Aspects of the subject disclosure may include, for example, different groups of network devices mounted on utility poles. The different groups of network devices can be arranged along different paths. A communication path for transmitting wireless signals can alternate between the different groups of network devices. Other embodiments are disclosed.

An electronic communication device comprises a first transceiver capable of a bi-directional communication session on a first communication medium; a second transceiver capable of a bi-directional communication session on a second communication medium; and a control logic coupled to the first transceiver and the second transceiver and capable of implementing a convergence layer, wherein the control logic is configured to receive, from the first transceiver, a first signal; and cause, in response to the first signal, data received and transmitted by the first transceiver on the first communication medium as part of a communication session to be received and transmitted instead by the second transceiver on the second communication medium.

Provided are methods and systems for terrestrial data transmission between aircrafts and external networks, such as airline and/or airport computer systems. When an aircraft is parked at the gate, the aircraft is connected to and powered by an electrical cable, such as a stinger cable. This cable may be also be used for wired data transmission between the aircraft and the gate using broadband over power line (BPL) technology. The gate and the aircraft are each equipped with a BPL module. The aircraft may include other communication modules, such as a Wi-Fi module, a cellular module, and/or an Ethernet module. These other modules can be also used for data transmission in addition to or instead of communication through the BPL module. A communication link manager may be used to select one or more communication modules depending on availability of communication links, costs, speed, and other parameters.

A power outlet for controlling power to an external device and transmitting data to the external device, the power outlet including: a housing containing at least one alternating-current power input connection; a power output connection; a data connector; a sensor module; a wireless communication module, including an antenna; a processing unit configured to receive data and control an electrically connected device through the power output connection and/or data connector based on the received data.

A system includes: a receiving unit configured to wirelessly receive a modulated electromagnetic signal leaked by a mains power line, the mains power line carrying a modulated alternating current signal, a demodulator configured to demodulate the modulated electromagnetic signal and extract one or more data signals from the demodulated electromagnetic signal, a processor configured to generate control data based on the one or more data signals, a control unit configured to control one or more actuators based on the control data, a processor configured to generate control data for controlling one or more actuators, and a modulator configured to modulate an alternating current signal of a mains power line using the generated control data to create a modulated alternating current signal, thereby causing the mains power line to leak a modulated electromagnetic signal comprising the control data that is wirelessly detectable.

There is provided a system for assigning power to a plurality of smart appliances. The system includes a plurality of smart outlet assemblies. Each of the smart outlet assemblies is paired to and in electrical communication with a respective one of the smart appliances. The system includes at least one smart breaker assembly in electrical communication with the smart outlet assemblies. The system includes a master server in communication with the smart breaker assembly. The system includes distributed databases used to exchange data among the smart outlet assemblies, the smart breaker assembly, and the master server. The master server selectively assign power to respective ones of the smart appliances via the smart breaker assembly based on the data. If the master server is unreachable, the smart breaker assembly is configured to selectively assign power to the smart appliances based on the data records.

A wireless transmission system includes first and second transmission line couplers. The first transmission line coupler is arranged in an annular shape and formed of a pair of signal lines that transmit a differential signal. The second transmission line coupler is shorter than the first transmission line coupler and formed of a pair of signal lines that transmit a differential signal. The first and second transmission line couplers are arranged so that, if at least one of the first and second transmission line couplers rotates about a rotational axis and if one of the signal lines of the second transmission line coupler crosses a gap between the ends of one of the signal lines of the first transmission line coupler, the other signal line of the second transmission line coupler does not cross a gap between the ends of the other signal line of the first transmission line coupler.

A radio wave measurement device includes: a transmission antenna; a reception antenna; a main circuit configured to output a transmission signal to the transmission antenna and measure a strength of a reception signal received with the reception antenna; a connection circuit disposed between the main circuit and the reception antenna, and configured to reduce flowing of the transmission signal into the reception antenna; at least one isolator disposed between the connection circuit and the reception antenna, and configured to reduce flowing of the transmission signal into the reception antenna; and a coupler disposed between the reception antenna and the at least one isolator, the coupler being configured to distribute the reception signal to the main circuit and an external signal-waveform measurement device.

A wireless transmission system includes first and second transmission line couplers. The first transmission line coupler is arranged in an annular shape and formed of a pair of signal lines that transmit a differential signal. The second transmission line coupler is shorter than the first transmission line coupler and formed of a pair of signal lines that transmit a differential signal. The first and second transmission line couplers are arranged so that, if at least one of the first and second transmission line couplers rotates about a rotational axis and if one of the signal lines of the second transmission line coupler crosses a gap between the ends of one of the signal lines of the first transmission line coupler, the other signal line of the second transmission line coupler does not cross a gap between the ends of the other signal line of the first transmission line coupler.

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.