A multi-channel video intercom system with access to advanced digital services includes a two-wire communication bus for audio, video, and data communications in different communication channels, at least one outdoor panel having a camera connected to the communication bus, at least one power supply connected to the communication bus to provide power to the rest of the video intercom system, at least one user terminal connected to the communication bus wherein at least one terminal is connected to the at least one outdoor panel, and wherein at least one terminal is a video intercom terminal. The system further includes a communications gateway connected to the communication bus through a first connection interface and Internet connected through a second connection interface wherein the gateway is allowed access to advanced digital services via the Internet from at least one video intercom terminal through at least one communication bus channel available for data.

A multi-channel video intercom system with access to advanced digital services includes a two-wire communication bus for audio, video, and data communications in different communication channels, at least one outdoor panel having a camera connected to the communication bus, at least one power supply connected to the communication bus to provide power to the rest of the video intercom system, at least one user terminal connected to the communication bus wherein at least one terminal is connected to the at least one outdoor panel, and wherein at least one terminal is a video intercom terminal. The system further includes a communications gateway connected to the communication bus through a first connection interface and Internet connected through a second connection interface wherein the gateway is allowed access to advanced digital services via the Internet from at least one video intercom terminal through at least one communication bus channel available for data.

An electrical communications system is described between a first environment and a second environment, having time-varying ground potential differences. The system includes a wire pair for carrying an electrical signal to be communicated from the first environment to the second environment; a first ground shield surrounding the signal carrying wire pair connected to a ground of the first environment; a second ground shield surrounding the signal carrying wire pair connected to a ground of the second environment; and a resistive element connected between the wires in the signal carrying wire pair having a value chosen so as to suppress any natural resonance characteristics of the cable structure.

Aspects of the subject disclosure may include, for example, a surveying system operable to receive a plurality of electromagnetic waves via a guided wave transceiver that include environmental data collected via a plurality of sensors at a plurality of remote sites. Weather pattern data is generated based on the environmental data. Other embodiments are disclosed.

Aspects of the subject disclosure may include, for example, a surveying system operable to receive a plurality of electromagnetic waves via a guided wave transceiver that include environmental data collected via a plurality of sensors at a plurality of remote sites. Weather pattern data is generated based on the environmental data. Other embodiments are disclosed.

A wired communication system includes a bidirectional channel for sending information in one direction at a high bandwidth and sending control information for configuring a transmitter in the other direction at a lower bandwidth. Embodiments of the disclosure may use a primary transmitter output stage in the transmitter and a primary receiver input stage in the receiver to send and receive data or a clock, for example. An auxiliary transmitter output stage in the receiver and auxiliary receiver input stage in the transmitter send and receive control information for configuring the transmitter to efficiently send data over a wired channel.

A wired communication system includes a bidirectional channel for sending information in one direction at a high bandwidth and sending control information for configuring a transmitter in the other direction at a lower bandwidth. Embodiments of the disclosure may use a primary transmitter output stage in the transmitter and a primary receiver input stage in the receiver to send and receive data or a clock, for example. An auxiliary transmitter output stage in the receiver and auxiliary receiver input stage in the transmitter send and receive control information for configuring the transmitter to efficiently send data over a wired channel.

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.

With the current initialization procedures defined in the VDSL and ADSL standards, even though the xDSL system could operate in Showtime in an impulse noise environment where symbols are being corrupted, the transceivers would not be able to reach Showtime because initialization would fail due to initialization message failure. Through the use of an improved initialization procedure for communication systems, operation in environments with higher levels of impulse noise is possible.

With the current initialization procedures defined in the VDSL and ADSL standards, even though the xDSL system could operate in Showtime in an impulse noise environment where symbols are being corrupted, the transceivers would not be able to reach Showtime because initialization would fail due to initialization message failure. Through the use of an improved initialization procedure for communication systems, operation in environments with higher levels of impulse noise is possible.