Methods and apparatus for inducing electromagnetic waves within pathways of a cable

US10411920B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• AT&T Intellectual Property I, L.P. · US

Inventors

• Paul Shala Henry · Holmdel, US
• Giovanni Vannucci · Middletown, US
• Thomas M. Willis, III · Tinton Falls, US
• Robert Bennett · Southold, US
• Irwin Gerszberg · Kendall Park, US
• Farhad Barzegar · Readington, US
• Donald J. Barnickel · Flemington, US
• Martin Birk · Holmdel, US
• Shikik Johnson · Tinton Falls, US

Key dates

• Filing date: Oct 6, 2017
• Grant date: Sep 10, 2019
• Expiry date: Nov 4, 2037

Classification

• Technology area (CPC H): Electricity
• CPC primary: H04B7/0413
• WIPO field: Telecommunications
• WIPO sector: Electrical engineering

Abstract

In accordance with one or more embodiments, a system can include a plurality of uninsulated conductors that is stranded together. The plurality of uninsulated conductors can form a hollow pathway that is bounded by internal conductive surfaces of at least three of the plurality of uninsulated conductors. The system can further include a communication device coupled to a first plurality of external conductive surfaces of the plurality of uninsulated conductors, where the communication device facilitates generating transmission signals at the first plurality of external conductive surfaces, and where the transmission signals induce electromagnetic waves that propagate along the hollow pathway without requiring an electrical return path. Other embodiments are disclosed.