Aspects of the subject disclosure may include, for example, a node device includes an interface configured to receive first signals. A plurality of coupling devices are configured to launch the first signals on a transmission medium as a plurality of first guided electromagnetic waves at corresponding plurality of non-optical carrier frequencies, wherein the plurality of first guided electromagnetic waves are bound to a physical structure of the transmission medium. Other embodiments are disclosed.

Aspects of the subject disclosure may include, for example, a transmission device that includes a first coupler that guides a first electromagnetic wave to a first junction to form a second electromagnetic wave that is guided to propagate along the outer surface of the transmission medium via one or more guided-wave modes. These mode(s) have an envelope that varies as a function of angular deviation and/or longitudinal displacement. Other embodiments are disclosed.

In accordance with the present disclosure, a communication network includes a surface wave transceiver, mounted on a medium voltage power line, configured to bidirectionally communicate wireless network data via guided electromagnetic waves that propagate along a surface of the medium voltage power line. A plurality of analog surface wave repeater pairs, a plurality of digital surface wave regenerator pairs, are mounted on the medium voltage power line. A plurality of access points, supported by corresponding ones of a plurality of utility poles that also support the medium voltage power line, is configured to wirelessly transmit the wireless network data to a plurality of client devices in accordance with a wireless network protocol and to wirelessly receive client data from the plurality of client devices in accordance with the wireless network protocol. A plurality of surface wave add/drop multiplexer pairs, is also mounted on the medium voltage power line.

In accordance with one or more embodiments, a communication network includes a surface wave transceiver, mounted on a coaxial cable of a broadband cable network, configured to bidirectionally communicate wireless network data via guided electromagnetic waves that propagate along a surface of the coaxial cable. A plurality of analog surface wave repeater pairs, and a plurality of digital surface wave regenerator pairs, are also mounted on the coaxial cable. A plurality of access points, supported by corresponding ones of a plurality of utility poles that also support the coaxial cable, is configured to wirelessly transmit the wireless network data to a plurality of client devices in accordance with a wireless network protocol and to wirelessly receive client data from the plurality of client devices in accordance with the wireless network protocol. A plurality of surface wave add/drop multiplexer pairs, is also mounted on the coaxial cable.

Aspects of the subject disclosure may include, a system that facilitates receiving a plurality of ultra-wideband electromagnetic waves that propagates along a surface of a transmission medium without requiring an electrical return path, wherein the plurality of ultra-wideband electromagnetic waves conveys a plurality of communication signals, obtaining, from the plurality of ultra-wideband electromagnetic waves, at least one communication signal from the plurality of communication signals, and distributing the at least one communication signal to at least one communication device. Other embodiments are disclosed.

Aspects of the subject disclosure may include, a system for initiating, at a first start time, transmissions of first electromagnetic waves, ceasing transmission of the first electromagnetic waves after a first duration period that is less than a one-way travel time for signals to propagate between the first waveguide system and a second waveguide system via a physical transmission medium, and initiating, after the ceasing, reception of second electromagnetic waves from the second waveguide system that are initiated at a second start time and transmitted for a second duration period that is less than the one-way travel time. Other embodiments are disclosed.

In accordance with one or more embodiments, a directional coupler includes a first dielectric cable is configured to receive a first electromagnetic wave from the first port and to generate a second electromagnetic wave that propagates along a transmission medium in a first direction without requiring an electrical return path. A second dielectric cable is configured to couple a first portion of the second electromagnetic wave to a second port, wherein a second portion of the second electromagnetic wave continues to propagate in the first direction along the transmission medium. A third dielectric cable is configured to couple the second portion of the second electromagnetic wave to a third port and to isolate the third port from a third electromagnetic wave propagating along the transmission medium in a second direction that is opposite to the first direction.

In accordance with one or more embodiments, a splitter includes a first port, a second port and a third port. A first dielectric cable is configured to receive a first electromagnetic wave from the first port and to generate, in response to the first electromagnetic wave, a second electromagnetic wave that propagates in a first direction along a transmission medium without requiring an electrical return path, wherein the transmission medium is a bare or insulated wire. A second dielectric cable in proximity to a first side of the transmission medium is configured to couple a first portion of the second electromagnetic wave to the second port. A third dielectric cable in proximity to a second side of the transmission medium configured to couple a second portion of the second electromagnetic wave to the third port.

Aspects of the subject disclosure may include, for example, a method for use with a communication device that includes: communicating in a first frequency band with a remote device via at least one transceiver, wherein the remote device is oriented at a direction relative to the communication device, wherein the communicating is in accordance with first antenna beam steering parameters and a first antenna beam corresponding to the direction; and, communicating in a second frequency band with the remote device via the at least one transceiver, wherein the second frequency band is higher than the first frequency band, wherein the at least one transceiver is pre-initialized with second antenna beam steering parameters to generate a second antenna beam corresponding to the direction, and wherein the second antenna beam steering parameters are generated based on the first antenna beam steering parameters.

Aspects of the subject disclosure may include, supplying an alternating voltage waveform to a winding coupled to a magnetic core of an inductive power supply to regulate an alternating magnetic flux in the magnetic core. The alternating voltage waveform can be generated by selectively enabling one or more switches coupled to a storage device. The subject disclosure may further include configuring the one or more switches according to a configuration during a portion of a period of the alternating voltage waveform, and measuring a characteristic of an alternating current flowing in a conductor coupled to the magnetic core during the portion of the period of the alternating voltage waveform. Other embodiments are disclosed.