Various examples are provided related to anisotropic constitutive parameters (ACPs) that can be used to launch Zenneck surface waves. In one example, among others, an ACP system includes an array of ACP elements distributed above a medium such as, e.g., a terrestrial medium. The array of ACP elements can include one or more horizontal layers of radial resistive artificial anisotropic dielectric (RRAAD) elements positioned in one or more orientations above the terrestrial medium. The ACP system can include vertical lossless artificial anisotropic dielectric (VLAAD) elements distributed above the terrestrial medium in a third orientation perpendicular to the horizontal layer or layers. The ACP system can also include horizontal artificial anisotropic magnetic permeability (HAAMP) elements distributed above the terrestrial medium. The array of ACP elements can be distributed about a launching structure, which can be excited with an electromagnetic field to facilitate the launch of a Zenneck surface wave.
H01Q 9/36 - Vertical arrangement of element with top loading
H02J 50/00 - Circuit arrangements or systems for wireless supply or distribution of electric power
H01Q 15/02 - Refracting or diffracting devices, e.g. lens, prism
H01Q 19/06 - Combinations of primary active antenna elements and units with secondary devices, e.g. with quasi-optical devices, for giving the antenna a desired directional characteristic using refracting or diffracting devices, e.g. lens
Various embodiments are disclosed for transmitting and receiving energy via a guided surface wave where energy is conveyed in the form of a guided surface waveguide mode, without wires, along the surface of a lossy conducting medium such as a terrestrial medium. In some embodiments, a method for transmitting energy includes positioning a charge terminal over a lossy conducting medium; adjusting a phase delay of a feed network connected to the charge terminal to match a wave tilt angle corresponding to a complex Brewster angle of incidence associated with the lossy conducting medium; adjusting a load impedance of the charge terminal based upon an image ground plane impedance associated with the lossy conducting medium; and exciting the charge terminal with an excitation voltage via the feed network, the excitation voltage establishing an electric field that couples into a guided surface waveguide mode along a surface of the lossy conducting medium.
Disclosed are various embodiments for transmitting and/or receiving energy conveyed in the form of a guided surface-waveguide mode along the surface of a lossy conducting medium by exciting a polyphase waveguide probe.
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