Aspects of the subject disclosure may include, for example, receiving, by a feed point of a dielectric antenna, electromagnetic waves from a dielectric core coupled to the feed point without an electrical return path, where at least a portion of the dielectric antenna comprises a conductive surface, directing, by the feed point, the electromagnetic waves to a proximal portion of the dielectric antenna, and radiating, via an aperture of the dielectric antenna, a wireless signal responsive to the electromagnetic waves being received at the aperture. Other embodiments are disclosed.

Method and apparatus for coupling an antenna to a device

A distributed antenna and backhaul system provide network connectivity for a small cell deployment. Rather than building new structures, and installing additional fiber and cable, embodiments described herein disclose using high-bandwidth, millimeter-wave communications and existing power line infrastructure. Above ground backhaul connections via power lines and line-of-sight millimeter-wave band signals as well as underground backhaul connections via buried electrical conduits can provide connectivity to the distributed base stations. An overhead millimeter-wave system can also be used to provide backhaul connectivity. Modules can be placed onto existing infrastructure, such as streetlights and utility poles, and the modules can contain base stations and antennas to transmit the millimeter-waves to and from other modules.

Backhaul link for distributed antenna system

A distributed antenna system is provided that frequency shifts the output of one or more microcells to a 60 GHz or higher frequency range for transmission to a set of distributed antennas. The cellular band outputs of these microcell base station devices are used to modulate a 60 GHz (or higher) carrier wave, yielding a group of subcarriers on the 60 GHz carrier wave. This group will then be transmitted in the air via analog microwave RF unit, after which it can be repeated or radiated to the surrounding area. The repeaters amplify the signal and resend it on the air again toward the next repeater. In places where a microcell is required, the 60 GHz signal is shifted in frequency back to its original frequency (e.g., the 1.9 GHz cellular band) and radiated locally to nearby mobile devices.

Remote distributed antenna system

Aspects of the subject disclosure may include, for example, a device that facilitates transmitting electromagnetic waves along a surface of a wire that facilitates delivery of electric energy to devices, and sensing a condition that is adverse to the electromagnetic waves propagating along the surface of the wire. Other embodiments are disclosed.

Method and apparatus for sensing a condition in a transmission medium of electromagnetic waves

Aspects of the subject disclosure may include, for example, a system for detecting a fault in a first wire of a power grid that affects a transmission or reception of electromagnetic waves that transport data and that propagate along a surface of the first wire, selecting a backup communication medium from one or more backup communication mediums according to one or more selection criteria, and redirecting the data to the backup communication medium to circumvent the fault. Other embodiments are disclosed.

Method and apparatus that provides fault tolerance in a communication network

For electric power transmission the overhead power line monitoring system plays an important role in operating security for grid operators as well as high supply availability at optimised cost. In this study, an approach to harvesting energy from the electric field around the conductor to supply the wireless sensor nodes was investigated. Special requirements in functionality, reliability and limited accessibility at the power line result in the development of a specific energy management strategy. A prototype of the power module was realised and tested under high voltage laboratory conditions. Then, a field test was carried out under real operating conditions. The test results confirm that the power module can collect enough energy to power the sensor nodes. The contribution in this study presents theoretical considerations of energy availability from the electric field, design of energy management and results from measurements with the prototype in a high voltage laboratory and in field test. The field test results demonstrate that the energy harvester can collect enough energy to power the sensor nodes by 16 mW.

https://ietresearch.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/epdf/10.1049/iet-gtd.2012.0152

Energy harvesting for a wireless-monitoring system of overhead high-voltage power lines

Power transmission is becoming increasingly challenging because of the growth of electricity demands and distribution of renewable energies. Therefore, an effective monitoring of power lines is of decisive importance for network management. In this paper, we propose a solution for energy harvesting from the electrostatic stray field of the power line to power the wireless sensor nodes. Theoretical considerations for the power module and the design of the energy management unit are presented. A realized prototype of the power module was tested under laboratory conditions. A field test shows that energy harvester can collect enough energy to power the sensor device by 16 mW.

Energy harvesting for overhead power line monitoring

For researches on energy harvesting in building automation two independent power sources have been examined. Therefor long term power profiles have been analysed, which show the available energy per transducer over time. These profiles have been investigated according to their ability to supply an energy autonomous system and to improve the availability and reliability of operation. To reduce the failing time of a sensor system by using two independent sources within a hybrid energy harvesting supply, is one of the general aims for this contribution. An energy management circuit has been developed and compared to the state of art solution of combining different energy sources. The additional losses of this method have been simulated. This contribution tends on a method to improve the reliability of an energy autonomous system using two different and independent energy sources and an optimized combination of both within an adapted energy management strategy.

Hybrid energy harvesting for autonomous sensors in building automation

For a wireless sensor node of an overhead power line monitoring system a power module was developed using the electrostatic field around the conductor to supply the sensor system [1]. Special requirements in functionality, reliability and the limited accessibility at the power line result in the development of a specific energy management strategy. First prototypes of the power module were realized and tested under laboratory conditions. The following contribution presents theoretical considerations to the energy availability using the aimed method, the design of the energy management strategy and results from measurements with the prototype in a high voltage laboratory.

Power module for a wireless sensor node of a power line monitoring system

For the design of energy harvesting applications a detailed knowledge about the conditions at the planned operating place, especially the expected output, is required. The more informations are known, the better a system can be adapted. In addition to the available energy also the requirements of the load are needed to plan operating states and working intervals. Within this contribution different power profiles of a solar cell for indoor energy harvesting solutions have been recorded over one year. A simulation program has been developed, which compares available and required energy to make assertions for the supply of a defined load. A typical wireless transmitter has been used to test the program.

Marc Baldauf

Papers

Energy harvesting for a wireless-monitoring system of overhead high-voltage power lines

Energy harvesting for overhead power line monitoring

Hybrid energy harvesting for autonomous sensors in building automation

Power module for a wireless sensor node of a power line monitoring system

Energy profile analysis by simulation for the design of energy harvesting systems