Transmission device with corona discharge mitigation and methods for use therewith

US10804959B1 · kind B1 · utility

Assignee

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

Inventors

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

Key dates

• Filing date: Dec 4, 2019
• Grant date: Oct 13, 2020
• Expiry date: Dec 4, 2039

Classification

• Technology area (CPC H): Electricity
• CPC primary: H04B3/546
• WIPO field: Telecommunications
• WIPO sector: Electrical engineering

Abstract

In accordance with one or more embodiments, a transmission device includes a transmitter configured to generate a transmit signal conveying transmit data in accordance with a communication protocol having first protocol transmit parameters. A coupler is configured to convert the transmit signal to transmitted guided electromagnetic waves that propagate along a surface of a transmission medium without requiring an electrical return path. The coupler is further configured to convert to a receive signal, received guided electromagnetic waves from a remote device that propagate along the surface of the transmission medium, wherein the remote device is configured to receive the transmitted guided electromagnetic waves. A corona discharge detector is configured to generate, based on the receive signal, corona discharge data that indicates corona discharge activity in proximity to the transmission medium during a time period. Responsive to the corona discharge data, the transmitter modifies the communication protocol to second protocol transmit parameters.