Method and apparatus for sensing a condition in a transmission medium of electromagnetic waves

Cross-reference to related applications This application claims the priority of US Patent Application No. 14/486268 filed September 15, 2014. All of the above is incorporated herein by reference as described herein.

The present disclosure relates to methods and devices for detecting conditions in an electromagnetic wave transmission medium.

As smartphones and other portable devices become more and more ubiquitous and data usage increases, macrocell base stations and existing wireless infrastructures now require higher bandwidth capabilities to meet increasing demands. To do. Small cells are being deployed while microcells and picocells provide coverage in much smaller areas than traditional macrocells to provide additional mobile bandwidth.

<figref num="1">FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating exemplary non-limiting embodiments of guided wave communication systems according to the various embodiments described herein.</figref><figref num="2">FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating exemplary non-limiting embodiments of dielectric waveguide couplers according to the various embodiments described herein.</figref><figref num="3">FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating exemplary non-limiting embodiments of dielectric waveguide couplers according to the various embodiments described herein.</figref><figref num="4">FIG. 4 is a block diagram illustrating exemplary non-limiting embodiments of dielectric waveguide couplers according to the various embodiments described herein.</figref><figref num="5">FIG. 5 is a block diagram illustrating exemplary non-limiting embodiments of dielectric waveguide couplers and transceivers according to the various forms described herein.</figref><figref num="6">FIG. 6 is a block diagram illustrating exemplary non-limiting embodiments of dual dielectric waveguide couplers according to the various embodiments described herein.</figref><figref num="7">FIG. 7 is a block diagram illustrating exemplary non-limiting embodiments of bidirectional dielectric waveguide couplers according to the various embodiments described herein.</figref><figref num="8">FIG. 8 shows a block diagram illustrating exemplary non-limiting embodiments of bidirectional dielectric waveguide couplers according to the various embodiments described herein.</figref><figref num="9">FIG. 9 shows a block diagram illustrating exemplary non-limiting embodiments of a bidirectional repeater system according to the various embodiments described herein.</figref><figref num="10A">FIG. 10A is a block diagram illustrating exemplary non-limiting embodiments of slot-type waveguide couplers according to the various embodiments described herein.</figref><figref num="10B">FIG. 10B is a block diagram illustrating exemplary non-limiting embodiments of slot-type waveguide couplers according to the various embodiments described herein.</figref><figref num="10C">FIG. 10C is a block diagram illustrating exemplary non-limiting embodiments of slot-type waveguide couplers according to the various embodiments described herein.</figref><figref num="11">FIG. 11 is a block diagram illustrating an exemplary non-limiting embodiment of a waveguide coupling system according to the various embodiments described herein.</figref><figref num="12">FIG. 12 is a block diagram illustrating an exemplary non-limiting embodiment of a waveguide coupling system according to the various embodiments described herein.</figref><figref num="13">FIG. 13 shows a flow diagram of an exemplary non-limiting embodiment of a method for transmitting a wave using the dielectric waveguide coupler described herein.</figref><figref num="14">FIG. 14 is a block diagram illustrating an exemplary non-limiting embodiment of a waveguide system according to the various embodiments described herein.</figref><figref num="15A">FIG. 15A shows a non-limiting exemplary embodiment of the source of conditions detectable by the waveguide system of FIG. 14 described herein.</figref><figref num="15B">FIG. 15B shows a non-limiting exemplary embodiment of the source of conditions detectable by the waveguide system of FIG. 14 described herein.</figref><figref num="15C">FIG. 15C shows a non-limiting exemplary embodiment of the source of conditions detectable by the waveguide system of FIG. 14 described herein.</figref><figref num="15D">FIG. 15D shows a non-limiting exemplary embodiment of the source of conditions detectable by the waveguide system of FIG. 14 described herein.</figref><figref num="15E">FIG. 15E shows a non-limiting exemplary embodiment of the source of conditions detectable by the waveguide system of FIG. 14 described herein.</figref><figref num="15F">FIG. 15F shows a non-limiting exemplary embodiment of the source of conditions detectable by the waveguide system of FIG. 14 described herein.</figref><figref num="15G">FIG. 15G shows a non-limiting exemplary embodiment of the source of conditions detectable by the waveguide system of FIG. 14 described herein.</figref><figref num="16">FIG. 16 is a block diagram illustrating an exemplary non-limiting embodiment of a system for managing a power grid communication system according to the various embodiments described herein.</figref><figref num="17">FIG. 17 shows a flow diagram of an exemplary non-limiting embodiment of a method for detecting and mitigating conditions that occur in the communication network of the system of FIG.</figref><figref num="18A">FIG. 18A shows an exemplary non-limiting embodiment for alleviating the conditions detected by the waveguide system of FIG. 14 described herein.</figref><figref num="18B">FIG. 18B shows another exemplary non-limiting embodiment for mitigating the conditions detected by the waveguide system of FIG. 14 described herein.</figref><figref num="19">FIG. 19 is a block diagram of an exemplary non-limiting embodiment of a computing environment according to the various embodiments described herein.</figref><figref num="20">FIG. 20 is a block diagram of an exemplary non-limiting embodiment of a mobile network platform in various embodiments described herein.</figref><figref num="21">FIG. 21 is a block diagram of an exemplary non-limiting embodiment of a communication device according to the various embodiments described herein.</figref>

One or more embodiments are described herein with reference to the drawings, and similar reference numerals are used throughout to refer to similar elements. In the following description, for convenience of explanation, a number of details will be given to give a complete understanding of the various embodiments. However, it is clear that various embodiments can be implemented without these details (and without applying any particular networked environment or standard).

Backhaul networks that link core network cells (eg, microcells and macrocells) to network devices in the core network extend accordingly to provide network connectivity to additional base station devices. Similarly, an extended communication system that links base station devices and their distributed antennas is desirable to provide network connectivity to the distributed antenna system. Inductive wave communication systems may be provided to allow alternative, extension or additional network connectivity, act as a single wire transmission line (eg, wire), act as a waveguide, and / or. A waveguide coupling system may be provided to transmit and / or receive guided wave (eg, surface wave) communications on the wiring, such as wiring that operates to induce the transmission of electromagnetic waves.

In one embodiment, the waveguide coupler used in the waveguide coupling system may be composed of a dielectric material or other low loss insulator (eg, Teflon®, polyethylene, etc.) or a conductor (eg, Teflon®, polyethylene, etc.). For example, it may be composed of a material (for example, metal, non-metal, etc.) or any combination of the above-mentioned materials. References to "dielectric waveguides" throughout the detailed description are for illustration purposes only and are not intended to limit embodiments to being composed exclusively of dielectric materials. In other embodiments, other dielectrics or insulating materials are possible. It should be seen that various transmission media can be used with guided wave communications without departing from the exemplary embodiments. Examples of such transmission media are: insulated or non-insulated and single or double twisted wiring; conductors of other shapes or configurations including wire bundles, cables, rods, rails, pipes; dielectric pipes, rods. , Non-conductors such as rails or other dielectric members; combinations of conductors and dielectric materials; or one or more of other induced wave transmission media may be included alone or in combination of one or more.

For these and / or other considerations, in one or more embodiments, the apparatus comprises a waveguide that facilitates the propagation of at least some first electromagnetic wave on the waveguide surface, the waveguide surface being the entire wiring surface of the wiring. Or, if it does not surround most and the waveguide is positioned with respect to the wiring, the first electromagnetic wave is coupled to the wiring surface at least to some extent and propagates at least partially around the wiring surface as a second electromagnetic wave. The second electromagnetic wave has at least one wave propagation mode for propagating longitudinally along the wiring.

In another embodiment, the apparatus comprises a waveguide having a waveguide surface that defines a cross-sectional region of the waveguide, the wiring is such that a first electromagnetic wave propagating along the wiring surface at least to some extent is transmitted to the waveguide surface. It is positioned outside the cross-sectional area of the waveguide so that it couples at least to some extent and propagates at least partially around the surface of the waveguide as a second electromagnetic wave.

In one embodiment, the method comprises radiating a first electromagnetic wave propagating on the waveguide surface of the waveguide by a transmitting device, at least to some extent, the waveguide not being aligned coaxially with the wiring. The method also includes the step of constructing a waveguide in the vicinity of the wiring to facilitate coupling of the first electromagnetic wave to at least a portion of the wiring surface, and longitudinally and at least partially along the wiring. It includes a step of forming a second electromagnetic wave propagating to the surroundings.

In other embodiments, the device comprises a waveguide having slots formed by non-parallel opposed slot surfaces in one or more embodiments, the opposed slot surfaces being only distances that allow wiring to be inserted into the slots. Separated, the waveguide facilitates at least some degree of propagation of the first electromagnetic wave on the surface of the waveguide, and when the waveguide is positioned relative to the wire, the first electromagnetic wave couples at least to some extent to the surface of the wire. The second electromagnetic wave propagates at least partially as a second electromagnetic wave around the surface of the wiring to propagate longitudinally along the wiring, and the second electromagnetic wave has at least one wave propagation mode.

In other embodiments, the apparatus comprises, in one or more embodiments, a waveguide, which comprises a material that is conductive and suitable for propagating electromagnetic waves on the waveguide surface of the waveguide. The waveguide promotes the propagation of at least some first electromagnetic wave on the surface of the waveguide, and when the waveguide is positioned with respect to the wiring, the first electromagnetic wave is coupled to the wiring surface of the wiring at least to some extent, and the wiring surface. The second electromagnetic wave propagates at least partially as a second electromagnetic wave, and the second electromagnetic wave has at least one wave propagation mode for propagating longitudinally along the wiring.

One embodiment of the present disclosure includes an apparatus having a waveguide that facilitates the transmission or reception of electromagnetic waves along the wiring surface of the wiring of a power grid that also facilitates the transmission of electrical energy to the device. The device may further include one or more sensors that facilitate the detection of adverse conditions for the transmission or reception of electromagnetic waves propagating along the waveguide, wiring, wiring surface or waveguide surface, or any combination thereof. The device may also include a processor that facilitates the processing of detection data from one or more sensors and the control of transmission or reception of electromagnetic waves.

In one embodiment of the present disclosure, an apparatus comprising a waveguide and a sensor transmits electromagnetic waves propagating along the wiring surface of the wiring that facilitates transmission of electrical energy to the device, and the sensor transmits electrical energy along the wiring surface. Includes methods for detecting adverse conditions for propagating electromagnetic waves.

One embodiment of the present disclosure, when executed by a processor, is feasible to induce an electromagnetic wave along the surface of a transmission medium by a waveguide and facilitate the execution of an operation including collecting detection data from a sensor. Includes machine-readable (eg, computer-readable, processor-readable, etc.) storage media with various instructions. The detected data may be associated with adverse conditions for electromagnetic waves induced along the surface of the transmission medium.

One embodiment of the present disclosure includes a device having a processor and memory. The processor receives telemetry information from the waveguide system coupled to the sensor and is disadvantageous for one of the operation of the waveguide system, the transmission or reception of electromagnetic waves along the wiring surface or the waveguide surface, or a combination thereof. Can be detected from the telemetry information and the operation of reporting the condition can be executed. The waveguide system can include a waveguide that can be positioned with respect to the wiring of the power grid that facilitates the transmission of electrical energy to the device. The waveguide can also facilitate the transmission or reception of electromagnetic waves along the wiring surface of the wiring, while the sensor can facilitate the detection of adverse conditions for electromagnetic waves.

In one embodiment of the present disclosure, a network element including a processor receives telemetry information from a waveguide system, the network element identifies conditions from detection data contained in the remote measurement information, and the network element identifies a condition in the waveguide system. Includes methods for sending commands to and adjusting the path of electromagnetic waves to avoid or compensate for the specified conditions. The waveguide system can facilitate the transmission of electromagnetic waves along the wiring surface of the wiring of the power grid and the detection of conditions disadvantageous to the transmission or reception of electromagnetic waves.

One embodiment of the present disclosure, when executed by a processor, is remotely measured from a device that induces electromagnetic waves on the wiring surface of the wiring of the power grid for delivery of communication signals to a receiver communication device coupled to the power grid. Machine-readable (eg, computer-readable) with executable instructions that facilitate the execution of actions, including receiving information and detecting conditions disadvantageous to the delivery of the communication signal to the recipient communication device from the remote measurement information. , Processor readable, etc.) Includes storage media.

The various embodiments described herein relate to a waveguide coupling system for emitting and extracting a transmitted wave of a guided wave (eg, surface guided wave communication which is an electromagnetic wave) from a wiring. At millimeter-wave frequencies (eg, 30-300 GHz) where the wavelength can be small compared to the size of the instrument, the wave is a wave induced by a piece or a dielectric material of a given length or a waveguide such as another coupler. Can propagate as. The electromagnetic field structure of the induced wave can exist inside and / or outside the waveguide. When this waveguide is in close proximity to a wire (eg, wire or other transmission line), at least part of the induced wave is uncoupled from the waveguide and coupled to the wire, such as a surface wave to the surface of the wire. It continues to propagate as an induced wave.

According to an exemplary embodiment, a surface wave is a type of guided wave induced by the surface of the wiring, adjacent to the outer or outer surface of the wiring, or to other types of media with different properties (eg, dielectric properties). Alternatively, it may include the surface of other exposed wiring. In fact, in an exemplary embodiment, the surface of the wiring that induces surface waves can be a transition surface between two different types of media. For example, in the case of bare or non-insulated wiring, the surface of the wiring can be the outside or external conductive surface of the bare or non-insulated wiring exposed to air or free space. As another example, the surface of the wiring, in the case of insulated wiring, further propagates the frequency of the induced wave and one or more, depending on the relative difference in the properties of the insulator, air and / or conductor (eg, dielectric properties). Depending on the mode, it may be the conductor part of the wiring corresponding to the insulation part of the wiring, or it may be the insulation surface of the wiring exposed to air or free space, or the insulation surface of the wiring. It may be any material region between and the conductive portion of the wiring corresponding to the insulating portion of the wiring.

According to an exemplary embodiment, guided waves, such as surface waves, can be contrasted with radio transmission over free space / air or conventional propagation of power or signals through conductors in wiring. In fact, according to an exemplary embodiment, with the surface wave or induced wave system described herein, conventional power or signals can still be propagated or transmitted through the conductors of the wiring, but the induced wave (surface wave). And other electromagnetic waves) can propagate or transmit to the surface of the wiring. In one embodiment, the surface wave may have an electric field structure (eg, an electromagnetic field structure) that is predominantly or substantially external to the line, wiring or transmission medium acting to induce the surface wave.

According to an exemplary embodiment, an electromagnetic wave propagating around the outer surface of the wiring along the wiring is induced by other electromagnetic waves propagating along the waveguide near the wiring. The induction of electromagnetic waves can be independent of the potential, charge or current introduced or transmitted through the wiring as part of the electrical circuit. A small current can be formed in the wiring according to the propagation of the electromagnetic wave along the wiring, but this can be caused by the propagation of the electromagnetic wave along the wiring surface, and the potential and electric charge introduced into the wiring as a part of the electric circuit. Or you should see that it is not formed in response to the current. Therefore, the electromagnetic wave propagating in the wiring does not require a circuit propagating along the surface of the wiring. Therefore, the wiring is a single wired transmission line that is not part of the circuit. Also, in some embodiments, no wiring is required and the electromagnetic waves can propagate along a single line transmission medium that is not wiring.

According to an exemplary embodiment, the term "to" the term used with induced waves (eg, surface waves) refers to the fundamental wave propagation mode and at least partially surrounding the wiring or other transmission medium. It may include other induced waves having a circular or substantially circular electric field distribution (eg, electric field, magnetic field, electromagnetic field, etc.). Furthermore, if the induced wave propagates "to" the wiring or other transmission medium, it is not only in the fundamental wave propagation mode (eg, 0th order mode), but also in additional or alternative higher order induced wave modes (eg, 0th order mode). Waves including, for example, primary mode, secondary mode, etc.), asymmetric mode with a non-circular electric field distribution around the wiring or other transmission medium and / or other non-primary wave propagation modes such as induced (eg, surface) waves. It can propagate according to the propagation mode.

For example, such a non-circular electric field distribution is characterized by one or more axial lobes characterized by relatively high electric field intensities and / or relatively low electric field intensities, zero or virtually zero electric field intensities1 It can be one side or both sides of the above null or null region. Alternatively, according to an exemplary embodiment, an electric field such that one or more regions of axial orientation around the wiring have a higher electric or magnetic field strength (or combination thereof) than one or more other regions of axial orientation. The distribution can change as a function of the orientation of the longitudinal axis around the wiring. It should be seen that the relative position of the higher-order or asymmetrical modes of the wave can change as the induced wave propagates along the wiring.

Here, FIG. 1 shows a block diagram of an exemplary non-limiting embodiment of the guided wave communication system 100. The induction wave communication system 100 illustrates an exemplary environment in which a dielectric waveguide coupling system can be used.

The induction wave communication system 100 may be a distributed antenna system that includes one or more base station devices (eg, base station device 104) communicably coupled to a macrocell site 102 or other network connection. The base station device 104 can be connected to the macrocell site 102 by wire (fiber and / or cable) or by wireless (eg, microwave radio) connection. A macro cell, such as the macro cell site 102, has a dedicated connection to the mobile network, and the base station device 104 can share and / or use the connection of the macro cell site 102. The base station device 104 can be mounted or mounted on a utility pole 116. In other embodiments, the base station device 104 may be located near a transformer and / or at another suitable location near a power line.

The base station device 104 can facilitate the connection of the mobile devices 122 and 124 to the mobile network. Antennas 112 and 114 mounted on or near utility poles 118 and 120 receive signals from base station device 104, and the signals are transmitted to mobile devices 122 and 124 by antennas 112 and 114. It is possible to transmit over a wider area than if it were located at or near the station device 104.

Note that FIG. 1 shows three utility poles with one base station device for simplification. In other embodiments, the utility pole 116 may have more base station devices, allowing one or more utility poles with distributed antennas.

The dielectric waveguide coupling device 106 can transmit signals from the base station device 104 to the antennas 112 and 114 via wires or power lines connecting the utility poles 116, 118 and 120. To transmit the signal, the radio source and / or coupler 106 upconverts the signal from the base station device 104 (via frequency mixing) or converts the signal from the base station device 104 into a millimeter-wave band signal. The dielectric waveguide coupling device 106 then emits millimeter-wave band waves that propagate as induced waves (eg, surface waves or other electromagnetic waves) propagating along the wire or other wiring. In the utility pole 118, the other dielectric waveguide coupling device 108 is a digital repeater that receives the induced wave (selectively amplifies it as needed or desired, receives it and regenerates it). Can operate as), which can be transferred to the wire or other wiring as an induced wave (eg, a surface wave or other electromagnetic wave). The dielectric waveguide coupling device 108 also extracts a signal from a millimeter-wave band induced wave and extracts it into the original cellular band frequency (eg, 1.9 GHz or other defined cellular frequency) or other cellular (or non-cellular). The frequency can be reduced or converted to the band frequency. The antenna 112 can transmit the reduced signal to the mobile device 122. The process can be repeated by the dielectric waveguide coupling device 110, the antenna 114 and the mobile device 124, if desired or desired.

Waves from mobile devices 122 and 124 can also be received by antennas 112 and 114, respectively. The repeater on the dielectric waveguide coupling devices 108 and 110 frequency-ups or converts the cellular band signal to the millimeter-wave band, and uses the signal as a transmission of an induced wave (for example, a surface wave or other electromagnetic wave) as a power line. Can be transmitted to the base station device 104 via.

In an exemplary embodiment, the system 100 can employ a diversity path and two or more wires or other wires between the poles 116, 118 and 120 (eg, two or more wires between the poles 116 and 120). ) Is bridged, and the redundant transmission from the base station 104 is transmitted on the surface of the electric wire or other wiring as an induction wave. The wire or other wire may or may not be insulated, and the coupled device selectively receives signals from the insulated or non-insulated wire or other wire depending on the environmental conditions that result in transmission loss. be able to. The choice may be based on measurements of the signal-to-noise ratio of the wiring or on the weather / environmental conditions identified (eg, hygrometer, weather forecast, etc.). The use of diversity channels in System 100 enables alternative routing capabilities, load balancing, increased load handling, simultaneous bidirectional or symmetric communication, diffusion spectrum communication, etc. (see Figure 8 for more details). ..

Note that the use of the dielectric waveguide coupling devices 106, 108 and 110 in FIG. 1 is for illustration purposes only, and other uses are possible in other embodiments. For example, dielectric waveguide coupled devices can be used in backhaul communication systems to provide base station devices with network connectivity. Dielectric waveguide coupled devices can be used in many environments where it is desirable to transmit guided wave communications over insulated or non-insulated wiring. Dielectric waveguide coupling devices are an improvement over other coupling devices because they have no contact with wiring that can carry high voltages, or have limited physical and / or electrical contact. With a dielectric waveguide coupled device, the device can be placed away from the wire (eg, separated from the wire) and / or on the wire, as long as it does not make electrical contact with the wire. , The dielectric acts as an insulator, allowing for inexpensive, easy and / or simple installation. On the other hand, as described above, for example, in a configuration in which the wiring corresponds to a telephone network, a cable television network, a broadband data service, a fiber optical communication system, or another network that employs a low voltage or has an isolated transmission line. Conductive or non-dielectric couplers may be employed.

Further, although the base station device 104 and the macro cell site 102 are shown in one embodiment, other network configurations are possible as well. For example, devices such as access points or other wireless gateways are employed in a similar manner, with wireless local area networks, wireless personal area networks, or 802.11 protocol, WIMAX protocol, UltraWideband protocol, Bluetooth® protocol, Zigbee protocol. Alternatively, the range of other networks such as other wireless networks operating by communication protocols such as other wireless protocols can be extended.

Here, FIG. 2 shows a block diagram of an exemplary non-limiting embodiment of the dielectric waveguide coupling system 200 according to the various embodiments disclosed herein. The system 200 includes a dielectric waveguide 204 having a wave 206 propagating as a guided wave to the surface of the dielectric waveguide 204. In one embodiment, the dielectric waveguide 204 is curved and at least a portion of the waveguide 204 is placed in the vicinity of the wiring 202 to facilitate coupling between the waveguide 204 and the wiring 202 as described herein. Can be done. The dielectric waveguide 204 may be arranged such that a portion of the curved dielectric waveguide 204 is parallel or substantially parallel to the wiring 202. The portion of the dielectric waveguide 204 parallel to the wire can be at the apex of the curve or at any point where the tangent of the curve is parallel to the wire 202. When the dielectric waveguide 204 is thereby positioned or placed, the wave 206 propagating along the dielectric waveguide 204 couples at least to some extent to the wiring 202 and is around or around the wiring surface of the wiring 202. Moreover, it propagates as a guided wave 208 in the longitudinal direction along the wiring 202. Other types of guided waves 208 can be similarly addressed without departing from the exemplary embodiments, but guided waves 208 can be characterized as surface waves or other electromagnetic waves. A part of the wave 206 that is not coupled to the wiring 202 propagates as a wave 210 along the dielectric waveguide 204. It should be seen that the dielectric waveguide 204 can be configured and arranged at various positions with respect to the wiring 202 to achieve the desired level of coupling or uncoupling of the wave 206 with respect to the wiring 202. For example, the curvature and / or length of the dielectric waveguide 204 parallel or substantially parallel to the wire 202, and its separation distance (which may include no separation distance in the embodiments) deviates from the exemplary embodiment. Can change without. Similarly, the arrangement of the dielectric waveguide 204 with respect to the wiring 202 is the intrinsic properties of the wiring 202 and the dielectric waveguide 204 (eg, thickness, composition, electromagnetic properties, etc.), and the properties of the waves 206 and 208 (eg, thickness, composition, electromagnetic properties, etc.). For example, frequency, energy level

The induction wave 208 remains parallel or substantially parallel to the wiring 202 even if the wiring 202 is curved and bent. Bending at wire 202 increases transmission loss, which also depends on wire diameter, frequency and material. When the dimensions of the dielectric waveguide 204 are selected for effective power transfer, little power remains in the wave 210 and most of the power in the wave 206 is transmitted to the wiring 202. The induced wave 208 is by its nature (described herein) still in multiple modes, with or without a fundamental transmission mode, propagating along a path parallel to or substantially parallel to the wiring 202, non-basic or non-basic or substantially parallel. You should see that it has a mode that is asymmetric. In one embodiment, non-basic or asymmetric modes can be utilized to minimize transmission loss and / or obtain increased propagation distance.

The term parallel is a geometric construct that may not be strictly feasible in a real system in general. Therefore, the term parallel as used in the present disclosure refers to an approximation rather than a strict configuration when used to describe an embodiment disclosed in the present disclosure. In one embodiment, substantially parallel may include approximations that are within 30 degrees of true parallel in all dimensions.

In one embodiment, the wave 206 may exhibit one or more wave propagation modes. The dielectric waveguide mode may depend on the shape and / or design of the waveguide 204. One or more dielectric waveguide modes of wave 206 can generate, affect, or adversely affect one or more wave propagation modes of guided wave 208 propagating along wiring 202. In one embodiment, the wave propagation mode on the wiring 202 can be similar to the dielectric waveguide mode because both the waves 206 and 208 propagate to the outside of the dielectric waveguide 204 and the wiring 202, respectively. In certain embodiments, the wave 206 is coupled to the wiring 202 so that the coupling between the dielectric waveguide 204 and the wiring 202 can cause the mode to change form, or a new mode to be formed or generated. For example, differences in the size, material and / or impedance of the dielectric waveguide 204 and wiring 202 form additional modes that are not present in the dielectric waveguide mode and / or suppress some of the dielectric waveguide modes. Can be done. The wave propagation mode is a basic transverse electromagnetic mode (quasi-TEM) in which only a small electric field and / or electromagnetic field spreads in the direction of propagation, and the electric field and magnetic field spread outward radially while the induced wave propagates along the wiring.₀₀) Can be provided. This induced wave mode is donut-shaped, and there is only a small amount of electromagnetic field in the dielectric waveguide 204 or wiring 202.

Waves 206 and 208 include a basic TEM mode in which the electric field radiates outward, and may also have other non-basic (eg, asymmetric, higher level, etc.) modes. Specific wave propagation modes have been described above, but based on the frequencies adopted, the design of the dielectric waveguide 204, the dimensions and composition of the wiring 202, its surface properties, its selective insulation, the electromagnetic properties of the ambient environment, etc. Other wave propagation modes such as transverse electric field (TE) and longitudinal magnetic field (TM) modes are possible as well. Depending on the frequency, the electrical and physical characteristics of the wiring 202, and the specific wave propagation mode generated, the induction wave 208 is along the conductive surface of the non-oxidized non-insulated wiring, non-oxidized non-insulated wiring, and insulated wiring. And / or can propagate along the insulating surface of the insulated wiring.

In one embodiment, the diameter of the dielectric waveguide 204 is smaller than the diameter of the wiring 202. For the millimeter band wavelengths used, the dielectric waveguide 204 corresponds to a single waveguide mode that constitutes the wave 206. This single waveguide mode can change as it couples to wire 202 as surface waves 208. If the dielectric waveguide 204 is larger, more than one waveguide mode may be supported, but these additional waveguide modes do not efficiently couple to wire 202, resulting in higher coupling loss. obtain. However, in one alternative embodiment, the dielectric waveguide 204, for example, when higher coupling loss is desired, or when used in combination with other techniques to reduce coupling loss (eg, impedance matching with a taper). The diameter of the wiring 202 may be greater than or equal to the diameter of the wiring 202.

In one embodiment, the wavelengths of the waves 206 and 208 are equal to or less than the perimeter of the dielectric waveguide 204 and wiring 202. In one example, if the wiring 202 has a diameter of 0.5 cm and a corresponding perimeter of about 1.5 cm, the wavelength of the wave is about 1.5 cm or less, which corresponds to frequencies above 20 GHz. In other embodiments, suitable frequencies for transmit and carrier signals are in the range of 30-100 GHz, perhaps about 30-60 GHz, in one example about 38 GHz. In one embodiment, if the outer perimeters of the dielectric waveguide 204 and wiring 202 are equal to or greater than the wavelength of the wave, the waves 206 and 208 are via a sufficient distance to accommodate the various communication systems described herein. Can indicate multiple wave propagation modes, including basic and / or non-basic (symmetric and / or asymmetric) modes. Thus, the waves 206 and 208 may have more than one type of electric and magnetic field configuration. In one embodiment, even if the induced wave 208 propagates through the wiring 202, the electric and magnetic field configurations are the same from end to end of the wiring 202. In other embodiments, the electric and magnetic field configurations can change as the induced wave 208 propagates through the wiring 202 because the induced wave 208 collides with interference or loses energy due to transmission loss.

In one embodiment, the dielectric waveguide 204 may be made of nylon, Teflon®, polyethylene, polyamide or other plastic. In other embodiments, other dielectric materials are possible. The wiring surface of the wiring 202 may be made of metal with an uncoated metal surface, or may be insulated with a plastic, dielectric, insulator or other sheath. In one embodiment, the dielectric or non-conductive / insulated waveguide may be paired with either uncoated / metal wiring or insulated wiring. In other embodiments, metal and / or conductive waveguides may be paired with uncoated / metal or insulated wiring. In one embodiment, the oxide layer on the uncoated metal surface of wiring 202 (eg, resulting from exposure of the uncoated metal surface to oxygen / air) is also an insulator similar to that provided by an insulator or sheath. Alternatively, it can provide dielectric properties.

The illustrations of the waves 206, 208 and 210 are disclosed, for example, to merely explain the principle that the waves 206 induce or emit the induced waves 208 in the wiring 202 that operates as a single wired transmission line. The wave 210 indicates a portion of the wave 206 that remains in the dielectric waveguide 204 after the induction wave 208 is generated. The actual electric and magnetic fields generated as a result of such wave propagation are the frequencies adopted, the particular single or multiple wave propagation modes, the design of the dielectric waveguide 204, the dimensions and composition of the wiring 202, and It can change depending on its surface characteristics, its selective insulation, the electromagnetic characteristics of the surrounding environment, and so on.

The dielectric waveguide 204 may include a termination circuit or damper 214 capable of absorbing the remaining radiation or energy from the wave 210 at the termination of the dielectric waveguide 204. The termination circuit or damper 214 can prevent and / or minimize residual radiation or energy from the wave 210 that is reflected back to the transmitter circuit 212. In one embodiment, the termination circuit or damper 214 may include a termination resistor and / or other components that perform impedance matching to attenuate reflections. In some embodiments, the termination circuit or damper 214 may not be used if the coupling efficiency is high enough and / or the wave 210 is small enough. For simplicity, these transmitters and termination circuits or dampers 212 and 214 are not shown in other drawings, but in those embodiments, transmitters and termination circuits or dampers may probably be used.

Also presented is a single dielectric waveguide 204 that produces a single induced wave 208, but a plurality of dielectrics arranged at different points along the wiring 202 and / or in different axial orientations with respect to the wiring. The waveguide 204 can be employed to generate and receive multiple guided waves 208 at the same or different frequencies, in the same or different phases, and in the same or different wave propagation modes. The single or multiple induction waves 208 are subjected to modulation techniques such as phase shift keying, frequency shift keying, quadrature amplitude modulation, amplitude modulation, multicarrier modulation, and frequency division multiplexing, time division multiplexing, code division multiplexing. It can be modulated to transmit data via multi-access techniques such as different modulation, wave propagation modes, and multiplexing via other modulation and access strategies.

Here, FIG. 3 shows a block of exemplary non-limiting embodiments of the dielectric waveguide coupling system 300 according to the various embodiments described herein. The system 300 includes a dielectric waveguide 304 and a wiring 302 having a wave 306 propagating as a guided wave to the wiring surface of the wiring 302. In an exemplary embodiment, the wave 306 can be characterized as a surface wave or other electromagnetic wave.

In an exemplary embodiment, the dielectric waveguide 304 is curved or has a curvature and is arranged in the vicinity of the wiring 302 such that a portion of the curved dielectric waveguide 304 is parallel to or substantially parallel to the wiring 302. obtain. A portion of the dielectric waveguide 304 parallel to the wire can be any point where the apex of the curve or the tangent of the curve is parallel to the wire 302. When the dielectric waveguide 304 is in the vicinity of the wiring, the induction wave 306 propagating along the wiring 302 can be coupled to the dielectric waveguide 304 and propagate as a guidance wave 308 to the dielectric waveguide 304. A portion of the guided wave 306 that is not coupled to the dielectric waveguide 304 propagates along the wiring 302 as a guided wave 310 (eg, a surface wave or other electromagnetic wave).

Even if the wiring 302 and the dielectric waveguide 304 are curved and bent, the induced waves 306 and 308 remain parallel to the wiring 302 and the dielectric waveguide 304, respectively. Bending increases transmission loss, which also depends on wire diameter, frequency and material. When the dimensions of the dielectric waveguide 304 are selected for effective power transfer, most of the energy of the induction wave 306 is coupled to the dielectric waveguide 304 and remains little in the induction wave 310.

In one embodiment, the receiver circuit may be located at the end of the waveguide 304 to receive the wave 308. The termination circuit may be located at the opposite end of the waveguide 304 to receive the guided wave propagating in the opposite direction to the guided wave 306 coupled to the waveguide 304. Therefore, the termination circuit will prevent and / or minimize the reflection received by the receiver circuit. If the reflection is small, the termination circuit may be omitted.

The selected polarization of the surface wave 306 may be configured to be coupled to the dielectric waveguide 304 as the induction wave 208. For example, if the guided wave 306 is configured with a guided wave or wave propagation mode with each polarization, the dielectric waveguide 304 may be configured to receive one or more induced waves of the selected polarization. Therefore, the induction wave 308 coupled to the dielectric waveguide 304 is a set of induction waves corresponding to one or more of the selected polarizations, and the induction wave 310 further comprises an induction wave that does not match the selected polarization. obtain.

The dielectric waveguide 304 may be configured to receive an induced wave of a particular polarization based on the angle / rotation around the wiring 302 in which the dielectric waveguide 304 is located. For example, when the induced wave 306 is horizontally deflected, most of the induced wave 306 is transmitted to the dielectric waveguide as a wave 308. When the dielectric waveguide 304 is rotated 90 degrees around the wire 302, most of the energy from the guided wave 306 remains coupled to the wire as the guided wave 310, and only a small part is connected to the wire 302 as the wave 308. It will not be combined.

The waves 306, 308 and 310 are shown in the specification with three circles in FIG. 3 and other drawings. These marks are used to indicate a general guided wave and do not necessarily suggest that the waves 306, 308 and 310 are circularly polarized or circularly oriented. In fact, the waves 306, 308 and 310 may have a basic TEM mode in which the electric field extends radially outwards, or may have other non-basic (eg, higher level) modes. These modes can also be asymmetric in nature (eg, radial, symmetrical, triangular, quadrangular).

Further, the induced wave communication via the wiring may be full-duplex, and simultaneous communication in both directions is possible. A wave propagating in one direction can pass through a wave propagating in the opposite direction. The electromagnetic field can be canceled in a short time at a specific point by the superposition principle applied to the wave. Waves propagating in the opposite direction propagate as if the other wave were not there, but the synthetic effect on the observer can be a standing wave pattern. Interference weakens when the induced waves pass through each other and are no longer in a superposed state. As the induced wave (eg, surface wave or other electromagnetic wave) couples into the waveguide and moves away from the wiring, any interference caused by the other induced wave (eg, surface wave or other electromagnetic wave) decreases. In one embodiment, as the induced wave 306 (eg, a surface wave or other electromagnetic wave) approaches the dielectric waveguide 304, another induced wave (eg, a surface wave or other electromagnetic wave) propagating from left to right over the wiring 302. Electromagnetic waves) (not shown) pass through and cause local interference. As the guided wave 306 couples to the dielectric waveguide 304 as a wave 308 and separates from the wiring 302, any interference of the passing guided waves weakens.

The illustrations of the waves 306, 308 and 310 are presented to merely show the principle that the induced wave 306 induces or emits the wave 308 on the dielectric waveguide 304. The induced wave 310 indicates a portion of the induced wave 306 that remains in the wiring 302 after the generation of the wave 308. The actual electric and magnetic fields generated as a result of such induced wave propagation are the shape and / or design of the dielectric waveguide, the relative position of the dielectric waveguide with respect to the wiring, the frequency adopted, the dielectric waveguide 304. It can vary depending on one or more of its design, the dimensions and composition of the wiring 302, its surface properties, its selective insulation, the electromagnetic properties of the ambient environment, and so on.

Here, FIG. 4 shows a block diagram of an exemplary non-limiting embodiment of the dielectric waveguide coupling system 400 according to the various embodiments described herein. The system 400 includes a dielectric waveguide 404 having a wave 406 propagating as a guided wave to the surface of the dielectric waveguide 404. In one embodiment, the dielectric waveguide 404 is curved and one end of the dielectric waveguide 404 can be tied, fixed or mechanically coupled to the wire 402. When the end of the dielectric waveguide 404 is fixed to the wiring 402, the end of the dielectric waveguide 404 is parallel to or substantially parallel to the wiring 402. Alternatively, other parts of the dielectric waveguide beyond the ends may be fixed or coupled to the wiring 402 such that the fixing or coupling is parallel or substantially parallel to the wiring 402. The coupling device 410 may be a nylon cable cord or other type of non-conductive / dielectric material that is separated from the dielectric waveguide 404 or configured as an integral component of the dielectric waveguide 404. .. The dielectric waveguide 404 may be adjacent to the wiring 402 without surrounding the wiring 402.

When the dielectric waveguide 404 is arranged with its ends parallel to the wiring 402, the induction wave 406 propagating along the dielectric waveguide 404 is coupled to the wiring 402 and is the induction wave with respect to the wiring surface of the wiring 402. Propagate as 408. In an exemplary embodiment, the induced wave 408 can be characterized as a surface wave or other electromagnetic wave.

It should be noted that the illustrations of the wave 406 and 408 are presented to merely show the principle that the wave 406 induces or emits the induced wave 408 on, for example, a wiring 402 that operates as a single wired transmission line. The actual electric and magnetic fields generated as a result of such wave propagation are the shape and / or design of the dielectric waveguide, the relative position of the dielectric waveguide with respect to the wiring, the frequency adopted, and the dielectric waveguide 404. It can vary depending on one or more of the design, the dimensions and composition of the wiring 402, its surface properties, its selective insulation, the electromagnetic properties of the ambient environment, and so on.

In one embodiment, the ends of the dielectric waveguide 404 are tapered towards the wiring 402 in order to increase the coupling efficiency. In fact, according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, tapering of the ends of the dielectric waveguide 404 can provide impedance matching to wiring 402. For example, the ends of the dielectric waveguide 404 may be tapered gradually to obtain the desired level of coupling between the wave 406 and the wave 408, as shown in FIG.

In one embodiment, the coupling device 410 may be arranged such that a short dielectric waveguide 404 is present between the coupling device 410 and the end of the dielectric waveguide 404. Maximum coupling efficiency is achieved when the length of the end of the dielectric waveguide 404 beyond the coupling device 410 is at least several wavelengths, no matter what frequency is transmitted.

Here, FIG. 5 shows a block diagram of an exemplary non-limiting embodiment of the dielectric waveguide coupler and transmitter system 500 (collectively referred to herein as system 500) according to the various embodiments described herein. The system 500 includes a transmitter / receiver device 506 that emits and receives waves (eg, a guided wave 504 to a dielectric waveguide 502). The induction wave 504 can be used to carry signals transmitted and received by the communication interface 501 to base station 520, mobile device 522 or building 524. The communication interface 501 can be an integral part of the system 500. Alternatively, the communication interface 501 may be tethered to system 500. The communication interface 501 is a wireless interface for interfacing with base station 520, mobile device 522 or building 524 using any of various wireless signaling protocols (eg LTE, WiFi, WiMAX, IEEE802.xx, etc.). Can be equipped. Communication interface 501 may also include wired interfaces such as fiber optical lines, coaxial cables, stranded pairs or other suitable wired media for transmitting signals to base station 520 or building 524. For embodiments in which the system 500 functions as a repeater, the communication interface 501 may not be present.

The output signal (eg, Tx) of the communication interface 501 can be combined with the millimeter wave carrier generated by the local oscillator 512 on the frequency mixer 510. The frequency mixer 510 can use heterodyne technology or other frequency shift technology that frequency shifts the output signal from the communication interface 501. For example, the communication interface 501 and the signals transmitted from it may be long term evolution (LTE) radio protocols or other radio 3G, 4G, 5G or higher level voice and data protocols, Zigbee, WIMAX, Ultra Wideband or IEEE 802.11 It may be a modulated signal such as an Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplexing (OFDM) signal formatted according to a radio protocol or other radio protocol. In an exemplary embodiment, this frequency conversion is feasible in the analog domain, and as a result the frequency shift is feasible regardless of the type of communication protocol used by base station 520, mobile device 522 or in-building device 524. is there. As new communication technologies are developed, the communication interface 501 can be upgraded or replaced, leaving frequency shifts and transmitters to simplify the upgrade. The carrier wave can then be transmitted to the power amplifier ("PA") 514 and transmitted via the transmitter / receiver device 506 via the deplexer 516.

The received signal from the transmitter / receiver device 506 directed to the communication interface 501 may be separated from other signals via the deplexer 516. The wave can then be sent to a low noise amplifier ("LNA") 518 for amplification. The frequency mixer 521, with the assistance from the local oscillator 512, can reduce the transmission (in some embodiments, in the millimeter wave band or about 38 GHz) to its original frequency. Then, the communication interface 501 can receive the wave transmission at the input port (Rx).

In one embodiment, the transmitter / receiver device 506 is a cylindrical or non-cylindrical metal (eg, hollow in one embodiment, but not necessarily drawn to dimensions) or other conductive or non-conductive material. The end of the dielectric waveguide 502, including the waveguide, is a waveguide of the dielectric waveguide 502 in which the induced wave is coupled to the dielectric waveguide 502 when the transmitter / receiver device 506 generates a wave. It may be located in or near the waveguide or transmitter / receiver device 506 so that it propagates to the surface as a guided wave 504. Similarly, if the guided wave 504 comes in (coupled from the wiring to the dielectric waveguide 502), the guided wave 504 is incident on the transmitter / receiver device 506 and is a cylindrical waveguide or conductive conductor. Connect to the waveguide. The transmitter / receiver device 506 is shown as containing an independent waveguide, but without an independent waveguide, an antenna, a cavity resonator, a klystron, a magnetron, to induce an induced wave on the waveguide 502. Traveling wave tubes or other irradiation elements may be employed.

In one embodiment, the dielectric waveguide 502 may be composed entirely of a dielectric material (or other suitable insulating material) without having a metal or conductive material therein. Dielectric waveguide 502 is nylon, Teflon®, polyethylene, polyamide, other plastics, or other non-conductive materials suitable for facilitating the transmission of electromagnetic waves on the outer surface of such materials. Can be composed of the following materials. In other embodiments, the dielectric waveguide 502 includes a conductive / metal core and may have an external dielectric surface. Similarly, the transmission medium coupled to the dielectric waveguide 502 to propagate the electromagnetic waves induced by the dielectric waveguide 502 or to supply the electromagnetic waves to the dielectric waveguide 502 is, as a whole, metal or metal or It can be composed of a dielectric material (or other suitable insulating material) that does not have a conductive material.

Note that FIG. 5 shows that the aperture of the transmitter / receiver device 506 is much wider than the dielectric waveguide 502, but this is not dimensional and in other embodiments the width of the dielectric waveguide 502. Is equal to or slightly smaller than the opening of the hollow waveguide. Also, although not shown, in one embodiment, the end of the waveguide 502 inserted into the transmitter / receiver device 506 is tapered to reduce reflections and increase coupling efficiency.

Transmitter / receiver device 506 may be communicably coupled to communication interface 501, or alternative, transmitter / receiver device 506 may be communicable to one or more distributed antennas 112 and 114 shown in FIG. May be combined. In other embodiments, the transmitter / receiver device 506 may include a portion of the repeater system for the backhaul network.

Prior to coupling to the dielectric waveguide 502, one or more waveguide modes of the induced wave generated by the transmitter / receiver device 506 can be coupled to one or more wave propagation modes of the induced wave 504. The wave propagation mode may differ from the hollow metal waveguide mode due to the difference in characteristics between the hollow metal waveguide and the dielectric waveguide. For example, the wave propagation mode is the basic transverse electromagnetic mode (quasi-TEM).₀₀), And only a small electric field and / or magnetic field spreads in the propagation direction, and the electric field and magnetic field spread radially outward from the dielectric waveguide 502 while the induced wave propagates along the dielectric waveguide 502. Basic lateral electromagnetic mode Wave propagation mode does not exist inside a hollow waveguide. Therefore, the hollow metal waveguide mode used by the transmitter / receiver device 506 is a waveguide mode that can be effectively and efficiently coupled to the wave propagation mode of the dielectric waveguide 502.

Here, FIG. 6 shows a block diagram showing an exemplary non-limiting embodiment of the dual dielectric waveguide coupling system 600 according to the various embodiments described herein. In one embodiment, two or more dielectric waveguides (eg, 604 and 606) may be positioned around wiring 602 to receive the induced wave 608. In one embodiment, the induced wave 608 can be characterized as a surface wave or other electromagnetic wave. In one embodiment, one dielectric waveguide is sufficient to receive the induced wave 608. In that case, the induced wave 608 is coupled to the dielectric waveguide 604 and propagates as the induced wave 610. When the electric field structure of the induced wave 608 vibrates or oscillates around the wiring 602 due to various external factors, the dielectric waveguide 606 is arranged so that the induced wave 608 is coupled to the dielectric waveguide 606. Can be done. In certain embodiments, it has a non-basic mode or a higher order mode that vibrates or rotates around the wiring 602, is induced in different axial orientations, or has, for example, lobes and / or nulls or other orientation-dependent asymmetry. To receive the induced waves, four or more dielectric waveguides may be placed around a portion of the wiring 602, eg, at 90 degrees or at other intervals from each other. However, it should be found that there may be less than four or more dielectric waveguides arranged around a portion of wire 602 without departing from the exemplary embodiment. Also, one exemplary embodiment has presented a plurality of dielectric waveguides around at least a portion of the wiring 602, the plurality of dielectric waveguides having partial components of the plurality of dielectric waveguides. It can also be seen as part of a single dielectric waveguide system. For example, two or more dielectric waveguides are routed in a single facility so that the dielectric waveguides are pre-positioned or adjustable to each other (manually or automatically) by a single system. It may be manufactured as a single system that can be installed around the. The receiver coupled to the dielectric waveguides 606 and 604 synthesizes the signals received from both the dielectric waveguides 606 and 604 to maximize signal quality. Diversity synthesis can be used. In another embodiment, if one or the other of the dielectric waveguides 604 and 606 receives a wave above a predetermined threshold, the receiver can use selective diversity in determining which signal to use.

The illustrations of the waves 608 and 610 are presented to merely show the principle that the induced wave 608 induces or emits the wave 610 on the dielectric waveguide 604. The actual electric and magnetic fields generated as a result of such wave propagation are the frequencies adopted, the design of the dielectric waveguide 604, the dimensions and composition of the wiring 602, and its surface properties, its selective insulation, the ambient environment. It can change according to the electromagnetic characteristics of.

Here, FIG. 7 shows a block diagram of an exemplary non-limiting embodiment of the bidirectional dielectric waveguide coupling system 700 according to the various embodiments described herein. In system 700, the two dielectric waveguides 704 and 714 are coupled to the dielectric waveguide 704 as a wave 706 by an induced wave (eg, a surface wave or other electromagnetic wave) propagating along the wiring 702 and then relayed. It may be placed near wiring 702 so that it is boosted or relayed by the instrument device 710 and emitted as a guided wave 716 on the dielectric waveguide 714. Then, the induced wave 716 can be coupled to the wiring 702 and continue to propagate along the wiring 702. In one embodiment, the relay device 710 may receive at least a portion of the power used for boosting or relaying via magnetic coupling with a wiring 702 that can be a power line.

In one embodiment, the repeater device 710 can relay the transmission associated with the wave 706, and in other embodiments, the repeater device 710 is a distributed antenna system located near the repeater device 710 and / Or can be associated with a base station device. The receiver waveguide 708 can receive the wave 706 from the dielectric waveguide 714, and the transmitter waveguide 712 can emit the induced wave 716 to the dielectric waveguide 704. Between the receiver waveguide 708 and the transmitter waveguide 712, the signal is amplified or included to compensate for signal loss and other inefficiencies associated with guided wave communication and regenerated for transmission. The signal can be received and processed to extract the resulting data. In one embodiment, the signal can be extracted and processed from the transmit wave or radiated in the vicinity of the mobile device via a distributed antenna communicably coupled to the repeater device 710. Similarly, the signal and / or communication received by the distributed antenna can be inserted into the wave generated by the transmitter waveguide 712 and emitted onto the dielectric waveguide 714. Therefore, the repeater system 700 illustrated in FIG. 7 may be functionally equivalent to the dielectric waveguide coupling devices 108 and 110 in FIG.

Note that FIG. 7 shows the transmission waves 706 and 716 of the induced waves that are incident from the left side and emitted from the right side, respectively, but this is merely a simplification and is not intended to be limited. In another embodiment, the receiver waveguide 708 and the transmitter waveguide 712 can also function as transmitters and receivers, respectively, which makes the repeater device 710 bidirectional.

In one embodiment, the repeater device 710 may be located on the wiring 702 where there is a discontinuity or obstacle. These obstacles may include transformers , connections, utility poles and other such power line devices. Repeater device 710 can assist inductive (eg, surface) waves jumping over these obstacles on the line and simultaneously increasing transmit power. In other embodiments, the dielectric waveguide can be used to jump over obstacles without the use of repeater devices. In that embodiment, both ends of the dielectric waveguide are tied or fixed to the wiring, which provides a path for the induced wave to propagate without being blocked by obstacles.

Here, FIG. 8 shows a block diagram of an exemplary non-limiting embodiment of the bidirectional dielectric waveguide coupler 800 according to the various embodiments described herein. The bidirectional dielectric waveguide coupler 800 can employ a diversity path when two or more wires are crosslinked between utility poles. Induced wave transmissions have different transmission and coupling efficiencies for insulated and non-insulated wiring based on weather, rainfall and atmospheric conditions, so sometimes selectively either insulated or non-insulated wiring. It can be advantageous to send.

In the embodiment shown in FIG. 8, the repeater device uses the receiver waveguide 808 to receive the induced wave propagating along the non-insulated wiring 802 and the transmitter waveguide 810 to insulate the wave. It is relayed as an induced wave along the wiring 804. In other embodiments, the repeater device can switch from insulated wiring 804 to non-insulated wiring 802, or can relay the wave along the same path. The repeater device 806 may include or be in communication with a sensor indicating conditions that may affect transmission. Based on the feedback received from the sensor, the repeater device 806 can make a decision as to whether to keep the wave along the same wire or to propagate it to another wire.

Here, FIG. 9 shows a block diagram showing an exemplary non-limiting embodiment of the bidirectional repeater system 900. The bidirectional repeater system 900 includes waveguide coupling devices 902 and 904 that receive and transmit waves with other coupling devices located in a distributed antenna system or backhaul system.

In various embodiments, the waveguide coupled device 902 can receive a wave with a plurality of subcarriers from another waveguide coupled device. The Deplexer 906 can separate a wave from other waves and direct the wave to a low noise amplifier ("LNA") 908. Auxiliary to the local oscillator 912, the frequency mixer 928 lowers the transmission (millimeter wave band or about 38 GHz in some embodiments) to a lower frequency, which is the cellular band for distributed antenna systems (1.9 GHz or less), the original frequency. Or it can be reduced regardless of other frequencies for the backhaul system. The extractor 932 can extract a signal on the subcarrier corresponding to the antenna or other output component 922 and direct the signal to the output component 922. For signals not extracted at this antenna position, the extractor 932 can reorient them to another frequency mixer 936, which signal is used to modulate the carrier wave produced by the local oscillator 914. Will be done. The carrier, along with its subcarrier, is directed to the power amplifier ("PA") 916 and retransmitted by the waveguide coupling device 904 to another repeater system via the duplexer 920.

In the output device 922 (antenna in a distributed antenna system), the PA924 can boost the signal for transmission to the mobile device. The LNA926 can be used to amplify a weak signal received from a mobile device and then send that signal to a multiplexer 934 that merges the signal with the signal received from the waveguide coupling device 904. The signal received from the coupling device 904 is separated by the duplexer 920, then passes through the LNA 918 and frequency reduced by the frequency mixer 938. When the signals are combined by the multiplexer 934, they are frequency boosted by the frequency mixer 930, boosted by the PA910, and sent back to the emitter or other repeater by the waveguide coupling device 902. In one embodiment, the bidirectional repeater system 900 may simply be a repeater without the antenna / output device 922. It should be found that in one embodiment the bidirectional repeater system 900 may be implemented with two separate and independent unidirectional repeaters. In an alternative embodiment, the bidirectional repeater system 900 may be a booster or may perform retransmissions without degradation or elevation. In fact, in an exemplary embodiment, the retransmission is to receive the signal or induced wave, perform processing or reformation of the signal or induced wave, filtering and / or prior to the retransmission of the signal or induced wave. It can be based on amplification.

Here, FIGS. 10A, 10B and 10C show block diagrams of exemplary non-limiting embodiments of the slotted waveguide coupler system 1000 according to the various embodiments described herein. In FIG. 10A, the waveguide coupler system comprises a wire 1006 that is positioned relative to the wire 1002 so that the wire 1006 fits in or near a slot formed in the wire 1002 that extends longitudinally with respect to the wire 1004. .. The opposite ends 1004a and 1004b of the waveguide 1002 and the waveguide 1002 itself surround less than 180 degrees on the wiring surface of the wiring 1006.

In FIG. 10B, the waveguide coupler system is positioned with respect to the waveguide 1008 so that the wiring 1014 fits in or near a slot formed in the waveguide 1008 extending longitudinally with respect to the wiring 1014. To be equipped. The slot planes of waveguide 1008 do not have to be parallel, and two different exemplary embodiments are shown in FIG. 10B. In the first embodiment, the slot surfaces 1010a and 1010b are not parallel but outwardly slightly wider than the width of the wiring 1014. In the other embodiment, the slot surfaces 1012a and 1012b also need not be parallel, but are narrow enough to form a slot opening smaller than the width of the wiring 1014. Non-parallel slot planes of any range of angles are possible such that these are the two exemplary embodiments.

In Figure 10C, the waveguide coupler system shows wiring 1020 that fits into a slot formed in waveguide 1016. The slot surfaces 1018a and 1018b in this exemplary embodiment may be parallel, but the axis 1026 of the wiring 1020 is aligned with the axis 1024 of the waveguide 1016. Therefore, the waveguide 1016 and the wiring 1020 are not coaxially matched. In another embodiment, as illustrated, the wiring at possible position 1022 also has an axis 1028 that is inconsistent with the axis 1024 of the induction waveguide 1016.

Three different embodiments are shown independently in FIGS. 10A, 10B and 10C, showing a) a waveguide surface surrounding less than 180 degrees of wiring, b) a non-parallel slot surface, and c) a wiring and waveguide that are not coaxially matched. As shown, it should be seen that in various embodiments, various combinations of the listed configurations are possible.

Here, FIG. 11 shows an exemplary non-limiting embodiment of the waveguide coupling system 1100 according to the various embodiments described herein. FIG. 11 shows a cross-sectional view of an embodiment of the waveguide and wiring shown in FIGS. 2, 3, 4, and the like. As can be seen from 1100, wiring 1104 can be positioned in direct adjacent contact with waveguide 1102. In another embodiment, as shown in the waveguide coupling system 1200 in FIG. 12, the wiring 1204 is also arranged near the waveguide piece 1202, but may not actually be in contact with it. In either case, the electromagnetic wave propagating along the waveguide can induce other electromagnetic waves on the wiring and vice versa. Also, in both embodiments, the wirings 1104 and 1204 are arranged outside the cross-sectional area defined by the outer surfaces of the waveguides 1102 and 1202.

For the purposes of the present disclosure, if the waveguide does not surround an axial region of more than 180 degrees on the surface when viewed in cross section, the waveguide does not largely surround the wiring surface of the wiring. For the avoidance of doubt, when viewed in cross section, when the waveguide surrounds an axial region of 180 degrees or less on the surface, the waveguide does not largely surround the surface of the wiring.

Figures 11 and 12 show circular wires 1104 and 1204 and square waveguides 1102 and 1202, but it should be seen that this does not mean a limitation. In other embodiments, the wiring and waveguide can have various shapes, sizes and configurations. The shape may include, but is not limited to, an oval or other ellipse, an octagon with sharp or rounded ridges, a quadrangle or other polygon or other shape. Further, in certain embodiments, the wires 1104 and 1204 may be stranded wires having smaller standard dimensional wires, such as spiral stranded wires, braids of individual stranded wires to a single wire, or other connections. Good. Any of the wiring and waveguides illustrated and described throughout this disclosure may include one or more of these embodiments.

FIG. 13 shows the processing in relation to the system described above. The process in FIG. 13 can be performed on the examples of systems 100, 200, 300, 400, 500, 600, 700, 800 and 900 shown in FIGS. 1-9, respectively. For the sake of brevity, the processing is illustrated and described as a series of blocks, but claims can be made because some blocks may be performed in a different order than those shown and described herein and / or at the same time as other blocks. It should be understood and understood that the matters described in the scope of are not limited by the order of blocks. In addition, not all of the blocks described may be required to carry out the methods described below.

FIG. 13 shows a flow diagram of an exemplary non-limiting embodiment of a method for transmitting a wave using the dielectric waveguide coupler described herein. Method 1300 begins with 1302, in which the first electromagnetic wave is radiated by the transmitting device as a guided wave propagating at least to some extent on the waveguide surface of the waveguide, and the waveguide surface of the waveguide covers all or most of the wiring surface of the wiring. Not enclosed. The transmission generated by the transmitter may be based on a signal received from a base station device, access point, network, mobile device or other signal source.

In 1304, based on the configuration or positioning of the waveguide near the wiring, the induced wave couples at least part of the first electromagnetic wave to the wiring surface and propagates at least partially around the wiring surface. Electromagnetic waves (eg, surface waves) are formed and the wiring is in the vicinity of the waveguide. This may be done in response to positioning a portion of the dielectric waveguide (eg, the tangent to the curve of the dielectric waveguide) near or parallel to the wiring, and the wavelength of the electromagnetic wave is that of the wiring and the dielectric waveguide. It is less than the outer circumference. Even if the wiring is curved or bent, the induced wave or surface wave remains parallel to the wiring. Bending increases transmission loss, which also depends on wire diameter, frequency and material. The coupling interface between the wiring and the waveguide can also be configured to achieve the desired level of coupling, as described herein, which improves impedance matching between the waveguide and the wiring. It may include tapering of the end of the waveguide.

The wave emitted by the transmitter may exhibit one or more waveguide modes. The induced wave mode may depend on the shape and / or design of the waveguide. The propagation mode on the wiring can be different from the waveguide mode due to the difference in characteristics between the waveguide and the wiring. When the outer circumference of the wiring is equal to or greater than the wavelength of the transmitted wave, the induced wave exhibits multiple wave propagation modes. Thus, the induced wave may have more than one type of electric and magnetic field configuration. When an induced wave (eg, a surface wave) propagates through the wiring, the electric and magnetic field configurations are substantially the same from end to end of the wiring, or the wave is transmitted by rotation, dispersion, attenuation or other effects. It can change as the wave moves.

FIG. 14 is a block diagram illustrating exemplary non-limiting embodiments of the waveguide system 1402 according to the various embodiments described herein. The waveguide system 1402 may include a sensor 1404, a power management 1405, a waveguide 1406 and a communication interface 1408.

The waveguide system 1402 may be coupled to power line 1410 to facilitate data communication according to the embodiments described herein. In an exemplary embodiment, the waveguide 1406 is a system 500 as shown in FIG. 5 to induce electromagnetic waves on the surface of the power line 1410 propagating longitudinally along the surface of the power line 1410 described in the present disclosure. Can be equipped with all or part of. Non-limiting techniques for coupling the waveguide 1406 to the power line 1410 are shown in Figures 2-4 and 6. As shown in FIGS. 7-8, the waveguide 1406 can also act as a repeater for retransmitting electromagnetic waves on the same power line 1410 or for routing electromagnetic waves between power lines 1410.

The communication interface 1408 may include the communication interface 501 shown in FIG. 5 in an exemplary embodiment. The communication interface 1408 couples to a waveguide 1406 to upconvert a signal operating at the original frequency into an electromagnetic wave operating at the carrier frequency, and the electromagnetic waves are coupled to the waveguide 1406, such as the dielectric 502 in FIG. Propagates the surface of the power line 1410 and induces a corresponding electromagnetic wave propagating on the surface of the power line 1410. The power line 1410 may be a wiring having a conductive surface or an insulating surface (for example, a single twist or a plurality of twists). The communication interface 1408 can also receive a signal from the waveguide 1406, which is down-converted from an electromagnetic wave operating at the carrier frequency to a signal at its original frequency.

The signal received by the communication interface 1408 for up-conversion is, without limitation, the signal supplied by the base station 1414 via the wired or wireless interface of the communication interface 1408, via the wired or wireless interface of the communication interface 1408. Radio signals transmitted by the mobile device 1420 to base station 1414 for distribution, signals supplied by the communication device 1418 in the building via the wired or wireless interface of the communication interface 1408, and / or of the communication interface 1408. It may include a radio signal supplied to communication interface 1408 by a mobile device 1412 roaming in the radio range. In an embodiment in which the waveguide system 1402 functions as a repeater as shown in FIGS. 7 to 8, the communication interface 1408 does not have to be included in the waveguide system 1402.

The electromagnetic waves propagating along the surface of the power line 1410 include a data payload and further include packets or frames of data containing networking information (eg, header information to identify one or more destination waveguide systems 1402). Can be modulated and formatted as such. Networking information can be provided by a waveguide system 1402 or a transmitting device such as a base station 1414, a mobile station device 1420 or an in-building device 1418 or a combination thereof. In addition, the modulated electromagnetic waves may contain error correction data to mitigate signal disturbances. Networking information and error correction data are transmitted, including voice and / or data signals directed to the recipient communication device communicatively coupled to the destination waveguide system 1402 to detect the wave directed to it. It can be used by the destination waveguide system 1402 to downconvert and process the wave along with the error correction data transmission.

Referring here to the sensor 1404 of the waveguide system 1402, the sensor 1404 includes a temperature sensor 1404a, a disturbance detection sensor 1404b, an energy loss sensor 1404c, a noise sensor 1404d, a vibration sensor 1404e, an environment (eg, weather) sensor 1404f and / or It may be equipped with one or more of the image sensor 1404 g. Sensor 1404 can detect any one of a variety of conditions that can be detrimental to electromagnetic waves propagating along the wiring surface of the wiring. For example, the temperature sensor 1404a measures ambient temperature, temperature of waveguide 1406, temperature of power line 1410, temperature difference (eg, compared to set point or reference line between 1406 and 1410) or any combination thereof. Can be used to In one embodiment, temperature metrics may be collected by base station 1414 and reported periodically to network management system 1601.

The disturbance detection sensor 1404b can perform measurements on the power line 1410 to detect disturbances such as signal reflections that may indicate the presence of downstream disturbances that can impede the propagation of electromagnetic waves on the power line 1410. The reflection of the signal can be, for example, distortion resulting from electromagnetic waves transmitted from the power line 1410 by the waveguide 1406, which reflects back to the waveguide 1406 entirely or to some extent from disturbances in the power line 1410 located downstream from the waveguide 1406. ..

Signal reflection can be caused by obstacles on power line 1410. For example, when a tree branch hangs on power line 1410 or is close to power line 1410 which can result in a corona discharge 1502, the tree branch shown in FIG. 15A can cause reflection of electromagnetic waves. Other examples of obstacles that can result in the reflection of electromagnetic waves are, without limitation, an object 1506 extending over the power line 1410 as shown in FIG. 15 (C) (eg, wrapped around the power line 1410 with a cloth, shoelaces). (Shoes, etc.), corrosive deposits 1512 on power lines 1410 as shown in FIG. 15 (F), or ice deposits 1514 as shown in FIG. 15 (G). The components of the power grid can also interfere with the transmission of electromagnetic waves on the surface of the power line 1410. Examples of power grid components that can result in signal reflection are, without limitation, the joints 1510 for connecting the transformer 1504 shown in FIG. 15 (B) and the splice power lines as shown in FIG. 15 (E). including. Electromagnetic wave reflection can also occur at the acute-angled portion 1508 on the power line 1410 as shown in FIG. 15 (D).

The disturbance detection sensor 1404b includes a circuit that compares the magnitude of the electromagnetic wave reflection with the magnitude of the original electromagnetic wave transmitted by the waveguide 1406 to identify how much downstream disturbance in the power line 1410 attenuates the transmission. obtain. The disturbance detection sensor 1404b may further include a spectrum analyzer circuit for performing spectral analysis on the reflected wave. The spectral data generated by the spectral analyzer circuit is pattern recognition, expert system, curve fitting, matching filtering or other artificial intelligence, classification that identifies the type of disturbance based on the spectral profile that most closely matches the spectral data, for example. Or it can be compared with a comparative technique. The spectrum profile may be stored in the memory of the disturbance detection sensor 1404b or may be remotely accessible by the disturbance detection sensor 1404b. The profile may include spectral data that models the different disturbances that may be encountered on the power line 1410 and allows the disturbance detection sensor 1404b to identify the disturbances locally. If the identification of the disturbance is known, it can be reported by base station 1414 to network management system 1601. The disturbance detection sensor 1404b can also use the waveguide 1406 to transmit the electromagnetic wave as a test signal that identifies the round trip time for the reflection of the electromagnetic wave. The round trip time measured by the disturbance detection sensor 1404b may be used to calculate the distance that the electromagnetic wave propagates to the point of reflection, which causes the disturbance detection sensor 1404b to flow downstream from the waveguide 1406 to the power line 1410. The distance to the disturbance can be calculated.

The calculated distance may be reported by base station 1414 to network management system 1601. In one embodiment, the location of the waveguide system 1402 on power line 1410 may be known to network management system 1601, which network management system 1601 uses on power line 1410 based on a power grid of known topology. The position of the disturbance can be specified. In another embodiment, the waveguide system 1402 can provide its location to the network management system 1601 to assist in locating the disturbance on the power line 1410. The location of the waveguide system 1402 is obtained by the waveguide system 1402 from a pre-programmed position of the waveguide system 1402 stored in the memory of the waveguide system 1402, or the waveguide system 1402 is included in the waveguide system 1402. The location can be identified using a GPS receiver (not shown).

The power management system 1405 supplies energy to the above-mentioned components of the waveguide system 1402. Power management system 1405 can receive energy from solar cells or from a transformer (not shown) coupled to power line 1410, or by inductively coupling to power line 1410 or other nearby power lines. The power management system 1405 may also include a backup battery and / or a supercapacitor or other capacitor circuit to provide instantaneous power to the waveguide system 1402. The loss of the energy sensor 1404c can be used to detect when the waveguide system 1402 has a loss of power conditions and / or some other malfunction. For example, the energy loss sensor 1404c can cause power loss due to a defective solar cell, an obstacle in the solar cell that causes the solar cell to malfunction, power loss on the power line 1410, and / or a dead backup battery or supermarket. It is possible to detect when the backup power system malfunctions due to a detectable defect in the capacitor. In the event of power upset and / or loss, the energy loss sensor 1404c can notify the network management system 1601 by base station 1414.

The noise sensor 1404d can be used to measure noise on power line 1410, which can adversely affect the transmission of electromagnetic waves on power line 1410. The noise sensor 1404d can detect unexpected electromagnetic interference, noise bursts, or other sources of disturbance that may interrupt the transmission of modulated electromagnetic waves on the surface of power line 1410. Noise bursts can be caused, for example, by a corona discharge or other noise source. The noise sensor 1404d is remotely located to store the measured noise from the noise profile's internal database or via pattern recognition, expert systems, curve fitting, matching filtering or other artificial intelligence, classification or comparison techniques. It can be compared with the noise profile obtained by the waveguide system 1402 from the database. From that comparison, the noise sensor 1404d can identify the noise source (eg, corona discharge or otherwise), for example, based on the noise profile that gives the closest match to the measured noise. The noise sensor 1404d can also detect how much noise affects transmission by measuring transmission metrics such as bit error rate, packet loss rate, jitter, and packet retransmission requests. The noise sensor 1404d can report the identity of the noise sources, their occurrence times and transmission metrics, among other things, to the network management system 1601 by base station 1414.

The vibration sensor 1404e may include an accelerometer and / or a gyroscope that detects 2D or 3D vibration in the power line 1410. Vibrations can be stored locally in the waveguide system 1402 or obtained by the waveguide system 1402 from a remote database via pattern recognition, expert systems, curve fitting, matching filtering or other artificial intelligence, classification or comparison techniques. Can be compared with profile. The vibration profile can be used, for example, to distinguish a fallen tree from a gust, based on, for example, a vibration profile that gives the closest match to the measured vibration. The results of this analysis can be reported by the vibration sensor 1404e to the network management system 1601 by base station 1414.

The environmental sensor 1404f may include, among other things, a barometer for measuring barometric pressure, ambient temperature (which may be provided by temperature sensor 1404a), wind speed, humidity, wind direction and rainfall. The environmental sensor 1404f processes this information by collecting the original information and comparing it with an environmental profile that can be obtained from the memory of the waveguide system 1402 or a remote database so that they have pattern recognition, expert system, knowledge. Meteorological conditions can be predicted before they occur through systems based on or other artificial intelligence, classification or other meteorological modeling and prediction techniques. The environmental sensor 1404f can report the original data and its analysis to the network management system 1601.

The image sensor 1404g may be a digital camera (for example, a charge coupling device, that is, a CCD imager, an infrared camera, etc.) for taking an image near the waveguide system 1402. The image sensor 1404g is an electromechanical control of camera movement (eg, actual position or focus / zoom) for inspecting power lines 1410 from multiple overviews (eg, top, bottom, left, right, etc.). It may include a mechanism. Alternatively, the image sensor 1404g may be designed so that it does not require an electromechanical mechanism to obtain multiple overviews. The collection and acquisition of image data generated by the image sensor 1404g may be controlled by the network management system 1601 or may be automatically collected by the image sensor 1404g and reported to the network management system 1601. ..

Telemetry information related to the waveguide system 1402 and / or power line 1410 to detect, predict and / or mitigate disturbances that could interfere with the transmission of electromagnetic waves in power line 1410 (or any other form of transmission medium for electromagnetic waves). Other sensors suitable for collecting can be utilized by the waveguide system 1402.

FIG. 16 is a block diagram illustrating an exemplary non-limiting embodiment of a system 1600 for managing a power grid 1603 and a communication system 1605 incorporated therein, according to the various embodiments described herein. The communication system 1605 includes a plurality of waveguide systems 1402 coupled to power lines 1410 of the power grid 1603. At least a portion of the waveguide system 1402 used in communication system 1605 is in direct communication with base station 1414 and / or network management system 1601. A waveguide system 1402 that is not directly connected to base station 1414 or network management system 1601 is a device of base station 1414 or network management system 1601 by another downstream waveguide system 1402 that is connected to base station 1414 or network management system 1601. You can join a communication session with either.

The network management system 1601 may be communicably coupled to the equipment of the power company 1602 and the equipment of the communication service provider 1604, respectively, to provide each entity with state information related to the power grid 1603 and the communication system 1605. The equipment and communication service provider 1604 of the network management system 1601 and the power company 1602 provides status information to the communication device used by the power company employee 1606 and / or the communication device used by the communication service provider employee 1608. It can be accessed to provide and / or direct such personnel to the management of the power grid 1603 and / or communication system 1605.

FIG. 17 shows a flow diagram of an exemplary non-limiting embodiment of method 1700 for detecting and mitigating disturbances that occur in the communication network of system 1600 of FIG. Method 1700 begins with step 1702 in which the waveguide system 1402 transmits and receives messages that are embedded in or form part of a modulated electromagnetic wave or other type of electromagnetic wave propagating along the surface of power line 1410. .. The message may be voice message, streaming video, and / or other data / information exchanged between communication devices communicatively coupled to communication system 1605. In step 1704, sensor 1404 in waveguide system 1402 can collect detection data. In one embodiment, detection data may be collected in step 1704 before, during, or after the transmission and / or reception of the message in step 1702. In step 1706, the waveguide system 1402 (or the sensor 1404 itself) may actually or predict in communication system 1605 that may affect the communication that occurs in the waveguide system 1402 (eg, is transmitted by it) or is received by it. The occurrence of the disturbed disturbance can be identified from the detection data. The waveguide system 1402 (or sensor 1404) can process temperature data, signal reflection data, energy loss data, noise data, vibration data, environmental data, or a combination thereof to make this decision. The waveguide system 1402 (or sensor 1404) can also detect, identify, estimate or predict its location in the disturbance source and / or communication system 1605. If the disturbance is not detected / identified or predicted / estimated in step 1708, the waveguide system 1402 sends and receives a message embedded in or forming a portion of the modulated electromagnetic wave propagating along the surface of the power line 1410. Continue to Step 1702.

If the disturbance is detected / identified or predicted / estimated in step 1708, the waveguide system 1402 may (or may) adversely affect the transmission or reception of the message in the communication system 1605. Proceed to step 1710 to determine if there is or can have an adverse effect. In one embodiment, the duration and frequency thresholds are used in step 1710 to identify cases where disturbances adversely affect communications in communication system 1605. For purposes of explanation only, it is assumed that the duration threshold is set to 500 ms and the frequency threshold is set to 5 disturbances during the 10 second observation period. Therefore, a disturbance with a duration longer than 500 ms will trigger the duration threshold. In addition, any disturbance more than 5 times in a time interval of 10 seconds will trigger the frequency threshold.

In one embodiment, the disturbance may adversely affect the signal integrity in communication system 1605 if only the duration threshold is exceeded. In other embodiments, the disturbance may adversely affect the integrity of the signal in communication system 1605 if both the duration threshold and the frequency of occurrence threshold are exceeded. Therefore, the latter embodiment is more conservative than the former embodiment in classifying disturbances that adversely affect signal integrity in communication system 1605. It should be found that a number of other algorithms and related parameters and thresholds can be utilized for step 1710 by the exemplary embodiments. Also, any activity, event or condition that can adversely affect the signal integrity of the transmission of electromagnetic waves in communication system 1605, which can be detected by a sensor, other suitable detection device or other means of detection, is an electromagnetic wave in communication system 1605. To detect, mitigate, or substantially eliminate such adverse effects on the signal integrity of the transmission of the system, thereby achieving the goal of preserving the desired quality level of communication services in communication system 1605. It should be found that, alone or in any combination, it can be applied to, used by, or combined with any of the embodiments described in this disclosure.

Returning to method 1700, in step 1710, if the disturbance detected in step 1708 does not meet the adverse communication conditions (eg, neither the duration threshold nor the frequency threshold is exceeded), the waveguide system 1402 is set to step 1702. You can continue processing the message. For example, if the disturbance detected in step 1708 occurs once every 10 seconds and has a duration of 1 ms, then neither threshold is exceeded. As a result, such disturbances can be considered to have little effect on signal integrity in communication system 1605 and are therefore not flagged as disturbances that require mitigation. Although not flagged, the occurrence of disturbances, their time of occurrence, their frequency of occurrence, spectral data and / or other useful information may be reported to the network management system 1601 as telemetric data for monitoring purposes.

Returning to step 1710, on the other hand, if the disturbance meets the adversely affected communication conditions (eg, exceeds one or both of the thresholds), the waveguide system 1402 proceeds to step 1712 and reports the event to the network management system 1601. Can be. The report includes the original detection data collected by sensor 1404, a description of the disturbance if known by the waveguide system 1402, the time of occurrence of the disturbance, the frequency of occurrence of the disturbance, the location associated with the disturbance, the bit error rate, and the packet. It can include parameter readings such as loss rate, retransmission request, jitter, latency, etc. If the disturbance is based on predictions by one or more sensors in waveguide system 1402, the report is on the type of disturbance expected, and if predictable, on the history the predictions were collected by sensor 1404 in waveguide system 1402. Based on the detection data of, it may include the predicted occurrence time of the disturbance and the predicted occurrence frequency of the disturbance.

In step 1714, network management system 1601 can determine mitigation, bypass or correction techniques, which reroute traffic to waveguide system 1402 to bypass the disturbance if the location of the disturbance can be located. May include letting. In one embodiment, a disturbance-detecting waveguide system 1402 connects a repeater 1802 as shown in FIG. 18A with a waveguide system 1402 from the disturbance-affected main power line 1804 to the sub-power line 1806. Allows system 1402 to reroute traffic to a different transmission medium and avoid disturbance 1801. In an embodiment in which the waveguide system 1402 is configured as a repeater such as a repeater 1802, the waveguide system 1402 itself can reroute traffic from the main power line 1804 to the secondary power line 1806. Also, for bidirectional communication (eg, full-duplex or half-duplex communication), repeater 1802 should reroute traffic from the secondary power line 1806 to the main power line 1804 for processing by the waveguide system 1402. Can be configured in.

In another embodiment, the waveguide system 1402 redirects traffic by directing a first repeater 1812 located upstream of the disturbance and a second repeater 1814 located downstream of the disturbance. Then, as shown in FIG. 18B, the traffic is temporarily redirected from the main power line 1804 to the sub power line 1806 in a manner of avoiding the disturbance 1801, and then returned to the main power line 1804. Also, for bidirectional communication (eg, full-duplex or half-duplex communication), repeaters 1812 and 1814 may be configured to reroute traffic from secondary power line 1806 to main power line 1804.

To avoid interrupting existing communication sessions occurring on secondary power line 1806, network management system 1601 redirects data and / or voice traffic away from mains line 1804 to bypass disturbance 1801. In order to do so, the waveguide system 1402 (in the embodiment of FIGS. 18A-18B) is instructed to use the unused time slot and / or frequency band of the secondary power line 1806.

In step 1716, the network management system 1601 can notify the utility 1602 equipment and / or the communication service provider 1604 equipment while the traffic is rerouted to avoid disturbance, which was also detected. Disturbances and their location may be notified to the staff of the utility company 1606 and / or the staff of the communications service provider 1608 if known. On-site personnel from any of the organizations can be dispatched to eliminate the disturbance at the specified disturbance location. Once the disturbance has been removed or mitigated by a utility employee and / or a communications service provider employee, that employee is communicably coupled to the network management system 1601 on-site equipment (eg, laptop computer, smartphone, etc.). ) And / or the power company's and / or communication service provider's equipment may be used to notify their respective company and / or network management system 1601. The notification may include an explanation of how the disturbance was mitigated, and any changes to power line 1410 that could change the topology of communication system 1605.

When the disturbance is resolved, the network management system 1601 reinstates the waveguide system 1402 in step 1720 the previous path configuration used for the waveguide system 1402, or the recovery strategy used to mitigate the disturbance. Can route traffic according to a new route configuration if it introduces a new network topology for communication system 1605. In other embodiments, the waveguide system 1402 may be configured to monitor disturbance mitigation by transmitting a test signal to power line 1410 to identify when the disturbance was removed. When the waveguide 1402 detects that there is no disturbance, it can autonomously restore its path configuration without the assistance of the network management system 1601 if it determines that the network topology of the communication system 1605 has not changed. New route configurations are available that are compatible with the new network topologies that can or have been detected.

Here, FIG. 19 shows a block diagram of a computing environment in various forms described here. To provide additional relevance to the various embodiments of the embodiments described herein, FIG. 19 and the following description are a brief description of a suitable computing environment 1900 in which the various embodiments of the present disclosure may be implemented. It is intended to give a brief overview. Although 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 appreciate the embodiments in combination with other program modules and / or. You should recognize that it can also be implemented as a combination of hardware and software.

In general, a program module comprises routines, programs, components, data structures, etc. that perform a particular task or implement a particular abstract data type. In addition, those skilled in the art can use single-processor or multiprocessor computer systems, minicomputers, mainframe computers, other personal computers, handheld computers, each of which can be operably coupled to one or more related devices. It should be seen that it can be implemented in other computer system configurations with wing devices, microprocessor-based or programmable consumer electronics, and the like.

The terms "1st", "2nd", "3rd", etc. used in the claims are for the purpose of clarification only, unless it is clear from the context, otherwise. Does not indicate or suggest any order in time. For example, the "first judgment", "second judgment", and "third judgment" indicate or suggest that the first judgment should be made before the second judgment, or vice versa. It is not something to do.

The described embodiments of the embodiments herein may also be implemented in a distributed computing environment in which a particular task is performed by a remote processing device linked via a communication network. In a distributed computing environment, program modules can be located in both local and remote memory storage devices.

Computing devices typically include a variety of media, which include computer-readable storage media and / or communication media, and these two terms are used as different from each other, as shown below. The computer-readable storage medium may be any available storage medium accessible by the computer and includes volatile and non-volatile media, removable and non-removable media. By way of example, but not limited to, computer readable storage media can be implemented in relation to any method or technique for storing information such as computer readable instructions, program modules, structured or unstructured data.

Computer-readable storage media include, but are not limited to, random access memory (RAM), read-only memory (ROM), electronically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM), flash memory or other memory technologies, and compact disks. Used to store read-only memory (CD-ROM), digital versatile disc (DVD) or other optical disc storage, magnetic cassettes, magnetic tapes, magnetic disc storage or other magnetic storage devices, or desired information. It may be equipped with other tangible and / or non-temporary media to obtain. In this regard, the term "tangible" or "non-temporary" as applied herein to storage, memory or computer-readable media shall, as a modifier, exclude only the transient signal itself being propagated. It should be understood and does not waive any rights to all standard storage, memory or computer readable media, not just the transient signal itself being propagated.

A computer-readable storage medium is accessible by one or more local or remote computing devices to various actions relating to the information stored on the medium, for example via access request, query, or other data acquisition protocol.

The communication medium usually embodies any other structured or unstructured data in a computer-readable instruction, data structure, program module, or modulated data signal, eg, a data signal such as a carrier or other carrier. It is equipped with an information distribution or transportation medium. The term "modulated data signal" or signal refers to a signal having one or more of its characteristics set or modified in such a way that information is encoded into one or more signals. By way of example, communication media include, but are not limited to, wired media such as wired networks or direct wired connections, as well as wireless media such as acoustic, RF, infrared and other wireless media.

For the sake of brevity, each process is illustrated and described as a series of blocks in FIG. 17, but some blocks are performed in a different order than those shown and described herein and / or at the same time as other blocks. In order to obtain, it is understood and understood that the matters described in the claims are not limited by the order of blocks. Moreover, not all of the blocks described are required to carry out the methods described herein.

Referring again to FIG. 19, an exemplary environment 1900 for transmitting and receiving signals via a base station (eg, base station device 102, 104 or 520) or forming at least a portion of a base station is shown. At least a portion of the illustrated environment 1900 may also be used for repeater devices (eg, repeater device 710 or 806). The illustrated environment can include computer 1902, which includes processing equipment 1904, system memory 1906, and system bus 1908. System bus 1908 couples system components, including, but not limited to, system memory 1906 to processing equipment 1904. The processing device 1904 may be any of various commercially available processors. Dual microprocessors and other multiprocessor architectures may be utilized as the processor 1904.

System Bus 1908 is a bus structure of several types that can be further interconnected to memory buses (with or without a memory controller), peripheral buses, and local buses using any of a variety of commercially available bus architectures. It may be any of. The system memory 1906 includes ROM 1910 and RAM 1912. The basic input / output system (BIOS) can be stored in non-volatile memory such as ROM, erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROM), EEPROM, and transfers information between elements in computer 1902, such as during startup. Includes basic routines to help with that. RAM1912 can also include high-speed RAM, such as static RAM for caching data.

The computer 1902 further comprises an internal hard disk drive (HDD) 1914 (eg, EIDE, SATA), which also reads from or writes to a suitable chassis (not shown), (eg, removable diskette 1918). ) For external use in magnetic floppy disk drives (FDD) 1916 and optical disk drives 1920 (for example, reading CD-ROM discs 1922 or reading from or writing to other high capacity optical media such as DVDs). It can also be configured in. The hard disk drive 1914, the magnetic disk drive 1916 and the optical disk drive 1920 can be connected to the system bus 1908 by the hard disk drive interface 1924, the magnetic disk drive interface 1926 and the optical drive interface 1928, respectively. The interface 1924 for mounting an external drive comprises at least one or both of the Universal Serial Bus (USB) and the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) 1394 interface technologies. Other external drive connection techniques are within the considerations of the embodiments described herein.

Drives and their associated computer-readable storage media provide non-volatile storage of data, data structures, computer-executable instructions, and so on. For computer 1902, drives and storage media store storage of arbitrary data in a suitable digital format. The above description of computer-readable storage media refers to hard disk drives (HDDs), removable magnetic disks and removable optical media such as CDs or DVDs, but those skilled in the art may use zip drivers, magnetic cassettes, flash memory cards, etc. Other types of computer-readable storage media, such as cartridges, may also be used in the exemplary operating environment, and none of such storage media is a computer-executable instruction for performing the methods described herein. You should see that it can include.

A large number of program modules with an operating system 1930, one or more application programs 1932, other program modules 1934 and program data 1936 can be stored in the drive and RAM 1912. All or part of the operating system, applications, modules and / or data may be cached in RAM1912. The systems and methods described herein can be implemented using various commercially available operating systems or combinations of operating systems. An example of application program 1932 that can be implemented and / or executed by processor 1904 includes a diversity selection decision performed by repeater device 806. The base station device 508 shown in FIG. 5 also stores in memory a number of applications and programs that can be executed by the processor 1904 in this exemplary computing environment 1900.

The user can enter commands and information into the computer 1902 via, for example, one or more wired / wireless input devices such as the keyboard 1938 and a pointing device such as the mouse 1940. Other input devices (not shown) can include microphones, infrared (IR) remote controls, joysticks, gamepads, stylus pens, touch panels, and the like. These and other input devices may be coupled to the system bus 1908, but may be connected by other interfaces such as parallel port, IEEE1394 serial port, game port, universal serial bus (USB) port, IR interface, etc. Input device interface 1942 It is often connected to the processing device 1904 via.

Monitor 1944 or other types of display devices may also be connected to system bus 1908 via an interface such as the video adapter 1946. In an alternative embodiment, the monitor 1944 has any display device (eg, a display) for receiving display information related to the computer 1902 via any means of communication, including over the Internet and cloud-based networks. You should also know that it could be another computer, smartphone, tablet computer, etc.). In addition to monitor 1944, computers typically include other peripheral output devices (not shown) such as speakers and printers.

Computer 1902 can operate in a networked environment using logical connections via wired and / or wireless communication to one or more remote computers, such as remote computer 1948. The remote computer 1948 can be a workstation, server computer, router, personal computer, portable computer, microprocessor-based entertainment equipment, peer device or other common network node, typically with respect to computer 1902. It includes many or all of the elements described, but for simplicity, only the memory / storage device 1950 is shown. The illustrated logical connection comprises a wired / wireless connection to a local area network (LAN) 1952 and / or a larger network, such as a wide area network (WAN) 1954. Such LAN and WAN networking environments are common in offices and businesses, all facilitating enterprise-wide computer networks such as intranets that can connect to global communication networks such as the Internet.

When used in a LAN networking environment, the computer 1902 can be connected to the local network 1952 via a wired and / or wireless communication network interface adapter 1956. The adapter 1956 can facilitate wired or wireless communication to LAN1952, which can also include a wireless AP placed therein to communicate with the wireless adapter 1956.

When used in a WAN networking environment, computer 1902 can be equipped with a modem 1958 and can be connected to a communication server on WAN1954, or other means for establishing communication on WAN1954, such as via the Internet. Has. The modem 1958 may be an internal or external and wired or wireless device and may be connected to system bus 1908 via the input device interface 1942. In a networked environment, the program modules illustrated for computer 1902 or parts thereof may be stored in remote memory / storage device 1950. It should be seen that the network connections shown are exemplary and other means of establishing communication links between computers may be used.

The computer 1902 relates to any wireless device or entity that is operably arranged in wireless communication, such as a printer, scanner, desktop and / or portable computer, portable data assistant, communication satellite, wirelessly detectable tag. It can operate to communicate with any device or location (eg, kiosk, store, break room) and telephone. It may include Wireless Fidelity (Wi-Fi) and BLUETOOTH® wireless technology. Therefore, the communication may have a predetermined structure as in a conventional network, or may simply be ad hoc communication between at least two devices.

Wi-Fi allows you to connect to the Internet from a sofa at home, a bed in a hotel room, or a meeting room at work without wiring. Wi-Fi is a wireless technology similar to that used in mobile phones that allows such devices, such as computers, to send and receive data indoors and outdoors, anywhere within the range of a base station. Is. Wi-Fi networks use wireless technology called IEEE 802.11 (a, b, g, n, ac, etc.) to provide secure, reliable and fast wireless connections. Wi-Fi networks can be used to connect computers to each other, to the Internet, and to wired networks (where IEEE 802.3 or Ethernet® can be used). Wi-Fi networks operate, for example, in the unlicensed 2.4 and 5 GHz wireless bands, or with products that include both bands (dual bands), so the network is a basic 10BaseT Wired Ethernet® network used in many offices. Can provide real-world performance similar to.

FIG. 20 represents an exemplary embodiment 2000 of a mobile network platform 2010 in which one or more embodiments of the disclosures described herein can be implemented and utilized. In one or more embodiments, the mobile network platform 2010 is transmitted and transmitted by a base station (eg, base station devices 102, 104 and 520) or repeater device (eg, repeater device 710 or 806) related to this disclosure. The received signal can be generated and received. In summary, Wireless Network Platform 2010 provides both packet-switched (PS) traffic (eg, Internet Protocol (IP), Frame Relay, Asymmetric Forwarding Mode (ATM)) and circuit-switched (CS) traffic (eg, voice and data). It may include components that facilitate the production of networked wireless telecommunications, such as nodes, gateways, interfaces, servers or heterogeneous platforms. As a non-limiting example, the wireless network platform 2010 can be included in a telecommunications carrier network and can be considered a carrier component as described elsewhere. Mobile Network Platform 2010 provides CS traffic received from traditional networks such as the Telephone Network 2040 (eg, Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN) or Public Mobile Network (PLMN)) or Signaling System # 7 (SS7) Network 2070. It is equipped with a CS gateway node 2012 that can interface with. The circuit exchange gateway node 2012 can allow and authenticate traffic (eg, voice) originating from such networks. In addition, CS Gateway Node 2012 can access mobility or roaming data generated over SS7 network 2070, such as mobility data stored in a visit location register (VLR) that can reside in memory 2030. In addition, CS Gateway Node 2012 Interfaces CS-based traffic and signaling with PS Gateway Node 2018. As an example, in a 3GPP UMTS network, CS Gateway Node 2012 can be implemented at least to some extent at Gateway GPRS Support Node (GGSN). It should be found that the functions and specific operations of CS Gateway Node 2012, PS Gateway Node 2018 and Serving Node 2016 are provided and controlled by the wireless technology utilized by Mobile Network Platform 2010 for telecommunications.

In addition to receiving and processing CS exchange traffic and signaling, PS Gateway Node 2018 can allow and authenticate PS-based data sessions with serviced mobile devices. Data sessions are like Wide Area Network (WAN) 2050, Corporate Network 2070 and Service Network 2080, which can be embodied in Local Area Network (LAN) and interfaced with Mobile Network Platform 2010 via PS Gateway Node 2018. It can be equipped with traffic or content that is exchanged with the external network of the wireless network platform 2010. The WAN 2050 and the corporate network 2060 can at least to some extent embody a service network such as the IP Multimedia Subsystem (IMS). Based on the wireless technology layer available in Technology Resource 2017, Packet Switching Gateway Node 2018 can generate the context of the packet data protocol when a data session is established, facilitating the routing of packetized data. Other data structures can also be generated. To that end, in one form, the PS Gateway Node 2018 is a tunnel interface that can facilitate packetized communication with heterogeneous wireless networks such as Wi-Fi networks (in a 3GPP UMTS network (not shown), for example, a tunnel termination. It can be equipped with a gateway (TTG).

In Embodiment 2000, the wireless network platform 2010 also provides a serving node that carries various packetized flows of data streams received through the PS gateway node 2018, based on the available wireless technology layer within the technology resource 2017. Prepare for 2016. Note that the server node can deliver traffic without depending on the PS gateway node 2018 for the technical resource 2017 that mainly depends on CS communication. For example, the server node embodies a mobile exchange center at least to some extent. be able to. As an example, in a 3GPP UMTS network, the serving node 2016 can be embodied in a serving GPRS support node (SGSN).

For wireless technologies that utilize packetized communications, Server 2014 in Wireless Network Platform 2010 runs a number of applications that generate multiple heterogeneous packetized data streams or flows and manages such flows (eg, scheduling, etc.). Queue processing, formatting ...) can be done. Such applications can include add-on configurations for standard services provided by the wireless network platform 2010 (eg, provisioning, billing, customer support ...). The data stream (eg, content that is part of a voice call or data session) is propagated to the PS gateway node 2018 for authorization / authentication and initiation of the data session, and to the serving node 2016 for subsequent communication. Can be done. In addition to the application server, Server 2014 may include a utility server, which may include a provisioning server, an operation and maintenance server, and at least to some extent a security server capable of implementing a certificate authority and firefall and other security mechanisms. it can. In one form, the security server secures the communication served through the wireless network platform 2010, and in addition to the authorization and authentication procedures that CS Gateway Node 2012 and PS Gateway Node 2018 can specify, network operation and Ensure data integrity. In addition, the provisioning server can provision services from external networks such as WAN2050 or Global Positioning System (GPS) networks (not shown), such as networks operated by disparate service providers. The provisioning server also enhances wireless service coverage by providing more network coverage, such as the distributed antenna network shown in Figure 1 (eg, by the same service provider). Coverage can be provisioned via the network associated with the wireless network platform 2010 (deployed and operated). Repeater devices such as those shown in Figures 7, 8 and 9 also improve network coverage to enhance the subscriber service experience with UE2075.

Note that Server 2014 can include one or more processors configured to provide at least some functionality of Macro Network Platform 2010. For this purpose, one or more processors can, for example, execute code instructions stored in memory 2030. It should be found that Server 2014 may have Content Manager 2015 that behaves in much the same way as described above.

In an exemplary embodiment 2000, the memory 2030 can store information related to the operation of the wireless network platform 2010. Other behavioral information includes provisioning information for mobile devices served through the wireless platform network 2010, subscriber databases, application intelligence, such as promotional fees, flat-rate programs, pricing methods such as coupon campaigns, heterogeneous wireless behavior. It may have a technical specification conforming to a telecommunications protocol for, or a wireless technology layer and the like. Memory 2030 can also store information from at least one of the telephone network 2040, WAN2050, corporate network 2060 or SS7 network 2070. In one form, memory 2030 can be accessed, for example, as part of a data store component or as a remotely connected memory store.

In order to provide relevance to the various forms of disclosure, the description in FIG. 20 and the following is intended to provide a brief schematic description of the appropriate environment in which the various forms of disclosure can be implemented. Although the subject matter has been described above in the general context of computer executable instructions for computer programs running on one computer and / or multiple computers, those skilled in the art will appreciate the disclosure in combination with other program modules. You should be aware that it can be done. In general, a program module comprises routines, programs, components, data structures, etc. that perform specific tasks and / or implement specific abstract data types.

FIG. 21 shows an exemplary embodiment of the communication device 2100. The communication device 2100 can be an exemplary embodiment of a device such as a mobile device and an in-building device referred to by the present disclosure (in FIGS. 1 and 14).

The communication device 2100 includes a wired and / or wireless transmitter / receiver 2102 (here, a transmitter / receiver 2102), a user interface (UI) 2104, a power supply 2114, a positioning receiver 2116, a mobile sensor 2118, a direction sensor 2120, and their operations. It may be equipped with a controller 2106 for managing. The transmitter / receiver 2102 can support short-range or long-range wireless access technologies such as Bluetooth®, ZigBee®, WiFi, DECT or cellular communication technologies, to name a few (Bluetooth (registered)). Bluetooth (registered trademark) and Zigbee (registered trademark) are Bluetooth (registered trademark) Special Interest (Registered trademarks by Group and Zigbee® Alliance, respectively). Cellular technology includes, for example, CDMA-IX, UMTS / HSDPA, GSM® / GPRS, TDMA / EDGE, EV / DO, WiMAX, SDR, LTE, and other next-generation wireless communication technologies as they emerge. obtain. The transceiver 2102 may also be adapted for circuit-switched wired access technologies (PSTN, etc.), packet-switched wired access technologies (TCP / IP, VoIP, etc.) and combinations thereof.

The UI2104 may include a push-down or touch-sensitive keypad 2108 with a navigation mechanism such as a roller ball, joystick, mouse or navigation disc that controls the operation of the communication device 2100. The keypad 2108 may be an integral part of the housing assembly of the communication device 2100 or can be operated by a connected wired interface (such as a USB cable) or a wireless interface that supports the example Bluetooth®. It may be a combined independent device. The keypad 2108 may be a numeric keypad and / or a QWERTY keypad with alphabetic keys commonly used on telephones. The UI2104 may further include a display 2110 such as a black and white or color LCD (liquid crystal display), an OLED (organic light emitting diode) or other suitable display technology for transmitting an image to the end user of the communication device 2100. In one embodiment where the display 2110 is touch-sensitive, part or all of the keypad 2108 may be presented by the display 2110 along with a navigation configuration.

Display 2110 may use touch screen technology that also acts as a user interface for detecting user input. As a touch screen display, the communication device 2100 may be configured to present a user interface with a graphical user interface (GUI) element that can be selected by the user at the touch of a finger. The touch screen display 2110 may be equipped with capacitive, resistive or other forms of detection technology that detect how much surface area of the user's finger is placed on a portion of the touch screen display. This detection information can be used to control the operation of GUI elements or other functions of the user interface. The display 2110 may be an integral part of the housing assembly of the communication device 2100, or it may be an independent device communicatively coupled to it by a connected wired interface (such as a cable) or a wireless interface.

UI2104 may also include an audio system 2112 that utilizes audio technology to convey low volume audio (audio heard near the human ear) and high volume audio (such as speakerphones for hands-free operation). The audio system 2112 may further include a microphone for receiving the end user's audible signal. Audio system 2112 may also be used in speech recognition applications. The UI2104 may further include an image sensor 2113, such as a charge-shift bond (CCD) camera for capturing still images or moving images.

The power supply 2114 is a common power management technology, such as a replaceable and rechargeable battery, for power regulation, to energize the components of the communication device 2100 to facilitate long-distance or short-range portable communication. Technology and / or charging system technology can be utilized. Alternatively or in combination, the charging system may utilize an external power source such as DC power supplied via a physical interface such as a USB port or other suitable tethering technique.

Positioning receiver 2116 is a positioning technology such as a Global Positioning System (GPS) receiver capable of assisted GPS to locate the communication device 2100 based on the signal generated by the GPS satellite constellation. Can be utilized, which can be used to facilitate positioning services such as navigation. The movement sensor 2118 can utilize an accelerometer, a gyroscope, or any other suitable movement detection technique that detects the movement of the communication device 2100 in three-dimensional space. The direction sensor 2120 can utilize direction detection technology such as a magnetometer to detect the direction of the communication device 2100 (north, south, west and east, and composite directions in degrees, minutes or other suitable direction metrics). ..

The communication device 2100 uses the transmitter / receiver 2102 with a detection technology such as using a received signal strength indicator (RSSI) and / or signal arrival time (TOA) or flight time (TOF) measurements to cellular, WiFi, Bluetooth. The proximity of (registered trademark) or other wireless access points can also be determined. Controller 2106, along with related storage memory such as Flash, ROM, RAM, SRAM, DRAM or other storage technology for executing computer instructions and controlling and processing the data supplied by the aforementioned components of communication device 2100. Computer technologies such as microprocessors, digital signal processors (DSPs), programmable gate arrays, application-specific integrated circuits and / or video processors are available.

Other components not shown in FIG. 21 may be used in one or more embodiments of the present disclosure. For example, the communication device 2100 may include a slot for adding or removing an identification module such as a subscriber identification module (SIM) card or a universal integrated circuit card (UICC). A SIM or UICC card can be used to identify subscriber services, execute programs, store subscriber data, and so on.

In the present specification, terms such as "memory", "storage", "data store", "data storage", "database" and any other information storage component substantially relating to the operation and function of the component are referred to as "memory". It refers to an entity embodied in "component", "memory", or a component having memory. The memory components described herein may be either volatile or non-volatile memory, or volatile and non-volatile memory, eg, but not limited to, volatile memory, non-volatile memory, disk storage and memory. You should see that it can have storage. The non-volatile memory may also be included in a read-only memory (ROM), a programmable ROM (PROM), an electrically programmable ROM (EPROM), an electrically erasable ROM (EEPROM), or a flash memory. Volatile memory may include random access memory (RAM) that acts as external cache memory. By way of example, RAM is not limited to synchronous RAM (SRAM), dynamic RAM (DRAM), synchronous DRAM (SDRAM), double data rate SDRAM (DDR SDRAM), enhanced SDRAM (ESDRAM), Synchlink DRAM (SLDRAM) and direct RambusRAM ( It is available in many forms such as DRRAM). Moreover, the memory components of the disclosure of a system or method herein include, but are not limited to, these and other suitable types of memory.

In addition, disclosures include single-processor or multiprocessor computer systems, mini-computing devices, mainframe computers, other personal computers, handheld computing devices (eg, PDA, phones, watches, tablet computers, netbook computers). Etc.), may be implemented in other computer system configurations based on microprocessors or equipped with programmable consumer or commercial electronic devices. The described forms can also be performed in a distributed computing environment where tasks are performed by remote processing devices linked over a communication network, but some forms are stand-alone computers if not all of the disclosures. Can be implemented. In a distributed computing environment, program modules can be located on both local and remote memory storage devices.

Some of the embodiments described herein can also employ artificial intelligence (AI) to facilitate automation of one or more configurations described herein. For example, artificial intelligence may be used to determine the location around the wiring where the dielectric waveguides 604 and 606 should be located to maximize transmission efficiency. The embodiments (eg, in relation to automatically identifying the acquisition cell site that gives the maximum / benefit after addition to an existing communication network) are various AIs for implementing the various embodiments. A method based on can be adopted. In addition, classifiers can be employed to identify the ranking or priority of each cell site in the acquisition network. The classifier maps the input attribute vector x = (x1, x2, x3, x4, ..., Xn) to the confidence that the input belongs to the class, i.e. f (x) = confidence (class). Such classifications utilize probabilistic and / or statistical analysis (eg, taking into account analysis utilities and costs) to predict or infer actions that the user wants to be performed automatically. be able to. A Support Vector Machine (SVM) is an example of a classifier that can be used. The SVM works by finding a hypersurface in the space of possible inputs, which attempts to separate the trigger criteria from non-triggered events. Intuitively, this corrects the classification for test data that is close to but not identical to the training data. Other directed and undirected model classification approaches include, for example, naive Bayes, Bayesian networks, decision trees, neural networks, fuzzy logic models and stochastic classification models that provide various patterns of independence. The classifications used here also include statistical retrogrades used to develop a model of priority.

As is readily apparent, one or more of the embodiments are trained explicitly (eg, through comprehensive training data) and implicitly (eg, observing the behavior of the UE, of the operator. You can employ classifiers that are trained (via receiving preferences, historical information, and external information). For example, SVMs can be configured via learning or training stages within classifier constructors and configuration selection modules. Thus, the classifier is, but is not limited to, which of the acquired cell sites benefits the largest number of subscribers and / or which of the acquired cell sites adds a minimum to the existing communication network coverage. It can be used to automatically learn and perform a number of functions, including decisions that follow certain criteria, such as.

As used in some contexts herein, in certain embodiments, the terms "component", "system", etc. refer to a computer-related entity, or an entity associated with an operable device having one or more specific functions. The entity may be any of hardware, a combination of hardware and software, software, or running software. As an example, a component may be, but is not limited to, a process running on a processor, a processor, an object, an executable, a thread of execution, a computer executable instruction, a program and / or a computer. By way of example, but not limited to, both the application running on the server and the server can be components. One or more components may reside within a thread of processing and / or execution, and components may be localized to one computer and / or distributed among two or more computers. Moreover, these components are executable from various computer-readable media with various data structures stored therein. A component interacts with another system over a network such as the Internet with another system via a signal, such as by a signal with one or more data packets (eg, in a local system, in a distributed system, and / or over a signal). Data from one component), can communicate via local and / or remote processing. As another example, the component may be a device having a specific function provided by a mechanical component operated by an electrical or electronic circuit operated by a software or firmware application executed by the processor, and the processor is the device's. It may be internal or external and runs at least part of the software or firmware application. As yet another example, components are identified via electronic components without mechanical components. The electronic component may be equipped with a processor running software or firmware that provides at least some of the functionality of the electronic component. Although the various components are shown as separate components, multiple components can be implemented as a single component, or a single component can be implemented as multiple components, without departing from the exemplary embodiments. You should know.

Also, various embodiments are implemented as devices or manufactured articles that use methods, standard programming and / or engineering techniques to control the computer to implement the disclosures software, firmware, hardware or any of these. Combinations can be generated. As used herein, the term "manufactured article" includes any computer program that has access to a computer-readable device or computer-readable storage / communication medium. For example, computer-readable storage media include, but are not limited to, magnetic storage devices (eg, hard disks, floppy discs, magnetic strips), optical discs (eg, compact discs (CDs), digital versatile discs (DVDs)), smarts. It may include cards and flash memory devices (eg, cards, sticks, key drives). Of course, one of ordinary skill in the art should recognize that numerous modifications can be made to this configuration without departing from the scope or intent of the various embodiments.

In addition, the words "example" and "exemplification" are used herein to mean act as an example or example. Any embodiment or design described herein as an "example" or "exemplary" is not necessarily construed as suitable or advantageous over other embodiments or designs. Conversely, the use of the term example or example is intended to present the concept in a concrete manner. As used herein, the term "or / or" means inclusive "or / or" rather than exclusive "or / or". That is, unless otherwise noted or unclear from the context, "X adopts A or B" means either of the natural inclusive permutations. That is, when X adopts A, X adopts B, or X adopts both A and B, "X adopts A or B" is any of the above examples. Satisfied below. Furthermore, the articles "a" and "an" used in the present application and the appended claims shall be "one or more" unless otherwise specified or unless it is clear from the context that the singular form is indicated. Should be generally interpreted as meaning ".

In addition, it stands for "user device," "mobile station," "mobile," "subscriber station," "access terminal," "terminal," "handset," "mobile device," (and / or similar terms. Terms such as) refer to wireless devices used by subscribers or users of wireless communications services that receive or transmit data, controls, audio, video, sound, games or virtually any data or signaling stream. Is. The terms mentioned above are used interchangeably here and with reference to the relevant drawings.

Furthermore, the terms "user", "subscriber", "customer / customer", "consumer", etc. are adopted interchangeably throughout, unless the context guarantees a particular distinction between the terms. Such terms are human entities, or automated components aided by artificial intelligence that can provide simulated vision, sound recognition, etc. (eg, the ability to make inferences based on at least complex mathematical formulas). It should be understood to say that.

As used herein, the term "processor" means a single-core processor, a single-core processor with multi-threaded execution capabilities in software, a multi-core processor, a multi-core processor with multi-threaded execution capabilities in software. A processor, a multi-core processor with hardware multithreaded technology, a parallel platform, and a parallel platform with distributed shared memory, including, but not limited to, virtually any computing device or computing device. Say that. In addition, the processor is an integrated circuit, application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), digital signal processor (DSP), field programmable gate array (FPGA), programmable, designed to perform the functions described herein. A logic controller (PLC), complex programmable logic controller (CPLD), individual gate or transistor logic, individual hardware components, or any combination thereof. Processors can utilize nanoscale architectures such as transistors, switches and gates based on molecules and quantum dots to optimize space utilization or enhance the performance of user equipment. Processors can also be implemented as a combination of computing processors.

As used herein, terms such as "data storage", "data storage", "database" and virtually any other information storage component related to the operation and function of the component are referred to in "memory component", "memory". It refers to an entity that is embodied, or a component that has memory. It should be found that the memory components or computer-readable storage media described herein may be either volatile or non-volatile memory, or may include volatile and non-volatile memory.

The above-mentioned ones include mere examples of various embodiments. Of course, for the purposes of describing these examples, it is not possible to describe all possible combinations of components or methods, but those skilled in the art will appreciate a number of additional combinations and permutations of this embodiment. You can recognize that it is possible. Accordingly, the embodiments disclosed and / or claimed herein include all such modifications, modifications and variations that fall within the spirit and scope of the appended claims. Furthermore, in that the term "contains" is used either in the detailed description or in the claims, such terms are "prepared" when used as diversions in the claims. As interpreted, it shall be as inclusive as the term "prepare".

Although specific embodiments have been described and described herein, it should be understood that any configuration that achieves the same or similar objectives can be replaced by the embodiments described or illustrated by the present disclosure. The present disclosure is intended to cover any and all conformances or variations of any of the various embodiments. Combinations of the above embodiments and other embodiments not specifically described herein may be used in the present disclosure. For example, one or more configurations from one or more embodiments may be combined with one or more configurations from one or more other embodiments. In one or more embodiments, configurations that are positively stated are excluded from the embodiments by being negatively stated, with or without being replaced by other structural and / or functional configurations. There is also. The steps or functions described with respect to embodiments of the present disclosure may be performed in any order. The steps or functions described with respect to embodiments of the present disclosure may be performed alone or in combination with other steps or functions of the present disclosure, and from other embodiments or from other steps not described in the present disclosure. obtain. Also, more or less configurations may be utilized than all of the configurations described for an embodiment.