones and other portable devices become increasingly popular and data usage increases, macrocell base station devices and existing wireless infrastructures require higher bandwidth capacity than ever before to meet increasing demand. Yes. Small cell deployments are being promoted to provide additional mobile bandwidth, where microcells and picocells provide coverage for areas that are much smaller than previous macrocells.

  In addition, most homes and businesses are growing and relying on broadband data access for services such as voice, video, and internet browsing. Broadband access networks include satellite, 4G or 5G wireless, power line communications, fiber, cable, and telephone networks.

  Reference is now made to the accompanying drawings, which are not necessarily drawn to scale.

1 is a block diagram illustrating an example non-limiting embodiment of a waveguide communication system in accordance with various aspects described herein. FIG. FIG. 7 is a block diagram illustrating an example non-limiting embodiment of a transmitting device in accordance with various aspects described herein. FIG. 6 is a graphical diagram illustrating an example non-limiting embodiment of an electromagnetic field distribution in accordance with various aspects described herein. FIG. 6 is a graphical diagram illustrating an example non-limiting embodiment of an electromagnetic field distribution in accordance with various aspects described herein. FIG. 7 is a graphical diagram illustrating an example non-limiting embodiment of a frequency response in accordance with various aspects described herein. FIG. 6 is a graphical diagram illustrating an example non-limiting embodiment of a longitudinal cross section of an insulated wire showing a field of guided electromagnetic waves at various operating frequencies in accordance with various aspects described herein. FIG. 4 is a graphical diagram illustrating an example non-limiting embodiment of an electromagnetic field distribution in accordance with various aspects described herein. FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating an example non-limiting embodiment of an arc coupler in accordance with various aspects described herein. FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating an example non-limiting embodiment of an arc coupler in accordance with various aspects described herein. FIG. 6 is a block diagram illustrating an example non-limiting embodiment of a stub coupler in accordance with various aspects described herein. FIG. 3 illustrates an example non-limiting embodiment of an electromagnetic distribution in accordance with various aspects described herein. FIG. 6 is a block diagram illustrating an example non-limiting embodiment of a combiner and transceiver according to various aspects described herein. FIG. 6 is a block diagram illustrating an example non-limiting embodiment of a combiner and transceiver according to various aspects described herein. FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating an example non-limiting embodiment of a double stub coupler in accordance with various aspects described herein. FIG. 6 is a block diagram illustrating an example non-limiting embodiment of a repeater system in accordance with various aspects described herein. FIG. 7 illustrates a block diagram illustrating an example non-limiting embodiment of a bi-directional repeater in accordance with various aspects described herein. 1 is a block diagram illustrating an example non-limiting embodiment of a waveguide system in accordance with various aspects described herein. FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating an example non-limiting embodiment of a waveguide communication system in accordance with various aspects described herein. FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a non-limiting embodiment of an example system for managing a communication system in accordance with various aspects described herein. FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a non-limiting embodiment of an example system for managing a communication system in accordance with various aspects described herein. FIG. 16 shows a flow diagram illustrating an example non-limiting embodiment of a method for detecting and mitigating disturbances that occur in the communication network of the systems of FIGS. 16A and 16B. 16 shows a flow diagram illustrating an example non-limiting embodiment of a method for detecting and mitigating disturbances that occur in the communication network of the systems of FIGS. 16A and 16B. FIG. 7 is a block diagram illustrating an example non-limiting embodiment of a communication system in accordance with various aspects described herein. FIG. 19 is a block diagram illustrating an example non-limiting embodiment of a portion of the communication system of FIG. 18A in accordance with various aspects described herein. FIG. 18B is a block diagram illustrating an example non-limiting embodiment of a communication node of the communication system of FIG. 18A in accordance with various aspects described herein. FIG. 18B is a block diagram illustrating an example non-limiting embodiment of a communication node of the communication system of FIG. 18A in accordance with various aspects described herein. FIG. 7 is a graph illustrating an example non-limiting embodiment of downlink and uplink communication techniques that enable a base station to communicate with a communication node in accordance with various aspects described herein. FIG. 6 is a block diagram illustrating a non-limiting exemplary embodiment of a communication node in accordance with various aspects described herein. FIG. 6 is a block diagram illustrating a non-limiting exemplary embodiment of a communication node in accordance with various aspects described herein. FIG. 6 is a graph illustrating an example, non-limiting embodiment of a frequency spectrum in accordance with various aspects described herein. FIG. 6 is a graph illustrating an example, non-limiting embodiment of a frequency spectrum in accordance with various aspects described herein. FIG. 6 is a graph illustrating an example, non-limiting embodiment of a frequency spectrum in accordance with various aspects described herein. FIG. 6 is a graph illustrating an example, non-limiting embodiment of a frequency spectrum in accordance with various aspects described herein. FIG. 7 is a block diagram illustrating an example non-limiting embodiment of a transmitter in accordance with various aspects described herein. FIG. 7 is a block diagram illustrating an example non-limiting embodiment of a receiver in accordance with various aspects described herein. 1 is a block diagram of an example non-limiting embodiment of a coupling device in accordance with various aspects described herein. FIG. FIG. 4 is a graphical illustration of an example, non-limiting embodiment of an electromagnetic field distribution in accordance with various aspects described herein. FIG. 6 is a pictorial diagram of an example non-limiting embodiment of a coupling device component in accordance with various aspects described herein. FIG. 6 is a pictorial diagram of an example non-limiting embodiment of a coupling device component in accordance with various aspects described herein. FIG. 6 is a pictorial diagram of an example non-limiting embodiment of a coupling device component in accordance with various aspects described herein. FIG. 6 is a pictorial diagram of an example non-limiting embodiment of a coupling device component in accordance with various aspects described herein. Fig. 4 shows a flow diagram of an exemplary non-limiting embodiment of a method. FIG. 6 is a block diagram of an example, non-limiting embodiment of a computing environment in accordance with various aspects set forth herein. FIG. 3 is a block diagram of an example non-limiting embodiment of a mobile network platform in accordance with various aspects described herein. FIG. 6 is a block diagram of an example non-limiting embodiment of a communication device in accordance with various aspects described herein.

  One or more embodiments will now be described with reference to the drawings, wherein like reference numerals are used to refer to like elements throughout. In the following description, for purposes of explanation, numerous details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of various embodiments. It will be apparent, however, that various embodiments may be practiced without these details (and without applying to any particular networked environment or standard).

  In one embodiment, a guided wave communication system is provided that transmits and receives communication signals such as data or other signaling via guided electromagnetic waves. Waveguided electromagnetic waves include, for example, surface waves or other electromagnetic waves that are coupled or guided to a transmission medium. It will be appreciated that a variety of transmission media can be used in conjunction with waveguide communications without departing from the exemplary embodiments. Examples of such transmission media may include one or more of the following, alone or in one or more combinations: whether or not insulated and single or stranded Regardless of wire; conductors of other shapes or configurations including wire bundles, cables, rods, rails, pipes; non-conductors such as dielectric pipes, rods, rails or other dielectric members; conductors and dielectrics In combination with materials; or other waveguide transmission media.

  Induction of guided electromagnetic waves in a transmission medium can be independent of any potential, charge, or current injected into or otherwise transmitted to the transmission medium as part of an electrical circuit. For example, if the transmission medium is a wire, a small current can be formed in the wire in response to the propagation of the waveguide along the wire, which can be attributed to the propagation of electromagnetic waves along the surface of the wire, It should be understood that it is not formed in response to a potential, charge, or current injected into a wire as part of the circuit. Therefore, the traveling electromagnetic wave on the electric wire does not require a circuit to propagate along the electric wire surface. Therefore, the electric wire is a single-layer transmission line that is not part of the circuit. Also, in some embodiments, no electrical wires are required, and electromagnetic waves can propagate along single wire transmission media that are not electrical wires.

  More generally, a “waveguided electromagnetic wave” or “waveguide” as described by this disclosure refers to at least a portion of a transmission medium (eg, bare wire or other conductor, dielectric, insulated wire, conduit or other Of a physical object that is a hollow element, a bundle of insulated wires or other wire bundles coated or covered with a dielectric or insulator, or another form of solid, liquid, or other non-gas transmission medium) This is done by being present and is at least partially directed or guided by the physical object and propagates along the transmission path of the physical object. Such physical objects induce the propagation of guided electromagnetic waves by the interface of the transmission medium (eg, the outer surface, the inner surface, the interior between the outer surface and the inner surface, or other boundaries between elements of the transmission medium). The propagation of guided electromagnetic waves carries energy, data, and / or other signals along the transmission path from the transmitting device to the receiving device. Can do.

  Unlike free space propagation of wireless signals such as non-inductive (or uncoupled) electromagnetic waves whose intensity decreases inversely proportional to the square of the travel distance of electromagnetic waves that are not guided, electromagnetic waves that are guided are more susceptible to electromagnetic waves that are not guided. It can propagate along the transmission medium with a small loss per unit distance.

  Unlike electrical signals, guided electromagnetic waves can propagate from the transmitting device to the receiving device without the need for a separate electrical return path between the transmitting device and the receiving device. As a result, guided electromagnetic waves can be transmitted from the transmitting device to the receiving device along a transmission medium that does not have conductive components (eg, having a dielectric strip) or less than one conductor (eg, It is possible to propagate through a transmission medium having a single bare wire or insulated wire). A transmission medium includes one or more conductive components, and a guided electromagnetic wave propagating along the transmission medium generates a current that flows through the one or more conductive components in the direction of the guided electromagnetic wave. Even in such cases, the guided electromagnetic wave propagates from the transmitting device to the receiving device along the transmission medium without the need for reverse current to flow in the electrical feedback path between the transmitting device and the receiving device. can do.

  In a non-limiting illustration, consider an electrical system that transmits and receives electrical signals between a transmitting device and a receiving device via a conductive medium. Such systems generally rely on electrically separate forward and return paths. For example, consider a coaxial cable having a center conductor and a ground shield separated by an insulator. Typically, in an electrical system, the first terminal of a transmitting (or receiving) device can be connected to the center conductor, and the second terminal of the transmitting (or receiving) device is connected to a ground shield. be able to. When the transmitting device injects an electrical signal into the center conductor via the first terminal, the electrical signal propagates along the center conductor, producing a forward current in the center conductor and a feedback current in the ground shield. The same situation applies to a two-terminal receiving device.

  In contrast, different embodiments of transmission media (including inter alia coaxial cables) can be used to transmit and receive guided electromagnetic waves without an electrical feedback path, as described in this disclosure. Consider such a waveguide communication system. In one embodiment, for example, the waveguide communication system of the present disclosure can be configured to induce guided electromagnetic waves that propagate along the outer surface of the coaxial cable. A guided electromagnetic wave causes a forward current in the ground shield, but a guided electromagnetic wave does not require a feedback current to allow the guided electromagnetic wave to propagate along the outer surface of the coaxial cable. . The same is true for other transmission media used by waveguide communication systems to transmit and receive guided electromagnetic waves. For example, a guided electromagnetic wave guided by a waveguide communication system on the outer surface of a bare wire or insulated wire can propagate along the bare wire or insulated wire without an electrical return path.

  Thus, an electrical system that requires two or more conductors that carry forward and reverse currents on separate conductors to allow the propagation of the electrical signal injected by the transmitting device is at the interface of the transmission medium. Unlike a waveguide system that induces an electromagnetic wave guided on the interface of a transmission medium that does not require an electrical feedback path to allow propagation of the guided electromagnetic wave along.

  Waveguide electromagnetic waves described in this disclosure are coupled to a transmission medium or guided by a transmission medium, and over distances longer than a minute distance (on or along the outer surface of the transmission medium). It should be further noted that in order to propagate non-trivial distances), it may have an electromagnetic field structure that exists primarily or substantially outside the transmission medium. In other embodiments, the guided electromagnetic wave is coupled to or guided by the transmission medium and to propagate a distance longer than a small distance within the transmission medium. Can have an electromagnetic field structure that is predominantly or substantially inside. In other embodiments, guided electromagnetic waves are transmitted in order to be coupled to or guided by a transmission medium and to propagate longer than a small distance along the transmission medium. It can have an electromagnetic field structure that lies partly inside and partly outside the medium. The desired electric field structure in one embodiment includes various factors including the desired transmission distance, characteristics of the transmission medium itself, and environmental conditions / characteristics outside the transmission medium (eg, the presence of rain, fog, atmospheric conditions, etc.). Can vary.

  It is further noted that the waveguide system described in this disclosure is different from the fiber optic system. The waveguiding system of the present disclosure is an opaque material (eg, a dielectric cable made of polyethylene) or an optical wave that allows propagation of electromagnetic waves that are guided along the interface of a transmission medium for distances greater than a minute distance. Waveguide electromagnetic waves can be induced at the interface of a transmission medium constructed with other materials that have resistance to transmission (eg, bare or insulated conductors). In contrast, fiber optic systems are opaque or otherwise cannot function using transmission media that have resistance to the transmission of light waves.

  Various embodiments described herein include “waveguide coupling devices”, “guides” that deliver and / or extract guided electromagnetic waves to and from transmission media at millimeter wave frequencies (eg, 30 GHz to 300 GHz). Related to coupling devices, which can be referred to as “waveguide couplers”, or more simply “couplers”, “coupling devices”, or “senders”, where the millimeter wavelength is the outer circumference or other cross-sectional dimension of the wire The coupling device and / or transmission medium may be small compared to one or more dimensions, or may be a low-frequency microwave, such as 300 MHz to 30 GHz. Transmission is a strip of dielectric material, arc, or other length; horn, monopole, rod, slot, or other antenna; array of antennas; magnetic resonance cavity, or other resonant coupler; coil, stripline, It can be generated to propagate as a wave guided by a coupling device, such as a waveguide or other coupling device. In operation, the coupling device receives electromagnetic waves from a transmitter or transmission medium. The electromagnetic field structure of the electromagnetic wave can be present inside the coupling device, outside the coupling device, or some combination thereof. If the coupling device is close to the transmission medium, at least a portion of the electromagnetic wave is coupled to the transmission medium and continues to propagate as a guided electromagnetic wave. In a round trip, the coupling device can extract the wave guide from the transmission medium and transfer these electromagnetic waves to the receiver.

  According to an exemplary embodiment, the surface wave is a transmission medium such as the outer or outer surface of the wire or another surface of the wire adjacent to or exposed to another type of media having different properties (eg, dielectric constant). It is a type of waveguide guided by the surface of Indeed, in the exemplary embodiment, the surface of the wire that guides the surface wave can represent a transition plane between two different types of media. For example, in the case of a bare wire or a non-insulated electric wire, the surface of the electric wire can be the outside or outer conductor surface of the bare wire or the non-insulated electric wire exposed to air or free space. As another example, in the case of an insulated wire, the surface of the wire may further depend on one or more of the waveguides depending on the relative differences in properties of the insulator, air, and / or conductor (eg, dielectric constant). Depending on the frequency and mode of propagation, it can be the conductive part of the wire in contact with the insulator part of the wire, or it can be the surface of the wire insulator exposed to air or free space, or else the wire It can be any material region between the insulator surface and the conductive portion of the wire that contacts the insulator portion of the wire.

  According to exemplary embodiments, the term “perimeter” of an electrical wire or other transmission medium used in conjunction with waveguiding is a circular or substantially circular field distribution, a symmetrical electromagnetic field distribution (eg, electric field, magnetic field). , Electromagnetic field, etc.), or a fundamental guided wave propagation mode, such as a waveguide having other fundamental mode patterns around at least part of a wire or other transmission medium. In addition, waveguides propagate not only in the fundamental wave propagation mode (eg, zero-order mode) but also in addition to or instead of higher-order guided modes (eg, zero-order mode) when propagating “around” an electrical wire or other transmission medium. , Primary modes, secondary modes, etc.), asymmetric modes, and / or non-fundamental wave propagation modes such as other wave guides (surface waves) having a non-circular field distribution around the wire or transmission medium Can do so according to. As used herein, the term “guided mode” refers to a guided propagation mode of a transmission medium, a coupling device, or other system component of a waveguide communication system.

  For example, such a non-circular field distribution may be due to one or more azimuth lobes characterized by a relatively high field strength and / or a relatively low field strength, zero field strength or substantial zero field strength. It can be unilateral or multi-directional with one or more nulls or null regions being characterized. Furthermore, the field distribution is determined according to an exemplary embodiment, in which one or more regions of the azimuthal orientation around the wire is higher than the one or more other regions of the orientation. Others can vary as a function of the longitudinal orientation around the wire to have a combination. It will be appreciated that the relative orientation or relative position of a higher order mode or asymmetric mode waveguide may change as the waveguide travels along the wire.

  As used herein, the term “millimeter wave” can refer to an electromagnetic wave / signal that is within the “millimeter wave frequency band” of 30 GHz to 300 GHz. The term “microwave” can refer to an electromagnetic wave / signal that is within a “microwave frequency band” of 300 MHz to 300 GHz. The term “radio frequency” or “RF” may refer to an electromagnetic wave / signal that is within a “radio frequency band” of 10 kHz to 1 THz. The wireless signals, electrical signals, and guided electromagnetic waves described in this disclosure may be in any desired frequency range, such as frequencies within, above, or below the millimeter wave and / or microwave frequency bands. It is understood that it can be configured to operate. In particular, if the coupling device or transmission medium includes a conductive element, the frequency of the guided electromagnetic wave carried by the coupling device and / or propagating along the transmission medium is less than the average collision frequency of electrons in the conductive element. possible. Furthermore, the frequency of the guided electromagnetic wave carried by the coupling device and / or propagating along the transmission medium can be a non-optical frequency, for example a radio frequency below the optical frequency range starting from 1 THz.

  As used herein, the term “antenna” can refer to a device that is part of a transmission or reception system that transmits / radiates or receives wireless signals.

  According to one or more embodiments, the combining device includes a receiver that receives a radio frequency signal carrying data from the transmitting device. The magnetic coupler magnetically couples a radio frequency signal to the transmission medium as a guided electromagnetic wave coupled to the outer surface of the transmission medium. The cap includes a dielectric portion that secures the transmission medium adjacent to the magnetic coupler, and the reflector reduces electromagnetic radiation from the magnetic coupler.

  According to one or more embodiments, the coupling device includes a receiver that receives a radio frequency signal carrying data. The cavity resonator magnetically couples the radio frequency signal to the wire as a guided electromagnetic wave coupled by the wire. The cap includes a dielectric that secures the wire adjacent to the cavity resonator and a reflector that reduces electromagnetic radiation from the cavity resonator.

  According to one or more embodiments, a method receives a signal via a receiver and transmits the signal via a cavity resonator as a guided electromagnetic wave coupled by the outer surface of the transmission medium. The dielectric portion secures the wire adjacent to the cavity resonator, and the reflector reduces electromagnetic radiation from the cavity resonator.

  Referring now to FIG. 1, a block diagram 100 illustrating an example non-limiting embodiment of a waveguide communication system is shown. In operation, the transmitting device 101 receives one or more communication signals 110 containing data from a communication network or other communication device, generates a waveguide 120, and transmits the data over the transmission medium 125. To communicate. The transmitting device 102 receives the waveguide 120 and converts it into a communication signal 112 containing data for transmission to a communication network or other communication device. Multiple such as frequency division multiplexing, time division multiplexing, code division multiplexing, multiplexing by different wave propagation modes, etc. by modulation techniques such as phase modulation, frequency modulation, quadrature amplitude modulation, amplitude modulation, orthogonal carrier frequency division multiplexing, etc. The data can be conveyed by modulating the waveguide 120 according to other access techniques, as well as by other modulation and access methods.

  The one or more communication networks may be wireless communications such as mobile data networks, cellular voice data networks, wireless local area networks (eg, WiFi or 802.xx networks), satellite communications networks, personal area networks, or other wireless networks. A network can be included. The one or more communication networks may be a wired communication such as a telephone network, an Ethernet network, a local area network, a wide area network such as the Internet, a broadband access network, a cable network, an optical fiber network, or another wired network. It can also include a network. Communication devices include network edge devices, bridge devices or home gateways, set top boxes, broadband modems, telephone adapters, access points, base stations, or other fixed communication devices, in-vehicle gateways or auto mobile computers, laptop computers, tablets, Mobile communication devices such as smartphones, cell phones, or other communication devices can be included.

  In an exemplary embodiment, the waveguide communication system 100 can operate in a bidirectional manner, in which the transmitting device 102 can transmit one or more communications that include other data from the communications network or device. The signal 112 is received, a waveguide 122 is generated, and the other data is carried to the transmitting device 101 via the transmission medium 125. In this mode of operation, the transmitting device 101 receives the waveguide 122 and converts it into a communication signal 110 containing the other data described above for transmission to a communication network or device. Multiple such as frequency division multiplexing, time division multiplexing, code division multiplexing, multiplexing by different wave propagation modes, etc. by modulation techniques such as phase modulation, frequency modulation, quadrature amplitude modulation, amplitude modulation, orthogonal carrier frequency division multiplexing, etc. The data can be conveyed by modulating the waveguide 122 according to other access techniques, as well as by other modulation and access methods.

  Transmission medium 125 may include a cable having at least one interior surrounded by a dielectric material, such as an insulator or other dielectric cover, coating, or other dielectric material, the dielectric material corresponding to the outer surface and corresponding. Has a perimeter. In the exemplary embodiment, transmission medium 125 operates as a single-layer transmission line to guide the transmission of electromagnetic waves. Transmission medium 125 may include electrical wires when implemented as a single-wire transmission system. The electrical wire may or may not be insulated, and may be a single wire or a stranded wire (eg, a braid). In other embodiments, the transmission medium 125 may include other shapes or configurations of conductors including wire bundles, cables, rods, rails, pipes. In addition, transmission medium 125 includes non-conductors such as dielectric pipes, rods, rails or other dielectric members, a combination of conductors and dielectric materials, conductors without dielectric materials, or other waveguide transmission media. be able to. Note that transmission medium 125 may include any of the transmission media described above in other respects.

  Further, as described above, the waveguides 120 and 122 may be contrasted with conventional propagation of power or signals through the conductors of the wire via wireless transmission via free space / air or electrical circuits. In addition to the propagation of the waveguides 120 and 122, the transmission medium 125 optionally includes one or more that propagate power or other communication signals in a conventional manner as part of one or more electrical circuits. Can be included.

  Referring now to FIG. 2, a block diagram 200 illustrating an example non-limiting embodiment of a transmitting device is shown. The transmission device 101 or 102 includes a communication interface (I / F) 205, a transceiver 210, and a coupler 220.

  In one example of operation, the communication interface 205 receives a communication signal 110 or 112 that includes data. In various embodiments, the communication interface 205 is an LTE or other cellular voice data protocol, WiFi or 802.11 protocol, WIMAX protocol, ultra wideband protocol, Bluetooth protocol, Zigbee protocol, direct broadcast satellite (DBS) or other satellite. A wireless interface that receives wireless communication signals according to a wireless standard protocol, such as a communication protocol or other wireless protocol, may be included. Additionally or alternatively, the communication interface 205 may be an Ethernet protocol, a universal serial bus (USB) protocol, a cabled data service interface standard (DOCSIS) protocol, a digital subscriber line (DSL) protocol, a firewire (IEEE 1394) protocol, or Includes a wired interface that operates according to other wired protocols. In addition to standards-based protocols, the communication interface 205 can operate with other wired or wireless protocols. Further, the communication interface 205 can optionally operate with a protocol stack that includes multiple protocol layers including MAC protocols, transport protocols, application protocols, and the like.

  In one example of operation, the transceiver 210 generates an electromagnetic wave based on a communication signal 110 or 112 that carries data. The electromagnetic wave has at least one carrier frequency and at least one corresponding wavelength. The carrier frequency is as low as 300 to 30 GHz in the millimeter wave frequency band of 30 GHz to 300 GHz, such as the carrier frequency in the range of 60 GHz or 30 GHz to 40 GHz, or in the microwave frequency range of 26 GHz to 30 GHz, 11 GHz, 6 GHz, or 3 GHz. It will be appreciated that other carrier frequencies are possible in other embodiments, although they may be in a frequency band. In one mode of operation, the transceiver 210 transmits one or more communication signals to transmit electromagnetic signals in the microwave band or millimeter wave band as guided electromagnetic waves that are guided or coupled by the transmission medium 125. 110 or 112 is simply upconverted. In another mode of operation, the communication interface 205 converts the communication signal 110 or 112 into a baseband signal or a signal near baseband, or extracts data from the communication signal 110 or 112, and the transceiver 210 transmits. Therefore, data, a baseband signal, or a signal in the vicinity of the baseband is modulated to a high frequency carrier wave. One or more data communications of the communication signal 110 or 112 by modulating the data received by the transceiver 210 via the communication signal 110 or 112 and encapsulating it into a payload of a different protocol or by simple frequency shift It should be understood that the protocol can be preserved. Alternatively, the transceiver 210 may otherwise convert the data received via the communication signal 110 or 112 into a protocol that is different from the one or more data communication protocols of the communication signal 110 or 112.

  In one example of operation, the coupler 220 couples the electromagnetic wave to the transmission medium 125 as a guided electromagnetic wave carrying one or more communication signals 110 or 112. The previous description focused on the operation of the transceiver 210 as a transmitter, but the transceiver 210 receives electromagnetic waves that carry other data from the single-wire transmission medium via the coupler 220, and the other It can also operate to generate the communication signal 110 or 112 via the communication interface 205 containing data. Consider an embodiment in which additional guided electromagnetic waves carry other data that also propagates along the transmission medium 125. The coupler 220 can also couple this additional electromagnetic wave from the transmission medium 125 to the transceiver 210 for reception.

  The transmitting device 101 or 102 includes an optional training controller 230. In the exemplary embodiment, training controller 230 is implemented by a stand-alone processor or a processor shared with one or more other components of transmitting device 101 or 102. The training controller 230 determines the carrier wave frequency of the guided electromagnetic wave, the modulation scheme, based on feedback data received by the transceiver 210 from at least one remote transmission device coupled to receive the guided electromagnetic wave. And / or to select a guided mode.

  In the exemplary embodiment, guided electromagnetic waves transmitted by remote transmission device 101 or 102 carry data that also propagates along transmission medium 125. Data from the remote transmission device 101 or 102 can be generated to include feedback data. In operation, the coupler 220 also couples the guided electromagnetic waves from the transmission medium 125, and the transceiver receives the electromagnetic waves and processes the electromagnetic waves to extract feedback data.

  In an exemplary embodiment, the training controller 230 operates based on the feedback data to evaluate multiple frequency candidates, modulation scheme candidates, and / or transmission mode candidates to enhance performance such as throughput, signal strength, etc. The carrier frequency, the modulation scheme, and / or the transmission mode are selected so as to reduce the propagation loss.

  Consider the following example: Transmitting device 101 transmits a plurality of guided waves as test signals, such as pilot waves or other test signals, with a corresponding plurality of frequency candidates and / or mode candidates directed to remote transmitting device 102 coupled to transmission medium 125. By transmitting, the operation starts under the control of the training controller 230. Additionally or alternatively, the wave guide can include test data. The test data may indicate specific frequency candidates and / or guided mode candidates for the signal. In one embodiment, the training controller 230 in the remote transmission device 102 receives test signals and / or test data from any received wave guides as appropriate, and the best frequency candidate and / or guided mode candidate, a set of tolerances. Determine a ranking order of possible frequency candidates and / or guided mode candidates or frequency candidates and / or guided mode candidates. This selection of frequency candidates and / or guided mode candidates is made by the training controller 230 based on one or more optimization criteria such as received signal strength, bit error rate, packet error rate, signal to noise ratio, propagation loss, etc. Generated. The training controller 230 generates feedback data indicating the selected frequency candidate or / and guided mode candidate, and transmits the feedback data to the transceiver 210 for transmission to the transmission device 101. The transmitting devices 101 and 102 can then communicate data to each other based on the selected frequency candidate or / and guided mode.

  In other embodiments, guided electromagnetic waves including test signals and / or test data are transmitted by the remote transmission device 102 by the remote transmission device 102 for reception and analysis by the training controller 230 of the transmission device 101 that initiated these waves. 101 is reflected, relayed, or otherwise looped back. For example, the transmitting device 101 can send a signal to the remote transmitting device 102 to initiate a test mode, where the physical reflector is switched on the line and the termination impedance causes a reflection. And the loopback mode is switched on to recouple the electromagnetic wave to the source transmission device 102 and / or the repeater mode is enabled to amplify the electromagnetic wave and retransmit it to the source transmission device 102. The training controller 230 in the source transmission device 102 receives test signals and / or test data from any received wave guides as appropriate and determines selected frequency candidates and / or guided mode candidates.

  Although the above procedure has been described in the start-up or initialization mode of operation, each transmitting device 101 or 102 can transmit a test signal as well, and a frequency candidate or a guided mode candidate via a non-test such as normal transmission. Or other candidate frequency or guided mode candidates at other times or in succession. In the exemplary embodiment, the communication protocol between the transmitting devices 101 and 102 is a on-demand or periodic test mode where a complete test or a more limited test of a subset of frequency candidates and guided mode candidates is tested and evaluated. Can be included. In other operation modes, re-entry to such a test mode can be triggered by performance degradation due to disturbances, weather conditions, etc. In the exemplary embodiment, the receiver bandwidth of the transceiver 210 is wide enough or swept to receive all frequency candidates, or the training controller 230 causes all of the receiver bandwidth of the transceiver 210 to be Can be selectively adjusted to a training mode that is wide enough or swept to receive the frequency candidates.

  Referring now to FIG. 3, a graphical diagram 300 illustrating an example non-limiting embodiment of an electromagnetic field distribution is shown. In this embodiment, the transmission medium 125 in the air includes an inner conductor 301 and an insulating jacket 302 of dielectric material, as shown in cross section. The diagram 300 includes different gray scales representing different electromagnetic field strengths generated by propagation of guided waves having asymmetric and non-basic guided modes.

  In particular, the electromagnetic field distribution corresponds to a modal “sweet spot” that enhances the propagation of guided electromagnetic waves along the insulating transmission medium and reduces end-to-end transmission losses. In this particular mode, electromagnetic waves are guided by the transmission medium 125 and propagate along the outer surface of the transmission medium—in this case, the outer surface of the insulating jacket 302. The electromagnetic waves are partially embedded in the insulator and partially radiated on the outer surface of the insulator. In this way, the electromagnetic wave is “lightly” coupled to the insulator, allowing long-range electromagnetic wave propagation with low propagation loss.

  As shown, the waveguide has a field structure that is primarily or substantially external to the transmission medium 125 that functions to guide electromagnetic waves. The area inside the conductor 301 has little or no field. Similarly, the area inside the insulation jacket 302 also has a low field strength. Most of the electromagnetic field strength is distributed in and around the lobe 304 on the outer surface of the insulating jacket 302. The presence of the asymmetric guided mode is indicated by the high electromagnetic field strength at the top and bottom (in the orientation of the figure) of the outer surface of the insulating envelope 302-what is the very small field strength on the other side of the insulating envelope 302? In contrast.

  The example shown corresponds to a 38 GHz electromagnetic wave guided by a wire having a diameter of 1.1 cm and a dielectric insulation thickness of 0.36 cm. Since electromagnetic waves are guided by the transmission medium 125 and most of the field strength is concentrated in the air outside the insulating envelope 302 within a limited distance of the outer surface, the guided wave is a transmission medium with very low loss. 125 can propagate down the longitudinal direction. In the example shown, this “limited distance” corresponds to a distance from the outer surface that is less than half of the maximum cross-sectional dimension of the transmission medium 125. In this case, the maximum cross-sectional dimension of the wire corresponds to an overall diameter of 1.82 cm, but this value can vary with the size and shape of the transmission medium 125. For example, if the transmission medium 125 has a rectangular shape with a height of 0.3 cm and a width of 0.4 cm, the maximum cross-sectional dimension is 0.5 cm diagonal, and the corresponding limited distance is 0.25 cm. is there. The size of the area containing most of the field strength also varies with frequency and generally increases with decreasing carrier frequency.

  Note also that components of the waveguide communication system, such as couplers and transmission media, may have their own cutoff frequency in each guided mode. The cutoff frequency generally indicates the lowest frequency that is designed for a particular guided mode to be supported by that particular component. In the exemplary embodiment, the particular asymmetric propagation mode shown is on the transmission medium 125 by electromagnetic waves having frequencies that are within a limited range (such as Fc-2Fc) of the low cutoff frequency Fc of this particular asymmetric mode. Be guided to. The low cutoff frequency Fc is unique to the characteristics of the transmission medium 125. For the embodiment shown that includes an inner conductor 301 surrounded by an insulating jacket 302, this cutoff frequency may vary based on the dimensions and characteristics of the insulating jacket 302 and potentially the dimensions and characteristics of the inner conductor 301. And can be experimentally determined to have a desired mode pattern. However, it should be noted that a similar effect can be found with a hollow dielectric or an insulator without an inner conductor. In this case, the cut-off frequency can vary based on the dimensions and characteristics of the hollow dielectric or insulator.

  At frequencies lower than the low cutoff frequency, it is difficult to guide the asymmetric mode to the transmission medium 125, and all propagation fails and propagates only a minute distance. As the frequency increases beyond a limited frequency range before and after the cutoff frequency, the asymmetric mode shifts more and more toward the inside of the insulation jacket 302. At frequencies much higher than the cut-off frequency, the field strength no longer concentrates outside the insulating envelope, but mainly concentrates inside the insulating envelope 302. The transmission medium 125 provides a strong wave guide for electromagnetic waves and propagation is still possible, but the range is more limited by the increased loss due to propagation in the insulation jacket 302-in contrast to ambient air. is there.

  Referring now to FIG. 4, a graphic diagram 400 illustrating an example non-limiting embodiment of an electromagnetic field distribution is shown. In particular, a cross-sectional view 400 similar to FIG. 3 is shown with common reference numerals used to refer to similar elements. The example shown corresponds to a 60 GHz wave guided by a wire having a diameter of 1.1 cm and a dielectric insulation thickness of 0.36 cm. Since the frequency of the wave guide exceeds the limited range of the cutoff frequency of this particular asymmetric mode, much of the field strength is shifted inside the insulation jacket 302. In particular, the field strength is mainly concentrated inside the insulating jacket 302. The transmission medium 125 provides a strong guided wave to the electromagnetic wave and propagation is still possible, but the range is more when compared to the embodiment of FIG. 3 due to the increased loss due to propagation in the insulation jacket 302. Limited.

  Referring now to FIG. 5A, a graphic diagram illustrating an example non-limiting embodiment of a frequency response is shown. In particular, diagram 500 presents a graph of end-to-end loss (in dB) as a function of frequency overlaid with electromagnetic field distributions 510, 520, and 530 at three points on a 200 cm insulated medium voltage wire. The boundary between the insulator and ambient air is represented by reference numeral 525 in each electromagnetic field distribution.

  As discussed in connection with FIG. 3, an example of the desired asymmetric mode of propagation shown is within a limited range (such as Fc-2Fc) of the low cutoff frequency Fc of the transmission medium in this particular asymmetric mode. It is guided to the transmission medium 125 by electromagnetic waves having a certain frequency. In particular, the electromagnetic field distribution 520 at 6 GHz is within this modal “sweet spot” that enhances electromagnetic wave propagation along an insulated transmission medium and reduces end-to-end transmission loss. In this particular mode, the waveguide is partially embedded in the insulator and partially radiated on the outer surface of the insulator. In this way, the electromagnetic wave is “lightly” coupled to the insulator, allowing long-distance guided electromagnetic wave propagation with low propagation loss.

  At low frequencies, represented by the electromagnetic field distribution 510 at 3 GHz, the asymmetric mode radiates more strongly, resulting in high propagation losses. At the high frequency represented by the electromagnetic field distribution 530 at 9 GHz, the asymmetric mode shifts more and more inside the insulation jacket, providing too much absorption, again resulting in high propagation losses.

Referring now to FIG. 5B, there is a graphic diagram 550 illustrating an example, non-limiting embodiment of a longitudinal section of a transmission medium 125, such as an insulated wire, showing a field of guided electromagnetic waves at various operating frequencies. It is shown. As shown in FIG. 556, when the guided electromagnetic wave is at a cutoff frequency (f _c ) that generally corresponds to a modal “sweet spot”, the guided electromagnetic wave loosely couples with the insulated wire, thereby absorbing it. And the guided electromagnetic field is coupled sufficiently to reduce the amount of radiation emitted into the environment (eg, air). Since the absorption and emission of the guided electromagnetic field is low, the resulting propagation loss is low, allowing the guided electromagnetic wave to propagate over longer distances.

As shown in FIG. 554, if the operating frequency of the guided electromagnetic wave exceeds about twice the cut-off frequency (f _c ) —or, as mentioned, beyond the “sweet spot” range—the propagation loss Will increase. More of the electromagnetic field strength occurs inside the insulating layer, increasing propagation loss. At a frequency much higher than the cut-off frequency (f _c ), the electromagnetic wave guided is as a result of concentration of the field emitted by the guided electromagnetic wave on the insulating layer of the wire, as shown in FIG. Strongly coupled to insulated wires. This further increases the propagation loss due to absorption of the guided electromagnetic wave by the insulating layer. Similarly, as shown in FIG. 558, the propagation loss also increases when the operating frequency of the guided electromagnetic wave is much lower than the cut-off frequency (f _c ). At frequencies much lower than the cut-off frequency (f _c ), the guided electromagnetic waves are weakly (or nominally) coupled to the insulated wire and thereby have a tendency to radiate into the environment (eg, air). This increases propagation loss due to the radiation of the guided electromagnetic wave.

  Referring now to FIG. 6, a graphical diagram 600 illustrating an example non-limiting embodiment of an electromagnetic field distribution is shown. In this embodiment, the transmission medium 602 is a bare wire as shown in cross section. The diagram 300 includes different gray scales representing different electromagnetic field strengths caused by the propagation of guided waves having symmetric and fundamental guided modes at a single carrier frequency.

  In this particular mode, electromagnetic waves are guided by the transmission medium 602 and propagate along the outer surface of the transmission medium—in this case, the outer surface of the bare wire. The electromagnetic waves are “lightly” coupled to the wires, allowing electromagnetic waves to propagate over long distances with low propagation loss. As shown, the wave guide has a field structure that is substantially external to the transmission medium 602 that functions to guide electromagnetic waves. The area inside the conductor 602 has little or no field at all.

  Referring now to FIG. 7, a block diagram 700 illustrating an example non-limiting embodiment of an arc coupler is shown. In particular, the coupling device is presented for use with a transmitting device, such as transmitting device 101 or 102 presented in connection with FIG. The coupling device includes an arc coupler 704 that is coupled to a transmitter circuit 712 and a termination or damper 714. The arc coupler 704 may be made of dielectric material, other low loss insulators (eg, Teflon, polyethylene, etc.), conductive (eg, metal, non-metal, etc.) materials, or any combination of the above materials. Can do. As shown, arc coupler 704 operates as a waveguide and has a wave 706 that propagates as a waveguide around the waveguide surface of arc coupler 704. In the illustrated embodiment, at least a portion of the arc coupler 704 is disposed near a wire 702 or other transmission medium (such as transmission medium 125) to deliver a waveguide 708 over the wire. Coupling between the arc coupler 704 and the electrical wire 702 or other transmission medium can be facilitated as described in the document. The arc coupler 704 can be arranged such that a portion of the curved arc coupler 704 is tangential to and parallel or substantially parallel to the electrical wire 702. The portion of the arc coupler 704 that is parallel to the wire can be any point where the apex of the curve or the tangent of the curve is parallel to the wire 702. When the arc coupler 704 is positioned or positioned in this manner, the wave 706 traveling along the arc coupler 704 is at least partially coupled to the wire 702 and as a waveguide 708 around the wire surface of the wire 702 or The periphery propagates along the electric wire 702 in the longitudinal direction. Waveguide 708 can be characterized as a surface wave or other electromagnetic wave that is guided or coupled by wire 702 or other transmission medium.

  The portion of the wave 706 that is not coupled to the electrical wire 702 propagates along the arc coupler 704 as a wave 710. It will be appreciated that the arc coupler 704 may be configured and arranged at various locations relative to the wire 702 to achieve a desired level of coupling or decoupling of the wave 706 to the wire 702. For example, the curvature and / or length of arc coupler 704 that is parallel or substantially parallel and its separation distance to wire 702 (which in one embodiment can include a zero separation distance) can be derived from the exemplary embodiment. Can change without deviating. Similarly, the placement of the arc coupler 704 relative to the wire 702 can be determined by the unique characteristics (eg, thickness, composition, electromagnetic properties, etc.) of the wire 702 and arc coupler 704 and the characteristics of the waves 706 and 708 (eg, , Frequency, energy level, etc.).

  The waveguide 708 remains parallel or substantially parallel to the wire 702 even when the wire 702 is curved and bent. The curvature of the wire 702 can increase transmission loss, which also depends on the wire diameter, frequency, and material. If the dimensions of the arc coupler 704 are selected for efficient power transmission, most of the power in the wave 706 is transferred to the wire 702 and very little power remains in the wave 710. While traveling along a path parallel or substantially parallel to the wire 702, the nature of the waveguide 708 is still multimodal, including having a non-basic or asymmetric mode with or without a fundamental transmission mode. It will be understood that this may be discussed in the specification. In one embodiment, non-basic or asymmetric modes can be utilized to minimize transmission loss and / or increase propagation distance.

  Note that the term parallel is generally a geometrical configuration that is often not exactly achievable in real systems. Accordingly, the term parallel utilized in this disclosure represents an approximation rather than a strict configuration when used to describe the embodiments disclosed in this disclosure. In one embodiment, substantially parallel can include approximations that are within 30 degrees of true parallel in all dimensions.

  In one embodiment, the wave 706 may exhibit one or more wave propagation modes. The arc coupler mode may depend on the shape and / or design of the coupler 704. The one or more arc coupler mode waves 706 may generate, influence, or influence one or more wave propagation mode waveguides 708 that propagate along the wire 702. However, it should be particularly noted that the guided mode present in the waveguide 706 may be the same as or different from the guided mode of the waveguide 708. In this way, one or more guided mode waveguides 706 may not move to waveguide 708, and one or more other guided mode waveguides 708 may be guided by waveguide 706. It may not have existed. Note also that the cutoff frequency of arc coupler 704 in a particular guided mode may be different from the cutoff frequency of wire 702 or the cutoff frequency of other transmission media in the same mode. For example, the wire 702 or other transmission medium can operate slightly above the cutoff frequency of a particular guided mode, but the arc coupler 704 has a cutoff frequency of that same mode due to low loss. Can operate well above, eg, to induce greater coupling and transmission, slightly below the same mode cutoff frequency, or related to the cutoff frequency of the arc coupler in that mode And can work at some other point.

In one embodiment, the wave propagation mode on the wire 702 may be similar to the arc coupler mode because both waves 706 and 708 propagate around the outside of the arc coupler 704 and the wire 702, respectively. It is to do. In some embodiments, when the wave 706 is coupled to the electrical wire 702, the mode can change shape or create or create a new mode due to the coupling between the arc coupler 704 and the electrical wire 702. can do. For example, differences in the size, material, and / or impedance of the arc coupler 704 and wire 702 can create additional modes that do not exist in the arc coupler mode and / or suppress some of the arc coupler modes. Can do. The wave propagation mode is a fundamental transverse electromagnetic mode (pseudo TEM _{00) in which} only a small electric and / or magnetic field extends in the propagation direction, and the electric and magnetic fields extend radially outward while the waveguide propagates along the wire. ) Can be included. This guided mode may be donut shaped with a minority of the electromagnetic field present in the arc coupler 704 or wire 702.

  Waves 706 and 708 include fundamental TEM modes in which the field extends radially outward, as well as other non-fundamental (eg, asymmetric, higher order, etc.) modes. Specific wave propagation modes have been described above, but based on the frequency used, the design of the arc coupler 704, the size and composition of the wire 702 and its surface properties, its insulation if present, the electromagnetic properties of the surrounding environment, etc. Thus, other wave propagation modes such as transverse electric (TE) and transverse magnetic (TM) modes are possible as well. Depending on the frequency, the electrical and physical properties of the wire 702, and the particular wave propagation mode that is generated, the waveguide 708 may be along the conductive surface of the oxidized non-insulated wire, non-oxidized non-insulated wire, insulated wire. Note that and / or may proceed along the insulated surface of the insulated wire.

  In one embodiment, the diameter of the arc coupler 704 is smaller than the diameter of the wire 702. At the millimeter band wavelengths used, arc coupler 704 supports a single waveguide mode that makes up wave 706. This single waveguide mode can change when coupled to wire 702 as waveguide 708. If the arc coupler 704 is larger, it can support more than one waveguide mode, but these additional waveguide modes may not efficiently couple to the wire 702, resulting in coupling Loss can be high. However, in some alternative embodiments, for example, when higher coupling loss is desired or used in conjunction with other techniques to reduce coupling loss (e.g., impedance matching with taper), The diameter of the arc coupler 704 can be greater than or equal to the diameter of the wire 702.

  In one embodiment, the wavelengths of the waves 706 and 708 are the same size or smaller than the outer perimeter of the arc coupler 704 and the wire 702. In one example, if the wire 702 has a diameter of 0.5 cm and a corresponding outer circumference of about 1.5 cm, the wavelength of transmission is about 1.5 cm or less, corresponding to a frequency of 70 GHz or more. In another embodiment, suitable frequencies for the transmit and carrier signals are in the range of 30 GHz to 100 GHz, perhaps about 30 GHz to 60 GHz, and in one example about 38 GHz. In one embodiment, waves 706 and 708 may support the various communication systems described herein if the perimeter of arc coupler 704 and wire 702 is equal or larger in size and wavelength of transmission. Multiple wave propagation modes may be shown including fundamental and / or non-basic (symmetric and / or asymmetric) modes that propagate over a sufficient distance. Thus, waves 706 and 708 can include more than one type of electric and magnetic field configuration. In one embodiment, as the wave guide 708 propagates down the wire 702, the electric and magnetic field configurations remain the same from end to end of the wire 702. In other embodiments, when the waveguide 708 encounters interference (distortion or obstruction) or loses energy due to transmission loss or scattering, the magnetic and electric field configurations cause the waveguide 708 to propagate down the wire 702. Can change as you go.

  In one embodiment, the arc coupler 704 can be constructed of nylon, Teflon, polyethylene, polyamide, or other plastic. In other embodiments, other dielectric materials are possible. The wire surface of the wire 702 can be a metal having a bare metal surface, or can be insulated with plastic, dielectric, insulator, or other coating, jacket or sheath. In one embodiment, a dielectric or other non-conductive / insulated waveguide can be paired with a bare / metal wire or an insulated wire. In other embodiments, the metal and / or conductive waveguide can be paired with a bare / metal wire or an insulated wire. In one embodiment, the bare metal surface oxide layer of wire 702 (eg, resulting from exposure of the bare metal surface to oxygen / air) is also insulated similar to that provided by some insulator or sheath. Characteristics or dielectric properties can be provided.

  It is noted that the graphic representations of waves 706, 708, and 710 are merely presented to illustrate the principle that wave 706 directs or otherwise guides waveguide 708 to wire 702 that operates as a single layer transmission line, for example. I want. Wave 710 represents the portion of wave 706 that remains in arc coupler 704 after wave guide 708 is generated. The actual electric and magnetic fields generated as a result of such wave propagation are the frequency utilized, the particular wave propagation mode or modes, the design of the arc coupler 704, the dimensions and composition of the wire 702, and the surface It can vary depending on the characteristics, optional insulation, electromagnetic characteristics of the surrounding environment, etc.

  Note that the arc coupler 704 may include a termination circuit or damper 714 at the end of the arc coupler 704 that can absorb residual radiation or energy from the wave 710. The termination circuit or damper 714 can avoid and / or minimize residual radiation or energy from the wave 710 that reflects toward the transmitter circuit 712. In one embodiment, the termination circuit or damper 714 may include termination resistors and / or other components that perform impedance matching to attenuate reflections. In some embodiments, if the coupling efficiency is high enough and / or the wave 710 is small enough, it may not be necessary to use a termination circuit or damper 714. For simplicity, these transmitters 712 and termination circuits or dampers 714 may not be shown in other figures, but in those embodiments it is likely to use transmitters and termination circuits or dampers. it can.

  In addition, a single arc coupler 704 that produces a single waveguide 708 is presented, but multiple arc couplers 704 located at different points along the wire 702 and / or at different orientations around the wire. Can be used to generate and receive multiple waveguides 708 at the same or different frequencies, the same or different phases, the same or different wave propagation modes.

  FIG. 8 shows a block diagram 800 illustrating an example non-limiting embodiment of an arc coupler. In the illustrated embodiment, at least one portion of the coupler 704 is disposed near the electrical wire 702 or other transmission medium (such as transmission medium 125) to provide a connection between the arc coupler 704 and the electrical wire 702 or other transmission medium. A portion of the waveguide 806 can be extracted as a waveguide 808 as described herein. The arc coupler 704 can be arranged such that a portion of the curved arc coupler 704 is tangential to and parallel or substantially parallel to the electrical wire 702. The portion of the arc coupler 704 that is parallel to the wire can be any point where the apex of the curve or the tangent of the curve is parallel to the wire 702. When the arc coupler 704 is positioned or arranged in this manner, the wave 806 traveling along the wire 702 is at least partially coupled to the arc coupler 704 and received along the arc coupler 704 as a waveguide 808. Propagate to the side device (not explicitly shown). The portion of the wave 806 that is not coupled to the arc coupler propagates as a wave 810 along the wire 702 or other transmission medium.

  In one embodiment, the wave 806 may exhibit one or more wave propagation modes. The arc coupler mode may depend on the shape and / or design of the coupler 704. One or more modes of waveguide 806 may create, influence, or influence one or more guided modes of waveguide 808 that propagates along arc coupler 704. However, it should be particularly noted that the guided mode present in the waveguide 806 can be the same as or different from the guided mode of the waveguide 808. In this way, one or more guided mode waveguides 806 may not move to waveguide 808, and one or more other guided mode waveguides 808 may be guided by waveguide 806. It may not have existed.

  Referring now to FIG. 9A, a block diagram 900 illustrating an example non-limiting embodiment of a stub coupler is shown. In particular, a coupling device including a stub coupler 904 is presented for use with a transmission device, such as transmission device 101 or 102 presented in connection with FIG. The stub coupler 904 can be made of a dielectric material, other low loss insulator (eg, Teflon, polyethylene, etc.), a conductive (eg, metal, non-metal, etc.) material, or any combination of the above materials. As shown, the stub coupler 904 has a wave 906 that operates as a waveguide and propagates as a waveguide around the waveguide surface of the stub coupler 904. In the illustrated embodiment, at least one portion of the stub coupler 904 is disposed near the electrical wire 702 or other transmission medium (such as transmission medium 125) to provide a stub coupler 904 as described herein. Can be coupled to the electrical wire 702 or other transmission medium to deliver a waveguide 908 to the electrical wire.

  In one embodiment, the stub coupler 904 is curved and the end of the stub coupler 904 can be tied to the wire 702, secured, or otherwise mechanically coupled. When the end of the stub coupler 904 is fixed to the electric wire 702, the end of the stub coupler 904 is parallel to or substantially parallel to the electric wire 702. Alternatively, another portion of the dielectric waveguide beyond the end can be secured or coupled to the wire 702 such that the portion to be secured or coupled is parallel or substantially parallel to the wire 702. The fastener 910 may be separate from the nylon cable ties or stub coupler 904 or may be other types of non-conductive / dielectric material constructed as an integral component of the stub coupler 904. The stub coupler 904 can be adjacent to the wire 702 without surrounding the wire 702.

  Like the arc coupler 704 described in connection with FIG. 7, when the stub coupler 904 is positioned with its ends parallel to the electrical wire 702, the waveguide 906 traveling along the stub coupler 904 is The wire 702 is coupled to the wire 702 and propagates around the surface of the wire 702 as a waveguide 908. In exemplary embodiments, the waveguide 908 can be characterized as a surface wave or other electromagnetic wave.

  Note that the graphical representations of waves 906 and 908 are presented merely to illustrate the principle that wave 906 directs or otherwise guides waveguide 908 to electrical wire 702 operating as a single wire transmission line, for example. The actual electric and magnetic fields generated as a result of such wave propagation are the shape and / or design of the coupler, the relative position of the dielectric waveguide relative to the wire, the frequency used, the design of the stub coupler 904, the wire 702. May vary depending on one or more of the following: size and composition, surface characteristics thereof, optional insulation of the wire 702, electromagnetic properties of the surrounding environment, and the like.

  In one embodiment, the end of the stub coupler 904 has a tapered shape toward the wire 702, which can increase the coupling efficiency. Indeed, the tapered shape of the end of the stub coupler 904 can provide impedance matching to the wire 702 and reduce reflection, according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure. For example, the end of the stub coupler 904 can gradually taper to obtain a desired level of coupling between the waves 906 and 908 as shown in FIG. 9A.

  In one embodiment, the fixture 910 can be positioned such that there is a short length stub coupler 904 between the fixture 910 and the end of the stub coupler 904. Maximum coupling efficiency is achieved in this embodiment when the length of the end of the stub coupler 904 beyond the fixture 910 is at least several times the wavelength of the frequency being transmitted, regardless of the frequency being transmitted. The

  Referring now to FIG. 9B, illustrated is a diagram 950 illustrating an example non-limiting embodiment of an electromagnetic distribution in accordance with various aspects described herein. In particular, in one example, the electromagnetic distribution in the case of a transmitting device including a coupler 952 shown in a stub coupler constructed of a dielectric material is presented in two dimensions. Coupler 952 couples electromagnetic waves for propagation as a waveguide along the outer surface of electrical wire 702 or other transmission medium.

Coupler 952 is guided through the electromagnetic wave at the junction of the x ₀ through symmetrical guided mode. Some of the energy of the electromagnetic wave propagating along the coupler 952 is external to the coupler 952, but most of the energy of this electromagnetic wave is contained within the coupler 952. joint portions in the x ₀ is coupled to the wire 702, or other transmission medium electromagnetic waves in the azimuth angle corresponding to the lower portion of the transmission medium. This coupling induces electromagnetic waves that are guided to propagate along the outer surface of the wire 702 or other transmission medium via at least one guided mode in direction 956. Most of the energy of the guided electromagnetic wave is outside of the outer surface of the electrical wire 702 or other transmission medium, but is in the vicinity of the outer surface. In the example shown, the junction at x ₀ is of a symmetric mode and of at least one asymmetric surface mode, such as the primary mode presented in connection with FIG. 3, passing very close to the surface of the wire 702 or other transmission medium. It forms an electromagnetic wave that propagates through both.

  Note that the graphical representation of the waveguide is presented merely to illustrate examples of waveguide coupling and propagation. The actual electric and magnetic fields generated as a result of such wave propagation are the frequency utilized, the design and / or configuration of the coupler 952, the dimensions and composition of the wire 702 or other transmission medium, and its surface properties, If present, it can vary depending on insulation, electromagnetic characteristics of the surrounding environment, and the like.

  Referring now to FIG. 10A, shown is a block diagram 1000 of an example non-limiting embodiment of a combiner and transceiver system in accordance with various aspects described herein. The system is an example of the transmission device 101 or 102. In particular, communication interface 1008 is an example of communication interface 205, stub combiner 1002 is an example of combiner 220, transmitter / receiver device 1006, diplexer 1016, power amplifier 1014, low noise amplifier 1018, frequency mixer. 1010 and 1020 and the local oscillator 1012 collectively constitute an example of the transceiver 210.

  In operation, transmitter / receiver device 1006 sends and receives waves (eg, waveguide 1004 to stub coupler 1002). Waveguide 1004 can be used by communication interface 1008 to send signals received from and transmitted to a host device, base station, mobile device, building, or other device. Communication interface 1008 may be an integral part of system 1000. Alternatively, the communication interface 1008 can be coupled to the system 1000. Communication interface 1008 is a host that utilizes any of a variety of wireless signaling protocols (eg, LTE, WiFi, WiMAX, IEEE 802.xx, etc.), including infrared protocols such as the Infrared Communication Association (IrDA) protocol or other line-of-sight optical protocols. It may include a wireless interface that interfaces with a device, base station, mobile device, building, or other device. The communication interface 1008 is a wired interface such as an optical fiber line, a coaxial cable, a twisted pair cable, a category 5 (CAT-5) cable, an Ethernet protocol, a universal serial bus (USB) protocol, a data service interface standard (DOCSIS) protocol using a cable. Communicate with host devices, base stations, mobile devices, buildings, or other devices via protocols such as Digital Subscriber Line (DSL) protocol, FireWire (IEEE 1394) protocol, or other wired or optical protocols Any suitable wired or optical medium may also be included. In embodiments where the system 1000 functions as a repeater, the communication interface 1008 may not be necessary.

  The output signal (eg, Tx) of communication interface 1008 can be combined with a carrier wave (eg, millimeter wave carrier wave) generated by local oscillator 1012 in frequency mixer 1010. The frequency mixer 1010 can frequency shift the output signal from the communication interface 1008 using a heterodyne technique or other frequency shifting technique. For example, signals transmitted to and from communication interface 1008 may be Long Term Evolution (LTE) wireless protocol or other wireless 3G, 4G, 5G or higher order voice and data protocols, Zigbee, WIMAX, ultra-wideband Or an IEEE 802.11 wireless protocol; Ethernet protocol, universal serial bus (USB) protocol, cabled data service interface standard (DOCSIS) protocol, digital subscriber line (DSL) protocol, FireWire (IEEE 1394) protocol, or other wired protocol, or Variables such as Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplexing (OFDM) signals formatted according to other wired or wireless protocols It may be a signal. In an exemplary embodiment, this frequency conversion can be performed in the analog domain, and as a result, the frequency shift can be performed regardless of the type of communication protocol used by the base station, mobile device, or in-building device. . As new communication technologies are developed, the communication interface 1008 can be upgraded (eg, updated using software, firmware, and / or hardware) or replaced, leaving the frequency shift and transmission device intact. Upgrade can be simplified. The carrier wave can then be transmitted to a power amplifier (“PA”) 1014 and can be transmitted via the diplexer 1016 via the transmitter receiver device 1006.

  Signals received from transmitter / receiver device 1006 and destined for communication interface 1008 can be separated from other signals via diplexer 1016. The received signal can then be sent to a low noise amplifier (“LNA”) 1018 for amplification. The frequency mixer 1020 can shift the received signal (in some embodiments in the millimeter waveband or about 38 GHz) down to its original frequency with the help of the local oscillator 1012. The communication interface 1008 can then receive the transmission at the input port (Rx).

  In one embodiment, the transmitter / receiver device 1006 may be a cylindrical or non-cylindrical metal (eg, may be hollow in one embodiment, but not necessarily drawn to scale), or other conductive Or it can include a non-conductive waveguide, and the end of the stub coupler 1002 is placed in the waveguide or transmitter / receiver device 1006 or in proximity to the waveguide or transmitter / receiver device 1006. So that when the transmitter / receiver device 1006 generates a transmission, the waveguide is coupled to the stub coupler 1002 and propagates as a waveguide 1004 around the waveguide surface of the stub coupler 1002. can do. In some embodiments, the waveguide 1004 can propagate partially on the outer surface of the stub coupler 1002 and partially within the stub coupler 1002. In other embodiments, the waveguide 1004 can propagate substantially or completely on the outer surface of the stub coupler 1002. In yet another embodiment, the waveguide 1004 can propagate substantially or completely within the stub coupler 1002. In this latter embodiment, the waveguide 1004 radiates at the end of the stub coupler 1002 (such as the tapered end shown in FIG. 4) for coupling to a transmission medium such as the wire 702 of FIG. Can do. Similarly, if the waveguide 1004 is coming (coupled from the wire 702 to the stub coupler 1002), the waveguide 1004 enters the transmitter / receiver device 1006 and becomes a cylindrical or conductive waveguide. Join. The transmitter / receiver device 1006 is shown to include a separate waveguide, but utilizes an antenna, cavity resonator, klystron, magnetron, traveling wave tube or other radiating element with or without a separate waveguide. Thus, a guided wave can be induced on the coupler 1002.

  In one embodiment, the stub coupler 1002 can be composed entirely of dielectric material (or another suitable insulating material) without using any metal or other conductive material. The stub coupler 1002 is nylon, Teflon, polyethylene, polyamide, other plastics, or other non-conductive, suitable for facilitating transmission of electromagnetic waves at least in part on the outer surface of such materials. It can be comprised from the material of. In another embodiment, the stub coupler 1002 can include a core that is conductive / metal and have an outer dielectric surface. Similarly, the transmission medium coupled to the stub coupler 1002 for propagating the electromagnetic wave induced by the stub coupler 1002 or supplying the electromagnetic wave to the stub coupler 1002 is a bare wire or an insulated wire. In addition, it can be composed entirely of dielectric material (or another suitable insulating material) without the use of any metal or other conductive material.

  FIG. 10A shows that the opening of the transmitter receiver device 1006 is much wider than the stub coupler 1002, which is not to scale, and in other embodiments the width of the stub coupler 1002 is Note that it is as small or slightly smaller than the hollow waveguide opening. Also, although not shown, in one embodiment, the end of the coupler 1002 inserted into the transmitter / receiver device 1006 is tapered to reduce reflection and increase coupling efficiency.

Prior to coupling to the stub coupler 1002, one or more waveguide modes of the waveguide generated by the transmitter / receiver device 1006 are coupled to the stub coupler 1002, and one or more of the waveguides 1004 are coupled. The wave propagation mode can be induced. The wave propagation mode of the waveguide 1004 may be different from the hollow metal waveguide mode due to the difference in characteristics between the hollow metal waveguide and the dielectric waveguide. For example, the wave propagation mode of the waveguide 1004 can include a fundamental transverse electromagnetic mode (pseudo TEM ₀₀ ), in which a small electric field and / or while the waveguide propagates along the stub coupler 1002. Only the magnetic field extends in the propagation direction, and the electric and magnetic fields extend radially outward from the stub coupler 1002. The fundamental transverse electromagnetic mode wave propagation mode may or may not exist inside a hollow waveguide. Thus, the hollow metal waveguide mode used by the transmitter / receiver device 1006 is a waveguide mode that can be effectively and efficiently coupled to the wave propagation mode of the stub coupler 1002.

  It will be appreciated that other configurations or combinations of transmitter / receiver device 1006 and stub combiner 1002 are possible. For example, as indicated by reference numeral 1000 ′ in FIG. 10B, the stub coupler 1002 ′ is the outer surface of the hollow metal waveguide of the transmitter / receiver device 1006 ′ (corresponding circuitry not shown). Can be arranged tangentially or parallel to (with or without a gap). In another embodiment not indicated by reference numeral 1000 ′, the stub coupler 1002 ′ can be placed inside the hollow metal waveguide of the transmitter / receiver device 1006 ′, and the stub coupler 1002 ′. Is not required to be coaxially aligned with the axis of the hollow metal waveguide of the transmitter / receiver device 1006 ′. In any of these embodiments, the waveguide generated by the transmitter / receiver device 1006 ′ is coupled to the surface of the stub coupler 1002 ′ to provide fundamental mode (eg, symmetric mode) and / or non-basic. One or more wave propagation mode waveguides 1004 ′ including modes (eg, asymmetric modes) can be guided onto the stub coupler 1002 ′.

  In one embodiment, the waveguide 1004 'can partially propagate on the outer surface of the stub coupler 1002' and partially propagate inside the stub coupler 1002 '. In another embodiment, the waveguide 1004 'can propagate substantially or completely on the outer surface of the stub coupler 1002'. In yet another embodiment, the waveguide 1004 'can propagate substantially or completely within the stub coupler 1002'. In this latter embodiment, the waveguide 1004 ′ is coupled to a transmission medium such as the wire 702 of FIG. 9 at the end of the stub coupler 1002 ′ (such as the tapered end shown in FIG. 9). Can be emitted.

  It will be further appreciated that other configurations of the transmitter / receiver device 1006 are possible. For example, a hollow metal waveguide of a transmitter / receiver device 1006 '' (corresponding circuitry not shown) is shown as stub coupler 1002 as shown in FIG. Without being used, it can be arranged tangentially or parallel to the outer surface of the transmission medium such as the electric wire 702 in FIG. 4 (with or without a gap). In this embodiment, the waveguide generated by the transmitter / receiver device 1006 '' is coupled to the surface of the electrical wire 702 to provide a fundamental mode (eg, symmetric mode) and / or a non-fundamental mode (eg, asymmetric mode). ) Including one or more wave propagation modes 908 can be induced on the wire 702. In another embodiment, the wire 702 can be positioned inside the hollow metal waveguide of the transmitter / receiver device 1006 ′ ″ (corresponding circuitry not shown), thereby allowing the wire 702 to Is aligned coaxially (or not coaxially) with the hollow metal waveguide axis without the use of a stub coupler 1002—reference number 1000 ′ in FIG. 10B. See ''. In this embodiment, the waveguides generated by the transmitter / receiver device 1006 ′ ″ are coupled to the surface of the wire 702 to provide a fundamental mode (eg, symmetric mode) and / or a non-fundamental mode (eg, asymmetric). One or more wave propagation modes 908 including (mode) can be induced on the wire.

  In the embodiment of 1000 ″ and 1000 ′ ″, for a wire 702 having an insulating outer surface, the waveguide 908 partially propagates on the outer surface of the insulator and partially propagates inside the insulator. Can do. In embodiments, the waveguide 908 can propagate substantially or completely on the outer surface of the insulator, or can propagate substantially or completely inside the insulator. In the 1000 ″ and 1000 ′ ″ embodiments, for a wire 702 that is a bare conductor, the waveguide 908 may partially propagate on the outer surface of the conductor and partially propagate within the conductor. it can. In another embodiment, the waveguide 908 can propagate substantially or completely on the outer surface of the conductor.

  Referring now to FIG. 11, a block diagram 1100 illustrating an example non-limiting embodiment of a double stub coupler is shown. In particular, the double coupler design is presented for use with a transmitting device, such as transmitting device 101 or 102 presented in connection with FIG. In one embodiment, two or more couplers (such as stub couplers 1104 and 1106) can be positioned around the wire 1102 to receive the waveguide 1108. In one embodiment, one coupler is sufficient to receive the waveguide 1108. In that case, waveguide 1108 couples to coupler 1104 and propagates as waveguide 1110. If the field structure of the waveguide 1108 vibrates or waves around the wire 1102 due to a particular waveguide mode or various external factors, the coupler 1106 is positioned so that the waveguide 1108 couples to the coupler 1106. be able to. In some embodiments, guided waves that may oscillate or rotate around the wire 1102, guided waves in different orientations, or non-directional with, for example, orientation dependent lobes and / or nulls or other asymmetries. Four or more couplers can be placed around a portion of the wire 1102, eg, 90 degrees from each other or at other intervals, to receive a guided wave having a fundamental mode or higher order modes. However, it will be appreciated that fewer or more than four couplers may be disposed around a portion of the wire 1102 without departing from the exemplary embodiment.

  The couplers 1106 and 1104 are shown as stub couplers, but any other coupler design described herein including arc couplers, antenna or horn couplers, magnetic couplers, etc. can be used as well. Note that there are. Also, although some example embodiments have presented multiple couplers around at least a portion of the wire 1102, the multiple couplers are single couplings having multiple coupler subcomponents. It will also be understood that it can be considered as part of the vessel system. For example, two or more couplers can be manufactured as a single system that can be installed around a wire in a single installation, whereby the couplers are pre-positioned according to the single system. Or adjustable relative to each other (manually or automatically using a controllable mechanism such as a motor or other actuator).

  A receiver coupled to combiners 1106 and 1104 can combine the signals received from both combiners 1106 and 1104 using diversity combining to maximize signal quality. In other embodiments, if either one of the combiners 1104 and 1106 receives transmissions above a predetermined threshold, the receiver may use selection diversity when determining which signal to use. it can. Further, although reception by multiple combiners 1106 and 1104 is shown, transmission by combiners 1106 and 1104 in the same configuration can be performed as well. In particular, a wide range of multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) transmission / reception techniques are available for transmissions including transmission devices 101 or 102 presented in connection with FIG. 1 including multiple transceivers and multiple combiners. is there.

  Note that the graphical representations of waves 1108 and 1110 are only presented to illustrate the principle that wave guide 1108 directs or otherwise delivers wave 1110 onto coupler 1104. The actual electric and magnetic fields generated as a result of such wave propagation are the frequency utilized, the design of the coupler 1104, the dimensions and composition of the wire 1102, and its surface properties, insulation if present, the ambient environment It can be changed according to the electromagnetic characteristics and the like.

  Referring now to FIG. 12, a block diagram 1200 illustrating an example non-limiting embodiment of a repeater system is shown. In particular, a repeater device 1210 is provided for use with a transmitting device such as the transmitting device 101 or 102 presented in connection with FIG. In this system, a waveguide 1205 propagating along the wire 1202 is extracted as a wave 1206 (eg, as a waveguide) by the coupler 1204 and then boosted or reproduced by the repeater device 1210 as a wave 1216 (eg, Two couplers 1204 and 1214 can be placed near the wire 1202 or other transmission medium to be delivered onto the coupler 1214 (as a waveguide). The wave 1216 can then be sent out on the wire 1202 and continue to propagate along the wire 1202 as a waveguide 1217. In one embodiment, the repeater device 1210 receives at least a portion of the power utilized for boosting or reproduction through magnetic field coupling with the wire 1202, for example when the wire 1202 is a power line or otherwise includes a power transmission conductor. be able to. The couplers 1204 and 1214 are shown as stub couplers, but any other type of coupler designs described herein, such as arc couplers, antenna or horn couplers, or magnetic couplers as well. Note that can be used.

  In some embodiments, the repeater device 1210 can reproduce the transmission associated with the wave 1206, and in other embodiments, the repeater device 1210 can extract data or other signals from the wave 1206 to Such data or signals to another network and / or one or more other devices as communication signal 110 or 112 and / or communication signal 110 or 112 to another network and / or one or more A communication interface 205 for receiving from other devices can be included, and a waveguide 1216 having the received communication signal 110 or 112 embedded therein can be transmitted. In a repeater configuration, the receiver waveguide 1208 can receive the wave 1206 from the coupler 1204, and the transmitter waveguide 1212 can deliver the waveguide 1216 as the waveguide 1217 onto the coupler 1214. Between receiver waveguide 1208 and transmitter waveguide 1212, the signal embedded in waveguide 1206 and / or waveguide 1216 itself is amplified to compensate for signal losses and other inefficiencies associated with waveguide communications. Or the signal can be received and processed, and the data contained therein can be extracted and played back for transmission. In one embodiment, the receiver waveguide 1208 extracts data from the signal, processes the data, corrects data errors using, for example, error correction codes, and is updated with the corrected data. It can be configured to reproduce the signal. The transmitter waveguide 1212 can then transmit the waveguide 1216 in which the updated signal is embedded. In one embodiment, the signal embedded in the waveguide 1206 is extracted from the transmission and processed to another network and / or one or more other devices via the communication interface 205 as the communication signal 110 or 112. Can communicate with. Similarly, the communication signal 110 or 112 received by the communication interface 205 can be inserted into the transmission of the waveguide 1216 generated by the transmitter waveguide 1212 and sent to the coupler 1214.

  It should be noted that FIG. 12 shows waveguide transmissions 1206 and 1216, each entering from the left and exiting to the right, but this is for simplicity only and is not intended to be limiting. In other embodiments, receiver waveguide 1208 and transmitter waveguide 1212 can also serve as transmitter and receiver, respectively, thereby allowing repeater device 1210 to be bidirectional.

  In one embodiment, the repeater device 1210 can be placed where there are intermittent or obstructions on the wire 1202 or other transmission medium. If the wire 1202 is a power line, these obstacles can include transformers, connections, utility poles, and other such power line devices. The repeater device 1210 can facilitate waveguiding (eg, surface waves) over these obstacles on the line and simultaneously boosting the transmitted power. In other embodiments, a coupler can be used to overcome an obstacle without using a repeater device. In that embodiment, both ends of the coupler can be connected to or secured to the wire, thereby providing a path for the guided wave to travel without being obstructed by the obstruction.

  Referring now to FIG. 13, illustrated is a block diagram 1300 of an example non-limiting embodiment of a bidirectional repeater in accordance with various aspects described herein. In particular, the interactive repeater device 1306 is presented for use with a transmitting device such as the transmitting device 101 or 102 presented in connection with FIG. The coupler is shown as a stub coupler, but any other coupler design described herein including arc couplers, antenna or horn couplers, magnetic couplers, etc. can be used as well. Please note that. The bi-directional repeater 1306 can utilize a diversity path when there are two or more wires or other transmission media. Waveguide transmission has different transmission and coupling efficiencies with different types of transmission media, such as insulated wires, non-insulated wires, or other types of transmission media, and when exposed to elements, weather and other atmospheres Since it can be influenced by the situation, it may be advantageous to transmit selectively on different transmission media at specific times. In various embodiments, the various transmission media may be referred to as primary, secondary, tertiary, etc., regardless of whether the designation indicates that one transmission medium is preferred over another.

  In the illustrated embodiment, the transmission medium includes an insulated or non-insulated wire 1302 and an insulated or non-insulated wire 1304 (referred to herein as wires 1302 and 1304, respectively). The repeater device 1306 receives the waveguide traveling along the wire 1302 using the receiver coupler 1308 and reproduces the transmission using the transmitter waveguide 1310 as a waveguide along the wire 1304. In other embodiments, the repeater device 1306 can switch from the wire 1304 to the wire 1302 or can reproduce its transmission along the same path. The repeater device 1306 may include sensors that indicate conditions that may affect transmission or may communicate with such sensors (or the network management system 1601 shown in FIG. 16A). Based on the feedback received from the sensor, the repeater device 1306 can make a determination as to whether to keep the transmission along the same wire or forward the transmission to another wire.

  Referring now to FIG. 14, a block diagram 1400 illustrating an example non-limiting embodiment of a bidirectional repeater system is shown. In particular, the interactive repeater system is presented for use with a transmitting device, such as transmitting device 101 or 102 presented in connection with FIG. The bi-directional repeater system includes waveguide coupling devices 1402 and 1404 that receive and transmit transmissions from distributed antenna systems or other coupling devices located within the backhaul system.

  In various embodiments, the waveguide coupling device 1402 can receive a transmission from another waveguide coupling device, the transmission having multiple subcarriers. A diplexer 1406 may separate the transmission from other transmissions and send the transmission to a low noise amplifier (“LNA”) 1408. The frequency mixer 1428 receives the assistance from the local oscillator 1412 and transmits it (in some embodiments, in the millimeter wave band or about 38 GHz) to the cellular band (about 1.9 GHz) for a distributed antenna system. Can shift down to lower frequencies, such as the original frequency, or other frequencies in the case of a backhaul system. An extractor (or demultiplexer) 1432 extracts the signal on the subcarrier, sends it to the output component 1422, and optionally amplifies, buffers, or separates it by the power amplifier 1424 and couples to the communication interface 205. be able to. The communication interface 205 further processes the signal received from the power amplifier 1424 or otherwise transmits such signal via wireless or wired interface to other devices such as base stations, mobile devices, buildings, etc. can do. For signals that are not extracted at this location, the extractor 1432 can redirect them to another frequency mixer 1436 where the signal is used to modulate the carrier wave generated by the local oscillator 1414. It is done. The carrier is sent along with its subcarriers to a power amplifier (“PA”) 1416 and retransmitted by waveguide coupling device 1404 to another system via diplexer 1420.

  The LNA 1426 can be used to amplify, buffer, or separate the signal received from the communication interface 205 and then send the signal to the multiplexer 1434, which receives from the waveguide coupling device 1404. Fusing the signal with the signal. The signal received from the coupling device 1404 has been split by the diplexer 1420 and then passed through the LNA 1418 and shifted down in frequency by the frequency mixer 1438. When the signal is combined by multiplexer 1434, the frequency is shifted up by frequency mixer 1430 and then boosted by PA 1410 and transmitted to another system by waveguide coupling device 1402. In one embodiment, the bi-directional repeater system may be simply a repeater that does not have an output device 1422. In this embodiment, multiplexer 1434 is not utilized and the signal from LNA 1418 is sent to mixer 1430 as described above. It will be appreciated that in some embodiments, the bidirectional repeater system may be implemented using two different separate unidirectional repeaters. In alternative embodiments, the bi-directional repeater system can be a booster or perform retransmissions without any other downshifts and upshifts. In practice, in an exemplary embodiment, the retransmission includes receiving the signal or waveguide and performing some signal or waveguide processing or shaping, filtering, and / or amplification before the signal or waveguide retransmission. Can be based on performing.

  Turning now to FIG. 15, a block diagram 1500 illustrating an example non-limiting embodiment of a waveguide communication system is shown. This figure illustrates an exemplary environment in which a waveguide communication system, such as the waveguide communication system presented in connection with FIG. 1, may be used.

  To provide network connectivity to additional base station devices, backhaul networks that link communication cells (eg, microcells and macrocells) to core network network devices are correspondingly expanded. Similarly, an enhanced communication system that links base station devices to a distributed antenna is desirable to provide network connectivity to the distributed antenna system. A waveguide communication system 1500 such as that shown in FIG. 15 may be provided to allow alternative, augmented, or additional network connections, and the waveguide coupling system may be a single wire transmission line (eg, a utility line). Line) and can be used as a waveguide and / or transmit and / or transmit guided wave (eg, surface wave) over a transmission medium such as an electrical wire that otherwise operates to induce transmission of electromagnetic waves Can be provided to receive.

  The waveguide communication system 1500 includes a first instance 1550 of a distributed system that includes one or more base station devices (eg, base station device 1504) that are communicatively coupled to a central office 1501 and / or a macrocell site 1502. Can be included. Base station device 1504 can be connected to macrocell site 1502 and central office 1501 by wired connection (eg, fiber and / or cable) or wireless connection (eg, microwave wireless connection). A second instance 1560 of the distributed system may be used to provide wireless voice and data services to mobile devices 1522 and residential and / or commercial facilities 1542 (referred to herein as facilities 1542). The system 1500 can have additional instances 1550 and 1560 of distributed systems that provide voice and / or data services to mobile devices 1522-1524 and facilities 1542, as shown in FIG.

  Macrocells, such as macrocell site 1502, can have dedicated connections to mobile networks and base station devices 1504, or can be shared, and / or other connections can be used. Central office 1501 may be used to distribute media content and / or provide Internet Service Provider (ISP) services to mobile devices 1522-1524 and facility 1542. Central office 1501 receives media content from a collection of satellites 1530 (one of which is shown in FIG. 15) or other content source, and through its first and second instances 1550 and 1560 of the distributed system. Such content can be delivered to mobile devices 1522-1524 and facility 1542. Central office 1501 may also be communicatively coupled to the Internet 1503, thereby providing Internet data services to mobile devices 1522-1524 and facility 1542.

  Base station device 1504 can be mounted on or attached to a utility pole 1516. In other embodiments, the base station device 1504 can be near the transformer and / or elsewhere near the power line. Base station device 1504 can facilitate connection of mobile devices 1522 and 1524 to a mobile network. Antennas 1512 and 1514 mounted on or near utility poles 1518 and 1520, respectively, receive signals from base station device 1504 and than antennas 1512 and 1514 are located at or near base station device 1504. Those signals can be transmitted to mobile devices 1522 and 1524 over a much larger area.

  Note that FIG. 15 displays three utility poles with one base station device in each instance 1550 and 1560 of the distributed system for simplicity. In other embodiments, the utility pole 1516 can have a greater number of base station devices, with more utility poles being connected to distributed antennas and / or facilities 1542.

  Transmitting device 1506, such as transmitting device 101 or 102 presented in connection with FIG. 1, transmits signals from base station device 1504 to antennas 1512 and 1514 via utilities or power lines connecting utility poles 1516, 1518, and 1520. be able to. To transmit the signal, the wireless source and / or transmission device 1506 upconverts the signal from the base station device 1504 (eg, via frequency mixing) or microwaves the signal from the base station device 1504. The other is converted to a band signal, and the transmitting device 1506 emits a microwave band wave, which, as described in the previous embodiment, is a guided wave that travels along a utility line or other wire. Propagate. At utility pole 1518, another transmitting device 1508 receives the guided wave (and can optionally amplify the guided wave as needed or desired, or as a repeater that receives and regenerates the guided wave. Transfer) as a wave guide on utility lines or other wires. The transmitting device 1508 extracts the signal from the microwave band waveguide and shifts its frequency down, or else the original cellular band frequency (eg, 1.9 GHz or other defined cellular frequency) or another It can also be converted to a cellular (or non-cellular) band frequency. Antenna 1512 can wirelessly transmit the down-shifted signal to mobile device 1522. The process can be repeated with transmitting device 1510, antenna 1514, and mobile device 1524 as needed or desired.

  Transmissions from mobile devices 1522 and 1524 can also be received by antennas 1512 and 1514, respectively. Transmitting devices 1508 and 1510 up-shift cellular band signals into the microwave band or otherwise convert the signals to the base station device 1504 via a power line as a guided wave (eg, surface wave or other electromagnetic wave) transmission. Can be sent to.

  Media content received by the central office 1501 can be provided to the second instance 1560 of the distributed system via the base station device 1504 for distribution to the mobile device 1522 and the facility 1542. The transmitting device 1510 can be connected to the facility 1542 by one or more wired connections or wireless interfaces. The one or more wired connections include, but are not limited to, power lines, coaxial cables, fiber cables, twisted pair cables, waveguide transmission media, or other suitable wired to deliver media content and / or provide Internet services. Media can be included. In the exemplary embodiment, the wired connection from the transmitting device 1510 is connected to one or more corresponding service area interfaces (SAI—not shown) or one or more ultra high-speed digital subscriber lines located at the pedestal. A (VDSL) modem can be communicatively coupled, with each SAI or pedestal serving a portion of the facility 1542. A VDSL modem can be used to selectively distribute media content and / or provide Internet services to a gateway (not shown) located at facility 1542. The SAI or pedestal can also be communicatively coupled to the facility 1542 via a wired medium, such as a power line, coaxial cable, fiber cable, twisted pair cable, waveguide transmission medium, or other suitable wired medium. In other exemplary embodiments, the transmitting device 1510 may be communicatively coupled directly to the facility 1542 without an intermediate interface such as SAI or pedestal.

  In another exemplary embodiment, system 1500 can utilize a diversity path, in which two or more transmission lines or other wires are stretched between utility poles 1516, 1518, and 1520 (eg, Redundant transmissions from the base station / macrocell site 1502 are transmitted downstream on the surface of the transmission line or other wires as a wave guide. Transmission lines or other wires can be either insulated or non-insulated, and depending on the environmental conditions that cause transmission loss, the coupling device selectively receives signals from insulated or non-insulated transmission wires or other wires can do. The selection can be based on a measurement of the signal to noise ratio of the wire or can be based on specified weather / environment conditions (eg, moisture detectors, weather forecasts, etc.). Using a diversity path with the system 1500 can allow for alternative routing capabilities, load balancing, increased load handling, simultaneous bi-directional or synchronous communication, spread spectrum communication, and the like.

  It should be noted that the use of transmitting devices 1506, 1508, and 1510 in FIG. 15 is merely an example, and other uses are possible in other embodiments. For example, the transmitting device can be used in a backhaul communication system that provides network connectivity to a base station device. Transmitting devices 1506, 1508, and 1510 can be used in many situations where it is desirable to transmit waveguide communications over electrical wires, whether or not they are insulated. Transmitting devices 1506, 1508, and 1510 are more than other coupling devices due to lack of contact with electrical wires that can carry high voltages or due to limited physical and / or electrical contact. This is an excellent improvement. The transmitting device can be installed away from the wire (e.g., as long as it is not in electrical contact with the wire to allow for installation where the dielectric acts as an insulator, is inexpensive, easy and / or has low complexity) , Spaced from the electrical wire) and / or on the electrical wire. However, as described above, for example, in a configuration in which the electric wire uses a telephone network, a cable television network, a broadband data service, an optical fiber communication system, or other networks having a low voltage or having an insulated transmission line. Conductive or non-dielectric couplers can be utilized.

  It is further noted that although base station device 1504 and macrocell site 1502 are illustrated in the embodiments, other network configurations are possible as well. For example, devices such as access points or other wireless gateways may also be utilized to provide wireless local area network, wireless personal area network, or 802.11 protocol, WIMAX protocol, ultra wideband protocol, Bluetooth protocol, Zigbee The communication range of other networks, such as other wireless networks that operate according to a communication protocol such as a protocol or other wireless protocol, can be increased.

  Referring now to FIGS. 16A and 16B, a block diagram illustrating an example non-limiting embodiment of a system for managing a power network communication system is shown. Considering FIG. 16A, a waveguide system 1602 is presented for use in a waveguide communication system, such as the system presented in connection with FIG. The waveguide system 1602 can include a transmitting device 101 or 102 that includes a sensor 1604, a power management system 1605, at least one communication interface 205, a transceiver 210, and a coupler 220.

  The waveguide system 1602 can be coupled to the power line 1610 to facilitate waveguide communication according to embodiments described in this disclosure. In the exemplary embodiment, transmitting device 101 or 102 includes a coupler 220 that induces electromagnetic waves on the surface of power line 1610 that propagate longitudinally along the surface of power line 1610 as described in this disclosure. . The transmitting device 101 or 102 can also function as a repeater that retransmits electromagnetic waves on the same power line 1610 or routes electromagnetic waves between the power lines 1610 as shown in FIGS.

  The transmitting device 101 or 102 operates, for example, at a carrier frequency that propagates a signal that operates in the original frequency range along the coupler and induces a corresponding guided electromagnetic wave that propagates along the surface of the power line 1610. Or transceiver 210 configured to upconvert to an electromagnetic wave associated with or indicative of the carrier frequency. The carrier frequency can be represented by a center frequency having an upper limit and a lower limit cutoff frequency that define the bandwidth of the electromagnetic wave. The power line 1610 can be a wire (eg, a single wire or a stranded wire) having a conductive surface or an insulating surface. The transceiver 210 can receive a signal from the coupler 220 and down-convert an electromagnetic wave operating at a carrier frequency to a signal having the original frequency.

  The signal received by the communication interface 205 of the transmitting device 101 or 102 for up-conversion is not limited, and the signal supplied by the central office 1611 via the wired or wireless interface of the communication interface 205, the wired of the communication interface 205 Or a signal supplied by the base station 1614 via a wireless interface, a wired signal of the communication interface 205, a wireless signal transmitted by the mobile device 1620 to the base station 1614 for distribution via the wireless interface, a wired signal of the communication interface 205, or A mobile that roams to a signal provided by an in-building communication device 1618 via a wireless interface and / or to a wireless communication range of the communication interface 205 It may include a wireless signal to be supplied to the communication interface 205 by device 1612. As shown in FIGS. 12 and 13, in embodiments where the waveguide system 1602 functions as a repeater, the communication interface 205 may or may not be included in the waveguide system 1602.

  The electromagnetic wave propagating along the surface of the power line 1610 is modulated to include a packet or frame of data that includes a data payload and further includes networking information (such as header information identifying one or more destination waveguide systems 1602). And can be formatted. Networking information may be provided by a originating device such as a waveguide system 1602 or a central office 1611, a base station 1614, a mobile device 1620, or an in-building device 1618, or a combination thereof. In addition, the modulated electromagnetic wave can include error correction data to reduce signal disturbances. Destination waveguide system 1602 uses networking information and error correction data to detect transmissions directed to destination waveguide system 1602 and is directed to a receiving communication device communicatively coupled to destination waveguide system 1602. Transmissions containing voice and / or data signals can be downconverted and processed using error correction data.

  Referring now to sensor 1604 of waveguide system 1602, sensor 1604 includes temperature sensor 1604a, disturbance detection sensor 1604b, energy loss sensor 1604c, noise sensor 1604d, vibration sensor 1604e, environment (eg, weather) sensor 1604f, and One or more of image sensors 1604g may be included. The temperature sensor 1604a may be the ambient temperature, the temperature of the transmitting device 101 or 102, the temperature of the power line 1610, the temperature difference (eg, between the transmitting device 101 or 102 and 1610 compared to a set point or baseline, etc.), or any of them Can be used for combination measurements. In one embodiment, temperature metrics can be collected periodically and reported to network management system 1601 via base station 1614.

  The disturbance detection sensor 1604b can perform measurements on the power line 1610 to detect disturbances such as signal reflections that can indicate the presence of downstream disturbances that may interfere with the propagation of electromagnetic waves on the power line 1610. The signal reflection is transmitted on the power line 1610 by the transmitting device 101 or 102, for example, totally or partially reflecting from disturbances in the power line 1610 disposed downstream from the transmitting device 101 or 102 to the transmitting device 101 or 102. The distortion generated from the electromagnetic wave can be expressed.

  Signal reflections may be caused by obstacles on the power line 1610. For example, tree branches may cause electromagnetic wave reflection when lying on power line 1610 or in the vicinity of power line 1610 that may cause corona discharge. Other obstacles that may cause electromagnetic wave reflection include, but are not limited to, objects entangled with the power line 1610 (eg, clothes, shoes with shoelaces wrapped around the power line 1610), corrosion deposits on the power line 1610, Or an ice deposit can be mentioned. The power grid components may also prevent or interfere with the propagation of electromagnetic waves on the surface of power line 1610. Examples of power grid components that can cause signal reflection include, but are not limited to, joints connecting transformers and power lines to be relayed. The power line 1610 having an acute angle may also cause electromagnetic wave reflection.

  The disturbance detection sensor 1604b includes a circuit that compares the magnitude of the electromagnetic wave reflection with the magnitude of the original electromagnetic wave transmitted by the transmission device 101 or 102 and identifies the amount of downstream disturbance in the power line 1610 that attenuates transmission. Can do. The disturbance detection sensor 1604b may further include a spectrum analyzer circuit that performs spectral analysis on the reflected waves. Spectral data generated by the spectrum analyzer circuit is compared with the spectral profile via pattern recognition, expert systems, curve fitting, matched filtering, or other artificial intelligence, classification, or comparison techniques, for example, spectral data The type of disturbance can be identified based on the spectral profile that most closely matches. The spectral profile can be stored in the memory of the disturbance detection sensor 1604b or can be remotely accessible by the disturbance detection sensor 1604b. The profile can include spectral data that models different disturbances that may be encountered on the power line 1610 so that the disturbance detection sensor 1604b can identify the disturbances locally. If known, the identification of the disturbance can be reported to the network management system 1601 via the base station 1614. The disturbance detection sensor 1604b can also use the transmission device 101 or 102 to transmit an electromagnetic wave as a test signal and specify the round-trip time of electromagnetic wave reflection. The round trip time measured by the disturbance detection sensor 1604b can be used to calculate the distance that the electromagnetic wave travels to the point where the reflection occurs, whereby the disturbance detection sensor 1604b can be transmitted from the transmitting device 101 or 102 on the power line 1610. The distance to the disturbance downstream can be calculated.

  The calculated distance can be reported to the network management system 1601 via the base station 1614. In one embodiment, the location of the waveguide system 1602 on the power line 1610 may be known to the network management system 1601 and the network management system 1601 may use that location on the power line 1610 based on the known topology of the power network. The position of the disturbance can be specified. In another embodiment, the waveguide system 1602 can provide its location to the network management system 1601 to assist in identifying the location of the disturbance on the power line 1610. The position of the waveguide system 1602 can be obtained by the waveguide system 1602 from a pre-programmed position of the waveguide system 1602 stored in the memory of the waveguide system 1602 or the waveguide system 1602 can be The location can be determined using a GPS receiver (not shown) included in the system 1602.

  The power management system 1605 provides energy to the above-described components of the waveguide system 1602. The power management system 1605 may receive energy from a solar cell or from a transformer (not shown) coupled to the power line 1610 or by inductive coupling to the power line 1610 or another nearby power line. The power management system 1605 can also include reserve batteries and / or supercapacitors or other capacitor circuits that provide temporary power to the waveguide system 1602. The energy loss sensor 1604c can be used to detect when the waveguide system 1602 has a power loss situation and / or the occurrence of some other malfunction. For example, the energy loss sensor 1604c may be used when a solar cell is defective, interferes with the solar cell that malfunctions the solar cell, there is a power loss due to a power loss on the power line 1610, and / or a spare battery expires or is a supercapacitor. It is possible to detect when the standby power system malfunctions due to a detectable defect. If a malfunction and / or power loss occurs, the energy loss sensor 1604c can notify the network management system 1601 via the base station 1614.

  The noise sensor 1604d can be used to measure noise on the power line 1610 that can adversely affect the transmission of electromagnetic waves on the power line 1610. Noise sensor 1604d can detect unexpected electromagnetic interference, noise bursts, or other sources of disturbance that can interfere with reception of modulated electromagnetic waves on the surface of power line 1610. Noise bursts can be caused by, for example, corona discharge or other noise sources. The noise sensor 1604d stores the measured noise, an internal database of noise profiles or noise profiles via pattern recognition, expert systems, curve fitting, matched filtering, or other artificial intelligence, classification, or comparison techniques. It can be compared to a noise profile obtained by the waveguide system 1602 from a remotely located database. From the comparison, the noise sensor 1604d can identify a noise source (eg, a corona discharge, etc.) based on, for example, a noise profile that provides the closest match to the measured noise. The noise sensor 1604d can also detect how noise affects transmission by measuring transmission metrics such as bit error rate, packet loss rate, jitter, and packet retransmission request. The noise sensor 1604d can report to the network management system 1601 via the base station 1614, in particular, noise source identification information, noise generation time, and transmission metric, among others.

  The vibration sensor 1604e may include an accelerometer and / or a gyroscope that detects 2D or 3D vibration on the power line 1610. Vibrations are stored locally in the waveguide system 1602 via pattern recognition, expert systems, curve fitting, matched filtering, or other artificial intelligence, classification, or comparison techniques, or by the waveguide system 1602 from a remote database. It can be compared with a vibration profile that can be obtained. The vibration profile can be used, for example, to distinguish a fallen tree from a gust based on the vibration profile that provides the closest match to the measured vibration. The result of this analysis can be reported to the network management system 1601 via the base station 1614 by the vibration sensor 1604e.

  The environmental sensor 1604f can include, among other things, a barometer that measures atmospheric pressure, ambient temperature (which can be provided by the temperature sensor 1604a), wind speed, humidity, wind direction, and rainfall. The environmental sensor 1604f collects raw information and outputs it to the waveguide system via pattern recognition, expert systems, knowledge-based systems, or other artificial intelligence, classification, or other weather modeling and prediction techniques. This information can be processed by comparing it to an environmental profile that can be obtained from 1602 memory or from a remote database to predict the weather situation before it occurs. The environmental sensor 1604f can report the raw data and its analysis to the network management system 1601.

  The image sensor 1604g may be a digital camera (eg, a charge coupled device or CCD imager, an infrared camera, etc.) that captures images in the vicinity of the waveguide system 1602. Image sensor 1604g includes an electromechanical mechanism that controls camera movement (eg, actual position or focus / zoom) to inspect power line 1610 from multiple viewpoints (eg, top, bottom, left, right, etc.). Can be included. Alternatively, the image sensor 1604g can be designed such that an electromechanical mechanism is not required to acquire multiple viewpoints. Collection and retrieval of imaging data generated by the image sensor 1604g can be controlled by the network management system 1601 or can be autonomously collected by the image sensor 1604g and reported to the network management system 1601.

  The waveguide system 1602 is for the purpose of detecting, predicting, and / or mitigating disturbances that may interfere with propagation of electromagnetic wave transmission on the power line 1610 (or any other form of electromagnetic wave transmission medium). And / or other sensors that may be suitable for collecting telemetry information associated with power line 1610 may be utilized.

  Referring now to FIG. 16B, a block diagram 1650 is a non-limiting example of a system for managing a power network 1653 and a communication system 1655 incorporated or associated therewith in accordance with various aspects described herein. Various embodiments are shown. Communication system 1655 includes a plurality of waveguide systems 1602 coupled to power lines 1610 of power network 1653. At least a portion of the waveguide system 1602 used within the communication system 1655 may communicate directly with the base station 1614 and / or the network management system 1601. A waveguide system 1602 that is not directly connected to the base station 1614 or the network management system 1601 passes through the base station 1614 or another downstream waveguide system 1602 connected to the network management system 1601, to the base station 1614 or the network management system 1601. You can engage in communication sessions with either.

  The network management system 1601 can be communicatively coupled to the equipment of the utility company 1652 and the equipment of the communication service provider 1654 to provide status information associated with the power network 1653 and the communication system 1655 to each entity, respectively. Network management system 1601, utility company 1652 equipment, and communication service provider 1654 may be used by utility company personnel 1656 to provide status information and / or direct personnel to manage power network 1653 and / or communication system 1655. Communication devices and / or communication devices utilized by communication service provider personnel 1658 can be accessed.

  FIG. 17A shows a flowchart of an example non-limiting embodiment of a method 1700 for detecting and mitigating disturbances that occur in the communication network of the systems of FIGS. 16A and 16B. The method 1700 can begin at step 1702 where the waveguide system 1602 is embedded in or forms a modulated electromagnetic wave or another type of electromagnetic wave that travels along the surface of the power line 1610. Send and receive. Messages can be voice messages, streaming video, and / or other data / information exchanged between communication devices communicatively coupled to communication system 1655. In step 1704, the sensor 1604 of the waveguide system 1602 can collect sensing data. In one embodiment, sensing data may be collected at step 1704 before, during, or after sending and / or receiving messages at step 1702. In step 1706, the waveguide system 1602 (or sensor 1604 itself) can affect communications originating from (eg, transmitted) or received by the waveguide system 1602 from the sensed data. The actual or predicted occurrence of disturbances within the communication system 1655 can be identified. The waveguide system 1602 (or sensor 1604) can process temperature data, signal reflection data, energy loss data, noise data, vibration data, environmental data, or any combination thereof to perform this identification. The waveguide system 1602 (or sensor 1604) may also detect, identify, estimate, or predict the cause and / or location of disturbances in the communication system 1655. If no disturbance is detected / identified and predicted / estimated at step 1708, the waveguide system 1602 can proceed to step 1702 and be incorporated into the modulated electromagnetic wave traveling along the surface of the power line 1610, or Or continue to send and receive messages that form part of it.

  In step 1708, if a disturbance is detected / identified or occurrence is predicted / estimated, the waveguide system 1602 proceeds to step 1710, where the disturbance may adversely affect message transmission or reception in the communication system 1655. (Or alternatively, whether there is a tendency to have an adverse effect, or to some extent the possibility of an adverse effect). In one embodiment, the duration threshold and the frequency threshold can be used in step 1710 to identify when disturbances adversely affect communications in the communication system 1655. For purposes of illustration only, assume that the duration threshold is set to 500 ms, while the occurrence frequency threshold is set to 5 disturbance occurrences during a 10 second observation period. Thus, a disturbance having a duration longer than 500 ms triggers a duration threshold. Furthermore, disturbances that occur six times or more during a 10 second time interval trigger an occurrence frequency threshold.

  In one embodiment, a disturbance can be considered to adversely affect signal integrity in the communication system 1655 if it only exceeds the duration threshold. In another embodiment, a disturbance can be considered to adversely affect signal integrity in the communication system 1655 if it exceeds both a duration threshold and a frequency threshold. Thus, with respect to the classification of disturbances that adversely affect signal integrity in the communication system 1655, the latter embodiment is more conservative than the former embodiment. It will be appreciated that many other algorithms and associated parameters and thresholds may be utilized in step 1710 according to exemplary embodiments.

  Referring back to the method 1700, at step 1710, if the disturbance detected at step 1708 does not meet the conditions for the adversely affected communication (eg, neither the duration threshold nor the frequency threshold is exceeded), the waveguide system 1602 Proceeding to step 1702, message processing can continue. For example, if the disturbance detected in step 1708 has one occurrence during a duration of 1 ms and a time period of 10 seconds, neither threshold is exceeded. Thus, such disturbances can be viewed as having only a minor impact on signal integrity in the communication system 1655 and are therefore not flagged as disturbances that need mitigation. Although not flagged, the occurrence of the disturbance, its time of occurrence, its frequency of occurrence, spectral data, and / or other useful information can be reported to the network management system 1601 as telemetry data for monitoring purposes.

  Referring again to step 1710, on the other hand, if the disturbance meets the conditions of the adversely affected communication (eg, exceeds one or both thresholds), the waveguide system 1602 proceeds to step 1712 and the incident is network managed. Can be reported to the system 1601. Reports include raw detection data collected by sensor 1604, disturbance description, disturbance occurrence time, disturbance occurrence frequency, position associated with disturbance, bit rate error, packet loss, if known by waveguide system 1602 Parameter readings such as rate, retransmission request, jitter, latency, etc. can be included. If the disturbance is based on predictions by one or more sensors of the waveguide system 1602, the report will indicate the type of expected disturbance and, if predictable, the predicted occurrence time of the disturbance, and the prediction of the sensor 1604 of the waveguide system 1602. When based on the past detection data collected by the above, it is possible to include the predicted occurrence frequency of the predicted disturbance.

  In step 1714, the network management system 1601 can determine a mitigation, diversion, or correction technique that, if the technique can locate the disturbance, reroutes the traffic to bypass the disturbance. Directing to the waveguide system 1602. In one embodiment, a waveguide coupling device 1402 that detects disturbances connects the waveguide system 1602 from a primary power line to a secondary power line that is affected by the disturbance, and the waveguide system 1602 reroutes traffic to a different transmission medium. Repeaters such as those shown in FIGS. 13 and 14 can be directed to route and avoid disturbances. In one embodiment where the waveguide system 1602 is configured as a repeater, the waveguide system 1602 can itself perform rerouting of traffic from the primary power line to the secondary power line. For bi-directional communications (eg, full-duplex or half-duplex communications), the repeater may be configured to re-route traffic from the secondary power line back to the primary power line for processing by the waveguide system 1602 Please note further.

  In another embodiment, the waveguide system 1602 temporarily redirects traffic from the primary power line to the secondary power line to avoid disturbances, and a first repeater upstream of the disturbance to return to the primary power line and Traffic can be redirected by directing a second repeater downstream of the disturbance. It is further noted that for bidirectional communication (eg, full duplex or half duplex communication), the repeater can be configured to reroute traffic from the secondary power line back to the primary power line.

  In order to avoid interruption to an existing communication session occurring on the secondary power line, the network management system 1601 utilizes unused time slots and / or frequency bands of the secondary power line to make data and / or voice traffic. Can be redirected away from the primary power line and the waveguide system 1602 can be instructed to instruct the repeater to bypass the disturbance.

  In step 1716, while the traffic is being rerouted to avoid the disturbance, the network management system 1601 detects the detected disturbance and the known to the equipment of the utility enterprise 1652 and / or the equipment of the communication service provider 1654. In some cases, the location can be notified, and these devices can then notify personnel of the utility company 1656 and / or personnel of the communications service provider 1658. Field personnel from either party can respond to and resolve the disturbance at the identified disturbance location. When disturbances are eliminated or otherwise mitigated by utility company personnel and / or communications service provider personnel, such personnel may be replaced with on-site equipment (eg, a laptop communicatively coupled to network management system 1601). Each company and / or network management system 1601 can be notified using a device of a computer, a smart phone, etc.) and / or a utility company and / or a communication service provider. The notification can include a description of how the disturbance has been mitigated and any changes to the power line 1610 that may change the topology of the communication system 1655.

  When the disturbance is resolved (as determined in decision 1718), the network management system 1601 restores the previous routing configuration used by the waveguide system 1602 or the restoration method used to reduce the disturbance. When a new network topology for the communication system 1655 is generated, the waveguide system 1602 can be instructed in step 1720 to route traffic according to the new routing configuration. In another embodiment, the waveguide system 1602 can be configured to monitor disturbance mitigation by sending a test signal on the power line 1610 to detect when the disturbance is gone. When the waveguide system 1602 detects that there is no disturbance, the waveguide system 1602 can autonomously restore the routing configuration without assistance from the network management system 1601 if it determines that the network topology of the communication system 1655 has not changed. Alternatively, a new routing configuration that matches the detected new network topology can be utilized.

  FIG. 17B shows a flowchart of an example non-limiting embodiment of a method 1750 for detecting and mitigating disturbances that occur in the communication network of the systems of FIGS. 16A and 16B. In one embodiment, the method 1750 may begin at step 1752 where the network management system 1601 receives maintenance information associated with a maintenance plan from a utility company 1652 device or a communication service provider 1654 device. The network management system 1601 may identify maintenance activities to be performed during the maintenance plan from the maintenance information at step 1754. From these activities, the network management system 1601 may cause disturbances arising from maintenance (eg, planned replacement of the power line 1610, planned replacement of the waveguide system 1602 on the power line 1610, planned power line 1610 in the power network 1653). Reconfiguration etc.) can be detected.

  In another embodiment, network management system 1601 may receive telemetry information from one or more waveguide systems 1602 at step 1755. Telemetry information includes, among other things, identification information for each waveguide system 1602 that submits telemetry information, measured values taken by sensors 1604 of each waveguide system 1602, detected or predicted by sensors 1604 of each waveguide system 1602. Information related to the actual disturbance, position information associated with each waveguide system 1602, estimated position of the detected disturbance, disturbance identification information, and the like. From the telemetry information, the network management system 1601 can identify the types of disturbances that can be detrimental to waveguide operation, transmission of electromagnetic waves along the wire surface, or both. The network management system 1601 can also isolate and identify disturbances using telemetry information from a plurality of waveguide systems 1602. In addition, the network management system 1601 requests telemetry information from the waveguide system 1602 in the vicinity of the affected waveguide system 1602, identifies the location of the disturbance by triangulation, and / or other waveguide systems. Disturbance identification can be confirmed by receiving similar telemetry information from 1602.

  In yet another embodiment, network management system 1601 may receive an unplanned activity report from maintenance site personnel at step 1756. Unplanned maintenance can be performed as a result of an unplanned field call or as a result of an unexpected field problem discovered during a field call or planned maintenance activity. The activity report is a change to the topology configuration of the power network 1653 resulting from the handling of personnel found in the communication system 1655 and / or the power network 1653, to one or more waveguide systems 1602 Replacement or repair etc.), disturbance mitigation performed when there is a disturbance, etc. can be identified.

  In step 1758, the network management system 1601 predicts from the reports received according to steps 1752 to 1756 whether or not a disturbance occurs based on the maintenance plan or whether or not a disturbance occurs based on the telemetry data. Whether or not a disturbance has occurred due to unplanned maintenance identified in the field activity report. From these optional reports, the network management system 1601 determines whether the detected or predicted disturbance requires rerouting of traffic by the affected waveguide system 1602 or other waveguide systems 1602 of the communication system 1655. Can be determined.

  If a disturbance is detected or predicted at step 1758, the network management system 1601 may proceed to step 1760, where the network management system 1601 may include one or more waveguides to reroute traffic to bypass the disturbance. System 1602 can be instructed. If the disturbance is permanent due to a permanent topology change of the power grid 1653, the network management system 1601 may proceed to step 1770 and skip steps 1762, 1764, 1766, and 1772. In step 1770, the network management system 1601 may instruct one or more waveguide systems 1602 to use a new routing configuration that matches the new topology. However, if a disturbance is detected from telemetry information provided by one or more waveguide systems 1602, the network management system 1601 knows the location of the disturbance to the maintenance personnel of the utility company 1656 or the communications service provider 1658. In some cases, the type of disturbance and related information that such personnel may be useful in mitigating the disturbance can be communicated. If the disturbance is expected to be due to maintenance activities, the network management system 1601 may reconfigure the traffic route with a given plan (consistent with the maintenance plan) to avoid disturbances caused by maintenance activities during the maintenance plan. One or more waveguide systems 1602 can be instructed.

  Returning again to step 1760, once step 1760 is complete, the process may continue to step 1762. In step 1762, the network management system 1601 can monitor when the disturbance has been mitigated by field personnel. Disturbance mitigation can be achieved by using on-site equipment (eg, a laptop computer or handheld computer / device) via a communication network (eg, a cellular communication system) and submitted to the network management system 1601 by the on-site personnel. Can be detected in step 1762 by analyzing the report. If the field personnel report that the disturbance has been reduced, the network management system 1601 proceeds to step 1764 and can determine from the field report whether a topology change was required to reduce the disturbance. Topology changes may include rerouting power lines 1610, reconfiguring the waveguide system 1602 to utilize a different power line 1610, using alternative links to bypass disturbances, and the like. If a topology change has occurred, the network management system 1601 may direct the one or more waveguide systems 1602 to use a new routing configuration that is compatible with the new topology in step 1770.

  However, if the topology change has not been reported by field personnel, the network management system 1601 can proceed to step 1766, where the network management system 1601 sends a test signal to indicate the routing that was used before the disturbance was detected. One or more waveguide systems 1602 can be instructed to test the configuration. The test signal can be transmitted to the waveguide system 1602 affected by the disturbance vicinity. The test signal can be used to determine whether a signal disturbance (eg, electromagnetic wave reflection) is detected by any waveguide system 1602. If the test signal confirms that the previous routing configuration is no longer subject to the previously detected disturbance, the network management system 1601 sends the previous routing configuration to the affected waveguide system 1602 in step 1772. Can be instructed to restore. However, if the test signal analyzed by one or more waveguide coupling devices 1402 and reported to the network management system 1601 indicates that the disturbance or a new disturbance exists, the network management system 1601 returns to step 1768. Go ahead and report this information to on-site personnel to further deal with on-site issues. Network management system 1601 may continue to monitor disturbance mitigation at step 1762 in this situation.

  In the above embodiment, the waveguide system 1602 can be configured to be self-adaptive to changing the power grid 1653 and / or mitigating disturbances. That is, one or more affected waveguide systems 1602 can be configured to self-monitor disturbance mitigation and reconfigure the traffic route without requiring the network management system 1601 to send instructions. it can. In this embodiment, the self-configurable one or more waveguide systems 1602 can inform the network management system 1601 of the routing selection of the waveguide system 1602, which allows the network management system 1601 to communicate. A macro level view of the communication topology of the system 1655 can be maintained.

  For ease of explanation, each process is shown and described as a series of blocks in FIGS. 17A and 17B, respectively, but the spirit of the claims is not limited by the order of the blocks, It will be understood and appreciated that this may be done in a different order than shown and described herein and / or similar to other blocks. Moreover, not all illustrated blocks may be required to implement the methods described herein.

  Referring now to FIG. 18A, a block diagram illustrating an example non-limiting embodiment of a communication system 1800 in accordance with various aspects of the present disclosure is shown. Communication system 1800 can include a macro base station 1802 such as a base station or access point with an antenna that covers one or more sectors (eg, six or more sectors). The macro base station 1802 can communicate with a communication node 1804A functioning as a master node or a distributed node of other communication nodes 1804B to 1804E distributed within various geographical locations within or beyond the coverage area of the macro base station 1802. Can be combined. Communication node 1804 is associated with a client device such as a mobile device (eg, a mobile phone) and / or a fixed / stationary device (eg, a communication device in a residential or commercial facility) that is wirelessly coupled to any communication node 1804. Operates as a distributed antenna system configured to process communication traffic. In particular, the radio resources of the macro base station 1802 allow and / or do so for certain mobile devices and / or stationary devices to utilize the radio resources of the communication node 1804 within the mobile device or stationary device communication range. By redirecting, it can be provided to the mobile device.

  Communication nodes 1804A-E can be communicatively coupled to each other via interface 1810. In one embodiment, interface 1810 can include a wired or tethered interface (eg, a fiber optic cable). In other embodiments, the interface 1810 can include a wireless RF interface that forms a wireless distributed antenna system. In various embodiments, the communication nodes 1804A-E can be configured to provide communication services to mobile devices and stationary devices in accordance with instructions provided by the macro base station 1802. However, in other example operations, communication nodes 1804A-E simply operate as analog repeaters that extend the coverage of macro base station 1802 through the entire range of individual communication nodes 1804A-E.

  A micro base station (shown as a communication node 1804) may differ from a macro base station in several ways. For example, the communication range of the micro base station may be a range smaller than the communication range of the macro base station. Therefore, the power consumption by the micro base station can be smaller than the power consumption by the macro base station. The micro base station may optionally communicate with mobile devices and / or stationary devices and certain mobile devices or stationary devices that communicate with the carrier frequency, spectrum segment, and / or so on that the micro base station should use. Instruct the micro base station about the time slot schedule of the correct spectrum segment. In these cases, control of the micro base station by the macro base station may be performed in a master-slave configuration or other suitable control configuration. Regardless of whether they operate independently or operate under the control of the macro base station 1802, the resources of the micro base station may be simpler and less expensive than the resources utilized by the macro base station 1802.

  Referring now to FIG. 18B, a block diagram illustrating an example non-limiting embodiment of a communication node 1804B-E of the communication system 1800 of FIG. 18A is shown. In this description, the communication nodes 1804B to 1804E are arranged on a utility device such as a light pole. In other embodiments, some of the communication nodes 1804B-E can be located on buildings, utility poles, or poles used for power distribution and / or communication lines. In these illustrations, the communication nodes 1804B-E can be configured to communicate with each other via an interface 1810, shown in this description as a wireless interface. Communication nodes 1804B-E may include one or more communication protocols (eg, fourth generation (4G) radio signals such as LTE signals or other 4G signals, fifth generation (5G) radio signals, WiMAX, 802.11 signals. , Ultra-wideband signals, etc.) can be configured to communicate with mobile devices or stationary devices 1806A-C via a wireless interface 1811. The communication node 1804 is higher than the operating frequency (eg, 1.9 GHz) used to communicate with the mobile device or stationary device via the interface 1811 (eg, greater than 28 GHz, 38 GHz, 60 GHz, 80 GHz, or 80 GHz). It can be configured to exchange signals via interface 1810 at an operating frequency that can be a value. High carrier frequencies and wide bandwidths can be used for communication between communication nodes 1804 such that communication node 1804 can include one or more as shown in the spectrum downlink and uplink diagrams of FIG. 19A described below. Different communication frequency bands (eg, 900 MHz band, 1.9 GHz band, 2.4 GHz band, and / or 5.8 GHz band, etc.) and / or communication services via one or more different protocols Can be provided to stationary devices. In other embodiments, particularly where the interface 1810 is implemented via a wave communication system that is guided over a wire, it utilizes a broadband spectrum in a lower frequency range (eg, in the range of 2-6 GHz, 4-10 GHz, etc.). can do.

  18C and 18D, block diagrams illustrating an example non-limiting embodiment of a communication node 1804 of the communication system 1800 of FIG. 18A are shown. The communication node 1804 may be attached to a support structure 1818 of a utility instrument such as an electrical pole or utility pole shown in FIG. 18C. Communication node 1804 may be secured to support structure 1818 using an arm 1820 constructed of plastic or other suitable material that is attached to one end of communication node 1804. The communication node 1804 can further include a plastic housing assembly 1816 that covers the components of the communication node 1804. The communication node 1804 can be powered via a power line 1821 (eg, 110/220 VAC). The power line 1821 can be from a light pole or can be coupled to a power line of a utility pole.

  In an embodiment where the communication node 1804 communicates wirelessly with other communication nodes 1804, as shown in FIG. 18B, the top surface 1812 (also shown in FIG. 18D) of the communication node 1804 is, for example, in FIG. Multiple antennas 1822 (eg, 16 dielectric antennas without metal surfaces) may be included that are wholly or partially coupled to one or more transceivers, such as the illustrated transceiver 1400. Each of the plurality of antennas 1822 on the top surface 1812 can operate as a sector of the communication node 1804, and each sector is configured to communicate with at least one communication node 1804 within the communication range of the sector. Alternatively or in combination, the interface 1810 between the communication nodes 1804 can be a tether interface (eg, a fiber optic cable or a power line used to transport electromagnetic waves guided as described above). In other embodiments, interface 1810 may differ between communication nodes 1804. That is, some communication nodes 1804 communicate via a wireless interface, while others communicate via a tether interface. In still other embodiments, some communication nodes 1804 may utilize a combination of a wireless interface and a tether interface.

  The underside 1814 of the communication node 1804 may also include a plurality of antennas 1824 for wirelessly communicating with one or more mobile or stationary devices 1806 at a carrier frequency suitable for the mobile or stationary device 1806. As described above, the carrier frequency used by communication node 1804 to communicate with a mobile or stationary device via wireless interface 1811 shown in FIG. 18B is for communication between communication nodes 1804 via interface 1810. May be different from the carrier frequency used. The plurality of antennas 1824 at the lower portion 1814 of the communication node 1804 can use a transceiver such as the transceiver 1400 shown in FIG. 14 in whole or in part.

  Referring now to FIG. 19A, a block diagram illustrating an example non-limiting embodiment of downlink and uplink communication techniques that allow a base station to communicate with the communication node 1804 of FIG. 18A is shown. In the illustration of FIG. 19A, the downlink signal (ie, the signal that is directed from the macro base station 1802 to the communication node 1804) is spectrally transmitted by the control channel 1902 and the communication node 1804 with one or more mobile or stationary devices 1906. Some of the downlink spectrum segments 1906, each containing a modulated signal that can be frequency converted to the original / native frequency band to allow communication, and some of the spectrum segments 1906 to reduce distortions created between the communication nodes 1904 Or it can be divided into pilot signals 1904 that can be supplied to all. The pilot signal 1904 can be processed by a (tethered or wireless) transceiver on the top surface 1816 of the downstream communication node 1804 to remove distortion (eg, phase distortion) from the received signal. Each downlink spectrum segment 1906 has a bandwidth 1905 that is sufficiently wide to include a corresponding pilot signal 1904 and one or more downlink modulated signals located in frequency channels (or frequency slots) within the spectrum segment 1906. (Eg, 50 MHz) can be allocated. The modulated signal represents a cellular channel, a WLAN channel, or other modulated communication signal (eg, 10-20 MHz) that can be used by communication node 1804 to communicate with one or more mobile or stationary devices 1806. be able to.

  In the native / original frequency band, an uplink modulated signal generated by a mobile communication device or a stationary communication device can be frequency converted, thereby being in a frequency channel (or frequency slot) in the uplink spectrum segment 1910. . The uplink modulated signal may represent a cellular channel, a WLAN channel, or other modulated communication signal. Each uplink spectrum segment 1910 is allocated a similar or the same bandwidth 1905 and allows some or each of the upstream communication node 1804 and / or macro base station 1802 to remove distortion (eg, phase distortion). A pilot signal 1908 that can be provided to the spectral segment 1910 can be included.

  In the illustrated embodiment, each of the downlink spectrum segment 1906 and the uplink spectrum segment 1910 can have any number of native / original frequency bands (eg, 900 MHz band, 1.9 GHz band, 2.4 GHz band, and / or A plurality of frequency channels (or frequency slots) that can be occupied by a modulated signal frequency-converted from a 5.8 GHz band or the like). The modulated signal may be upconverted to adjacent frequency channels in downlink spectrum segment 1906 and uplink spectrum segment 1910. In this way, several adjacent frequency channels in the downlink spectrum segment 1906 may contain modulated signals that were originally in the same native / original frequency band, while in the downlink spectrum segment 1906. Other adjacent frequency channels may also include modulated signals that were originally in different native / original frequency bands, but have been frequency changed to be placed in adjacent frequency channels of the downlink spectrum segment 1906. For example, a first modulated signal in the 1.9 GHz band and a second modulated signal in the same frequency band (ie, 1.9 GHz) can be frequency converted, thereby causing adjacent frequencies of the downlink spectrum segment 1906 to be adjacent. Can be positioned in the channel. In another illustration, the first modulated signal in the 1.9 GHz band and the second communication signal in a different frequency band (ie, 2.4 GHz) can be frequency converted, thereby reducing the downlink spectrum segment 1906. It can be positioned in adjacent frequency channels. Thus, the frequency channels of the downlink spectrum segment 1906 can be occupied by any combination of modulated signals in the same or different signaling protocols and the same or different native / original frequency bands.

  Similarly, several adjacent frequency channels in the uplink spectrum segment 1910 may originally contain modulated signals that were in the same frequency band, while adjacent frequency channels in the uplink spectrum segment 1910 originally It may also include a modulated signal that was in a different native / original frequency band but that has been frequency changed to be placed in the adjacent frequency channel of the uplink segment 1910. For example, a first communication signal in the 2.4 GHz band and a second communication signal in the same frequency band (ie, 2.4 GHz) can be frequency converted, thereby causing adjacent frequencies in the uplink spectrum segment 1910 to be adjacent. Can be positioned in the channel. In another illustration, a first communication signal in the 1.9 GHz band and a second communication signal in a different frequency band (ie, 2.4 GHz) can be frequency converted, thereby increasing the uplink spectrum segment 1906. It can be positioned in adjacent frequency channels. Thus, the frequency channel of the uplink spectrum segment 1910 can be occupied by any combination of modulated signals in the same or different signaling protocols and the same or different native / original frequency bands. The downlink spectrum segment 1906 and the uplink spectrum segment 1910 can themselves be adjacent to each other and can be separated only by the guard band depending on the spectrum allocation thereto, or can be separated by other larger frequency intervals. Please note that.

  Referring now to FIG. 19B, a block diagram 1920 illustrating an example non-limiting embodiment of a communication node is shown. In particular, a communication node device, such as communication node 1804A of a wireless distributed antenna system, includes a base station interface 1922, a duplexer / diplexer assembly 1924, and two transceivers 1930 and 1932. However, if communication node 1804A is in the same location as a base station, such as macro base station 1802, duplexer / diplexer assembly 1924 and transceiver 1930 can be omitted, and transceiver 1932 is coupled directly to base station interface 1922. Note that you get.

  In various embodiments, the base station interface 1922 includes a first modulation having one or more downlink channels in a first spectrum segment for transmission to a client device, such as one or more mobile communication devices. Receive a signal. The first spectral segment represents the original / native frequency band of the first modulated signal. The first modulated signal is a signaling protocol such as LTE or other 4G wireless protocol, 5G wireless communication protocol, ultra wideband protocol, WiMAX protocol, 802.11 or other wireless local area network protocol, and / or other communication protocol. One or more downlink communication channels may be included. The duplexer / diplexer assembly 1924 transmits and receives a first modulated signal in the first spectral segment to communicate directly with one or more mobile communication devices within range of the communication node 1804A as a free space wireless signal. Forward to machine 1930. In various embodiments, the transceiver 1930 performs filtering, power amplification, transmission / reception that transmits the spectrum of the downlink and uplink channels of the modulated signal in the original / native frequency band while attenuating the out-of-band signal. It is implemented via analog circuitry that drives one or more antennas that transmit and receive radio signals on interface 1810, simply providing switching, duplexing, diplexing, and impedance matching.

  In other embodiments, the transceiver 1932 may, in various embodiments, in the first spectral segment based on analog signal processing of the first modulated signal without changing the signaling protocol of the first modulated signal. It is configured to perform a frequency conversion from the first modulated signal to the first modulated signal at the first carrier frequency. The first modulated signal at the first carrier frequency may occupy one or more frequency channels of the downlink spectrum segment 1906. The first carrier frequency may be in the millimeter wave or microwave frequency band. As used herein, analog signal processing includes filtering, switching, duplexing, diplexing, amplification, frequency up or down conversion, and not limited to analog / digital conversion, digital / analog conversion, or digital frequency conversion. Including other analog signal processing that does not require digital signal processing. In other embodiments, the transceiver 1932 applies digital signal processing to the first modulated signal without utilizing any form of analog signal processing and without changing the signaling protocol of the first modulated signal. Thus, a frequency conversion from the first modulated signal in the first spectrum segment to the first carrier frequency can be performed. In yet another embodiment, the transceiver 1932 applies the combination of digital signal processing and analog processing to the first modulated signal without changing the signaling protocol of the first modulated signal. A frequency conversion from the first modulated signal in the spectral segment to the first carrier frequency may be performed.

  The transceiver 1932 is one or more control channels for wireless distribution of the first modulated signal to one or more other communication devices after frequency conversion to a first spectral segment by a network element. One or more corresponding reference signals, such as pilot signals or other reference signals, and / or one or more clock signals together with a first modulation signal at a first carrier frequency It can be further configured to transmit to a network element of a distributed antenna system such as downstream communication nodes 1904B-E. In particular, the reference signal enables the network element to reduce phase errors (and / or other forms of signal distortion) during processing of the first modulated signal from the first carrier frequency to the first spectral segment. . The control channel converts to the communication node of the distributed antenna system the first modulated signal at the first carrier frequency to the first modulated signal at the first spectral segment, and frequency selection and reuse pattern, handoff, and / or Or instructions can be included that direct to control other control signaling. In embodiments where the instructions sent and received over the control channel are digital signals, the transceiver 1932 provides analog / digital conversion, digital / analog conversion, and digital data transmitted and / or received over the control channel. May include digital signal processing components. A clock signal provided to the downlink spectrum segment 1906 synchronizes the timing of the digital control channel by the downstream communication nodes 1904B-E, recovers instructions from the control channel, and / or provides other timing signals. Can be used.

  In various embodiments, the transceiver 1932 can receive a second modulated signal at the second carrier frequency from a network element, such as the communication nodes 1804B-E. The second modulated signal is compliant with a signaling protocol such as LTE or other 4G wireless protocol, 5G wireless communication protocol, ultra wideband protocol, 802.11 or other wireless local area network protocol, and / or other communication protocol. One or more uplink frequency channels occupied by one or more modulated signals may be included. In particular, the mobile or stationary communication device generates a second modulated signal in the second spectral segment, such as the original / native frequency band, and the network element converts the second modulated signal in the second spectral segment to the second Is converted to a second modulated signal at the second carrier frequency, and the second modulated signal at the second carrier frequency received by the communication node 1804A is transmitted. The transceiver 1932 is operative to convert the second modulated signal at the second carrier frequency to a second modulated signal in the second spectral segment, via the duplexer / diplexer assembly 1924 and the base station interface 1922. A second modulated signal in the second spectrum segment is transmitted to a base station, such as macro base station 1802, for processing.

  Consider the following example in which communication node 1804A is implemented in a distributed antenna system. The uplink frequency channel in the uplink spectrum segment 1910 and the downlink frequency channel in the downlink spectrum segment 1906 are DOCSIS 2.0 or higher level standard protocol, WiMAX standard protocol, ultra wideband protocol, 802.11 standard protocol, LTE protocol. And / or signals that are modulated and otherwise formatted according to 4G or 5G voice and data protocols, such as other standard communication protocols. In addition to protocols that conform to current standards, any of these protocols can be modified to work with the system of FIG. 18A. For example, the 802.11 protocol or other protocols may include additional guidelines and / or separate data channels to provide collision detection / multiple access over a larger area (eg, a network element or communication device may be a downlink spectrum segment). 1906 or a specific frequency channel of the uplink spectrum segment 1910 communicatively coupled to communicating network elements to allow them to listen to each other). In various embodiments, all of the uplink frequency channel of the uplink spectrum segment 1910 and the downlink frequency channel of the downlink spectrum segment 1906 can be formatted according to the same communication protocol. However, alternatively, two or more different protocols can be utilized in both the uplink spectrum segment 1910 and the downlink spectrum segment 1906, so that, for example, it is compatible with a wider range of client devices, and / Or can operate in different frequency bands.

  If two or more different protocols are utilized, the first subset of downlink frequency channels of the downlink spectrum segment 1906 can be modulated according to the first standard protocol and the downlink frequency of the downlink spectrum segment 1906 can be modulated. The second subset of channels may be modulated according to a second standard protocol that is different from the first standard protocol. Similarly, a first subset of uplink frequency channels of uplink spectrum segment 1910 can be received by the system for demodulation according to a first standard protocol, and uplink frequency channels of uplink spectrum segment 1910 The second subset of can be received according to the second standard protocol for demodulation according to a second standard protocol different from the first standard protocol.

  According to these examples, the base station interface 1922 receives a modulated signal, such as one or more downlink channels, in a source / native frequency band from a base station, such as a macro base station 1802 or other communication network element. Can be configured to. Similarly, base station interface 1922 provides a base station with a modulated signal received from another network element that has been frequency converted to a modulated signal having one or more uplink channels in the original / native frequency band. Can be configured. Base station interface 1922 is a wired or wireless communication that bidirectionally communicates communication signals such as uplink and downlink channels, communication control signals, and other network signaling in the original / native frequency band with macro base stations or other network elements. It can be implemented through an interface. The duplexer / diplexer assembly 1924 is configured to forward the downlink channel in the original / native frequency band to the transceiver 1932, and the transceiver 1932 transmits the downlink channel frequency from the original / native frequency band to the interface 1810. In this case, a radio communication link used to transport the communication signal downstream to one or more other communication nodes 1804B-E of the distributed antenna system within the range of the communication device 1804A. Convert.

  In various embodiments, the transceiver 1932 frequency transforms the downlink channel signal in the original / native frequency band via mixing or other heterodyne operations and occupies the downlink frequency channel of the downlink spectrum segment 1906. Includes analog radios that generate downlink channel signals. In this description, downlink spectrum segment 1906 is in the downlink frequency band of interface 1810. In an embodiment, the downlink channel signal is a 28 GHz, 38 GHz, 60 GHz, 28 GHz, 38 GHz, 60 GHz, downlink spectrum segment 1906 for line-of-sight wireless communication from the original / native frequency band to one or more other communication nodes 1804B-E. Up-converted to 70 GHz or 80 GHz band. However, it should be noted that other frequency bands can be utilized for the downlink spectrum segment 1906 as well (eg, 3 GHz to 5 GHz). For example, the transceiver 1932 may select one or more downlink channel signals within the original / native spectral band if the frequency band of the interface 1810 is below the original / native spectral band of the one or more downlink channel signals. Can be configured to downconvert.

  The transceiver 1932 may communicate with a plurality of individual antennas, such as antenna 1822 presented in conjunction with FIG. 18D to communicate with the communication node 1804B, a phased antenna array or steerable beam to communicate with multiple devices at different locations. Alternatively, it can be coupled to a multi-beam antenna system. Duplexer / diplexer assembly 1924 operates as a “channel duplexer” to communicate bi-directionally over one or more original / native spectral segments of uplink and downlink channels via multiple communication paths. It may include duplexers, triplexers, splitters, switches, routers, and / or other assemblies to provide.

  In addition to forwarding the frequency converted modulated signal to other downstream communication nodes 1804B-E at a carrier frequency that is different from the original / native spectral band, communication node 1804A may also be configured to transmit the modulated signal unchanged from the original / native spectral band. All or selected portions can also be communicated via the wireless interface 1811 to client devices within the wireless communication range of the communication node 1804A. The duplexer / diplexer assembly 1924 forwards the modulated signal in the original / native spectral band to the transceiver 1930. A transceiver 1930 was presented in conjunction with FIG. 18D to transmit a downlink channel to a mobile or fixed wireless device via a wireless interface 1811 and a channel selection filter that selects one or more downlink channels. And a power amplifier coupled to one or more antennas, such as antenna 1824.

  In addition to downlink communications destined for the client device, the communication node 1804A can operate iteratively to handle uplink communications originating from the client device as well. In operation, the transceiver 1932 receives uplink channels in the uplink spectrum segment 1910 via the uplink spectrum of the interface 1810 from the communication nodes 1804B-E. The uplink frequency channel in uplink spectrum segment 1910 includes a modulated signal that has been frequency converted by communication nodes 1804B-E from the original / native spectrum band to the uplink frequency channel of uplink spectrum segment 1910. In situations where the interface 1810 operates in a higher frequency band than the native / original spectral segment of the modulated signal supplied by the client device, the transceiver 1932 downconverts the upconverted modulated signal to the original frequency band. . However, in situations where the interface 1810 operates in a lower frequency band than the native / original spectral segment of the modulated signal supplied by the client device, the transceiver 1932 will up-convert the downconverted modulated signal to the original frequency band. Convert. In addition, the transceiver 1930 is operative to receive all or a selection of modulated signals in the original / native frequency band via the wireless interface 1811 from the client device. The duplexer / diplexer assembly 1924 forwards the modulated signal in the original / native frequency band to the base station interface 1922 via the transceiver 1930 and transmits the modulated signal to the macro base station 1802 or other network element of the communication network. Is done. Similarly, the modulated signal occupying the uplink frequency channel in the uplink spectrum segment 1910 that has been frequency converted to the original / native frequency band by the transceiver 1932 is provided to the duplexer / diplexer assembly 1924 to the base station interface 1922. Forwarded and transmitted to the macro base station 1802 or other network element of the communication network.

  Referring now to FIG. 19C, a block diagram 1935 illustrating an example non-limiting embodiment of a communication node is shown. In particular, a communication node device such as communication node 1804B, 1804C, 1804D, or 1804E of the wireless distributed antenna system includes a transceiver 1933, a duplexer / diplexer assembly 1924, an amplifier 1938, and two transceivers 1936A and 1936B.

  In various embodiments, the transceiver 1936A may communicate from the communication node 1804A or upstream communication nodes 1804B-E with a channel (eg, one or more downlink spectrum segments) of the first modulated signal in the transformed spectrum of the distributed antenna system. The first modulated signal at the first carrier frequency corresponding to the arrangement of 1906 frequency channels) is received. The first modulated signal includes first communication data provided by the base station and directed to the mobile communication device. The transceiver 1936A receives one or more control channels such as a pilot signal or other reference signal and / or one or more clock signals associated with the first modulated signal at the first carrier frequency from the communication node 1804A. And one or more corresponding reference signals. The first modulated signal is a signaling protocol such as LTE or other 4G wireless protocol, 5G wireless communication protocol, ultra wideband protocol, WiMAX protocol, 802.11 or other wireless local area network protocol, and / or other communication protocol. One or more downlink communication channels may be included.

  As described above, the reference signal may be a phase error (and / or other) during processing of the first modulated signal by the network element from the first carrier frequency to the first spectral segment (ie, the original / native spectrum). (Signal distortion of form) can be reduced. The control channel converts the first modulated signal at the first carrier frequency to the first modulated signal in the first spectral segment to control frequency selection and re-generate patterns, handoffs and / or other control signaling. Instructions can be included to instruct the communication node of the distributed antenna system to use. The clock signal can synchronize the timing of digital control channel processing by the downstream communication nodes 1804B-E, recover instructions from the control channel, and / or provide other timing signals.

  Amplifier 1938 amplifies the first modulated signal at the first carrier frequency along with a reference signal, control channel, and / or clock signal for coupling to transceiver 1936B via duplex / diplex assembly 1924. The transceiver 1936B is shown in this description with an amplified first modulated signal at the first carrier frequency, along with a reference signal, control channel, and / or clock signal. In addition, it functions as a repeater that retransmits to one or more other communication nodes of the communication nodes 1804B to 1804E downstream from the communication nodes 1804B to 1804 that operate in the same manner.

  The amplified first modulated signal at the first carrier frequency is also coupled to a transceiver 1933 via a duplexer / diplexer assembly 1924 along with a reference signal, a control signal, and / or a clock signal. The transceiver 1933 performs digital signal processing on the control channel and restores instructions such as the form of digital data from the control channel. A clock signal is used to synchronize the timing of digital control channel processing. Next, the transceiver 1933, in accordance with the instructions, based on analog (and / or digital) signal processing of the first modulated signal, the first in the first spectral segment of the first modulated signal at the first carrier frequency. Frequency conversion to a modulated signal and a reference signal is used to reduce distortion during the conversion process. The transceiver 1933 wirelessly transmits the first modulated signal in the first spectrum segment for direct communication with one or more mobile communication devices within the range of the communication nodes 1804B-E as a free space wireless signal. .

  In various embodiments, the transceiver 1936B receives the second in the uplink spectrum segment 1910 from other network elements such as one or more other communication nodes 1804B-E downstream from the illustrated communication node 1804B-E. Receive a second modulated signal of the carrier frequency. The second modulated signal is compliant with a signaling protocol such as LTE or other 4G wireless protocol, 5G wireless communication protocol, ultra wideband protocol, 802.11 or other wireless local area network protocol, and / or other communication protocol. One or more uplink communication channels may be included. In particular, the one or more mobile communication devices generate a second modulated signal in the second spectral segment, such as the original / native frequency band, and the downstream network element has a second in the second spectral segment. Performing a frequency conversion on the modulated signal to transmit a second modulated signal at the second carrier frequency in the uplink spectrum segment 1910 to the second modulated signal at the second carrier frequency; Are received by the indicated communication nodes 1804B-E. Transceiver 1936B transmits to amplifier 1938 via duplexer / diplexer assembly 1924 for amplification and retransmission to communication node 1804A via transceiver 1936A, or a base such as macro base station 1802 for further processing. Operate to transmit a second modulated signal at the second carrier frequency to upstream communication nodes 1804B-E for further retransmission to the station.

  The transceiver 1933 may also receive a second modulated signal in the second spectrum segment from one or more mobile communication devices within the range of the communication nodes 1804B-E. The transceiver 1933 performs frequency conversion on the second modulated signal in the second spectral segment, for example, under the control of instructions received via the control channel, and performs the second conversion at the second carrier frequency. The reference signal, control channel, and / or clock signal are inserted for use by the communication node 1804A in restoring the second modulated signal to the original / native spectral segment, Via duplexer / diplexer assembly 1924 and amplifier 1938 for further retransmission to the transceiver 1936A for amplification and retransmission to the communication node 1804A or to a base station such as the macro base station 1802 for processing. Therefore, the second modulated signal at the second carrier frequency is transmitted to the upstream communication nodes 1804B to 1804E.

  Referring now to FIG. 19D, a graphical diagram 1940 illustrating an example non-limiting embodiment of a frequency spectrum is shown. In particular, spectrum 1942 is the frequency of downlink segment 1906 or uplink segment 1910 after being frequency converted (eg, via up-conversion or down-conversion) from one or more original / native spectrum segments to spectrum 1942. A distributed antenna system carrying a modulated signal occupying a channel is shown.

  In the example presented, the downstream (downlink) channel band 1944 includes a plurality of downstream frequency channels represented by separate downlink spectrum segments 1906. Similarly, upstream (uplink) channel band 1946 also includes a plurality of upstream frequency channels represented by separate uplink spectrum segments 1910. The spectral shape of the separate spectral segments is intended to be a placeholder for the frequency allocation of each modulated signal along with the associated reference signal, control channel, and clock signal. The actual spectral response of each frequency channel in the downlink spectrum segment 1906 or the uplink spectrum segment 1910 will vary based on the protocol and modulation utilized, and as a function of time.

  The number of uplink spectrum segments 1910 may be greater or less than the number of downlink spectrum segments 1906 according to the asymmetric communication system. In this case, the upstream channel band 1946 may be narrower or wider than the downstream channel band 1944. Alternatively, if a symmetric communication system is implemented, the number of uplink spectrum segments 1910 may be a number equal to the number of downlink spectrum segments 1906. In this case, the width of the upstream channel band 1946 can be equal to the width of the downstream channel band 1944, and bit stuffing or other data filling techniques can be utilized to compensate for upstream traffic variations. Although the downstream channel band 1944 is shown at a lower frequency than the upstream channel band 1946, in other embodiments, the downstream channel band 1844 can be at a higher frequency than the upstream channel band 1946. In addition, the number of spectral segments in spectrum 1942 and each frequency location can change dynamically over time. For example, a general control channel can be provided in spectrum 1942 (not shown), which indicates to communication node 1804 the frequency location of each downlink spectrum segment 1906 and each uplink spectrum segment 1910. Can do. Depending on traffic conditions or network requirements that require bandwidth allocation, the number of downlink spectrum segments 1906 and uplink spectrum segments 1910 can be changed by the general control channel. Further, the downlink spectrum segment 1906 and the uplink spectrum segment 1910 need not be grouped separately. For example, the general control channel can identify the downlink spectrum segment 1906 followed by the uplink spectrum segment 1910 alternately or in any other combination that may or may not be symmetric. Instead of utilizing a general control channel, multiple control channels can be used, each identifying the frequency location of one or more spectral segments and the type of spectral segment (ie, uplink or downlink). Note further.

  Further, although the downstream channel band 1944 and the upstream channel band 1946 are shown as occupying one continuous frequency band, in other embodiments, depending on the available spectrum and / or the communication standard used. Two or more upstream and / or two or more downstream channel bands are available. The frequency channels of the uplink spectrum segment 1910 and the downlink spectrum segment 1906 are DOCSIS 2.0 or higher level standard protocol, WiMAX standard protocol, ultra wideband protocol, 802.11 standard protocol, LTE protocol etc. 4G or 5G voice and It can be populated by frequency converted signals that are modulated and formatted according to data protocols and / or other standard communication protocols. In addition to protocols that conform to current standards, any of these protocols can be modified to work with the system shown. For example, the 802.11 protocol or other protocols may include additional guidelines and / or separate data channels to provide collision detection / multiple access over a larger area (eg, communicating over specific frequency channels). Devices can listen to each other). In various embodiments, all of the uplink frequency channel of the uplink spectrum segment 1910 and the downlink frequency channel of the downlink spectrum segment 1906 can be formatted according to the same communication protocol. However, alternatively, using two or more different protocols on both the uplink frequency channel of one or more uplink spectrum segments 1910 and the downlink frequency channel of one or more downlink spectrum segments 1906, For example, it is compatible with a wider range of client devices and / or can operate in different frequency bands.

  Note that for aggregation to spectrum 1942, the modulated signal may be collected from different original / native spectral segments. In this manner, the first portion of the uplink frequency channel of uplink spectrum segment 1910 is the uplink frequency channel of uplink spectrum segment 1910 that has been frequency converted from one or more different original / native spectrum segments. Adjacent to the second portion. Similarly, the first portion of the downlink frequency channel of downlink spectrum segment 1906 is the second portion of the downlink frequency channel of downlink spectrum segment 1906 that is frequency converted from one or more different original / native spectrum segments. Can be adjacent to For example, the frequency converted one or more 2.4 GHz 802.11 channels may be adjacent to one or more 5.8 GHz 802.11 channels frequency converted to a spectrum 1942 centered at 80 GHz. Each spectral segment is responsible for generating a local oscillator signal of frequency and phase that provides a frequency conversion of one or more frequency channels of that spectral segment from its placement in spectrum 1942 to its original / native spectral segment. Note that it may have an associated reference signal, such as a pilot signal that may be used.

  Referring now to FIG. 19E, a graphical diagram 1950 illustrating an example non-limiting embodiment of a frequency spectrum is shown. In particular, spectrum segment selection is presented as considered in conjunction with signal processing performed on the spectrum segment selected by transceiver 1930 of communication node 1840A or transceiver 1932 of communication nodes 1804B-E. As shown, a specific downlink frequency portion 1958 that includes one in the uplink spectrum segment 1910 of the uplink frequency channel band 1946 and a specific downlink that includes one of the downlink spectrum segment 1906 in the downlink channel frequency band 1944. The link frequency portion 1956 is selected to be passed by channel selection filtering, and the remaining portions of the uplink frequency channel band 1946 and downlink channel frequency band 1944 are filtered out--that is, attenuated--by the transceiver. Reduce the negative effects of processing the desired frequency channel being passed. Although one particular uplink spectrum segment 1910 and a particular downlink spectrum segment 1906 are shown as being selected, in other embodiments, two or more uplink and / or downlink spectrum segments are passed. Note that you get.

  The transceivers 1930 and 1932 can operate based on static channel filters with fixed uplink and downlink frequency portions 1958 and 1956, but as described above, the transceivers 1930 and 1932 via the control channel. Can be used to dynamically configure transceivers 1930 and 1932 for a particular frequency selection. In this way, the upstream and downstream frequency channels of the corresponding spectrum segment are dynamically transmitted to various communication nodes by the macro base station 1802 or other network elements of the communication network so as to optimize the performance by the distributed antenna system. Can be allocated.

  Referring now to FIG. 19F, a graphical diagram 1960 illustrating an example non-limiting embodiment of a frequency spectrum is shown. In particular, the spectrum 1962 is the frequency channel of the uplink or downlink spectrum segment after frequency conversion (eg, via up-conversion or down-conversion) from one or more original / native spectrum segments to the spectrum 1962. A distributed antenna system carrying the occupied modulation signal is shown.

  As described above, upstream data and downstream data can be communicated using two or more different communication protocols. When two or more different protocols are utilized, the first subset of the downlink frequency channels of the downlink spectrum segment 1906 can be occupied by modulated signals that are frequency converted according to the first standard protocol, the same or different The second subset of the downlink frequency channels of the downlink spectrum segment 1910 can be occupied by modulated signals that are frequency converted according to a second standard protocol that is different from the first standard protocol. Similarly, a first subset of uplink frequency channels of uplink spectrum segment 1910 may be received by the system for demodulation according to a first standard protocol, and uplink frequencies of the same or different uplink spectrum segment 1910 The second subset of channels may be received according to the second standard protocol so that it is demodulated according to a second standard protocol that is different from the first standard protocol.

  In the example shown, downstream channel band 1944 includes a first plurality of downstream spectral segments represented by a first type of distinct spectral shape that represents the use of a first communication protocol. The downstream channel band 1944 'includes a second plurality of downstream spectral segments represented by a second type of distinct spectral shape that represents the use of the second communication protocol. Similarly, upstream channel band 1946 includes a first plurality of upstream spectral segments represented by a first type of distinct spectral shape that represents the use of a first communication protocol. The upstream channel band 1946 'includes a second plurality of upstream spectral segments represented by a second type of distinct spectral shape that represents the use of the second communication protocol. These distinct spectral shapes are intended to be placeholders for the respective frequency allocations of individual spectral segments along with associated reference signals, control channels, and / or clock signals. The individual channel bandwidths are shown as being generally the same for the first and second type channels, but the upstream and downstream channel bands 1944, 1944 ′, 1946 and 1946 ′ are at different bandwidths. Note that this is possible. Furthermore, the spectrum segments within these channel bands of the first and second types may be of different bandwidths depending on the available spectrum and / or the communication standard used.

  Referring now to FIG. 19G, a graphical diagram 1970 illustrating an example non-limiting embodiment of a frequency spectrum is shown. In particular, the portion of spectrum 1942 or 1962 of FIGS. 19D-19F is modulated in the form of a channel signal that has been frequency converted (eg, via up-conversion or down-conversion) from one or more original / native spectral segments. A distributed antenna system carrying signals is shown.

  Portion 1972 includes portions of downlink or uplink spectrum segments 1906 and 1910 that are represented in spectral shape and represent the portion of bandwidth reserved for control channels, reference signals, and / or clock signals. For example, the spectral shape 1974 represents a control channel that is separate from the reference signal 1979 and the clock signal 1978. Note that the clock signal 1978 is shown having a spectral shape that represents a sinusoidal signal that may need to be adjusted to a more conventional clock signal form. However, in other embodiments, the reference signal 1979 can be transmitted as a modulated carrier by modulating it via amplitude modulation or other modulation techniques that preserve the phase of the carrier for use as a phase reference. In other embodiments, the clock signal can be transmitted by modulating another carrier or as another signal. It should further be noted that both the clock signal 1978 and the reference signal 1979 are shown as being outside the frequency band of the control channel 1974.

  In another example, portion 1975 is a downlink or uplink spectrum segment 1906 and 1910 represented by a portion of the spectral shape that represents the portion of bandwidth reserved for the control channel, reference signal, and / or clock signal. The part of is included. Spectral shape 1976 represents a control channel with instructions that include digital data to modulate the reference signal via amplitude modulation, amplitude shift keying, or other modulation technique that preserves the phase of the carrier for use as a phase reference. . Clock signal 1978 is shown as being outside the frequency band of spectral shape 1976. The reference signal is modulated by a control channel command and is actually a subcarrier of the control channel and is within the bandwidth of the control channel. Again, although the clock signal 1978 is shown having a spectral shape that represents a sinusoidal signal, in other embodiments, a conventional clock signal can be transmitted as a modulated carrier or other signal. In this case, the clock signal 1978 can be modulated using control channel instructions in place of the reference signal.

A control channel 1976 modulates the reference signal in the form of a continuous wave (CW) in which receiver phase distortion is corrected during frequency conversion of the downlink or uplink spectrum segments 1906 and 1910 to the original / native spectrum segment. Consider the following example conveyed through The control channel 1976 is modulated using robust modulation such as phase amplitude modulation, binary phase shift keying, amplitude shift keying, or other modulation schemes, such as network operation, monitoring and management traffic, and other control data, etc. Commands can be carried between network elements of a distributed antenna system. In various embodiments, the control data is not limiting,
-Status information indicating the online status, offline status, and network performance parameters of each network element,
・ Network device information such as module name and address, hardware and software version, device capacity,
Spectrum information such as frequency conversion factor, channel spacing, guard band, uplink / downlink allocation, uplink and downlink channel selection,
-It can include environmental measurements such as weather conditions, image data, power outage information, and line-of-sight blockage.

  In a further example, control channel data can be transmitted via ultra wideband (UWB) signaling. Control channel data generates radio energy at specific time intervals, occupies more bandwidth via pulse position or time modulation, encodes the polarity or amplitude of UWB pulses, and / or is orthogonal It can be transmitted by using a pulse. In particular, UWB pulses can be transmitted at a relatively low pulse rate to support time modulation or position modulation, but can be transmitted at rates up to the reciprocal of the UWB pulse bandwidth. In this way, the control channel can be spread over the UWB spectrum with relatively low power and without interfering with the CW transmission of the reference and / or clock signals that may occupy the in-band portion of the control channel's UWB spectrum. .

  Referring now to FIG. 19H, a block diagram 1980 illustrating an example non-limiting embodiment of a transmitter is shown. In particular, transmitter 1982 is shown in combination with receiver 1981 and digital control channel processor 1995 in a transceiver, such as, for example, transceiver 1933 presented in conjunction with FIG. 19C. As shown, transmitter 1982 includes analog front end 1986, clock signal generator 1989, local oscillator 1992, mixer 1996, and transmitter front end 1984.

  The amplified first modulated signal at the first carrier frequency is coupled from the amplifier 1938 to the analog front end 1986 along with the reference signal, control channel, and / or clock signal. Analog front end 1986 includes one or more filters or other frequency selections and separates control channel signal 1987, clock reference signal 1978, pilot signal 1991, and one or more selected channel signals 1994.

  The digital control channel processor 1995 performs digital signal processing on the control channel to restore instructions from the control channel signal 1987, such as through demodulation of the digital control channel data. The clock signal generator 1989 generates a clock signal 1990 from the clock reference signal 1978 to synchronize the timing of digital control channel processing by the digital control channel processor 1995. In embodiments where the clock reference signal 1978 is a sine wave, the clock signal generator 1989 can provide amplification and limiting to generate a conventional clock signal or other timing signal from the sine wave. In embodiments where the clock reference signal 1978 is a modulated carrier signal, such as a pilot signal or other carrier reference modulation, the clock signal generator 1989 performs demodulation to produce a conventional clock signal or other timing signal. Can be provided.

  In various embodiments, the control channel signal 1987 can be a digitally modulated signal in a frequency range that is separate from the pilot signal 1991 and the clock reference 1988, or as a modulation of the pilot signal 1991. In operation, the digital control channel processor 1995 provides demodulation of the control channel signal 1987 to extract the instructions contained therein and generate the control signal 1993. In particular, the control signal 1993 generated by the digital control channel processor 1995 in response to a command received via the control channel can be used to select a particular channel signal 1994 and the corresponding pilot signal 1991 and / or Clock reference 1988 is used to convert the frequency of channel signal 1994 for transmission over wireless interface 1811. It is noted that in situations where the control channel signal 1987 carries instructions via modulation of the pilot signal 1991, the pilot signal 1991 may be extracted via the digital control channel processor 1995 rather than the analog front end 1986 as shown. I want.

  Digital control channel processor 1995 is a microprocessor, microcontroller, digital signal processor, microcomputer, central processing unit, field programmable gate array, programmable logic device, state machine, logic circuit, digital circuit, analog / digital converter, digital It may be implemented via a processing module such as an analog / analog converter and / or any device that manipulates signals (analog and / or digital) based on hard coding of circuits and / or operating instructions. The processing module may be a memory and / or integrated memory element, or may further include a memory and / or integrated memory element, where the memory and / or integrated memory element is a single memory device, a plurality of memory devices, and / or Or it may be another processing module, a module, a processing circuit, and / or an embedded circuit of a processing unit. Such a memory device can be read-only memory, random access memory, volatile memory, non-volatile memory, static memory, dynamic memory, flash memory, cache memory, and / or any device that stores digital information. It should be noted that if the processing module includes more than one processing device, the processing devices may be centrally located (eg, directly coupled together via a wired and / or wireless bus structure) or distributed. Note that it may be deployed (eg, cloud computing via indirect coupling via a local area network and / or a wide area network). Furthermore, the memory and / or memory element storing the corresponding operation instructions are a microprocessor, microcontroller, digital signal processor, microcomputer, central processing unit, field programmable gate array, programmable logic device, state machine, logic circuit, digital It should be noted that it may be incorporated in a circuit, analog / digital converter, digital / analog converter, or other device, or may be external. Further, a memory element may store hard-coded instructions and / or operational instructions corresponding to at least some of the steps and / or functions described herein, such that a processing module executes the memory device. Note also that the memory element may be implemented as a product.

  The local oscillator 1992 uses the pilot signal 1991 to generate the local oscillator signal 1997 to reduce distortion during the frequency conversion process. In various embodiments, the pilot signal 1991 is at the exact frequency and phase of the local oscillator signal 1997, and the channel signal 1994 at the carrier frequency associated with the placement in the spectrum of the distributed antenna system is transmitted to the fixed or mobile communication device. For transmission, a local oscillator signal 1997 is generated at the appropriate frequency and phase to convert to the original / native spectral segment. In this case, the local oscillator 1992 can utilize bandpass filtering and / or other signal conditioning to generate a sinusoidal local oscillator signal 1997 that preserves the frequency and phase of the pilot signal 1991. In other embodiments, the pilot signal 1991 has a frequency and phase that can be used to derive the local oscillator signal 1997. In this case, the local oscillator 1992 uses frequency division, frequency multiplexing, or other frequency synthesis based on the pilot signal 1991 to transmit in the spectrum of the distributed antenna system for transmission to a fixed or mobile communication device. A local oscillator signal 1997 of the appropriate frequency and phase is generated to convert the channel signal 1994 at the carrier frequency associated with the location of the signal into original / native spectral segments.

  The mixer 1996 operates based on the local oscillator signal 1997 to shift the frequency of the channel signal 1994 to generate a frequency converted channel signal 1998 of the corresponding original / native spectral segment. Although one mixing stage is shown, multiple mixing stages can be utilized to shift the channel signal to one or more intermediate frequencies as part of the baseband and / or full frequency conversion. The transmitter (Xmtr) front end 1984 includes a power amplifier and impedance matching, and passes the frequency converted channel signal 1998 as a free space radio signal through one or more antennas such as antenna 1824 within communication nodes 1804B-E. Wirelessly transmit to one or more mobile or fixed communication devices.

  Referring now to FIG. 19I, a block diagram 1985 illustrating an example non-limiting embodiment of a receiver is shown. In particular, the receiver 1981 is shown in combination with a transmitter 1982 and a digital control channel processor 1995 in a transceiver such as, for example, the transceiver 1933 presented in conjunction with FIG. 19C. As shown, receiver 1981 includes an analog receiver (RCVR) front end 1983, local oscillator 1992, and mixer 1996. The digital control channel processor 1995 operates under the control of instructions from the control channel and generates a pilot signal 1991, a control channel signal 1987, and a clock reference signal 1978.

  A control signal 1993 generated by the digital control channel processor 1995 in response to a command received via the control channel can be used to select a particular channel signal 1994, and a corresponding pilot signal 1991 and / or clock reference. 1988 is used to convert the frequency of the channel signal 1994 for reception via the wireless interface 1811. The analog receiver front end 1983 includes a low noise amplifier and one or more filters or other frequency selections and receives one or more selected channel signals 1994 under the control of the control signal 1993.

  The local oscillator 1992 uses the pilot signal 1991 to generate the local oscillator signal 1997 to reduce distortion during the frequency conversion process. In various embodiments, the local oscillator may utilize other communication nodes based on the pilot signal 1991 using bandpass filtering and / or other signal conditioning, frequency division, frequency multiplexing, or other frequency synthesis. A local oscillator signal 1997 of appropriate frequency and phase to frequency convert the channel signal 1994, pilot signal 1991, control channel signal 1987, and clock reference signal 1978 to the spectrum of the distributed antenna system for transmission to 1804A-E. Is generated. In particular, the mixer 1996 operates based on the local oscillator signal 1997 to shift, amplify and retransmit the frequency of the channel signal 1994 to the communication node 1804A via the transceiver 1936A. The frequency of the arrangement within the spectral spectrum segment of the distributed antenna system that is desirable to couple to 1936A or to upstream communication nodes 1804B-E for further retransmission to a base station such as micro base station 1802 for processing. A conversion channel signal 1998 is generated. Again, although one mixing stage is shown, multiple mixing stages can be utilized to shift the channel signal to one or more intermediate frequencies as part of the baseband and / or full frequency conversion.

  Referring now to FIG. 20A, illustrated is a block diagram 2000 of an example non-limiting embodiment of a coupling device in accordance with various aspects described herein. In particular, a coupling device is shown that includes a receiver 2010 that receives an RF signal 2012 carrying first data from a transmitting device. The magnetic coupler 2002 is coupled by the outer surface of the transmission medium 2006 and magnetically couples the RF signal 2012 to the transmission medium 2006 as a guided electromagnetic wave 2008 propagating in the longitudinal direction along the transmission medium 2006. Note that although the transmission medium 2006 is shown only on one side of the magnetic coupler 2002, the transmission medium 2006 can traverse two sides of the magnetic coupler 2002. Although not specifically shown, in this case, similarly to the guided electromagnetic wave 2008, the guided wave can be transmitted in the reverse direction in the transmission medium 2006 from the opposite side of the magnetic coupler 2002.

  In embodiments, the transmission medium 2006 is a wire such as an insulated wire, cable, or non-insulated wire. However, the transmission medium 2006 can include any of the transmission media 125 described above.

In the illustrated embodiment, the magnetic coupler 2002 is guided to propagate along the transmission medium via HE ₁₁ mode, TM ₀₀ mode or other TM _0m mode, and / or one or more other modes. A rectangular cavity resonator that emits electromagnetic waves 2008 is included. Cavity resonators can resonate at different frequencies and generate electric and electric fields according to, for example, TE ₁₀ modes, but can also generate different modes based on the particular configuration of the cavity resonator and the frequency of the RF signal 2012. it can. In particular, the receiver 2010 may include a coaxial connector and an antenna in a cavity resonator (not specifically shown) that radiates an RF signal 2012 within the cavity resonator. Alternatively, the receiver may include a waveguide such as a hollow waveguide that guides the RF signal 2012 as an electromagnetic wave guided inside the cavity resonator, or a dielectric waveguide such as a dielectric stub. Although the receiver is shown as having a cylindrical shape, other shapes are possible as well, particularly in situations where the receiver 2010 is implemented as a waveguide.

  Along with the example presented above, the cavity resonator can be used, for example, in the H field (through a standing wave near or at a resonant frequency that induces guided electromagnetic wave 2008 on the transmission medium 2006 via magnetic coupling. Responsive to the RF signal 2012 by generating a magnetic field. In certain embodiments, the cavity resonator is part of a rectangular waveguide having a cutoff frequency that is slightly above the carrier frequency of the RF signal 2012 or some or all of the various frequencies present in the RF signal 2012. Built from. Consider an example where the carrier frequency of the RF signal 2012 is 3 GHz. The cut-off frequency corresponding to the TE10 mode or other modes of the cavity resonator may be in the range of 3.01 GHz to 3.5 GHz-operating the cavity resonator slightly below the cut-off of the electromagnetic mode of the resonator. Note that in other embodiments, frequencies above the cut-off frequency may be utilized.

  Although the present disclosure above has focused on the operation of an electromagnetic coupling device as a transmitter that delivers a wave guide 2008 to a transmission medium 2006, the same coupler design, for example, transmits a wave guide transmitted by a remote transmission device. It can be used as a receiver extracted from the medium 2006. In this operation mode, the magnetic coupler 2002 magnetically separates a part of the guided electromagnetic wave 2008, is coupled by the outer surface of the transmission medium 2006, and propagates in the longitudinal direction along the transmission medium 2006. From the transmitting device to the electromagnetic waves. The receiving unit 2010 receives an electromagnetic wave and provides it to a device such as a receiver or a transmitter.

  Furthermore, while the above description has focused on the operation of a magnetic coupler as having a cutoff frequency that is above the carrier frequency of the RF signal 2012, in other designs, the magnetic coupler is one or more used. The cut-off frequency below the carrier frequency of the RF signal 2012, depending on the waveguide mode of the RF, the characteristics of the magnetic coupler 2002 and the transmission medium 2006, whether the coupling device is used for transmission, reception, or both and / or other factors. Can work with.

  Although the magnetic coupler has been described and shown as a rectangular cavity resonator, other configurations of cavity resonators such as cylindrical cavity resonators or other shaped cavity resonators may be utilized. Additionally or alternatively, the magnetic coupler can include an inductive resonator such as a helical coil resonator or other inductive resonator, a capacitive resonator, or other magnetic coupling device.

  In the illustrated embodiment, the coupling device includes a cap, such as a lid, cover, or other housing that covers the magnetic coupler 2002 and secures a portion of the transmission medium 2006 to the magnetic coupler 2002. In addition, the cap further includes a reflector 2014 that operates alone or in combination with the dielectric portion 2004 to reduce radiation from the magnetic coupler 2002. The reflector 2014 can be constructed of metal or other conductive material, or can have a metal or conductive surface. The reflector 2014 is shown as having a rectangular shape, but especially in situations where the magnetic coupler 2002 has a different shape or includes differently shaped mounting flanges and / or the dielectric portion 2004 has a different shape. Other shapes are possible.

  As shown, the dielectric portion 2004 includes a slot that secures the transmission medium 2006 to the magnetic coupler 2002. The dielectric portion 2004 is constructed of a dielectric material such as a cellular dielectric having a cellular structure aligned to facilitate upward field transmission from the magnetic coupler 2002 through the dielectric portion 2004 in the orientation shown. -Reflected downward by the reflector 2014 and directed to the magnetic coupling 2002 through the dielectric 2004. In the embodiment shown, the reflector 2014 is separated from the magnetic coupler 2002 by a distance corresponding to approximately half the wavelength of the RF signal 2012 when moving through the dielectric portion 2004. As used herein, approximately half of the wavelength corresponds to a value in the range of +/− 10% of λ / 2. Thus, the phase of the magnetic field reflected by the reflector 2014 on the upper surface of the magnetic coupling 2002 is approximately one wavelength from the phase of the magnetic field generated by the magnetic coupling at this time. In this way, the generated magnetic field and the reflected magnetic field are constructively added to further couple the RF signal to the transmission medium 2006 as an electromagnetic wave guided through the desired mode.

  Note that other dielectric materials, such as Teflon or other dielectrics, can be used in the construction of the dielectric portion 2004 as well. However, it should be noted that at a given resonant frequency, the choice of dielectric material can affect the dimensions of the coupler, in particular the thickness of the dielectric 2004, given the difference in propagation speeds for different materials. Although the cap is shown as having a rectangular shape, other shapes are possible, particularly in situations where the magnetic coupler 2002 is of a different shape or includes a differently shaped mounting flange.

Furthermore, although a specific coupler configuration is shown, other configurations are possible as well. For example, the distance between the magnetic coupler 2002 and the reflecting plate 2014 is the full wavelength, and the dielectric portion 2004 is such that the distance from the center of the wire to both the reflecting plate 2014 and the magnetic coupler 2002 is approximately half the wavelength. Consider an embodiment that supports transmission medium 2006 at an intermediate point. In this design, the energy “null” is placed in the middle of the dielectric along the longitudinal axis of the wire. This effect places more energy on the surface of the propagating wire and / or insulation jacket (if present) rather than the center of the dissipating conductor. The energy at the top of the wire is out of phase with the energy at the bottom of the wire--the HE ₁₁ mode, TM ₀₀ mode or other TM _0m mode along the transmission medium 2006, and / or one or more other modes. Supports wave propagation to be guided. In this case, the diameter of the wire is sufficient to generate an advantageous energy distribution at the operating frequency of the coupler—for example, sufficient energy is generated in the upper and lower regions of the wire to support the desired propagation mode. -Must be of size. Such designs used in conjunction with wires such as insulated wires with a diameter of 1 cm or more can support frequencies below 5 GHz, but other frequencies and / or wire sizes and configurations are possible as well. Please keep in mind.

  Referring now to FIG. 20B, a graphical illustration 2020 of an example non-limiting embodiment of an electromagnetic field distribution in accordance with various aspects described herein is shown. In particular, the electromagnetic distribution of a transmitting device including a coupling device 2022 including a magnetic coupler 2002 or other magnetic coupling device is presented in two dimensions. The coupling device 2022 couples electromagnetic waves to the transmission medium 2006 so as to propagate as a wave guide along the outer surface of the transmission medium 2006.

  The coupling device 2022 couples to the surface of the transmission medium 2006 and / or forms a guided electromagnetic wave that propagates through other guided wave modes and / or at least one asymmetric mode. It should be noted that the graphical representation of the wave guide is presented only to illustrate examples of wave guide coupling and propagation. The actual electric and magnetic fields generated as a result of such wave propagation are the frequency utilized, the design and / or configuration of the coupling device 2022, the dimensions and composition of the transmission medium 2006, and the surface characteristics and surroundings of the transmission medium 2006. It may vary depending on the electromagnetic characteristics of the environment.

  Referring now to FIGS. 20C, 20D, 20E, and 20F, pictorial views 2030, 2040 corresponding to an example non-limiting embodiment of a coupling device component in accordance with various aspects described herein. , 2050, and 2060 are shown.

  Considering FIG. 20C, a rectangular cavity resonator 2032 is shown that includes a stub antenna 2036 that radiates an electromagnetic field within the cavity. The cavity resonator also includes a rectangular mounting flange 2034 that includes ten mounting holes for mounting a cap including a dielectric and a reflector.

  20D, a coupling device that includes a rectangular cavity resonator 2042 and a Teflon cap dielectric 2044 that includes a slot that extends the entire length of the cap dielectric 2044 to hold a transmission medium 125, such as an insulated wire or a bare wire. Is shown. As shown, the cap has the reflector removed. The dielectric portion 2044 and the reflection plate can be fixed to the rectangular cavity resonator 2042 via a mounting bolt.

  Considering FIG. 20E, for example, a reflector 2052 used in conjunction with a rectangular cavity resonator 2042 and a dielectric 2044 is shown. Reflector 2052 is constructed of a metal such as an aluminum alloy or other conductive metal to reduce unwanted radiation from the magnetic coupler and improve coupling to transmission medium 1806. As shown, reflector 2052 includes ten mounting holes that mate with similar mounting holes in rectangular cavity resonator 1922 and Teflon cap 1924.

  Considering FIG. 20F, a coupling device is shown that includes a rectangular cavity resonator 2062 having a coaxial interface port for transmission and reception and a circular mounting flange for coupling to a cylindrical dielectric 2064 and an upper reflector 2066. The cylindrical dielectric portion 2064 includes a slot that extends through the entire length of the cylindrical dielectric portion 2064 to hold a transmission medium 125 such as an insulated wire or a bare wire. As shown, the cylindrical dielectric 2064 is secured to the rectangular cavity resonator 2062 via mounting bolts.

  Referring now to FIG. 20G, a flowchart of an example non-limiting embodiment of a method is shown. In particular, methods are presented for use with one or more functions and features presented in conjunction with FIGS. 1-19 and 20A-20F. Step 2072 includes receiving a first electromagnetic wave carrying first data. Step 2074 includes delivering a first electromagnetic wave to the wire as a guided electromagnetic wave coupled by the outer surface of the wire through the cavity resonator, and the dielectric portion causes the wire to be adjacent to the cavity resonator. Fixed, the reflector reduces electromagnetic radiation from the cavity resonator.

  In various embodiments, the cavity resonator operates below the cutoff frequency of the cavity resonator and generates a magnetic field that induces guided electromagnetic waves onto the transmission medium via magnetic coupling, thereby generating a radio frequency signal. Respond further to The signal may include an electrical signal supplied to an antenna of the cavity resonator that radiates the signal magnetically within the cavity resonator and induces an electromagnetic wave that is guided on the outer surface of the transmission medium.

  For ease of explanation, each process is shown and described as a series of blocks in FIG. 20G, but the claimed subject matter is not limited to the order of the blocks, and some blocks are described herein. It will be understood and appreciated that a different order and / or other blocks may be performed simultaneously with those shown and described in the document. Moreover, not all illustrated blocks may be required to implement the methods described herein.

  Now referring to FIG. 21, a block diagram of a computing environment is depicted in accordance with various aspects set forth herein. In order to provide further context with respect to the various embodiments described herein, FIG. 21 and the following discussion is a suitable computing environment 2100 in which various embodiments of the disclosed embodiments can be implemented. Is intended to provide a concise and general description of Although embodiments have been described above in the general context of computer-executable instructions that can be executed on one or more computers, those embodiments may be combined with other program modules and / or hardware. Those skilled in the art will recognize that it can be implemented as a combination of hardware and software.

  Generally, program modules include routines, programs, components, data structures, etc. that perform particular tasks or implement particular abstract data types. In addition, single-processor or multiprocessor computer systems, minicomputers, mainframe computers and personal computers, handheld computing devices, microcomputers, which can each operably couple the method of the present invention to one or more associated devices. One skilled in the art will appreciate that it can be implemented with other computer system configurations, including processor-based or programmable consumer electronics and the like.

  As used herein, processing circuitry processes and responds to processors and other application specific circuits such as application specific integrated circuits, digital logic circuits, state machines, programmable gate arrays, etc. or input signals or data. And other circuits for generating output signals or data. Note that any functions and features described herein in connection with the operation of the processor may be similarly performed by processing circuitry.

  Terms such as “first”, “second”, “third”, etc., when used in the claims, are intended for clarity only, unless otherwise specified by context. Otherwise, it does not indicate or imply any order of time. For example, “first judgment”, “second judgment”, and “third judgment” do not indicate or imply that the first judgment is performed before the second judgment. The reverse is also true.

  The illustrated embodiments of the embodiments herein may also be practiced in distributed computing environments where certain tasks are performed by remote processing devices that are linked through a communications network. In a distributed computing environment, program modules can be located in both local and remote memory storage devices.

  A computing device typically includes a variety of media, which can include computer-readable storage media and / or communication media, the two terms of which are different from one another in the specification as follows. used. Computer readable storage media can be any available storage media that can be accessed by a computer and includes both volatile and nonvolatile media, removable and non-removable media. By way of example and not limitation, a computer readable storage medium may be implemented in connection with any method or technique for storing information such as computer readable instructions, program modules, structured data or unstructured data. Can do.

  Computer readable storage media include, but are not limited to, random access memory (RAM), read only memory (ROM), electrically erasable programmable read only memory (EEPROM), flash memory or other memory technology, compact disk read only memory (CD-ROM), digital versatile disk (DVD) or other optical disk storage device, magnetic cassette, magnetic tape, magnetic disk storage device or other magnetic storage device, or can be used to store desired information Other tangible and / or non-transitory media can be included. In this context, the term “tangible” or “non-transitory” as applied herein to a storage device, memory or computer readable medium, as a qualifier, excludes only the temporarily propagated signal itself. It should be understood that it does not relinquish the right to any standard storage device, memory or computer-readable medium, not just the temporary propagation signal itself.

  A computer-readable storage medium may be accessed by one or more local or remote computing devices, for example, via an access request, query, or other data retrieval protocol for various operations relating to information stored by the medium. Can do.

  Communication media typically embodies computer readable instructions, data structures, program modules or other structured or unstructured data in a modulated data signal, eg, a data signal such as a carrier wave or other transport mechanism, and any Includes information delivery or carrier media. The term “modulated data signal” or signal refers to a signal that has one or more of its characteristics set or changed in such a manner as to encode information in the signal or signals. By way of example and not limitation, communication media includes wired media such as a wired network or direct connected connection, and wireless media such as acoustic, RF, infrared and other wireless media.

  Referring back to FIG. 21, whether signals are transmitted and received via at least a portion of a base station (eg, base station device 1504, macrocell site 1502, or base station 1614) or a central office (eg, central office 1501 or 1611). Or an example environment 2100 forming at least part of a base station or central office. At least a part of the example environment 2100 can also be used for the transmission device 101 or 102. An example environment can include a computer 2102 that includes a processing unit 2104, a system memory 2106, and a system bus 2108. System bus 2108 couples system components to processing unit 2104, including but not limited to system memory 2106. The processing unit 2104 can be any of various commercially available processors. Dual microprocessors and other multiprocessor architectures can also be utilized as the processing unit 2104.

  The system bus 2108 is of several types that can be further interconnected to a memory bus (with or without a memory controller), a peripheral bus, and a local bus using any of a variety of commercially available bus architectures. Can be any of the following bus structures. The system memory 2106 includes a ROM 2110 and a RAM 2112. Basic input / output system (BIOS) can be stored in non-volatile memory such as ROM, erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROM), EEPROM, etc. BIOS transfers information between elements in computer 2102 during startup etc. Includes basic routines that facilitate The RAM 2112 can also include a high-speed RAM such as a static RAM for caching data.

  The computer 2102 includes an internal hard disk drive (HDD) 2114 (e.g., EIDE, SATA) and a magnetic floppy disk drive (FDD) 2116 (e.g., which can be configured for external use in a suitable chassis (not shown). , For reading or writing to removable diskette 2118) and optical disk drive 2120 (for example, reading from or writing to CD-ROM disk 2122, or other large capacity optical media such as DVD). The hard disk drive 2114, magnetic disk drive 2116, and optical disk drive 2120 can be connected to the system bus 2108 by a hard disk drive interface 2124, a magnetic disk drive interface 2126, and an optical drive interface 2128, respectively. Interface 2124 for implementing an external drive includes at least one or both of Universal Serial Bus (USB) and American Institute of Electrical Engineers (IEEE) 1394 interface technology. Other external drive connection techniques are within the scope of the embodiments described herein.

  The drive and its associated computer-readable storage medium provide non-volatile storage for data, data structures, computer-executable instructions, and the like. In the case of computer 2102, the drives and storage media support the storage of any data in a suitable digital format. The above description of computer-readable storage media refers to hard disk drives (HDDs), removable magnetic diskettes, and removable optical media such as CDs or DVDs, but can be read by computers such as zip drives, magnetic cassettes, flash memory cards, cartridges, etc. Other types of storage media can also be used in the exemplary operating environment, and any such storage media can include computer-executable instructions for performing the methods described herein. As will be appreciated by those skilled in the art.

  A plurality of program modules may be stored in the drive and RAM 2112, including an operating system 2130, one or more application programs 2132, other program modules 2134 and program data 2136. All or part of the operating system, applications, modules and / or data may be cached in RAM 2112. The systems and methods described herein can be implemented utilizing various commercially available operating systems or combinations of operating systems. Examples of application programs 2132 that can be implemented by the processing unit 2104 or that can be executed otherwise include diversity selection decisions performed by the transmitting device 101 or 102.

  A user may enter commands and information into the computer 2102 through one or more wired / wireless input devices, eg, pointing devices such as a keyboard 2138 and a mouse 2140. Other input devices (not shown) may include a microphone, infrared (IR) remote control, joystick, game pad, stylus pen, touch screen, and the like. These input devices and other input devices are often connected to the processing unit 2104 through an input device interface 2142 that can be coupled to the system bus 2108, although parallel ports, IEEE 1394 serial ports, game ports, universal serial ports It can also be connected by other interfaces such as a bus (USB) port, IR interface.

  A monitor 2144 or other type of display device can also be connected to the system bus 2108 via an interface, such as a video adapter 2146. Also, in an alternative embodiment, monitor 2144 may be any display device (e.g., a display) for receiving display information associated with computer 2102 via any communication means, including via the Internet and cloud-based networks. It will be understood that it may be another computer having, a smartphone, a tablet computer, etc. In addition to the monitor 2144, computers typically include other peripheral output devices (not shown) such as speakers, printers and the like.

  Computer 2102 can operate in a networked environment using logical connections via wired and / or wireless communication with one or more remote computers, such as remote computer 2148. The remote computer 2148 can be a workstation, server computer, router, personal computer, portable computer, microprocessor-equipped entertainment device, peer device or other common network node, typically many or all of the elements described with respect to the computer 2102. Although only one memory / storage device 2150 is shown for simplicity. The logical connections shown include a wired / wireless connection to a local area network (LAN) 2152 and / or a larger network, eg, a wide area network (WAN) 2154. Such LAN and WAN networking environments are common in offices and enterprises, all facilitating enterprise-wide computer networks such as an intranet that can be connected to a global communications network, eg, the Internet.

  When used in a LAN networking environment, the computer 2102 can be connected to the local network 2152 through a wired and / or wireless communication network interface or adapter 2156. The adapter 2156 can facilitate wired or wireless communication with the LAN 2152, and the LAN can also include a wireless AP disposed there for communicating with the wireless adapter 2156.

  When used in a WAN networked environment, the computer 2102 can include a modem 2158, can connect to a communication server on the WAN 2154, or establish communication via the WAN 2154, eg, via the Internet. Have other means. The modem 2158 can be internal or external, and a wired or wireless device and can be connected to the system bus 2108 via the input device interface 2142. In a networked environment, program modules illustrated with respect to computer 2102 or portions thereof may be stored in remote memory / storage device 2150. It will be appreciated that the network connections shown are examples and other means of establishing a communications link between the computers may be used.

  Computer 2102 is any wireless device or entity that is operatively arranged in wireless communication, such as a printer, scanner, desktop and / or portable computer, portable data assistant, communications satellite, wirelessly detectable tag Or it can be operable to communicate with any part of a location (eg, kiosk, newsstand, restroom) and telephone. This can include Wireless Fidelity (Wi-Fi) and BLUETOOTH® wireless technology. In this way, the communication can be a defined structure as in a conventional network or simply an ad hoc communication between at least two devices.

  Wi-Fi makes it possible to connect to the Internet wirelessly from a chaise lounge at home, from a bed in a hotel room, or from a conference room at work. Wi-Fi is a wireless technology similar to that used in mobile phones, so that such devices, eg computers, can send and receive data anywhere inside or outside the base station. It becomes like this. Wi-Fi networks use a radio technology called IEEE 802.11 (a, b, g, n, ac, ag, etc.) to provide secure, reliable and high-speed wireless connectivity. A Wi-Fi network can be used to connect computers to each other, to the Internet, and to wired networks (which can use IEEE 802.3 or Ethernet). Because Wi-Fi networks operate, for example, in the unlicensed 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz radio bands, or operate with products that include both bands (dual band), the networks are used in many offices. Real world performance similar to a basic 10BaseT wired Ethernet network can be provided.

  FIG. 22 presents an exemplary embodiment 2200 of a mobile network platform 2210 that may implement and utilize one or more aspects of the disclosed subject matter described herein. In one or more embodiments, the mobile network platform 2210 is a base station (eg, base station device 1504, macrocell site 1502, or base station 1614), a central office (eg, central office 1501 or 1611), or disclosed. It is possible to generate and receive a signal transmitted / received by the transmission device 101 or 102 associated with the purpose. In general, the wireless network platform 2210 includes both packet switched (PS) traffic (eg, Internet Protocol (IP), Frame Relay, Asynchronous Transfer Mode (ATM)) and circuit switched (CS) traffic (eg, voice and data), As well as components that facilitate control generation for networked wireless telecommunications, such as nodes, gateways, interfaces, servers, or heterogeneous platforms. As a non-limiting example, the wireless network platform 2210 can be included in a telecommunications carrier network and can be considered a carrier-side component, as discussed elsewhere herein. Mobile network platform 2210 is received from a legacy network, such as telephone network 2240 (eg, public switched telephone network (PSTN), or public land mobile network (PLMN)), or signaling system # 7 (SS7) network 2270. A CS gateway node 2222 that may have an interface with CS traffic is included. Circuit switched gateway node 2222 may allow and authenticate traffic (eg, voice) originating from such a network. In addition, the CS gateway node 2222 can access mobility data or roaming data generated through the SS7 network 2270, eg, mobility data stored in a visitor location register (VLR) that can reside in the memory 2230. . In addition, CS gateway node 2222 has CS base traffic and signaling and an interface with PS gateway node 2218. As an example, in a 3GPP UMTS network, the CS gateway node 2222 can be at least partially implemented in a gateway GPRS support node (GGSN). It should be understood that the functionality and specific operation of CS gateway node 2222, PS gateway node 2218 and serving node 2216 are provided and determined by the radio technology utilized by mobile network platform 2210 for telecommunications.

  In addition to receiving and processing CS exchange traffic and signaling, PS gateway node 2218 can authorize and authenticate PS-based data sessions with served mobile devices. Data sessions may include traffic or content exchanged with networks external to wireless network platform 2210, such as wide area network (WAN) 2250, enterprise network 2270, and service network 2280, which are local area networks ( LAN) and can interface with the mobile network platform 2210 through the PS gateway node 2218. Note that WAN 2250 and enterprise network 2260 can at least partially implement a service network, such as an IP Multimedia Subsystem (IMS). Based on the radio technology layers available in the technical resources 2217, the packet switched gateway node 2218 can generate a packet data protocol context when a data session is established and can route packetized data. Other data structures that facilitate can also be generated. To that end, in one aspect, the PS gateway node 2218 can facilitate a packetized communication with a heterogeneous wireless network such as a Wi-Fi network (eg, a 3GPP UMTS network (not shown)). Tunnel termination gateway (TTG).

  In an embodiment 2200, the wireless network platform 2210 also includes a serving node 2216, which can determine the various packets of the data stream received through the PS gateway node 2218 based on the available radio technology layers in the technology resources 2217. Transports the converted flow. Note that for technical resources 2217 that rely primarily on CS communications, the server node can deliver traffic without relying on the PS gateway node 2218. For example, the server node may at least partially embody a mobile switching center. As an example, in a 3GPP UMTS network, the serving node 2216 can be implemented in a serving GPRS support node (SGSN).

  For wireless technologies that utilize packetized communications, a server 2214 within the wireless network platform 2210 generates multiple disparate packetized data streams or flows and manages such flows (eg, scheduling). Many applications that can be queued, formatted (...) can be run. Such applications may include add-on mechanisms for standard services provided by the wireless network platform 2210 (eg, provisioning, billing, customer support ...). A data stream (eg, a voice call or content that is part of a data session) can be conveyed to the PS gateway node 2218 for authorization / authentication and initiation of the data session and then to the serving node 2216 for communication. Can be transported. In addition to an application server, server 2214 can include a utility server, which can at least partially implement provisioning servers, operations and maintenance servers, certificate authorities and firewalls, and other security mechanisms. Security servers etc. can be included. In one aspect, the security server protects communications served through the wireless network platform 2210 and, in addition to the authorization and authentication procedures that can be defined by the CS gateway node 2222 and the PS gateway node 2218, network operation and data integrity. Secure. In addition, a provisioning server can provision services from an external network, such as a network operated by a heterogeneous service provider, such as a service from a WAN 2250 or a global positioning system (GPS) network (not shown). The provisioning server is also associated with a wireless network platform 2210 such as the distributed antenna network shown in FIG. 1 that improves wireless service coverage by providing additional network coverage (eg, deployed and operated by the same service provider). Coverage) can also be provisioned through the network. Repeater devices as shown in FIGS. 7, 8 and 9 also improve network coverage in order to improve the subscriber service experience by the UE 2275.

  Note that server 2214 may include one or more processors configured to at least partially provide the functionality of macro network platform 2210. To that end, one or more processors can execute, for example, code instructions stored in memory 2230. It should be understood that the server 2214 may include a content manager 2215 that operates in substantially the same manner as described above.

  In the exemplary embodiment 2200, the memory 2230 can store information related to operation of the wireless network platform 2210. Other operational information includes provisioning information for mobile devices served through the wireless platform network 2210, subscriber database; application intelligence, pricing schemes, eg, promotional fees, flat-rate programs, coupon distribution campaigns; heterogeneous radio or wireless, technology Technical specifications etc. consistent with the telecommunication protocol for layer operation can be included. The memory 2230 may store information from at least one of the telephone network 2240, the WAN 2250, the corporate network 2270, or the SS7 network 2260. In one aspect, the memory 2230 can be accessed, for example, as part of a data store component or as a remotely connected memory store.

  In order to provide a context for various aspects of the disclosed subject matter, FIG. 22 and the following discussion provide a concise and general description of a suitable environment in which various aspects of the disclosed subject matter can be implemented. Is intended to be. Although the subject matter has been described above in the general context of computer-executable instructions for computer programs executing on one and / or multiple computers, the disclosed subject matter is implemented in combination with other program modules. Those skilled in the art will recognize that this is possible. Generally, program modules include routines, programs, components, data structures, etc. that perform particular tasks and / or implement particular abstract data types.

  FIG. 23 shows an exemplary embodiment of a communication device 2300. Communication device 2300 may serve as an exemplary embodiment of a device, such as a mobile device and an in-building device, referenced by this disclosure (eg, in FIGS. 15, 16A, and 16B).

  The communication device 2300 includes a wired and / or wireless transceiver 2302 (in this specification, a transceiver 2302), a user interface (UI) 2304, a power source 2314, a location receiver 2316, a motion sensor 2318, an orientation sensor 2320, and an operation thereof. A controller 2306 may be included. The transceiver 2302 can support short-range or long-range wireless access technologies such as Bluetooth®, ZigBee®, WiFi, DECT, or cellular communication technologies, to name a few (Bluetooth). Trademark) and ZigBee (registered trademark) are trademarks registered by the Bluetooth (registered trademark) Special Interest Group and ZigBee (registered trademark) Alliance, respectively. Cellular technologies include, for example, CDMA-1X, UMTS / HSDPA, GSM / GPRS, TDMA / EDGE, EV / DO, WiMAX, SDR, LTE, and other next generation wireless communication technologies that are developed Can do. The transceiver 2302 can also be configured to support circuit-switched wired access technologies (such as PSTN), packet-switched wired access technologies (such as TCP / IP and VoIP), and combinations thereof.

  The UI 2304 can include a pushable or touch sensitive keypad 2308 having a navigation mechanism such as a roller ball, joystick, mouse, or navigation disk that manipulates the operation of the communication device 2300. The keypad 2308 can be an integral part of the housing assembly of the communication device 2300 or is operably coupled thereto by a wired interface (such as a USB cable) or a wireless interface that supports, for example, Bluetooth®. Can be an independent device. Keypad 2308 may represent a QWERTY keypad having numeric and / or alphanumeric keys commonly used in telephones. The UI 2304 can further include a display 2310, such as a monochrome or color LCD (Liquid Crystal Display), OLED (Organic Light Emitting Diode), or other suitable display technology that transmits images to the end user of the communication device 2300. In one embodiment where the display 2310 is touch sensitive, some or all of the keypad 2308 can be presented by the display 2310 with navigation capabilities.

  The display 2310 can also function as a user interface that detects user input using touch screen technology. As a touch screen display, the communication device 2300 can be configured to present a user interface having graphical user interface (GUI) elements that can be selected by a user with a finger touch. Touch screen display 2310 may include capacitive, resistive, or other forms of sensing technology that detects the size of the surface area on which a user's finger is located on a portion of the touch screen display. This detection information can be used to control the operation of GUI elements or other functions of the user interface. Display 2310 can be an integral part of the housing assembly of communication device 2300 or can be a stand-alone device communicatively coupled thereto by a connected wired interface (such as a cable) or a wireless interface.

  The UI 2304 may also include an audio system 2312 that utilizes audio technology to transmit low volume audio (such as audio heard near the human ear) and high volume audio (such as a speakerphone in a hands-free operation). The audio system 2312 may further include a microphone that receives the audible signal of the end user. The audio system 2312 can also be used for speech recognition applications. The UI 2304 can further include an image sensor 2313 such as a charge coupled device (CCD) camera that captures still images or moving images.

  The power source 2314 uses common power management techniques such as replaceable and rechargeable batteries, supply regulation techniques, and / or charging system technology to provide energy to the components of the communication device 2300 for long-range or near-range. Distance portable communication can be facilitated. Alternatively or in combination, the charging system can utilize an external power source such as DC power supplied via a physical interface such as a USB port or other suitable tethering technology.

  The location receiver 2316 may utilize location technology such as an auxiliary GPS-enabled global positioning system (GPS) receiver to identify the location of the communication device 2300 based on signals generated by a group of GPS satellites. The location can be used to facilitate location services such as navigation. The motion sensor 2318 can detect motion of the communication device 2300 in three-dimensional space using motion sensing technology, such as an accelerometer, gyroscope, or other suitable motion sensing technology. The orientation sensor 2320 detects the orientation of the communication device 2300 (north, south, west, and east, and a combination of degrees, minutes, or other suitable orientation scales) using orientation sensing technology such as a magnetometer. can do.

  The communication device 2300 uses a transceiver 2302 to detect cellular, WiFi, Bluetooth (registration), such as using received signal strength indicators (RSSI) and / or signal arrival time (TOA) or time of flight (TOF) measurements. Trademark), or proximity to other wireless access points. Controller 2306 may be a microprocessor, digital signal processor (DSP), programmable gate array, application specific integrated circuit, and / or associated storage memory such as flash, ROM, RAM, SRAM, DRAM, or other storage technology. Computing techniques such as a video processor may be utilized to execute computer instructions, control the components of the communication device 2300, and process data provided by the components of the communication device 2300.

  In one or more embodiments of the present disclosure, other components not shown in FIG. 23 may be used. For example, the communication device 2300 can include a slot for adding or removing an identification module, such as a subscriber identity module (SIM) card or a universal integrated circuit card (UICC). The SIM or UICC card can be used for subscriber service identification, program execution, subscriber data storage, and the like.

  As used herein, the terms “store”, “storage”, “data store”, “data storage device”, “database”, and any other information storage component related to the operation and function of the component are referred to as “memory”. Component "refers to an entity embodied in" memory "or a component that includes memory. The memory components described herein can be either volatile memory or non-volatile memory, or can include both volatile and non-volatile memory, but are exemplary and not limiting, It will be appreciated that volatile memory, non-volatile memory, disk storage and memory storage may be included. Further, non-volatile memory can be included in read only memory (ROM), programmable ROM (PROM), electrically programmable ROM (EPROM), electrically erasable ROM (EEPROM) or flash memory. Volatile memory can include random access memory (RAM), which acts as external cache memory. By way of example and not limitation, RAM may be synchronous RAM (SRAM), dynamic RAM (DRAM), synchronous DRAM (SDRAM), double data rate SDRAM (DDR SDRAM), enhanced SDRAM (ESDRAM), Synclink DRAM (SLDRAM) and It can be obtained in many forms such as direct Rambus RAM (DRRAM). Further, the disclosed memory components of the systems or methods herein are intended to include, but are not limited to, these and any other suitable type of memory.

  Further, the disclosed subject matter includes single processor or multiprocessor computer systems, minicomputing devices, mainframe computers, and personal computers, handheld computing devices (eg, PDAs, telephones, smartphones, watches, tablet computers, netbook computers). Note that it can be practiced with other computer system configurations including microprocessor-based or programmable home appliances or industrial electronics. The illustrated aspects may also be practiced in distributed computing environments where tasks are performed by remote processing devices that are linked through a communications network. However, some, but not all aspects of the present disclosure can be practiced on stand-alone computers. In a distributed computing environment, program modules can be located in both local and remote memory storage devices.

  Some of the embodiments described herein may also utilize artificial intelligence (AI) to facilitate automating one or more features described herein. For example, artificial intelligence can be used in the optional training controller 230 to evaluate and select candidate frequencies, modulation schemes, MIMO modes, and / or waveguide modes to maximize transfer efficiency. Several embodiments (eg, relating to automatically identifying acquisition cell sites that provide the greatest value / benefit after being added to an existing communications network) are possible to perform various embodiments to perform AI. Various schemes based on can be used. In addition, a classifier can be used to determine the ranking or priority of each cell site in the acquisition network. The classifier is a function that maps the input attribute vector x = (x1, x2, x3, x4,..., Xn) to the reliability that the input belongs to one class, ie, f (x) = reliability. (Class). Such classification may be based on probabilistic analysis and / or statistical analysis (e.g., taking into account the usefulness and cost of the analysis) to predict or infer the actions that the user wishes to be performed automatically. Can be used. A support vector machine (SVM) is an example of a classifier that can be used. SVM operates by finding a hypersurface in the space of possible inputs, and the hypersurface attempts to separate the trigger criteria from non-triggered events. Intuitively, this makes the classification accurate to test data that is close to training data but not identical. Other directed and undirected model classification techniques may use, for example, naïve Bayes, Bayesian networks, decision trees, neural networks, fuzzy logic models, and probabilistic classification models that provide independent and distinct patterns. As used herein, classification also encompasses statistical regression that is utilized to develop a priority model.

  As will be readily appreciated, one or more of the embodiments are implicitly trained (eg, by observing UE behavior, receiving operator preferences, historical information, external information). ) As well as a clearly trained classifier (eg, with generic training data). For example, the SVM can be configured through a learning or training phase within a classifier constructor and feature selection module. Thus, using a classifier, but without limitation, any acquisition cell site of the acquisition cell sites will benefit the maximum number of subscribers and / or the acquisition cell site according to predetermined criteria. A plurality of functions can be automatically learned and executed, including determining which of the acquired cell sites will add the minimum value to the existing communication network coverage.

  As used in some situations in this application, in some embodiments, the terms “component”, “system”, etc. may be used with computer-related entities, or with one or more specific functions. It is intended to refer to or include an entity associated with a device, which may be either hardware, a combination of hardware and software, software or running software. By way of example, a component can be, but is not limited to being, a process running on a processor, a processor, an object, an executable, a thread of execution, a computer-executable instruction, a program, and / or a computer. By way of illustration and not limitation, both an application running on a server and the server can be a component. One or more components may reside within a process and / or thread of execution, and the components may be localized on one computer and / or distributed between two or more computers. is there. In addition, these components can execute from various computer readable media having various data structures stored thereon. A component may interact with other systems via signals, eg, one or more data packets (data from a component interacting with another component in a local system, distributed system, and / or a network such as the Internet). Can communicate via a local and / or remote process in accordance with a signal having data from the component. As another example, a component can be a device having a particular function provided by a mechanical component operated by an electrical circuit or electronic circuit operated by a software or firmware application executed by the processor, and the processor is the device And execute at least part of a software or firmware application. As yet another example, a component can be a device that provides a specific function through an electronic component without the use of mechanical parts, and the electronic component executes software or firmware that at least partially provides the functionality of the electronic component. Therefore, a processor can be included therein. Although various components have been illustrated as separate components, it is possible that multiple components can be implemented as a single component or that a single component can be implemented as multiple components without departing from the exemplary embodiments. It will be understood.

  Moreover, various embodiments employ standard programming and / or engineering techniques to create software, firmware, hardware or any combination thereof to control a computer in order to implement the disclosed subject matter. Can be realized as a method, an apparatus, or a product. As used herein, the term “product” is intended to include any computer readable device or computer program accessible from a computer readable storage / communication medium. For example, computer readable storage media include, but are not limited to, magnetic storage devices (eg, hard disks, floppy disks, magnetic strips), optical disks (eg, compact disks (CDs), digital versatile disks (DVDs)), smart cards and Flash memory devices (eg, cards, sticks, key drives) can be included. Of course, those skilled in the art will recognize many modifications may be made to this configuration without departing from the scope or spirit of the various embodiments.

  Further, the terms “example” and “exemplary” are used herein to mean serving as an example or illustration. Any embodiment or design described herein as "example" or "exemplary" is not necessarily to be construed as preferred or advantageous over other embodiments or designs. Rather, use of the word example or example is intended to present concepts explicitly. As used herein, the term “or” is intended to mean an inclusive “or” rather than an exclusive “or”. That is, unless otherwise indicated or apparent in context, “X utilizes A or B” is intended to mean any natural inclusive substitution. That is, if X uses A, X uses B, or X uses both A and B, under any of the above cases, “X uses A or B "Yes" is satisfied. Further, from the context that the articles “one (a)” and “an” as used in the present application and the appended claims generally refer to the singular unless otherwise indicated. Unless otherwise apparent, it should be taken to mean “one or more”.

  Further, terms such as “user equipment”, “mobile station”, “mobile subscriber station”, “access terminal”, “terminal”, “handset”, “mobile device” (and / or similar terminology) Term) refers to a wireless device utilized by a subscriber or user of a wireless communication service to receive or carry data, control, voice, video, sound, games or virtually any data or signaling stream. be able to. The above terms are used interchangeably herein and with reference to the associated drawings.

  Further, terms such as “user”, “subscriber”, “customer”, “consumer” and the like are used interchangeably throughout unless a specific difference between the terms is justified in context. Such terms are supported through real humans or artificial intelligence (eg, the ability to infer at least based on complex mathematical forms) that can provide simulated vision, speech recognition, etc. It should be understood that it may refer to an automated component.

  As used herein, the term “processor” includes, but is not limited to, a single core processor, a single processor with software multithread execution capability, a multicore processor, a multicore processor with software multithread execution capability, a hardware multi It can refer to virtually any computing processing unit or device, including multi-core processors using threading technology, parallel platforms, and parallel platforms with distributed shared memory. Further, the processor may be an integrated circuit, an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), a digital signal processor (DSP), a field programmable gate array (FPGA), a programmable logic controller (PLC), a complex programmable logic device (CPLD), a discrete gate or It may refer to transistor logic, discrete hardware components, or any combination thereof designed to perform the functions described herein. The processor can utilize nanoscale architectures such as, but not limited to, transistors or switches and gates based on molecules or quantum dots to optimize space utilization of user equipment or improve performance. The processor can also be realized as a combination of computing processing units.

  As used herein, terms such as “data storage device”, “data storage device”, “database”, and virtually any other information storage component related to the operation and function of a component are referred to as “memory It refers to an entity embodied in a “component” or “memory” or a component that includes a memory. It will be appreciated that the memory components or computer-readable storage media described herein can be either volatile memory or nonvolatile memory, or can include both volatile and nonvolatile memory.

  What has been described above includes merely examples of the various embodiments. Of course, to illustrate these examples, not every possible combination of components or methods can be described, and those skilled in the art will be able to make many further combinations and substitutions of this embodiment. I can recognize that. Accordingly, the embodiments disclosed and / or claimed herein are intended to embrace all such alterations, modifications and variations that fall within the spirit and scope of the appended claims. doing. Further, to the extent that the term “including” is used in either the detailed description or in the claims, such terms are used as the transition term in the claims. It is intended to be as comprehensive as sometimes interpreted.

  Further, the flowchart may include a “start” and / or “continue” indication. The “start” and “continue” indications indicate that the presented steps can optionally be incorporated into other routines or used with other routines. In this context, “start” indicates the beginning of the first step presented and may be preceded by other activities not specifically shown. Further, a “continue” indication indicates that the presented step may be performed multiple times and / or may be taken over by activities not specifically shown. Further, although the flow diagram shows a specific order of steps, other orders are possible as well, provided that the causality principle is maintained.

  Also, as may be used herein, the terms “operably coupled to”, “coupled to”, and / or “coupled” refer to direct coupling between items. And / or indirect coupling between items via one or more intervening items. Such items and intervening items include, but are not limited to, junctions, communication paths, components, circuit elements, circuits, functional blocks, and / or devices. As an example of indirect coupling, the data carried from the first item to the second item is changed by changing the form, nature or format of the information in the signal by one or more intervening items Nonetheless, one or more information elements in the signal are nevertheless conveyed so that the second item can be recognized. In a further example of indirect coupling, as a result of an action and / or reaction in one or more intervening items, an action on the first item can cause a reaction on the second item.

  Although specific embodiments have been shown and described herein, it is to be understood that any configuration that achieves the same or similar purpose may replace the embodiments described or shown by this disclosure. This disclosure is intended to cover any adaptations or variations of various embodiments. Combinations of the above embodiments, and other embodiments not specifically described herein, can be used in the present disclosure. For example, one or more features from one or more embodiments can be combined with one or more features of one or more other embodiments. Features that are positively described in one or more embodiments are described negatively in an embodiment and excluded from the embodiment, with or without replacement with another structural and / or functional feature. Sometimes it is done. The steps or functions described with respect to the embodiments of the present disclosure may be performed in any order. The steps or functions described with respect to the embodiments of the present disclosure may be performed alone or in combination with other steps or functions of the present disclosure, and other embodiments or others not described in the present disclosure Can be executed from the following steps. Moreover, more or fewer than all of the features described with respect to one embodiment can be utilized.

Claims (15)

A receiver for receiving a radio frequency signal carrying data from a transmitting device;
A magnetic coupler that magnetically couples the radio frequency signal to the transmission medium as a guided electromagnetic wave coupled to an outer surface of a transmission medium, the magnetic coupler being a cavity resonator and the guided wave Including a cavity resonator responsive to the radio frequency signal by generating a TE ₁₀ mode in the cavity resonator having a magnetic field that induces electromagnetic waves on the transmission medium through magnetic coupling. An electromagnetic wave propagating along the outer surface of the transmission medium via a HE11 mode,
A housing including a dielectric portion for fixing the transmission medium adjacent to the magnetic coupler and a reflector for reducing electromagnetic radiation from the magnetic coupler, wherein the dielectric portion is half the wavelength of the radio frequency signal. The magnetic field having a thickness and providing a spacing of half the wavelength of the radio frequency signal between the reflective cap and the magnetic coupler and reflected back to the top surface of the magnetic coupler by the reflector The coupling device includes a housing, the phase of which is one wavelength from the phase of the magnetic field generated by the magnetic coupler.   The coupling device of claim 1, wherein the transmission medium comprises a wire.   The coupling device of claim 2, wherein the wire is insulated.   The coupling device of claim 1, wherein the dielectric portion comprises a cellular dielectric material.   The dielectric portion is aligned to facilitate transmission of the magnetic field from the magnetic coupler through the dielectric portion to reflect back by the reflector toward the magnetic coupler through the dielectric portion. The coupling device of claim 1 constructed of a cellular dielectric material having a cellular structure.   The coupling device of claim 1, wherein the reflector includes a reflective metal surface.   The coupling device according to claim 3, wherein the receiver includes a coaxial connector, and the coupling device further includes an antenna that radiates the radio frequency signal within the cavity resonator.   The coupling device of claim 3, wherein the cavity resonator operates below a desired guided wave mode cutoff frequency.   The coupling device according to claim 1, wherein the receiving unit includes a waveguide that guides the radio frequency signal to the magnetic coupler. Receiving a radio frequency signal carrying data from a transmitting device;
Magnetically coupling the radio frequency signal to the transmission medium as a guided electromagnetic wave coupled to the outer surface of the transmission medium via a magnetic coupler, the magnetic coupler being a cavity resonator; Including a cavity resonator responsive to the radio frequency signal by generating a TE ₁₀ mode in the cavity resonator having a magnetic field that induces the guided electromagnetic wave on the transmission medium via magnetic coupling. The guided electromagnetic wave propagates along the outer surface of the transmission medium via a HE11 mode;
Fixing the transmission medium adjacent to the magnetic coupler via a slot of the dielectric part, through a housing including a dielectric part;
Reducing the electromagnetic radiation from the magnetic coupler through a reflector, wherein the dielectric portion has a thickness that is half the wavelength of the radio frequency signal, and between the reflective cap and the magnetic coupler. Providing a half the wavelength of the radio frequency signal in between, and the phase of the magnetic field reflected back to the top surface of the magnetic coupler by the reflector is from the phase of the magnetic field generated by the magnetic coupler A method comprising reducing one wavelength.   The method of claim 10, wherein the transmission medium comprises a wire.   The method of claim 11, wherein the wire is insulated.   The method of claim 10, wherein the dielectric portion comprises a cellular dielectric material.   The method of claim 10, wherein the reflector is spaced from the magnetic coupler by a distance corresponding to half the wavelength of the radio frequency signal.   The method of claim 10, wherein the reflector comprises a reflective metal surface.