In accordance with one or more embodiments, a guided wave launcher includes an array of antennas configured to generate near field signals. A controller is configured to: select, in response to a first control signal, at least one of a plurality of guided wave modes; and adjust beam steering parameters of the array of antennas according to the selected one(s) of the plurality of guided wave modes. The near field signals combine to induce a guided electromagnetic wave having the selected one(s) of the plurality of guided wave modes, wherein the first guided electromagnetic wave is guided by the transmission medium and propagates along the transmission medium without requiring an electrical return path.

In accordance with one or more embodiments, a guided wave launcher includes an array of antennas configured to generate near field signals. A controller is configured to: select, in response to a first control signal, at least one of a plurality of guided wave modes; and adjust beam steering parameters of the array of antennas according to the selected one(s) of the plurality of guided wave modes. The near field signals combine to induce a guided electromagnetic wave having the selected one(s) of the plurality of guided wave modes, wherein the first guided electromagnetic wave is guided by the transmission medium and propagates along the transmission medium without requiring an electrical return path.

In accordance with one or more embodiments, a waveguide system includes a transmission device configured to send and receive guided electromagnetic waves that propagate along a surface of a power line without requiring an electrical return path. The waveguide system further includes a magnetic core that surrounds the power line, a first winding around the magnetic core that generates a supply current in response a transmission current flowing through the power line and a power supply that converts the supply current to a supply voltage that powers the transmission device. The power supply automatically stabilizes power consumption by the transmission device in response to variations in the supply current caused by variations in the transmission current flowing through the power line.

In accordance with one or more embodiments, a waveguide system includes a transmission device configured to send and receive guided electromagnetic waves that propagate along a surface of a power line without requiring an electrical return path. The waveguide system further includes a magnetic core that surrounds the power line, a first winding around the magnetic core that generates a supply current in response a transmission current flowing through the power line and a power supply that converts the supply current to a supply voltage that powers the transmission device. The power supply automatically stabilizes power consumption by the transmission device in response to variations in the supply current caused by variations in the transmission current flowing through the power line.

A slide screw tuner uses a tuning probe that penetrates into the slot of the slabline inclined towards the test port, in order to compensate for the capacitive skewing of the angle of the reflection factor Γ. This anti-skewing effect is done by splitting the mobile combo carriage into a fixed and a rotating section, held together by a center pin that allows an adjustable inclination. The linearized trajectory of Γ improves the accuracy of interpolation between calibration points.

A slide screw tuner uses a tuning probe that penetrates into the slot of the slabline inclined towards the test port, in order to compensate for the capacitive skewing of the angle of the reflection factor Γ. This anti-skewing effect is done by splitting the mobile combo carriage into a fixed and a rotating section, held together by a center pin that allows an adjustable inclination. The linearized trajectory of Γ improves the accuracy of interpolation between calibration points.

A wave launcher may include a printed circuit board (PCB) that includes a pin that receives a radio frequency (RF) signal. The wave launcher may include a cylinder configured to be electrically coupled to the pin and define an opening. The cylinder may receive the RF signal from the pin, form a transition from coplanar to Goubau line structure with a plate, and generate the surface wave. The wave launcher may include an insulator configured to be physically positioned within the opening and between the cylinder and a power line. The insulator may mechanically isolate the cylinder from the power line and permit the cylinder to launch the surface wave on the power line. The wave launcher may include the plate electrically coupled to a pad and may provide a reference for the pin and the cylinder. The pin and the cylinder may be physically positioned proximate the plate.

A wave launcher may include a printed circuit board (PCB) that includes a pin that receives a radio frequency (RF) signal. The wave launcher may include a cylinder configured to be electrically coupled to the pin and define an opening. The cylinder may receive the RF signal from the pin, form a transition from coplanar to Goubau line structure with a plate, and generate the surface wave. The wave launcher may include an insulator configured to be physically positioned within the opening and between the cylinder and a power line. The insulator may mechanically isolate the cylinder from the power line and permit the cylinder to launch the surface wave on the power line. The wave launcher may include the plate electrically coupled to a pad and may provide a reference for the pin and the cylinder. The pin and the cylinder may be physically positioned proximate the plate.

A THz waveguide is described, comprising four conductive wires separated by an air gap, the THz waveguide allowing low-loss and dispersion-free propagation of a THz signal. The system for terahertz polarization-division multiplexing comprises at least two THz sources, a THz waveguide and a THz receiver, wherein said THz waveguide comprises four conductive wires separated by an air gap; THz pulses from the THz sources being coupled into the THz waveguide; the THz waveguide transmitting the THz pulses independently, the THz waveguide operating as a broadband polarization-division multiplexer. The method for terahertz polarization-division multiplexing, comprising multiplexing THz pulses from terahertz sources in free-space, coupling resulting multiplexed THz pulses into a THz waveguide comprising four conductive wires separated by an air gap; and demultiplexing the multiplexed THz pulses after propagation in the waveguide.

A THz waveguide is described, comprising four conductive wires separated by an air gap, the THz waveguide allowing low-loss and dispersion-free propagation of a THz signal. The system for terahertz polarization-division multiplexing comprises at least two THz sources, a THz waveguide and a THz receiver, wherein said THz waveguide comprises four conductive wires separated by an air gap; THz pulses from the THz sources being coupled into the THz waveguide; the THz waveguide transmitting the THz pulses independently, the THz waveguide operating as a broadband polarization-division multiplexer. The method for terahertz polarization-division multiplexing, comprising multiplexing THz pulses from terahertz sources in free-space, coupling resulting multiplexed THz pulses into a THz waveguide comprising four conductive wires separated by an air gap; and demultiplexing the multiplexed THz pulses after propagation in the waveguide.