Method and apparatus for adjusting a mode of communication in a communication network

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-2016105255-A1
Application number	US-201414513246-A
Country	US
Kind code	A1
Filing date	Oct 14, 2014
Priority date	Oct 14, 2014
Publication date	Apr 14, 2016
Grant date	—

Abstract

Aspects of the subject disclosure may include, for example, a waveguide system for detecting a condition that adversely affects a propagation of electromagnetic waves generated by the waveguide system on a surface of the wire, and adjusting characteristics of the electromagnetic waves generated by the waveguide system to reduce adverse effects caused by the condition. Other embodiments are disclosed.

First claim

1 . A method, comprising:
detecting, by a first waveguide system comprising a processor, an impairment, wherein the impairment adversely affects a propagation of electromagnetic waves on a surface of a wire; adjusting, by the first waveguide system, a mode of communication for transmitting or receiving electromagnetic waves on the surface of the wire to mitigate adverse effects of the impairment; and notifying, by the first waveguide system, a second waveguide system of the adjustment of the mode of communication for transmitting or receiving the electromagnetic waves.

2 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the adjusting of the mode of communication comprises adjusting a wave propagation mode for transmitting or receiving electromagnetic waves.

3 . The method of claim 2 , wherein the adjusting of the wave propagation mode comprises adjusting a wavelength of the electromagnetic waves.

4 . The method of claim 3 , wherein the adjusting of the wavelength of the electromagnetic waves generates adjusted electromagnetic waves, and wherein the adjusted electromagnetic waves are less susceptible to attenuation when propagating through the impairment in the wire.

5 . The method of claim 3 , wherein the adjusting of the wavelength of the electromagnetic waves comprises increasing the wavelength of the electromagnetic waves.

6 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the second waveguide system receives electromagnetic waves from the first waveguide system according to the mode of communication adjusted by the first waveguide system.

7 . The method of claim 6 , wherein the second waveguide system is coupled to the wire and positioned after the impairment of the wire.

8 . The method of claim 7 , wherein the second waveguide system retrieves content from the electromagnetic waves received from the first waveguide system and retransmits the content to other waveguide systems based on other electromagnetic waves that use a different mode of communication.

9 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the adjusting of the mode of communication comprises rerouting the electromagnetic waves to bypass the impairment of the wire.

10 . The method of claim 9 , wherein the rerouting of the electromagnetic waves comprises routing the electromagnetic waves to a second wire.

11 . The method of claim 1 , further comprising:
detecting, by the first waveguide system, that the impairment has been modified; and restoring, by the first waveguide system, an original mode of communication used by the first waveguide system for transmitting or receiving the electromagnetic waves.

12 . The method of claim 11 , wherein the impairment is modified by placement of a jumper between ends of the impairment, wherein the jumper enables the electromagnetic waves to bypass the impairment by propagating on a surface of the jumper.

13 . The method of claim 11 , wherein the impairment is modified by placement of a sleeve around the impairment, wherein the sleeve enables the electromagnetic waves to bypass the impairment by propagating on a surface of the sleeve.

14 . The method of claim 11 , wherein the impairment is modified with an application of an insulating or conducting material on the impairment, wherein the insulating or conducting material enables the electromagnetic waves to bypass the impairment by propagating on a surface of the insulating or conducting material.

15 . A waveguide system, comprising:
a waveguide, wherein the waveguide is positioned with respect to a wire, wherein the waveguide facilitates transmission or reception of electromagnetic waves that propagate along a surface of the wire; a memory that stores instructions; and a processor coupled to the memory, wherein responsive to executing the instructions, the processor performs operations comprising:
detecting a condition that adversely affects a propagation of electromagnetic waves on a surface of a wire;
adjusting a wave propagation mode of the electromagnetic waves transmitted or received by the waveguide to reduce adverse effects caused by the condition; and
notifying another waveguide system of the adjustment of the wave propagation mode for transmitting or receiving the electromagnetic waves.

16 . The waveguide system of claim 15 , wherein the adjusting of the wave propagation mode comprises adjusting a wavelength of the electromagnetic waves.

17 . The waveguide system of claim 15 , wherein the adjusting of the wave propagation mode comprises adjusting a fundamental mode of the electromagnetic waves.

18 . The waveguide system of claim 15 , wherein the adjusting of the wave propagation mode comprises adjusting an asymmetric mode of the electromagnetic waves.

19 . A machine-readable device, comprising instructions, which when executed by a processor, cause the processor to perform operations comprising:
detecting a source of signal degradation that adversely affects a propagation of electromagnetic waves generated by a waveguide system on a surface of a wire; adjusting characteristics of the electromagnetic waves generated by the waveguide system to reduce adverse effects caused by the source of signal degradation; and notifying another waveguide system of the adjustment of the characteristics of the electromagnetic waves.

20 . The machine-readable device of claim 19 , wherein the adjusting of the characteristics of the electromagnetic waves comprises adjusting a wavelength of the electromagnetic waves.

21 . The machine-readable device of claim 20 , wherein the adjusting of the wavelength of the electromagnetic waves comprises increasing the wavelength of the electromagnetic waves.

22 . The machine-readable device of claim 19 , wherein the adjusting of the characteristics of the electromagnetic waves comprises adjusting a wave propagation mode of the electromagnetic waves.

23 . The machine-readable device of claim 19 , wherein the adjusting of the characteristics of the electromagnetic waves comprises adjusting a fundamental mode of the electromagnetic waves.

24 . The machine-readable device of claim 19 , wherein the adjusting of the characteristics of the electromagnetic waves comprises adjusting an asymmetric mode of the electromagnetic waves.

25 . A method, comprising
detecting, by a waveguide system comprising a processor, an impairment, wherein the impairment adversely affects a propagation of electromagnetic waves on a surface of a wire; and adjusting, by the waveguide system, a mode of communication for transmitting or receiving electromagnetic waves on the surface of the wire to mitigate adverse effects of the impairment, wherein the adjusting of the mode of communication comprises rerouting the electromagnetic waves to bypass the impairment of the wire.

26 . A method, comprising
detecting, by a waveguide system comprising a processor, an impairment, wherein the impairment adversely affects a propagation of electromagnetic waves on a surface of a wire; adjusting, by the waveguide system, a mode of communication for transmitting or receiving electromagnetic waves on the surface of the wire to mitigate adverse effects of the impairment; detecting, by the waveguide system, that the impairment has been modified; and restoring, by the waveguide system, an original mode of communication used by the waveguide system for transmitting or receiving the electromagnetic waves.

Assignees

• At & T Ip I Lp

Inventors

• Henry Paul Shala
• Bennett Robert
• Gerszberg Irwin
• Barzegar Farhad
• Barnickel Donald J
• Willis Iii Thomas M

Classifications

• H02J13/1311

  using the power network as support for the transmission · CPC title

• G01R31/58

  Testing of lines, cables or conductors (testing of electric windings G01R31/72) · CPC title

• H02J13/1323 Primary

  using optical fibres · CPC title

• H04B3/54

  Systems for transmission via power distribution lines · CPC title

• H04B2203/5425

  improving S/N by matching impedance, noise reduction, gain control · CPC title