Patent Publication Number: US-11652297-B2

Title: Apparatus and methods for launching guided waves via circuits

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     The present U.S. Utility Patent application claims priority pursuant to 35 U.S.C. § 120 as a continuation of U.S. Utility application Ser. No. 16/575,147, entitled “APPARATUS AND METHODS FOR LAUNCHING GUIDED WAVES VIA CIRCUITS”, filed Sep. 18, 2019, which is a continuation of U.S. Utility application Ser. No. 16/155,427, entitled “APPARATUS AND METHODS FOR LAUNCHING GUIDED WAVES VIA CIRCUITS”, filed Oct. 9, 2018, issued as U.S. Pat. No. 10,468,774 on Nov. 5, 2019, which is a continuation of U.S. Utility application Ser. No. 15/296,098, entitled “APPARATUS AND METHODS FOR LAUNCHING GUIDED WAVES VIA CIRCUITS”, filed Oct. 18, 2016, issued as U.S. Pat. No. 10,135,146 on Nov. 20, 2018, all of which are hereby incorporated herein by reference in their entirety and made part of the present U.S. Utility Patent Application for all purposes. 
    
    
     FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE 
     The subject disclosure relates to communications via microwave transmission in a communication network. 
     BACKGROUND 
     As smart phones and other portable devices increasingly become ubiquitous, and data usage increases, macrocell base station devices and existing wireless infrastructure in turn require higher bandwidth capability in order to address the increased demand. To provide additional mobile bandwidth, small cell deployment is being pursued, with microcells and picocells providing coverage for much smaller areas than traditional macrocells. 
     In addition, most homes and businesses have grown to rely on broadband data access for services such as voice, video and Internet browsing, etc. Broadband access networks include satellite, 4G or 5G wireless, power line communication, fiber, cable, and telephone networks. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       Reference will now be made to the accompanying drawings, which are not necessarily drawn to scale, and wherein: 
         FIG.  1    is a block diagram illustrating an example, non-limiting embodiment of a guided-wave communications system in accordance with various aspects described herein. 
         FIG.  2    is a block diagram illustrating an example, non-limiting embodiment of a transmission device in accordance with various aspects described herein. 
         FIG.  3    is a graphical diagram illustrating an example, non-limiting embodiment of an electromagnetic field distribution in accordance with various aspects described herein. 
         FIG.  4    is a graphical diagram illustrating an example, non-limiting embodiment of an electromagnetic field distribution in accordance with various aspects described herein. 
         FIG.  5 A  is a graphical diagram illustrating an example, non-limiting embodiment of a frequency response in accordance with various aspects described herein. 
         FIG.  5 B  is a graphical diagram illustrating example, non-limiting embodiments of a longitudinal cross-section of an insulated wire depicting fields of guided electromagnetic waves at various operating frequencies in accordance with various aspects described herein. 
         FIG.  6    is a graphical diagram illustrating an example, non-limiting embodiment of an electromagnetic field distribution in accordance with various aspects described herein. 
         FIG.  7    is a block diagram illustrating an example, non-limiting embodiment of an arc coupler in accordance with various aspects described herein. 
         FIG.  8    is a block diagram illustrating an example, non-limiting embodiment of an arc coupler in accordance with various aspects described herein. 
         FIG.  9 A  is a block diagram illustrating an example, non-limiting embodiment of a stub coupler in accordance with various aspects described herein. 
         FIG.  9 B  is a diagram illustrating an example, non-limiting embodiment of an electromagnetic distribution in accordance with various aspects described herein. 
         FIGS.  10 A and  10 B  are block diagrams illustrating example, non-limiting embodiments of couplers and transceivers in accordance with various aspects described herein. 
         FIG.  11    is a block diagram illustrating an example, non-limiting embodiment of a dual stub coupler in accordance with various aspects described herein. 
         FIG.  12    is a block diagram illustrating an example, non-limiting embodiment of a repeater system in accordance with various aspects described herein. 
         FIG.  13    illustrates a block diagram illustrating an example, non-limiting embodiment of a bidirectional repeater in accordance with various aspects described herein. 
         FIG.  14    is a block diagram illustrating an example, non-limiting embodiment of a waveguide system in accordance with various aspects described herein. 
         FIG.  15    is a block diagram illustrating an example, non-limiting embodiment of a guided-wave communications system in accordance with various aspects described herein. 
         FIGS.  16 A &amp;  16 B  are block diagrams illustrating an example, non-limiting embodiment of a system for managing a power grid communication system in accordance with various aspects described herein. 
         FIG.  17 A  illustrates a flow diagram of an example, non-limiting embodiment of a method for detecting and mitigating disturbances occurring in a communication network of the system of  FIGS.  16 A and  16 B . 
         FIG.  17 B  illustrates a flow diagram of an example, non-limiting embodiment of a method for detecting and mitigating disturbances occurring in a communication network of the system of  FIGS.  16 A and  16 B . 
         FIGS.  18 A,  18 B, and  18 C  are block diagrams illustrating example, non-limiting embodiment of a transmission medium for propagating guided electromagnetic waves. 
         FIG.  18 D  is a block diagram illustrating an example, non-limiting embodiment of bundled transmission media in accordance with various aspects described herein. 
         FIG.  18 E  is a block diagram illustrating an example, non-limiting embodiment of a plot depicting cross-talk between first and second transmission mediums of the bundled transmission media of  FIG.  18 D  in accordance with various aspects described herein. 
         FIG.  18 F  is a block diagram illustrating an example, non-limiting embodiment of bundled transmission media to mitigate cross-talk in accordance with various aspects described herein. 
         FIGS.  18 G and  18 H  are block diagrams illustrating example, non-limiting embodiments of a transmission medium with an inner waveguide in accordance with various aspects described herein. 
         FIGS.  18 I and  18 J  are block diagrams illustrating example, non-limiting embodiments of connector configurations that can be used with the transmission medium of  FIG.  18 A,  18 B , or  18 C. 
         FIG.  18 K  is a block diagram illustrating example, non-limiting embodiments of transmission mediums for propagating guided electromagnetic waves. 
         FIG.  18 L  is a block diagram illustrating example, non-limiting embodiments of bundled transmission media to mitigate cross-talk in accordance with various aspects described herein. 
         FIG.  18 M  is a block diagram illustrating an example, non-limiting embodiment of exposed stubs from the bundled transmission media for use as antennas in accordance with various aspects described herein. 
         FIGS.  18 N,  18 O,  18 P,  18 Q,  18 R,  18 S,  18 T,  18 U,  18 V and  18 W  are block diagrams illustrating example, non-limiting embodiments of waveguide devices for transmitting or receiving electromagnetic waves in accordance with various aspects described herein. 
         FIGS.  18 X and  18 Y  are block diagrams illustrating example, non-limiting embodiments of a dielectric antenna and corresponding gain and field intensity plots in accordance with various aspects described herein. 
         FIG.  18 Z  is a block diagram of an example, non-limiting embodiment of another dielectric antenna structure in accordance with various aspects described herein. 
         FIGS.  19 A and  19 B  are block diagrams illustrating example, non-limiting embodiments of the transmission medium of  FIG.  18 A  used for inducing guided electromagnetic waves on power lines supported by utility poles. 
         FIG.  19 C  is a block diagram of an example, non-limiting embodiment of a communication network in accordance with various aspects described herein. 
         FIG.  20 A  illustrates a flow diagram of an example, non-limiting embodiment of a method for transmitting downlink signals. 
         FIG.  20 B  illustrates a flow diagram of an example, non-limiting embodiment of a method for transmitting uplink signals. 
         FIG.  20 C  illustrates a flow diagram of an example, non-limiting embodiment of a method for inducing and receiving electromagnetic waves on a transmission medium in accordance with various aspects described herein. 
         FIG.  20 D  illustrates a flow diagram of an example, non-limiting embodiment of a method for inducing electromagnetic waves on a transmission medium in accordance with various aspects described herein. 
         FIG.  20 E  illustrates a flow diagram of an example, non-limiting embodiment of a method for inducing electromagnetic waves on a transmission medium in accordance with various aspects described herein. 
         FIG.  20 F  illustrates a flow diagram of an example, non-limiting embodiment of a method for inducing electromagnetic waves on a transmission medium in accordance with various aspects described herein. 
         FIG.  20 G  illustrates a flow diagram of an example, non-limiting embodiment of a method for detecting and mitigating disturbances occurring in a communication network. 
         FIG.  20 H  is a block diagram illustrating an example, non-limiting embodiment of an alignment of fields of an electromagnetic wave to mitigate propagation losses due to water accumulation on a transmission medium in accordance with various aspects described herein. 
         FIGS.  20 I and  20 J  are block diagrams illustrating example, non-limiting embodiments of electric field intensities of different electromagnetic waves propagating in the cable illustrated in  FIG.  20 H  in accordance with various aspects described herein. 
         FIG.  20 K  is a block diagram illustrating an example, non-limiting embodiment of electric fields of a Goubau wave in accordance with various aspects described herein. 
         FIG.  20 L  is a block diagram illustrating an example, non-limiting embodiment of electric fields of a hybrid wave in accordance with various aspects described herein. 
         FIG.  20 M  is a block diagram illustrating an example, non-limiting embodiment of electric field characteristics of a hybrid wave versus a Goubau wave in accordance with various aspects described herein. 
         FIG.  20 N  is a block diagram illustrating an example, non-limiting embodiment of mode sizes of hybrid waves at various operating frequencies in accordance with various aspects described herein. 
         FIGS.  21 A and  21 B  are block diagrams illustrating example, non-limiting embodiments of a waveguide device for launching hybrid waves in accordance with various aspects described herein. 
         FIG.  22    is a block diagram illustrating an example, non-limiting embodiment of a hybrid wave launched by the waveguide device of  FIGS.  21 A and  21 B  in accordance with various aspects described herein. 
         FIG.  23    is a block diagram of an example, non-limiting embodiment of a computing environment in accordance with various aspects described herein. 
         FIG.  24    is a block diagram of an example, non-limiting embodiment of a mobile network platform in accordance with various aspects described herein. 
         FIG.  25    is a block diagram of an example, non-limiting embodiment of a communication device in accordance with various aspects described herein. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     One or more embodiments are now described with reference to the drawings, wherein like reference numerals are used to refer to like elements throughout. In the following description, for purposes of explanation, numerous details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the various embodiments. It is evident, however, that the various embodiments can be practiced without these details (and without applying to any particular networked environment or standard). 
     In an embodiment, a guided wave communication system is presented for sending and receiving communication signals such as data or other signaling via guided electromagnetic waves. The guided electromagnetic waves include, for example, surface waves or other electromagnetic waves that are bound to or guided by a transmission medium. It will be appreciated that a variety of transmission media can be utilized with guided wave communications without departing from example embodiments. Examples of such transmission media can include one or more of the following, either alone or in one or more combinations: wires, whether insulated or not, and whether single-stranded or multi-stranded; conductors of other shapes or configurations including wire bundles, cables, rods, rails, pipes; non-conductors such as dielectric pipes, rods, rails, or other dielectric members; combinations of conductors and dielectric materials; or other guided wave transmission media. 
     The inducement of guided electromagnetic waves on a transmission medium can be independent of any electrical potential, charge or current that is injected or otherwise transmitted through the transmission medium as part of an electrical circuit. For example, in the case where the transmission medium is a wire, it is to be appreciated that while a small current in the wire may be formed in response to the propagation of the guided waves along the wire, this can be due to the propagation of the electromagnetic wave along the wire surface, and is not formed in response to electrical potential, charge or current that is injected into the wire as part of an electrical circuit. The electromagnetic waves traveling on the wire therefore do not require a circuit to propagate along the wire surface. The wire therefore is a single wire transmission line that is not part of a circuit. Also, in some embodiments, a wire is not necessary, and the electromagnetic waves can propagate along a single line transmission medium that is not a wire. 
     More generally, “guided electromagnetic waves” or “guided waves” as described by the subject disclosure are affected by the presence of a physical object that is at least a part of the transmission medium (e.g., a bare wire or other conductor, a dielectric, an insulated wire, a conduit or other hollow element, a bundle of insulated wires that is coated, covered or surrounded by a dielectric or insulator or other wire bundle, or another form of solid, liquid or otherwise non-gaseous transmission medium) so as to be at least partially bound to or guided by the physical object and so as to propagate along a transmission path of the physical object. Such a physical object can operate as at least a part of a transmission medium that guides, by way of an interface of the transmission medium (e.g., an outer surface, inner surface, an interior portion between the outer and the inner surfaces or other boundary between elements of the transmission medium), the propagation of guided electromagnetic waves, which in turn can carry energy, data and/or other signals along the transmission path from a sending device to a receiving device. 
     Unlike free space propagation of wireless signals such as unguided (or unbounded) electromagnetic waves that decrease in intensity inversely by the square of the distance traveled by the unguided electromagnetic waves, guided electromagnetic waves can propagate along a transmission medium with less loss in magnitude per unit distance than experienced by unguided electromagnetic waves. 
     Unlike electrical signals, guided electromagnetic waves can propagate from a sending device to a receiving device without requiring a separate electrical return path between the sending device and the receiving device. As a consequence, guided electromagnetic waves can propagate from a sending device to a receiving device along a transmission medium having no conductive components (e.g., a dielectric strip), or via a transmission medium having no more than a single conductor (e.g., a single bare wire or insulated wire). Even if a transmission medium includes one or more conductive components and the guided electromagnetic waves propagating along the transmission medium generate currents that flow in the one or more conductive components in a direction of the guided electromagnetic waves, such guided electromagnetic waves can propagate along the transmission medium from a sending device to a receiving device without requiring a flow of opposing currents on an electrical return path between the sending device and the receiving device. 
     In a non-limiting illustration, consider electrical systems that transmit and receive electrical signals between sending and receiving devices by way of conductive media. Such systems generally rely on electrically separate forward and return paths. For instance, consider a coaxial cable having a center conductor and a ground shield that are separated by an insulator. Typically, in an electrical system a first terminal of a sending (or receiving) device can be connected to the center conductor, and a second terminal of the sending (or receiving) device can be connected to the ground shield. If the sending device injects an electrical signal in the center conductor via the first terminal, the electrical signal will propagate along the center conductor causing forward currents in the center conductor, and return currents in the ground shield. The same conditions apply for a two terminal receiving device. 
     In contrast, consider a guided wave communication system such as described in the subject disclosure, which can utilize different embodiments of a transmission medium (including among others a coaxial cable) for transmitting and receiving guided electromagnetic waves without an electrical return path. In one embodiment, for example, the guided wave communication system of the subject disclosure can be configured to induce guided electromagnetic waves that propagate along an outer surface of a coaxial cable. Although the guided electromagnetic waves will cause forward currents on the ground shield, the guided electromagnetic waves do not require return currents to enable the guided electromagnetic waves to propagate along the outer surface of the coaxial cable. The same can be said of other transmission media used by a guided wave communication system for the transmission and reception of guided electromagnetic waves. For example, guided electromagnetic waves induced by the guided wave communication system on an outer surface of a bare wire, or an insulated wire can propagate along the bare wire or the insulated bare wire without an electrical return path. 
     Consequently, electrical systems that require two or more conductors for carrying forward and reverse currents on separate conductors to enable the propagation of electrical signals injected by a sending device are distinct from guided wave systems that induce guided electromagnetic waves on an interface of a transmission medium without the need of an electrical return path to enable the propagation of the guided electromagnetic waves along the interface of the transmission medium. 
     It is further noted that guided electromagnetic waves as described in the subject disclosure can have an electromagnetic field structure that lies primarily or substantially outside of a transmission medium so as to be bound to or guided by the transmission medium and so as to propagate non-trivial distances on or along an outer surface of the transmission medium. In other embodiments, guided electromagnetic waves can have an electromagnetic field structure that lies primarily or substantially inside a transmission medium so as to be bound to or guided by the transmission medium and so as to propagate non-trivial distances within the transmission medium. In other embodiments, guided electromagnetic waves can have an electromagnetic field structure that lies partially inside and partially outside a transmission medium so as to be bound to or guided by the transmission medium and so as to propagate non-trivial distances along the transmission medium. The desired electronic field structure in an embodiment may vary based upon a variety of factors, including the desired transmission distance, the characteristics of the transmission medium itself, and environmental conditions/characteristics outside of the transmission medium (e.g., presence of rain, fog, atmospheric conditions, etc.). 
     Various embodiments described herein relate to coupling devices, that can be referred to as “waveguide coupling devices”, “waveguide couplers” or more simply as “couplers”, “coupling devices” or “launchers” for launching and/or extracting guided electromagnetic waves to and from a transmission medium at millimeter-wave frequencies (e.g., 30 to 300 GHz), wherein the wavelength can be small compared to one or more dimensions of the coupling device and/or the transmission medium such as the circumference of a wire or other cross sectional dimension, or lower microwave frequencies such as 300 MHz to 30 GHz. Transmissions can be generated to propagate as waves guided by a coupling device, such as: a strip, arc or other length of dielectric material; a horn, monopole, rod, slot or other antenna; an array of antennas; a magnetic resonant cavity, or other resonant coupler; a coil, a strip line, a waveguide or other coupling device. In operation, the coupling device receives an electromagnetic wave from a transmitter or transmission medium. The electromagnetic field structure of the electromagnetic wave can be carried inside the coupling device, outside the coupling device or some combination thereof. When the coupling device is in close proximity to a transmission medium, at least a portion of an electromagnetic wave couples to or is bound to the transmission medium, and continues to propagate as guided electromagnetic waves. In a reciprocal fashion, a coupling device can extract guided waves from a transmission medium and transfer these electromagnetic waves to a receiver. 
     According to an example embodiment, a surface wave is a type of guided wave that is guided by a surface of a transmission medium, such as an exterior or outer surface of the wire, or another surface of the wire that is adjacent to or exposed to another type of medium having different properties (e.g., dielectric properties). Indeed, in an example embodiment, a surface of the wire that guides a surface wave can represent a transitional surface between two different types of media. For example, in the case of a bare or uninsulated wire, the surface of the wire can be the outer or exterior conductive surface of the bare or uninsulated wire that is exposed to air or free space. As another example, in the case of insulated wire, the surface of the wire can be the conductive portion of the wire that meets the insulator portion of the wire, or can otherwise be the insulator surface of the wire that is exposed to air or free space, or can otherwise be any material region between the insulator surface of the wire and the conductive portion of the wire that meets the insulator portion of the wire, depending upon the relative differences in the properties (e.g., dielectric properties) of the insulator, air, and/or the conductor and further dependent on the frequency and propagation mode or modes of the guided wave. 
     According to an example embodiment, the term “about” a wire or other transmission medium used in conjunction with a guided wave can include fundamental guided wave propagation modes such as a guided waves having a circular or substantially circular field distribution, a symmetrical electromagnetic field distribution (e.g., electric field, magnetic field, electromagnetic field, etc.) or other fundamental mode pattern at least partially around a wire or other transmission medium. In addition, when a guided wave propagates “about” a wire or other transmission medium, it can do so according to a guided wave propagation mode that includes not only the fundamental wave propagation modes (e.g., zero order modes), but additionally or alternatively non-fundamental wave propagation modes such as higher-order guided wave modes (e.g., 1 st  order modes, 2 nd  order modes, etc.), asymmetrical modes and/or other guided (e.g., surface) waves that have non-circular field distributions around a wire or other transmission medium. As used herein, the term “guided wave mode” refers to a guided wave propagation mode of a transmission medium, coupling device or other system component of a guided wave communication system. 
     For example, such non-circular field distributions can be unilateral or multi-lateral with one or more axial lobes characterized by relatively higher field strength and/or one or more nulls or null regions characterized by relatively low-field strength, zero-field strength or substantially zero-field strength. Further, the field distribution can otherwise vary as a function of azimuthal orientation around the wire such that one or more angular regions around the wire have an electric or magnetic field strength (or combination thereof) that is higher than one or more other angular regions of azimuthal orientation, according to an example embodiment. It will be appreciated that the relative orientations or positions of the guided wave higher order modes or asymmetrical modes can vary as the guided wave travels along the wire. 
     As used herein, the term “millimeter-wave” can refer to electromagnetic waves/signals that fall within the “millimeter-wave frequency band” of 30 GHz to 300 GHz. The term “microwave” can refer to electromagnetic waves/signals that fall within a “microwave frequency band” of 300 MHz to 300 GHz. The term “radio frequency” or “RF” can refer to electromagnetic waves/signals that fall within the “radio frequency band” of 10 kHz to 1 THz. It is appreciated that wireless signals, electrical signals, and guided electromagnetic waves as described in the subject disclosure can be configured to operate at any desirable frequency range, such as, for example, at frequencies within, above or below millimeter-wave and/or microwave frequency bands. In particular, when a coupling device or transmission medium includes a conductive element, the frequency of the guided electromagnetic waves that are carried by the coupling device and/or propagate along the transmission medium can be below the mean collision frequency of the electrons in the conductive element. Further, the frequency of the guided electromagnetic waves that are carried by the coupling device and/or propagate along the transmission medium can be a non-optical frequency, e.g., a radio frequency below the range of optical frequencies that begins at 1 THz. 
     As used herein, the term “antenna” can refer to a device that is part of a transmitting or receiving system to transmit/radiate or receive wireless signals. 
     In accordance with one or more embodiments, a method includes generating a first electromagnetic wave by a waveguide system having a radiating element; and directing, at least partially by a reflective plate of the waveguide system, the first electromagnetic wave to an interface of a transmission medium to induce propagation of a second electromagnetic wave without utilizing an electrical return path, the second electromagnetic wave having a non-fundamental wave mode and a non-optical operating frequency. 
     In accordance with one or more embodiments, a system, includes an interface for receiving a signal. An antenna launches, according to the signal, a first electromagnetic wave to induce propagation of a second electromagnetic wave along a transmission medium, the second electromagnetic wave having a non-fundamental wave mode and a non-optical operating frequency. A reflective plate is spaced a distance behind the antenna relative to a direction of the propagation of the second electromagnetic wave. 
     In accordance with one or more embodiments, a system, includes antenna means for generating a first electromagnetic wave; waveguide means for directing the first electromagnetic wave to an interface of a transmission medium to induce propagation of a second electromagnetic wave bound to a surface of the transmission medium, the second electromagnetic wave having a non-fundamental wave mode, a fundamental wave mode, or a combination thereof; and a reflective surface spaced in parallel to the antenna and a distance behind the antenna means relative to a direction of the propagation of the second electromagnetic wave. 
     In accordance with one or more embodiments, a method, includes generating first electromagnetic waves, by a waveguide system having a plurality of circuits, each of the plurality of circuits having a corresponding one of a plurality of radiating elements; and directing, at least partially by a reflective plate of the waveguide system, instances of the first electromagnetic waves to an interface of a transmission medium to induce propagation of a second electromagnetic wave without utilizing an electrical return path, the second electromagnetic wave having a non-fundamental wave mode and a non-optical operating frequency. 
     In accordance with one or more embodiments, a system, includes an interface for receiving a signal; a plurality of transmitters for launching, according to the signal, instances of first electromagnetic waves having different phases to induce propagation of a second electromagnetic wave at an interface of a transmission medium, the second electromagnetic wave having a non-fundamental wave mode and a non-optical operating frequency, wherein the plurality of transmitters have a corresponding plurality of antennas. A reflective plate is spaced a distance behind the plurality of antennas relative to a direction of the propagation of the second electromagnetic wave. 
     In accordance with one or more embodiments, a system, includes transmission means for generating first electromagnetic waves; waveguide means for directing instances of the first electromagnetic waves to an interface of a transmission medium for guiding propagation of a second electromagnetic wave having a non-fundamental wave mode, a fundamental wave mode, or a combination thereof, wherein the transmission means has a plurality of radiating elements in a plane that is perpendicular to a direction of the propagation of the second electromagnetic wave. A reflective surface is spaced in parallel to the plane and a distance behind the plurality of radiating elements relative to a direction of the propagation of the second electromagnetic wave. 
     In accordance with one or more embodiments, a method, includes generating first electromagnetic waves, by a first waveguide system having a first plurality of circuits; generating second electromagnetic waves, by a second waveguide system having a second plurality of circuits. The first electromagnetic waves and the second electromagnetic waves are directed to an interface of a transmission medium to induce propagation of a third electromagnetic wave without utilizing an electrical return path, the third electromagnetic wave having a non-fundamental wave mode and a non-optical operating frequency. 
     In accordance with one or more embodiments, a system, includes an interface for receiving a signal; a first plurality of transmitters for launching, according to the signal, first electromagnetic waves; and a second plurality of transmitters for launching, according to the signal, second electromagnetic waves. The first electromagnetic waves and the second electromagnetic waves combine at an interface of a transmission medium to induce propagation of a third electromagnetic wave, the third electromagnetic wave having a non-fundamental wave mode and a non-optical operating frequency, and wherein the second plurality of transmitters are spaced apart from the first plurality of transmitters in a direction of propagation of the third electromagnetic wave. 
     In accordance with one or more embodiments, a system, includes first transmission means for generating first electromagnetic waves; second transmission means for generating second electromagnetic waves; and waveguide means for directing the first electromagnetic waves and the second electromagnetic waves to an interface of a transmission medium to induce propagation of a third electromagnetic wave having a non-fundamental wave mode, a fundamental wave mode, or a combination thereof, wherein the first transmission means have a first plurality of radiating elements in a first plane that is perpendicular to a direction of the propagation of the third electromagnetic wave, the second transmission means has a second plurality of radiating elements in a second plane that is perpendicular to the direction of the propagation of the third electromagnetic wave, and wherein the first plane is parallel to, and a distance apart from, the second plane. 
     Referring now to  FIG.  1   , a block diagram  100  illustrating an example, non-limiting embodiment of a guided wave communications system is shown. In operation, a transmission device  101  receives one or more communication signals  110  from a communication network or other communications device that includes data and generates guided waves  120  to convey the data via the transmission medium  125  to the transmission device  102 . The transmission device  102  receives the guided waves  120  and converts them to communication signals  112  that include the data for transmission to a communications network or other communications device. The guided waves  120  can be modulated to convey data via a modulation technique such as phase shift keying, frequency shift keying, quadrature amplitude modulation, amplitude modulation, multi-carrier modulation such as orthogonal frequency division multiplexing and via multiple access techniques such as frequency division multiplexing, time division multiplexing, code division multiplexing, multiplexing via differing wave propagation modes and via other modulation and access strategies. 
     The communication network or networks can include a wireless communication network such as a mobile data network, a cellular voice and data network, a wireless local area network (e.g., WiFi or an 802.xx network), a satellite communications network, a personal area network or other wireless network. The communication network or networks can also include a wired communication network such as a telephone network, an Ethernet network, a local area network, a wide area network such as the Internet, a broadband access network, a cable network, a fiber optic network, or other wired network. The communication devices can include a network edge device, bridge device or home gateway, a set-top box, broadband modem, telephone adapter, access point, base station, or other fixed communication device, a mobile communication device such as an automotive gateway or automobile, laptop computer, tablet, smartphone, cellular telephone, or other communication device. 
     In an example embodiment, the guided wave communication system  100  can operate in a bi-directional fashion where transmission device  102  receives one or more communication signals  112  from a communication network or device that includes other data and generates guided waves  122  to convey the other data via the transmission medium  125  to the transmission device  101 . In this mode of operation, the transmission device  101  receives the guided waves  122  and converts them to communication signals  110  that include the other data for transmission to a communications network or device. The guided waves  122  can be modulated to convey data via a modulation technique such as phase shift keying, frequency shift keying, quadrature amplitude modulation, amplitude modulation, multi-carrier modulation such as orthogonal frequency division multiplexing and via multiple access techniques such as frequency division multiplexing, time division multiplexing, code division multiplexing, multiplexing via differing wave propagation modes and via other modulation and access strategies. 
     The transmission medium  125  can include a cable having at least one inner portion surrounded by a dielectric material such as an insulator or other dielectric cover, coating or other dielectric material, the dielectric material having an outer surface and a corresponding circumference. In an example embodiment, the transmission medium  125  operates as a single-wire transmission line to guide the transmission of an electromagnetic wave. When the transmission medium  125  is implemented as a single wire transmission system, it can include a wire. The wire can be insulated or uninsulated, and single-stranded or multi-stranded (e.g., braided). In other embodiments, the transmission medium  125  can contain conductors of other shapes or configurations including wire bundles, cables, rods, rails, pipes. In addition, the transmission medium  125  can include non-conductors such as dielectric pipes, rods, rails, or other dielectric members; combinations of conductors and dielectric materials, conductors without dielectric materials or other guided wave transmission media. It should be noted that the transmission medium  125  can otherwise include any of the transmission media previously discussed. 
     Further, as previously discussed, the guided waves  120  and  122  can be contrasted with radio transmissions over free space/air or conventional propagation of electrical power or signals through the conductor of a wire via an electrical circuit. In addition to the propagation of guided waves  120  and  122 , the transmission medium  125  may optionally contain one or more wires that propagate electrical power or other communication signals in a conventional manner as a part of one or more electrical circuits. 
     Referring now to  FIG.  2   , a block diagram  200  illustrating an example, non-limiting embodiment of a transmission device is shown. The transmission device  101  or  102  includes a communications interface (I/F)  205 , a transceiver  210  and a coupler  220 . 
     In an example of operation, the communications interface  205  receives a communication signal  110  or  112  that includes data. In various embodiments, the communications interface  205  can include a wireless interface for receiving a wireless communication signal in accordance with a wireless standard protocol such as LTE or other cellular voice and data protocol, WiFi or an 802.11 protocol, WIMAX protocol, Ultra Wideband protocol, Bluetooth protocol, Zigbee protocol, a direct broadcast satellite (DBS) or other satellite communication protocol or other wireless protocol. In addition or in the alternative, the communications interface  205  includes a wired interface that operates in accordance with an Ethernet protocol, universal serial bus (USB) protocol, a data over cable service interface specification (DOCSIS) protocol, a digital subscriber line (DSL) protocol, a Firewire (IEEE 1394) protocol, or other wired protocol. In additional to standards-based protocols, the communications interface  205  can operate in conjunction with other wired or wireless protocol. In addition, the communications interface  205  can optionally operate in conjunction with a protocol stack that includes multiple protocol layers including a MAC protocol, transport protocol, application protocol, etc. 
     In an example of operation, the transceiver  210  generates an electromagnetic wave based on the communication signal  110  or  112  to convey the data. The electromagnetic wave has at least one carrier frequency and at least one corresponding wavelength. The carrier frequency can be within a millimeter-wave frequency band of 30 GHz-300 GHz, such as 60 GHz or a carrier frequency in the range of 30-40 GHz or a lower frequency band of 300 MHz-30 GHz in the microwave frequency range such as 26-30 GHz, 11 GHz, 6 GHz or 3 GHz, but it will be appreciated that other carrier frequencies are possible in other embodiments. In one mode of operation, the transceiver  210  merely upconverts the communications signal or signals  110  or  112  for transmission of the electromagnetic signal in the microwave or millimeter-wave band as a guided electromagnetic wave that is guided by or bound to the transmission medium  125 . In another mode of operation, the communications interface  205  either converts the communication signal  110  or  112  to a baseband or near baseband signal or extracts the data from the communication signal  110  or  112  and the transceiver  210  modulates a high-frequency carrier with the data, the baseband or near baseband signal for transmission. It should be appreciated that the transceiver  210  can modulate the data received via the communication signal  110  or  112  to preserve one or more data communication protocols of the communication signal  110  or  112  either by encapsulation in the payload of a different protocol or by simple frequency shifting. In the alternative, the transceiver  210  can otherwise translate the data received via the communication signal  110  or  112  to a protocol that is different from the data communication protocol or protocols of the communication signal  110  or  112 . 
     In an example of operation, the coupler  220  couples the electromagnetic wave to the transmission medium  125  as a guided electromagnetic wave to convey the communications signal or signals  110  or  112 . While the prior description has focused on the operation of the transceiver  210  as a transmitter, the transceiver  210  can also operate to receive electromagnetic waves that convey other data from the single wire transmission medium via the coupler  220  and to generate communications signals  110  or  112 , via communications interface  205  that includes the other data. Consider embodiments where an additional guided electromagnetic wave conveys other data that also propagates along the transmission medium  125 . The coupler  220  can also couple this additional electromagnetic wave from the transmission medium  125  to the transceiver  210  for reception. 
     The transmission device  101  or  102  includes an optional training controller  230 . In an example embodiment, the training controller  230  is implemented by a standalone processor or a processor that is shared with one or more other components of the transmission device  101  or  102 . The training controller  230  selects the carrier frequencies, modulation schemes and/or guided wave modes for the guided electromagnetic waves based on feedback data received by the transceiver  210  from at least one remote transmission device coupled to receive the guided electromagnetic wave. 
     In an example embodiment, a guided electromagnetic wave transmitted by a remote transmission device  101  or  102  conveys data that also propagates along the transmission medium  125 . The data from the remote transmission device  101  or  102  can be generated to include the feedback data. In operation, the coupler  220  also couples the guided electromagnetic wave from the transmission medium  125  and the transceiver receives the electromagnetic wave and processes the electromagnetic wave to extract the feedback data. 
     In an example embodiment, the training controller  230  operates based on the feedback data to evaluate a plurality of candidate frequencies, modulation schemes and/or transmission modes to select a carrier frequency, modulation scheme and/or transmission mode to enhance performance, such as throughput, signal strength, reduce propagation loss, etc. 
     Consider the following example: a transmission device  101  begins operation under control of the training controller  230  by sending a plurality of guided waves as test signals such as pilot waves or other test signals at a corresponding plurality of candidate frequencies and/or candidate modes directed to a remote transmission device  102  coupled to the transmission medium  125 . The guided waves can include, in addition or in the alternative, test data. The test data can indicate the particular candidate frequency and/or guide-wave mode of the signal. In an embodiment, the training controller  230  at the remote transmission device  102  receives the test signals and/or test data from any of the guided waves that were properly received and determines the best candidate frequency and/or guided wave mode, a set of acceptable candidate frequencies and/or guided wave modes, or a rank ordering of candidate frequencies and/or guided wave modes. This selection of candidate frequenc(ies) or/and guided-mode(s) are generated by the training controller  230  based on one or more optimizing criteria such as received signal strength, bit error rate, packet error rate, signal to noise ratio, propagation loss, etc. The training controller  230  generates feedback data that indicates the selection of candidate frequenc(ies) or/and guided wave mode(s) and sends the feedback data to the transceiver  210  for transmission to the transmission device  101 . The transmission device  101  and  102  can then communicate data with one another based on the selection of candidate frequenc(ies) or/and guided wave mode(s). 
     In other embodiments, the guided electromagnetic waves that contain the test signals and/or test data are reflected back, repeated back or otherwise looped back by the remote transmission device  102  to the transmission device  101  for reception and analysis by the training controller  230  of the transmission device  101  that initiated these waves. For example, the transmission device  101  can send a signal to the remote transmission device  102  to initiate a test mode where a physical reflector is switched on the line, a termination impedance is changed to cause reflections, a loop back mode is switched on to couple electromagnetic waves back to the source transmission device  102 , and/or a repeater mode is enabled to amplify and retransmit the electromagnetic waves back to the source transmission device  102 . The training controller  230  at the source transmission device  102  receives the test signals and/or test data from any of the guided waves that were properly received and determines selection of candidate frequenc(ies) or/and guided wave mode(s). 
     While the procedure above has been described in a start-up or initialization mode of operation, each transmission device  101  or  102  can send test signals, evaluate candidate frequencies or guided wave modes via non-test such as normal transmissions or otherwise evaluate candidate frequencies or guided wave modes at other times or continuously as well. In an example embodiment, the communication protocol between the transmission devices  101  and  102  can include an on-request or periodic test mode where either full testing or more limited testing of a subset of candidate frequencies and guided wave modes are tested and evaluated. In other modes of operation, the re-entry into such a test mode can be triggered by a degradation of performance due to a disturbance, weather conditions, etc. In an example embodiment, the receiver bandwidth of the transceiver  210  is either sufficiently wide or swept to receive all candidate frequencies or can be selectively adjusted by the training controller  230  to a training mode where the receiver bandwidth of the transceiver  210  is sufficiently wide or swept to receive all candidate frequencies. 
     Referring now to  FIG.  3   , a graphical diagram  300  illustrating an example, non-limiting embodiment of an electromagnetic field distribution is shown. In this embodiment, a transmission medium  125  in air includes an inner conductor  301  and an insulating jacket  302  of dielectric material, as shown in cross section. The diagram  300  includes different gray-scales that represent differing electromagnetic field strengths generated by the propagation of the guided wave having an asymmetrical and non-fundamental guided wave mode. 
     In particular, the electromagnetic field distribution corresponds to a modal “sweet spot” that enhances guided electromagnetic wave propagation along an insulated transmission medium and reduces end-to-end transmission loss. In this particular mode, electromagnetic waves are guided by the transmission medium  125  to propagate along an outer surface of the transmission medium—in this case, the outer surface of the insulating jacket  302 . Electromagnetic waves are partially embedded in the insulator and partially radiating on the outer surface of the insulator. In this fashion, electromagnetic waves are “lightly” coupled to the insulator so as to enable electromagnetic wave propagation at long distances with low propagation loss. 
     As shown, the guided wave has a field structure that lies primarily or substantially outside of the transmission medium  125  that serves to guide the electromagnetic waves. The regions inside the conductor  301  have little or no field. Likewise regions inside the insulating jacket  302  have low field strength. The majority of the electromagnetic field strength is distributed in the lobes  304  at the outer surface of the insulating jacket  302  and in close proximity thereof. The presence of an asymmetric guided wave mode is shown by the high electromagnetic field strengths at the top and bottom of the outer surface of the insulating jacket  302  (in the orientation of the diagram)—as opposed to very small field strengths on the other sides of the insulating jacket  302 . 
     The example shown corresponds to a 38 GHz electromagnetic wave guided by a wire with a diameter of 1.1 cm and a dielectric insulation of thickness of 0.36 cm. Because the electromagnetic wave is guided by the transmission medium  125  and the majority of the field strength is concentrated in the air outside of the insulating jacket  302  within a limited distance of the outer surface, the guided wave can propagate longitudinally down the transmission medium  125  with very low loss. In the example shown, this “limited distance” corresponds to a distance from the outer surface that is less than half the largest cross sectional dimension of the transmission medium  125 . In this case, the largest cross sectional dimension of the wire corresponds to the overall diameter of 1.82 cm, however, this value can vary with the size and shape of the transmission medium  125 . For example, should the transmission medium  125  be of a rectangular shape with a height of 0.3 cm and a width of 0.4 cm, the largest cross sectional dimension would be the diagonal of 0.5 cm and the corresponding limited distance would be 0.25 cm. The dimensions of the area containing the majority of the field strength also vary with the frequency, and in general, increase as carrier frequencies decrease. 
     It should also be noted that the components of a guided wave communication system, such as couplers and transmission media can have their own cut-off frequencies for each guided wave mode. The cut-off frequency generally sets forth the lowest frequency that a particular guided wave mode is designed to be supported by that particular component. In an example embodiment, the particular asymmetric mode of propagation shown is induced on the transmission medium  125  by an electromagnetic wave having a frequency that falls within a limited range (such as Fc to 2Fc) of the lower cut-off frequency Fc for this particular asymmetric mode. The lower cut-off frequency Fc is particular to the characteristics of transmission medium  125 . For embodiments as shown that include an inner conductor  301  surrounded by an insulating jacket  302 , this cutoff frequency can vary based on the dimensions and properties of the insulating jacket  302  and potentially the dimensions and properties of the inner conductor  301  and can be determined experimentally to have a desired mode pattern. It should be noted however, that similar effects can be found for a hollow dielectric or insulator without an inner conductor. In this case, the cutoff frequency can vary based on the dimensions and properties of the hollow dielectric or insulator. 
     At frequencies lower than the lower cut-off frequency, the asymmetric mode is difficult to induce in the transmission medium  125  and fails to propagate for all but trivial distances. As the frequency increases above the limited range of frequencies about the cut-off frequency, the asymmetric mode shifts more and more inward of the insulating jacket  302 . At frequencies much larger than the cut-off frequency, the field strength is no longer concentrated outside of the insulating jacket, but primarily inside of the insulating jacket  302 . While the transmission medium  125  provides strong guidance to the electromagnetic wave and propagation is still possible, ranges are more limited by increased losses due to propagation within the insulating jacket  302 —as opposed to the surrounding air. 
     Referring now to  FIG.  4   , a graphical diagram  400  illustrating an example, non-limiting embodiment of an electromagnetic field distribution is shown. In particular, a cross section diagram  400 , similar to  FIG.  3    is shown with common reference numerals used to refer to similar elements. The example shown corresponds to a 60 GHz wave guided by a wire with a diameter of 1.1 cm and a dielectric insulation of thickness of 0.36 cm. Because the frequency of the guided wave is above the limited range of the cut-off frequency of this particular asymmetric mode, much of the field strength has shifted inward of the insulating jacket  302 . In particular, the field strength is concentrated primarily inside of the insulating jacket  302 . While the transmission medium  125  provides strong guidance to the electromagnetic wave and propagation is still possible, ranges are more limited when compared with the embodiment of  FIG.  3   , by increased losses due to propagation within the insulating jacket  302 . 
     Referring now to  FIG.  5 A , a graphical diagram illustrating an example, non-limiting embodiment of a frequency response is shown. In particular, diagram  500  presents a graph of end-to-end loss (in dB) as a function of frequency, overlaid with electromagnetic field distributions  510 ,  520  and  530  at three points for a 200 cm insulated medium voltage wire. The boundary between the insulator and the surrounding air is represented by reference numeral  525  in each electromagnetic field distribution. 
     As discussed in conjunction with  FIG.  3   , an example of a desired asymmetric mode of propagation shown is induced on the transmission medium  125  by an electromagnetic wave having a frequency that falls within a limited range (such as Fc to 2Fc) of the lower cut-off frequency Fc of the transmission medium for this particular asymmetric mode. In particular, the electromagnetic field distribution  520  at 6 GHz falls within this modal “sweet spot” that enhances electromagnetic wave propagation along an insulated transmission medium and reduces end-to-end transmission loss. In this particular mode, guided waves are partially embedded in the insulator and partially radiating on the outer surface of the insulator. In this fashion, the electromagnetic waves are “lightly” coupled to the insulator so as to enable guided electromagnetic wave propagation at long distances with low propagation loss. 
     At lower frequencies represented by the electromagnetic field distribution  510  at 3 GHz, the asymmetric mode radiates more heavily generating higher propagation losses. At higher frequencies represented by the electromagnetic field distribution  530  at 9 GHz, the asymmetric mode shifts more and more inward of the insulating jacket providing too much absorption, again generating higher propagation losses. 
     Referring now to  FIG.  5 B , a graphical diagram  550  illustrating example, non-limiting embodiments of a longitudinal cross-section of a transmission medium  125 , such as an insulated wire, depicting fields of guided electromagnetic waves at various operating frequencies is shown. As shown in diagram  556 , when the guided electromagnetic waves are at approximately the cutoff frequency (f c ) corresponding to the modal “sweet spot”, the guided electromagnetic waves are loosely coupled to the insulated wire so that absorption is reduced, and the fields of the guided electromagnetic waves are bound sufficiently to reduce the amount radiated into the environment (e.g., air). Because absorption and radiation of the fields of the guided electromagnetic waves is low, propagation losses are consequently low, enabling the guided electromagnetic waves to propagate for longer distances. 
     As shown in diagram  554 , propagation losses increase when an operating frequency of the guide electromagnetic waves increases above about two-times the cutoff frequency (f c )—or as referred to, above the range of the “sweet spot”. More of the field strength of the electromagnetic wave is driven inside the insulating layer, increasing propagation losses. At frequencies much higher than the cutoff frequency (f c ) the guided electromagnetic waves are strongly bound to the insulated wire as a result of the fields emitted by the guided electromagnetic waves being concentrated in the insulation layer of the wire, as shown in diagram  552 . This in turn raises propagation losses further due to absorption of the guided electromagnetic waves by the insulation layer. Similarly, propagation losses increase when the operating frequency of the guided electromagnetic waves is substantially below the cutoff frequency (f c ), as shown in diagram  558 . At frequencies much lower than the cutoff frequency (f c ) the guided electromagnetic waves are weakly (or nominally) bound to the insulated wire and thereby tend to radiate into the environment (e.g., air), which in turn, raises propagation losses due to radiation of the guided electromagnetic waves. 
     Referring now to  FIG.  6   , a graphical diagram  600  illustrating an example, non-limiting embodiment of an electromagnetic field distribution is shown. In this embodiment, a transmission medium  602  is a bare wire, as shown in cross section. The diagram  300  includes different gray-scales that represent differing electromagnetic field strengths generated by the propagation of a guided wave having a symmetrical and fundamental guided wave mode at a single carrier frequency. 
     In this particular mode, electromagnetic waves are guided by the transmission medium  602  to propagate along an outer surface of the transmission medium—in this case, the outer surface of the bare wire. Electromagnetic waves are “lightly” coupled to the wire so as to enable electromagnetic wave propagation at long distances with low propagation loss. As shown, the guided wave has a field structure that lies substantially outside of the transmission medium  602  that serves to guide the electromagnetic waves. The regions inside the conductor  602  have little or no field. 
     Referring now to  FIG.  7   , a block diagram  700  illustrating an example, non-limiting embodiment of an arc coupler is shown. In particular a coupling device is presented for use in a transmission device, such as transmission device  101  or  102  presented in conjunction with  FIG.  1   . The coupling device includes an arc coupler  704  coupled to a transmitter circuit  712  and termination or damper  714 . The arc coupler  704  can be made of a dielectric material, or other low-loss insulator (e.g., Teflon, polyethylene, etc.), or made of a conducting (e.g., metallic, non-metallic, etc.) material, or any combination of the foregoing materials. As shown, the arc coupler  704  operates as a waveguide and has a wave  706  propagating as a guided wave about a waveguide surface of the arc coupler  704 . In the embodiment shown, at least a portion of the arc coupler  704  can be placed near a wire  702  or other transmission medium, (such as transmission medium  125 ), in order to facilitate coupling between the arc coupler  704  and the wire  702  or other transmission medium, as described herein to launch the guided wave  708  on the wire. The arc coupler  704  can be placed such that a portion of the curved arc coupler  704  is tangential to, and parallel or substantially parallel to the wire  702 . The portion of the arc coupler  704  that is parallel to the wire can be an apex of the curve, or any point where a tangent of the curve is parallel to the wire  702 . When the arc coupler  704  is positioned or placed thusly, the wave  706  travelling along the arc coupler  704  couples, at least in part, to the wire  702 , and propagates as guided wave  708  around or about the wire surface of the wire  702  and longitudinally along the wire  702 . The guided wave  708  can be characterized as a surface wave or other electromagnetic wave that is guided by or bound to the wire  702  or other transmission medium. 
     A portion of the wave  706  that does not couple to the wire  702  propagates as a wave  710  along the arc coupler  704 . It will be appreciated that the arc coupler  704  can be configured and arranged in a variety of positions in relation to the wire  702  to achieve a desired level of coupling or non-coupling of the wave  706  to the wire  702 . For example, the curvature and/or length of the arc coupler  704  that is parallel or substantially parallel, as well as its separation distance (which can include zero separation distance in an embodiment), to the wire  702  can be varied without departing from example embodiments. Likewise, the arrangement of arc coupler  704  in relation to the wire  702  may be varied based upon considerations of the respective intrinsic characteristics (e.g., thickness, composition, electromagnetic properties, etc.) of the wire  702  and the arc coupler  704 , as well as the characteristics (e.g., frequency, energy level, etc.) of the waves  706  and  708 . 
     The guided wave  708  stays parallel or substantially parallel to the wire  702 , even as the wire  702  bends and flexes. Bends in the wire  702  can increase transmission losses, which are also dependent on wire diameters, frequency, and materials. If the dimensions of the arc coupler  704  are chosen for efficient power transfer, most of the power in the wave  706  is transferred to the wire  702 , with little power remaining in wave  710 . It will be appreciated that the guided wave  708  can still be multi-modal in nature (discussed herein), including having modes that are non-fundamental or asymmetric, while traveling along a path that is parallel or substantially parallel to the wire  702 , with or without a fundamental transmission mode. In an embodiment, non-fundamental or asymmetric modes can be utilized to minimize transmission losses and/or obtain increased propagation distances. 
     It is noted that the term parallel is generally a geometric construct which often is not exactly achievable in real systems. Accordingly, the term parallel as utilized in the subject disclosure represents an approximation rather than an exact configuration when used to describe embodiments disclosed in the subject disclosure. In an embodiment, substantially parallel can include approximations that are within 30 degrees of true parallel in all dimensions. 
     In an embodiment, the wave  706  can exhibit one or more wave propagation modes. The arc coupler modes can be dependent on the shape and/or design of the coupler  704 . The one or more arc coupler modes of wave  706  can generate, influence, or impact one or more wave propagation modes of the guided wave  708  propagating along wire  702 . It should be particularly noted however that the guided wave modes present in the guided wave  706  may be the same or different from the guided wave modes of the guided wave  708 . In this fashion, one or more guided wave modes of the guided wave  706  may not be transferred to the guided wave  708 , and further one or more guided wave modes of guided wave  708  may not have been present in guided wave  706 . It should also be noted that the cut-off frequency of the arc coupler  704  for a particular guided wave mode may be different than the cutoff frequency of the wire  702  or other transmission medium for that same mode. For example, while the wire  702  or other transmission medium may be operated slightly above its cutoff frequency for a particular guided wave mode, the arc coupler  704  may be operated well above its cut-off frequency for that same mode for low loss, slightly below its cut-off frequency for that same mode to, for example, induce greater coupling and power transfer, or some other point in relation to the arc coupler&#39;s cutoff frequency for that mode. 
     In an embodiment, the wave propagation modes on the wire  702  can be similar to the arc coupler modes since both waves  706  and  708  propagate about the outside of the arc coupler  704  and wire  702  respectively. In some embodiments, as the wave  706  couples to the wire  702 , the modes can change form, or new modes can be created or generated, due to the coupling between the arc coupler  704  and the wire  702 . For example, differences in size, material, and/or impedances of the arc coupler  704  and wire  702  may create additional modes not present in the arc coupler modes and/or suppress some of the arc coupler modes. The wave propagation modes can comprise the fundamental transverse electromagnetic mode (Quasi-TEM 00 ), where only small electric and/or magnetic fields extend in the direction of propagation, and the electric and magnetic fields extend radially outwards while the guided wave propagates along the wire. This guided wave mode can be donut shaped, where few of the electromagnetic fields exist within the arc coupler  704  or wire  702 . 
     Waves  706  and  708  can comprise a fundamental TEM mode where the fields extend radially outwards, and also comprise other, non-fundamental (e.g., asymmetric, higher-level, etc.) modes. While particular wave propagation modes are discussed above, other wave propagation modes are likewise possible such as transverse electric (TE) and transverse magnetic (TM) modes, based on the frequencies employed, the design of the arc coupler  704 , the dimensions and composition of the wire  702 , as well as its surface characteristics, its insulation if present, the electromagnetic properties of the surrounding environment, etc. It should be noted that, depending on the frequency, the electrical and physical characteristics of the wire  702  and the particular wave propagation modes that are generated, guided wave  708  can travel along the conductive surface of an oxidized uninsulated wire, an unoxidized uninsulated wire, an insulated wire and/or along the insulating surface of an insulated wire. 
     In an embodiment, a diameter of the arc coupler  704  is smaller than the diameter of the wire  702 . For the millimeter-band wavelength being used, the arc coupler  704  supports a single waveguide mode that makes up wave  706 . This single waveguide mode can change as it couples to the wire  702  as guided wave  708 . If the arc coupler  704  were larger, more than one waveguide mode can be supported, but these additional waveguide modes may not couple to the wire  702  as efficiently, and higher coupling losses can result. However, in some alternative embodiments, the diameter of the arc coupler  704  can be equal to or larger than the diameter of the wire  702 , for example, where higher coupling losses are desirable or when used in conjunction with other techniques to otherwise reduce coupling losses (e.g., impedance matching with tapering, etc.). 
     In an embodiment, the wavelength of the waves  706  and  708  are comparable in size, or smaller than a circumference of the arc coupler  704  and the wire  702 . In an example, if the wire  702  has a diameter of 0.5 cm, and a corresponding circumference of around 1.5 cm, the wavelength of the transmission is around 1.5 cm or less, corresponding to a frequency of 70 GHz or greater. In another embodiment, a suitable frequency of the transmission and the carrier-wave signal is in the range of 30-100 GHz, perhaps around 30-60 GHz, and around 38 GHz in one example. In an embodiment, when the circumference of the arc coupler  704  and wire  702  is comparable in size to, or greater, than a wavelength of the transmission, the waves  706  and  708  can exhibit multiple wave propagation modes including fundamental and/or non-fundamental (symmetric and/or asymmetric) modes that propagate over sufficient distances to support various communication systems described herein. The waves  706  and  708  can therefore comprise more than one type of electric and magnetic field configuration. In an embodiment, as the guided wave  708  propagates down the wire  702 , the electrical and magnetic field configurations will remain the same from end to end of the wire  702 . In other embodiments, as the guided wave  708  encounters interference (distortion or obstructions) or loses energy due to transmission losses or scattering, the electric and magnetic field configurations can change as the guided wave  708  propagates down wire  702 . 
     In an embodiment, the arc coupler  704  can be composed of nylon, Teflon, polyethylene, a polyamide, or other plastics. In other embodiments, other dielectric materials are possible. The wire surface of wire  702  can be metallic with either a bare metallic surface, or can be insulated using plastic, dielectric, insulator or other coating, jacket or sheathing. In an embodiment, a dielectric or otherwise non-conducting/insulated waveguide can be paired with either a bare/metallic wire or insulated wire. In other embodiments, a metallic and/or conductive waveguide can be paired with a bare/metallic wire or insulated wire. In an embodiment, an oxidation layer on the bare metallic surface of the wire  702  (e.g., resulting from exposure of the bare metallic surface to oxygen/air) can also provide insulating or dielectric properties similar to those provided by some insulators or sheathings. 
     It is noted that the graphical representations of waves  706 ,  708  and  710  are presented merely to illustrate the principles that wave  706  induces or otherwise launches a guided wave  708  on a wire  702  that operates, for example, as a single wire transmission line. Wave  710  represents the portion of wave  706  that remains on the arc coupler  704  after the generation of guided wave  708 . The actual electric and magnetic fields generated as a result of such wave propagation may vary depending on the frequencies employed, the particular wave propagation mode or modes, the design of the arc coupler  704 , the dimensions and composition of the wire  702 , as well as its surface characteristics, its optional insulation, the electromagnetic properties of the surrounding environment, etc. 
     It is noted that arc coupler  704  can include a termination circuit or damper  714  at the end of the arc coupler  704  that can absorb leftover radiation or energy from wave  710 . The termination circuit or damper  714  can prevent and/or minimize the leftover radiation or energy from wave  710  reflecting back toward transmitter circuit  712 . In an embodiment, the termination circuit or damper  714  can include termination resistors, and/or other components that perform impedance matching to attenuate reflection. In some embodiments, if the coupling efficiencies are high enough, and/or wave  710  is sufficiently small, it may not be necessary to use a termination circuit or damper  714 . For the sake of simplicity, these transmitter  712  and termination circuits or dampers  714  may not be depicted in the other figures, but in those embodiments, transmitter and termination circuits or dampers may possibly be used. 
     Further, while a single arc coupler  704  is presented that generates a single guided wave  708 , multiple arc couplers  704  placed at different points along the wire  702  and/or at different azimuthal orientations about the wire can be employed to generate and receive multiple guided waves  708  at the same or different frequencies, at the same or different phases, at the same or different wave propagation modes. 
       FIG.  8   , a block diagram  800  illustrating an example, non-limiting embodiment of an arc coupler is shown. In the embodiment shown, at least a portion of the coupler  704  can be placed near a wire  702  or other transmission medium, (such as transmission medium  125 ), in order to facilitate coupling between the arc coupler  704  and the wire  702  or other transmission medium, to extract a portion of the guided wave  806  as a guided wave  808  as described herein. The arc coupler  704  can be placed such that a portion of the curved arc coupler  704  is tangential to, and parallel or substantially parallel to the wire  702 . The portion of the arc coupler  704  that is parallel to the wire can be an apex of the curve, or any point where a tangent of the curve is parallel to the wire  702 . When the arc coupler  704  is positioned or placed thusly, the wave  806  travelling along the wire  702  couples, at least in part, to the arc coupler  704 , and propagates as guided wave  808  along the arc coupler  704  to a receiving device (not expressly shown). A portion of the wave  806  that does not couple to the arc coupler propagates as wave  810  along the wire  702  or other transmission medium. 
     In an embodiment, the wave  806  can exhibit one or more wave propagation modes. The arc coupler modes can be dependent on the shape and/or design of the coupler  704 . The one or more modes of guided wave  806  can generate, influence, or impact one or more guide-wave modes of the guided wave  808  propagating along the arc coupler  704 . It should be particularly noted however that the guided wave modes present in the guided wave  806  may be the same or different from the guided wave modes of the guided wave  808 . In this fashion, one or more guided wave modes of the guided wave  806  may not be transferred to the guided wave  808 , and further one or more guided wave modes of guided wave  808  may not have been present in guided wave  806 . 
     Referring now to  FIG.  9 A , a block diagram  900  illustrating an example, non-limiting embodiment of a stub coupler is shown. In particular a coupling device that includes stub coupler  904  is presented for use in a transmission device, such as transmission device  101  or  102  presented in conjunction with  FIG.  1   . The stub coupler  904  can be made of a dielectric material, or other low-loss insulator (e.g., Teflon, polyethylene and etc.), or made of a conducting (e.g., metallic, non-metallic, etc.) material, or any combination of the foregoing materials. As shown, the stub coupler  904  operates as a waveguide and has a wave  906  propagating as a guided wave about a waveguide surface of the stub coupler  904 . In the embodiment shown, at least a portion of the stub coupler  904  can be placed near a wire  702  or other transmission medium, (such as transmission medium  125 ), in order to facilitate coupling between the stub coupler  904  and the wire  702  or other transmission medium, as described herein to launch the guided wave  908  on the wire. 
     In an embodiment, the stub coupler  904  is curved, and an end of the stub coupler  904  can be tied, fastened, or otherwise mechanically coupled to a wire  702 . When the end of the stub coupler  904  is fastened to the wire  702 , the end of the stub coupler  904  is parallel or substantially parallel to the wire  702 . Alternatively, another portion of the dielectric waveguide beyond an end can be fastened or coupled to wire  702  such that the fastened or coupled portion is parallel or substantially parallel to the wire  702 . The fastener  910  can be a nylon cable tie or other type of non-conducting/dielectric material that is either separate from the stub coupler  904  or constructed as an integrated component of the stub coupler  904 . The stub coupler  904  can be adjacent to the wire  702  without surrounding the wire  702 . 
     Like the arc coupler  704  described in conjunction with  FIG.  7   , when the stub coupler  904  is placed with the end parallel to the wire  702 , the guided wave  906  travelling along the stub coupler  904  couples to the wire  702 , and propagates as guided wave  908  about the wire surface of the wire  702 . In an example embodiment, the guided wave  908  can be characterized as a surface wave or other electromagnetic wave. 
     It is noted that the graphical representations of waves  906  and  908  are presented merely to illustrate the principles that wave  906  induces or otherwise launches a guided wave  908  on a wire  702  that operates, for example, as a single wire transmission line. The actual electric and magnetic fields generated as a result of such wave propagation may vary depending on one or more of the shape and/or design of the coupler, the relative position of the dielectric waveguide to the wire, the frequencies employed, the design of the stub coupler  904 , the dimensions and composition of the wire  702 , as well as its surface characteristics, its optional insulation, the electromagnetic properties of the surrounding environment, etc. 
     In an embodiment, an end of stub coupler  904  can taper towards the wire  702  in order to increase coupling efficiencies. Indeed, the tapering of the end of the stub coupler  904  can provide impedance matching to the wire  702  and reduce reflections, according to an example embodiment of the subject disclosure. For example, an end of the stub coupler  904  can be gradually tapered in order to obtain a desired level of coupling between waves  906  and  908  as illustrated in  FIG.  9 A . 
     In an embodiment, the fastener  910  can be placed such that there is a short length of the stub coupler  904  between the fastener  910  and an end of the stub coupler  904 . Maximum coupling efficiencies are realized in this embodiment when the length of the end of the stub coupler  904  that is beyond the fastener  910  is at least several wavelengths long for whatever frequency is being transmitted. 
     Turning now to  FIG.  9 B , a diagram  950  illustrating an example, non-limiting embodiment of an electromagnetic distribution in accordance with various aspects described herein is shown. In particular, an electromagnetic distribution is presented in two dimensions for a transmission device that includes coupler  952 , shown in an example stub coupler constructed of a dielectric material. The coupler  952  couples an electromagnetic wave for propagation as a guided wave along an outer surface of a wire  702  or other transmission medium. 
     The coupler  952  guides the electromagnetic wave to a junction at x 0  via a symmetrical guided wave mode. While some of the energy of the electromagnetic wave that propagates along the coupler  952  is outside of the coupler  952 , the majority of the energy of this electromagnetic wave is contained within the coupler  952 . The junction at x 0  couples the electromagnetic wave to the wire  702  or other transmission medium at an azimuthal angle corresponding to the bottom of the transmission medium. This coupling induces an electromagnetic wave that is guided to propagate along the outer surface of the wire  702  or other transmission medium via at least one guided wave mode in direction  956 . The majority of the energy of the guided electromagnetic wave is outside or, but in close proximity to the outer surface of the wire  702  or other transmission medium. In the example shown, the junction at x 0  forms an electromagnetic wave that propagates via both a symmetrical mode and at least one asymmetrical surface mode, such as the first order mode presented in conjunction with  FIG.  3   , that skims the surface of the wire  702  or other transmission medium. 
     It is noted that the graphical representations of guided waves are presented merely to illustrate an example of guided wave coupling and propagation. The actual electric and magnetic fields generated as a result of such wave propagation may vary depending on the frequencies employed, the design and/or configuration of the coupler  952 , the dimensions and composition of the wire  702  or other transmission medium, as well as its surface characteristics, its insulation if present, the electromagnetic properties of the surrounding environment, etc. 
     Turning now to  FIG.  10 A , illustrated is a block diagram  1000  of an example, non-limiting embodiment of a coupler and transceiver system in accordance with various aspects described herein. The system is an example of transmission device  101  or  102 . In particular, the communication interface  1008  is an example of communications interface  205 , the stub coupler  1002  is an example of coupler  220 , and the transmitter/receiver device  1006 , diplexer  1016 , power amplifier  1014 , low noise amplifier  1018 , frequency mixers  1010  and  1020  and local oscillator  1012  collectively form an example of transceiver  210 . 
     In operation, the transmitter/receiver device  1006  launches and receives waves (e.g., guided wave  1004  onto stub coupler  1002 ). The guided waves  1004  can be used to transport signals received from and sent to a host device, base station, mobile devices, a building or other device by way of a communications interface  1008 . The communications interface  1008  can be an integral part of system  1000 . Alternatively, the communications interface  1008  can be tethered to system  1000 . The communications interface  1008  can comprise a wireless interface for interfacing to the host device, base station, mobile devices, a building or other device utilizing any of various wireless signaling protocols (e.g., LTE, WiFi, WiMAX, IEEE 802.xx, etc.) including an infrared protocol such as an infrared data association (IrDA) protocol or other line of sight optical protocol. The communications interface  1008  can also comprise a wired interface such as a fiber optic line, coaxial cable, twisted pair, category 5 (CAT-5) cable or other suitable wired or optical mediums for communicating with the host device, base station, mobile devices, a building or other device via a protocol such as an Ethernet protocol, universal serial bus (USB) protocol, a data over cable service interface specification (DOCSIS) protocol, a digital subscriber line (DSL) protocol, a Firewire (IEEE 1394) protocol, or other wired or optical protocol. For embodiments where system  1000  functions as a repeater, the communications interface  1008  may not be necessary. 
     The output signals (e.g., Tx) of the communications interface  1008  can be combined with a carrier wave (e.g., millimeter-wave carrier wave) generated by a local oscillator  1012  at frequency mixer  1010 . Frequency mixer  1010  can use heterodyning techniques or other frequency shifting techniques to frequency shift the output signals from communications interface  1008 . For example, signals sent to and from the communications interface  1008  can be modulated signals such as orthogonal frequency division multiplexed (OFDM) signals formatted in accordance with a Long-Term Evolution (LTE) wireless protocol or other wireless 3G, 4G, 5G or higher voice and data protocol, a Zigbee, WIMAX, UltraWideband or IEEE 802.11 wireless protocol; a wired protocol such as an Ethernet protocol, universal serial bus (USB) protocol, a data over cable service interface specification (DOCSIS) protocol, a digital subscriber line (DSL) protocol, a Firewire (IEEE 1394) protocol or other wired or wireless protocol. In an example embodiment, this frequency conversion can be done in the analog domain, and as a result, the frequency shifting can be done without regard to the type of communications protocol used by a base station, mobile devices, or in-building devices. As new communications technologies are developed, the communications interface  1008  can be upgraded (e.g., updated with software, firmware, and/or hardware) or replaced and the frequency shifting and transmission apparatus can remain, simplifying upgrades. The carrier wave can then be sent to a power amplifier (“PA”)  1014  and can be transmitted via the transmitter receiver device  1006  via the diplexer  1016 . 
     Signals received from the transmitter/receiver device  1006  that are directed towards the communications interface  1008  can be separated from other signals via diplexer  1016 . The received signal can then be sent to low noise amplifier (“LNA”)  1018  for amplification. A frequency mixer  1020 , with help from local oscillator  1012  can downshift the received signal (which is in the millimeter-wave band or around 38 GHz in some embodiments) to the native frequency. The communications interface  1008  can then receive the transmission at an input port (Rx). 
     In an embodiment, transmitter/receiver device  1006  can include a cylindrical or non-cylindrical metal (which, for example, can be hollow in an embodiment, but not necessarily drawn to scale) or other conducting or non-conducting waveguide and an end of the stub coupler  1002  can be placed in or in proximity to the waveguide or the transmitter/receiver device  1006  such that when the transmitter/receiver device  1006  generates a transmission, the guided wave couples to stub coupler  1002  and propagates as a guided wave  1004  about the waveguide surface of the stub coupler  1002 . In some embodiments, the guided wave  1004  can propagate in part on the outer surface of the stub coupler  1002  and in part inside the stub coupler  1002 . In other embodiments, the guided wave  1004  can propagate substantially or completely on the outer surface of the stub coupler  1002 . In yet other embodiments, the guided wave  1004  can propagate substantially or completely inside the stub coupler  1002 . In this latter embodiment, the guided wave  1004  can radiate at an end of the stub coupler  1002  (such as the tapered end shown in  FIG.  4   ) for coupling to a transmission medium such as a wire  702  of  FIG.  7   . Similarly, if guided wave  1004  is incoming (coupled to the stub coupler  1002  from a wire  702 ), guided wave  1004  then enters the transmitter/receiver device  1006  and couples to the cylindrical waveguide or conducting waveguide. While transmitter/receiver device  1006  is shown to include a separate waveguide—an antenna, cavity resonator, klystron, magnetron, travelling wave tube, or other radiating element can be employed to induce a guided wave on the coupler  1002 , with or without the separate waveguide. 
     In an embodiment, stub coupler  1002  can be wholly constructed of a dielectric material (or another suitable insulating material), without any metallic or otherwise conducting materials therein. Stub coupler  1002  can be composed of nylon, Teflon, polyethylene, a polyamide, other plastics, or other materials that are non-conducting and suitable for facilitating transmission of electromagnetic waves at least in part on an outer surface of such materials. In another embodiment, stub coupler  1002  can include a core that is conducting/metallic, and have an exterior dielectric surface. Similarly, a transmission medium that couples to the stub coupler  1002  for propagating electromagnetic waves induced by the stub coupler  1002  or for supplying electromagnetic waves to the stub coupler  1002  can, in addition to being a bare or insulated wire, be wholly constructed of a dielectric material (or another suitable insulating material), without any metallic or otherwise conducting materials therein. 
     It is noted that although  FIG.  10 A  shows that the opening of transmitter receiver device  1006  is much wider than the stub coupler  1002 , this is not to scale, and that in other embodiments the width of the stub coupler  1002  is comparable or slightly smaller than the opening of the hollow waveguide. It is also not shown, but in an embodiment, an end of the coupler  1002  that is inserted into the transmitter/receiver device  1006  tapers down in order to reduce reflection and increase coupling efficiencies. 
     Before coupling to the stub coupler  1002 , the one or more waveguide modes of the guided wave generated by the transmitter/receiver device  1006  can couple to the stub coupler  1002  to induce one or more wave propagation modes of the guided wave  1004 . The wave propagation modes of the guided wave  1004  can be different than the hollow metal waveguide modes due to the different characteristics of the hollow metal waveguide and the dielectric waveguide. For instance, wave propagation modes of the guided wave  1004  can comprise the fundamental transverse electromagnetic mode (Quasi-TEM 00 ), where only small electrical and/or magnetic fields extend in the direction of propagation, and the electric and magnetic fields extend radially outwards from the stub coupler  1002  while the guided waves propagate along the stub coupler  1002 . The fundamental transverse electromagnetic mode wave propagation mode may or may not exist inside a waveguide that is hollow. Therefore, the hollow metal waveguide modes that are used by transmitter/receiver device  1006  are waveguide modes that can couple effectively and efficiently to wave propagation modes of stub coupler  1002 . 
     It will be appreciated that other constructs or combinations of the transmitter/receiver device  1006  and stub coupler  1002  are possible. For example, a stub coupler  1002 ′ can be placed tangentially or in parallel (with or without a gap) with respect to an outer surface of the hollow metal waveguide of the transmitter/receiver device  1006 ′ (corresponding circuitry not shown) as depicted by reference  1000 ′ of  FIG.  10 B . In another embodiment, not shown by reference  1000 ′, the stub coupler  1002 ′ can be placed inside the hollow metal waveguide of the transmitter/receiver device  1006 ′ without an axis of the stub coupler  1002 ′ being coaxially aligned with an axis of the hollow metal waveguide of the transmitter/receiver device  1006 ′. In either of these embodiments, the guided wave generated by the transmitter/receiver device  1006 ′ can couple to a surface of the stub coupler  1002 ′ to induce one or more wave propagation modes of the guided wave  1004 ′ on the stub coupler  1002 ′ including a fundamental mode (e.g., a symmetric mode) and/or a non-fundamental mode (e.g., asymmetric mode). 
     In one embodiment, the guided wave  1004 ′ can propagate in part on the outer surface of the stub coupler  1002 ′ and in part inside the stub coupler  1002 ′. In another embodiment, the guided wave  1004 ′ can propagate substantially or completely on the outer surface of the stub coupler  1002 ′. In yet other embodiments, the guided wave  1004 ′ can propagate substantially or completely inside the stub coupler  1002 ′. In this latter embodiment, the guided wave  1004 ′ can radiate at an end of the stub coupler  1002 ′ (such as the tapered end shown in  FIG.  9   ) for coupling to a transmission medium such as a wire  702  of  FIG.  9   . 
     It will be further appreciated that other constructs the transmitter/receiver device  1006  are possible. For example, a hollow metal waveguide of a transmitter/receiver device  1006 ″ (corresponding circuitry not shown), depicted in  FIG.  10 B  as reference  1000 ″, can be placed tangentially or in parallel (with or without a gap) with respect to an outer surface of a transmission medium such as the wire  702  of  FIG.  4    without the use of the stub coupler  1002 . In this embodiment, the guided wave generated by the transmitter/receiver device  1006 ″ can couple to a surface of the wire  702  to induce one or more wave propagation modes of a guided wave  908  on the wire  702  including a fundamental mode (e.g., a symmetric mode) and/or a non-fundamental mode (e.g., asymmetric mode). In another embodiment, the wire  702  can be positioned inside a hollow metal waveguide of a transmitter/receiver device  1006 ′″ (corresponding circuitry not shown) so that an axis of the wire  702  is coaxially (or not coaxially) aligned with an axis of the hollow metal waveguide without the use of the stub coupler  1002 —see  FIG.  10 B  reference  1000 ′″. In this embodiment, the guided wave generated by the transmitter/receiver device  1006 ′″ can couple to a surface of the wire  702  to induce one or more wave propagation modes of a guided wave  908  on the wire including a fundamental mode (e.g., a symmetric mode) and/or a non-fundamental mode (e.g., asymmetric mode). 
     In the embodiments of  1000 ″ and  1000 ′″, for a wire  702  having an insulated outer surface, the guided wave  908  can propagate in part on the outer surface of the insulator and in part inside the insulator. In embodiments, the guided wave  908  can propagate substantially or completely on the outer surface of the insulator, or substantially or completely inside the insulator. In the embodiments of  1000 ″ and  1000 ′″, for a wire  702  that is a bare conductor, the guided wave  908  can propagate in part on the outer surface of the conductor and in part inside the conductor. In another embodiment, the guided wave  908  can propagate substantially or completely on the outer surface of the conductor. 
     Referring now to  FIG.  11   , a block diagram  1100  illustrating an example, non-limiting embodiment of a dual stub coupler is shown. In particular, a dual coupler design is presented for use in a transmission device, such as transmission device  101  or  102  presented in conjunction with  FIG.  1   . In an embodiment, two or more couplers (such as the stub couplers  1104  and  1106 ) can be positioned around a wire  1102  in order to receive guided wave  1108 . In an embodiment, one coupler is enough to receive the guided wave  1108 . In that case, guided wave  1108  couples to coupler  1104  and propagates as guided wave  1110 . If the field structure of the guided wave  1108  oscillates or undulates around the wire  1102  due to the particular guided wave mode(s) or various outside factors, then coupler  1106  can be placed such that guided wave  1108  couples to coupler  1106 . In some embodiments, four or more couplers can be placed around a portion of the wire  1102 , e.g., at 90 degrees or another spacing with respect to each other, in order to receive guided waves that may oscillate or rotate around the wire  1102 , that have been induced at different azimuthal orientations or that have non-fundamental or higher order modes that, for example, have lobes and/or nulls or other asymmetries that are orientation dependent. However, it will be appreciated that there may be less than or more than four couplers placed around a portion of the wire  1102  without departing from example embodiments. 
     It should be noted that while couplers  1106  and  1104  are illustrated as stub couplers, any other of the coupler designs described herein including arc couplers, antenna or horn couplers, magnetic couplers, etc., could likewise be used. It will also be appreciated that while some example embodiments have presented a plurality of couplers around at least a portion of a wire  1102 , this plurality of couplers can also be considered as part of a single coupler system having multiple coupler subcomponents. For example, two or more couplers can be manufactured as single system that can be installed around a wire in a single installation such that the couplers are either pre-positioned or adjustable relative to each other (either manually or automatically with a controllable mechanism such as a motor or other actuator) in accordance with the single system. 
     Receivers coupled to couplers  1106  and  1104  can use diversity combining to combine signals received from both couplers  1106  and  1104  in order to maximize the signal quality. In other embodiments, if one or the other of the couplers  1104  and  1106  receive a transmission that is above a predetermined threshold, receivers can use selection diversity when deciding which signal to use. Further, while reception by a plurality of couplers  1106  and  1104  is illustrated, transmission by couplers  1106  and  1104  in the same configuration can likewise take place. In particular, a wide range of multi-input multi-output (MIMO) transmission and reception techniques can be employed for transmissions where a transmission device, such as transmission device  101  or  102  presented in conjunction with  FIG.  1    includes multiple transceivers and multiple couplers. 
     It is noted that the graphical representations of waves  1108  and  1110  are presented merely to illustrate the principles that guided wave  1108  induces or otherwise launches a wave  1110  on a coupler  1104 . The actual electric and magnetic fields generated as a result of such wave propagation may vary depending on the frequencies employed, the design of the coupler  1104 , the dimensions and composition of the wire  1102 , as well as its surface characteristics, its insulation if any, the electromagnetic properties of the surrounding environment, etc. 
     Referring now to  FIG.  12   , a block diagram  1200  illustrating an example, non-limiting embodiment of a repeater system is shown. In particular, a repeater device  1210  is presented for use in a transmission device, such as transmission device  101  or  102  presented in conjunction with  FIG.  1   . In this system, two couplers  1204  and  1214  can be placed near a wire  1202  or other transmission medium such that guided waves  1205  propagating along the wire  1202  are extracted by coupler  1204  as wave  1206  (e.g. as a guided wave), and then are boosted or repeated by repeater device  1210  and launched as a wave  1216  (e.g. as a guided wave) onto coupler  1214 . The wave  1216  can then be launched on the wire  1202  and continue to propagate along the wire  1202  as a guided wave  1217 . In an embodiment, the repeater device  1210  can receive at least a portion of the power utilized for boosting or repeating through magnetic coupling with the wire  1202 , for example, when the wire  1202  is a power line or otherwise contains a power-carrying conductor. It should be noted that while couplers  1204  and  1214  are illustrated as stub couplers, any other of the coupler designs described herein including arc couplers, antenna or horn couplers, magnetic couplers, or the like, could likewise be used. 
     In some embodiments, repeater device  1210  can repeat the transmission associated with wave  1206 , and in other embodiments, repeater device  1210  can include a communications interface  205  that extracts data or other signals from the wave  1206  for supplying such data or signals to another network and/or one or more other devices as communication signals  110  or  112  and/or receiving communication signals  110  or  112  from another network and/or one or more other devices and launch guided wave  1216  having embedded therein the received communication signals  110  or  112 . In a repeater configuration, receiver waveguide  1208  can receive the wave  1206  from the coupler  1204  and transmitter waveguide  1212  can launch guided wave  1216  onto coupler  1214  as guided wave  1217 . Between receiver waveguide  1208  and transmitter waveguide  1212 , the signal embedded in guided wave  1206  and/or the guided wave  1216  itself can be amplified to correct for signal loss and other inefficiencies associated with guided wave communications or the signal can be received and processed to extract the data contained therein and regenerated for transmission. In an embodiment, the receiver waveguide  1208  can be configured to extract data from the signal, process the data to correct for data errors utilizing for example error correcting codes, and regenerate an updated signal with the corrected data. The transmitter waveguide  1212  can then transmit guided wave  1216  with the updated signal embedded therein. In an embodiment, a signal embedded in guided wave  1206  can be extracted from the transmission and processed for communication with another network and/or one or more other devices via communications interface  205  as communication signals  110  or  112 . Similarly, communication signals  110  or  112  received by the communications interface  205  can be inserted into a transmission of guided wave  1216  that is generated and launched onto coupler  1214  by transmitter waveguide  1212 . 
     It is noted that although  FIG.  12    shows guided wave transmissions  1206  and  1216  entering from the left and exiting to the right respectively, this is merely a simplification and is not intended to be limiting. In other embodiments, receiver waveguide  1208  and transmitter waveguide  1212  can also function as transmitters and receivers respectively, allowing the repeater device  1210  to be bi-directional. 
     In an embodiment, repeater device  1210  can be placed at locations where there are discontinuities or obstacles on the wire  1202  or other transmission medium. In the case where the wire  1202  is a power line, these obstacles can include transformers, connections, utility poles, and other such power line devices. The repeater device  1210  can help the guided (e.g., surface) waves jump over these obstacles on the line and boost the transmission power at the same time. In other embodiments, a coupler can be used to jump over the obstacle without the use of a repeater device. In that embodiment, both ends of the coupler can be tied or fastened to the wire, thus providing a path for the guided wave to travel without being blocked by the obstacle. 
     Turning now to  FIG.  13   , illustrated is a block diagram  1300  of an example, non-limiting embodiment of a bidirectional repeater in accordance with various aspects described herein. In particular, a bidirectional repeater device  1306  is presented for use in a transmission device, such as transmission device  101  or  102  presented in conjunction with  FIG.  1   . It should be noted that while the couplers are illustrated as stub couplers, any other of the coupler designs described herein including arc couplers, antenna or horn couplers, magnetic couplers, or the like, could likewise be used. The bidirectional repeater  1306  can employ diversity paths in the case of when two or more wires or other transmission media are present. Since guided wave transmissions have different transmission efficiencies and coupling efficiencies for transmission medium of different types such as insulated wires, un-insulated wires or other types of transmission media and further, if exposed to the elements, can be affected by weather, and other atmospheric conditions, it can be advantageous to selectively transmit on different transmission media at certain times. In various embodiments, the various transmission media can be designated as a primary, secondary, tertiary, etc. whether or not such designation indicates a preference of one transmission medium over another. 
     In the embodiment shown, the transmission media include an insulated or uninsulated wire  1302  and an insulated or uninsulated wire  1304  (referred to herein as wires  1302  and  1304 , respectively). The repeater device  1306  uses a receiver coupler  1308  to receive a guided wave traveling along wire  1302  and repeats the transmission using transmitter waveguide  1310  as a guided wave along wire  1304 . In other embodiments, repeater device  1306  can switch from the wire  1304  to the wire  1302 , or can repeat the transmissions along the same paths. Repeater device  1306  can include sensors, or be in communication with sensors (or a network management system  1601  depicted in  FIG.  16 A ) that indicate conditions that can affect the transmission. Based on the feedback received from the sensors, the repeater device  1306  can make the determination about whether to keep the transmission along the same wire, or transfer the transmission to the other wire. 
     Turning now to  FIG.  14   , illustrated is a block diagram  1400  illustrating an example, non-limiting embodiment of a bidirectional repeater system. In particular, a bidirectional repeater system is presented for use in a transmission device, such as transmission device  101  or  102  presented in conjunction with  FIG.  1   . The bidirectional repeater system includes waveguide coupling devices  1402  and  1404  that receive and transmit transmissions from other coupling devices located in a distributed antenna system or backhaul system. 
     In various embodiments, waveguide coupling device  1402  can receive a transmission from another waveguide coupling device, wherein the transmission has a plurality of subcarriers. Diplexer  1406  can separate the transmission from other transmissions, and direct the transmission to low-noise amplifier (“LNA”)  1408 . A frequency mixer  1428 , with help from a local oscillator  1412 , can downshift the transmission (which is in the millimeter-wave band or around 38 GHz in some embodiments) to a lower frequency, such as a cellular band (˜1.9 GHz) for a distributed antenna system, a native frequency, or other frequency for a backhaul system. An extractor (or demultiplexer)  1432  can extract the signal on a subcarrier and direct the signal to an output component  1422  for optional amplification, buffering or isolation by power amplifier  1424  for coupling to communications interface  205 . The communications interface  205  can further process the signals received from the power amplifier  1424  or otherwise transmit such signals over a wireless or wired interface to other devices such as a base station, mobile devices, a building, etc. For the signals that are not being extracted at this location, extractor  1432  can redirect them to another frequency mixer  1436 , where the signals are used to modulate a carrier wave generated by local oscillator  1414 . The carrier wave, with its subcarriers, is directed to a power amplifier (“PA”)  1416  and is retransmitted by waveguide coupling device  1404  to another system, via diplexer  1420 . 
     An LNA  1426  can be used to amplify, buffer or isolate signals that are received by the communication interface  205  and then send the signal to a multiplexer  1434  which merges the signal with signals that have been received from waveguide coupling device  1404 . The signals received from coupling device  1404  have been split by diplexer  1420 , and then passed through LNA  1418 , and downshifted in frequency by frequency mixer  1438 . When the signals are combined by multiplexer  1434 , they are upshifted in frequency by frequency mixer  1430 , and then boosted by PA  1410 , and transmitted to another system by waveguide coupling device  1402 . In an embodiment bidirectional repeater system can be merely a repeater without the output device  1422 . In this embodiment, the multiplexer  1434  would not be utilized and signals from LNA  1418  would be directed to mixer  1430  as previously described. It will be appreciated that in some embodiments, the bidirectional repeater system could also be implemented using two distinct and separate unidirectional repeaters. In an alternative embodiment, a bidirectional repeater system could also be a booster or otherwise perform retransmissions without downshifting and upshifting. Indeed in example embodiment, the retransmissions can be based upon receiving a signal or guided wave and performing some signal or guided wave processing or reshaping, filtering, and/or amplification, prior to retransmission of the signal or guided wave. 
     Referring now to  FIG.  15   , a block diagram  1500  illustrating an example, non-limiting embodiment of a guided wave communications system is shown. This diagram depicts an exemplary environment in which a guided wave communication system, such as the guided wave communication system presented in conjunction with  FIG.  1   , can be used. 
     To provide network connectivity to additional base station devices, a backhaul network that links the communication cells (e.g., microcells and macrocells) to network devices of a core network correspondingly expands. Similarly, to provide network connectivity to a distributed antenna system, an extended communication system that links base station devices and their distributed antennas is desirable. A guided wave communication system  1500  such as shown in  FIG.  15    can be provided to enable alternative, increased or additional network connectivity and a waveguide coupling system can be provided to transmit and/or receive guided wave (e.g., surface wave) communications on a transmission medium such as a wire that operates as a single-wire transmission line (e.g., a utility line), and that can be used as a waveguide and/or that otherwise operates to guide the transmission of an electromagnetic wave. 
     The guided wave communication system  1500  can comprise a first instance of a distribution system  1550  that includes one or more base station devices (e.g., base station device  1504 ) that are communicably coupled to a central office  1501  and/or a macrocell site  1502 . Base station device  1504  can be connected by a wired (e.g., fiber and/or cable), or by a wireless (e.g., microwave wireless) connection to the macrocell site  1502  and the central office  1501 . A second instance of the distribution system  1560  can be used to provide wireless voice and data services to mobile device  1522  and to residential and/or commercial establishments  1542  (herein referred to as establishments  1542 ). System  1500  can have additional instances of the distribution systems  1550  and  1560  for providing voice and/or data services to mobile devices  1522 - 1524  and establishments  1542  as shown in  FIG.  15   . 
     Macrocells such as macrocell site  1502  can have dedicated connections to a mobile network and base station device  1504  or can share and/or otherwise use another connection. Central office  1501  can be used to distribute media content and/or provide internet service provider (ISP) services to mobile devices  1522 - 1524  and establishments  1542 . The central office  1501  can receive media content from a constellation of satellites  1530  (one of which is shown in  FIG.  15   ) or other sources of content, and distribute such content to mobile devices  1522 - 1524  and establishments  1542  via the first and second instances of the distribution system  1550  and  1560 . The central office  1501  can also be communicatively coupled to the Internet  1503  for providing internet data services to mobile devices  1522 - 1524  and establishments  1542 . 
     Base station device  1504  can be mounted on, or attached to, utility pole  1516 . In other embodiments, base station device  1504  can be near transformers and/or other locations situated nearby a power line. Base station device  1504  can facilitate connectivity to a mobile network for mobile devices  1522  and  1524 . Antennas  1512  and  1514 , mounted on or near utility poles  1518  and  1520 , respectively, can receive signals from base station device  1504  and transmit those signals to mobile devices  1522  and  1524  over a much wider area than if the antennas  1512  and  1514  were located at or near base station device  1504 . 
     It is noted that  FIG.  15    displays three utility poles, in each instance of the distribution systems  1550  and  1560 , with one base station device, for purposes of simplicity. In other embodiments, utility pole  1516  can have more base station devices, and more utility poles with distributed antennas and/or tethered connections to establishments  1542 . 
     A transmission device  1506 , such as transmission device  101  or  102  presented in conjunction with  FIG.  1   , can transmit a signal from base station device  1504  to antennas  1512  and  1514  via utility or power line(s) that connect the utility poles  1516 ,  1518 , and  1520 . To transmit the signal, radio source and/or transmission device  1506  upconverts the signal (e.g., via frequency mixing) from base station device  1504  or otherwise converts the signal from the base station device  1504  to a microwave band signal and the transmission device  1506  launches a microwave band wave that propagates as a guided wave traveling along the utility line or other wire as described in previous embodiments. At utility pole  1518 , another transmission device  1508  receives the guided wave (and optionally can amplify it as needed or desired or operate as a repeater to receive it and regenerate it) and sends it forward as a guided wave on the utility line or other wire. The transmission device  1508  can also extract a signal from the microwave band guided wave and shift it down in frequency or otherwise convert it to its original cellular band frequency (e.g., 1.9 GHz or other defined cellular frequency) or another cellular (or non-cellular) band frequency. An antenna  1512  can wireless transmit the downshifted signal to mobile device  1522 . The process can be repeated by transmission device  1510 , antenna  1514  and mobile device  1524 , as necessary or desirable. 
     Transmissions from mobile devices  1522  and  1524  can also be received by antennas  1512  and  1514  respectively. The transmission devices  1508  and  1510  can upshift or otherwise convert the cellular band signals to microwave band and transmit the signals as guided wave (e.g., surface wave or other electromagnetic wave) transmissions over the power line(s) to base station device  1504 . 
     Media content received by the central office  1501  can be supplied to the second instance of the distribution system  1560  via the base station device  1504  for distribution to mobile devices  1522  and establishments  1542 . The transmission device  1510  can be tethered to the establishments  1542  by one or more wired connections or a wireless interface. The one or more wired connections may include without limitation, a power line, a coaxial cable, a fiber cable, a twisted pair cable, a guided wave transmission medium or other suitable wired mediums for distribution of media content and/or for providing internet services. In an example embodiment, the wired connections from the transmission device  1510  can be communicatively coupled to one or more very high bit rate digital subscriber line (VDSL) modems located at one or more corresponding service area interfaces (SAIs—not shown) or pedestals, each SAI or pedestal providing services to a portion of the establishments  1542 . The VDSL modems can be used to selectively distribute media content and/or provide internet services to gateways (not shown) located in the establishments  1542 . The SAIs or pedestals can also be communicatively coupled to the establishments  1542  over a wired medium such as a power line, a coaxial cable, a fiber cable, a twisted pair cable, a guided wave transmission medium or other suitable wired mediums. In other example embodiments, the transmission device  1510  can be communicatively coupled directly to establishments  1542  without intermediate interfaces such as the SAIs or pedestals. 
     In another example embodiment, system  1500  can employ diversity paths, where two or more utility lines or other wires are strung between the utility poles  1516 ,  1518 , and  1520  (e.g., for example, two or more wires between poles  1516  and  1520 ) and redundant transmissions from base station/macrocell site  1502  are transmitted as guided waves down the surface of the utility lines or other wires. The utility lines or other wires can be either insulated or uninsulated, and depending on the environmental conditions that cause transmission losses, the coupling devices can selectively receive signals from the insulated or uninsulated utility lines or other wires. The selection can be based on measurements of the signal-to-noise ratio of the wires, or based on determined weather/environmental conditions (e.g., moisture detectors, weather forecasts, etc.). The use of diversity paths with system  1500  can enable alternate routing capabilities, load balancing, increased load handling, concurrent bi-directional or synchronous communications, spread spectrum communications, etc. 
     It is noted that the use of the transmission devices  1506 ,  1508 , and  1510  in  FIG.  15    are by way of example only, and that in other embodiments, other uses are possible. For instance, transmission devices can be used in a backhaul communication system, providing network connectivity to base station devices. Transmission devices  1506 ,  1508 , and  1510  can be used in many circumstances where it is desirable to transmit guided wave communications over a wire, whether insulated or not insulated. Transmission devices  1506 ,  1508 , and  1510  are improvements over other coupling devices due to no contact or limited physical and/or electrical contact with the wires that may carry high voltages. The transmission device can be located away from the wire (e.g., spaced apart from the wire) and/or located on the wire so long as it is not electrically in contact with the wire, as the dielectric acts as an insulator, allowing for cheap, easy, and/or less complex installation. However, as previously noted conducting or non-dielectric couplers can be employed, for example in configurations where the wires correspond to a telephone network, cable television network, broadband data service, fiber optic communications system or other network employing low voltages or having insulated transmission lines. 
     It is further noted, that while base station device  1504  and macrocell site  1502  are illustrated in an embodiment, other network configurations are likewise possible. For example, devices such as access points or other wireless gateways can be employed in a similar fashion to extend the reach of other networks such as a wireless local area network, a wireless personal area network or other wireless network that operates in accordance with a communication protocol such as a 802.11 protocol, WIMAX protocol, UltraWideband protocol, Bluetooth protocol, Zigbee protocol or other wireless protocol. 
     Referring now to  FIGS.  16 A &amp;  16 B , block diagrams illustrating an example, non-limiting embodiment of a system for managing a power grid communication system are shown. Considering  FIG.  16 A , a waveguide system  1602  is presented for use in a guided wave communications system, such as the system presented in conjunction with  FIG.  15   . The waveguide system  1602  can comprise sensors  1604 , a power management system  1605 , a transmission device  101  or  102  that includes at least one communication interface  205 , transceiver  210  and coupler  220 . 
     The waveguide system  1602  can be coupled to a power line  1610  for facilitating guided wave communications in accordance with embodiments described in the subject disclosure. In an example embodiment, the transmission device  101  or  102  includes coupler  220  for inducing electromagnetic waves on a surface of the power line  1610  that longitudinally propagate along the surface of the power line  1610  as described in the subject disclosure. The transmission device  101  or  102  can also serve as a repeater for retransmitting electromagnetic waves on the same power line  1610  or for routing electromagnetic waves between power lines  1610  as shown in  FIGS.  12 - 13   . 
     The transmission device  101  or  102  includes transceiver  210  configured to, for example, up-convert a signal operating at an original frequency range to electromagnetic waves operating at, exhibiting, or associated with a carrier frequency that propagate along a coupler to induce corresponding guided electromagnetic waves that propagate along a surface of the power line  1610 . A carrier frequency can be represented by a center frequency having upper and lower cutoff frequencies that define the bandwidth of the electromagnetic waves. The power line  1610  can be a wire (e.g., single stranded or multi-stranded) having a conducting surface or insulated surface. The transceiver  210  can also receive signals from the coupler  220  and down-convert the electromagnetic waves operating at a carrier frequency to signals at their original frequency. 
     Signals received by the communications interface  205  of transmission device  101  or  102  for up-conversion can include without limitation signals supplied by a central office  1611  over a wired or wireless interface of the communications interface  205 , a base station  1614  over a wired or wireless interface of the communications interface  205 , wireless signals transmitted by mobile devices  1620  to the base station  1614  for delivery over the wired or wireless interface of the communications interface  205 , signals supplied by in-building communication devices  1618  over the wired or wireless interface of the communications interface  205 , and/or wireless signals supplied to the communications interface  205  by mobile devices  1612  roaming in a wireless communication range of the communications interface  205 . In embodiments where the waveguide system  1602  functions as a repeater, such as shown in  FIGS.  12 - 13   , the communications interface  205  may or may not be included in the waveguide system  1602 . 
     The electromagnetic waves propagating along the surface of the power line  1610  can be modulated and formatted to include packets or frames of data that include a data payload and further include networking information (such as header information for identifying one or more destination waveguide systems  1602 ). The networking information may be provided by the waveguide system  1602  or an originating device such as the central office  1611 , the base station  1614 , mobile devices  1620 , or in-building devices  1618 , or a combination thereof. Additionally, the modulated electromagnetic waves can include error correction data for mitigating signal disturbances. The networking information and error correction data can be used by a destination waveguide system  1602  for detecting transmissions directed to it, and for down-converting and processing with error correction data transmissions that include voice and/or data signals directed to recipient communication devices communicatively coupled to the destination waveguide system  1602 . 
     Referring now to the sensors  1604  of the waveguide system  1602 , the sensors  1604  can comprise one or more of a temperature sensor  1604   a , a disturbance detection sensor  1604   b , a loss of energy sensor  1604   c , a noise sensor  1604   d , a vibration sensor  1604   e , an environmental (e.g., weather) sensor  1604   f , and/or an image sensor  1604   g . The temperature sensor  1604   a  can be used to measure ambient temperature, a temperature of the transmission device  101  or  102 , a temperature of the power line  1610 , temperature differentials (e.g., compared to a setpoint or baseline, between transmission device  101  or  102  and  1610 , etc.), or any combination thereof. In one embodiment, temperature metrics can be collected and reported periodically to a network management system  1601  by way of the base station  1614 . 
     The disturbance detection sensor  1604   b  can perform measurements on the power line  1610  to detect disturbances such as signal reflections, which may indicate a presence of a downstream disturbance that may impede the propagation of electromagnetic waves on the power line  1610 . A signal reflection can represent a distortion resulting from, for example, an electromagnetic wave transmitted on the power line  1610  by the transmission device  101  or  102  that reflects in whole or in part back to the transmission device  101  or  102  from a disturbance in the power line  1610  located downstream from the transmission device  101  or  102 . 
     Signal reflections can be caused by obstructions on the power line  1610 . For example, a tree limb may cause electromagnetic wave reflections when the tree limb is lying on the power line  1610 , or is in close proximity to the power line  1610  which may cause a corona discharge. Other obstructions that can cause electromagnetic wave reflections can include without limitation an object that has been entangled on the power line  1610  (e.g., clothing, a shoe wrapped around a power line  1610  with a shoe string, etc.), a corroded build-up on the power line  1610  or an ice build-up. Power grid components may also impede or obstruct with the propagation of electromagnetic waves on the surface of power lines  1610 . Illustrations of power grid components that may cause signal reflections include without limitation a transformer and a joint for connecting spliced power lines. A sharp angle on the power line  1610  may also cause electromagnetic wave reflections. 
     The disturbance detection sensor  1604   b  can comprise a circuit to compare magnitudes of electromagnetic wave reflections to magnitudes of original electromagnetic waves transmitted by the transmission device  101  or  102  to determine how much a downstream disturbance in the power line  1610  attenuates transmissions. The disturbance detection sensor  1604   b  can further comprise a spectral analyzer circuit for performing spectral analysis on the reflected waves. The spectral data generated by the spectral analyzer circuit can be compared with spectral profiles via pattern recognition, an expert system, curve fitting, matched filtering or other artificial intelligence, classification or comparison technique to identify a type of disturbance based on, for example, the spectral profile that most closely matches the spectral data. The spectral profiles can be stored in a memory of the disturbance detection sensor  1604   b  or may be remotely accessible by the disturbance detection sensor  1604   b . The profiles can comprise spectral data that models different disturbances that may be encountered on power lines  1610  to enable the disturbance detection sensor  1604   b  to identify disturbances locally. An identification of the disturbance if known can be reported to the network management system  1601  by way of the base station  1614 . The disturbance detection sensor  1604   b  can also utilize the transmission device  101  or  102  to transmit electromagnetic waves as test signals to determine a roundtrip time for an electromagnetic wave reflection. The round trip time measured by the disturbance detection sensor  1604   b  can be used to calculate a distance traveled by the electromagnetic wave up to a point where the reflection takes place, which enables the disturbance detection sensor  1604   b  to calculate a distance from the transmission device  101  or  102  to the downstream disturbance on the power line  1610 . 
     The distance calculated can be reported to the network management system  1601  by way of the base station  1614 . In one embodiment, the location of the waveguide system  1602  on the power line  1610  may be known to the network management system  1601 , which the network management system  1601  can use to determine a location of the disturbance on the power line  1610  based on a known topology of the power grid. In another embodiment, the waveguide system  1602  can provide its location to the network management system  1601  to assist in the determination of the location of the disturbance on the power line  1610 . The location of the waveguide system  1602  can be obtained by the waveguide system  1602  from a pre-programmed location of the waveguide system  1602  stored in a memory of the waveguide system  1602 , or the waveguide system  1602  can determine its location using a GPS receiver (not shown) included in the waveguide system  1602 . 
     The power management system  1605  provides energy to the aforementioned components of the waveguide system  1602 . The power management system  1605  can receive energy from solar cells, or from a transformer (not shown) coupled to the power line  1610 , or by inductive coupling to the power line  1610  or another nearby power line. The power management system  1605  can also include a backup battery and/or a super capacitor or other capacitor circuit for providing the waveguide system  1602  with temporary power. The loss of energy sensor  1604   c  can be used to detect when the waveguide system  1602  has a loss of power condition and/or the occurrence of some other malfunction. For example, the loss of energy sensor  1604   c  can detect when there is a loss of power due to defective solar cells, an obstruction on the solar cells that causes them to malfunction, loss of power on the power line  1610 , and/or when the backup power system malfunctions due to expiration of a backup battery, or a detectable defect in a super capacitor. When a malfunction and/or loss of power occurs, the loss of energy sensor  1604   c  can notify the network management system  1601  by way of the base station  1614 . 
     The noise sensor  1604   d  can be used to measure noise on the power line  1610  that may adversely affect transmission of electromagnetic waves on the power line  1610 . The noise sensor  1604   d  can sense unexpected electromagnetic interference, noise bursts, or other sources of disturbances that may interrupt reception of modulated electromagnetic waves on a surface of a power line  1610 . A noise burst can be caused by, for example, a corona discharge, or other source of noise. The noise sensor  1604   d  can compare the measured noise to a noise profile obtained by the waveguide system  1602  from an internal database of noise profiles or from a remotely located database that stores noise profiles via pattern recognition, an expert system, curve fitting, matched filtering or other artificial intelligence, classification or comparison technique. From the comparison, the noise sensor  1604   d  may identify a noise source (e.g., corona discharge or otherwise) based on, for example, the noise profile that provides the closest match to the measured noise. The noise sensor  1604   d  can also detect how noise affects transmissions by measuring transmission metrics such as bit error rate, packet loss rate, jitter, packet retransmission requests, etc. The noise sensor  1604   d  can report to the network management system  1601  by way of the base station  1614  the identity of noise sources, their time of occurrence, and transmission metrics, among other things. 
     The vibration sensor  1604   e  can include accelerometers and/or gyroscopes to detect  2 D or  3 D vibrations on the power line  1610 . The vibrations can be compared to vibration profiles that can be stored locally in the waveguide system  1602 , or obtained by the waveguide system  1602  from a remote database via pattern recognition, an expert system, curve fitting, matched filtering or other artificial intelligence, classification or comparison technique. Vibration profiles can be used, for example, to distinguish fallen trees from wind gusts based on, for example, the vibration profile that provides the closest match to the measured vibrations. The results of this analysis can be reported by the vibration sensor  1604   e  to the network management system  1601  by way of the base station  1614 . 
     The environmental sensor  1604   f  can include a barometer for measuring atmospheric pressure, ambient temperature (which can be provided by the temperature sensor  1604   a ), wind speed, humidity, wind direction, and rainfall, among other things. The environmental sensor  1604   f  can collect raw information and process this information by comparing it to environmental profiles that can be obtained from a memory of the waveguide system  1602  or a remote database to predict weather conditions before they arise via pattern recognition, an expert system, knowledge-based system or other artificial intelligence, classification or other weather modeling and prediction technique. The environmental sensor  1604   f  can report raw data as well as its analysis to the network management system  1601 . 
     The image sensor  1604   g  can be a digital camera (e.g., a charged coupled device or CCD imager, infrared camera, etc.) for capturing images in a vicinity of the waveguide system  1602 . The image sensor  1604   g  can include an electromechanical mechanism to control movement (e.g., actual position or focal points/zooms) of the camera for inspecting the power line  1610  from multiple perspectives (e.g., top surface, bottom surface, left surface, right surface and so on). Alternatively, the image sensor  1604   g  can be designed such that no electromechanical mechanism is needed in order to obtain the multiple perspectives. The collection and retrieval of imaging data generated by the image sensor  1604   g  can be controlled by the network management system  1601 , or can be autonomously collected and reported by the image sensor  1604   g  to the network management system  1601 . 
     Other sensors that may be suitable for collecting telemetry information associated with the waveguide system  1602  and/or the power lines  1610  for purposes of detecting, predicting and/or mitigating disturbances that can impede the propagation of electromagnetic wave transmissions on power lines  1610  (or any other form of a transmission medium of electromagnetic waves) may be utilized by the waveguide system  1602 . 
     Referring now to  FIG.  16 B , block diagram  1650  illustrates an example, non-limiting embodiment of a system for managing a power grid  1653  and a communication system  1655  embedded therein or associated therewith in accordance with various aspects described herein. The communication system  1655  comprises a plurality of waveguide systems  1602  coupled to power lines  1610  of the power grid  1653 . At least a portion of the waveguide systems  1602  used in the communication system  1655  can be in direct communication with a base station  1614  and/or the network management system  1601 . Waveguide systems  1602  not directly connected to a base station  1614  or the network management system  1601  can engage in communication sessions with either a base station  1614  or the network management system  1601  by way of other downstream waveguide systems  1602  connected to a base station  1614  or the network management system  1601 . 
     The network management system  1601  can be communicatively coupled to equipment of a utility company  1652  and equipment of a communications service provider  1654  for providing each entity, status information associated with the power grid  1653  and the communication system  1655 , respectively. The network management system  1601 , the equipment of the utility company  1652 , and the communications service provider  1654  can access communication devices utilized by utility company personnel  1656  and/or communication devices utilized by communications service provider personnel  1658  for purposes of providing status information and/or for directing such personnel in the management of the power grid  1653  and/or communication system  1655 . 
       FIG.  17 A  illustrates a flow diagram of an example, non-limiting embodiment of a method  1700  for detecting and mitigating disturbances occurring in a communication network of the systems of  FIGS.  16 A &amp;  16 B . Method  1700  can begin with step  1702  where a waveguide system  1602  transmits and receives messages embedded in, or forming part of, modulated electromagnetic waves or another type of electromagnetic waves traveling along a surface of a power line  1610 . The messages can be voice messages, streaming video, and/or other data/information exchanged between communication devices communicatively coupled to the communication system  1655 . At step  1704  the sensors  1604  of the waveguide system  1602  can collect sensing data. In an embodiment, the sensing data can be collected in step  1704  prior to, during, or after the transmission and/or receipt of messages in step  1702 . At step  1706  the waveguide system  1602  (or the sensors  1604  themselves) can determine from the sensing data an actual or predicted occurrence of a disturbance in the communication system  1655  that can affect communications originating from (e.g., transmitted by) or received by the waveguide system  1602 . The waveguide system  1602  (or the sensors  1604 ) can process temperature data, signal reflection data, loss of energy data, noise data, vibration data, environmental data, or any combination thereof to make this determination. The waveguide system  1602  (or the sensors  1604 ) may also detect, identify, estimate, or predict the source of the disturbance and/or its location in the communication system  1655 . If a disturbance is neither detected/identified nor predicted/estimated at step  1708 , the waveguide system  1602  can proceed to step  1702  where it continues to transmit and receive messages embedded in, or forming part of, modulated electromagnetic waves traveling along a surface of the power line  1610 . 
     If at step  1708  a disturbance is detected/identified or predicted/estimated to occur, the waveguide system  1602  proceeds to step  1710  to determine if the disturbance adversely affects (or alternatively, is likely to adversely affect or the extent to which it may adversely affect) transmission or reception of messages in the communication system  1655 . In one embodiment, a duration threshold and a frequency of occurrence threshold can be used at step  1710  to determine when a disturbance adversely affects communications in the communication system  1655 . For illustration purposes only, assume a duration threshold is set to 500 ms, while a frequency of occurrence threshold is set to 5 disturbances occurring in an observation period of 10 sec. Thus, a disturbance having a duration greater than 500 ms will trigger the duration threshold. Additionally, any disturbance occurring more than 5 times in a 10 sec time interval will trigger the frequency of occurrence threshold. 
     In one embodiment, a disturbance may be considered to adversely affect signal integrity in the communication systems  1655  when the duration threshold alone is exceeded. In another embodiment, a disturbance may be considered as adversely affecting signal integrity in the communication systems  1655  when both the duration threshold and the frequency of occurrence threshold are exceeded. The latter embodiment is thus more conservative than the former embodiment for classifying disturbances that adversely affect signal integrity in the communication system  1655 . It will be appreciated that many other algorithms and associated parameters and thresholds can be utilized for step  1710  in accordance with example embodiments. 
     Referring back to method  1700 , if at step  1710  the disturbance detected at step  1708  does not meet the condition for adversely affected communications (e.g., neither exceeds the duration threshold nor the frequency of occurrence threshold), the waveguide system  1602  may proceed to step  1702  and continue processing messages. For instance, if the disturbance detected in step  1708  has a duration of 1 msec with a single occurrence in a 10 sec time period, then neither threshold will be exceeded. Consequently, such a disturbance may be considered as having a nominal effect on signal integrity in the communication system  1655  and thus would not be flagged as a disturbance requiring mitigation. Although not flagged, the occurrence of the disturbance, its time of occurrence, its frequency of occurrence, spectral data, and/or other useful information, may be reported to the network management system  1601  as telemetry data for monitoring purposes. 
     Referring back to step  1710 , if on the other hand the disturbance satisfies the condition for adversely affected communications (e.g., exceeds either or both thresholds), the waveguide system  1602  can proceed to step  1712  and report the incident to the network management system  1601 . The report can include raw sensing data collected by the sensors  1604 , a description of the disturbance if known by the waveguide system  1602 , a time of occurrence of the disturbance, a frequency of occurrence of the disturbance, a location associated with the disturbance, parameters readings such as bit error rate, packet loss rate, retransmission requests, jitter, latency and so on. If the disturbance is based on a prediction by one or more sensors of the waveguide system  1602 , the report can include a type of disturbance expected, and if predictable, an expected time occurrence of the disturbance, and an expected frequency of occurrence of the predicted disturbance when the prediction is based on historical sensing data collected by the sensors  1604  of the waveguide system  1602 . 
     At step  1714 , the network management system  1601  can determine a mitigation, circumvention, or correction technique, which may include directing the waveguide system  1602  to reroute traffic to circumvent the disturbance if the location of the disturbance can be determined. In one embodiment, the waveguide coupling device  1402  detecting the disturbance may direct a repeater such as the one shown in  FIGS.  13 - 14    to connect the waveguide system  1602  from a primary power line affected by the disturbance to a secondary power line to enable the waveguide system  1602  to reroute traffic to a different transmission medium and avoid the disturbance. In an embodiment where the waveguide system  1602  is configured as a repeater the waveguide system  1602  can itself perform the rerouting of traffic from the primary power line to the secondary power line. It is further noted that for bidirectional communications (e.g., full or half-duplex communications), the repeater can be configured to reroute traffic from the secondary power line back to the primary power line for processing by the waveguide system  1602 . 
     In another embodiment, the waveguide system  1602  can redirect traffic by instructing a first repeater situated upstream of the disturbance and a second repeater situated downstream of the disturbance to redirect traffic from a primary power line temporarily to a secondary power line and back to the primary power line in a manner that avoids the disturbance. It is further noted that for bidirectional communications (e.g., full or half-duplex communications), repeaters can be configured to reroute traffic from the secondary power line back to the primary power line. 
     To avoid interrupting existing communication sessions occurring on a secondary power line, the network management system  1601  may direct the waveguide system  1602  to instruct repeater(s) to utilize unused time slot(s) and/or frequency band(s) of the secondary power line for redirecting data and/or voice traffic away from the primary power line to circumvent the disturbance. 
     At step  1716 , while traffic is being rerouted to avoid the disturbance, the network management system  1601  can notify equipment of the utility company  1652  and/or equipment of the communications service provider  1654 , which in turn may notify personnel of the utility company  1656  and/or personnel of the communications service provider  1658  of the detected disturbance and its location if known. Field personnel from either party can attend to resolving the disturbance at a determined location of the disturbance. Once the disturbance is removed or otherwise mitigated by personnel of the utility company and/or personnel of the communications service provider, such personnel can notify their respective companies and/or the network management system  1601  utilizing field equipment (e.g., a laptop computer, smartphone, etc.) communicatively coupled to network management system  1601 , and/or equipment of the utility company and/or the communications service provider. The notification can include a description of how the disturbance was mitigated and any changes to the power lines  1610  that may change a topology of the communication system  1655 . 
     Once the disturbance has been resolved (as determined in decision  1718 ), the network management system  1601  can direct the waveguide system  1602  at step  1720  to restore the previous routing configuration used by the waveguide system  1602  or route traffic according to a new routing configuration if the restoration strategy used to mitigate the disturbance resulted in a new network topology of the communication system  1655 . In another embodiment, the waveguide system  1602  can be configured to monitor mitigation of the disturbance by transmitting test signals on the power line  1610  to determine when the disturbance has been removed. Once the waveguide system  1602  detects an absence of the disturbance it can autonomously restore its routing configuration without assistance by the network management system  1601  if it determines the network topology of the communication system  1655  has not changed, or it can utilize a new routing configuration that adapts to a detected new network topology. 
       FIG.  17 B  illustrates a flow diagram of an example, non-limiting embodiment of a method  1750  for detecting and mitigating disturbances occurring in a communication network of the system of  FIGS.  16 A and  16 B . In one embodiment, method  1750  can begin with step  1752  where a network management system  1601  receives from equipment of the utility company  1652  or equipment of the communications service provider  1654  maintenance information associated with a maintenance schedule. The network management system  1601  can at step  1754  identify from the maintenance information, maintenance activities to be performed during the maintenance schedule. From these activities, the network management system  1601  can detect a disturbance resulting from the maintenance (e.g., scheduled replacement of a power line  1610 , scheduled replacement of a waveguide system  1602  on the power line  1610 , scheduled reconfiguration of power lines  1610  in the power grid  1653 , etc.). 
     In another embodiment, the network management system  1601  can receive at step  1755  telemetry information from one or more waveguide systems  1602 . The telemetry information can include among other things an identity of each waveguide system  1602  submitting the telemetry information, measurements taken by sensors  1604  of each waveguide system  1602 , information relating to predicted, estimated, or actual disturbances detected by the sensors  1604  of each waveguide system  1602 , location information associated with each waveguide system  1602 , an estimated location of a detected disturbance, an identification of the disturbance, and so on. The network management system  1601  can determine from the telemetry information a type of disturbance that may be adverse to operations of the waveguide, transmission of the electromagnetic waves along the wire surface, or both. The network management system  1601  can also use telemetry information from multiple waveguide systems  1602  to isolate and identify the disturbance. Additionally, the network management system  1601  can request telemetry information from waveguide systems  1602  in a vicinity of an affected waveguide system  1602  to triangulate a location of the disturbance and/or validate an identification of the disturbance by receiving similar telemetry information from other waveguide systems  1602 . 
     In yet another embodiment, the network management system  1601  can receive at step  1756  an unscheduled activity report from maintenance field personnel. Unscheduled maintenance may occur as result of field calls that are unplanned or as a result of unexpected field issues discovered during field calls or scheduled maintenance activities. The activity report can identify changes to a topology configuration of the power grid  1653  resulting from field personnel addressing discovered issues in the communication system  1655  and/or power grid  1653 , changes to one or more waveguide systems  1602  (such as replacement or repair thereof), mitigation of disturbances performed if any, and so on. 
     At step  1758 , the network management system  1601  can determine from reports received according to steps  1752  through  1756  if a disturbance will occur based on a maintenance schedule, or if a disturbance has occurred or is predicted to occur based on telemetry data, or if a disturbance has occurred due to an unplanned maintenance identified in a field activity report. From any of these reports, the network management system  1601  can determine whether a detected or predicted disturbance requires rerouting of traffic by the affected waveguide systems  1602  or other waveguide systems  1602  of the communication system  1655 . 
     When a disturbance is detected or predicted at step  1758 , the network management system  1601  can proceed to step  1760  where it can direct one or more waveguide systems  1602  to reroute traffic to circumvent the disturbance. When the disturbance is permanent due to a permanent topology change of the power grid  1653 , the network management system  1601  can proceed to step  1770  and skip steps  1762 ,  1764 ,  1766 , and  1772 . At step  1770 , the network management system  1601  can direct one or more waveguide systems  1602  to use anew routing configuration that adapts to the new topology. However, when the disturbance has been detected from telemetry information supplied by one or more waveguide systems  1602 , the network management system  1601  can notify maintenance personnel of the utility company  1656  or the communications service provider  1658  of a location of the disturbance, a type of disturbance if known, and related information that may be helpful to such personnel to mitigate the disturbance. When a disturbance is expected due to maintenance activities, the network management system  1601  can direct one or more waveguide systems  1602  to reconfigure traffic routes at a given schedule (consistent with the maintenance schedule) to avoid disturbances caused by the maintenance activities during the maintenance schedule. 
     Returning back to step  1760  and upon its completion, the process can continue with step  1762 . At step  1762 , the network management system  1601  can monitor when the disturbance(s) have been mitigated by field personnel. Mitigation of a disturbance can be detected at step  1762  by analyzing field reports submitted to the network management system  1601  by field personnel over a communications network (e.g., cellular communication system) utilizing field equipment (e.g., a laptop computer or handheld computer/device). If field personnel have reported that a disturbance has been mitigated, the network management system  1601  can proceed to step  1764  to determine from the field report whether a topology change was required to mitigate the disturbance. A topology change can include rerouting a power line  1610 , reconfiguring a waveguide system  1602  to utilize a different power line  1610 , otherwise utilizing an alternative link to bypass the disturbance and so on. If a topology change has taken place, the network management system  1601  can direct at step  1770  one or more waveguide systems  1602  to use a new routing configuration that adapts to the new topology. 
     If, however, a topology change has not been reported by field personnel, the network management system  1601  can proceed to step  1766  where it can direct one or more waveguide systems  1602  to send test signals to test a routing configuration that had been used prior to the detected disturbance(s). Test signals can be sent to affected waveguide systems  1602  in a vicinity of the disturbance. The test signals can be used to determine if signal disturbances (e.g., electromagnetic wave reflections) are detected by any of the waveguide systems  1602 . If the test signals confirm that a prior routing configuration is no longer subject to previously detected disturbance(s), then the network management system  1601  can at step  1772  direct the affected waveguide systems  1602  to restore a previous routing configuration. If, however, test signals analyzed by one or more waveguide coupling device  1402  and reported to the network management system  1601  indicate that the disturbance(s) or new disturbance(s) are present, then the network management system  1601  will proceed to step  1768  and report this information to field personnel to further address field issues. The network management system  1601  can in this situation continue to monitor mitigation of the disturbance(s) at step  1762 . 
     In the aforementioned embodiments, the waveguide systems  1602  can be configured to be self-adapting to changes in the power grid  1653  and/or to mitigation of disturbances. That is, one or more affected waveguide systems  1602  can be configured to self-monitor mitigation of disturbances and reconfigure traffic routes without requiring instructions to be sent to them by the network management system  1601 . In this embodiment, the one or more waveguide systems  1602  that are self-configurable can inform the network management system  1601  of its routing choices so that the network management system  1601  can maintain a macro-level view of the communication topology of the communication system  1655 . 
     While for purposes of simplicity of explanation, the respective processes are shown and described as a series of blocks in  FIGS.  17 A and  17 B , respectively, it is to be understood and appreciated that the claimed subject matter is not limited by the order of the blocks, as some blocks may occur in different orders and/or concurrently with other blocks from what is depicted and described herein. Moreover, not all illustrated blocks may be required to implement the methods described herein. 
     Turning now to  FIG.  18 A , a block diagram illustrating an example, non-limiting embodiment of a transmission medium  1800  for propagating guided electromagnetic waves is shown. In particular, a further example of transmission medium  125  presented in conjunction with  FIG.  1    is presented. In an embodiment, the transmission medium  1800  can comprise a first dielectric material  1802  and a second dielectric material  1804  disposed thereon. In an embodiment, the first dielectric material  1802  can comprise a dielectric core (referred to herein as dielectric core  1802 ) and the second dielectric material  1804  can comprise a cladding or shell such as a dielectric foam that surrounds in whole or in part the dielectric core (referred to herein as dielectric foam  1804 ). In an embodiment, the dielectric core  1802  and dielectric foam  1804  can be coaxially aligned to each other (although not necessary). In an embodiment, the combination of the dielectric core  1802  and the dielectric foam  1804  can be flexed or bent at least by 45 degrees without damaging the materials of the dielectric core  1802  and the dielectric foam  1804 . In an embodiment, an outer surface of the dielectric foam  1804  can be further surrounded in whole or in part by a third dielectric material  1806 , which can serve as an outer jacket (referred to herein as jacket  1806 ). The jacket  1806  can prevent exposure of the dielectric core  1802  and the dielectric foam  1804  to an environment that can adversely affect the propagation of electromagnetic waves (e.g., water, soil, etc.). 
     The dielectric core  1802  can comprise, for example, a high density polyethylene material, a high density polyurethane material, or other suitable dielectric material(s). The dielectric foam  1804  can comprise, for example, a cellular plastic material such an expanded polyethylene material, or other suitable dielectric material(s). The jacket  1806  can comprise, for example, a polyethylene material or equivalent. In an embodiment, the dielectric constant of the dielectric foam  1804  can be (or substantially) lower than the dielectric constant of the dielectric core  1802 . For example, the dielectric constant of the dielectric core  1802  can be approximately 2.3 while the dielectric constant of the dielectric foam  1804  can be approximately 1.15 (slightly higher than the dielectric constant of air). 
     The dielectric core  1802  can be used for receiving signals in the form of electromagnetic waves from a launcher or other coupling device described herein which can be configured to launch guided electromagnetic waves on the transmission medium  1800 . In one embodiment, the transmission  1800  can be coupled to a hollow waveguide  1808  structured as, for example, a circular waveguide  1809 , which can receive electromagnetic waves from a radiating device such as a stub antenna (not shown). The hollow waveguide  1808  can in turn induce guided electromagnetic waves in the dielectric core  1802 . In this configuration, the guided electromagnetic waves are guided by or bound to the dielectric core  1802  and propagate longitudinally along the dielectric core  1802 . By adjusting electronics of the launcher, an operating frequency of the electromagnetic waves can be chosen such that a field intensity profile  1810  of the guided electromagnetic waves extends nominally (or not at all) outside of the jacket  1806 . 
     By maintaining most (if not all) of the field strength of the guided electromagnetic waves within portions of the dielectric core  1802 , the dielectric foam  1804  and/or the jacket  1806 , the transmission medium  1800  can be used in hostile environments without adversely affecting the propagation of the electromagnetic waves propagating therein. For example, the transmission medium  1800  can be buried in soil with no (or nearly no) adverse effect to the guided electromagnetic waves propagating in the transmission medium  1800 . Similarly, the transmission medium  1800  can be exposed to water (e.g., rain or placed underwater) with no (or nearly no) adverse effect to the guided electromagnetic waves propagating in the transmission medium  1800 . In an embodiment, the propagation loss of guided electromagnetic waves in the foregoing embodiments can be 1 to 2 dB per meter or better at an operating frequency of 60 GHz. Depending on the operating frequency of the guided electromagnetic waves and/or the materials used for the transmission medium  1800  other propagation losses may be possible. Additionally, depending on the materials used to construct the transmission medium  1800 , the transmission medium  1800  can in some embodiments be flexed laterally with no (or nearly no) adverse effect to the guided electromagnetic waves propagating through the dielectric core  1802  and the dielectric foam  1804 . 
       FIG.  18 B  depicts a transmission medium  1820  that differs from the transmission medium  1800  of  FIG.  18 A , yet provides a further example of the transmission medium  125  presented in conjunction with  FIG.  1   . The transmission medium  1820  shows similar reference numerals for similar elements of the transmission medium  1800  of  FIG.  18 A . In contrast to the transmission medium  1800 , the transmission medium  1820  comprises a conductive core  1822  having an insulation layer  1823  surrounding the conductive core  1822  in whole or in part. The combination of the insulation layer  1823  and the conductive core  1822  will be referred to herein as an insulated conductor  1825 . In the illustration of  FIG.  18 B , the insulation layer  1823  is covered in whole or in part by a dielectric foam  1804  and jacket  1806 , which can be constructed from the materials previously described. In an embodiment, the insulation layer  1823  can comprise a dielectric material, such as polyethylene, having a higher dielectric constant than the dielectric foam  1804  (e.g., 2.3 and 1.15, respectively). In an embodiment, the components of the transmission medium  1820  can be coaxially aligned (although not necessary). In an embodiment, a hollow waveguide  1808  having metal plates  1809 , which can be separated from the insulation layer  1823  (although not necessary) can be used to launch guided electromagnetic waves that substantially propagate on an outer surface of the insulation layer  1823 , however other coupling devices as described herein can likewise be employed. In an embodiment, the guided electromagnetic waves can be sufficiently guided by or bound by the insulation layer  1823  to guide the electromagnetic waves longitudinally along the insulation layer  1823 . By adjusting operational parameters of the launcher, an operating frequency of the guided electromagnetic waves launched by the hollow waveguide  1808  can generate an electric field intensity profile  1824  that results in the guided electromagnetic waves being substantially confined within the dielectric foam  1804  thereby preventing the guided electromagnetic waves from being exposed to an environment (e.g., water, soil, etc.) that adversely affects propagation of the guided electromagnetic waves via the transmission medium  1820 . 
       FIG.  18 C  depicts a transmission medium  1830  that differs from the transmission mediums  1800  and  1820  of  FIGS.  18 A and  18 B , yet provides a further example of the transmission medium  125  presented in conjunction with  FIG.  1   . The transmission medium  1830  shows similar reference numerals for similar elements of the transmission mediums  1800  and  1820  of  FIGS.  18 A and  18 B , respectively. In contrast to the transmission mediums  1800  and  1820 , the transmission medium  1830  comprises a bare (or uninsulated) conductor  1832  surrounded in whole or in part by the dielectric foam  1804  and the jacket  1806 , which can be constructed from the materials previously described. In an embodiment, the components of the transmission medium  1830  can be coaxially aligned (although not necessary). In an embodiment, a hollow waveguide  1808  having metal plates  1809  coupled to the bare conductor  1832  can be used to launch guided electromagnetic waves that substantially propagate on an outer surface of the bare conductor  1832 , however other coupling devices described herein can likewise be employed. In an embodiment, the guided electromagnetic waves can be sufficiently guided by or bound by the bare conductor  1832  to guide the guided electromagnetic waves longitudinally along the bare conductor  1832 . By adjusting operational parameters of the launcher, an operating frequency of the guided electromagnetic waves launched by the hollow waveguide  1808  can generate an electric field intensity profile  1834  that results in the guided electromagnetic waves being substantially confined within the dielectric foam  1804  thereby preventing the guided electromagnetic waves from being exposed to an environment (e.g., water, soil, etc.) that adversely affects propagation of the electromagnetic waves via the transmission medium  1830 . 
     It should be noted that the hollow launcher  1808  used with the transmission mediums  1800 ,  1820  and  1830  of  FIGS.  18 A,  18 B and  18 C , respectively, can be replaced with other launchers or coupling devices. Additionally, the propagation mode(s) of the electromagnetic waves for any of the foregoing embodiments can be fundamental mode(s), a non-fundamental (or asymmetric) mode(s), or combinations thereof. 
       FIG.  18 D  is a block diagram illustrating an example, non-limiting embodiment of bundled transmission media  1836  in accordance with various aspects described herein. The bundled transmission media  1836  can comprise a plurality of cables  1838  held in place by a flexible sleeve  1839 . The plurality of cables  1838  can comprise multiple instances of cable  1800  of  FIG.  18 A , multiple instances of cable  1820  of  FIG.  18 B , multiple instances of cable  1830  of  FIG.  18 C , or any combinations thereof. The sleeve  1839  can comprise a dielectric material that prevents soil, water or other external materials from making contact with the plurality of cables  1838 . In an embodiment, a plurality of launchers, each utilizing a transceiver similar to the one depicted in  FIG.  10 A  or other coupling devices described herein, can be adapted to selectively induce a guided electromagnetic wave in each cable, each guided electromagnetic wave conveys different data (e.g., voice, video, messaging, content, etc.). In an embodiment, by adjusting operational parameters of each launcher or other coupling device, the electric field intensity profile of each guided electromagnetic wave can be fully or substantially confined within layers of a corresponding cable  1838  to reduce cross-talk between cables  1838 . 
     In situations where the electric field intensity profile of each guided electromagnetic wave is not fully or substantially confined within a corresponding cable  1838 , cross-talk of electromagnetic signals can occur between cables  1838  as illustrated by signal plots associated with two cables depicted in  FIG.  18 E . The plots in  FIG.  18 E  show that when a guided electromagnetic wave is induced on a first cable, the emitted electric and magnetic fields of the first cable can induce signals on the second cable, which results in cross-talk. Several mitigation options can be used to reduce cross-talk between the cables  1838  of  FIG.  18 D . In an embodiment, an absorption material  1840  that can absorb electromagnetic fields, such as carbon, can be applied to the cables  1838  as shown in  FIG.  18 F  to polarize each guided electromagnetic wave at various polarization states to reduce cross-talk between cables  1838 . In another embodiment (not shown), carbon beads can be added to gaps between the cables  1838  to reduce cross-talk. 
     In yet another embodiment (not shown), a diameter of cable  1838  can be configured differently to vary a speed of propagation of guided electromagnetic waves between the cables  1838  in order to reduce cross-talk between cables  1838 . In an embodiment (not shown), a shape of each cable  1838  can be made asymmetric (e.g., elliptical) to direct the guided electromagnetic fields of each cable  1838  away from each other to reduce cross-talk. In an embodiment (not shown), a filler material such as dielectric foam can be added between cables  1838  to sufficiently separate the cables  1838  to reduce cross-talk therebetween. In an embodiment (not shown), longitudinal carbon strips or swirls can be applied to on an outer surface of the jacket  1806  of each cable  1838  to reduce radiation of guided electromagnetic waves outside of the jacket  1806  and thereby reduce cross-talk between cables  1838 . In yet another embodiment, each launcher can be configured to launch a guided electromagnetic wave having a different frequency, modulation, wave propagation mode, such as an orthogonal frequency, modulation or mode, to reduce cross-talk between the cables  1838 . 
     In yet another embodiment (not shown), pairs of cables  1838  can be twisted in a helix to reduce cross-talk between the pairs and other cables  1838  in a vicinity of the pairs. In some embodiments, certain cables  1838  can be twisted while other cables  1838  are not twisted to reduce cross-talk between the cables  1838 . Additionally, each twisted pair cable  1838  can have different pitches (i.e., different twist rates, such as twists per meter) to further reduce cross-talk between the pairs and other cables  1838  in a vicinity of the pairs. In another embodiment (not shown), launchers or other coupling devices can be configured to induce guided electromagnetic waves in the cables  1838  having electromagnetic fields that extend beyond the jacket  1806  into gaps between the cables to reduce cross-talk between the cables  1838 . It is submitted that any one of the foregoing embodiments for mitigating cross-talk between cables  1838  can be combined to further reduce cross-talk therebetween. 
       FIGS.  18 G and  18 H  are block diagrams illustrating example, non-limiting embodiments of a transmission medium with an inner waveguide in accordance with various aspects described herein. In an embodiment, a transmission medium  1841  can comprise a core  1842 . In one embodiment, the core  1842  can be a dielectric core  1842  (e.g., polyethylene). In another embodiment, the core  1842  can be an insulated or uninsulated conductor. The core  1842  can be surrounded by a shell  1844  comprising a dielectric foam (e.g., expanded polyethylene material) having a lower dielectric constant than the dielectric constant of a dielectric core, or insulation layer of a conductive core. The difference in dielectric constants enables electromagnetic waves to be bound and guided by the core  1842 . The shell  1844  can be covered by a shell jacket  1845 . The shell jacket  1845  can be made of rigid material (e.g., high density plastic) or a high tensile strength material (e.g., synthetic fiber). In an embodiment, the shell jacket  1845  can be used to prevent exposure of the shell  1844  and core  1842  from an adverse environment (e.g., water, moisture, soil, etc.). In an embodiment, the shell jacket  1845  can be sufficiently rigid to separate an outer surface of the core  1842  from an inner surface of the shell jacket  1845  thereby resulting in a longitudinal gap between the shell jacket  1854  and the core  1842 . The longitudinal gap can be filled with the dielectric foam of the shell  1844 . 
     The transmission medium  1841  can further include a plurality of outer ring conductors  1846 . The outer ring conductors  1846  can be strands of conductive material that are woven around the shell jacket  1845 , thereby covering the shell jacket  1845  in whole or in part. The outer ring conductors  1846  can serve the function of a power line having a return electrical path similar to the embodiments described in the subject disclosure for receiving power signals from a source (e.g., a transformer, a power generator, etc.). In one embodiment, the outer ring conductors  1846  can be covered by a cable jacket  1847  to prevent exposure of the outer ring conductors  1846  to water, soil, or other environmental factors. The cable jacket  1847  can be made of an insulating material such as polyethylene. The core  1842  can be used as a center waveguide for the propagation of electromagnetic waves. A hallow waveguide launcher  1808 , such as the circular waveguide previously described, can be used to launch signals that induce electromagnetic waves guided by the core  1842  in ways similar to those described for the embodiments of  FIGS.  18 A,  18 B, and  18 C . The electromagnetic waves can be guided by the core  1842  without utilizing the electrical return path of the outer ring conductors  1846  or any other electrical return path. By adjusting electronics of the launcher  1808 , an operating frequency of the electromagnetic waves can be chosen such that a field intensity profile of the guided electromagnetic waves extends nominally (or not at all) outside of the shell jacket  1845 . 
     In another embodiment, a transmission medium  1843  can comprise a hollow core  1842 ′ surrounded by a shell jacket  1845 ′. The shell jacket  1845 ′ can have an inner conductive surface or other surface materials that enable the hollow core  1842 ′ to be used as a conduit for electromagnetic waves. The shell jacket  1845 ′ can be covered at least in part with the outer ring conductors  1846  described earlier for conducting a power signal. In an embodiment, a cable jacket  1847  can be disposed on an outer surface of the outer ring conductors  1846  to prevent exposure of the outer ring conductors  1846  to water, soil or other environmental factors. A waveguide launcher  1808  can be used to launch electromagnetic waves guided by the hollow core  1842 ′ and the conductive inner surface of the shell jacket  1845 ′. In an embodiment (not shown) the hollow core  1842 ′ can further include a dielectric foam such as described earlier. 
     Transmission medium  1841  can represent a multi-purpose cable that conducts power on the outer ring conductors  1846  utilizing an electrical return path and that provides communication services by way of an inner waveguide comprising a combination of the core  1842 , the shell  1844  and the shell jacket  1845 . The inner waveguide can be used for transmitting or receiving electromagnetic waves (without utilizing an electrical return path) guided by the core  1842 . Similarly, transmission medium  1843  can represent a multi-purpose cable that conducts power on the outer ring conductors  1846  utilizing an electrical return path and that provides communication services by way of an inner waveguide comprising a combination of the hollow core  1842 ′ and the shell jacket  1845 ′. The inner waveguide can be used for transmitting or receiving electromagnetic waves (without utilizing an electrical return path) guided the hollow core  1842 ′ and the shell jacket  1845 ′. 
     It is submitted that embodiments of  FIGS.  18 G- 18 H  can be adapted to use multiple inner waveguides surrounded by outer ring conductors  1846 . The inner waveguides can be adapted to use to cross-talk mitigation techniques described above (e.g., twisted pairs of waveguides, waveguides of different structural dimensions, use of polarizers within the shell, use of different wave modes, etc.). 
     For illustration purposes only, the transmission mediums  1800 ,  1820 ,  1830   1836 ,  1841  and  1843  will be referred to herein as a cable  1850  with an understanding that cable  1850  can represent any one of the transmission mediums described in the subject disclosure, or a bundling of multiple instances thereof. For illustration purposes only, the dielectric core  1802 , insulated conductor  1825 , bare conductor  1832 , core  1842 , or hollow core  1842 ′ of the transmission mediums  1800 ,  1820 ,  1830 ,  1836 ,  1841  and  1843 , respectively, will be referred to herein as transmission core  1852  with an understanding that cable  1850  can utilize the dielectric core  1802 , insulated conductor  1825 , bare conductor  1832 , core  1842 , or hollow core  1842 ′ of transmission mediums  1800 ,  1820 ,  1830 ,  1836 ,  1841  and/or  1843 , respectively. 
     Turning now to  FIGS.  18 I and  18 J , block diagrams illustrating example, non-limiting embodiments of connector configurations that can be used by cable  1850  are shown. In one embodiment, cable  1850  can be configured with a female connection arrangement or a male connection arrangement as depicted in  FIG.  18 I . The male configuration on the right of  FIG.  18 I  can be accomplished by stripping the dielectric foam  1804  (and jacket  1806  if there is one) to expose a portion of the transmission core  1852 . The female configuration on the left of  FIG.  18 I  can be accomplished by removing a portion of the transmission core  1852 , while maintaining the dielectric foam  1804  (and jacket  1806  if there is one). In an embodiment in which the transmission core  1852  is hollow as described in relation to  FIG.  18 H , the male portion of the transmission core  1852  can represent a hollow core with a rigid outer surface that can slide into the female arrangement on the left side of  FIG.  18 I  to align the hollow cores together. It is further noted that in the embodiments of  FIGS.  18 G- 18 H , the outer ring of conductors  1846  can be modified to connect male and female portions of cable  1850 . 
     Based on the aforementioned embodiments, the two cables  1850  having male and female connector arrangements can be mated together. A sleeve with an adhesive inner lining or a shrink wrap material (not shown) can be applied to an area of a joint between cables  1850  to maintain the joint in a fixed position and prevent exposure (e.g., to water, soil, etc.). When the cables  1850  are mated, the transmission core  1852  of one cable will be in close proximity to the transmission core  1852  of the other cable. Guided electromagnetic waves propagating by way of either the transmission core  1852  of cables  1850  traveling from either direction can cross over between the disjoint the transmission cores  1852  whether or not the transmission cores  1852  touch, whether or not the transmission cores  1852  are coaxially aligned, and/or whether or not there is a gap between the transmission cores  1852 . 
     In another embodiment, a splicing device  1860  having female connector arrangements at both ends can be used to mate cables  1850  having male connector arrangements as shown in  FIG.  18 J . In an alternative embodiment not shown in  FIG.  18 J , the splicing device  1860  can be adapted to have male connector arrangements at both ends which can be mated to cables  1850  having female connector arrangements. In another embodiment not shown in  FIG.  18 J , the splicing device  1860  can be adapted to have a male connector arrangement and a female connector arrangement at opposite ends which can be mated to cables  1850  having female and male connector arrangements, respectively. It is further noted that for a transmission core  1852  having a hollow core, the male and female arrangements described in  FIG.  18 I  can be applied to the splicing device  1860  whether the ends of the splicing device  1860  are both male, both female, or a combination thereof. 
     The foregoing embodiments for connecting cables illustrated in  FIGS.  18 I- 18 J  can be applied to each single instance of cable  1838  of bundled transmission media  1836 . Similarly, the foregoing embodiments illustrated in  FIGS.  18 I- 18 J  can be applied to each single instance of an inner waveguide for a cable  1841  or  1843  having multiple inner waveguides. 
     Turning now to  FIG.  18 K , a block diagram illustrating example, non-limiting embodiments of transmission mediums  1800 ′,  1800 ″,  1800 ′″ and  1800 ″″ for propagating guided electromagnetic waves is shown. In an embodiment, a transmission medium  1800 ′ can include a core  1801 , and a dielectric foam  1804 ′ divided into sections and covered by a jacket  1806  as shown in  FIG.  18 K . The core  1801  can be represented by the dielectric core  1802  of  FIG.  18 A , the insulated conductor  1825  of  FIG.  18 B , or the bare conductor  1832  of  FIG.  18 C . Each section of dielectric foam  1804 ′ can be separated by a gap (e.g., air, gas, vacuum, or a substance with a low dielectric constant). In an embodiment, the gap separations between the sections of dielectric foam  1804 ′ can be quasi-random as shown in  FIG.  18 K , which can be helpful in reducing reflections of electromagnetic waves occurring at each section of dielectric foam  1804 ′ as they propagate longitudinally along the core  1801 . The sections of the dielectric foam  1804 ′ can be constructed, for example, as washers made of a dielectric foam having an inner opening for supporting the core  1801  in a fixed position. For illustration purposes only, the washers will be referred to herein as washers  1804 ′. In an embodiment, the inner opening of each washer  1804 ′ can be coaxially aligned with an axis of the core  1801 . In another embodiment, the inner opening of each washer  1804 ′ can be offset from the axis of the core  1801 . In another embodiment (not shown), each washer  1804 ′ can have a variable longitudinal thickness as shown by differences in thickness of the washers  1804 ′. 
     In an alternative embodiment, a transmission medium  1800 ″ can include a core  1801 , and a strip of dielectric foam  1804 ″ wrapped around the core in a helix covered by a jacket  1806  as shown in  FIG.  18 K . Although it may not be apparent from the drawing shown in  FIG.  18 K , in an embodiment the strip of dielectric foam  1804 ″ can be twisted around the core  1801  with variable pitches (i.e., different twist rates) for different sections of the strip of dielectric foam  1804 ″. Utilizing variable pitches can help reduce reflections or other disturbances of the electromagnetic waves occurring between areas of the core  1801  not covered by the strip of dielectric foam  1804 ″. It is further noted that the thickness (diameter) of the strip of dielectric foam  1804 ″ can be substantially larger (e.g., 2 or more times larger) than diameter of the core  1801  shown in  FIG.  18 K . 
     In an alternative embodiment, a transmission medium  1800 ′″ (shown in a cross-sectional view) can include a non-circular core  1801 ′ covered by a dielectric foam  1804  and jacket  1806 . In an embodiment, the non-circular core  1801 ′ can have an elliptical structure as shown in  FIG.  18 K , or other suitable non-circular structure. In another embodiment, the non-circular core  1801 ′ can have an asymmetric structure. A non-circular core  1801 ′ can be used to polarize the fields of electromagnetic waves induced on the non-circular core  1801 ′. The structure of the non-circular core  1801 ′ can help preserve the polarization of the electromagnetic waves as they propagate along the non-circular core  1801 ′. 
     In an alternative embodiment, a transmission medium  1800 ″″ (shown in a cross-sectional view) can include multiple cores  1801 ″ (only two cores are shown but more are possible). The multiple cores  1801 ″ can be covered by a dielectric foam  1804  and jacket  1806 . The multiple cores  1801 ″ can be used to polarize the fields of electromagnetic waves induced on the multiple cores  1801 ″. The structure of the multiple cores  1801 ′ can preserve the polarization of the guided electromagnetic waves as they propagate along the multiple cores  1801 ″. 
     It will be appreciated that the embodiments of  FIG.  18 K  can be used to modify the embodiments of  FIGS.  18 G- 18 H . For example, core  1842  or core  1842 ′ can be adapted to utilized sectionalized shells  1804 ′ with gaps therebetween, or one or more strips of dielectric foam  1804 ″. Similarly, core  1842  or core  1842 ′ can be adapted to have a non-circular core  1801 ′ that may have symmetric or asymmetric cross-sectional structure. Additionally, core  1842  or core  1842 ′ can be adapted to use multiple cores  1801 ″ in a single inner waveguide, or different numbers of cores when multiple inner waveguides are used. Accordingly, any of the embodiments shown in  FIG.  18 K  can be applied singly or in combination to the embodiments of  18 G- 18 H. 
     Turning now to  FIG.  18 L  is a block diagram illustrating example, non-limiting embodiments of bundled transmission media to mitigate cross-talk in accordance with various aspects described herein. In an embodiment, a bundled transmission medium  1836 ′ can include variable core structures  1803 . By varying the structures of cores  1803 , fields of guided electromagnetic waves induced in each of the cores of transmission medium  1836 ′ may differ sufficiently to reduce cross-talk between cables  1838 . In another embodiment, a bundled transmission media  1836 ″ can include a variable number of cores  1803 ′ per cable  1838 . By varying the number of cores  1803 ′ per cable  1838 , fields of guided electromagnetic waves induced in the one or more cores of transmission medium  1836 ″ may differ sufficiently to reduce cross-talk between cables  1838 . In another embodiment, the cores  1803  or  1803 ′ can be of different materials. For example, the cores  1803  or  1803 ′ can be a dielectric core  1802 , an insulated conductor core  1825 , a bare conductor core  1832 , or any combinations thereof. 
     It is noted that the embodiments illustrated in  FIGS.  18 A- 18 D and  18 F- 18 H  can be modified by and/or combined with some of the embodiments of  FIGS.  18 K- 18 L . It is further noted that one or more of the embodiments illustrated in  FIGS.  18 K- 18 L  can be combined (e.g., using sectionalized dielectric foam  1804 ′ or a helix strip of dielectric foam  1804 ″ with cores  1801 ′,  1801 ″,  1803  or  1803 ′). In some embodiments guided electromagnetic waves propagating in the transmission mediums  1800 ′,  1800 ″,  1800 ′″, and/or  1800 ″″ of  FIG.  18 K  may experience less propagation losses than guided electromagnetic waves propagating in the transmission mediums  1800 ,  1820  and  1830  of  FIGS.  18 A- 18 C . Additionally, the embodiments illustrated in  FIGS.  18 K- 18 L  can be adapted to use the connectivity embodiments illustrated in  FIGS.  18 I- 18 J . 
     Turning now to  FIG.  18 M , a block diagram illustrating an example, non-limiting embodiment of exposed tapered stubs from the bundled transmission media  1836  for use as antennas  1855  is shown. Each antenna  1855  can serve as a directional antenna for radiating wireless signals directed to wireless communication devices or for inducing electromagnetic wave propagation on a surface of a transmission medium (e.g., a power line). In an embodiment, the wireless signals radiated by the antennas  1855  can be beam steered by adapting the phase and/or other characteristics of the wireless signals generated by each antenna  1855 . In an embodiment, the antennas  1855  can individually be placed in a pie-pan antenna assembly for directing wireless signals in various directions. 
     It is further noted that the terms “core”, “cladding”, “shell”, and “foam” as utilized in the subject disclosure can comprise any types of materials (or combinations of materials) that enable electromagnetic waves to remain bound to the core while propagating longitudinally along the core. For example, a strip of dielectric foam  1804 ″ described earlier can be replaced with a strip of an ordinary dielectric material (e.g., polyethylene) for wrapping around the dielectric core  1802  (referred to herein for illustration purposes only as a “wrap”). In this configuration an average density of the wrap can be small as a result of air space between sections of the wrap. Consequently, an effective dielectric constant of the wrap can be less than the dielectric constant of the dielectric core  1802 , thereby enabling guided electromagnetic waves to remain bound to the core. Accordingly, any of the embodiments of the subject disclosure relating to materials used for core(s) and wrappings about the core(s) can be structurally adapted and/or modified with other dielectric materials that achieve the result of maintaining electromagnetic waves bound to the core(s) while they propagate along the core(s). Additionally, a core in whole or in part as described in any of the embodiments of the subject disclosure can comprise an opaque material (e.g., polyethylene). Accordingly, electromagnetic waves guided and bound to the core will have a non-optical frequency range (e.g., less than the lowest frequency of visible light). 
       FIGS.  18 N,  18 O,  18 P,  18 Q,  18 R,  18 S and  18 T  are block diagrams illustrating example, non-limiting embodiments of waveguide devices for transmitting or receiving electromagnetic waves in accordance with various aspects described herein. In an embodiment,  FIG.  18 N  illustrates a front view of a waveguide system  1865  having a plurality of slots  1863  (e.g., openings or apertures) for emitting electromagnetic waves having radiated electric fields (e-fields)  1861 . In an embodiment, the radiated e-fields  1861  of pairs of symmetrically positioned slots  1863  (e.g., north and south slots of the waveguide system  1865 ) can be directed away from each other (i.e., polar opposite radial orientations about the cable  1862 ). While the slots  1863  are shown as having a rectangular shape, other shapes such as other polygons, sector and arc shapes, ellipsoid shapes and other shapes are likewise possible. For illustration purposes only, the term north will refer to a relative direction as shown in the figures. All references in the subject disclosure to other directions (e.g., south, east, west, northwest, and so forth) will be relative to northern illustration. In an embodiment, to achieve e-fields with opposing orientations at the north and south slots  1863 , for example, the north and south slots  1863  can be arranged to have a circumferential distance between each other that is approximately one wavelength of electromagnetic waves signals supplied to these slots. The waveguide system  1865  can have a cylindrical cavity in a center of the waveguide system  1865  to enable placement of a cable  1862 . In one embodiment, the cable  1862  can comprise an insulated conductor. In another embodiment, the cable  1862  can comprise an uninsulated conductor. In yet other embodiments, the cable  1862  can comprise any of the embodiments of a transmission core  1852  of cable  1850  previously described. 
     In one embodiment, the cable  1862  can slide into the cylindrical cavity of the waveguide system  1865 . In another embodiment, the waveguide system  1865  can utilize an assembly mechanism (not shown). The assembly mechanism (e.g., a hinge or other suitable mechanism that provides a way to open the waveguide system  1865  at one or more locations) can be used to enable placement of the waveguide system  1865  on an outer surface of the cable  1862  or otherwise to assemble separate pieces together to form the waveguide system  1865  as shown. According to these and other suitable embodiments, the waveguide system  1865  can be configured to wrap around the cable  1862  like a collar. 
       FIG.  18 O  illustrates a side view of an embodiment of the waveguide system  1865 . The waveguide system  1865  can be adapted to have a hollow rectangular waveguide portion  1867  that receives electromagnetic waves  1866  generated by a transmitter circuit as previously described in the subject disclosure (e.g., see reference  101 ,  1000  of  FIGS.  1  and  10 A ). The electromagnetic waves  1866  can be distributed by the hollow rectangular waveguide portion  1867  into in a hollow collar  1869  of the waveguide system  1865 . The rectangular waveguide portion  1867  and the hollow collar  1869  can be constructed of materials suitable for maintaining the electromagnetic waves within the hollow chambers of these assemblies (e.g., carbon fiber materials). It should be noted that while the waveguide portion  1867  is shown and described in a hollow rectangular configuration, other shapes and/or other non-hollow configurations can be employed. In particular, the waveguide portion  1867  can have a square or other polygonal cross section, an arc or sector cross section that is truncated to conform to the outer surface of the cable  1862 , a circular or ellipsoid cross section or cross sectional shape. In addition, the waveguide portion  1867  can be configured as, or otherwise include, a solid dielectric material. 
     As previously described, the hollow collar  1869  can be configured to emit electromagnetic waves from each slot  1863  with opposite e-fields  1861  at pairs of symmetrically positioned slots  1863  and  1863 ′. In an embodiment, the electromagnetic waves emitted by the combination of slots  1863  and  1863 ′ can in turn induce electromagnetic waves  1868  on that are bound to the cable  1862  for propagation according to a fundamental wave mode without other wave modes present—such as non-fundamental wave modes. In this configuration, the electromagnetic waves  1868  can propagate longitudinally along the cable  1862  to other downstream waveguide systems coupled to the cable  1862 . 
     It should be noted that since the hollow rectangular waveguide portion  1867  of  FIG.  18 O  is closer to slot  1863  (at the northern position of the waveguide system  1865 ), slot  1863  can emit electromagnetic waves having a stronger magnitude than electromagnetic waves emitted by slot  1863 ′ (at the southern position). To reduce magnitude differences between these slots, slot  1863 ′ can be made larger than slot  1863 . The technique of utilizing different slot sizes to balance signal magnitudes between slots can be applied to any of the embodiments of the subject disclosure relating to  FIGS.  18 N,  18 O,  18 Q,  18 S,  18 U and  18 V —some of which are described below. 
     In another embodiment,  FIG.  18 P  depicts a waveguide system  1865 ′ that can be configured to utilize circuitry such as monolithic microwave integrated circuits (MMICs)  1870  each coupled to a signal input  1872  (e.g., a coaxial cable or other signal inputs that provide a communication signal). The signal input  1872  can be generated by a transmitter circuit as previously described in the subject disclosure (e.g., see reference  101 ,  1000  of  FIGS.  1  and  10 A ) adapted to provide electrical signals to the MMICs  1870 . Each MMIC  1870  can be configured to receive signal  1872  which the MMIC  1870  can modulate and transmit with a radiating element (e.g., an antenna or other devices) to emit electromagnetic waves having radiated e-fields  1861 . In one embodiment, the MMICs  1870  can be configured to receive the same signal  1872 , but transmit electromagnetic waves having e-fields  1861  of different orientations. This can be accomplished by configuring one of the MMICs  1870  to transmit electromagnetic waves that are at a controllable phase from the electromagnetic waves transmitted by the other MMIC  1870 . In the example shown, the e-fields  1861  are generated with opposing phases (180 degrees out of phase), however other configurations, including transmission of signals in phase with one another are likewise possible, depending on the selected guided wave mode to be generated. In an embodiment, the combination of the electromagnetic waves emitted by the MMICs  1870  can together induce electromagnetic waves  1868  that are bound to the cable  1862  for propagation according to a particular wave mode without other wave modes present. In this configuration, the electromagnetic waves  1868  can propagate longitudinally along the cable  1862  to other downstream waveguide systems coupled to the cable  1862 . 
     In various embodiments a reflective plate  1871  is also included in a region behind the radiating elements of the MMICs  1870  relative to the direction of propagation of the electromagnetic waves  1868  that are guided by the cable  1862 , indicated by the wave direction arrow that is shown. The reflective plate can be constructed of a metallic plate, a metallic coated surface, a wire mesh having a density sufficient to reflect electromagnetic waves travelling toward the reflective plate  1871  from the MMICs  1870 , or other reflective plate. 
     In operation, the reflective plate  1871  aids in directing the instances of the electromagnetic waves  1861  to an interface of a transmission medium, such as the surface of the cable  1862 , to induce propagation of the electromagnetic waves  1868  along the cable  1862 . For example, the reflective plate  1871  can be shorted to ground and/or the outer housing of the waveguide system  1865  to as to interact with the e-fields  1861  generated by the MMICs. 
     In the embodiment shown, the reflective plate  1871  is positioned inside the outer housing of the waveguide system  1865 ′ in a configuration that is perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the cable  1862  and the wave direction, and optionally is parallel to a plane containing the radiating elements of the MMICs  1870 , however other configurations are likewise possible. In various embodiments, the distance d 1  between the reflective plate and the radiating elements of the MMICs  1870  can be adjusted or otherwise set to support inducing the propagation of the electromagnetic waves  1868  via a selected fundamental or non-fundamental wave mode such as TM 00 , HE 11 , EH 1m , TM 0m , (where m=1, 2, . . . ) or other non-fundamental and/or asymmetrical modes at a chosen frequency of operation. For example, the distance d 1  can be adjusted incrementally to determine the particular value of d 1  that yields the greatest signal strength of one or more selected modes of the electromagnetic waves  1868 . 
     A tapered horn  1880 , such as a conductive horn, or other coaxial reflectors can be added to the embodiments of  FIGS.  18 O and  18 P  to assist in directing the e-fields  1861  for the inducement of the electromagnetic waves  1868  on cable  1862  as depicted in  FIGS.  18 Q and  18 R . While a particular configuration of a tapered horn  1880  is shown, other configurations of cones including a flared cone, a pyramidal horn or other horn designs could likewise be employed. 
     In an embodiment where the cable  1862  is an uninsulated conductor, the electromagnetic waves induced on the cable  1862  can have a large radial dimension (e.g., 1 meter). To enable use of a smaller tapered horn  1880 , an insulation layer  1879  can be applied on a portion of the cable  1862  at or near the cavity as depicted with hash lines in  FIGS.  18 Q and  18 R . The insulation layer  1879  can have a tapered end facing away from the waveguide system  1865 . The added insulation enables the electromagnetic waves  1868  initially launched by the waveguide system  1865  (or  1865 ′) to be tightly bound to the cable  1862 , which in turn reduces the radial dimension of the electromagnetic fields  1868  (e.g., centimeters). As the electromagnetic waves  1868  propagate away from the waveguide system  1865  ( 1865 ′) and reach the tapered end of the insulation layer  1879 , the radial dimension of the electromagnetic waves  1868  begins to increase, eventually achieving the radial dimension it would have had had the electromagnetic waves  1868  been induced on the uninsulated conductor without an insulation layer. In the illustration of  FIGS.  18 Q and  18 R  the tapered end begins at an end of the tapered horn  1880 . In other embodiments, the tapered end of the insulation layer  1879  can begin before or after the end of the tapered horn  1880 . The tapered horn can be metallic or constructed of other conductive material or constructed of a plastic or other non-conductive materials that is coated or cladded with a dielectric layer or doped with a conductive material to provide reflective properties similar to a metallic horn. 
     In various embodiments, the distance d 2  between the reflective plate and the radiating elements of the MMICs  1870  can be adjusted or otherwise set to support inducing the propagation of the electromagnetic waves  1868  via a selected fundamental or non-fundamental wave mode such as TM 00 , HE 11 , EH 1m , TM 0m , (where m=1, 2, . . . ) or other non-fundamental and/or asymmetrical modes at a chosen frequency of operation. For example, the distance d 2  can be adjusted incrementally to determine the particular value of d 2  that yields the greatest signal strength of one or more selected modes of the electromagnetic waves  1868 . 
     As previously noted, the cable  1862  can comprise any of the embodiments of cable  1850  described earlier. In this embodiment, waveguides  1865  and  1865 ′ can be coupled to a transmission core  1852  of cable  1850  as depicted in  FIGS.  18 S and  18 T . The waveguides  1865  and  1865 ′ can induce, as previously described, electromagnetic waves  1868  on the transmission core  1852  for propagation entirely or partially within inner layers of cable  1850 . 
     It is noted that for the foregoing embodiments of  FIGS.  18 Q,  18 R,  18 S and  18 T , electromagnetic waves  1868  can be bidirectional. For example, electromagnetic waves  1868  of a different operating frequency can be received by slots  1863  or MMICs  1870  of the waveguides  1865  and  1865 ′, respectively. Once received, the electromagnetic waves can be converted by a receiver circuit (e.g., see reference  101 ,  1000  of  FIGS.  1  and  10 A ) for generating a communication signal for processing. 
     In various embodiments, the distance d 3  between the reflective plate and the radiating elements of the MMICs  1870  can be adjusted or otherwise set to support inducing the propagation of the electromagnetic waves  1868  via a selected fundamental or non-fundamental wave mode such as TM 00 , HE 11 , EH 1m , TM 0m , (where m=1, 2, . . . ) or other non-fundamental and/or asymmetrical modes at a chosen frequency of operation. For example, the distance d 3  can be adjusted incrementally to determine the particular value of d 3  that yields the greatest signal strength of one or more selected modes of the electromagnetic waves  1868 . 
     Although not shown, it is further noted that the waveguides  1865  and  1865 ′ can be adapted so that the waveguides  1865  and  1865 ′ can direct electromagnetic waves  1868  upstream or downstream longitudinally. For example, a first tapered horn  1880  coupled to a first instance of a waveguide system  1865  or  1865 ′ can be directed westerly on cable  1862 , while a second tapered horn  1880  coupled to a second instance of a waveguide system  1865  or  1865 ′ can be directed easterly on cable  1862 . The first and second instances of the waveguides  1865  or  1865 ′ can be coupled so that in a repeater configuration, signals received by the first waveguide system  1865  or  1865 ′ can be provided to the second waveguide system  1865  or  1865 ′ for retransmission in an easterly direction on cable  1862 . The repeater configuration just described can also be applied from an easterly to westerly direction on cable  1862 . 
     The waveguide system  1865 ′ of  FIGS.  18 P,  18 R and  18 T  can also be constructed in other ways to generate electromagnetic fields having non-fundamental or asymmetric wave modes.  FIG.  18 U  depicts an embodiment of a waveguide system  1865 ″ that is adapted to generate electromagnetic fields having one or more selected non-fundamental wave modes. The waveguide system  1865 ″ includes similar functions and features to waveguide system  1865 ′ that are referred to by common reference numerals. In place of MMICs  1870 , an antenna  1873  operates to radiate the electromagnetic wave that is directed to an interface of the transmission medium  1862  or  1852  to propagate in the wave direction via one or more selected non-fundamental wave modes. In the example shown, the antenna  1873  is a monopole antenna, however other antenna configurations and radiating elements can likewise be employed. 
     The reflective plate  1871  is also included in a region behind the antenna  1873  relative to the direction of propagation of the electromagnetic waves  1868  that is guided by the cable  1862 , indicated by the wave direction arrow that is shown. The reflective plate  1871  can be constructed of metallic plate, a metallic coated surface, a wire mesh having a density sufficient to reflect electromagnetic waves travelling toward the reflective plate  1871  from the antenna  1873 , or other reflective plates. 
     In operation, the reflective plate  1871  aids in directing the electromagnetic wave  1861  to an interface of a transmission medium, such as the surface of the cable  1862 , to induce propagation of the electromagnetic waves  1868  along the cable  1862 —the propagation not requiring an electrical return path. For example, the reflective plate  1871  can be grounded and/or coupled to the outer housing of the waveguide system  1865  so as to interact with the e-fields  1861  generated by the antenna  1873 . 
     In the embodiment shown, the reflective plate  1871  is positioned inside the outer housing of the waveguide system  1865 ′ in a configuration that is perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the cable  1862  and the wave direction, and optionally is parallel to a plane containing the antenna  1873 , however other configurations are likewise possible. In various embodiments, the distance d 4  between the reflective plate and the antenna  1873  can be adjusted or otherwise set to support inducing the propagation of the electromagnetic waves  1868  via a selected fundamental or non-fundamental wave mode such as TM 00 , HE 11 , EH 1m , TM 0m , (where m=1, 2, . . . ) or other non-fundamental and/or asymmetrical modes at a chosen frequency of operation. For example, the distance d 4  can be adjusted incrementally to determine the particular value of d 4  that yields the greatest signal strength of one or more selected modes of the electromagnetic waves  1868 . 
     While not expressly shown, a conductive horn, or other coaxial reflectors can be added to the embodiments of  FIG.  18 U  to assist in directing the e-fields  1861  for the inducement of the electromagnetic waves  1868  on cable  1862 . 
     The waveguide system  1865 ′ of  FIGS.  18 P,  18 R and  18 T  can also be used in concert to generate electromagnetic fields having non-fundamental or asymmetric wave modes.  FIG.  18 V  depicts an embodiment of a waveguide system including two waveguide systems  1865 ′- 1  and  1865 ′- 2  that are adapted to generate electromagnetic fields having one or more selected non-fundamental wave modes. The waveguide systems  1865 ′- 1  and  1865 ′- 2  include similar functions and features to waveguide system  1865 ′ that are referred to by common reference numerals. 
     The signal input  1872  can be generated by a transmitter circuit as previously described in the subject disclosure (e.g., see reference  101 ,  1000  of  FIGS.  1  and  10 A ) adapted to provide electrical signals to the MMICs  1870  and  1870 ′. Each MMIC  1870  and  1870 ′ can be configured to receive signal  1872  which the MMIC  1870  or  1870 ′ can modulate and transmit with a radiating element (e.g., an antenna or other device) to emit electromagnetic waves having radiated e-fields  1861  and  1861 ′. In the configuration shown, MMICs  1870  each include a radiating element that is arranged concentrically and/or radially about the cable  1852  or  1862 . The MMICs  1870 ′ also each include a radiating element that is arranged concentrically about the cable  1852  or  1862 , but at an angular offset from the radiating elements of MMICs  1870 . In the orientation shown, the radiating elements of MMICs  1870  are arranged at angles 90 and 270 degrees, while the radiating elements of MMICs  1870 ′ are arranged at angles 0 and 180 degrees. It should be noted that, the selection of angular displacements of the MMICs  1870  from one another and from the angular displacements of MMICs  1870  along with the phases offsets of signal input  1872  generated by each circuit can be used to support a fundamental mode of the electromagnetic waves  1868  or a non-fundamental wave mode of the electromagnetic waves  1868  with a desired spatial orientation. 
     In the embodiment shown, the MMICs  1870  can be configured to receive the same signal  1872 , but transmit electromagnetic waves having e-fields  1861  of opposing orientation. Similarly, the MMICs  1870 ′ can be configured to receive the same signal  1872 , but transmit electromagnetic waves having e-fields  1861 ′ of opposing orientation, with a 180 degree phase offset from the e-fields  1861 . This can be accomplished by configuring the MMICs  1870  and MMICs  1870 ′ to transmit electromagnetic waves with controllable phases. In an embodiment, the combination of the electromagnetic waves emitted by the MMICs  1870  can together induce electromagnetic waves  1868  that are bound to the cable  1862  for propagation according to a fundamental wave mode without other wave modes present—such as non-fundamental wave modes, however, depending on the phases chosen for the MMICs and the distance d 5 , other modes such as non-fundamental modes can be selected as well. In this configuration, the electromagnetic waves  1868  can propagate longitudinally along the cable  1862  to other downstream waveguide systems coupled to the cable  1862 . 
     In the embodiment shown, the waveguide systems  1865 ′- 1  and  1865 ′- 2  are each in a configuration that is perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the cable  1862  and the wave direction, and so that a plane containing the radiating elements of the MMICs  1870  is parallel to a plane containing the radiating elements of the MMICs  1870 ′, however other configurations are likewise possible. In various embodiments, the distance d 5  between the waveguides  1865 ′- 1  and  1865 ′- 2  corresponds to the distance between the planes of the radiating elements of the MMICs  1870  and  1870 ′. The distance d 5  can be adjusted or otherwise set to support inducing the propagation of the electromagnetic waves  1868  via a selected fundamental or non-fundamental wave mode such as TM 00 , HE 11 , EH 1m , TM 0m , (where m=1, 2, . . . ) or other non-fundamental and/or asymmetrical modes at a chosen frequency of operation. For example, the distance d 5  can be adjusted incrementally to determine the particular value of d 5  that yields the greatest signal strength of one or more selected modes of the electromagnetic waves  1868 . 
     In various embodiments, the waveguide system  1865 ′- 2  has a reflective plate  1871  in a region behind the radiating elements of the MMICs  1870 ′ relative to the direction of propagation of the electromagnetic waves  1868 . The reflective plate can be constructed of metallic plate, a metallic coated surface, a wire mesh having a density sufficient to reflect electromagnetic waves travelling toward the reflective plate  1871  from the MMICs  1870 ′, or other reflective plates. 
     In operation, the reflective plate  1871  aids in directing the instances of the electromagnetic waves  1861 ′ to an interface of a transmission medium, such as the surface of the cable  1862 , to induce propagation of the electromagnetic waves  1868  along the cable  1862 —the propagation not requiring an electrical return path. For example, the reflective plate  1871  can be shorted to ground and/or the outer housing of the waveguide system  1865  to interact with the e-fields  1861  generated by the MMICs. 
     In the embodiment shown, the reflective plate  1871  is positioned inside the outer housing of the waveguide system  1865 ′- 2  in a configuration that is perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the cable  1862  and the wave direction, and optionally is parallel to a plane containing the radiating elements of the MMICs  1870 ′, however other configurations are likewise possible. In various embodiments, the distance d 6  between the reflective plate and the radiating elements of the MMICs  1870  can be adjusted or otherwise set to support inducing the propagation of the electromagnetic waves  1868  via a selected fundamental or non-fundamental wave mode such as TM 00 , HE 11 , EH 1m , TM 0m , (where m=1, 2, . . . ) or other non-fundamental and/or asymmetrical mode at a chosen frequency of operation. For example, the distance d 6  can be adjusted incrementally to determine the particular value of d 6  that yields the greatest signal strength of one or more selected modes of the electromagnetic waves  1868 . Furthermore, the selection of angular displacements of the MMICs  1870  from one another and from the angular displacements of MMICs  1870  along with the phases offsets of signal input  1872  generated by each circuit can be used in addition to the distances d 6  and the distance d 5  to support a non-fundamental wave mode of the electromagnetic waves  1868  with a desired spatial orientation. 
     While not expressly shown, a conductive horn, or other coaxial reflector can be added to the waveguide system  1865 ′- 1  to assist in directing the e-fields  1861  for the inducement of the electromagnetic waves  1868  on cable  1862 . Furthermore, while not expressly shown, a housing, or radome can be provided between the waveguide systems  1865 ′- 1  and  1865 ′- 2  to protect the launcher from the environment, and/or to reduce emissions and further direct the electromagnetic waves  1861 ′ to the cable  1862  or  1852 . 
     In another embodiment, the waveguide systems  1865 ′- 1  and  1865 ′- 2  of  FIG.  18 V  can also be configured to generate electromagnetic waves having only non-fundamental wave modes. This can be accomplished by adding more MMICs  1870  and  1870 ′ as depicted in  FIG.  18 W . In particular, a concentric alignment of MMICs  1870  of waveguide system  1865 ′- 1  is presented along with the concentric alignment of MMICs  1870 ′ of waveguide system  1865 ′- 2  that is behind. 
     Each MMIC  1870  and  1870 ′ can be configured to receive the same signal input  1872 . However, MMICs  1870  can selectively be configured to emit electromagnetic waves having differing phases using controllable phase-shifting circuitry in each MMIC  1870  and  1870 ′. For example, the distance d 5  can be set at an integer number of wavelengths and the northerly and southerly MMICs  1870  can be configured to emit electromagnetic waves having a 180 degree phase difference, thereby aligning the e-fields either in a northerly or southerly direction. Any combination of pairs of MMICs  1870  and  1870 ′ (e.g., westerly and easterly MMICs  1870 , northwesterly and southeasterly MMICs  1870 ′, northeasterly and southwesterly MMICs  1870 ′) can be configured with opposing or aligned e-fields. Consequently, waveguide system  1865 ′ can be configured to generate electromagnetic waves with one or more non-fundamental wave modes, electromagnetic waves with one or more fundamental wave modes, or any combinations thereof. 
     Not all MMICs need be transmitting at any given time. A single MMIC  1870  or  1870 ′ of the MMICs  1870  and  1870 ′ shown in  FIG.  18 W  can be configured to generate electromagnetic waves having anon-fundamental wave mode while all other MMICs  1870  and  1870 ′ are not in use or disabled. Likewise, other wave modes and wave mode combinations can be induced by enabling other non-null proper subsets of the MMICs  1870  and  1870 ′ with controllable phases. 
     It is further noted that in some embodiments, the waveguide systems  1865 ,  1865 ′ and  1865 ″ of  FIGS.  18 N- 18 W  may generate combinations of fundamental and non-fundamental wave modes where one wave mode is dominant over the other. For example, in one embodiment electromagnetic waves generated by the waveguide systems  1865 ,  1865 ′ and  1865 ″ of  FIGS.  18 N- 18 W  may have a weak signal component that has a non-fundamental wave mode, and a substantially strong signal component that has a fundamental wave mode. Accordingly, in this embodiment, the electromagnetic waves have a substantially fundamental wave mode. In another embodiment electromagnetic waves generated by the waveguide systems  1865 ,  1865 ′ and  1865 ″ of  FIGS.  18 N- 18 W  may have a weak signal component that has a fundamental wave mode, and a substantially strong signal component that has a non-fundamental wave mode. Accordingly, in this embodiment, the electromagnetic waves have a substantially non-fundamental wave mode. Further, a non-dominant wave mode may be generated that propagates only trivial distances along the length of the transmission medium. 
     It is also noted that the waveguide systems  1865 ,  1865 ′ and  1865 ″ of  FIGS.  18 N- 18 W  can be configured to generate instances of electromagnetic waves that have wave modes that can differ from a resulting wave mode or modes of the combined electromagnetic wave. It is further noted that each MMIC  1870  or  1870 ′ of the waveguide system  1865 ′ of  FIG.  18 W  can be configured to generate an instance of electromagnetic waves having wave characteristics that differ from the wave characteristics of another instance of electromagnetic waves generated by another MMIC  1870  or  1870 ′. One MMIC  1870  or  1870 ′, for example, can generate an instance of an electromagnetic wave having a spatial orientation and a phase, frequency, magnitude, electric field orientation, and/or magnetic field orientation that differs from the spatial orientation and phase, frequency, magnitude, electric field orientation, and/or magnetic field orientation of a different instance of another electromagnetic wave generated by another MMIC  1870  or  1870 ′. The waveguide system  1865 ′ can thus be configured to generate instances of electromagnetic waves having different wave and spatial characteristics, which when combined achieve resulting electromagnetic waves having one or more desirable wave modes. 
     From these illustrations, it is submitted that the waveguide systems  1865  and  1865 ′ of  FIGS.  18 N- 18 W  can be adapted to generate electromagnetic waves with one or more selectable wave modes. In one embodiment, for example, the waveguide systems  1865  and  1865 ′ can be adapted to select one or more wave modes and generate electromagnetic waves having a single wave mode or multiple wave modes selected and produced from a process of combining instances of electromagnetic waves having one or more configurable wave and spatial characteristics. In an embodiment, for example, parametric information can be stored in a look-up table. Each entry in the look-up table can represent a selectable wave mode. A selectable wave mode can represent a single wave mode, or a combination of wave modes. The combination of wave modes can have one or more dominant wave modes. The parametric information can provide configuration information for generating instances of electromagnetic waves for producing resultant electromagnetic waves that have the desired wave mode. 
     For example, once a wave mode or modes is selected, the parametric information obtained from the look-up table from the entry associated with the selected wave mode(s) can be used to identify which of one or more MMICs  1870  and  1870 ′ to utilize, and/or their corresponding configurations to achieve electromagnetic waves having the desired wave mode(s). The parametric information may identify the selection of the one or more MMICs  1870  and  1870 ′ based on the spatial orientations of the MMICs  1870  and  1870 ′, which may be required for producing electromagnetic waves with the desired wave mode. The parametric information can also provide information to configure each of the one or more MMICs  1870  and  1870 ′ with a particular phase, frequency, magnitude, electric field orientation, and/or magnetic field orientation which may or may not be the same for each of the selected MMICs  1870  or  1870 ′. A look-up table with selectable wave modes and corresponding parametric information can be adapted for configuring the slotted waveguide system  1865 ,  1865 ′ and  1865 ″. 
     In some embodiments, a guided electromagnetic wave can be considered to have a desired wave mode if the corresponding wave mode propagates non-trivial distances on a transmission medium and has a field strength that is substantially greater in magnitude (e.g., 20 dB higher in magnitude) than other wave modes that may or may not be desirable. Such a desired wave mode or modes can be referred to as dominant wave mode(s) with the other wave modes being referred to as non-dominant wave modes. In a similar fashion, a guided electromagnetic wave that is said to be substantially without the fundamental wave mode has either no fundamental wave mode or a non-dominant fundamental wave mode. A guided electromagnetic wave that is said to be substantially without a non-fundamental wave mode has either no non-fundamental wave mode(s) or only non-dominant non-fundamental wave mode(s). In some embodiments, a guided electromagnetic wave that is said to have only a single wave mode or a selected wave mode may have only one corresponding dominant wave mode. 
     It is further noted that the embodiments of  FIGS.  18 U- 18 W  can be applied to other embodiments of the subject disclosure. For example, the embodiments of  FIGS.  18 U- 18 W  can be used as alternate embodiments to the embodiments depicted in  FIGS.  18 N- 18 T  or can be combined with the embodiments depicted in  FIGS.  18 N- 18 T . 
     Turning now to  FIGS.  18 X and  18 Z , block diagrams illustrating example, non-limiting embodiments of a dielectric antenna and corresponding gain and field intensity plots in accordance with various aspects described herein are shown.  FIG.  18 X  depicts a dielectric horn antenna  1891  having a conical structure. The dielectric horn antenna  1891  is coupled to a feed point  1892 , which can also be comprised of a dielectric material. In one embodiment, for example, the dielectric horn antenna  1891  and the feed point  1892  can be constructed of dielectric materials such as a polyethylene material, a polyurethane material or other suitable dielectric materials (e.g., a synthetic resin). In an embodiment, the dielectric horn antenna  1891  and the feed point  1892  can be adapted to be void of any conductive materials. For example, the external surfaces  1897  of the dielectric horn antenna  1891  and the feed point  1892  can be non-conductive and the dielectric materials used to construct the dielectric horn antenna  1891  and the feed point  1892  can be such that they substantially do not contain impurities that may be conductive. 
     The feed point  1892  can be adapted to couple to a core  1852  such as previously described by way of illustration in  FIGS.  18 I and  18 J . In one embodiment, the feed point  1892  can be coupled to the core  1852  utilizing a joint (not shown in  FIG.  18 X ) such as the splicing device  1860  of  FIG.  18 J . Other embodiments for coupling the feed point  1892  to the core  1852  can be used. In an embodiment, the joint can be configured to cause the feed point  1892  to touch an endpoint of the core  1852 . In another embodiment, the joint can create a gap between the feed point  1892  and the endpoint of the core  1852 . In yet another embodiment, the joint can cause the feed point  1892  and the core  1852  to be coaxially aligned or partially misaligned. Notwithstanding any combination of the foregoing embodiments, electromagnetic waves can in whole or at least in part propagate between the junction of the feed point  1892  and the core  1852 . 
     The cable  1850  can be coupled to the waveguide system  1865  depicted in  FIG.  18 S  or the waveguide system  1865 ′ depicted in  FIG.  18 T . For illustration purposes only, reference will be made to the waveguide system  1865 ′ of  FIG.  18 T . It is understood, however, that the waveguide system  1865  of  FIG.  18 S  can also be utilized in accordance with the discussions that follow. The waveguide system  1865 ′ can be configured to select a wave mode (e.g., non-fundamental wave mode, fundamental wave mode, a hybrid wave mode, or combinations thereof as described earlier) and transmit instances of electromagnetic waves having a non-optical operating frequency (e.g., 60 GHz). The electromagnetic waves can be directed to an interface of the cable  1850  as shown in  FIG.  18 T . 
     The instances of electromagnetic waves generated by the waveguide system  1865 ′ can induce a combined electromagnetic wave having the selected wave mode that propagates from the core  1852  to the feed point  1892 . The combined electromagnetic wave can propagate partly inside the core  1852  and partly on an outer surface of the core  1852 . Once the combined electromagnetic wave has propagated through the junction between the core  1852  and the feed point  1892 , the combined electromagnetic wave can continue to propagate partly inside the feed point  1892  and partly on an outer surface of the feed point  1892 . In some embodiments, the portion of the combined electromagnetic wave that propagates on the outer surface of the core  1852  and the feed point  1892  is small. In these embodiments, the combined electromagnetic wave can be said to be tightly coupled to the core  1852  and the feed point  1892  while propagating longitudinally towards the dielectric antenna  1891 . 
     When the combined electromagnetic wave reaches a proximal portion of the dielectric antenna  1891  (at a junction  1892 ′ between the feed point  1892  and the dielectric antenna  1891 ), the combined electromagnetic wave enters the proximal portion of the dielectric antenna  1891  and propagates longitudinally along an axis of the dielectric antenna  1891  (shown as a hashed line). By the time the combined electromagnetic wave reaches the aperture  1893 , the combined electromagnetic wave has an intensity pattern similar to the one shown in  FIG.  18 Y . The electric field intensity pattern of  FIG.  18 Y  shows that the electric fields of the combined electromagnetic waves are strongest in a center region of the aperture  1893  and weaker in the outer regions. In an embodiment, where the wave mode of the electromagnetic waves propagating in the dielectric antenna  1891  is a hybrid wave mode (e.g., HE11), the leakage of the electromagnetic waves at the external surfaces  1897  is reduced or in some instances eliminated. Methods for launching a hybrid wave mode on cable  1850  is discussed below. 
     In an embodiment, the far field antenna gain pattern depicted in  FIG.  18 Y  can be widened by decreasing the operating frequency of the combined electromagnetic wave. Similarly, the gain pattern can be narrowed by increasing the operating frequency of the combined electromagnetic wave. Accordingly, a width of a beam of wireless signals emitted by the aperture  1893  can be controlled by configuring the waveguide system  1865 ′ to increase or decrease the operating frequency of the combined electromagnetic wave. 
     The dielectric antenna  1891  of  FIG.  18 X  can also be used for receiving wireless signals. Wireless signals received by the dielectric antenna  1891  at the aperture  1893  induce electromagnetic waves in the dielectric antenna  1891  that propagate towards the feed point  1892 . The electromagnetic waves continue to propagate from the feed point  1892  to the core  1852 , and are thereby delivered to the waveguide system  1865 ′ coupled to the cable  1850  as shown in  FIG.  18 T . In this configuration, the waveguide system  1865 ′ can perform bidirectional communications utilizing the dielectric antenna  1891 . It is further noted that in some embodiments the core  1852  of the cable  1850  (shown with dashed lines) can be configured to be collinear with the feed point  1892  to avoid a bend shown in  FIG.  18 X . In some embodiments, a collinear configuration can reduce an alteration of the electromagnetic due to the bend in cable  1850 . 
     Turning now to  FIG.  18 Z , a block diagram of an example, non-limiting embodiment of another dielectric antenna structure in accordance with various aspects described herein is shown.  FIG.  18 Z  depicts an array of pyramidal-shaped dielectric horn antennas  1894 . Each antenna of the array of pyramidal-shaped dielectric horn antennas  1894  can have a feed point  1896  that couples to a core  1852  of a plurality of cables  1850 . Each cable  1850  can be coupled to a different waveguide system  1865 ′ such as shown in  FIG.  18 T . The array of pyramidal-shaped dielectric horn antennas  1894  can be used to transmit wireless signals having a plurality of spatial orientations. An array of pyramidal-shaped dielectric horn antennas  1894  covering 360 degrees can enable a plurality of waveguide systems  1865 ′ coupled to the antennas to perform omnidirectional communications with other communication devices or antennas of similar type. 
     The bidirectional propagation properties of electromagnetic waves previously described for the dielectric antenna  1891  of  FIG.  18 X  are also applicable for electromagnetic waves propagating from the core  1852  to the feed point  1896  to the aperture  1895  of the pyramidal-shaped dielectric horn antennas  1894 , and in the reverse direction. Similarly, the array of pyramidal-shaped dielectric horn antennas  1894  can be void of conductive surfaces and internal conductive materials. For example, in some embodiments, the array of pyramidal-shaped dielectric horn antennas  1894  and their corresponding feed points  1896  can be constructed of dielectric-only materials such as polyethylene or polyurethane materials. 
     It is further noted that each antenna of the array of pyramidal-shaped dielectric horn antennas  1894  can have similar gain and electric field intensity maps as shown for the dielectric antenna  1891  in  FIG.  18 Y . Each antenna of the array of pyramidal-shaped dielectric horn antennas  1894  can also be used for receiving wireless signals as previously described for the dielectric antenna  1891  of  FIG.  18 X . In some embodiments, a single instance of a pyramidal-shaped dielectric horn antenna can be used. Similarly, multiple instances of the dielectric antenna  1891  of  FIG.  18 X  can be used in an array configuration similar to the one shown in  FIG.  18 Z . 
     Turning now to  FIGS.  19 A and  19 B , block diagrams illustrating example, non-limiting embodiments of the cable  1850  of  FIG.  18 A  used for inducing guided electromagnetic waves on power lines supported by utility poles are shown. In one embodiment, as depicted in  FIG.  19 A , a cable  1850  can be coupled at one end to a microwave apparatus that launches guided electromagnetic waves within one or more inner layers of cable  1850  utilizing, for example, the hollow waveguide  1808  shown in  FIGS.  18 A- 18 C . The microwave apparatus can utilize a microwave transceiver such as shown in  FIG.  10 A  for transmitting or receiving signals from cable  1850 . The guided electromagnetic waves induced in the one or more inner layers of cable  1850  can propagate to an exposed stub of the cable  1850  located inside a horn antenna (shown as a dotted line in  FIG.  19 A ) for radiating the electromagnetic waves via the horn antenna. The radiated signals from the horn antenna in turn can induce guided electromagnetic waves that propagate longitudinally on a medium voltage (MV) power line. In one embodiment, the microwave apparatus can receive AC power from a low voltage (e.g., 220V) power line. Alternatively, the horn antenna can be replaced with a stub antenna as shown in  FIG.  19 B  to induce guided electromagnetic waves that propagate longitudinally on the MV power line or to transmit wireless signals to other antenna system(s). 
     In an alternative embodiment, the hollow horn antenna shown in  FIG.  19 A  can be replaced with a solid dielectric antenna such as the dielectric antenna  1891  of  FIG.  18 X , or the pyramidal-shaped horn antenna  1894  of  FIG.  18 Z . In this embodiment the horn antenna can radiate wireless signals directed to another horn antenna such as the bidirectional horn antennas  1940  shown in  FIG.  19 C . In this embodiment, each horn antenna  1940  can transmit wireless signals to another horn antenna  1940  or receive wireless signals from the other horn antenna  1940  as shown in  FIG.  19 C . Such an arrangement can be used for performing bidirectional wireless communications between antennas. Although not shown, the horn antennas  1940  can be configured with an electromechanical device to steer a direction of the horn antennas  1940 . 
     In alternate embodiments, first and second cables  1850 A′ and  1850 B′ can be coupled to the microwave apparatus and to a transformer  1952 , respectively, as shown in  FIGS.  19 A and  19 B . The first and second cables  1850 A′ and  1850 B′ can be represented by, for example, cable  1820  or cable  1830  of  FIGS.  18 B and  18 C , respectively, each having a conductive core. A first end of the conductive core of the first cable  1850 A′ can be coupled to the microwave apparatus for propagating guided electromagnetic waves launched therein. A second end of the conductive core of the first cable  1850 A′ can be coupled to a first end of a conductive coil of the transformer  1952  for receiving the guided electromagnetic waves propagating in the first cable  1850 A′ and for supplying signals associated therewith to a first end of a second cable  1850 B′ by way of a second end of the conductive coil of the transformer  1952 . A second end of the second cable  1850 B′ can be coupled to the horn antenna of  FIG.  19 A  or can be exposed as a stub antenna of  FIG.  19 B  for inducing guided electromagnetic waves that propagate longitudinally on the MV power line. 
     In an embodiment where cable  1850 ,  1850 A′ and  1850 B′ each comprise multiple instances of transmission mediums  1800 ,  1820 , and/or  1830 , a poly-rod structure of antennas  1855  can be formed such as shown in  FIG.  18 K . Each antenna  1855  can be coupled, for example, to a horn antenna assembly as shown in  FIG.  19 A  or a pie-pan antenna assembly (not shown) for radiating multiple wireless signals. Alternatively, the antennas  1855  can be used as stub antennas in  FIG.  19 B . The microwave apparatus of  FIGS.  19 A- 19 B  can be configured to adjust the guided electromagnetic waves to beam steer the wireless signals emitted by the antennas  1855 . One or more of the antennas  1855  can also be used for inducing guided electromagnetic waves on a power line. 
     Turning now to  FIG.  19 C , a block diagram of an example, non-limiting embodiment of a communication network  1900  in accordance with various aspects described herein is shown. In one embodiment, for example, the waveguide system  1602  of  FIG.  16 A  can be incorporated into network interface devices (NIDs) such as NIDs  1910  and  1920  of  FIG.  19 C . A NID having the functionality of waveguide system  1602  can be used to enhance transmission capabilities between customer premises  1902  (enterprise or residential) and a pedestal  1904  (sometimes referred to as a service area interface or SAI). 
     In one embodiment, a central office  1930  can supply one or more fiber cables  1926  to the pedestal  1904 . The fiber cables  1926  can provide high-speed full-duplex data services (e.g., 1-100 Gbps or higher) to mini-DSLAMs  1924  located in the pedestal  1904 . The data services can be used for transport of voice, internet traffic, media content services (e.g., streaming video services, broadcast TV), and so on. In prior art systems, mini-DSLAMs  1924  typically connect to twisted pair phone lines (e.g., twisted pairs included in category 5e or Cat. 5e unshielded twisted-pair (UTP) cables that include an unshielded bundle of twisted pair cables, such as 24 gauge insulated solid wires, surrounded by an outer insulating sheath), which in turn connect to the customer premises  1902  directly. In such systems, DSL data rates taper off at 100 Mbps or less due in part to the length of legacy twisted pair cables to the customer premises  1902  among other factors. 
     The embodiments of  FIG.  19 C , however, are distinct from prior art DSL systems. In the illustration of  FIG.  19 C , a mini-DSLAM  1924 , for example, can be configured to connect to NID  1920  via cable  1850  (which can represent in whole or in part any of the cable embodiments described in relation to  FIGS.  18 A- 18 D and  18 F- 18 L  singly or in combination). Utilizing cable  1850  between customer premises  1902  and a pedestal  1904 , enables NIDs  1910  and  1920  to transmit and receive guided electromagnetic waves for uplink and downlink communications. Based on embodiments previously described, cable  1850  can be exposed to rain, or can be buried without adversely affecting electromagnetic wave propagation either in a downlink path or an uplink path so long as the electric field profile of such waves in either direction is confined at least in part or entirely within inner layers of cable  1850 . In the present illustration, downlink communications represent a communication path from the pedestal  1904  to customer premises  1902 , while uplink communications represent a communication path from customer premises  1902  to the pedestal  1904 . In an embodiment where cable  1850  comprises one of the embodiments of  FIGS.  18 G- 18 H , cable  1850  can also serve the purpose of supplying power to the NID  1910  and  1920  and other equipment of the customer premises  1902  and the pedestal  1904 . 
     In customer premises  1902 , DSL signals can originate from a DSL modem  1906  (which may have a built-in router and which may provide wireless services such as WiFi to user equipment shown in the customer premises  1902 ). The DSL signals can be supplied to NID  1910  by a twisted pair phone  1908 . The NID  1910  can utilize the integrated waveguide  1602  to launch within cable  1850  guided electromagnetic waves  1914  directed to the pedestal  1904  on an uplink path. In the downlink path, DSL signals generated by the mini-DSLAM  1924  can flow through a twisted pair phone line  1922  to NID  1920 . The waveguide system  1602  integrated in the NID  1920  can convert the DSL signals, or a portion thereof, from electrical signals to guided electromagnetic waves  1914  that propagate within cable  1850  on the downlink path. To provide full duplex communications, the guided electromagnetic waves  1914  on the uplink can be configured to operate at a different carrier frequency and/or a different modulation approach than the guided electromagnetic waves  1914  on the downlink to reduce or avoid interference. Additionally, on the uplink and downlink paths, the guided electromagnetic waves  1914  are guided by a core section of cable  1850 , as previously described, and such waves can be configured to have a field intensity profile that confines the guide electromagnetic waves in whole or in part in the inner layers of cable  1850 . Although the guided electromagnetic waves  1914  are shown outside of cable  1850 , the depiction of these waves is for illustration purposes only. For this reason, the guided electromagnetic waves  1914  are drawn with “hash marks” to indicate that they are guided by the inner layers of cable  1850 . 
     On the downlink path, the integrated waveguide system  1602  of NID  1910  receives the guided electromagnetic waves  1914  generated by NID  1920  and converts them back to DSL signals conforming to the requirements of the DSL modem  1906 . The DSL signals are then supplied to the DSL modem  1906  via a set of twisted pair wires of phone line  1908  for processing. Similarly, on the uplink path, the integrated waveguide system  1602  of NID  1920  receives the guided electromagnetic waves  1914  generated by NID  1910  and converts them back to DSL signals conforming to the requirements of the mini-DSLAM  1924 . The DSL signals are then supplied to the mini-DSLAM  1924  via a set of twisted pair wires of phone line  1922  for processing. Because of the short length of phone lines  1908  and  1922 , the DSL modem  1908  and the mini-DSLAM  1924  can send and receive DSL signals between themselves on the uplink and downlink at very high speeds (e.g., 1 Gbps to 60 Gbps or more). Consequently, the uplink and downlink paths can in most circumstances exceed the data rate limits of traditional DSL communications over twisted pair phone lines. 
     Typically, DSL devices are configured for asymmetric data rates because the downlink path usually supports a higher data rate than the uplink path. However, cable  1850  can provide much higher speeds both on the downlink and uplink paths. With a firmware update, a legacy DSL modem  1906  such as shown in  FIG.  19 C  can be configured with higher speeds on both the uplink and downlink paths. Similar firmware updates can be made to the mini-DSLAM  1924  to take advantage of the higher speeds on the uplink and downlink paths. Since the interfaces to the DSL modem  1906  and mini-DSLAM  1924  remain as traditional twisted pair phone lines, no hardware change is necessary for a legacy DSL modem or legacy mini-DSLAM other than firmware changes and the addition of the NIDs  1910  and  1920  to perform the conversion from DSL signals to guided electromagnetic waves  1914  and vice-versa. The use of NIDs enables a reuse of legacy modems  1906  and mini-DSLAMs  1924 , which in turn can substantially reduce installation costs and system upgrades. For new construction, updated versions of mini-DSLAMs and DSL modems can be configured with integrated waveguide systems to perform the functions described above, thereby eliminating the need for NIDs  1910  and  1920  with integrated waveguide systems. In this embodiment, an updated version of modem  1906  and updated version of mini-DSLAM  1924  would connect directly to cable  1850  and communicate via bidirectional guided electromagnetic wave transmissions, thereby averting a need for transmission or reception of DSL signals using twisted pair phone lines  1908  and  1922 . 
     In an embodiment where use of cable  1850  between the pedestal  1904  and customer premises  1902  is logistically impractical or costly, NID  1910  can be configured instead to couple to a cable  1850 ′ (similar to cable  1850  of the subject disclosure) that originates from a waveguide  108  on a utility pole  118 , and which may be buried in soil before it reaches NID  1910  of the customer premises  1902 . Cable  1850 ′ can be used to receive and transmit guided electromagnetic waves  1914 ′ between the NID  1910  and the waveguide  108 . Waveguide  108  can connect via waveguide  106 , which can be coupled to base station  104 . Base station  104  can provide data communication services to customer premises  1902  by way of its connection to central office  1930  over fiber  1926 ′. Similarly, in situations where access from the central office  1926  to pedestal  1904  is not practical over a fiber link, but connectivity to base station  104  is possible via fiber link  1926 ′, an alternate path can be used to connect to NID  1920  of the pedestal  1904  via cable  1850 ″ (similar to cable  1850  of the subject disclosure) originating from pole  116 . Cable  1850 ″ can also be buried before it reaches NID  1920 . 
       FIGS.  20 A and  20 B  describe embodiments for downlink and uplink communications. Method  2000  of  FIG.  20 A  can begin with step  2002  where electrical signals (e.g., DSL signals) are generated by a DSLAM (e.g., mini-DSLAM  1924  of pedestal  1904  or from central office  1930 ), which are converted to guided electromagnetic waves  1914  at step  2004  by NID  1920  and which propagate on a transmission medium such as cable  1850  for providing downlink services to the customer premises  1902 . At step  2008 , the NID  1910  of the customer premises  1902  converts the guided electromagnetic waves  1914  back to electrical signals (e.g., DSL signals) which are supplied at step  2010  to customer premises equipment (CPE) such as DSL modem  1906  over phone line  1908 . Alternatively, or in combination, power and/or guided electromagnetic waves  1914 ′ can be supplied from a power line  1850 ′ of a utility grid (having an inner waveguide as illustrated in  FIG.  18 G or  18 H ) to NID  1910  as an alternate or additional downlink (and/or uplink) path. 
     At  2022  of method  2020  of  FIG.  20 B , the DSL modem  1906  can supply electrical signals (e.g., DSL signals) via phone line  1908  to NID  1910 , which in turn at step  2024 , converts the DSL signals to guided electromagnetic waves directed to NID  1920  by way of cable  1850 . At step  2028 , the NID  1920  of the pedestal  1904  (or central office  1930 ) converts the guided electromagnetic waves  1914  back to electrical signals (e.g., DSL signals) which are supplied at step  2029  to a DSLAM (e.g., mini-DSLAM  1924 ). Alternatively, or in combination, power and guided electromagnetic waves  1914 ′ can be supplied from a power line  1850 ′ of a utility grid (having an inner waveguide as illustrated in  FIG.  18 G or  18 H ) to NID  1920  as an alternate or additional uplink (and/or downlink) path. 
     Turning now to  FIG.  20 C , a flow diagram of an example, non-limiting embodiment of a method  2030  for inducing and receiving electromagnetic waves on a transmission medium is shown. At step  2032 , the waveguides  1865  and  1865 ′ of  FIGS.  18 N- 18 T  can be configured to generate first electromagnetic waves from a first communication signal (supplied, for example, by a communication device), and induce at step  2034  the first electromagnetic waves with “only” a fundamental wave mode at an interface of the transmission medium. In an embodiment, the interface can be an outer surface of the transmission medium as depicted in  FIGS.  18 Q and  18 R . In another embodiment, the interface can be an inner layer of the transmission medium as depicted in  FIGS.  18 S and  18 T . At step  2036 , the waveguides  1865  and  1865 ′ of  FIGS.  18 N- 18 T  can be configured to receive second electromagnetic waves at an interface of a same or different transmission medium described in  FIG.  20 C . In an embodiment, the second electromagnetic waves can have “only” a fundamental wave mode. In other embodiments, the second electromagnetic waves may have a combination of wave modes such as a fundamental and non-fundamental wave modes. At step  2038 , a second communication signal can be generated from the second electromagnetic waves for processing by, for example, a same or different communication device. The embodiments of  FIGS.  20 C and  20 D  can be applied to any embodiments described in the subject disclosure. 
     Turning now to  FIG.  20 D , a flow diagram of an example, non-limiting embodiment of a method  2040  for inducing electromagnetic waves on a transmission medium is shown. In particular, the method can be used with one more functions and features described above. Step  2042  includes generating a first electromagnetic wave by a waveguide system having a radiating element. Step  2044  includes directing, at least partially by a reflective plate of the waveguide system, the first electromagnetic wave to an interface of a transmission medium to induce propagation of a second electromagnetic wave without utilizing an electrical return path, the second electromagnetic wave having a non-fundamental wave mode and a non-optical operating frequency. 
     In various embodiments, the method further includes setting a distance between the reflective plate and the radiating element to support inducing the propagation of second electromagnetic wave having the non-fundamental wave mode. The radiating element can be configured to generate an electric signal from a third electromagnetic wave propagating along the transmission medium. The radiating element can comprise an antenna, such as a monopole antenna that is aligned substantially parallel to the reflective plate. The non-fundamental wave mode of the second electromagnetic wave can have a spatial orientation based on a position of the radiating element. 
     In various embodiments, directing the first electromagnetic wave can further include providing a conductive horn that surrounds the transmission medium and that further directs the first electromagnetic wave to facilitate inducing the propagation of the second electromagnetic wave at the interface of the transmission medium. The waveguide system can include a waveguide structure for further directing the first electromagnetic wave to the interface of the transmission medium. The waveguide structure can have a tapered cross-section and/or a cylindrical cross-section. 
     In various embodiments, the interface of the transmission medium can include a core, and the second electromagnetic wave can be guided and bound to the core. The interface of the transmission medium can comprise an outer surface of an insulated conductor or uninsulated conductor for guiding the second electromagnetic wave. 
       FIG.  20 E  illustrates a flow diagram of an example, non-limiting embodiment of a method  2050  for inducing electromagnetic waves on a transmission medium. In particular, the method can be used with one more functions and features described above. Step  2052  includes generating first electromagnetic waves, by a waveguide system having a plurality of circuits, each of the plurality of circuits having a corresponding one of a plurality of radiating elements. Step  2054  includes directing, at least partially by a reflective plate of the waveguide system, instances of the first electromagnetic waves to an interface of a transmission medium to induce propagation of a second electromagnetic wave without utilizing an electrical return path, the second electromagnetic wave having a non-fundamental wave mode and a non-optical operating frequency. 
     In various embodiments, a distance between the reflective plate and at least one of the plurality of radiating elements is set to support inducing the propagation of the second electromagnetic wave via the non-fundamental wave mode. The first and second circuits of the plurality of circuits can be configured to generate the first electromagnetic waves with electric field orientations that are substantially aligned. The radiating elements can each comprise an antenna. The plurality of circuits can comprise a plurality of microwave circuits. Each of the plurality of circuits can comprise a transmitter portion for transmitting the instances of the first electromagnetic waves. Each of the plurality of circuits can further comprise a receiver portion for receiving third electromagnetic waves. 
     In various embodiments, the method can further includes receiving, by the plurality of circuits, a third electromagnetic wave guided by the transmission medium. The non-fundamental wave mode of the second electromagnetic wave can have a spatial orientation based on a position of each of one or more of the plurality of circuits surrounding the transmission medium. Directing the first electromagnetic waves can further include configuring a first circuit of the plurality of circuits to supply an electromagnetic wave having a first phase, and configuring a second circuit of the plurality of circuits to supply the electromagnetic wave having a second phase. 
     In various embodiments, the waveguide system can comprise a waveguide structure for directing the first electromagnetic waves to the interface of the transmission medium. The waveguide structure can have a tapered cross-section and/or a cylindrical cross-section. The interface of the transmission medium can comprise a core, and the second electromagnetic wave can be guided and bound to the core. The interface of the transmission medium can comprise an outer surface of an insulated conductor or uninsulated conductor for guiding the second electromagnetic wave. 
       FIG.  20 F  illustrates a flow diagram of an example, non-limiting embodiment of a method  2060  for inducing electromagnetic waves on a transmission medium. In particular, the method can be used with one more functions and features described above. Step  2062  includes generating first electromagnetic waves, by a first waveguide system having a first plurality of circuits. Step  2064  includes generating second electromagnetic waves, by a second waveguide system having a second plurality of circuits. As indicated in  2066 , the first electromagnetic waves and the second electromagnetic waves are directed to an interface of a transmission medium to induce propagation of a third electromagnetic wave without utilizing an electrical return path, the third electromagnetic wave having a non-fundamental wave mode and a non-optical operating frequency. 
     In various embodiments, the method further includes setting a distance between the first waveguide system and the second waveguide system to support inducing the propagation of the third electromagnetic wave via the non-fundamental wave mode. The first and second circuits of the first plurality of circuits can be configured to generate the first electromagnetic waves with electric field orientations that are substantially aligned. The first and second circuits of the second plurality of circuits can be configured to generate the second electromagnetic waves with electric field orientations that are substantially aligned. The first plurality of circuits and the second plurality of circuits can each comprise a plurality of microwave circuits. The first plurality of circuits and the second plurality of circuits can each comprise a transmitter portion for transmitting the first electromagnetic waves and the second electromagnetic waves. The first plurality of circuits and the second plurality of circuits can each further comprise a receiver portion for receiving third electromagnetic waves. The first plurality of circuits can include a first plurality of radiating elements that are arranged concentrically about the transmission medium, and the second plurality of circuits can include a second plurality of radiating elements that are arranged concentrically about the transmission medium at an angular offset from the first plurality of radiating elements. 
     In various embodiments, the non-fundamental wave mode of the third electromagnetic wave has a spatial orientation based on positions of the first plurality of circuits and the second plurality of circuits. The first electromagnetic waves and the second electromagnetic waves can be at least partially directed by configuring transmission phases of the first plurality of circuits and the second plurality of circuits. The first waveguide system can comprise a waveguide structure for directing the first electromagnetic waves to the interface of the transmission medium. The waveguide structure can have a tapered cross-section and/or have a cylindrical cross-section. 
     In various embodiments, the interface of the transmission medium can include a core, and the third electromagnetic wave can be guided and bound to the core. The interface of the transmission medium can comprise an outer surface of an insulated conductor or uninsulated conductor for guiding the third electromagnetic wave. 
     While for purposes of simplicity of explanation, the respective processes are shown and described as a series of blocks in  FIGS.  20 A- 20 F , it is to be understood and appreciated that the claimed subject matter is not limited by the order of the blocks, as some blocks may occur in different orders and/or concurrently with other blocks from what is depicted and described herein. Moreover, not all illustrated blocks may be required to implement the methods described herein. 
       FIG.  20 G  illustrates a flow diagram of an example, non-limiting embodiment of a method  2070  for detecting and mitigating disturbances occurring in a communication network, such as, for example, the system of  FIGS.  16 A and  16 B . Method  2070  can begin with step  2072  where a network element, such as the waveguide system  1602  of  FIGS.  16 A- 16 B , can be configured to monitor degradation of guided electromagnetic waves on an outer surface of a transmission medium, such as power line  1610 . A signal degradation can be detected according to any number of factors including without limitation, a signal magnitude of the guided electromagnetic waves dropping below a certain magnitude threshold, a signal to noise ratio (SNR) dropping below a certain SNR threshold, a Quality of Service (QoS) dropping below one or more thresholds, a bit error rate (BER) exceeding a certain BER threshold, a packet loss rate (PLR) exceeding a certain PLR threshold, a ratio of reflected electromagnetic waves to forward electromagnetic waves exceeding a certain threshold, an unexpected change or alteration to a wave mode, a spectral change in the guided electromagnetic waves indicating an object or objects are causing a propagation loss or scattering of the guided electromagnetic waves (e.g., water accumulation on an outer surface of the transmission medium, a splice in the transmission medium, a broken tree limb, etc.), or any combinations thereof. 
     If signal degradation is detected at step  2074 , the network element can proceed to step  2076  where it can determine which object or objects may be causing the degradation, and once detected, report the detected object(s) to the network management system  1601  of  FIGS.  16 A- 16 B . Object detection can be accomplished by spectral analysis or other forms of signal analysis, environmental analysis (e.g., barometric readings, rain detection, etc.), or other suitable techniques for detecting foreign objects that may adversely affect propagation of electromagnetic waves guided by the transmission medium. For example, the network element can be configured to generate spectral data derived from an electromagnetic wave received by the network element. The network element can then compare the spectral data to a plurality of spectral profiles stored in its memory. The plurality of spectral profiles can be pre-stored in a memory of the network element, and can be used to characterize or identify obstructions that may cause a propagation loss or signal degradation when such obstructions are present on an outer surface of the transmission medium. 
     For example, an accumulation of water on an outer surface of a transmission medium, such as a thin layer of water and/or water droplets, may cause a signal degradation in electromagnetic waves guided by the transmission medium that may be identifiable by a spectral profile comprising spectral data that models such an obstruction. The spectral profile can be generated in a controlled environment (such as a laboratory or other suitable testing environment) by collecting and analyzing spectral data generated by test equipment (e.g., a waveguide system with spectrum analysis capabilities) when receiving electromagnetic waves over an outer surface of a transmission medium that has been subjected to water (e.g., simulated rain water). An obstruction such as water can generate a different spectral signature than other obstructions (e.g., a splice between transmission mediums). A unique spectral signature can be used to identify certain obstructions over others. With this technique, spectral profiles can be generated for characterizing other obstructions such as a fallen tree limb on the transmission medium, a splice, and so on. In addition to spectral profiles, thresholds can be generated for different metrics such as SNR, BER, PLR, and so on. These thresholds can be chosen by a service provider according to desired performance measures for a communication network that utilizing guided electromagnetic waves for transport of data. Some obstructions may also be detected by other methods. For example, rain water may be detected by a rain detector coupled to a network element, fallen tree limbs may be detected by a vibration detector coupled to the network element, and so on. 
     If a network element does not have access to equipment to detect objects that may be causing a degradation of electromagnetic waves, then the network element can skip step  2076  and proceed to step  2078  where it notifies one or more neighboring network elements (e.g., other waveguide system(s)  1602  in a vicinity of the network element) of the detected signal degradation. If signal degradation is significant, the network element can resort to a different medium for communicating with neighboring network element(s), such as, for example, wireless communications. Alternatively, the network element can substantially reduce the operating frequency of the guided electromagnetic waves (e.g., from 40 GHz to 1 GHz), or communicate with neighboring network elements utilizing other guided electromagnetic waves operating at a low frequency, such as a control channel (e.g., 1 MHz). A low frequency control channel may be much less susceptible to interference by the object(s) causing the signal degradation at much higher operating frequencies. 
     Once an alternate means of communication is established between network elements, at step  2080  the network element and neighboring network elements can coordinate a process to adjust the guided electromagnetic waves to mitigate the detected signal degradation. The process can include, for example, a protocol for choosing which of the network elements will perform the adjustments to the electromagnetic waves, the frequency and magnitude of adjustments, and goals to achieve a desired signal quality (e.g., QoS, BER, PLR, SNR, etc.). If, for example, the object causing the signal degradation is water accumulation on the outer surface of the transmission medium, the network elements can be configured to adjust a polarization of the electrical fields (e-fields) and/or magnetic fields (h-fields) of the electromagnetic waves to attain a radial alignment of the e-fields as shown in  FIG.  20 H . In particular,  FIG.  20 H  presents a block diagram  2001  illustrating an example, non-limiting embodiment of an alignment of e-fields of an electromagnetic wave to mitigate propagation losses due to water accumulation on a transmission medium in accordance with various aspects described herein. In this example, the longitudinal section of a cable, such as an insulated metal cable implementation of transmission medium  125 , is presented along with field vectors that illustrate the e-fields associated with guided electromagnetic waves that propagate at 40 GHz. Stronger e-fields are presented by darker field vectors relative to weaker e-fields. 
     In one embodiment, an adjustment in polarization can be accomplished by generating a specific wave mode of the electromagnetic waves (e.g., transverse magnetic (TM) mode, transverse electric (TE) mode, transverse electromagnetic (TEM) mode, or a hybrid of a TM mode and TE mode also known as an HE mode). Assuming, for example, that the network element comprises the waveguide system  1865 ′ of  FIG.  18 W , an adjustment in a polarization of e-fields can be accomplished by configuring two or more MMIC&#39;s  1870  to alter a phase, frequency, amplitude or combinations thereof of the electromagnetic waves generated by each MMIC  1870 . Certain adjustments may cause, for example, the e-fields in the region of the water film shown in  FIG.  20 H  to align perpendicularly to the surface of the water. Electric fields that are perpendicular (or approximately perpendicular) to the surface of water will induce weaker currents in the water film than e-fields parallel to the water film. By inducing weaker currents, the electromagnetic waves propagating longitudinally will experience less propagation loss. Additionally, it is also desirable for the concentration of the e-fields to extend above the water film into the air. If the concentration of e-fields in the air remains high and the majority of the total field strength is in the air instead of being concentrated in the region of the water and the insulator, then propagation losses will also be reduced. For example, e-fields of electromagnetic waves that are tightly bound to an insulation layer such as, Goubau waves (or TM 00  waves—see block diagram  2031  of  FIG.  20 K ), will experience higher propagation losses even though the e-fields may be perpendicular (or radially aligned) to the water film because more of the field strength is concentrated in the region of the water. 
     Accordingly, electromagnetic waves with e-fields perpendicular (or approximately perpendicular) to a water film having a higher proportion of the field strength in a region of air (i.e., above the water film) will experience less propagation loss than tightly bound electromagnetic waves having more field strength in the insulating or water layers or electromagnetic waves having e-fields in the direction of propagation within the region of the water film that generate greater losses. 
       FIG.  20 H  depicts, in a longitudinal view of an insulated conductor, e-field for TM 01  electromagnetic waves operating at 40 GHz.  FIGS.  20 I and  20 J , in contrast, depict cross-sectional views  2011  and  2021 , respectively, of the insulated conductor of  FIG.  20 H  illustrating the field strength of e-fields in the direction of propagation of the electromagnetic waves (i.e., e-fields directed out of the page of  FIGS.  20 I and  20 J ). The electromagnetic waves shown in  FIGS.  20 I and  20 J  have a TM 01  wave mode at 45 GHz and 40 GHz, respectively.  FIG.  20 I  shows that the intensity of the e-fields in the direction of propagation of the electromagnetic waves is high in a region between the outer surface of the insulation and the outer surface of the water film (i.e., the region of the water film). The high intensity is depicted by a light color (the lighter the color the higher the intensity of the e-fields directed out of the page).  FIG.  20 I  illustrates that there is a high concentration of e-fields polarized longitudinally in the region of the water film, which causes high currents in the water film and consequently high propagation losses. Thus, under certain circumstances, electromagnetic waves at 45 GHz (having a TM 01  wave mode) are less suitable to mitigate rain water or other obstructions located on the outer surface of the insulated conductor. 
     In contrast,  FIG.  20 J  shows that the intensity of the e-fields in the direction of propagation of the electromagnetic waves is weaker in the region of the water film. The lower intensity is depicted by the darker color in the region of the water film. The lower intensity is a result of the e-fields being polarized mostly perpendicular or radial to the water film. The radially aligned e-fields also are highly concentrated in the region of air as shown in  FIG.  20 H . Thus, electromagnetic waves at 40 GHz (having a TM 01  wave mode) produce e-fields that induce less current in the water film than 45 GHz waves with the same wave mode. Accordingly, the electromagnetic waves of  FIG.  20 J  exhibit properties more suitable for reducing propagation losses due to a water film or droplets accumulating on an outer surface of an insulated conductor. 
     Since the physical characteristics of a transmission medium can vary, and the effects of water or other obstructions on the outer surface of the transmission medium may cause non-linear effects, it may not always be possible to precisely model all circumstances so as to achieve the e-field polarization and e-field concentration in air depicted in  FIG.  20 H  on a first iteration of step  2082 . To increase a speed of the mitigation process, a network element can be configured to choose from a look-up table at step  2086  a starting point for adjusting electromagnetic waves. In one embodiment, entries of the look-up table can be searched for matches to a type of object detected at step  2076  (e.g., rain water). In another embodiment, the look-up table can be searched for matches to spectral data derived from the affected electromagnetic wave received by the network elements. Table entries can provide specific parameters for adjusting electromagnetic waves (e.g., frequency, phase, amplitude, wave mode, etc.) to achieve at least a coarse adjustment that achieves similar e-field properties as shown in  FIG.  20 H . A coarse adjustment can serve to improve the likelihood of converging on a solution that achieves the desirable propagation properties previously discussed in relation to  FIGS.  20 H and  20 J . 
     Once a coarse adjustment is made at step  2086 , the network element can determine at step  2084  whether the adjustment has improved signal quality to a desirable target. Step  2084  can be implemented by a cooperative exchange between network elements. For example, suppose the network element at step  2086  generates an adjusted electromagnetic wave according to parameters obtained from the look-up table and transmits the adjusted electromagnetic wave to a neighboring network element. At step  2084  the network element can determine whether the adjustment has improved signal quality by receiving feedback from a neighboring network element receiving the adjusted electromagnetic waves, analyzing the quality of the received waves according to agreed target goals, and providing the results to the network element. Similarly, the network element can test adjusted electromagnetic waves received from neighboring network elements and can provide feedback to the neighboring network elements including the results of the analysis. While a particular search algorithm is discussed above, other search algorithms such as a gradient search, genetic algorithm, global search or other optimization techniques can likewise be employed. Accordingly, steps  2082 ,  2086  and  2084  represent an adjustment and testing process performed by the network element and its neighbor(s). 
     With this in mind, if at step  2084  a network element (or its neighbors) determine that signal quality has not achieved one or more desired parametric targets (e.g., SNR, BER, PLR, etc.), then incremental adjustments can begin at step  2082  for each of the network element and its neighbors. At step  2082 , the network element (and/or its neighbors) can be configured to adjust a magnitude, phase, frequency, wave mode and/or other tunable features of the electromagnetic waves incrementally until a target goal is achieved. To perform these adjustments, a network element (and its neighbors) can be configured with the waveguide system  1865 ′ of  FIG.  18 W . The network element (and its neighbors) can utilize two or more MMIC&#39;s  1870  to incrementally adjust one or more operational parameters of the electromagnetic waves to achieve e-fields polarized in a particular direction (e.g., away from the direction of propagation in the region of the water film). The two or more MMIC&#39;s  1870  can also be configured to incrementally adjust one or more operational parameters of the electromagnetic waves that achieve e-fields having a high concentration in a region of air (outside the obstruction). 
     The iteration process can be a trial-and-error process coordinated between network elements to reduce a time for converging on a solution that improves upstream and downstream communications. As part of the coordination process, for example, one network element can be configured to adjust a magnitude but not a wave mode of the electromagnetic waves, while another network element can be configured to adjust the wave mode and not the magnitude. The number of iterations and combination of adjustments to achieve desirable properties in the electromagnetic waves to mitigate obstructions on an outer surface of a transmission medium can be established by a service provider according to experimentation and/or simulations and programmed into the network elements. 
     Once the network element(s) detect at step  2084  that signal quality of upstream and downstream electromagnetic waves has improved to a desirable level that achieves one or more parametric targets (e.g. SNR, BER, PLR, etc.), the network elements can proceed to step  2088  and resume communications according to the adjusted upstream and downstream electromagnetic waves. While communications take place at step  2088 , the network elements can be configured to transmit upstream and downstream test signals based on the original electromagnetic waves to determine if the signal quality of such waves has improved. These test signals can be transmitted at periodic intervals (e.g., once every 30 seconds or other suitable periods). Each network element can, for example, analyze spectral data of the received test signals to determine if they achieve a desirable spectral profile and/or other parametric target (e.g. SNR, BER, PLR, etc.). If the signal quality has not improved or has improved nominally, the network elements can be configured to continue communications at step  2088  utilizing the adjusted upstream and downstream electromagnetic waves. 
     If, however, signal quality has improved enough to revert back to utilizing the original electromagnetic waves, then the network element(s) can proceed to step  2092  to restore settings (e.g., original wave mode, original magnitude, original frequency, original phase, original spatial orientation, etc.) that produce the original electromagnetic waves. Signal quality may improve as a result of a removal of the obstruction (e.g., rain water evaporates, field personnel remove a fallen tree limb, etc.). At step  2094 , the network elements can initiate communications utilizing the original electromagnetic waves and perform upstream and downstream tests. If the network elements determine at step  2096  from tests performed at step  2094  that signal quality of the original electromagnetic waves is satisfactory, then the network elements can resume communications with the original electromagnetic waves and proceed to step  2072  and subsequent steps as previously described. 
     A successful test can be determined at step  2096  by analyzing test signals according to parametric targets associated with the original electromagnetic waves (e.g., BER, SNR, PLR, etc.). If the tests performed at step  2094  are determined to be unsuccessful at step  2096 , the network element(s) can proceed to steps  2082 ,  2086  and  2084  as previously described. Since a prior adjustment to the upstream and downstream electromagnetic waves may have already been determined successfully, the network element(s) can restore the settings used for the previously adjusted electromagnetic waves. Accordingly, a single iteration of any one of steps  2082 ,  2086  and  2084  may be sufficient to return to step  2088 . 
     It should be noted that in some embodiments restoring the original electromagnetic waves may be desirable if, for example, data throughput when using the original electromagnetic waves is better than data throughput when using the adjusted electromagnetic waves. However, when data throughput of the adjusted electromagnetic waves is better or substantially close to the data throughput of the original electromagnetic waves, the network element(s) may instead be configured to continue from step  2088 . 
     It is also noted that although  FIGS.  20 H and  20 K  describe a TM01 wave mode, other wave modes (e.g., HE waves, TE waves, TEM waves, etc.) or combination of wave modes may achieve the desired effects shown in  FIG.  20 H . Accordingly, a wave mode singly or in combination with one or more other wave modes may generate electromagnetic waves with e-field properties that reduce propagation losses as described in relation to  FIGS.  20 H and  20 J . Such wave modes are therefore contemplated as possible wave modes the network elements can be configured to produce. 
     It is further noted that method  2070  can be adapted to generate at steps  2082  or  2086  other wave modes that may not be subject to a cutoff frequency. For example,  FIG.  20 L  depicts a block diagram  2041  of an example, non-limiting embodiment of electric fields of a hybrid wave in accordance with various aspects described herein. Waves having an HE mode have linearly polarized e-fields which point away from a direction of propagation of electromagnetic waves and can be perpendicular (or approximately perpendicular) to a region of obstruction (e.g., water film shown in  FIGS.  20 H- 20 J ). Waves with an HE mode can be configured to generate e-fields that extend substantially outside of an outer surface of an insulated conductor so that more of the total accumulated field strength is in air. Accordingly, some electromagnetic waves having an HE mode can exhibit properties of a large wave mode with e-fields orthogonal or approximately orthogonal to a region of obstruction. As described earlier, such properties can reduce propagation losses. Electromagnetic waves having an HE mode also have the unique property that they do not have a cutoff frequency (i.e., they can operate near DC) unlike other wave modes which have non-zero cutoff frequencies. 
     Turning now to  FIG.  20 M , a block diagram  2051  illustrating an example, non-limiting embodiment of electric field characteristics of a hybrid wave versus a Goubau wave in accordance with various aspects described herein is shown. Diagram  2053  shows a distribution of energy between HE 11  mode waves and Goubau waves for an insulated conductor. The energy plots of diagram  2053  assume that the amount of power used to generate the Goubau waves is the same as the HE 11  waves (i.e., the area under the energy curves is the same). In the illustration of diagram  2053 , Goubau waves have a steep drop in power when Goubau waves extend beyond the outer surface of an insulated conductor, while HE 11  waves have a substantially lower drop in power beyond the insulation layer. Consequently, Goubau waves have a higher concentration of energy near the insulation layer than HE 11  waves. Diagram  2055  depicts similar Goubau and HE 11  energy curves when a water film is present on the outer surface of the insulator. The difference between the energy curves of diagrams  2053  and  2055  is that the drop in power for the Goubau and the HE 11  energy curves begins on an outer edge of the insulator for diagram  2053  and on an outer edge of the water film for diagram  2055 . The energy curves diagrams  2053  and  2055 , however, depict the same behavior. That is, the electric fields of Goubau waves are tightly bound to the insulation layer, which when exposed to water results in greater propagation losses than electric fields of HE 11  waves having a higher concentration outside the insulation layer and the water film. These properties are depicted in the HE 11  and Goubau diagrams  2057  and  2059 , respectively. 
     By adjusting an operating frequency of HE 11  waves, e-fields of HE 11  waves can be configured to extend substantially above a thin water film as shown in block diagram  2061  of  FIG.  20 N  having a greater accumulated field strength in areas in the air when compared to fields in the insulator and a water layer surrounding the outside of the insulator.  FIG.  20 N  depicts a wire having a radius of 1 cm and an insulation radius of 1.5 cm with a dielectric constant of 2.25. As the operating frequency of HE 11  waves is reduced, the e-fields extend outwardly expanding the size of the wave mode. At certain operating frequencies (e.g., 3 GHz) the wave mode expansion can be substantially greater than the diameter of the insulated wire and any obstructions that may be present on the insulated wire. 
     By having e-fields that are perpendicular to a water film and by placing most of its energy outside the water film, HE 11  waves have less propagation loss than Goubau waves when a transmission medium is subjected to water or other obstructions. Although Goubau waves have radial e-fields which are desirable, the waves are tightly coupled to the insulation layer, which results in the e-fields being highly concentrated in the region of an obstruction. Consequently, Goubau waves are still subject to high propagation losses when an obstruction such as a water film is present on the outer surface of an insulated conductor. 
     Turning now to  FIGS.  21 A and  21 B , block diagrams illustrating example, non-limiting embodiments of a waveguide system  2100  for launching hybrid waves in accordance with various aspects described herein is shown. The waveguide system  2100  can comprise probes  2102  coupled to a slideable or rotatable mechanism  2104  that enables the probes  2102  to be placed at different positions or orientations relative to an outer surface of an insulated conductor  2108 . The mechanism  2104  can comprise a coaxial feed  2106  or other coupling that enables transmission of electromagnetic waves by the probes  2102 . The coaxial feed  2106  can be placed at a position on the mechanism  2104  so that the path difference between the probes  2102  is one-half a wavelength or some odd integer multiple thereof. When the probes  2102  generate electromagnetic signals of opposite phase, electromagnetic waves can be induced on the outer surface of the insulated conductor  2108  having a hybrid mode (such as an HE 11  mode). 
     The mechanism  2104  can also be coupled to a motor or other actuator (not shown) for moving the probes  2102  to a desirable position. In one embodiment, for example, the waveguide system  2100  can comprise a controller that directs the motor to rotate the probes  2102  (assuming they are rotatable) to a different position (e.g., east and west) to generate electromagnetic waves that have a horizontally polarized HE 11  mode as shown in a block diagram  2200  of  FIG.  22   . To guide the electromagnetic waves onto the outer surface of the insulated conductor  2108 , the waveguide system  2100  can further comprise a tapered horn  2110  shown in  FIG.  21 B . The tapered horn  2110  can be coaxially aligned with the insulated conductor  2108 . To reduce the cross-sectional dimension of the tapered horn  2110 , an additional insulation layer (not shown) can placed on the insulated conductor  2108 . The additional insulation layer can be similar to the tapered insulation layer  1879  shown in  FIGS.  18 Q and  18 R . The additional insulation layer can have a tapered end that points away from the tapered horn  2110 . The tapered insulation layer  1879  can reduce a size of an initial electromagnetic wave launched according to an HE 11  mode. As the electromagnetic waves propagate towards the tapered end of the insulation layer, the HE 11  mode expands until it reaches its full size as shown in  FIG.  22   . In other embodiments, the waveguide system  2100  may not need to use the tapered insulation layer  1879 . 
       FIG.  22    illustrates that HE 11  mode waves can be used to mitigate obstructions such as rain water. For example, suppose that rain water has caused a water film to surround an outer surface of the insulated conductor  2108  as shown in  FIG.  22   . Further assume that water droplets have collected at the bottom of the insulated conductor  2108 . As illustrated in  FIG.  22   , the water film occupies a small fraction of the total HE 11  wave. Also, by having horizontally polarized HE 11  waves, the water droplets are in a least-intense area of the HE 11  waves reducing losses caused by the droplets. Consequently, the HE 11  waves experience much lower propagation losses than Goubau waves or waves having a mode that is tightly coupled to the insulated conductor  2108  and thus greater energy in the areas occupied by the water. 
     It is submitted that the waveguide system  2100  of  FIGS.  21 A- 21 B  can be replaced with other waveguide systems of the subject disclosure capable of generating electromagnetic waves having an HE mode. For example, the waveguide system  1865 ′ of  FIG.  18 W  can be configured to generate electromagnetic waves having an HE mode. In an embodiment, two or more MMIC&#39;s  1870  of the waveguide system  1865 ′ can be configured to generate electromagnetic waves of opposite phase to generate polarized e-fields such as those present in an HE mode. In another embodiment, different pairs of MMIC&#39;s  1870  can be selected to generate HE waves that are polarized at different spatial positions (e.g., north and south, west and east, northwest and southeast, northeast and southeast, or other sub-fractional coordinates). Additionally, the waveguide systems of  FIGS.  18 N- 18 W  can be configured to launch electromagnetic waves having an HE mode onto the core  1852  of one or more embodiments of cable  1850  suitable for propagating HE mode waves. 
     Although HE waves can have desirable characteristics for mitigating obstructions on a transmission medium, it is submitted that certain wave modes having a cutoff frequency (e.g., TE modes, TM modes, TEM modes or combinations thereof) may also exhibit waves that are sufficiently large and have polarized e-fields that are orthogonal (or approximately orthogonal) to a region of an obstruction enabling their use for mitigating propagation losses caused by the obstruction. Method  2070  can be adapted, for example, to generate such wave modes from a look-up table at step  2086 . Wave modes having a cutoff frequency that exhibit, for example, a wave mode larger than the obstruction and polarized e-fields perpendicular (or approximately perpendicular) to the obstruction can be determined by experimentation and/or simulation. Once a combination of parameters (e.g., magnitude, phase, frequency, wave mode(s), spatial positioning, etc.) for generating one or more waves with cutoff frequencies having low propagation loss properties is determined, the parametric results for each wave can be stored in a look-up table in a memory of a waveguide system. Similarly, wave modes with cutoff frequencies exhibiting properties that reduce propagation losses can also be generated iteratively by any of the search algorithms previously described in the process of steps  2082 - 2084 . 
     While for purposes of simplicity of explanation, the respective processes are shown and described as a series of blocks in  FIG.  20 G , it is to be understood and appreciated that the claimed subject matter is not limited by the order of the blocks, as some blocks may occur in different orders and/or concurrently with other blocks from what is depicted and described herein. Moreover, not all illustrated blocks may be required to implement the methods described herein. 
     Referring now to  FIG.  23   , there is illustrated a block diagram of a computing environment in accordance with various aspects described herein. In order to provide additional context for various embodiments of the embodiments described herein,  FIG.  23    and the following discussion are intended to provide a brief, general description of a suitable computing environment  2300  in which the various embodiments of the subject disclosure can be implemented. While the embodiments have been described above in the general context of computer-executable instructions that can run on one or more computers, those skilled in the art will recognize that the embodiments can be also implemented in combination with other program modules and/or as a combination of hardware and software. 
     Generally, program modules comprise routines, programs, components, data structures, etc., that perform particular tasks or implement particular abstract data types. Moreover, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the inventive methods can be practiced with other computer system configurations, comprising single-processor or multiprocessor computer systems, minicomputers, mainframe computers, as well as personal computers, hand-held computing devices, microprocessor-based or programmable consumer electronics, and the like, each of which can be operatively coupled to one or more associated devices. 
     As used herein, a processing circuit includes processor as well as other application specific circuits such as an application specific integrated circuit, digital logic circuit, state machine, programmable gate array or other circuit that processes input signals or data and that produces output signals or data in response thereto. It should be noted that while any functions and features described herein in association with the operation of a processor could likewise be performed by a processing circuit. 
     The terms “first,” “second,” “third,” and so forth, as used in the claims, unless otherwise clear by context, is for clarity only and doesn&#39;t otherwise indicate or imply any order in time. For instance, “a first determination,” “a second determination,” and “a third determination,” does not indicate or imply that the first determination is to be made before the second determination, or vice versa, etc. 
     The illustrated embodiments of the embodiments herein can be also practiced in distributed computing environments where certain tasks are performed by remote processing devices that are linked through a communications network. In a distributed computing environment, program modules can be located in both local and remote memory storage devices. 
     Computing devices typically comprise a variety of media, which can comprise computer-readable storage media and/or communications media, which two terms are used herein differently from one another as follows. Computer-readable storage media can be any available storage media that can be accessed by the computer and comprises both volatile and nonvolatile media, removable and non-removable media. By way of example, and not limitation, computer-readable storage media can be implemented in connection with any method or technology for storage of information such as computer-readable instructions, program modules, structured data or unstructured data. 
     Computer-readable storage media can comprise, but are not limited to, random access memory (RAM), read only memory (ROM), electrically erasable programmable read only memory (EEPROM), flash memory or other memory technology, compact disk read only memory (CD-ROM), digital versatile disk (DVD) or other optical disk storage, magnetic cassettes, magnetic tape, magnetic disk storage or other magnetic storage devices or other tangible and/or non-transitory media which can be used to store desired information. In this regard, the terms “tangible” or “non-transitory” herein as applied to storage, memory or computer-readable media, are to be understood to exclude only propagating transitory signals per se as modifiers and do not relinquish rights to all standard storage, memory or computer-readable media that are not only propagating transitory signals per se. 
     Computer-readable storage media can be accessed by one or more local or remote computing devices, e.g., via access requests, queries or other data retrieval protocols, for a variety of operations with respect to the information stored by the medium. 
     Communications media typically embody computer-readable instructions, data structures, program modules or other structured or unstructured data in a data signal such as a modulated data signal, e.g., a carrier wave or other transport mechanism, and comprises any information delivery or transport media. The term “modulated data signal” or signals refers to a signal that has one or more of its characteristics set or changed in such a manner as to encode information in one or more signals. By way of example, and not limitation, communication media comprise wired media, such as a wired network or direct-wired connection, and wireless media such as acoustic, RF, infrared and other wireless media. 
     With reference again to  FIG.  23   , the example environment  2300  for transmitting and receiving signals via or forming at least part of a base station (e.g., base station devices  1504 , macrocell site  1502 , or base stations  1614 ) or central office (e.g., central office  1501  or  1611 ). At least a portion of the example environment  2300  can also be used for transmission devices  101  or  102 . The example environment can comprise a computer  2302 , the computer  2302  comprising a processing unit  2304 , a system memory  2306  and a system bus  2308 . The system bus  2308  couple&#39;s system components including, but not limited to, the system memory  2306  to the processing unit  2304 . The processing unit  2304  can be any of various commercially available processors. Dual microprocessors and other multiprocessor architectures can also be employed as the processing unit  2304 . 
     The system bus  2308  can be any of several types of bus structure that can further interconnect to a memory bus (with or without a memory controller), a peripheral bus, and a local bus using any of a variety of commercially available bus architectures. The system memory  2306  comprises ROM  2310  and RAM  2312 . A basic input/output system (BIOS) can be stored in a non-volatile memory such as ROM, erasable programmable read only memory (EPROM), EEPROM, which BIOS contains the basic routines that help to transfer information between elements within the computer  2302 , such as during startup. The RAM  2312  can also comprise a high-speed RAM such as static RAM for caching data. 
     The computer  2302  further comprises an internal hard disk drive (HDD)  2314  (e.g., EIDE, SATA), which internal hard disk drive  2314  can also be configured for external use in a suitable chassis (not shown), a magnetic floppy disk drive (FDD)  2316 , (e.g., to read from or write to a removable diskette  2318 ) and an optical disk drive  2320 , (e.g., reading a CD-ROM disk  2322  or, to read from or write to other high capacity optical media such as the DVD). The hard disk drive  2314 , magnetic disk drive  2316  and optical disk drive  2320  can be connected to the system bus  2308  by a hard disk drive interface  2324 , a magnetic disk drive interface  2326  and an optical drive interface  2328 , respectively. The interface  2324  for external drive implementations comprises at least one or both of Universal Serial Bus (USB) and Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) 1394 interface technologies. Other external drive connection technologies are within contemplation of the embodiments described herein. 
     The drives and their associated computer-readable storage media provide nonvolatile storage of data, data structures, computer-executable instructions, and so forth. For the computer  2302 , the drives and storage media accommodate the storage of any data in a suitable digital format. Although the description of computer-readable storage media above refers to a hard disk drive (HDD), a removable magnetic diskette, and a removable optical media such as a CD or DVD, it should be appreciated by those skilled in the art that other types of storage media which are readable by a computer, such as zip drives, magnetic cassettes, flash memory cards, cartridges, and the like, can also be used in the example operating environment, and further, that any such storage media can contain computer-executable instructions for performing the methods described herein. 
     A number of program modules can be stored in the drives and RAM  2312 , comprising an operating system  2330 , one or more application programs  2332 , other program modules  2334  and program data  2336 . All or portions of the operating system, applications, modules, and/or data can also be cached in the RAM  2312 . The systems and methods described herein can be implemented utilizing various commercially available operating systems or combinations of operating systems. Examples of application programs  2332  that can be implemented and otherwise executed by processing unit  2304  include the diversity selection determining performed by transmission device  101  or  102 . 
     A user can enter commands and information into the computer  2302  through one or more wired/wireless input devices, e.g., a keyboard  2338  and a pointing device, such as a mouse  2340 . Other input devices (not shown) can comprise a microphone, an infrared (IR) remote control, a joystick, a game pad, a stylus pen, touch screen or the like. These and other input devices are often connected to the processing unit  2304  through an input device interface  2342  that can be coupled to the system bus  2308 , but can be connected by other interfaces, such as a parallel port, an IEEE 1394 serial port, a game port, a universal serial bus (USB) port, an IR interface, etc. 
     A monitor  2344  or other type of display device can be also connected to the system bus  2308  via an interface, such as a video adapter  2346 . It will also be appreciated that in alternative embodiments, a monitor  2344  can also be any display device (e.g., another computer having a display, a smart phone, a tablet computer, etc.) for receiving display information associated with computer  2302  via any communication means, including via the Internet and cloud-based networks. In addition to the monitor  2344 , a computer typically comprises other peripheral output devices (not shown), such as speakers, printers, etc. 
     The computer  2302  can operate in a networked environment using logical connections via wired and/or wireless communications to one or more remote computers, such as a remote computer(s)  2348 . The remote computer(s)  2348  can be a workstation, a server computer, a router, a personal computer, portable computer, microprocessor-based entertainment appliance, a peer device or other common network node, and typically comprises many or all of the elements described relative to the computer  2302 , although, for purposes of brevity, only a memory/storage device  2350  is illustrated. The logical connections depicted comprise wired/wireless connectivity to a local area network (LAN)  2352  and/or larger networks, e.g., a wide area network (WAN)  2354 . Such LAN and WAN networking environments are commonplace in offices and companies, and facilitate enterprise-wide computer networks, such as intranets, all of which can connect to a global communications network, e.g., the Internet. 
     When used in a LAN networking environment, the computer  2302  can be connected to the local network  2352  through a wired and/or wireless communication network interface or adapter  2356 . The adapter  2356  can facilitate wired or wireless communication to the LAN  2352 , which can also comprise a wireless AP disposed thereon for communicating with the wireless adapter  2356 . 
     When used in a WAN networking environment, the computer  2302  can comprise a modem  2358  or can be connected to a communications server on the WAN  2354  or has other means for establishing communications over the WAN  2354 , such as by way of the Internet. The modem  2358 , which can be internal or external and a wired or wireless device, can be connected to the system bus  2308  via the input device interface  2342 . In a networked environment, program modules depicted relative to the computer  2302  or portions thereof, can be stored in the remote memory/storage device  2350 . It will be appreciated that the network connections shown are example and other means of establishing a communications link between the computers can be used. 
     The computer  2302  can be operable to communicate with any wireless devices or entities operatively disposed in wireless communication, e.g., a printer, scanner, desktop and/or portable computer, portable data assistant, communications satellite, any piece of equipment or location associated with a wirelessly detectable tag (e.g., a kiosk, news stand, restroom), and telephone. This can comprise Wireless Fidelity (Wi-Fi) and BLUETOOTH® wireless technologies. Thus, the communication can be a predefined structure as with a conventional network or simply an ad hoc communication between at least two devices. 
     Wi-Fi can allow connection to the Internet from a couch at home, a bed in a hotel room or a conference room at work, without wires. Wi-Fi is a wireless technology similar to that used in a cell phone that enables such devices, e.g., computers, to send and receive data indoors and out; anywhere within the range of a base station. Wi-Fi networks use radio technologies called IEEE 802.11 (a, b, g, n, ac, ag etc.) to provide secure, reliable, fast wireless connectivity. A Wi-Fi network can be used to connect computers to each other, to the Internet, and to wired networks (which can use IEEE 802.3 or Ethernet). Wi-Fi networks operate in the unlicensed 2.4 and 5 GHz radio bands for example or with products that contain both bands (dual band), so the networks can provide real-world performance similar to the basic 10BaseT wired Ethernet networks used in many offices. 
       FIG.  24    presents an example embodiment  2400  of a mobile network platform  2410  that can implement and exploit one or more aspects of the disclosed subject matter described herein. In one or more embodiments, the mobile network platform  2410  can generate and receive signals transmitted and received by base stations (e.g., base station devices  1504 , macrocell site  1502 , or base stations  1614 ), central office (e.g., central office  1501  or  1611 ), or transmission device  101  or  102  associated with the disclosed subject matter. Generally, wireless network platform  2410  can comprise components, e.g., nodes, gateways, interfaces, servers, or disparate platforms, that facilitate both packet-switched (PS) (e.g., internet protocol (IP), frame relay, asynchronous transfer mode (ATM)) and circuit-switched (CS) traffic (e.g., voice and data), as well as control generation for networked wireless telecommunication. As a non-limiting example, wireless network platform  2410  can be included in telecommunications carrier networks, and can be considered carrier-side components as discussed elsewhere herein. Mobile network platform  2410  comprises CS gateway node(s)  2422  which can interface CS traffic received from legacy networks like telephony network(s)  2440  (e.g., public switched telephone network (PSTN), or public land mobile network (PLMN)) or a signaling system #7 (SS7) network  2470 . Circuit switched gateway node(s)  2422  can authorize and authenticate traffic (e.g., voice) arising from such networks. Additionally, CS gateway node(s)  2422  can access mobility, or roaming, data generated through SS7 network  2470 ; for instance, mobility data stored in a visited location register (VLR), which can reside in memory  2430 . Moreover, CS gateway node(s)  2422  interfaces CS-based traffic and signaling and PS gateway node(s)  2418 . As an example, in a 3GPP UMTS network, CS gateway node(s)  2422  can be realized at least in part in gateway GPRS support node(s) (GGSN). It should be appreciated that functionality and specific operation of CS gateway node(s)  2422 , PS gateway node(s)  2418 , and serving node(s)  2416 , is provided and dictated by radio technology(ies) utilized by mobile network platform  2410  for telecommunication. 
     In addition to receiving and processing CS-switched traffic and signaling, PS gateway node(s)  2418  can authorize and authenticate PS-based data sessions with served mobile devices. Data sessions can comprise traffic, or content(s), exchanged with networks external to the wireless network platform  2410 , like wide area network(s) (WANs)  2450 , enterprise network(s)  2470 , and service network(s)  2480 , which can be embodied in local area network(s) (LANs), can also be interfaced with mobile network platform  2410  through PS gateway node(s)  2418 . It is to be noted that WANs  2450  and enterprise network(s)  2460  can embody, at least in part, a service network(s) like IP multimedia subsystem (IMS). Based on radio technology layer(s) available in technology resource(s)  2417 , packet-switched gateway node(s)  2418  can generate packet data protocol contexts when a data session is established; other data structures that facilitate routing of packetized data also can be generated. To that end, in an aspect, PS gateway node(s)  2418  can comprise a tunnel interface (e.g., tunnel termination gateway (TTG) in 3GPP UMTS network(s) (not shown)) which can facilitate packetized communication with disparate wireless network(s), such as Wi-Fi networks. 
     In embodiment  2400 , wireless network platform  2410  also comprises serving node(s)  2416  that, based upon available radio technology layer(s) within technology resource(s)  2417 , convey the various packetized flows of data streams received through PS gateway node(s)  2418 . It is to be noted that for technology resource(s)  2417  that rely primarily on CS communication, server node(s) can deliver traffic without reliance on PS gateway node(s)  2418 ; for example, server node(s) can embody at least in part a mobile switching center. As an example, in a 3GPP UMTS network, serving node(s)  2416  can be embodied in serving GPRS support node(s) (SGSN). 
     For radio technologies that exploit packetized communication, server(s)  2414  in wireless network platform  2410  can execute numerous applications that can generate multiple disparate packetized data streams or flows, and manage (e.g., schedule, queue, format . . . ) such flows. Such application(s) can comprise add-on features to standard services (for example, provisioning, billing, customer support . . . ) provided by wireless network platform  2410 . Data streams (e.g., content(s) that are part of a voice call or data session) can be conveyed to PS gateway node(s)  2418  for authorization/authentication and initiation of a data session, and to serving node(s)  2416  for communication thereafter. In addition to application server, server(s)  2414  can comprise utility server(s), a utility server can comprise a provisioning server, an operations and maintenance server, a security server that can implement at least in part a certificate authority and firewalls as well as other security mechanisms, and the like. In an aspect, security server(s) secure communication served through wireless network platform  2410  to ensure network&#39;s operation and data integrity in addition to authorization and authentication procedures that CS gateway node(s)  2422  and PS gateway node(s)  2418  can enact. Moreover, provisioning server(s) can provision services from external network(s) like networks operated by a disparate service provider; for instance, WAN  2450  or Global Positioning System (GPS) network(s) (not shown). Provisioning server(s) can also provision coverage through networks associated to wireless network platform  2410  (e.g., deployed and operated by the same service provider), such as the distributed antennas networks shown in  FIG.  1 ( s )  that enhance wireless service coverage by providing more network coverage. Repeater devices such as those shown in  FIGS.  7 ,  8 , and  9    also improve network coverage in order to enhance subscriber service experience by way of UE  2475 . 
     It is to be noted that server(s)  2414  can comprise one or more processors configured to confer at least in part the functionality of macro network platform  2410 . To that end, the one or more processor can execute code instructions stored in memory  2430 , for example. It is should be appreciated that server(s)  2414  can comprise a content manager  2415 , which operates in substantially the same manner as described hereinbefore. 
     In example embodiment  2400 , memory  2430  can store information related to operation of wireless network platform  2410 . Other operational information can comprise provisioning information of mobile devices served through wireless platform network  2410 , subscriber databases; application intelligence, pricing schemes, e.g., promotional rates, flat-rate programs, couponing campaigns; technical specification(s) consistent with telecommunication protocols for operation of disparate radio, or wireless, technology layers; and so forth. Memory  2430  can also store information from at least one of telephony network(s)  2440 , WAN  2450 , enterprise network(s)  2470 , or SS7 network  2460 . In an aspect, memory  2430  can be, for example, accessed as part of a data store component or as a remotely connected memory store. 
     In order to provide a context for the various aspects of the disclosed subject matter,  FIG.  24   , and the following discussion, are intended to provide a brief, general description of a suitable environment in which the various aspects of the disclosed subject matter can be implemented. While the subject matter has been described above in the general context of computer-executable instructions of a computer program that runs on a computer and/or computers, those skilled in the art will recognize that the disclosed subject matter also can be implemented in combination with other program modules. Generally, program modules comprise routines, programs, components, data structures, etc. that perform particular tasks and/or implement particular abstract data types. 
       FIG.  25    depicts an illustrative embodiment of a communication device  2500 . The communication device  2500  can serve as an illustrative embodiment of devices such as mobile devices and in-building devices referred to by the subject disclosure (e.g., in  FIGS.  15 ,  16 A and  16 B ). 
     The communication device  2500  can comprise a wireline and/or wireless transceiver  2502  (herein transceiver  2502 ), a user interface (UI)  2504 , a power supply  2514 , a location receiver  2516 , a motion sensor  2518 , an orientation sensor  2520 , and a controller  2506  for managing operations thereof. The transceiver  2502  can support short-range or long-range wireless access technologies such as Bluetooth®, ZigBee®, WiFi, DECT, or cellular communication technologies, just to mention a few (Bluetooth® and ZigBee® are trademarks registered by the Bluetooth® Special Interest Group and the ZigBee® Alliance, respectively). Cellular technologies can include, for example, CDMA-1X, UMTS/HSDPA, GSM/GPRS, TDMA/EDGE, EV/DO, WiMAX, SDR, LTE, as well as other next generation wireless communication technologies as they arise. The transceiver  2502  can also be adapted to support circuit-switched wireline access technologies (such as PSTN), packet-switched wireline access technologies (such as TCP/IP, VoIP, etc.), and combinations thereof. 
     The UI  2504  can include a depressible or touch-sensitive keypad  2508  with a navigation mechanism such as a roller ball, a joystick, a mouse, or a navigation disk for manipulating operations of the communication device  2500 . The keypad  2508  can be an integral part of a housing assembly of the communication device  2500  or an independent device operably coupled thereto by a tethered wireline interface (such as a USB cable) or a wireless interface supporting for example Bluetooth®. The keypad  2508  can represent a numeric keypad commonly used by phones, and/or a QWERTY keypad with alphanumeric keys. The UI  2504  can further include a display  2510  such as monochrome or color LCD (Liquid Crystal Display), OLED (Organic Light Emitting Diode) or other suitable display technology for conveying images to an end user of the communication device  2500 . In an embodiment where the display  2510  is touch-sensitive, a portion or all of the keypad  2508  can be presented by way of the display  2510  with navigation features. 
     The display  2510  can use touch screen technology to also serve as a user interface for detecting user input. As a touch screen display, the communication device  2500  can be adapted to present a user interface having graphical user interface (GUI) elements that can be selected by a user with a touch of a finger. The touch screen display  2510  can be equipped with capacitive, resistive or other forms of sensing technology to detect how much surface area of a user&#39;s finger has been placed on a portion of the touch screen display. This sensing information can be used to control the manipulation of the GUI elements or other functions of the user interface. The display  2510  can be an integral part of the housing assembly of the communication device  2500  or an independent device communicatively coupled thereto by a tethered wireline interface (such as a cable) or a wireless interface. 
     The UI  2504  can also include an audio system  2512  that utilizes audio technology for conveying low volume audio (such as audio heard in proximity of a human ear) and high volume audio (such as speakerphone for hands free operation). The audio system  2512  can further include a microphone for receiving audible signals of an end user. The audio system  2512  can also be used for voice recognition applications. The UI  2504  can further include an image sensor  2513  such as a charged coupled device (CCD) camera for capturing still or moving images. 
     The power supply  2514  can utilize common power management technologies such as replaceable and rechargeable batteries, supply regulation technologies, and/or charging system technologies for supplying energy to the components of the communication device  2500  to facilitate long-range or short-range portable communications. Alternatively, or in combination, the charging system can utilize external power sources such as DC power supplied over a physical interface such as a USB port or other suitable tethering technologies. 
     The location receiver  2516  can utilize location technology such as a global positioning system (GPS) receiver capable of assisted GPS for identifying a location of the communication device  2500  based on signals generated by a constellation of GPS satellites, which can be used for facilitating location services such as navigation. The motion sensor  2518  can utilize motion sensing technology such as an accelerometer, a gyroscope, or other suitable motion sensing technology to detect motion of the communication device  2500  in three-dimensional space. The orientation sensor  2520  can utilize orientation sensing technology such as a magnetometer to detect the orientation of the communication device  2500  (north, south, west, and east, as well as combined orientations in degrees, minutes, or other suitable orientation metrics). 
     The communication device  2500  can use the transceiver  2502  to also determine a proximity to a cellular, WiFi, Bluetooth®, or other wireless access points by sensing techniques such as utilizing a received signal strength indicator (RSSI) and/or signal time of arrival (TOA) or time of flight (TOF) measurements. The controller  2506  can utilize computing technologies such as a microprocessor, a digital signal processor (DSP), programmable gate arrays, application specific integrated circuits, and/or a video processor with associated storage memory such as Flash, ROM, RAM, SRAM, DRAM or other storage technologies for executing computer instructions, controlling, and processing data supplied by the aforementioned components of the communication device  2500 . 
     Other components not shown in  FIG.  25    can be used in one or more embodiments of the subject disclosure. For instance, the communication device  2500  can include a slot for adding or removing an identity module such as a Subscriber Identity Module (SIM) card or Universal Integrated Circuit Card (UICC). SIM or UICC cards can be used for identifying subscriber services, executing programs, storing subscriber data, and so on. 
     In the subject specification, terms such as “store,” “storage,” “data store,” data storage,” “database,” and substantially any other information storage component relevant to operation and functionality of a component, refer to “memory components,” or entities embodied in a “memory” or components comprising the memory. It will be appreciated that the memory components described herein can be either volatile memory or nonvolatile memory, or can comprise both volatile and nonvolatile memory, by way of illustration, and not limitation, volatile memory, non-volatile memory, disk storage, and memory storage. Further, nonvolatile memory can be included in read only memory (ROM), programmable ROM (PROM), electrically programmable ROM (EPROM), electrically erasable ROM (EEPROM), or flash memory. Volatile memory can comprise random access memory (RAM), which acts as external cache memory. By way of illustration and not limitation, RAM is available in many forms such as synchronous RAM (SRAM), dynamic RAM (DRAM), synchronous DRAM (SDRAM), double data rate SDRAM (DDR SDRAM), enhanced SDRAM (ESDRAM), Synchlink DRAM (SLDRAM), and direct Rambus RAM (DRRAM). Additionally, the disclosed memory components of systems or methods herein are intended to comprise, without being limited to comprising, these and any other suitable types of memory. 
     Moreover, it will be noted that the disclosed subject matter can be practiced with other computer system configurations, comprising single-processor or multiprocessor computer systems, mini-computing devices, mainframe computers, as well as personal computers, hand-held computing devices (e.g., PDA, phone, smartphone, watch, tablet computers, netbook computers, etc.), microprocessor-based or programmable consumer or industrial electronics, and the like. The illustrated aspects can also be practiced in distributed computing environments where tasks are performed by remote processing devices that are linked through a communications network; however, some if not all aspects of the subject disclosure can be practiced on stand-alone computers. In a distributed computing environment, program modules can be located in both local and remote memory storage devices. 
     Some of the embodiments described herein can also employ artificial intelligence (AI) to facilitate automating one or more features described herein. For example, artificial intelligence can be used in optional training controller  230  evaluate and select candidate frequencies, modulation schemes, MIMO modes, and/or guided wave modes in order to maximize transfer efficiency. The embodiments (e.g., in connection with automatically identifying acquired cell sites that provide a maximum value/benefit after addition to an existing communication network) can employ various AI-based schemes for carrying out various embodiments thereof. Moreover, the classifier can be employed to determine a ranking or priority of the each cell site of the acquired network. A classifier is a function that maps an input attribute vector, x=(x1, x2, x3, x4, . . . , xn), to a confidence that the input belongs to a class, that is, f(x)=confidence (class). Such classification can employ a probabilistic and/or statistical-based analysis (e.g., factoring into the analysis utilities and costs) to prognose or infer an action that a user desires to be automatically performed. A support vector machine (SVM) is an example of a classifier that can be employed. The SVM operates by finding a hypersurface in the space of possible inputs, which the hypersurface attempts to split the triggering criteria from the non-triggering events. Intuitively, this makes the classification correct for testing data that is near, but not identical to training data. Other directed and undirected model classification approaches comprise, e.g., naïve Bayes, Bayesian networks, decision trees, neural networks, fuzzy logic models, and probabilistic classification models providing different patterns of independence can be employed. Classification as used herein also is inclusive of statistical regression that is utilized to develop models of priority. 
     As will be readily appreciated, one or more of the embodiments can employ classifiers that are explicitly trained (e.g., via a generic training data) as well as implicitly trained (e.g., via observing UE behavior, operator preferences, historical information, receiving extrinsic information). For example, SVMs can be configured via a learning or training phase within a classifier constructor and feature selection module. Thus, the classifier(s) can be used to automatically learn and perform a number of functions, including but not limited to determining according to a predetermined criteria which of the acquired cell sites will benefit a maximum number of subscribers and/or which of the acquired cell sites will add minimum value to the existing communication network coverage, etc. 
     As used in some contexts in this application, in some embodiments, the terms “component,” “system” and the like are intended to refer to, or comprise, a computer-related entity or an entity related to an operational apparatus with one or more specific functionalities, wherein the entity can be either hardware, a combination of hardware and software, software, or software in execution. As an example, a component may be, but is not limited to being, a process running on a processor, a processor, an object, an executable, a thread of execution, computer-executable instructions, a program, and/or a computer. By way of illustration and not limitation, both an application running on a server and the server can be a component. One or more components may reside within a process and/or thread of execution and a component may be localized on one computer and/or distributed between two or more computers. In addition, these components can execute from various computer readable media having various data structures stored thereon. The components may communicate via local and/or remote processes such as in accordance with a signal having one or more data packets (e.g., data from one component interacting with another component in a local system, distributed system, and/or across a network such as the Internet with other systems via the signal). As another example, a component can be an apparatus with specific functionality provided by mechanical parts operated by electric or electronic circuitry, which is operated by a software or firmware application executed by a processor, wherein the processor can be internal or external to the apparatus and executes at least a part of the software or firmware application. As yet another example, a component can be an apparatus that provides specific functionality through electronic components without mechanical parts, the electronic components can comprise a processor therein to execute software or firmware that confers at least in part the functionality of the electronic components. While various components have been illustrated as separate components, it will be appreciated that multiple components can be implemented as a single component, or a single component can be implemented as multiple components, without departing from example embodiments. 
     Further, the various embodiments can be implemented as a method, apparatus or article of manufacture using standard programming and/or engineering techniques to produce software, firmware, hardware or any combination thereof to control a computer to implement the disclosed subject matter. The term “article of manufacture” as used herein is intended to encompass a computer program accessible from any computer-readable device or computer-readable storage/communications media. For example, computer readable storage media can include, but are not limited to, magnetic storage devices (e.g., hard disk, floppy disk, magnetic strips), optical disks (e.g., compact disk (CD), digital versatile disk (DVD)), smart cards, and flash memory devices (e.g., card, stick, key drive). Of course, those skilled in the art will recognize many modifications can be made to this configuration without departing from the scope or spirit of the various embodiments. 
     In addition, the words “example” and “exemplary” are used herein to mean serving as an instance or illustration. Any embodiment or design described herein as “example” or “exemplary” is not necessarily to be construed as preferred or advantageous over other embodiments or designs. Rather, use of the word example or exemplary is intended to present concepts in a concrete fashion. As used in this application, the term “or” is intended to mean an inclusive “or” rather than an exclusive “or”. That is, unless specified otherwise or clear from context, “X employs A or B” is intended to mean any of the natural inclusive permutations. That is, if X employs A; X employs B; or X employs both A and B, then “X employs A or B” is satisfied under any of the foregoing instances. In addition, the articles “a” and “an” as used in this application and the appended claims should generally be construed to mean “one or more” unless specified otherwise or clear from context to be directed to a singular form. 
     Moreover, terms such as “user equipment,” “mobile station,” “mobile,” subscriber station,” “access terminal,” “terminal,” “handset,” “mobile device” (and/or terms representing similar terminology) can refer to a wireless device utilized by a subscriber or user of a wireless communication service to receive or convey data, control, voice, video, sound, gaming or substantially any data-stream or signaling-stream. The foregoing terms are utilized interchangeably herein and with reference to the related drawings. 
     Furthermore, the terms “user,” “subscriber,” “customer,” “consumer” and the like are employed interchangeably throughout, unless context warrants particular distinctions among the terms. It should be appreciated that such terms can refer to human entities or automated components supported through artificial intelligence (e.g., a capacity to make inference based, at least, on complex mathematical formalisms), which can provide simulated vision, sound recognition and so forth. 
     As employed herein, the term “processor” can refer to substantially any computing processing unit or device comprising, but not limited to comprising, single-core processors; single-processors with software multithread execution capability; multi-core processors; multi-core processors with software multithread execution capability; multi-core processors with hardware multithread technology; parallel platforms; and parallel platforms with distributed shared memory. Additionally, a processor can refer to an integrated circuit, an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), a digital signal processor (DSP), a field programmable gate array (FPGA), a programmable logic controller (PLC), a complex programmable logic device (CPLD), a discrete gate or transistor logic, discrete hardware components or any combination thereof designed to perform the functions described herein. Processors can exploit nano-scale architectures such as, but not limited to, molecular and quantum-dot based transistors, switches and gates, in order to optimize space usage or enhance performance of user equipment. A processor can also be implemented as a combination of computing processing units. 
     As used herein, terms such as “data storage,” data storage,” “database,” and substantially any other information storage component relevant to operation and functionality of a component, refer to “memory components,” or entities embodied in a “memory” or components comprising the memory. It will be appreciated that the memory components or computer-readable storage media, described herein can be either volatile memory or nonvolatile memory or can include both volatile and nonvolatile memory. 
     What has been described above includes mere examples of various embodiments. It is, of course, not possible to describe every conceivable combination of components or methodologies for purposes of describing these examples, but one of ordinary skill in the art can recognize that many further combinations and permutations of the present embodiments are possible. Accordingly, the embodiments disclosed and/or claimed herein are intended to embrace all such alterations, modifications and variations that fall within the spirit and scope of the appended claims. Furthermore, to the extent that the term “includes” is used in either the detailed description or the claims, such term is intended to be inclusive in a manner similar to the term “comprising” as “comprising” is interpreted when employed as a transitional word in a claim. 
     In addition, a flow diagram may include a “start” and/or “continue” indication. The “start” and “continue” indications reflect that the steps presented can optionally be incorporated in or otherwise used in conjunction with other routines. In this context, “start” indicates the beginning of the first step presented and may be preceded by other activities not specifically shown. Further, the “continue” indication reflects that the steps presented may be performed multiple times and/or may be succeeded by other activities not specifically shown. Further, while a flow diagram indicates a particular ordering of steps, other orderings are likewise possible provided that the principles of causality are maintained. 
     As may also be used herein, the term(s) “operably coupled to”, “coupled to”, and/or “coupling” includes direct coupling between items and/or indirect coupling between items via one or more intervening items. Such items and intervening items include, but are not limited to, junctions, communication paths, components, circuit elements, circuits, functional blocks, and/or devices. As an example of indirect coupling, a signal conveyed from a first item to a second item may be modified by one or more intervening items by modifying the form, nature or format of information in a signal, while one or more elements of the information in the signal are nevertheless conveyed in a manner than can be recognized by the second item. In a further example of indirect coupling, an action in a first item can cause a reaction on the second item, as a result of actions and/or reactions in one or more intervening items. 
     Although specific embodiments have been illustrated and described herein, it should be appreciated that any arrangement which achieves the same or similar purpose may be substituted for the embodiments described or shown by the subject disclosure. The subject disclosure is intended to cover any and all adaptations or variations of various embodiments. Combinations of the above embodiments, and other embodiments not specifically described herein, can be used in the subject disclosure. For instance, one or more features from one or more embodiments can be combined with one or more features of one or more other embodiments. In one or more embodiments, features that are positively recited can also be negatively recited and excluded from the embodiment with or without replacement by another structural and/or functional feature. The steps or functions described with respect to the embodiments of the subject disclosure can be performed in any order. The steps or functions described with respect to the embodiments of the subject disclosure can be performed alone or in combination with other steps or functions of the subject disclosure, as well as from other embodiments or from other steps that have not been described in the subject disclosure. Further, more than or less than all of the features described with respect to an embodiment can also be utilized.