The present disclosure relates to multi-MAC controller and single PHY systems and methods. An example method may include transmitting, via a first device in a Data Over Cable Service Interface Specification (DOCSIS) network, a first block of data within a first time slot and at a first power level. The example method may also include transmitting, via a second device in the DOCSIS network, a second block of data within the first time slot and at a second power level, the second power level being based on an attenuation of the first network tap device associated with the first device, wherein the first power level is different from the second power level.

In accordance with one or more embodiments, a method includes: receiving, at a stranded cable, a communication signal and a medium voltage power signal; propagating, by the stranded cable, the medium voltage power signal as an electrical signal utilizing an electrical return path; and propagating, by the stranded cable and responsive to the communication signal, guided electromagnetic waves, wherein the guided electromagnetic waves are guided by an interstice between uninsulated strands of the stranded cable and propagate within the stranded cable without requiring the electrical return path.

In accordance with one or more embodiments, a method includes: receiving, at a stranded cable, a communication signal and a medium voltage power signal; propagating, by the stranded cable, the medium voltage power signal as an electrical signal utilizing an electrical return path; and propagating, by the stranded cable and responsive to the communication signal, guided electromagnetic waves, wherein the guided electromagnetic waves are guided by an interstice between uninsulated strands of the stranded cable and propagate within the stranded cable without requiring the electrical return path.

In accordance with one or more embodiments, a communication system, includes at least one launcher configured to generate first guided electromagnetic waves in response to a first communication signal conveying first data, wherein the first guided electromagnetic waves are guided by a structure within a cable and propagate within the cable via a plurality of guided wave modes without requiring an electrical return path; wherein the cable comprises a plurality of uninsulated conductors that are stranded together, wherein the plurality of uninsulated conductors form a plurality of interstitial areas that are bounded by conductive surfaces of at least three of the plurality of uninsulated conductors, and wherein the structure comprises one of the plurality of interstitial areas.

In accordance with one or more embodiments, a communication system, includes at least one launcher configured to generate first guided electromagnetic waves in response to a first communication signal conveying first data, wherein the first guided electromagnetic waves are guided by a structure within a cable and propagate within the cable via a plurality of guided wave modes without requiring an electrical return path; wherein the cable comprises a plurality of uninsulated conductors that are stranded together, wherein the plurality of uninsulated conductors form a plurality of interstitial areas that are bounded by conductive surfaces of at least three of the plurality of uninsulated conductors, and wherein the structure comprises one of the plurality of interstitial areas.

In accordance with one or more embodiments, a communication system, includes a first coupler configured to guide a first communication signal conveying first data to an interior of a cable, wherein the first coupler is further configured to generate first guided electromagnetic waves in response to the first communication signal, wherein the first guided electromagnetic waves are guided by a structure within the cable and propagate within the cable without requiring an electrical return path; wherein the cable comprises a plurality of uninsulated conductors that are stranded together, wherein the plurality of uninsulated conductors form a plurality of interstitial areas that are bounded by conductive surfaces of at least three of the plurality of uninsulated conductors, and wherein the structure comprises one of the plurality of interstitial areas.

In accordance with one or more embodiments, a communication system, includes a first coupler configured to guide a first communication signal conveying first data to an interior of a cable, wherein the first coupler is further configured to generate first guided electromagnetic waves in response to the first communication signal, wherein the first guided electromagnetic waves are guided by a structure within the cable and propagate within the cable without requiring an electrical return path; wherein the cable comprises a plurality of uninsulated conductors that are stranded together, wherein the plurality of uninsulated conductors form a plurality of interstitial areas that are bounded by conductive surfaces of at least three of the plurality of uninsulated conductors, and wherein the structure comprises one of the plurality of interstitial areas.

In accordance with one or more embodiments, a communication system includes a launcher configured to generate first guided electromagnetic waves in response to a first communication signal conveying first data, wherein the first guided electromagnetic waves are guided by a structure within a cable and propagate within the cable without requiring an electrical return path; wherein the cable comprises a plurality of uninsulated conductors that are stranded together, wherein the plurality of uninsulated conductors form a plurality of interstitial areas that are bounded by conductive surfaces of at least three of the plurality of uninsulated conductors, and wherein the structure comprises one of the plurality of interstitial areas.

In accordance with one or more embodiments, a communication system includes a launcher configured to generate first guided electromagnetic waves in response to a first communication signal conveying first data, wherein the first guided electromagnetic waves are guided by a structure within a cable and propagate within the cable without requiring an electrical return path; wherein the cable comprises a plurality of uninsulated conductors that are stranded together, wherein the plurality of uninsulated conductors form a plurality of interstitial areas that are bounded by conductive surfaces of at least three of the plurality of uninsulated conductors, and wherein the structure comprises one of the plurality of interstitial areas.

A method for communicating data between a vehicle and a ground system comprises receiving, by a vehicle bus multiplexer on the vehicle, the data via a plurality of vehicle data buses from an onboard system. The method further comprises multiplexing, by the vehicle bus multiplexer, the data into at least one data path of a multi-use power interface. Also, the method comprises transmitting, by the multi-use power interface via at least one data path, the data from the vehicle bus multiplexer to a ground bus multiplexer associated with the ground system. In addition, the method comprises demultiplexing, by the ground bus multiplexer, the data from at least one data path of the multi-use power interface into a plurality of ground data buses associated with the ground system. Further, the method comprises transmitting, by the ground bus multiplexer, the data via the plurality of ground data buses to the ground system.