U.S. patent application number 15/372496 was filed with the patent office on 2018-06-14 for method and apparatus for proximity sensing.
The applicant listed for this patent is AT&T INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY I, L.P.. Invention is credited to DONALD J. BARNICKEL, FARHAD BARZEGAR, Robert Bennett, IRWIN GERSZBERG, Paul Shala Henry, THOMAS M. WILLIS, III.
Application Number | 20180167773 15/372496 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 62455248 |
Filed Date | 2018-06-14 |
United States Patent
Application |
20180167773 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Bennett; Robert ; et
al. |
June 14, 2018 |
METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR PROXIMITY SENSING
Abstract
Aspects of the subject disclosure may include, for example,
receiving, by a receiver of a first device, electromagnetic waves
that are generated by a transmitter of a second device at a
physical interface of a transmission medium, where the
electromagnetic waves propagate without requiring an electrical
return path, and where the electromagnetic waves are guided by the
transmission medium to the receiver of the first device. The first
device can detect a physical object in proximity to the
transmission medium according to a change in the parameter
associated with the electromagnetic waves. Other embodiments are
disclosed.
Inventors: |
Bennett; Robert; (Southold,
NY) ; Henry; Paul Shala; (Holmdel, NJ) ;
GERSZBERG; IRWIN; (Kendall Park, NJ) ; BARZEGAR;
FARHAD; (Branchburg, NJ) ; WILLIS, III; THOMAS
M.; (Tinton Falls, NJ) ; BARNICKEL; DONALD J.;
(Flemington, NJ) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
AT&T INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY I, L.P. |
Atlanta |
GA |
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
62455248 |
Appl. No.: |
15/372496 |
Filed: |
December 8, 2016 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
H04B 17/318 20150115;
H04B 17/23 20150115; H04B 7/145 20130101; H04B 17/27 20150115; H04W
4/023 20130101 |
International
Class: |
H04W 4/02 20060101
H04W004/02; H04B 17/318 20060101 H04B017/318; H04L 12/26 20060101
H04L012/26; H04B 17/23 20060101 H04B017/23; H04B 7/145 20060101
H04B007/145 |
Claims
1. A method comprising: receiving, by a receiver of a first device,
electromagnetic waves that are generated by a transmitter at a
physical interface of a transmission medium, wherein the
electromagnetic waves propagate without requiring an electrical
return path, and wherein the electromagnetic waves are guided by
the transmission medium to the receiver of the first device;
monitoring, by the first device, a parameter associated with the
electromagnetic waves; and detecting, by the first device, a
physical object in proximity to the transmission medium according
to a change in the parameter associated with the electromagnetic
waves.
2. The method of claim 1, wherein the parameter includes a received
signal strength.
3. The method of claim 1, comprising analyzing, by the first
device, the change in the parameter to determine a distance between
the physical object and the transmission medium.
4. The method of claim 3, wherein the analyzing includes comparing
the parameter to an expected parameter for the electromagnetic
waves.
5. The method of claim 1, wherein the detecting the physical object
in proximity to the transmission medium is based on determining
that the change in the parameter is greater than a threshold
parameter change, wherein the transmitter is of a second device,
and further comprising generating, by the first device, an alert
message indicating that the physical object is in proximity to the
transmission medium.
6. The method of claim 1, wherein the transmitter is of the first
device, and wherein the electromagnetic waves are reflected
waves.
7. The method of claim 1, comprising determining, by the first
device, a change in the proximity of the physical object to the
transmission medium according to another change in the parameter
associated with the electromagnetic waves.
8. The method of claim 1, comprising determining, by the first
device, that the physical object is in contact with the
transmission medium according to the electromagnetic waves no
longer being received by the receiver of the first device.
9. A first device, comprising: a processing system including a
processor; and a memory that stores executable instructions that,
when executed by the processing system, facilitate performance of
operations, comprising: generating electromagnetic waves; and
providing the electromagnetic waves at a physical interface of a
transmission medium, wherein the electromagnetic waves propagate
without requiring an electrical return path, and wherein the
electromagnetic waves are guided by the transmission medium to a
receiver of a second device, wherein the providing of the
electromagnetic waves enables the second device to detect a
physical object in proximity to the transmission medium according
to a change in a parameter associated with the electromagnetic
waves.
10. The first device of claim 9, wherein the operations further
comprise: generating other electromagnetic waves; and providing the
other electromagnetic waves at the physical interface of the
transmission medium, wherein the other electromagnetic waves
propagate without requiring the electrical return path, and wherein
the other electromagnetic waves are guided by the transmission
medium to the receiver of the second device, wherein the
electromagnetic waves and the other electromagnetic waves have a
different frequency or a different mode.
11. The first device of claim 9, wherein the parameter includes a
received signal strength.
12. The first device of claim 9, wherein the providing of the
electromagnetic waves enables the second device to determine a
distance between the physical object and the transmission medium
according to an analysis of the change in the parameter.
13. The first device of claim 12, wherein the analysis includes a
comparison of the parameter to an expected value of the parameter
for the electromagnetic waves.
14. The first device of claim 12, wherein the analysis of the
change in the parameter is based on the change in the parameter
being greater than a threshold parameter change.
15. A machine-readable storage device, comprising instructions,
wherein responsive to executing the instructions, a processing
system of a first device performs operations comprising: receiving,
via a receiver of the first device, electromagnetic waves that are
generated by a transmitter of a second device at a physical
interface of a transmission medium, wherein the electromagnetic
waves propagate without requiring an electrical return path, and
wherein the electromagnetic waves are guided by the transmission
medium to the receiver of the first device; monitoring for a
disturbance in the electromagnetic waves; and detecting a physical
object in proximity to the transmission medium according to a
determination of the disturbance in the electromagnetic waves.
16. The machine-readable storage device of claim 15, wherein the
monitoring for the disturbance in the electromagnetic waves
comprises detecting a change in a parameter of the electromagnetic
waves, and wherein the operations further comprise analyzing the
change in the parameter to determine a distance between the
physical object and the transmission medium.
17. The machine-readable storage device of claim 16, wherein the
parameter includes a received signal strength.
18. The machine-readable storage device of claim 16, wherein the
detecting the physical object in proximity to the transmission
medium is based on determining that the change in the parameter is
greater than a threshold parameter change.
19. The machine-readable storage device of claim 16, wherein the
operations further comprise determining a change in the proximity
of the physical object to the transmission medium according to
another change in the parameter associated with the electromagnetic
waves.
20. The machine-readable storage device of claim 15, wherein the
operations further comprise generating an alert message indicating
that the physical object is in proximity to the transmission
medium.
Description
FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE
[0001] The subject disclosure relates to a method and apparatus for
proximity sensing.
BACKGROUND
[0002] As smart phones and other portable devices increasingly
become ubiquitous, and data usage increases, macrocell base station
devices and existing wireless infrastructure in turn require higher
bandwidth capability in order to address the increased demand. To
provide additional mobile bandwidth, small cell deployment is being
pursued, with microcells and picocells providing coverage for much
smaller areas than traditional macrocells.
[0003] In addition, most homes and businesses have grown to rely on
broadband data access for services such as voice, video and
Internet browsing, etc. Broadband access networks include
satellite, 4G or 5G wireless, power line communication, fiber,
cable, and telephone networks.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0004] Reference will now be made to the accompanying drawings,
which are not necessarily drawn to scale, and wherein:
[0005] FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating an example,
non-limiting embodiment of a guided-wave communications system in
accordance with various aspects described herein.
[0006] FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating an example,
non-limiting embodiment of a transmission device in accordance with
various aspects described herein.
[0007] FIG. 3 is a graphical diagram illustrating an example,
non-limiting embodiment of an electromagnetic field distribution in
accordance with various aspects described herein.
[0008] FIG. 4 is a graphical diagram illustrating an example,
non-limiting embodiment of an electromagnetic field distribution in
accordance with various aspects described herein.
[0009] FIG. 5A is a graphical diagram illustrating an example,
non-limiting embodiment of a frequency response in accordance with
various aspects described herein.
[0010] FIG. 5B is a graphical diagram illustrating example,
non-limiting embodiments of a longitudinal cross-section of an
insulated wire depicting fields of guided electromagnetic waves at
various operating frequencies in accordance with various aspects
described herein.
[0011] FIG. 6 is a graphical diagram illustrating an example,
non-limiting embodiment of an electromagnetic field distribution in
accordance with various aspects described herein.
[0012] FIG. 7 is a block diagram illustrating an example,
non-limiting embodiment of an arc coupler in accordance with
various aspects described herein.
[0013] FIG. 8 is a block diagram illustrating an example,
non-limiting embodiment of an arc coupler in accordance with
various aspects described herein.
[0014] FIG. 9A is a block diagram illustrating an example,
non-limiting embodiment of a stub coupler in accordance with
various aspects described herein.
[0015] FIG. 9B is a diagram illustrating an example, non-limiting
embodiment of an electromagnetic distribution in accordance with
various aspects described herein.
[0016] FIGS. 10A and 10B are block diagrams illustrating example,
non-limiting embodiments of couplers and transceivers in accordance
with various aspects described herein.
[0017] FIG. 11 is a block diagram illustrating an example,
non-limiting embodiment of a dual stub coupler in accordance with
various aspects described herein.
[0018] FIG. 12 is a block diagram illustrating an example,
non-limiting embodiment of a repeater system in accordance with
various aspects described herein.
[0019] FIG. 13 illustrates a block diagram illustrating an example,
non-limiting embodiment of a bidirectional repeater in accordance
with various aspects described herein.
[0020] FIG. 14 is a block diagram illustrating an example,
non-limiting embodiment of a waveguide system in accordance with
various aspects described herein.
[0021] FIGS. 15A and 15B are block diagrams illustrating example,
non-limiting embodiments of proximity sensor systems in accordance
with various aspects described herein.
[0022] FIG. 16A is a block diagram illustrating an example,
non-limiting embodiment of electric field characteristics of a
hybrid wave versus a Goubau wave in accordance with various aspects
described herein.
[0023] FIG. 16B is a block diagram illustrating an example,
non-limiting embodiment of mode sizes of hybrid waves at various
operating frequencies in accordance with various aspects described
herein.
[0024] FIG. 17 illustrates a flow diagram of an example,
non-limiting embodiment of a method for proximity detection in
accordance with various aspects described herein.
[0025] FIGS. 18, 19 and 20 are block diagrams illustrating an
example, non-limiting embodiment of a proximity sensor system in
accordance with various aspects described herein.
[0026] FIG. 21 illustrates a flow diagram of an example,
non-limiting embodiment of a method for proximity detection in
accordance with various aspects described herein.
[0027] FIG. 22 is a block diagram of an example, non-limiting
embodiment of a computing environment in accordance with various
aspects described herein.
[0028] FIG. 23 is a block diagram of an example, non-limiting
embodiment of a mobile network platform in accordance with various
aspects described herein.
[0029] FIG. 24 is a block diagram of an example, non-limiting
embodiment of a communication device in accordance with various
aspects described herein.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0030] One or more embodiments are now 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 the various embodiments. It is
evident, however, that the various embodiments can be practiced
without these details (and without applying to any particular
networked environment or standard).
[0031] In an embodiment, a guided wave communication system is
presented for sending and receiving communication signals such as
data or other signaling via guided electromagnetic waves. The
guided electromagnetic waves include, for example, surface waves or
other electromagnetic waves that are bound to or guided by a
transmission medium. It will be appreciated that a variety of
transmission media can be utilized with guided wave communications
without departing from example embodiments. Examples of such
transmission media can include one or more of the following, either
alone or in one or more combinations: wires, whether insulated or
not, and whether single-stranded or multi-stranded; 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; combinations of conductors and
dielectric materials; or other guided wave transmission media.
[0032] The inducement of guided electromagnetic waves on a
transmission medium can be independent of any electrical potential,
charge or current that is injected or otherwise transmitted through
the transmission medium as part of an electrical circuit. For
example, in the case where the transmission medium is a wire, it is
to be appreciated that while a small current in the wire may be
formed in response to the propagation of the guided waves along the
wire, this can be due to the propagation of the electromagnetic
wave along the wire surface, and is not formed in response to
electrical potential, charge or current that is injected into the
wire as part of an electrical circuit. The electromagnetic waves
traveling on the wire therefore do not require a circuit to
propagate along the wire surface. The wire therefore is a single
wire transmission line that is not part of a circuit. Also, in some
embodiments, a wire is not necessary, and the electromagnetic waves
can propagate along a single line transmission medium that is not a
wire.
[0033] More generally, "guided electromagnetic waves" or "guided
waves" as described by the subject disclosure are affected by the
presence of a physical object that is at least a part of the
transmission medium (e.g., a bare wire or other conductor, a
dielectric, an insulated wire, a conduit or other hollow element, a
bundle of insulated wires that is coated, covered or surrounded by
a dielectric or insulator or other wire bundle, or another form of
solid or otherwise non-liquid or non-gaseous transmission medium)
so as to be at least partially bound to or guided by the physical
object and so as to propagate along a transmission path of the
physical object. Such a physical object can operate as at least a
part of a transmission medium that guides, by way of an interface
of the transmission medium (e.g., an outer surface, inner surface,
an interior portion between the outer and the inner surfaces or
other boundary between elements of the transmission medium), the
propagation of guided electromagnetic waves, which in turn can
carry energy, data and/or other signals along the transmission path
from a sending device to a receiving device.
[0034] Unlike free space propagation of wireless signals such as
unguided (or unbounded) electromagnetic waves that decrease in
intensity inversely by the square of the distance traveled by the
unguided electromagnetic waves, guided electromagnetic waves can
propagate along a transmission medium with less loss in magnitude
per unit distance than experienced by unguided electromagnetic
waves.
[0035] An electrical circuit allows electrical signals to propagate
from a sending device to a receiving device via a forward
electrical path and a return electrical path, respectively. These
electrical forward and return paths can be implemented via two
conductors, such as two wires or a single wire and a common ground
that serves as the second conductor. In particular, electrical
current from the sending device (direct and/or alternating) flows
through the electrical forward path and returns to the transmission
source via the electrical return path as an opposing current. More
particularly, electron flow in one conductor that flows away from
the sending device, returns to the receiving device in the opposite
direction via a second conductor or ground. Unlike electrical
signals, guided electromagnetic waves can propagate along a
transmission medium (e.g., a bare conductor, an insulated
conductor, a conduit, a non-conducting material such as a
dielectric strip, or any other type of object suitable for the
propagation of surface waves) from a sending device to a receiving
device or vice-versa without requiring the transmission medium to
be part of an electrical circuit (i.e., without requiring an
electrical return path) between the sending device and the
receiving device. Although electromagnetic waves can propagate in
an open circuit, i.e., a circuit without an electrical return path
or with a break or gap that prevents the flow of electrical current
through the circuit, it is noted that electromagnetic waves can
also propagate along a surface of a transmission medium that is in
fact part of an electrical circuit. That is electromagnetic waves
can travel along a first surface of a transmission medium having a
forward electrical path and/or along a second surface of a
transmission medium having an electrical return path. As a
consequence, guided electromagnetic waves can propagate along a
surface of a transmission medium from a sending device to a
receiving device or vice-versa with or without an electrical
circuit.
[0036] This permits, for example, transmission of guided
electromagnetic waves along a transmission medium having no
conductive components (e.g., a dielectric strip). This also
permits, for example, transmission of guided electromagnetic waves
that propagate along a transmission medium having no more than a
single conductor (e.g., an electromagnetic wave that propagates
along the surface of a single bare conductor or along the surface
of a single insulated conductor or an electromagnetic wave that
propagates all or partly within the insulation of an insulated
conductor). Even if a transmission medium includes one or more
conductive components and the guided electromagnetic waves
propagating along the transmission medium generate currents that,
at times, flow in the one or more conductive components in a
direction of the guided electromagnetic waves, such guided
electromagnetic waves can propagate along the transmission medium
from a sending device to a receiving device without a flow of an
opposing current on an electrical return path back to the sending
device from the receiving device. As a consequence, the propagation
of such guided electromagnetic waves can be referred to as
propagating via a single transmission line or propagating via a
surface wave transmission line.
[0037] In a non-limiting illustration, consider a coaxial cable
having a center conductor and a ground shield that are separated by
an insulator. Typically, in an electrical system a first terminal
of a sending (and receiving) device can be connected to the center
conductor, and a second terminal of the sending (and receiving)
device can be connected to the ground shield. If the sending device
injects an electrical signal in the center conductor via the first
terminal, the electrical signal will propagate along the center
conductor causing, at times, forward currents and a corresponding
flow of electrons in the center conductor, and return currents and
an opposing flow of electrons in the ground shield. The same
conditions apply for a two terminal receiving device.
[0038] In contrast, consider a guided wave communication system
such as described in the subject disclosure, which can utilize
different embodiments of a transmission medium (including among
others a coaxial cable) for transmitting and receiving guided
electromagnetic waves without an electrical circuit (i.e., without
an electrical forward path or electrical return path depending on
your perspective). In one embodiment, for example, the guided wave
communication system of the subject disclosure can be configured to
induce guided electromagnetic waves that propagate along an outer
surface of a coaxial cable (e.g., the outer jacket or insulation
layer of the coaxial cable). Although the guided electromagnetic
waves will cause forward currents on the ground shield, the guided
electromagnetic waves do not require return currents in the center
conductor to enable the guided electromagnetic waves to propagate
along the outer surface of the coaxial cable. Said another way,
while the guided electromagnetic waves will cause forward currents
on the ground shield, the guided electromagnetic waves will not
generate opposing return currents in the center conductor (or other
electrical return path). The same can be said of other transmission
media used by a guided wave communication system for the
transmission and reception of guided electromagnetic waves.
[0039] For example, guided electromagnetic waves induced by the
guided wave communication system on an outer surface of a bare
conductor, or an insulated conductor can propagate along the outer
surface of the bare conductor or the other surface of the insulated
conductor without generating opposing return currents in an
electrical return path. As another point of differentiation, where
the majority of the signal energy in an electrical circuit is
induced by the flow of electrons in the conductors themselves,
guided electromagnetic waves propagating in a guided wave
communication system on an outer surface of a bare conductor, cause
only minimal forward currents in the bare conductor, with the
majority of the signal energy of the electromagnetic wave
concentrated above the outer surface of the bare conductor and not
inside the bare conductor. Furthermore, guided electromagnetic
waves that are bound to the outer surface of an insulated conductor
cause only minimal forward currents in the center conductor or
conductors of the insulated conductor, with the majority of the
signal energy of the electromagnetic wave concentrated in regions
inside the insulation and/or above the outside surface of the
insulated conductor--in other words, the majority of the signal
energy of the electromagnetic wave is concentrated outside the
center conductor(s) of the insulated conductor.
[0040] Consequently, electrical systems that require two or more
conductors for carrying forward and reverse currents on separate
conductors to enable the propagation of electrical signals injected
by a sending device are distinct from guided wave systems that
induce guided electromagnetic waves on an interface of a
transmission medium without the need of an electrical circuit to
enable the propagation of the guided electromagnetic waves along
the interface of the transmission medium.
[0041] It is further noted that guided electromagnetic waves as
described in the subject disclosure can have an electromagnetic
field structure that lies primarily or substantially outside of a
transmission medium so as to be bound to or guided by the
transmission medium and so as to propagate non-trivial distances on
or along an outer surface of the transmission medium. In other
embodiments, guided electromagnetic waves can have an
electromagnetic field structure that lies primarily or
substantially inside a transmission medium so as to be bound to or
guided by the transmission medium and so as to propagate
non-trivial distances within the transmission medium. In other
embodiments, guided electromagnetic waves can have an
electromagnetic field structure that lies partially inside and
partially outside a transmission medium so as to be bound to or
guided by the transmission medium and so as to propagate
non-trivial distances along the transmission medium. The desired
electronic field structure in an embodiment may vary based upon a
variety of factors, including the desired transmission distance,
the characteristics of the transmission medium itself, and
environmental conditions/characteristics outside of the
transmission medium (e.g., presence of rain, fog, atmospheric
conditions, etc.).
[0042] Various embodiments described herein relate to coupling
devices, that can be referred to as "waveguide coupling devices",
"waveguide couplers" or more simply as "couplers", "coupling
devices" or "launchers" for launching and/or extracting guided
electromagnetic waves to and from a transmission medium at
millimeter-wave frequencies (e.g., 30 to 300 GHz), wherein the
wavelength can be small compared to one or more dimensions of the
coupling device and/or the transmission medium such as the
circumference of a wire or other cross sectional dimension, or
lower microwave frequencies such as 300 MHz to 30 GHz.
Transmissions can be generated to propagate as waves guided by a
coupling device, such as: a strip, arc or other length of
dielectric material; a horn, monopole, rod, slot or other antenna;
an array of antennas; a magnetic resonant cavity, or other resonant
coupler; a coil, a strip line, a waveguide or other coupling
device. In operation, the coupling device receives an
electromagnetic wave from a transmitter or transmission medium. The
electromagnetic field structure of the electromagnetic wave can be
carried inside the coupling device, outside the coupling device or
some combination thereof. When the coupling device is in close
proximity to a transmission medium, at least a portion of an
electromagnetic wave couples to or is bound to the transmission
medium, and continues to propagate as guided electromagnetic waves.
In a reciprocal fashion, a coupling device can extract guided waves
from a transmission medium and transfer these electromagnetic waves
to a receiver.
[0043] According to an example embodiment, a surface wave is a type
of guided wave that is guided by a surface of a transmission
medium, such as an exterior or outer surface of the wire, or
another surface of the wire that is adjacent to or exposed to
another type of medium having different properties (e.g.,
dielectric properties). Indeed, in an example embodiment, a surface
of the wire that guides a surface wave can represent a transitional
surface between two different types of media. For example, in the
case of a bare or uninsulated wire, the surface of the wire can be
the outer or exterior conductive surface of the bare or uninsulated
wire that is exposed to air or free space. As another example, in
the case of insulated wire, the surface of the wire can be the
conductive portion of the wire that meets the insulator portion of
the wire, or can otherwise be the insulator surface of the wire
that is exposed to air or free space, or can otherwise be any
material region between the insulator surface of the wire and the
conductive portion of the wire that meets the insulator portion of
the wire, depending upon the relative differences in the properties
(e.g., dielectric properties) of the insulator, air, and/or the
conductor and further dependent on the frequency and propagation
mode or modes of the guided wave.
[0044] According to an example embodiment, the term "about" a wire
or other transmission medium used in conjunction with a guided wave
can include fundamental guided wave propagation modes such as a
guided waves having a circular or substantially circular field
distribution, a symmetrical electromagnetic field distribution
(e.g., electric field, magnetic field, electromagnetic field, etc.)
or other fundamental mode pattern at least partially around a wire
or other transmission medium. In addition, when a guided wave
propagates "about" a wire or other transmission medium, it can do
so according to a guided wave propagation mode that includes not
only the fundamental wave propagation modes (e.g., zero order
modes), but additionally or alternatively non-fundamental wave
propagation modes such as higher-order guided wave modes (e.g.,
1.sup.st order modes, 2.sup.nd order modes, etc.), asymmetrical
modes and/or other guided (e.g., surface) waves that have
non-circular field distributions around a wire or other
transmission medium. As used herein, the term "guided wave mode"
refers to a guided wave propagation mode of a transmission medium,
coupling device or other system component of a guided wave
communication system.
[0045] For example, such non-circular field distributions can be
unilateral or multi-lateral with one or more axial lobes
characterized by relatively higher field strength and/or one or
more nulls or null regions characterized by relatively low-field
strength, zero-field strength or substantially zero-field strength.
Further, the field distribution can otherwise vary as a function of
azimuthal orientation around the wire such that one or more angular
regions around the wire have an electric or magnetic field strength
(or combination thereof) that is higher than one or more other
angular regions of azimuthal orientation, according to an example
embodiment. It will be appreciated that the relative orientations
or positions of the guided wave higher order modes or asymmetrical
modes can vary as the guided wave travels along the wire.
[0046] As used herein, the term "millimeter-wave" can refer to
electromagnetic waves/signals that fall within the "millimeter-wave
frequency band" of 30 GHz to 300 GHz. The term "microwave" can
refer to electromagnetic waves/signals that fall within a
"microwave frequency band" of 300 MHz to 300 GHz. The term "radio
frequency" or "RF" can refer to electromagnetic waves/signals that
fall within the "radio frequency band" of 10 kHz to 1 THz. It is
appreciated that wireless signals, electrical signals, and guided
electromagnetic waves as described in the subject disclosure can be
configured to operate at any desirable frequency range, such as,
for example, at frequencies within, above or below millimeter-wave
and/or microwave frequency bands. In particular, when a coupling
device or transmission medium includes a conductive element, the
frequency of the guided electromagnetic waves that are carried by
the coupling device and/or propagate along the transmission medium
can be below the mean collision frequency of the electrons in the
conductive element. Further, the frequency of the guided
electromagnetic waves that are carried by the coupling device
and/or propagate along the transmission medium can be a non-optical
frequency, e.g. a radio frequency below the range of optical
frequencies that begins at 1 THz.
[0047] As used herein, the term "antenna" can refer to a device
that is part of a transmitting or receiving system to
transmit/radiate or receive wireless signals.
[0048] In accordance with one or more embodiments, a method can
include receiving, by a receiver of a first device, electromagnetic
waves that are generated by a transmitter of a second device at a
physical interface of a transmission medium, where the
electromagnetic waves propagate without requiring an electrical
return path, and where the electromagnetic waves are guided by the
transmission medium to the receiver of the first device. The first
device can monitor a parameter associated with the electromagnetic
waves. The first device can detect a physical object in proximity
to the transmission medium according to a change in the parameter
associated with the electromagnetic waves.
[0049] In accordance with one or more embodiments, a first device
can include a processing system including a processor, and
including a memory that stores executable instructions that, when
executed by the processing system, facilitate performance of
operations. The operations can include generating electromagnetic
waves, and can include providing the electromagnetic waves at a
physical interface of a transmission medium, where the
electromagnetic waves propagate without requiring an electrical
return path, and where the electromagnetic waves are guided by the
transmission medium to a receiver of a second device. The providing
of the electromagnetic waves can enable the second device to detect
a physical object in proximity to the transmission medium according
to a change in a parameter associated with the electromagnetic
waves.
[0050] In accordance with one or more embodiments, a
machine-readable storage device, includes instructions, where
responsive to executing the instructions, a processing system of a
first device performs operations including receiving, via a
receiver of the first device, electromagnetic waves that are
generated by a transmitter of a second device at a physical
interface of a transmission medium, where the electromagnetic waves
propagate without requiring an electrical return path, and where
the electromagnetic waves are guided by the transmission medium to
the receiver of the first device. The operations can include
monitoring for a disturbance in the electromagnetic waves. The
operations can include detecting a physical object in proximity to
the transmission medium according to a determination of the
disturbance in the electromagnetic waves.
[0051] Referring now to FIG. 1, a block diagram 100 illustrating an
example, non-limiting embodiment of a guided wave communications
system is shown. In operation, a transmission device 101 receives
one or more communication signals 110 from a communication network
or other communications device that includes data and generates
guided waves 120 to convey the data via the transmission medium 125
to the transmission device 102. The transmission device 102
receives the guided waves 120 and converts them to communication
signals 112 that include the data for transmission to a
communications network or other communications device. The guided
waves 120 can be modulated to convey data via a modulation
technique such as phase shift keying, frequency shift keying,
quadrature amplitude modulation, amplitude modulation,
multi-carrier modulation such as orthogonal frequency division
multiplexing and via multiple access techniques such as frequency
division multiplexing, time division multiplexing, code division
multiplexing, multiplexing via differing wave propagation modes and
via other modulation and access strategies.
[0052] The communication network or networks can include a wireless
communication network such as a mobile data network, a cellular
voice and data network, a wireless local area network (e.g., WiFi
or an 802.xx network), a satellite communications network, a
personal area network or other wireless network. The communication
network or networks can also include a wired communication network
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, a fiber optic network, or other
wired network. The communication devices can include a network edge
device, bridge device or home gateway, a set-top box, broadband
modem, telephone adapter, access point, base station, or other
fixed communication device, a mobile communication device such as
an automotive gateway or automobile, laptop computer, tablet,
smartphone, cellular telephone, or other communication device.
[0053] In an example embodiment, the guided wave communication
system 100 can operate in a bi-directional fashion where
transmission device 102 receives one or more communication signals
112 from a communication network or device that includes other data
and generates guided waves 122 to convey the other data via the
transmission medium 125 to the transmission device 101. In this
mode of operation, the transmission device 101 receives the guided
waves 122 and converts them to communication signals 110 that
include the other data for transmission to a communications network
or device. The guided waves 122 can be modulated to convey data via
a modulation technique such as phase shift keying, frequency shift
keying, quadrature amplitude modulation, amplitude modulation,
multi-carrier modulation such as orthogonal frequency division
multiplexing and via multiple access techniques such as frequency
division multiplexing, time division multiplexing, code division
multiplexing, multiplexing via differing wave propagation modes and
via other modulation and access strategies.
[0054] The transmission medium 125 can include a cable having at
least one inner portion surrounded by a dielectric material such as
an insulator or other dielectric cover, coating or other dielectric
material, the dielectric material having an outer surface and a
corresponding circumference. In an example embodiment, the
transmission medium 125 operates as a single-wire transmission line
to guide the transmission of an electromagnetic wave. When the
transmission medium 125 is implemented as a single wire
transmission system, it can include a wire. The wire can be
insulated or uninsulated, and single-stranded or multi-stranded
(e.g., braided). In other embodiments, the transmission medium 125
can contain conductors of other shapes or configurations including
wire bundles, cables, rods, rails, pipes. In addition, the
transmission medium 125 can include non-conductors such as
dielectric pipes, rods, rails, or other dielectric members;
combinations of conductors and dielectric materials, conductors
without dielectric materials or other guided wave transmission
media. It should be noted that the transmission medium 125 can
otherwise include any of the transmission media previously
discussed.
[0055] Further, as previously discussed, the guided waves 120 and
122 can be contrasted with radio transmissions over free space/air
or conventional propagation of electrical power or signals through
the conductor of a wire via an electrical circuit. In addition to
the propagation of guided waves 120 and 122, the transmission
medium 125 may optionally contain one or more wires that propagate
electrical power or other communication signals in a conventional
manner as a part of one or more electrical circuits.
[0056] Referring now to FIG. 2, a block diagram 200 illustrating an
example, non-limiting embodiment of a transmission device is shown.
The transmission device 101 or 102 includes a communications
interface (I/F) 205, a transceiver 210 and a coupler 220.
[0057] In an example of operation, the communications interface 205
receives a communication signal 110 or 112 that includes data. In
various embodiments, the communications interface 205 can include a
wireless interface for receiving a wireless communication signal in
accordance with a wireless standard protocol such as LTE or other
cellular voice and data protocol, WiFi or an 802.11 protocol, WIMAX
protocol, Ultra Wideband protocol, Bluetooth protocol, Zigbee
protocol, a direct broadcast satellite (DBS) or other satellite
communication protocol or other wireless protocol. In addition or
in the alternative, the communications interface 205 includes a
wired interface that operates in accordance with an Ethernet
protocol, universal serial bus (USB) protocol, a data over cable
service interface specification (DOCSIS) protocol, a digital
subscriber line (DSL) protocol, a Firewire (IEEE 1394) protocol, or
other wired protocol. In additional to standards-based protocols,
the communications interface 205 can operate in conjunction with
other wired or wireless protocol. In addition, the communications
interface 205 can optionally operate in conjunction with a protocol
stack that includes multiple protocol layers including a MAC
protocol, transport protocol, application protocol, etc.
[0058] In an example of operation, the transceiver 210 generates an
electromagnetic wave based on the communication signal 110 or 112
to convey the data. The electromagnetic wave has at least one
carrier frequency and at least one corresponding wavelength. The
carrier frequency can be within a millimeter-wave frequency band of
30 GHz-300 GHz, such as 60 GHz or a carrier frequency in the range
of 30-40 GHz or a lower frequency band of 300 MHz-30 GHz in the
microwave frequency range such as 26-30 GHz, 11 GHz, 6 GHz or 3
GHz, but it will be appreciated that other carrier frequencies are
possible in other embodiments. In one mode of operation, the
transceiver 210 merely upconverts the communications signal or
signals 110 or 112 for transmission of the electromagnetic signal
in the microwave or millimeter-wave band as a guided
electromagnetic wave that is guided by or bound to the transmission
medium 125. In another mode of operation, the communications
interface 205 either converts the communication signal 110 or 112
to a baseband or near baseband signal or extracts the data from the
communication signal 110 or 112 and the transceiver 210 modulates a
high-frequency carrier with the data, the baseband or near baseband
signal for transmission. It should be appreciated that the
transceiver 210 can modulate the data received via the
communication signal 110 or 112 to preserve one or more data
communication protocols of the communication signal 110 or 112
either by encapsulation in the payload of a different protocol or
by simple frequency shifting. In the alternative, the transceiver
210 can otherwise translate the data received via the communication
signal 110 or 112 to a protocol that is different from the data
communication protocol or protocols of the communication signal 110
or 112.
[0059] In an example of operation, the coupler 220 couples the
electromagnetic wave to the transmission medium 125 as a guided
electromagnetic wave to convey the communications signal or signals
110 or 112. While the prior description has focused on the
operation of the transceiver 210 as a transmitter, the transceiver
210 can also operate to receive electromagnetic waves that convey
other data from the single wire transmission medium via the coupler
220 and to generate communications signals 110 or 112, via
communications interface 205 that includes the other data. Consider
embodiments where an additional guided electromagnetic wave conveys
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.
[0060] The transmission device 101 or 102 includes an optional
training controller 230. In an example embodiment, the training
controller 230 is implemented by a standalone processor or a
processor that is shared with one or more other components of the
transmission device 101 or 102. The training controller 230 selects
the carrier frequencies, modulation schemes and/or guided wave
modes for the guided electromagnetic waves based on feedback data
received by the transceiver 210 from at least one remote
transmission device coupled to receive the guided electromagnetic
wave.
[0061] In an example embodiment, a guided electromagnetic wave
transmitted by a remote transmission device 101 or 102 conveys data
that also propagates along the transmission medium 125. The data
from the remote transmission device 101 or 102 can be generated to
include the feedback data. In operation, the coupler 220 also
couples the guided electromagnetic wave from the transmission
medium 125 and the transceiver receives the electromagnetic wave
and processes the electromagnetic wave to extract the feedback
data.
[0062] In an example embodiment, the training controller 230
operates based on the feedback data to evaluate a plurality of
candidate frequencies, modulation schemes and/or transmission modes
to select a carrier frequency, modulation scheme and/or
transmission mode to enhance performance, such as throughput,
signal strength, reduce propagation loss, etc.
[0063] Consider the following example: a transmission device 101
begins operation under control of the training controller 230 by
sending a plurality of guided waves as test signals such as pilot
waves or other test signals at a corresponding plurality of
candidate frequencies and/or candidate modes directed to a remote
transmission device 102 coupled to the transmission medium 125. The
guided waves can include, in addition or in the alternative, test
data. The test data can indicate the particular candidate frequency
and/or guide-wave mode of the signal. In an embodiment, the
training controller 230 at the remote transmission device 102
receives the test signals and/or test data from any of the guided
waves that were properly received and determines the best candidate
frequency and/or guided wave mode, a set of acceptable candidate
frequencies and/or guided wave modes, or a rank ordering of
candidate frequencies and/or guided wave modes. This selection of
candidate frequenc(ies) or/and guided-mode(s) are generated by the
training controller 230 based on one or more optimizing criteria
such as received signal strength, bit error rate, packet error
rate, signal to noise ratio, propagation loss, etc. The training
controller 230 generates feedback data that indicates the selection
of candidate frequenc(ies) or/and guided wave mode(s) and sends the
feedback data to the transceiver 210 for transmission to the
transmission device 101. The transmission device 101 and 102 can
then communicate data with one another based on the selection of
candidate frequenc(ies) or/and guided wave mode(s).
[0064] In other embodiments, the guided electromagnetic waves that
contain the test signals and/or test data are reflected back,
repeated back or otherwise looped back by the remote transmission
device 102 to the transmission device 101 for reception and
analysis by the training controller 230 of the transmission device
101 that initiated these waves. For example, the transmission
device 101 can send a signal to the remote transmission device 102
to initiate a test mode where a physical reflector is switched on
the line, a termination impedance is changed to cause reflections,
a loop back mode is switched on to couple electromagnetic waves
back to the source transmission device 102, and/or a repeater mode
is enabled to amplify and retransmit the electromagnetic waves back
to the source transmission device 102. The training controller 230
at the source transmission device 102 receives the test signals
and/or test data from any of the guided waves that were properly
received and determines selection of candidate frequenc(ies) or/and
guided wave mode(s).
[0065] While the procedure above has been described in a start-up
or initialization mode of operation, each transmission device 101
or 102 can send test signals, evaluate candidate frequencies or
guided wave modes via non-test such as normal transmissions or
otherwise evaluate candidate frequencies or guided wave modes at
other times or continuously as well. In an example embodiment, the
communication protocol between the transmission devices 101 and 102
can include an on-request or periodic test mode where either full
testing or more limited testing of a subset of candidate
frequencies and guided wave modes are tested and evaluated. In
other modes of operation, the re-entry into such a test mode can be
triggered by a degradation of performance due to a disturbance,
weather conditions, etc. In an example embodiment, the receiver
bandwidth of the transceiver 210 is either sufficiently wide or
swept to receive all candidate frequencies or can be selectively
adjusted by the training controller 230 to a training mode where
the receiver bandwidth of the transceiver 210 is sufficiently wide
or swept to receive all candidate frequencies.
[0066] 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, a
transmission medium 125 in 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 that
represent differing electromagnetic field strengths generated by
the propagation of the guided wave having an asymmetrical and
non-fundamental guided wave mode.
[0067] In particular, the electromagnetic field distribution
corresponds to a modal "sweet spot" that enhances guided
electromagnetic wave propagation along an insulated transmission
medium and reduces end-to-end transmission loss. In this particular
mode, electromagnetic waves are guided by the transmission medium
125 to propagate along an outer surface of the transmission
medium--in this case, the outer surface of the insulating jacket
302. Electromagnetic waves are partially embedded in the insulator
and partially radiating on the outer surface of the insulator. In
this fashion, electromagnetic waves are "lightly" coupled to the
insulator so as to enable electromagnetic wave propagation at long
distances with low propagation loss.
[0068] As shown, the guided wave has a field structure that lies
primarily or substantially outside of the transmission medium 125
that serves to guide the electromagnetic waves. The regions inside
the conductor 301 have little or no field. Likewise regions inside
the insulating jacket 302 have low field strength. The majority of
the electromagnetic field strength is distributed in the lobes 304
at the outer surface of the insulating jacket 302 and in close
proximity thereof. The presence of an asymmetric guided wave mode
is shown by the high electromagnetic field strengths at the top and
bottom of the outer surface of the insulating jacket 302 (in the
orientation of the diagram)--as opposed to very small field
strengths on the other sides of the insulating jacket 302.
[0069] The example shown corresponds to a 38 GHz electromagnetic
wave guided by a wire with a diameter of 1.1 cm and a dielectric
insulation of thickness of 0.36 cm. Because the electromagnetic
wave is guided by the transmission medium 125 and the majority of
the field strength is concentrated in the air outside of the
insulating jacket 302 within a limited distance of the outer
surface, the guided wave can propagate longitudinally down the
transmission medium 125 with very low loss. In the example shown,
this "limited distance" corresponds to a distance from the outer
surface that is less than half the largest cross sectional
dimension of the transmission medium 125. In this case, the largest
cross sectional dimension of the wire corresponds to the overall
diameter of 1.82 cm, however, this value can vary with the size and
shape of the transmission medium 125. For example, should the
transmission medium 125 be of a rectangular shape with a height of
0.3 cm and a width of 0.4 cm, the largest cross sectional dimension
would be the diagonal of 0.5 cm and the corresponding limited
distance would be 0.25 cm. The dimensions of the area containing
the majority of the field strength also vary with the frequency,
and in general, increase as carrier frequencies decrease.
[0070] It should also be noted that the components of a guided wave
communication system, such as couplers and transmission media can
have their own cutoff frequencies for each guided wave mode. The
cut-off frequency generally sets forth the lowest frequency that a
particular guided wave mode is designed to be supported by that
particular component. In an example embodiment, the particular
asymmetric mode of propagation shown is induced on the transmission
medium 125 by an electromagnetic wave having a frequency that falls
within a limited range (such as Fc to 2Fc) of the lower cut-off
frequency Fc for this particular asymmetric mode. The lower cut-off
frequency Fc is particular to the characteristics of transmission
medium 125. For embodiments as shown that include an inner
conductor 301 surrounded by an insulating jacket 302, this cutoff
frequency can vary based on the dimensions and properties of the
insulating jacket 302 and potentially the dimensions and properties
of the inner conductor 301 and can be determined experimentally to
have a desired mode pattern. It should be noted however, that
similar effects can be found for a hollow dielectric or insulator
without an inner conductor. In this case, the cutoff frequency can
vary based on the dimensions and properties of the hollow
dielectric or insulator.
[0071] At frequencies lower than the lower cut-off frequency, the
asymmetric mode is difficult to induce in the transmission medium
125 and fails to propagate for all but trivial distances. As the
frequency increases above the limited range of frequencies about
the cut-off frequency, the asymmetric mode shifts more and more
inward of the insulating jacket 302. At frequencies much larger
than the cut-off frequency, the field strength is no longer
concentrated outside of the insulating jacket, but primarily inside
of the insulating jacket 302. While the transmission medium 125
provides strong guidance to the electromagnetic wave and
propagation is still possible, ranges are more limited by increased
losses due to propagation within the insulating jacket 302--as
opposed to the surrounding air.
[0072] Referring now to FIG. 4, a graphical diagram 400
illustrating an example, non-limiting embodiment of an
electromagnetic field distribution is shown. In particular, a cross
section diagram 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 with a diameter
of 1.1 cm and a dielectric insulation of thickness of 0.36 cm.
Because the frequency of the guided wave is above the limited range
of the cut-off frequency of this particular asymmetric mode, much
of the field strength has shifted inward of the insulating jacket
302. In particular, the field strength is concentrated primarily
inside of the insulating jacket 302. While the transmission medium
125 provides strong guidance to the electromagnetic wave and
propagation is still possible, ranges are more limited when
compared with the embodiment of FIG. 3, by increased losses due to
propagation within the insulating jacket 302.
[0073] Referring now to FIG. 5A, a graphical 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 for a 200 cm insulated medium voltage wire. The boundary
between the insulator and the surrounding air is represented by
reference numeral 525 in each electromagnetic field
distribution.
[0074] As discussed in conjunction with FIG. 3, an example of a
desired asymmetric mode of propagation shown is induced on the
transmission medium 125 by an electromagnetic wave having a
frequency that falls within a limited range (such as Fc to 2Fc) of
the lower cut-off frequency Fc of the transmission medium for this
particular asymmetric mode. In particular, the electromagnetic
field distribution 520 at 6 GHz falls 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, guided waves are partially embedded
in the insulator and partially radiating on the outer surface of
the insulator. In this fashion, the electromagnetic waves are
"lightly" coupled to the insulator so as to enable guided
electromagnetic wave propagation at long distances with low
propagation loss.
[0075] At lower frequencies represented by the electromagnetic
field distribution 510 at 3 GHz, the asymmetric mode radiates more
heavily generating higher propagation losses. At higher frequencies
represented by the electromagnetic field distribution 530 at 9 GHz,
the asymmetric mode shifts more and more inward of the insulating
jacket providing too much absorption, again generating higher
propagation losses.
[0076] Referring now to FIG. 5B, a graphical diagram 550
illustrating example, non-limiting embodiments of a longitudinal
cross-section of a transmission medium 125, such as an insulated
wire, depicting fields of guided electromagnetic waves at various
operating frequencies is shown. As shown in diagram 556, when the
guided electromagnetic waves are at approximately the cutoff
frequency (f.sub.c) corresponding to the modal "sweet spot", the
guided electromagnetic waves are loosely coupled to the insulated
wire so that absorption is reduced, and the fields of the guided
electromagnetic waves are bound sufficiently to reduce the amount
radiated into the environment (e.g., air). Because absorption and
radiation of the fields of the guided electromagnetic waves is low,
propagation losses are consequently low, enabling the guided
electromagnetic waves to propagate for longer distances.
[0077] As shown in diagram 554, propagation losses increase when an
operating frequency of the guide electromagnetic waves increases
above about two-times the cutoff frequency (f.sub.c)--or as
referred to, above the range of the "sweet spot". More of the field
strength of the electromagnetic wave is driven inside the
insulating layer, increasing propagation losses. At frequencies
much higher than the cutoff frequency (f.sub.c) the guided
electromagnetic waves are strongly bound to the insulated wire as a
result of the fields emitted by the guided electromagnetic waves
being concentrated in the insulation layer of the wire, as shown in
diagram 552. This in turn raises propagation losses further due to
absorption of the guided electromagnetic waves by the insulation
layer. Similarly, propagation losses increase when the operating
frequency of the guided electromagnetic waves is substantially
below the cutoff frequency (f.sub.c), as shown in diagram 558. At
frequencies much lower than the cutoff frequency (f.sub.c) the
guided electromagnetic waves are weakly (or nominally) bound to the
insulated wire and thereby tend to radiate into the environment
(e.g., air), which in turn, raises propagation losses due to
radiation of the guided electromagnetic waves.
[0078] 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, a
transmission medium 602 is a bare wire, as shown in cross section.
The diagram 300 includes different gray-scales that represent
differing electromagnetic field strengths generated by the
propagation of a guided wave having a symmetrical and fundamental
guided wave mode at a single carrier frequency.
[0079] In this particular mode, electromagnetic waves are guided by
the transmission medium 602 to propagate along an outer surface of
the transmission medium--in this case, the outer surface of the
bare wire. Electromagnetic waves are "lightly" coupled to the wire
so as to enable electromagnetic wave propagation at long distances
with low propagation loss. As shown, the guided wave has a field
structure that lies substantially outside of the transmission
medium 602 that serves to guide the electromagnetic waves. The
regions inside the conductor have little or no field.
[0080] Referring now to FIG. 7, a block diagram 700 illustrating an
example, non-limiting embodiment of an arc coupler is shown. In
particular a coupling device is presented for use in a transmission
device, such as transmission device 101 or 102 presented in
conjunction with FIG. 1. The coupling device includes an arc
coupler 704 coupled to a transmitter circuit 712 and termination or
damper 714. The arc coupler 704 can be made of a dielectric
material, or other low-loss insulator (e.g., Teflon, polyethylene,
etc.), or made of a conducting (e.g., metallic, non-metallic, etc.)
material, or any combination of the foregoing materials. As shown,
the arc coupler 704 operates as a waveguide and has a wave 706
propagating as a guided wave about a waveguide surface of the arc
coupler 704. In the embodiment shown, at least a portion of the arc
coupler 704 can be placed near a wire 702 or other transmission
medium, (such as transmission medium 125), in order to facilitate
coupling between the arc coupler 704 and the wire 702 or other
transmission medium, as described herein to launch the guided wave
708 on the wire. The arc coupler 704 can be placed such that a
portion of the curved arc coupler 704 is tangential to, and
parallel or substantially parallel to the wire 702. The portion of
the arc coupler 704 that is parallel to the wire can be an apex of
the curve, or any point where a tangent of the curve is parallel to
the wire 702. When the arc coupler 704 is positioned or placed
thusly, the wave 706 travelling along the arc coupler 704 couples,
at least in part, to the wire 702, and propagates as guided wave
708 around or about the wire surface of the wire 702 and
longitudinally along the wire 702. The guided wave 708 can be
characterized as a surface wave or other electromagnetic wave that
is guided by or bound to the wire 702 or other transmission
medium.
[0081] A portion of the wave 706 that does not couple to the wire
702 propagates as a wave 710 along the arc coupler 704. It will be
appreciated that the arc coupler 704 can be configured and arranged
in a variety of positions in relation to the wire 702 to achieve a
desired level of coupling or non-coupling of the wave 706 to the
wire 702. For example, the curvature and/or length of the arc
coupler 704 that is parallel or substantially parallel, as well as
its separation distance (which can include zero separation distance
in an embodiment), to the wire 702 can be varied without departing
from example embodiments. Likewise, the arrangement of arc coupler
704 in relation to the wire 702 may be varied based upon
considerations of the respective intrinsic characteristics (e.g.,
thickness, composition, electromagnetic properties, etc.) of the
wire 702 and the arc coupler 704, as well as the characteristics
(e.g., frequency, energy level, etc.) of the waves 706 and 708.
[0082] The guided wave 708 stays parallel or substantially parallel
to the wire 702, even as the wire 702 bends and flexes. Bends in
the wire 702 can increase transmission losses, which are also
dependent on wire diameters, frequency, and materials. If the
dimensions of the arc coupler 704 are chosen for efficient power
transfer, most of the power in the wave 706 is transferred to the
wire 702, with little power remaining in wave 710. It will be
appreciated that the guided wave 708 can still be multi-modal in
nature (discussed herein), including having modes that are
non-fundamental or asymmetric, while traveling along a path that is
parallel or substantially parallel to the wire 702, with or without
a fundamental transmission mode. In an embodiment, non-fundamental
or asymmetric modes can be utilized to minimize transmission losses
and/or obtain increased propagation distances.
[0083] It is noted that the term parallel is generally a geometric
construct which often is not exactly achievable in real systems.
Accordingly, the term parallel as utilized in the subject
disclosure represents an approximation rather than an exact
configuration when used to describe embodiments disclosed in the
subject disclosure. In an embodiment, substantially parallel can
include approximations that are within 30 degrees of true parallel
in all dimensions.
[0084] In an embodiment, the wave 706 can exhibit one or more wave
propagation modes. The arc coupler modes can be dependent on the
shape and/or design of the coupler 704. The one or more arc coupler
modes of wave 706 can generate, influence, or impact one or more
wave propagation modes of the guided wave 708 propagating along
wire 702. It should be particularly noted however that the guided
wave modes present in the guided wave 706 may be the same or
different from the guided wave modes of the guided wave 708. In
this fashion, one or more guided wave modes of the guided wave 706
may not be transferred to the guided wave 708, and further one or
more guided wave modes of guided wave 708 may not have been present
in guided wave 706. It should also be noted that the cut-off
frequency of the arc coupler 704 for a particular guided wave mode
may be different than the cutoff frequency of the wire 702 or other
transmission medium for that same mode. For example, while the wire
702 or other transmission medium may be operated slightly above its
cutoff frequency for a particular guided wave mode, the arc coupler
704 may be operated well above its cut-off frequency for that same
mode for low loss, slightly below its cut-off frequency for that
same mode to, for example, induce greater coupling and power
transfer, or some other point in relation to the arc coupler's
cutoff frequency for that mode.
[0085] In an embodiment, the wave propagation modes on the wire 702
can be similar to the arc coupler modes since both waves 706 and
708 propagate about the outside of the arc coupler 704 and wire 702
respectively. In some embodiments, as the wave 706 couples to the
wire 702, the modes can change form, or new modes can be created or
generated, due to the coupling between the arc coupler 704 and the
wire 702. For example, differences in size, material, and/or
impedances of the arc coupler 704 and wire 702 may create
additional modes not present in the arc coupler modes and/or
suppress some of the arc coupler modes. The wave propagation modes
can comprise the fundamental transverse electromagnetic mode
(Quasi-TEM.sub.00), where only small electric and/or magnetic
fields extend in the direction of propagation, and the electric and
magnetic fields extend radially outwards while the guided wave
propagates along the wire. This guided wave mode can be donut
shaped, where few of the electromagnetic fields exist within the
arc coupler 704 or wire 702.
[0086] Waves 706 and 708 can comprise a fundamental TEM mode where
the fields extend radially outwards, and also comprise other,
non-fundamental (e.g., asymmetric, higher-level, etc.) modes. While
particular wave propagation modes are discussed above, other wave
propagation modes are likewise possible such as transverse electric
(TE) and transverse magnetic (TM) modes, based on the frequencies
employed, the design of the arc coupler 704, the dimensions and
composition of the wire 702, as well as its surface
characteristics, its insulation if present, the electromagnetic
properties of the surrounding environment, etc. It should be noted
that, depending on the frequency, the electrical and physical
characteristics of the wire 702 and the particular wave propagation
modes that are generated, guided wave 708 can travel along the
conductive surface of an oxidized uninsulated wire, an unoxidized
uninsulated wire, an insulated wire and/or along the insulating
surface of an insulated wire.
[0087] In an embodiment, a diameter of the arc coupler 704 is
smaller than the diameter of the wire 702. For the millimeter-band
wavelength being used, the arc coupler 704 supports a single
waveguide mode that makes up wave 706. This single waveguide mode
can change as it couples to the wire 702 as guided wave 708. If the
arc coupler 704 were larger, more than one waveguide mode can be
supported, but these additional waveguide modes may not couple to
the wire 702 as efficiently, and higher coupling losses can result.
However, in some alternative embodiments, the diameter of the arc
coupler 704 can be equal to or larger than the diameter of the wire
702, for example, where higher coupling losses are desirable or
when used in conjunction with other techniques to otherwise reduce
coupling losses (e.g., impedance matching with tapering, etc.).
[0088] In an embodiment, the wavelength of the waves 706 and 708
are comparable in size, or smaller than a circumference of the arc
coupler 704 and the wire 702. In an example, if the wire 702 has a
diameter of 0.5 cm, and a corresponding circumference of around 1.5
cm, the wavelength of the transmission is around 1.5 cm or less,
corresponding to a frequency of 70 GHz or greater. In another
embodiment, a suitable frequency of the transmission and the
carrier-wave signal is in the range of 30-100 GHz, perhaps around
30-60 GHz, and around 38 GHz in one example. In an embodiment, when
the circumference of the arc coupler 704 and wire 702 is comparable
in size to, or greater, than a wavelength of the transmission, the
waves 706 and 708 can exhibit multiple wave propagation modes
including fundamental and/or non-fundamental (symmetric and/or
asymmetric) modes that propagate over sufficient distances to
support various communication systems described herein. The waves
706 and 708 can therefore comprise more than one type of electric
and magnetic field configuration. In an embodiment, as the guided
wave 708 propagates down the wire 702, the electrical and magnetic
field configurations will remain the same from end to end of the
wire 702. In other embodiments, as the guided wave 708 encounters
interference (distortion or obstructions) or loses energy due to
transmission losses or scattering, the electric and magnetic field
configurations can change as the guided wave 708 propagates down
wire 702.
[0089] In an embodiment, the arc coupler 704 can be composed of
nylon, Teflon, polyethylene, a polyamide, or other plastics. In
other embodiments, other dielectric materials are possible. The
wire surface of wire 702 can be metallic with either a bare
metallic surface, or can be insulated using plastic, dielectric,
insulator or other coating, jacket or sheathing. In an embodiment,
a dielectric or otherwise non-conducting/insulated waveguide can be
paired with either a bare/metallic wire or insulated wire. In other
embodiments, a metallic and/or conductive waveguide can be paired
with a bare/metallic wire or insulated wire. In an embodiment, an
oxidation layer on the bare metallic surface of the wire 702 (e.g.,
resulting from exposure of the bare metallic surface to oxygen/air)
can also provide insulating or dielectric properties similar to
those provided by some insulators or sheathings.
[0090] It is noted that the graphical representations of waves 706,
708 and 710 are presented merely to illustrate the principles that
wave 706 induces or otherwise launches a guided wave 708 on a wire
702 that operates, for example, as a single wire transmission line.
Wave 710 represents the portion of wave 706 that remains on the arc
coupler 704 after the generation of guided wave 708. The actual
electric and magnetic fields generated as a result of such wave
propagation may vary depending on the frequencies employed, the
particular wave propagation mode or modes, the design of the arc
coupler 704, the dimensions and composition of the wire 702, as
well as its surface characteristics, its optional insulation, the
electromagnetic properties of the surrounding environment, etc.
[0091] It is noted that arc coupler 704 can include a termination
circuit or damper 714 at the end of the arc coupler 704 that can
absorb leftover radiation or energy from wave 710. The termination
circuit or damper 714 can prevent and/or minimize the leftover
radiation or energy from wave 710 reflecting back toward
transmitter circuit 712. In an embodiment, the termination circuit
or damper 714 can include termination resistors, and/or other
components that perform impedance matching to attenuate reflection.
In some embodiments, if the coupling efficiencies are high enough,
and/or wave 710 is sufficiently small, it may not be necessary to
use a termination circuit or damper 714. For the sake of
simplicity, these transmitter 712 and termination circuits or
dampers 714 may not be depicted in the other figures, but in those
embodiments, transmitter and termination circuits or dampers may
possibly be used.
[0092] Further, while a single arc coupler 704 is presented that
generates a single guided wave 708, multiple arc couplers 704
placed at different points along the wire 702 and/or at different
azimuthal orientations about the wire can be employed to generate
and receive multiple guided waves 708 at the same or different
frequencies, at the same or different phases, at the same or
different wave propagation modes.
[0093] FIG. 8, a block diagram 800 illustrating an example,
non-limiting embodiment of an arc coupler is shown. In the
embodiment shown, at least a portion of the coupler 704 can be
placed near a wire 702 or other transmission medium, (such as
transmission medium 125), in order to facilitate coupling between
the arc coupler 704 and the wire 702 or other transmission medium,
to extract a portion of the guided wave 806 as a guided wave 808 as
described herein. The arc coupler 704 can be placed such that a
portion of the curved arc coupler 704 is tangential to, and
parallel or substantially parallel to the wire 702. The portion of
the arc coupler 704 that is parallel to the wire can be an apex of
the curve, or any point where a tangent of the curve is parallel to
the wire 702. When the arc coupler 704 is positioned or placed
thusly, the wave 806 travelling along the wire 702 couples, at
least in part, to the arc coupler 704, and propagates as guided
wave 808 along the arc coupler 704 to a receiving device (not
expressly shown). A portion of the wave 806 that does not couple to
the arc coupler propagates as wave 810 along the wire 702 or other
transmission medium.
[0094] In an embodiment, the wave 806 can exhibit one or more wave
propagation modes. The arc coupler modes can be dependent on the
shape and/or design of the coupler 704. The one or more modes of
guided wave 806 can generate, influence, or impact one or more
guide-wave modes of the guided wave 808 propagating along the arc
coupler 704. It should be particularly noted however that the
guided wave modes present in the guided wave 806 may be the same or
different from the guided wave modes of the guided wave 808. In
this fashion, one or more guided wave modes of the guided wave 806
may not be transferred to the guided wave 808, and further one or
more guided wave modes of guided wave 808 may not have been present
in guided wave 806.
[0095] 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 that includes stub coupler 904 is
presented for use in a transmission device, such as transmission
device 101 or 102 presented in conjunction with FIG. 1. The stub
coupler 904 can be made of a dielectric material, or other low-loss
insulator (e.g., Teflon, polyethylene and etc.), or made of a
conducting (e.g., metallic, non-metallic, etc.) material, or any
combination of the foregoing materials. As shown, the stub coupler
904 operates as a waveguide and has a wave 906 propagating as a
guided wave about a waveguide surface of the stub coupler 904. In
the embodiment shown, at least a portion of the stub coupler 904
can be placed near a wire 702 or other transmission medium, (such
as transmission medium 125), in order to facilitate coupling
between the stub coupler 904 and the wire 702 or other transmission
medium, as described herein to launch the guided wave 908 on the
wire.
[0096] In an embodiment, the stub coupler 904 is curved, and an end
of the stub coupler 904 can be tied, fastened, or otherwise
mechanically coupled to a wire 702. When the end of the stub
coupler 904 is fastened to the wire 702, the end of the stub
coupler 904 is parallel or substantially parallel to the wire 702.
Alternatively, another portion of the dielectric waveguide beyond
an end can be fastened or coupled to wire 702 such that the
fastened or coupled portion is parallel or substantially parallel
to the wire 702. The fastener 910 can be a nylon cable tie or other
type of non-conducting/dielectric material that is either separate
from the stub coupler 904 or constructed as an integrated component
of the stub coupler 904. The stub coupler 904 can be adjacent to
the wire 702 without surrounding the wire 702.
[0097] Like the arc coupler 704 described in conjunction with FIG.
7, when the stub coupler 904 is placed with the end parallel to the
wire 702, the guided wave 906 travelling along the stub coupler 904
couples to the wire 702, and propagates as guided wave 908 about
the wire surface of the wire 702. In an example embodiment, the
guided wave 908 can be characterized as a surface wave or other
electromagnetic wave.
[0098] It is noted that the graphical representations of waves 906
and 908 are presented merely to illustrate the principles that wave
906 induces or otherwise launches a guided wave 908 on a wire 702
that operates, for example, as a single wire transmission line. The
actual electric and magnetic fields generated as a result of such
wave propagation may vary depending on one or more of the shape
and/or design of the coupler, the relative position of the
dielectric waveguide to the wire, the frequencies employed, the
design of the stub coupler 904, the dimensions and composition of
the wire 702, as well as its surface characteristics, its optional
insulation, the electromagnetic properties of the surrounding
environment, etc.
[0099] In an embodiment, an end of stub coupler 904 can taper
towards the wire 702 in order to increase coupling efficiencies.
Indeed, the tapering of the end of the stub coupler 904 can provide
impedance matching to the wire 702 and reduce reflections,
according to an example embodiment of the subject disclosure. For
example, an end of the stub coupler 904 can be gradually tapered in
order to obtain a desired level of coupling between waves 906 and
908 as illustrated in FIG. 9A.
[0100] In an embodiment, the fastener 910 can be placed such that
there is a short length of the stub coupler 904 between the
fastener 910 and an end of the stub coupler 904. Maximum coupling
efficiencies are realized in this embodiment when the length of the
end of the stub coupler 904 that is beyond the fastener 910 is at
least several wavelengths long for whatever frequency is being
transmitted.
[0101] Turning now to FIG. 9B, a diagram 950 illustrating an
example, non-limiting embodiment of an electromagnetic distribution
in accordance with various aspects described herein is shown. In
particular, an electromagnetic distribution is presented in two
dimensions for a transmission device that includes coupler 952,
shown in an example stub coupler constructed of a dielectric
material. The coupler 952 couples an electromagnetic wave for
propagation as a guided wave along an outer surface of a wire 702
or other transmission medium.
[0102] The coupler 952 guides the electromagnetic wave to a
junction at x.sub.0 via a symmetrical guided wave mode. While some
of the energy of the electromagnetic wave that propagates along the
coupler 952 is outside of the coupler 952, the majority of the
energy of this electromagnetic wave is contained within the coupler
952. The junction at x.sub.0 couples the electromagnetic wave to
the wire 702 or other transmission medium at an azimuthal angle
corresponding to the bottom of the transmission medium. This
coupling induces an electromagnetic wave that is guided to
propagate along the outer surface of the wire 702 or other
transmission medium via at least one guided wave mode in direction
956. The majority of the energy of the guided electromagnetic wave
is outside or, but in close proximity to the outer surface of the
wire 702 or other transmission medium. In the example shown, the
junction at x.sub.0 forms an electromagnetic wave that propagates
via both a symmetrical mode and at least one asymmetrical surface
mode, such as the first order mode presented in conjunction with
FIG. 3, that skims the surface of the wire 702 or other
transmission medium.
[0103] It is noted that the graphical representations of guided
waves are presented merely to illustrate an example of guided wave
coupling and propagation. The actual electric and magnetic fields
generated as a result of such wave propagation may vary depending
on the frequencies employed, the design and/or configuration of the
coupler 952, the dimensions and composition of the wire 702 or
other transmission medium, as well as its surface characteristics,
its insulation if present, the electromagnetic properties of the
surrounding environment, etc.
[0104] Turning now to FIG. 10A, illustrated is a block diagram 1000
of an example, non-limiting embodiment of a coupler and transceiver
system in accordance with various aspects described herein. The
system is an example of transmission device 101 or 102. In
particular, the communication interface 1008 is an example of
communications interface 205, the stub coupler 1002 is an example
of coupler 220, and the transmitter/receiver device 1006, diplexer
1016, power amplifier 1014, low noise amplifier 1018, frequency
mixers 1010 and 1020 and local oscillator 1012 collectively form an
example of transceiver 210.
[0105] In operation, the transmitter/receiver device 1006 launches
and receives waves (e.g., guided wave 1004 onto stub coupler 1002).
The guided waves 1004 can be used to transport signals received
from and sent to a host device, base station, mobile devices, a
building or other device by way of a communications interface 1008.
The communications interface 1008 can be an integral part of system
1000. Alternatively, the communications interface 1008 can be
tethered to system 1000. The communications interface 1008 can
comprise a wireless interface for interfacing to the host device,
base station, mobile devices, a building or other device utilizing
any of various wireless signaling protocols (e.g., LTE, WiFi,
WiMAX, IEEE 802.xx, etc.) including an infrared protocol such as an
infrared data association (IrDA) protocol or other line of sight
optical protocol. The communications interface 1008 can also
comprise a wired interface such as a fiber optic line, coaxial
cable, twisted pair, category 5 (CAT-5) cable or other suitable
wired or optical mediums for communicating with the host device,
base station, mobile devices, a building or other device via a
protocol such as an Ethernet protocol, universal serial bus (USB)
protocol, a data over cable service interface specification
(DOCSIS) protocol, a digital subscriber line (DSL) protocol, a
Firewire (IEEE 1394) protocol, or other wired or optical protocol.
For embodiments where system 1000 functions as a repeater, the
communications interface 1008 may not be necessary.
[0106] The output signals (e.g., Tx) of the communications
interface 1008 can be combined with a carrier wave (e.g.,
millimeter-wave carrier wave) generated by a local oscillator 1012
at frequency mixer 1010. Frequency mixer 1010 can use heterodyning
techniques or other frequency shifting techniques to frequency
shift the output signals from communications interface 1008. For
example, signals sent to and from the communications interface 1008
can be modulated signals such as orthogonal frequency division
multiplexed (OFDM) signals formatted in accordance with a Long-Term
Evolution (LTE) wireless protocol or other wireless 3G, 4G, 5G or
higher voice and data protocol, a Zigbee, WIMAX, UltraWideband or
IEEE 802.11 wireless protocol; a wired protocol such as an Ethernet
protocol, universal serial bus (USB) protocol, a data over cable
service interface specification (DOCSIS) protocol, a digital
subscriber line (DSL) protocol, a Firewire (IEEE 1394) protocol or
other wired or wireless protocol. In an example embodiment, this
frequency conversion can be done in the analog domain, and as a
result, the frequency shifting can be done without regard to the
type of communications protocol used by a base station, mobile
devices, or in-building devices. As new communications technologies
are developed, the communications interface 1008 can be upgraded
(e.g., updated with software, firmware, and/or hardware) or
replaced and the frequency shifting and transmission apparatus can
remain, simplifying upgrades. The carrier wave can then be sent to
a power amplifier ("PA") 1014 and can be transmitted via the
transmitter receiver device 1006 via the diplexer 1016.
[0107] Signals received from the transmitter/receiver device 1006
that are directed towards the communications interface 1008 can be
separated from other signals via diplexer 1016. The received signal
can then be sent to low noise amplifier ("LNA") 1018 for
amplification. A frequency mixer 1020, with help from local
oscillator 1012 can downshift the received signal (which is in the
millimeter-wave band or around 38 GHz in some embodiments) to the
native frequency. The communications interface 1008 can then
receive the transmission at an input port (Rx).
[0108] In an embodiment, transmitter/receiver device 1006 can
include a cylindrical or non-cylindrical metal (which, for example,
can be hollow in an embodiment, but not necessarily drawn to scale)
or other conducting or non-conducting waveguide and an end of the
stub coupler 1002 can be placed in or in proximity to the waveguide
or the transmitter/receiver device 1006 such that when the
transmitter/receiver device 1006 generates a transmission, the
guided wave couples to stub coupler 1002 and propagates as a guided
wave 1004 about the waveguide surface of the stub coupler 1002. In
some embodiments, the guided wave 1004 can propagate in part on the
outer surface of the stub coupler 1002 and in part inside the stub
coupler 1002. In other embodiments, the guided wave 1004 can
propagate substantially or completely on the outer surface of the
stub coupler 1002. In yet other embodiments, the guided wave 1004
can propagate substantially or completely inside the stub coupler
1002. In this latter embodiment, the guided wave 1004 can radiate
at an end of the stub coupler 1002 (such as the tapered end shown
in FIG. 4) for coupling to a transmission medium such as a wire 702
of FIG. 7. Similarly, if guided wave 1004 is incoming (coupled to
the stub coupler 1002 from a wire 702), guided wave 1004 then
enters the transmitter/receiver device 1006 and couples to the
cylindrical waveguide or conducting waveguide. While
transmitter/receiver device 1006 is shown to include a separate
waveguide--an antenna, cavity resonator, klystron, magnetron,
travelling wave tube, or other radiating element can be employed to
induce a guided wave on the coupler 1002, with or without the
separate waveguide.
[0109] In an embodiment, stub coupler 1002 can be wholly
constructed of a dielectric material (or another suitable
insulating material), without any metallic or otherwise conducting
materials therein. Stub coupler 1002 can be composed of nylon,
Teflon, polyethylene, a polyamide, other plastics, or other
materials that are non-conducting and suitable for facilitating
transmission of electromagnetic waves at least in part on an outer
surface of such materials. In another embodiment, stub coupler 1002
can include a core that is conducting/metallic, and have an
exterior dielectric surface. Similarly, a transmission medium that
couples to the stub coupler 1002 for propagating electromagnetic
waves induced by the stub coupler 1002 or for supplying
electromagnetic waves to the stub coupler 1002 can, in addition to
being a bare or insulated wire, be wholly constructed of a
dielectric material (or another suitable insulating material),
without any metallic or otherwise conducting materials therein.
[0110] It is noted that although FIG. 10A shows that the opening of
transmitter receiver device 1006 is much wider than the stub
coupler 1002, this is not to scale, and that in other embodiments
the width of the stub coupler 1002 is comparable or slightly
smaller than the opening of the hollow waveguide. It is also not
shown, but in an embodiment, an end of the coupler 1002 that is
inserted into the transmitter/receiver device 1006 tapers down in
order to reduce reflection and increase coupling efficiencies.
[0111] Before coupling to the stub coupler 1002, the one or more
waveguide modes of the guided wave generated by the
transmitter/receiver device 1006 can couple to the stub coupler
1002 to induce one or more wave propagation modes of the guided
wave 1004. The wave propagation modes of the guided wave 1004 can
be different than the hollow metal waveguide modes due to the
different characteristics of the hollow metal waveguide and the
dielectric waveguide. For instance, wave propagation modes of the
guided wave 1004 can comprise the fundamental transverse
electromagnetic mode (Quasi-TEM.sub.00), where only small
electrical and/or magnetic fields extend in the direction of
propagation, and the electric and magnetic fields extend radially
outwards from the stub coupler 1002 while the guided waves
propagate along the stub coupler 1002. The fundamental transverse
electromagnetic mode wave propagation mode may or may not exist
inside a waveguide that is hollow. Therefore, the hollow metal
waveguide modes that are used by transmitter/receiver device 1006
are waveguide modes that can couple effectively and efficiently to
wave propagation modes of stub coupler 1002.
[0112] It will be appreciated that other constructs or combinations
of the transmitter/receiver device 1006 and stub coupler 1002 are
possible. For example, a stub coupler 1002' can be placed
tangentially or in parallel (with or without a gap) with respect to
an outer surface of the hollow metal waveguide of the
transmitter/receiver device 1006' (corresponding circuitry not
shown) as depicted by reference 1000' of FIG. 10B. In another
embodiment, not shown by reference 1000', the stub coupler 1002'
can be placed inside the hollow metal waveguide of the
transmitter/receiver device 1006' without an axis of the stub
coupler 1002' being coaxially aligned with an axis of the hollow
metal waveguide of the transmitter/receiver device 1006'. In either
of these embodiments, the guided wave generated by the
transmitter/receiver device 1006' can couple to a surface of the
stub coupler 1002' to induce one or more wave propagation modes of
the guided wave 1004' on the stub coupler 1002' including a
fundamental mode (e.g., a symmetric mode) and/or a non-fundamental
mode (e.g., asymmetric mode).
[0113] In one embodiment, the guided wave 1004' can propagate in
part on the outer surface of the stub coupler 1002' and in part
inside the stub coupler 1002'. In another embodiment, the guided
wave 1004' can propagate substantially or completely on the outer
surface of the stub coupler 1002'. In yet other embodiments, the
guided wave 1004' can propagate substantially or completely inside
the stub coupler 1002'. In this latter embodiment, the guided wave
1004' can radiate at an end of the stub coupler 1002' (such as the
tapered end shown in FIG. 9) for coupling to a transmission medium
such as a wire 702 of FIG. 9.
[0114] It will be further appreciated that other constructs the
transmitter/receiver device 1006 are possible. For example, a
hollow metal waveguide of a transmitter/receiver device 1006''
(corresponding circuitry not shown), depicted in FIG. 10B as
reference 1000'', can be placed tangentially or in parallel (with
or without a gap) with respect to an outer surface of a
transmission medium such as the wire 702 of FIG. 4 without the use
of the stub coupler 1002. In this embodiment, the guided wave
generated by the transmitter/receiver device 1006'' can couple to a
surface of the wire 702 to induce one or more wave propagation
modes of a guided wave 908 on the wire 702 including a fundamental
mode (e.g., a symmetric mode) and/or a non-fundamental mode (e.g.,
asymmetric mode). In another embodiment, the wire 702 can be
positioned inside a hollow metal waveguide of a
transmitter/receiver device 1006''' (corresponding circuitry not
shown) so that an axis of the wire 702 is coaxially (or not
coaxially) aligned with an axis of the hollow metal waveguide
without the use of the stub coupler 1002--see FIG. 10B reference
1000'''. In this embodiment, the guided wave generated by the
transmitter/receiver device 1006''' can couple to a surface of the
wire 702 to induce one or more wave propagation modes of a guided
wave 908 on the wire including a fundamental mode (e.g., a
symmetric mode) and/or a non-fundamental mode (e.g., asymmetric
mode).
[0115] In the embodiments of 1000'' and 1000''', for a wire 702
having an insulated outer surface, the guided wave 908 can
propagate in part on the outer surface of the insulator and in part
inside the insulator. In embodiments, the guided wave 908 can
propagate substantially or completely on the outer surface of the
insulator, or substantially or completely inside the insulator. In
the embodiments of 1000'' and 1000''', for a wire 702 that is a
bare conductor, the guided wave 908 can propagate in part on the
outer surface of the conductor and in part inside the conductor. In
another embodiment, the guided wave 908 can propagate substantially
or completely on the outer surface of the conductor.
[0116] Referring now to FIG. 11, a block diagram 1100 illustrating
an example, non-limiting embodiment of a dual stub coupler is
shown. In particular, a dual coupler design is presented for use in
a transmission device, such as transmission device 101 or 102
presented in conjunction with FIG. 1. In an embodiment, two or more
couplers (such as the stub couplers 1104 and 1106) can be
positioned around a wire 1102 in order to receive guided wave 1108.
In an embodiment, one coupler is enough to receive the guided wave
1108. In that case, guided wave 1108 couples to coupler 1104 and
propagates as guided wave 1110. If the field structure of the
guided wave 1108 oscillates or undulates around the wire 1102 due
to the particular guided wave mode(s) or various outside factors,
then coupler 1106 can be placed such that guided wave 1108 couples
to coupler 1106. In some embodiments, four or more couplers can be
placed around a portion of the wire 1102, e.g., at 90 degrees or
another spacing with respect to each other, in order to receive
guided waves that may oscillate or rotate around the wire 1102,
that have been induced at different azimuthal orientations or that
have non-fundamental or higher order modes that, for example, have
lobes and/or nulls or other asymmetries that are orientation
dependent. However, it will be appreciated that there may be less
than or more than four couplers placed around a portion of the wire
1102 without departing from example embodiments.
[0117] It should be noted that while couplers 1106 and 1104 are
illustrated as stub couplers, any other of the coupler designs
described herein including arc couplers, antenna or horn couplers,
magnetic couplers, etc., could likewise be used. It will also be
appreciated that while some example embodiments have presented a
plurality of couplers around at least a portion of a wire 1102,
this plurality of couplers can also be considered as part of a
single coupler system having multiple coupler subcomponents. For
example, two or more couplers can be manufactured as single system
that can be installed around a wire in a single installation such
that the couplers are either pre-positioned or adjustable relative
to each other (either manually or automatically with a controllable
mechanism such as a motor or other actuator) in accordance with the
single system.
[0118] Receivers coupled to couplers 1106 and 1104 can use
diversity combining to combine signals received from both couplers
1106 and 1104 in order to maximize the signal quality. In other
embodiments, if one or the other of the couplers 1104 and 1106
receive a transmission that is above a predetermined threshold,
receivers can use selection diversity when deciding which signal to
use. Further, while reception by a plurality of couplers 1106 and
1104 is illustrated, transmission by couplers 1106 and 1104 in the
same configuration can likewise take place. In particular, a wide
range of multi-input multi-output (MIMO) transmission and reception
techniques can be employed for transmissions where a transmission
device, such as transmission device 101 or 102 presented in
conjunction with FIG. 1 includes multiple transceivers and multiple
couplers.
[0119] It is noted that the graphical representations of waves 1108
and 1110 are presented merely to illustrate the principles that
guided wave 1108 induces or otherwise launches a wave 1110 on a
coupler 1104. The actual electric and magnetic fields generated as
a result of such wave propagation may vary depending on the
frequencies employed, the design of the coupler 1104, the
dimensions and composition of the wire 1102, as well as its surface
characteristics, its insulation if any, the electromagnetic
properties of the surrounding environment, etc.
[0120] 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 presented for use in a
transmission device, such as transmission device 101 or 102
presented in conjunction with FIG. 1. In this system, two couplers
1204 and 1214 can be placed near a wire 1202 or other transmission
medium such that guided waves 1205 propagating along the wire 1202
are extracted by coupler 1204 as wave 1206 (e.g. as a guided wave),
and then are boosted or repeated by repeater device 1210 and
launched as a wave 1216 (e.g. as a guided wave) onto coupler 1214.
The wave 1216 can then be launched on the wire 1202 and continue to
propagate along the wire 1202 as a guided wave 1217. In an
embodiment, the repeater device 1210 can receive at least a portion
of the power utilized for boosting or repeating through magnetic
coupling with the wire 1202, for example, when the wire 1202 is a
power line or otherwise contains a power-carrying conductor. It
should be noted that while couplers 1204 and 1214 are illustrated
as stub couplers, any other of the coupler designs described herein
including arc couplers, antenna or horn couplers, magnetic
couplers, or the like, could likewise be used.
[0121] In some embodiments, repeater device 1210 can repeat the
transmission associated with wave 1206, and in other embodiments,
repeater device 1210 can include a communications interface 205
that extracts data or other signals from the wave 1206 for
supplying such data or signals to another network and/or one or
more other devices as communication signals 110 or 112 and/or
receiving communication signals 110 or 112 from another network
and/or one or more other devices and launch guided wave 1216 having
embedded therein the received communication signals 110 or 112. In
a repeater configuration, receiver waveguide 1208 can receive the
wave 1206 from the coupler 1204 and transmitter waveguide 1212 can
launch guided wave 1216 onto coupler 1214 as guided wave 1217.
Between receiver waveguide 1208 and transmitter waveguide 1212, the
signal embedded in guided wave 1206 and/or the guided wave 1216
itself can be amplified to correct for signal loss and other
inefficiencies associated with guided wave communications or the
signal can be received and processed to extract the data contained
therein and regenerated for transmission. In an embodiment, the
receiver waveguide 1208 can be configured to extract data from the
signal, process the data to correct for data errors utilizing for
example error correcting codes, and regenerate an updated signal
with the corrected data. The transmitter waveguide 1212 can then
transmit guided wave 1216 with the updated signal embedded therein.
In an embodiment, a signal embedded in guided wave 1206 can be
extracted from the transmission and processed for communication
with another network and/or one or more other devices via
communications interface 205 as communication signals 110 or 112.
Similarly, communication signals 110 or 112 received by the
communications interface 205 can be inserted into a transmission of
guided wave 1216 that is generated and launched onto coupler 1214
by transmitter waveguide 1212.
[0122] It is noted that although FIG. 12 shows guided wave
transmissions 1206 and 1216 entering from the left and exiting to
the right respectively, this is merely a simplification and is not
intended to be limiting. In other embodiments, receiver waveguide
1208 and transmitter waveguide 1212 can also function as
transmitters and receivers respectively, allowing the repeater
device 1210 to be bi-directional.
[0123] In an embodiment, repeater device 1210 can be placed at
locations where there are discontinuities or obstacles on the wire
1202 or other transmission medium. In the case where 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 help the guided (e.g., surface) waves jump
over these obstacles on the line and boost the transmission power
at the same time. In other embodiments, a coupler can be used to
jump over the obstacle without the use of a repeater device. In
that embodiment, both ends of the coupler can be tied or fastened
to the wire, thus providing a path for the guided wave to travel
without being blocked by the obstacle.
[0124] Turning 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,
a bidirectional repeater device 1306 is presented for use in a
transmission device, such as transmission device 101 or 102
presented in conjunction with FIG. 1. It should be noted that while
the couplers are illustrated as stub couplers, any other of the
coupler designs described herein including arc couplers, antenna or
horn couplers, magnetic couplers, or the like, could likewise be
used. The bidirectional repeater 1306 can employ diversity paths in
the case of when two or more wires or other transmission media are
present. Since guided wave transmissions have different
transmission efficiencies and coupling efficiencies for
transmission medium of different types such as insulated wires,
un-insulated wires or other types of transmission media and
further, if exposed to the elements, can be affected by weather,
and other atmospheric conditions, it can be advantageous to
selectively transmit on different transmission media at certain
times. In various embodiments, the various transmission media can
be designated as a primary, secondary, tertiary, etc. whether or
not such designation indicates a preference of one transmission
medium over another.
[0125] In the embodiment shown, the transmission media include an
insulated or uninsulated wire 1302 and an insulated or uninsulated
wire 1304 (referred to herein as wires 1302 and 1304,
respectively). The repeater device 1306 uses a receiver coupler
1308 to receive a guided wave traveling along wire 1302 and repeats
the transmission using transmitter waveguide 1310 as a guided wave
along wire 1304. In other embodiments, repeater device 1306 can
switch from the wire 1304 to the wire 1302, or can repeat the
transmissions along the same paths. Repeater device 1306 can
include sensors, or be in communication with sensors (or a network
management system 1601 depicted in FIG. 16A) that indicate
conditions that can affect the transmission. Based on the feedback
received from the sensors, the repeater device 1306 can make the
determination about whether to keep the transmission along the same
wire, or transfer the transmission to the other wire.
[0126] Turning now to FIG. 14, illustrated is a block diagram 1400
illustrating an example, non-limiting embodiment of a bidirectional
repeater system. In particular, a bidirectional repeater system is
presented for use in a transmission device, such as transmission
device 101 or 102 presented in conjunction with FIG. 1. The
bidirectional repeater system includes waveguide coupling devices
1402 and 1404 that receive and transmit transmissions from other
coupling devices located in a distributed antenna system or
backhaul system.
[0127] In various embodiments, waveguide coupling device 1402 can
receive a transmission from another waveguide coupling device,
wherein the transmission has a plurality of subcarriers. Diplexer
1406 can separate the transmission from other transmissions, and
direct the transmission to low-noise amplifier ("LNA") 1408. A
frequency mixer 1428, with help from a local oscillator 1412, can
downshift the transmission (which is in the millimeter-wave band or
around 38 GHz in some embodiments) to a lower frequency, such as a
cellular band (.about.1.9 GHz) for a distributed antenna system, a
native frequency, or other frequency for a backhaul system. An
extractor (or demultiplexer) 1432 can extract the signal on a
subcarrier and direct the signal to an output component 1422 for
optional amplification, buffering or isolation by power amplifier
1424 for coupling to communications interface 205. The
communications interface 205 can further process the signals
received from the power amplifier 1424 or otherwise transmit such
signals over a wireless or wired interface to other devices such as
a base station, mobile devices, a building, etc. For the signals
that are not being extracted at this location, extractor 1432 can
redirect them to another frequency mixer 1436, where the signals
are used to modulate a carrier wave generated by local oscillator
1414. The carrier wave, with its subcarriers, is directed to a
power amplifier ("PA") 1416 and is retransmitted by waveguide
coupling device 1404 to another system, via diplexer 1420.
[0128] An LNA 1426 can be used to amplify, buffer or isolate
signals that are received by the communication interface 205 and
then send the signal to a multiplexer 1434 which merges the signal
with signals that have been received from waveguide coupling device
1404. The signals received from coupling device 1404 have been
split by diplexer 1420, and then passed through LNA 1418, and
downshifted in frequency by frequency mixer 1438. When the signals
are combined by multiplexer 1434, they are upshifted in frequency
by frequency mixer 1430, and then boosted by PA 1410, and
transmitted to another system by waveguide coupling device 1402. In
an embodiment bidirectional repeater system can be merely a
repeater without the output device 1422. In this embodiment, the
multiplexer 1434 would not be utilized and signals from LNA 1418
would be directed to mixer 1430 as previously described. It will be
appreciated that in some embodiments, the bidirectional repeater
system could also be implemented using two distinct and separate
unidirectional repeaters. In an alternative embodiment, a
bidirectional repeater system could also be a booster or otherwise
perform retransmissions without downshifting and upshifting. Indeed
in example embodiment, the retransmissions can be based upon
receiving a signal or guided wave and performing some signal or
guided wave processing or reshaping, filtering, and/or
amplification, prior to retransmission of the signal or guided
wave.
[0129] Turning now to FIG. 15A, illustrated is a block diagram
illustrating an example, non-limiting embodiment of a proximity
sensor system 1500. In particular, system 1500 can detect when a
physical object (e.g., a user's finger 1575) touches, or is in
proximity to, a transmission medium 1530. The transmission medium
1530 can be various types of mediums including an insulated wire, a
non-insulated wire, a planar surface, and so forth.
[0130] In one embodiment, system 1500 can include a first device
1502 coupled with the transmission medium 1530. The first device
1502 can include various components that enable or otherwise
facilitate generating and transmitting electromagnetic waves 1550.
As an example, the first device 1502 can include one or more
radiating elements, a processing system including a processor, and
a memory that stores executable instructions that, when executed by
the processing system, facilitate performance of operations. For
example, the first device 1502 can generate electromagnetic waves
1550 and provide the electromagnetic waves at a physical interface
of the transmission medium 1530. In one embodiment, the
electromagnetic waves 1550 can propagate (in direction 1555)
without requiring an electrical return path, where the
electromagnetic waves are guided by the transmission medium 1530 to
a second device 1504. In one embodiment, the electromagnetic waves
1550 can surround or partially surround the transmission medium
1530.
[0131] In one embodiment, the second device 1504 can include
various components that enable or otherwise facilitate receiving
and/or analyzing the electromagnetic waves 1550. As an example, the
second device 1504 can include one or more receiving elements, a
processing system including a processor, and a memory that stores
executable instructions that, when executed by the processing
system, facilitate performance of operations. The second device
1504 can receive the electromagnetic waves 1550 and can detect the
physical object 1575 touching or in proximity to the transmission
medium 1530 based on the electromagnetic waves. For instance, the
second device 1504 can detect the physical object 1575 touching or
in proximity to the transmission medium 1530 according to a change
in a parameter associated with the electromagnetic waves 1550. The
parameter can be various types of parameters associated with
electromagnetic waves 1550, including a receive signal strength.
The physical object 1575 can be various types of physical objects
that affect electromagnetic waves 1550.
[0132] In one embodiment, the second device 1504 can determine that
it has not received the electromagnetic waves 1550. As an example,
the physical object 1575 can be in contact with the transmission
medium 1530 or in close enough proximity to the transmission medium
such that the electromagnetic waves 1550 do not propagate far
enough to reach the second device 1504. System 1500 is illustrated
utilizing first and second devices 1502 and 1504. However, in one
or more embodiments, the proximity detection can be based on
reflected waves. As an example, the transmitter and receiver can be
located at the same device which is coupled with the transmission
medium. In this example, proximity detection can be based on
monitoring reflected waves, including receiving a reflected wave
received at the device or determining a change in a parameter(s) of
received reflected waves. For instance, the proximity of the
physical object may generate a reflected wave that is received by
the same device which transmitted the electromagnetic wave or the
proximity of the physical object may cause a change to one or more
parameters of a reflected wave that is received by the same device
which transmitted the electromagnetic wave. In these examples, the
reflected wave can be analyzed to detect a proximity distance,
velocity, object category and so forth as described herein with
respect to other embodiments. In one embodiment, a combination of
reflected waves (analyzed by the same transmitting device) and
propagating waves (analyzed by a different receiving device) can be
analyzed to perform the proximity techniques described herein.
[0133] Referring to FIG. 15B, the second device 1504 can determine
a distance between the physical object and the transmission medium
1530 according to an analysis of the change in the parameter(s) of
the electromagnetic waves. In this example, the proximity of the
physical object 1575 to the transmission medium 1530 (e.g., without
touching the transmission medium) can result in the change in
parameter to the electromagnetic waves 1550, which is illustrated
by adjusted electromagnetic waves 1550'. In one embodiment, the
analysis performed by the second device 1504 on the adjusted
electromagnetic waves 1550' can include a comparison of the wave
parameter to an expected parameter for the electromagnetic waves.
In one embodiment, the second device 1504 can store or otherwise
have access to a group of expected parameters for various
electromagnetic waves that can be transmitted by the first device
1502. In one embodiment, the electromagnetic waves (in whole or in
part) can convey or otherwise represent an expected parameter(s)
for the electromagnetic wave being transmitted by the first device
1502, such as conveying parameter data via the electromagnetic
waves. In one embodiment, monitoring for a change in parameter can
be based on a threshold change, such as the change in the parameter
being determined to be greater than a threshold parameter
change.
[0134] In one embodiment, a frequency and/or a mode for the
electromagnetic waves 1550 can be selected by the first device 1502
to provide for a different level of sensitivity to the proximity of
the physical object 1575. For example as shown in FIG. 16A, a block
diagram illustrates an example, non-limiting embodiment of electric
field characteristics of a hybrid wave versus a Goubau wave in
accordance with various aspects described herein is shown. Diagram
1653 shows a distribution of energy between HE11 mode waves and
Goubau waves for an insulated conductor. The energy plots of
diagram 1653 assume that the amount of power used to generate the
Goubau waves is the same as the HE11 waves (i.e., the area under
the energy curves is the same). In the illustration of diagram
1653, Goubau waves have a steep drop in power when Goubau waves
extend beyond the outer surface of an insulated conductor, while
HE11 waves have a substantially lower drop in power beyond the
insulation layer. Consequently, Goubau waves have a higher
concentration of energy near the insulation layer than HE11 waves.
In one or more embodiments, one can change the frequency of the
energy from low to high and get an approximation of the position of
the object with increasing levels of precision. For example, if the
frequency is low, the device can sense further out. Conversely if
the frequency is high, the device can better sense closer in.
[0135] By adjusting an operating frequency of electromagnetic waves
(e.g., HE11 waves), e-fields of the electromagnetic waves can be
configured to extend substantially outside the transmission medium.
FIG. 16B depicts a wire having a radius of 1 cm and an insulation
radius of 1.5 cm with a dielectric constant of 2.25. As the
operating frequency of the electromagnetic waves (in this example
HE11 waves) is reduced, the e-fields extend outwardly expanding the
size of the wave mode. At certain operating frequencies (e.g., 3
GHz) the wave mode expansion can be substantially greater than the
diameter of the insulated wire and any obstructions that may be
present on the insulated wire. In these examples, the frequency
and/or mode for the electromagnetic waves 1550 can be selected so
that the e-fields of the electromagnetic waves extend substantially
above the transmission medium 1530 and are thus disturbed by
physical objects which are farther away from the transmission
medium. The adjustability of the frequency and/or mode for the
electromagnetic waves 1550 in system 1500 can provide for
adjustability to the sensitivity of proximity detection of the
physical object 1575, such as adjusting how far from the
transmission medium 1530 a physical object can be detected. In
another embodiment, one can track a position of an object by
iteratively changing the frequency and/or mode while trying to keep
the signal level constant.
[0136] In one embodiment, the first device 1502 can generate other
electromagnetic waves and can provide the other electromagnetic
waves at the physical interface of the transmission medium 1530.
The other electromagnetic waves can propagate without requiring the
electrical return path, where the other electromagnetic waves are
guided by the transmission medium 1530 to the receiver of the
second device 1504. The electromagnetic waves 1550 and the other
electromagnetic waves can have a different frequency and/or a
different mode. The selection of the frequency and/or mode for the
other (e.g., subsequent) electromagnetic waves in system 1500 can
provide for confirming an accuracy of the proximity detection of
the physical object 1575. For instance, the second device 1504 can
additionally determine a distance between the physical object 1575
and the transmission medium 1530 according to an analysis of a
change in a parameter of the other electromagnetic waves. The
detected parameter changes for the different electromagnetic waves
and/or the determined distances of the physical object can then be
compared to see if they match (e.g., match within an error
threshold). If there is a match then the proximity detection and
resulting distance determination can be confirmed as accurate.
[0137] In one or more embodiments, system 1500 can be utilized in
various environments where it is desired to provide proximity
detection of physical objects, including security systems, alarms,
power lines, electronic devices, and so forth. In one embodiment,
multiple transmission mediums including multiple receiving devices
can be utilized, such as to provide proximity detection over a
particular area. In one embodiment, the first and second devices
1502, 1504 can be a single device that includes and is physically
connected with a transmission medium. In one embodiment, the first
and second devices 1502, 1504 can be separate devices that are
coupled to an existing transmission medium to provide proximity
sensing. For instance, some types of objects (e.g., dry,
nonmetallic) do not perturb the electric field as intensely as a
water-laden hand or finger would, so categories of objects can be
differentiated by system 1500.
[0138] Turning now to FIG. 17, a flow diagram 1700 of an example,
non-limiting embodiment of a method, is shown. In particular, the
method 1700 is presented for use with one or more functions and
features presented in conjunction with FIGS. 1-16B for detecting
proximity of a physical object. At 1715, electromagnetic waves can
be generated and transmitted from a first device. For example, the
electromagnetic waves can be provided at a physical interface of a
transmission medium, where the electromagnetic waves propagate
without requiring an electrical return path, and where the
electromagnetic waves are guided by the transmission medium. The
transmission medium can be various types of transmission mediums
including insulated wires, non-insulated wires, flat surfaces,
other mediums described herein, and so forth. The particular
material(s) for the transmission medium can be selected to
facilitate the electromagnetic waves propagating without requiring
an electrical return path and being guided by the transmission
medium, such as a dielectric material. The electromagnetic waves
can be various types of waves having various characteristics, such
as described herein.
[0139] At 1730, a receiver of a second device can receive the
electromagnetic waves which are being guided by the transmission
medium and can determine whether the electromagnetic waves include
(or otherwise have been subjected to) a disturbance due to a
physical object being in proximity to the transmission medium. If
no disturbance is detected then method 1700 can continue monitoring
received electromagnetic waves. If on the other hand a disturbance
is detected then the second device at 1745 can provide an alert,
such as transmitting a message indicating the presence or proximity
of the physical object to the transmission medium.
[0140] The disturbance of the electromagnetic waves can be detected
based on various techniques. For example, a received signal
strength for the electromagnetic waves can be monitored by the
receiving device and can be compared with an expected signal
strength. Other parameter(s) of the electromagnetic waves can be
monitored and a change in the parameter(s) can be the basis of a
determination that a physical object is in proximity of the
transmission medium.
[0141] In one embodiment, a change in the parameter can be analyzed
to determine a distance between the physical object and the
transmission medium. In one embodiment, an amount of the change in
the parameter can be utilized to calculate the distance between the
physical object and the transmission medium. In one embodiment, the
analyzing can include a comparison to an expected parameter for the
electromagnetic waves. In one embodiment, the comparison can be
based on exceeding a threshold change to the electromagnetic waves.
In one embodiment, an estimation of velocity can be determined. For
example, a rate of change between field strength 1550 and 1550' can
yield an estimation of the velocity that the object is approaching
the transmission medium. As another example, one could infer
acceleration by differentiating the change of field strength.
[0142] In one embodiment, a detection of the physical object in
proximity to the transmission medium can be based on determining
that a change in a parameter of the electromagnetic waves is
greater than a threshold parameter change. In one embodiment,
multiple parameter changes can be detected to determine that the
physical object is in proximity to the transmission medium. In one
embodiment, phase change can be monitored in the received signal.
This example technique can be used in place of or in addition to
signal level monitoring.
[0143] In one embodiment, the disturbance of the electromagnetic
waves can be based on detecting that the electromagnetic waves are
no longer being received by the receiving device. In one
embodiment, the disturbance of the electromagnetic waves can be
based on detecting that a disturbance has resulted in the
electromagnetic waves being converted into modified or adjusted
electromagnetic waves, such as due to a parameter change.
[0144] In one embodiment, a detection of the physical object in
proximity to the transmission medium can be based on comparing a
first profile for the received electromagnetic waves with a second
profile for expected electromagnetic waves. The profiles can be
based on various characteristics of the electromagnetic waves
including various parameters or a combination of parameters, a
digital footprint of the waves, and so forth.
[0145] In one embodiment, method 1700 can utilize various different
electromagnetic waves (e.g., different types, different
frequencies, different modes, and so forth) for sensing different
distances and/or sensing different types of physical objects. In
one embodiment, method 1700 can transmit different electromagnetic
waves in series for sensing different distances and/or sensing
different types of physical objects.
[0146] Turning now to FIGS. 18 and 19, illustrated is a block
diagram illustrating an example, non-limiting embodiment of a
proximity sensor system 1800. In particular, system 1800 can detect
the proximity of a physical object (e.g., a user's finger 1575). In
one embodiment, system 1800 can be part of, or associated with, an
end user device, such as a display screen or a cover for a display
screen of a mobile phone, tablet, laptop computer, computer display
screen, television, a computing device that provides communication
services utilizing a transceiver, and so forth. System 1800 enables
detecting a physical object with or without the physical object
touching a transmission medium.
[0147] In one or more embodiments, system 1800 can include
transmitters 1802, 1902 and receivers 1804, 1904 coupled with a
transmission medium 1830. As an example, a first group of
transmitters 1802 and a first group of receivers 1804 can be
positioned on opposing ends of the transmission medium 1830 (e.g.,
different sides), while a second group of transmitters 1902 and a
second group of receivers 1904 are positioned on other opposing
ends or sides of the transmission medium (e.g., top and bottom
areas). In one embodiment, a number of the first group of
transmitters 1802 is equal to a number of the first group of
receivers 1804, and/or a number of the second group of transmitters
1902 is equal to a number of the second group of receivers 1904. In
one or more embodiments, other signal processing can be applied or
otherwise utilized to implement various types of sensing.
[0148] In one or more embodiments, each of the first group of
transmitters 1802 can generate a first electromagnetic wave 1850
resulting in a first group of electromagnetic waves, wherein each
of the first group of electromagnetic waves propagates along the
transmission medium (as shown by reference 1855) and is guided by
the transmission medium 1830 to a corresponding one of the first
group of receivers 1804. In one embodiment, the first group of
electromagnetic waves 1850 can be a same type of wave, such as a
Zenneck wave. In one embodiment, the first group of electromagnetic
waves 1850 can include different types of waves. In one embodiment,
the first group of electromagnetic waves 1850 can have a same
frequency. In one embodiment, the first group of electromagnetic
waves 1850 can include waves with different frequencies. In one
embodiment, the first group of electromagnetic waves 1850 can have
a same mode. In one embodiment, the first group of electromagnetic
waves 1850 can include waves with different modes.
[0149] In one or more embodiments, each of the second group of
transmitters 1902 can generate a second electromagnetic wave 1950
resulting in a second group of electromagnetic waves, wherein each
of the second group of electromagnetic waves propagates along the
transmission medium (as shown by reference 1955) and is guided by
the transmission medium 1830 to a corresponding one of the second
group of receivers 1904. In one embodiment, the second group of
electromagnetic waves 1950 can be a same type of wave, such as a
Zenneck wave. In one embodiment, the second group of
electromagnetic waves 1950 can include different types of waves. In
one embodiment, the second group of electromagnetic waves 1950 can
have a same frequency. In one embodiment, the second group of
electromagnetic waves 1950 can include waves with different
frequencies. In one embodiment, the second group of electromagnetic
waves 1950 can have a same mode. In one embodiment, the second
group of electromagnetic waves 1950 can include waves with
different modes. In one embodiment, the second group of
electromagnetic waves 1950 can include waves with different modes.
In one embodiment, at least some of the first group of transmitters
1802 can utilize different frequencies and/or at least some of the
second group of transmitters 1902 can utilize different
frequencies.
[0150] In one embodiment, the first group of electromagnetic waves
1850 propagates along the transmission medium 1830 orthogonally to
the second group of electromagnetic waves 1950. In one or more
embodiments, characteristics of the first and second groups of
electromagnetic waves 1850, 1950 can be different to reduce or
eliminate interference of waves that propagate and cross paths
along the transmission medium 1830. In one embodiment, the first
group of electromagnetic waves 1850 can have a first frequency that
is different from a second frequency of the second group of
electromagnetic waves 1950. In one embodiment, the first group of
electromagnetic waves 1850 can have a first mode that is different
from a second mode of the second group of electromagnetic waves
1950. In one embodiment, a combination of different frequencies and
different modes can be utilized to reduce or eliminate interference
between the first and second groups of electromagnetic waves 1850,
1950 that propagate and cross paths along the transmission medium
1830.
[0151] To facilitate propagation of electromagnetic waves and
guiding a particular wave from a transmitter to a corresponding
receiver, the transmission medium 1830 can be made from various
material(s), including dielectric material(s). In one embodiment,
the transmission medium 1830 can be made from a same material
throughout. In another embodiment, the transmission medium 1830 can
be made from different materials along different portions of the
transmission mediums, such as dielectric strips that facilitate
guiding the electromagnetic waves between the transmitters and
corresponding receivers. In one embodiment, the transmission medium
1830 can be transparent (e.g., glass) and/or can function as a
display or cover, such as for a communication device. In one
embodiment, the transmission medium 1830 can be smooth, such as for
a touch display screen. Various other components can be coupled to,
or utilized with, the transmission medium 1830, such as to provide
display screen functionality including presenting graphics at the
transmission medium.
[0152] In one embodiment, a first receiver 1804A of the first group
of receivers 1804 can detect a first disturbance in one of the
first group of electromagnetic waves (as shown by reference 1850A).
A second receiver 1904A of the second group of receivers 1904 can
detect a second disturbance in one of the second group of
electromagnetic waves (as shown by reference 1950A). A position
1875 of a physical object (e.g., a finger or stylus) in proximity
to the transmission medium 1830 (which is causing the disturbances
in the propagating waves) can then be determined according to
locations of the first and second receivers 1804A, 1904A with
respect to the transmission medium 1830. Referring to FIG. 20, in
one embodiment the transmitters 1802, 1902 and receivers 1804, 1904
can be arranged in a pattern to form a grid pattern 2050. Any
number of transmitters and/or receivers can be utilized and the
size, shape or pattern of the resulting grid can vary.
[0153] In one embodiment, transmission medium 1830 can correspond
to a touch sensitive screen (e.g., a keyboard) which presents one
or more graphical symbols. The detection of the physical object in
proximity to the transmission medium 1830 can correspond to a user
touching or placing his or her finger or stylus in proximity to a
particular graphical symbol being displayed on the transmission
medium. In one embodiment, velocity and/or proximity sensing
function can be utilized to emulate virtual musical instruments,
such as a piano, guitar, and so forth.
[0154] In one embodiment, detection of the first disturbance is
based on the one of the first group of electromagnetic waves not
being received by the first receiver 1804A, and/or detection of the
second disturbance is based on the one of the second group of
electromagnetic waves not being received by the second receiver
1904A. In one embodiment, detection of the first disturbance is
based on determining a first parameter change for the one of the
first group of electromagnetic waves, and/or detection of the
second disturbance is based on determining a second parameter
change for the one of the second group of electromagnetic waves.
The parameter that has changed can be various parameters including
received signal strength.
[0155] System 1800 is illustrated utilizing transmitters and
receivers that are positioned on opposing ends of the transmission
medium. However, in one or more embodiments, the proximity
detection can be based on reflected waves. As an example, pairs of
transmitters and receivers can be co-located at a point in the
transmission medium. In this example, proximity detection can be
based on monitoring reflected waves, including receiving a
reflected wave received at a particular location along the
transmission medium or determining a change in a parameter(s) of
received reflected waves at the particular location. For instance,
the proximity of the physical object may generate a reflected wave
that is received by a receiver that is co-located or otherwise in
proximity to a transmitter which transmitted the electromagnetic
wave or the proximity of the physical object may cause a change to
one or more parameters of a reflected wave that is received by the
receiver that is co-located or otherwise in proximity to the
transmitter which transmitted the electromagnetic wave. Continuing
with this example, the transmitter/receiver pairs can be located
along adjacent side or ends of the transmission medium, such as
along a top and left side of the transmission medium to account for
X, Y coordinates for the proximity location. In these examples, the
reflected wave can be analyzed to detect a proximity distance,
velocity, object category and so forth as described herein with
respect to other embodiments. In one embodiment, a combination of
reflected waves and propagating waves (analyzed by a receiver
positioned on an opposing end of the transmission medium) can be
analyzed to perform the proximity techniques described herein.
[0156] Turning now to FIG. 21, a flow diagram of an example,
non-limiting embodiment of a method 2100, is shown. In particular,
the method 2100 is presented for use with one or more functions and
features presented in conjunction with FIGS. 1-20 for detecting
proximity of a physical object, such as a finger or stylus. At
2115, a first group of electromagnetic waves can be generated. For
example, each of a first group of transmitters of a communication
device can generate a first electromagnetic wave resulting in the
first group of electromagnetic waves. In one embodiment, each of
the first group of electromagnetic waves propagates along a
transmission medium (e.g., a display screen) of the communication
device and is guided by the transmission medium to a corresponding
one of a first group of receivers of the communication device.
[0157] At 2130, a second group of electromagnetic waves can be
generated. For example, each of a second group of transmitters of
the communication device can generate a second electromagnetic wave
resulting in the second group of electromagnetic waves. In one
embodiment, each of the second group of electromagnetic waves
propagates along the transmission medium (e.g., a display screen)
of the communication device and is guided by the transmission
medium to a corresponding one of a second group of receivers of the
communication device. The first and second groups of
electromagnetic waves can propagate so as to cross paths, such as
in a grid pattern.
[0158] At 2145, disturbances in the electromagnetic waves can be
monitored and detected. As an example, a first receiver of the
first group of receivers can detect a first disturbance in one of
the first group of electromagnetic waves, and a second receiver of
the second group of receivers can detect a second disturbance in
one of the second group of electromagnetic waves. In one
embodiment, the first and second disturbances can be detected at
the same time or in temporal proximity to each other. In one
embodiment, the first and/or second disturbances can be detected
based on the electromagnetic wave(s) not being received by the
particular first or second receiver. In another embodiment, the
first and/or second disturbances can be detected based on detecting
a parameter change associated with the electromagnetic wave(s),
such as a decrease in received signal strength.
[0159] If no disturbances are detected (e.g., within a threshold
range or of a particular type of disturbance) then method 2100 can
return to 2115 and continue propagating the first and second groups
of electromagnetic waves. If on the other hand disturbances are
detected then at 2160 a position of a physical object (e.g., a
finger or stylus) can be determined which is in proximity to the
transmission medium. The location determination can be based on
locations of the first and second receivers with respect to the
transmission medium. For example, a crossing point of first and
second wave paths of the first and second receivers can be utilized
to determine the location of the physical object with respect to
the transmission medium. In one embodiment, the groups of
transmitters and receivers positioned along the top, bottom and
sides, respectively, can be utilized to determine X and Y
coordinates, such as a grid pattern. The location of the second
receiver (along the side of the transmission medium) can denote the
X coordinate of the physical object and the location of the first
receiver (along the bottom of the transmission medium) can denote
the Y coordinate of the physical object. In one embodiment, the
first group of electromagnetic waves has one of a first frequency,
a first mode or a combination thereof that is different from one of
a second frequency, a second mode or a combination thereof of the
second group of electromagnetic waves. In one embodiment, immersion
in water can be detected based on wave disturbance and the
communication device can automatically shut down to avoid damage.
In another embodiment, the rate at which the electromagnetic waves
are generated can be adjusted or selected based on various factors,
such as predicting a speed with which a user will be pressing
display symbols. In yet another embodiment, the particular waves
and/or their parameters can be selected or adjusted based on a
number of factors, such as utilizing waves that extend above or
beyond the transmission medium by a particular distance so as to
control the proximity detection threshold. In one or more
embodiments, the adjustability of wave types, wave parameters,
and/or wave generation rates can be based on user input, such as a
user selecting various options to configure how close a finger must
be to trigger a disturbance.
[0160] Referring now to FIG. 22, there is illustrated a block
diagram of a computing environment in accordance with various
aspects described herein. In order to provide additional context
for various embodiments of the embodiments described herein, FIG.
22 and the following discussion are intended to provide a brief,
general description of a suitable computing environment 2200 in
which the various embodiments of the subject disclosure can be
implemented. While the embodiments have been described above in the
general context of computer-executable instructions that can run on
one or more computers, those skilled in the art will recognize that
the embodiments can be also implemented in combination with other
program modules and/or as a combination of hardware and
software.
[0161] Generally, program modules comprise routines, programs,
components, data structures, etc., that perform particular tasks or
implement particular abstract data types. Moreover, those skilled
in the art will appreciate that the inventive methods can be
practiced with other computer system configurations, comprising
single-processor or multiprocessor computer systems, minicomputers,
mainframe computers, as well as personal computers, hand-held
computing devices, microprocessor-based or programmable consumer
electronics, and the like, each of which can be operatively coupled
to one or more associated devices.
[0162] As used herein, a processing circuit includes processor as
well as other application specific circuits such as an application
specific integrated circuit, digital logic circuit, state machine,
programmable gate array or other circuit that processes input
signals or data and that produces output signals or data in
response thereto. It should be noted that while any functions and
features described herein in association with the operation of a
processor could likewise be performed by a processing circuit.
[0163] The terms "first," "second," "third," and so forth, as used
in the claims, unless otherwise clear by context, is for clarity
only and doesn't otherwise indicate or imply any order in time. For
instance, "a first determination," "a second determination," and "a
third determination," does not indicate or imply that the first
determination is to be made before the second determination, or
vice versa, etc.
[0164] The illustrated embodiments of the embodiments herein can be
also 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.
[0165] Computing devices typically comprise a variety of media,
which can comprise computer-readable storage media and/or
communications media, which two terms are used herein differently
from one another as follows. Computer-readable storage media can be
any available storage media that can be accessed by the computer
and comprises both volatile and nonvolatile media, removable and
non-removable media. By way of example, and not limitation,
computer-readable storage media can be implemented in connection
with any method or technology for storage of information such as
computer-readable instructions, program modules, structured data or
unstructured data.
[0166] Computer-readable storage media can comprise, 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, magnetic cassettes, magnetic tape, magnetic disk storage
or other magnetic storage devices or other tangible and/or
non-transitory media which can be used to store desired
information. In this regard, the terms "tangible" or
"non-transitory" herein as applied to storage, memory or
computer-readable media, are to be understood to exclude only
propagating transitory signals per se as modifiers and do not
relinquish rights to all standard storage, memory or
computer-readable media that are not only propagating transitory
signals per se.
[0167] Computer-readable storage media can be accessed by one or
more local or remote computing devices, e.g., via access requests,
queries or other data retrieval protocols, for a variety of
operations with respect to the information stored by the
medium.
[0168] Communications media typically embody computer-readable
instructions, data structures, program modules or other structured
or unstructured data in a data signal such as a modulated data
signal, e.g., a carrier wave or other transport mechanism, and
comprises any information delivery or transport media. The term
"modulated data signal" or signals refers to a signal that has one
or more of its characteristics set or changed in such a manner as
to encode information in one or more signals. By way of example,
and not limitation, communication media comprise wired media, such
as a wired network or direct-wired connection, and wireless media
such as acoustic, RF, infrared and other wireless media.
[0169] With reference again to FIG. 22, the example environment
2200 for transmitting and receiving signals via or forming at least
part of a base station (e.g., base station devices, macrocell site)
or central office. At least a portion of the example environment
2200 can also be used for transmission devices 101 or 102. The
example environment can comprise a computer 2202, the computer 2202
comprising a processing unit 2204, a system memory 2206 and a
system bus 2208. The system bus 2208 couples system components
including, but not limited to, the system memory 2206 to the
processing unit 2204. The processing unit 2204 can be any of
various commercially available processors. Dual microprocessors and
other multiprocessor architectures can also be employed as the
processing unit 2204.
[0170] The system bus 2208 can be any of several types of bus
structure that can further interconnect 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.
The system memory 2206 comprises ROM 2210 and RAM 2212. A basic
input/output system (BIOS) can be stored in a non-volatile memory
such as ROM, erasable programmable read only memory (EPROM),
EEPROM, which BIOS contains the basic routines that help to
transfer information between elements within the computer 2202,
such as during startup. The RAM 2212 can also comprise a high-speed
RAM such as static RAM for caching data.
[0171] The computer 2202 further comprises an internal hard disk
drive (HDD) 2214 (e.g., EIDE, SATA), which internal hard disk drive
2214 can also be configured for external use in a suitable chassis
(not shown), a magnetic floppy disk drive (FDD) 2216, (e.g., to
read from or write to a removable diskette 2218) and an optical
disk drive 2220, (e.g., reading a CD-ROM disk 2222 or, to read from
or write to other high capacity optical media such as the DVD). The
hard disk drive 2214, magnetic disk drive 2216 and optical disk
drive 2220 can be connected to the system bus 2208 by a hard disk
drive interface 2224, a magnetic disk drive interface 2226 and an
optical drive interface 2228, respectively. The interface 2224 for
external drive implementations comprises at least one or both of
Universal Serial Bus (USB) and Institute of Electrical and
Electronics Engineers (IEEE) 1394 interface technologies. Other
external drive connection technologies are within contemplation of
the embodiments described herein.
[0172] The drives and their associated computer-readable storage
media provide nonvolatile storage of data, data structures,
computer-executable instructions, and so forth. For the computer
2202, the drives and storage media accommodate the storage of any
data in a suitable digital format. Although the description of
computer-readable storage media above refers to a hard disk drive
(HDD), a removable magnetic diskette, and a removable optical media
such as a CD or DVD, it should be appreciated by those skilled in
the art that other types of storage media which are readable by a
computer, such as zip drives, magnetic cassettes, flash memory
cards, cartridges, and the like, can also be used in the example
operating environment, and further, that any such storage media can
contain computer-executable instructions for performing the methods
described herein.
[0173] A number of program modules can be stored in the drives and
RAM 2212, comprising an operating system 2230, one or more
application programs 2232, other program modules 2234 and program
data 2236. All or portions of the operating system, applications,
modules, and/or data can also be cached in the RAM 2212. The
systems and methods described herein can be implemented utilizing
various commercially available operating systems or combinations of
operating systems. Examples of application programs 2232 that can
be implemented and otherwise executed by processing unit 2204
include the diversity selection determining performed by
transmission device 101 or 102.
[0174] A user can enter commands and information into the computer
2202 through one or more wired/wireless input devices, e.g., a
keyboard 2238 and a pointing device, such as a mouse 2240. Other
input devices (not shown) can comprise a microphone, an infrared
(IR) remote control, a joystick, a game pad, a stylus pen, touch
screen or the like. These and other input devices are often
connected to the processing unit 2204 through an input device
interface 2242 that can be coupled to the system bus 2208, but can
be connected by other interfaces, such as a parallel port, an IEEE
1394 serial port, a game port, a universal serial bus (USB) port,
an IR interface, etc.
[0175] A monitor 2244 or other type of display device can be also
connected to the system bus 2208 via an interface, such as a video
adapter 2246. It will also be appreciated that in alternative
embodiments, a monitor 2244 can also be any display device (e.g.,
another computer having a display, a smart phone, a tablet
computer, etc.) for receiving display information associated with
computer 2202 via any communication means, including via the
Internet and cloud-based networks. In addition to the monitor 2244,
a computer typically comprises other peripheral output devices (not
shown), such as speakers, printers, etc.
[0176] The computer 2202 can operate in a networked environment
using logical connections via wired and/or wireless communications
to one or more remote computers, such as a remote computer(s) 2248.
The remote computer(s) 2248 can be a workstation, a server
computer, a router, a personal computer, portable computer,
microprocessor-based entertainment appliance, a peer device or
other common network node, and typically comprises many or all of
the elements described relative to the computer 2202, although, for
purposes of brevity, only a memory/storage device 2250 is
illustrated. The logical connections depicted comprise
wired/wireless connectivity to a local area network (LAN) 2252
and/or larger networks, e.g., a wide area network (WAN) 2254. Such
LAN and WAN networking environments are commonplace in offices and
companies, and facilitate enterprise-wide computer networks, such
as intranets, all of which can connect to a global communications
network, e.g., the Internet.
[0177] When used in a LAN networking environment, the computer 2202
can be connected to the local network 2252 through a wired and/or
wireless communication network interface or adapter 2256. The
adapter 2256 can facilitate wired or wireless communication to the
LAN 2252, which can also comprise a wireless AP disposed thereon
for communicating with the wireless adapter 2256.
[0178] When used in a WAN networking environment, the computer 2202
can comprise a modem 2258 or can be connected to a communications
server on the WAN 2254 or has other means for establishing
communications over the WAN 2254, such as by way of the Internet.
The modem 2258, which can be internal or external and a wired or
wireless device, can be connected to the system bus 2208 via the
input device interface 2242. In a networked environment, program
modules depicted relative to the computer 2202 or portions thereof,
can be stored in the remote memory/storage device 2250. It will be
appreciated that the network connections shown are example and
other means of establishing a communications link between the
computers can be used.
[0179] The computer 2202 can be operable to communicate with any
wireless devices or entities operatively disposed in wireless
communication, e.g., a printer, scanner, desktop and/or portable
computer, portable data assistant, communications satellite, any
piece of equipment or location associated with a wirelessly
detectable tag (e.g., a kiosk, news stand, restroom), and
telephone. This can comprise Wireless Fidelity (Wi-Fi) and
BLUETOOTH.RTM. wireless technologies. Thus, the communication can
be a predefined structure as with a conventional network or simply
an ad hoc communication between at least two devices.
[0180] Wi-Fi can allow connection to the Internet from a couch at
home, a bed in a hotel room or a conference room at work, without
wires. Wi-Fi is a wireless technology similar to that used in a
cell phone that enables such devices, e.g., computers, to send and
receive data indoors and out; anywhere within the range of a base
station. Wi-Fi networks use radio technologies called IEEE 802.11
(a, b, g, n, ac, ag etc.) to provide secure, reliable, fast
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). Wi-Fi networks operate in
the unlicensed 2.4 and 5 GHz radio bands for example or with
products that contain both bands (dual band), so the networks can
provide real-world performance similar to the basic 10BaseT wired
Ethernet networks used in many offices.
[0181] FIG. 23 presents an example embodiment 2300 of a mobile
network platform 2310 that can implement and exploit one or more
aspects of the disclosed subject matter described herein. In one or
more embodiments, the mobile network platform 2310 can generate and
receive signals transmitted and received by base stations (e.g.,
base station devices, macrocell site), central office, or
transmission device 101 or 102 associated with the disclosed
subject matter. Generally, wireless network platform 2310 can
comprise components, e.g., nodes, gateways, interfaces, servers, or
disparate platforms, that facilitate both packet-switched (PS)
(e.g., internet protocol (IP), frame relay, asynchronous transfer
mode (ATM)) and circuit-switched (CS) traffic (e.g., voice and
data), as well as control generation for networked wireless
telecommunication. As a non-limiting example, wireless network
platform 2310 can be included in telecommunications carrier
networks, and can be considered carrier-side components as
discussed elsewhere herein. Mobile network platform 2310 comprises
CS gateway node(s) 2312 which can interface CS traffic received
from legacy networks like telephony network(s) 2340 (e.g., public
switched telephone network (PSTN), or public land mobile network
(PLMN)) or a signaling system #7 (SS7) network 2370. Circuit
switched gateway node(s) 2312 can authorize and authenticate
traffic (e.g., voice) arising from such networks. Additionally, CS
gateway node(s) 2312 can access mobility, or roaming, data
generated through SS7 network 2370; for instance, mobility data
stored in a visited location register (VLR), which can reside in
memory 2330. Moreover, CS gateway node(s) 2312 interfaces CS-based
traffic and signaling and PS gateway node(s) 2318. As an example,
in a 3GPP UMTS network, CS gateway node(s) 2312 can be realized at
least in part in gateway GPRS support node(s) (GGSN). It should be
appreciated that functionality and specific operation of CS gateway
node(s) 2312, PS gateway node(s) 2318, and serving node(s) 2316, is
provided and dictated by radio technology(ies) utilized by mobile
network platform 2310 for telecommunication.
[0182] In addition to receiving and processing CS-switched traffic
and signaling, PS gateway node(s) 2318 can authorize and
authenticate PS-based data sessions with served mobile devices.
Data sessions can comprise traffic, or content(s), exchanged with
networks external to the wireless network platform 2310, like wide
area network(s) (WANs) 2350, enterprise network(s) 2370, and
service network(s) 2380, which can be embodied in local area
network(s) (LANs), can also be interfaced with mobile network
platform 2310 through PS gateway node(s) 2318. It is to be noted
that WANs 2350 and enterprise network(s) 2360 can embody, at least
in part, a service network(s) like IP multimedia subsystem (IMS).
Based on radio technology layer(s) available in technology
resource(s) 2317, packet-switched gateway node(s) 2318 can generate
packet data protocol contexts when a data session is established;
other data structures that facilitate routing of packetized data
also can be generated. To that end, in an aspect, PS gateway
node(s) 2318 can comprise a tunnel interface (e.g., tunnel
termination gateway (TTG) in 3GPP UMTS network(s) (not shown))
which can facilitate packetized communication with disparate
wireless network(s), such as Wi-Fi networks.
[0183] In embodiment 2300, wireless network platform 2310 also
comprises serving node(s) 2316 that, based upon available radio
technology layer(s) within technology resource(s) 2317, convey the
various packetized flows of data streams received through PS
gateway node(s) 2318. It is to be noted that for technology
resource(s) 2317 that rely primarily on CS communication, server
node(s) can deliver traffic without reliance on PS gateway node(s)
2318; for example, server node(s) can embody at least in part a
mobile switching center. As an example, in a 3GPP UMTS network,
serving node(s) 2316 can be embodied in serving GPRS support
node(s) (SGSN).
[0184] For radio technologies that exploit packetized
communication, server(s) 2314 in wireless network platform 2310 can
execute numerous applications that can generate multiple disparate
packetized data streams or flows, and manage (e.g., schedule,
queue, format . . . ) such flows. Such application(s) can comprise
add-on features to standard services (for example, provisioning,
billing, customer support . . . ) provided by wireless network
platform 2310. Data streams (e.g., content(s) that are part of a
voice call or data session) can be conveyed to PS gateway node(s)
2318 for authorization/authentication and initiation of a data
session, and to serving node(s) 2316 for communication thereafter.
In addition to application server, server(s) 2314 can comprise
utility server(s), a utility server can comprise a provisioning
server, an operations and maintenance server, a security server
that can implement at least in part a certificate authority and
firewalls as well as other security mechanisms, and the like. In an
aspect, security server(s) secure communication served through
wireless network platform 2310 to ensure network's operation and
data integrity in addition to authorization and authentication
procedures that CS gateway node(s) 2312 and PS gateway node(s) 2318
can enact. Moreover, provisioning server(s) can provision services
from external network(s) like networks operated by a disparate
service provider; for instance, WAN 2350 or Global Positioning
System (GPS) network(s) (not shown). Provisioning server(s) can
also provision coverage through networks associated to wireless
network platform 2310 (e.g., deployed and operated by the same
service provider), such as the distributed antennas networks shown
in FIG. 1(s) that enhance wireless service coverage by providing
more network coverage. Repeater devices can also improve network
coverage in order to enhance subscriber service experience by way
of UE 2375.
[0185] It is to be noted that server(s) 2314 can comprise one or
more processors configured to confer at least in part the
functionality of macro network platform 2310. To that end, the one
or more processor can execute code instructions stored in memory
2330, for example. It is should be appreciated that server(s) 2314
can comprise a content manager 2315, which operates in
substantially the same manner as described hereinbefore.
[0186] In example embodiment 2300, memory 2330 can store
information related to operation of wireless network platform 2310.
Other operational information can comprise provisioning information
of mobile devices served through wireless platform network 2310,
subscriber databases; application intelligence, pricing schemes,
e.g., promotional rates, flat-rate programs, couponing campaigns;
technical specification(s) consistent with telecommunication
protocols for operation of disparate radio, or wireless, technology
layers; and so forth. Memory 2330 can also store information from
at least one of telephony network(s) 2340, WAN 2350, enterprise
network(s) 2370, or SS7 network 2360. In an aspect, memory 2330 can
be, for example, accessed as part of a data store component or as a
remotely connected memory store.
[0187] In order to provide a context for the various aspects of the
disclosed subject matter, FIG. 23, and the following discussion,
are intended to provide a brief, general description of a suitable
environment in which the various aspects of the disclosed subject
matter can be implemented. While the subject matter has been
described above in the general context of computer-executable
instructions of a computer program that runs on a computer and/or
computers, those skilled in the art will recognize that the
disclosed subject matter also can be implemented in combination
with other program modules. Generally, program modules comprise
routines, programs, components, data structures, etc. that perform
particular tasks and/or implement particular abstract data
types.
[0188] FIG. 24 depicts an illustrative embodiment of a
communication device 2400. The communication device 2400 can serve
as an illustrative embodiment of devices such as mobile devices and
in-building devices referred to by the subject disclosure).
[0189] The communication device 2400 can comprise a wireline and/or
wireless transceiver 2402 (herein transceiver 2402), a user
interface (UI) 2404, a power supply 2414, a location receiver 2416,
a motion sensor 2418, an orientation sensor 2420, and a controller
2406 for managing operations thereof. The transceiver 2402 can
support short-range or long-range wireless access technologies such
as Bluetooth.RTM., ZigBee.RTM., WiFi, DECT, or cellular
communication technologies, just to mention a few (Bluetooth.RTM.
and ZigBee.RTM. are trademarks registered by the Bluetooth.RTM.
Special Interest Group and the ZigBee.RTM. Alliance, respectively).
Cellular technologies can include, for example, CDMA-1.times.,
UMTS/HSDPA, GSM/GPRS, TDMA/EDGE, EV/DO, WiMAX, SDR, LTE, as well as
other next generation wireless communication technologies as they
arise. The transceiver 2402 can also be adapted to support
circuit-switched wireline access technologies (such as PSTN),
packet-switched wireline access technologies (such as TCP/IP, VoIP,
etc.), and combinations thereof.
[0190] The UI 2404 can include a depressible or touch-sensitive
keypad 2408 with a navigation mechanism such as a roller ball, a
joystick, a mouse, or a navigation disk for manipulating operations
of the communication device 2400. The keypad 2408 can be an
integral part of a housing assembly of the communication device
2400 or an independent device operably coupled thereto by a
tethered wireline interface (such as a USB cable) or a wireless
interface supporting for example Bluetooth.RTM.. The keypad 2408
can represent a numeric keypad commonly used by phones, and/or a
QWERTY keypad with alphanumeric keys. The UI 2404 can further
include a display 2410 such as monochrome or color LCD (Liquid
Crystal Display), OLED (Organic Light Emitting Diode) or other
suitable display technology for conveying images to an end user of
the communication device 2400. In an embodiment where the display
2410 is touch-sensitive, a portion or all of the keypad 2408 can be
presented by way of the display 2410 with navigation features.
[0191] The display 2410 can use touch screen technology to also
serve as a user interface for detecting user input. As a touch
screen display, the communication device 2400 can be adapted to
present a user interface having graphical user interface (GUI)
elements that can be selected by a user with a touch of a finger.
The touch screen display 2410 can be equipped with capacitive,
resistive or other forms of sensing technology to detect how much
surface area of a user's finger has been placed on a portion of the
touch screen display. This sensing information can be used to
control the manipulation of the GUI elements or other functions of
the user interface. The display 2410 can be an integral part of the
housing assembly of the communication device 2400 or an independent
device communicatively coupled thereto by a tethered wireline
interface (such as a cable) or a wireless interface.
[0192] The UI 2404 can also include an audio system 2412 that
utilizes audio technology for conveying low volume audio (such as
audio heard in proximity of a human ear) and high volume audio
(such as speakerphone for hands free operation). The audio system
2412 can further include a microphone for receiving audible signals
of an end user. The audio system 2412 can also be used for voice
recognition applications. The UI 2404 can further include an image
sensor 2413 such as a charged coupled device (CCD) camera for
capturing still or moving images.
[0193] The power supply 2414 can utilize common power management
technologies such as replaceable and rechargeable batteries, supply
regulation technologies, and/or charging system technologies for
supplying energy to the components of the communication device 2400
to facilitate long-range or short-range portable communications.
Alternatively, or in combination, the charging system can utilize
external power sources such as DC power supplied over a physical
interface such as a USB port or other suitable tethering
technologies.
[0194] The location receiver 2416 can utilize location technology
such as a global positioning system (GPS) receiver capable of
assisted GPS for identifying a location of the communication device
2400 based on signals generated by a constellation of GPS
satellites, which can be used for facilitating location services
such as navigation. The motion sensor 2418 can utilize motion
sensing technology such as an accelerometer, a gyroscope, or other
suitable motion sensing technology to detect motion of the
communication device 2400 in three-dimensional space. The
orientation sensor 2420 can utilize orientation sensing technology
such as a magnetometer to detect the orientation of the
communication device 2400 (north, south, west, and east, as well as
combined orientations in degrees, minutes, or other suitable
orientation metrics).
[0195] The communication device 2400 can use the transceiver 2402
to also determine a proximity to a cellular, WiFi, Bluetooth.RTM.,
or other wireless access points by sensing techniques such as
utilizing a received signal strength indicator (RSSI) and/or signal
time of arrival (TOA) or time of flight (TOF) measurements. The
controller 2406 can utilize computing technologies such as a
microprocessor, a digital signal processor (DSP), programmable gate
arrays, application specific integrated circuits, and/or a video
processor with associated storage memory such as Flash, ROM, RAM,
SRAM, DRAM or other storage technologies for executing computer
instructions, controlling, and processing data supplied by the
aforementioned components of the communication device 2400.
[0196] Other components not shown in FIG. 24 can be used in one or
more embodiments of the subject disclosure. For instance, the
communication device 2400 can include a slot for adding or removing
an identity module such as a Subscriber Identity Module (SIM) card
or Universal Integrated Circuit Card (UICC). SIM or UICC cards can
be used for identifying subscriber services, executing programs,
storing subscriber data, and so on.
[0197] In the subject specification, terms such as "store,"
"storage," "data store," data storage," "database," and
substantially any other information storage component relevant to
operation and functionality of a component, refer to "memory
components," or entities embodied in a "memory" or components
comprising the memory. It will be appreciated that the memory
components described herein can be either volatile memory or
nonvolatile memory, or can comprise both volatile and nonvolatile
memory, by way of illustration, and not limitation, volatile
memory, non-volatile memory, disk storage, and memory storage.
Further, nonvolatile 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 comprise random access memory (RAM), which acts
as external cache memory. By way of illustration and not
limitation, RAM is available in many forms such as synchronous RAM
(SRAM), dynamic RAM (DRAM), synchronous DRAM (SDRAM), double data
rate SDRAM (DDR SDRAM), enhanced SDRAM (ESDRAM), Synchlink DRAM
(SLDRAM), and direct Rambus RAM (DRRAM). Additionally, the
disclosed memory components of systems or methods herein are
intended to comprise, without being limited to comprising, these
and any other suitable types of memory.
[0198] Moreover, it will be noted that the disclosed subject matter
can be practiced with other computer system configurations,
comprising single-processor or multiprocessor computer systems,
mini-computing devices, mainframe computers, as well as personal
computers, hand-held computing devices (e.g., PDA, phone,
smartphone, watch, tablet computers, netbook computers, etc.),
microprocessor-based or programmable consumer or industrial
electronics, and the like. The illustrated aspects can also be
practiced in distributed computing environments where tasks are
performed by remote processing devices that are linked through a
communications network; however, some if not all aspects of the
subject 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.
[0199] Some of the embodiments described herein can also employ
artificial intelligence (AI) to facilitate automating one or more
features described herein. For example, artificial intelligence can
be used in optional training controller 230 evaluate and select
candidate frequencies, modulation schemes, MIMO modes, and/or
guided wave modes in order to maximize transfer efficiency. The
embodiments (e.g., in connection with automatically identifying
acquired cell sites that provide a maximum value/benefit after
addition to an existing communication network) can employ various
AI-based schemes for carrying out various embodiments thereof.
Moreover, the classifier can be employed to determine a ranking or
priority of the each cell site of the acquired network. A
classifier is a function that maps an input attribute vector,
x=(x1, x2, x3, x4, . . . , xn), to a confidence that the input
belongs to a class, that is, f(x)=confidence (class). Such
classification can employ a probabilistic and/or statistical-based
analysis (e.g., factoring into the analysis utilities and costs) to
prognose or infer an action that a user desires to be automatically
performed. A support vector machine (SVM) is an example of a
classifier that can be employed. The SVM operates by finding a
hypersurface in the space of possible inputs, which the
hypersurface attempts to split the triggering criteria from the
non-triggering events. Intuitively, this makes the classification
correct for testing data that is near, but not identical to
training data. Other directed and undirected model classification
approaches comprise, e.g., naive Bayes, Bayesian networks, decision
trees, neural networks, fuzzy logic models, and probabilistic
classification models providing different patterns of independence
can be employed. Classification as used herein also is inclusive of
statistical regression that is utilized to develop models of
priority.
[0200] As will be readily appreciated, one or more of the
embodiments can employ classifiers that are explicitly trained
(e.g., via a generic training data) as well as implicitly trained
(e.g., via observing UE behavior, operator preferences, historical
information, receiving extrinsic information). For example, SVMs
can be configured via a learning or training phase within a
classifier constructor and feature selection module. Thus, the
classifier(s) can be used to automatically learn and perform a
number of functions, including but not limited to determining
according to a predetermined criteria which of the acquired cell
sites will benefit a maximum number of subscribers and/or which of
the acquired cell sites will add minimum value to the existing
communication network coverage, etc.
[0201] As used in some contexts in this application, in some
embodiments, the terms "component," "system" and the like are
intended to refer to, or comprise, a computer-related entity or an
entity related to an operational apparatus with one or more
specific functionalities, wherein the entity can be either
hardware, a combination of hardware and software, software, or
software in execution. As an example, a component may be, but is
not limited to being, a process running on a processor, a
processor, an object, an executable, a thread of execution,
computer-executable instructions, 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 a component may be localized on one computer and/or distributed
between two or more computers. In addition, these components can
execute from various computer readable media having various data
structures stored thereon. The components may communicate via local
and/or remote processes such as in accordance with a signal having
one or more data packets (e.g., data from one component interacting
with another component in a local system, distributed system,
and/or across a network such as the Internet with other systems via
the signal). As another example, a component can be an apparatus
with specific functionality provided by mechanical parts operated
by electric or electronic circuitry, which is operated by a
software or firmware application executed by a processor, wherein
the processor can be internal or external to the apparatus and
executes at least a part of the software or firmware application.
As yet another example, a component can be an apparatus that
provides specific functionality through electronic components
without mechanical parts, the electronic components can comprise a
processor therein to execute software or firmware that confers at
least in part the functionality of the electronic components. While
various components have been illustrated as separate components, it
will be appreciated that multiple components can be implemented as
a single component, or a single component can be implemented as
multiple components, without departing from example
embodiments.
[0202] Further, the various embodiments can be implemented as a
method, apparatus or article of manufacture using standard
programming and/or engineering techniques to produce software,
firmware, hardware or any combination thereof to control a computer
to implement the disclosed subject matter. The term "article of
manufacture" as used herein is intended to encompass a computer
program accessible from any computer-readable device or
computer-readable storage/communications media. For example,
computer readable storage media can include, but are not limited
to, magnetic storage devices (e.g., hard disk, floppy disk,
magnetic strips), optical disks (e.g., compact disk (CD), digital
versatile disk (DVD)), smart cards, and flash memory devices (e.g.,
card, stick, key drive). Of course, those skilled in the art will
recognize many modifications can be made to this configuration
without departing from the scope or spirit of the various
embodiments.
[0203] In addition, the words "example" and "exemplary" are used
herein to mean serving as an instance 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 exemplary is intended to present concepts in a concrete fashion.
As used in this application, the term "or" is intended to mean an
inclusive "or" rather than an exclusive "or". That is, unless
specified otherwise or clear from context, "X employs A or B" is
intended to mean any of the natural inclusive permutations. That
is, if X employs A; X employs B; or X employs both A and B, then "X
employs A or B" is satisfied under any of the foregoing instances.
In addition, the articles "a" and "an" as used in this application
and the appended claims should generally be construed to mean "one
or more" unless specified otherwise or clear from context to be
directed to a singular form.
[0204] Moreover, terms such as "user equipment," "mobile station,"
"mobile," subscriber station," "access terminal," "terminal,"
"handset," "mobile device" (and/or terms representing similar
terminology) can refer to a wireless device utilized by a
subscriber or user of a wireless communication service to receive
or convey data, control, voice, video, sound, gaming or
substantially any data-stream or signaling-stream. The foregoing
terms are utilized interchangeably herein and with reference to the
related drawings.
[0205] Furthermore, the terms "user," "subscriber," "customer,"
"consumer" and the like are employed interchangeably throughout,
unless context warrants particular distinctions among the terms. It
should be appreciated that such terms can refer to human entities
or automated components supported through artificial intelligence
(e.g., a capacity to make inference based, at least, on complex
mathematical formalisms), which can provide simulated vision, sound
recognition and so forth.
[0206] As employed herein, the term "processor" can refer to
substantially any computing processing unit or device comprising,
but not limited to comprising, single-core processors;
single-processors with software multithread execution capability;
multi-core processors; multi-core processors with software
multithread execution capability; multi-core processors with
hardware multithread technology; parallel platforms; and parallel
platforms with distributed shared memory. Additionally, a processor
can refer to 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 transistor logic, discrete hardware components or
any combination thereof designed to perform the functions described
herein. Processors can exploit nano-scale architectures such as,
but not limited to, molecular and quantum-dot based transistors,
switches and gates, in order to optimize space usage or enhance
performance of user equipment. A processor can also be implemented
as a combination of computing processing units.
[0207] As used herein, terms such as "data storage," data storage,"
"database," and substantially any other information storage
component relevant to operation and functionality of a component,
refer to "memory components," or entities embodied in a "memory" or
components comprising the 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.
[0208] What has been described above includes mere examples of
various embodiments. It is, of course, not possible to describe
every conceivable combination of components or methodologies for
purposes of describing these examples, but one of ordinary skill in
the art can recognize that many further combinations and
permutations of the present embodiments are possible. 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.
Furthermore, to the extent that the term "includes" is used in
either the detailed description or the claims, such term is
intended to be inclusive in a manner similar to the term
"comprising" as "comprising" is interpreted when employed as a
transitional word in a claim.
[0209] In addition, a flow diagram may include a "start" and/or
"continue" indication. The "start" and "continue" indications
reflect that the steps presented can optionally be incorporated in
or otherwise used in conjunction 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, the "continue" indication reflects that the steps
presented may be performed multiple times and/or may be succeeded
by other activities not specifically shown. Further, while a flow
diagram indicates a particular ordering of steps, other orderings
are likewise possible provided that the principles of causality are
maintained.
[0210] As may also be used herein, the term(s) "operably coupled
to", "coupled to", and/or "coupling" includes 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, a signal conveyed from a first
item to a second item may be modified by one or more intervening
items by modifying the form, nature or format of information in a
signal, while one or more elements of the information in the signal
are nevertheless conveyed in a manner than can be recognized by the
second item. In a further example of indirect coupling, an action
in a first item can cause a reaction on the second item, as a
result of actions and/or reactions in one or more intervening
items.
[0211] Although specific embodiments have been illustrated and
described herein, it should be appreciated that any arrangement
which achieves the same or similar purpose may be substituted for
the embodiments described or shown by the subject disclosure. The
subject disclosure is intended to cover any and all adaptations or
variations of various embodiments. Combinations of the above
embodiments, and other embodiments not specifically described
herein, can be used in the subject disclosure. For instance, one or
more features from one or more embodiments can be combined with one
or more features of one or more other embodiments. In one or more
embodiments, features that are positively recited can also be
negatively recited and excluded from the embodiment with or without
replacement by another structural and/or functional feature. The
steps or functions described with respect to the embodiments of the
subject disclosure can be performed in any order. The steps or
functions described with respect to the embodiments of the subject
disclosure can be performed alone or in combination with other
steps or functions of the subject disclosure, as well as from other
embodiments or from other steps that have not been described in the
subject disclosure. Further, more than or less than all of the
features described with respect to an embodiment can also be
utilized.
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