Antenna device

Abstract

The present disclosure relates to high-speed wireless communication, in particular, in the millimeter wavelength band. It is provided an antenna device comprising a dielectric waveguide and at least one transceiving means attached to the dielectric waveguide and configured to at least one of wirelessly transmit electromagnetic signals and wirelessly receive electromagnetic signals. The at least one transceiving means comprises a coupling portion configured to mechanically and electrically couple to the dielectric waveguide and an antenna portion comprising two leg portions defining an open space therebetween and extending from the coupling portion.

Description

[0001] ANTENNA DEVICE

[0002] TECHNICAL FIELD

[0003] The present disclosure relates to an antenna device, in particular, an antenna device comprising a dielectric waveguide and a transceiver means enabling wireless transmission and / or reception of signals, for example, in the millimeter wavelength band.

[0004] BACKGROUND

[0005] Wireless communication is nowadays prevalent and of growing importance for both indoor and outdoor applications. Present and future wireless communication services demand for data transfer at high speeds and capacities at high reliability levels.

[0006] For example, Fiber to the Room (FTTR) is an emerging and rapidly growing communication technology for fiber-based indoor networks wherein high-speed fibers are used to distribute and coordinate WiFi routers. In view of increasing bandwidth needs together with a lack of spectral availability in classical sub-6 GHz bands, millimeter wave bands a recently proposed as high- bandwidth alternatives. In fact, for Wireless Local Area Networks IEEE has already defined WiFi standards for 60 GHz (IEEE 802.1 lad and IEEE 802.1 lay) as well as for 45 GHz + 60 GHz (IEEE 802.1 laj).

[0007] However, millimeter wave wireless technology suffers from high link losses and limited penetration properties with respect to walls of buildings or obstacles, in general, in the employed bands. Further, in the context of FTTR a relatively complex and expensive architecture comprising both a Main FTTR Unit (MFU) and sub FTTR Units (SFUs) connected to an outside access network needs to be installed in the art.

[0008] SUMMARY

[0009] In view of the above, it is an objective underlying the present application to provide a technique for high-speed wireless communication, in particular, at high frequencies, at reasonable costs and with a high reliability and low latency of data transfer.

[0010] The foregoing and other objectives are achieved by the subject matter of the independent claim. Further implementation forms are apparent from the dependent claims, the description and the figures.

[0011] According to a first aspect, it is provided an antenna device, comprising a dielectric waveguide and at least one transceiving means attached (for example, clamped) to the dielectric waveguide and configured to at least one of wirelessly transmit electromagnetic signals and wirelessly receive electromagnetic signals. The at least one transceiving means comprises a coupling portion configured to mechanically and electrically couple to the dielectric waveguide and an antenna portion comprising (at least) two leg portions defining an open space therebetween and extending from the coupling portion.

[0012] This antenna device provides a low-cost passive RF (WiFi) distribution device that needs no power supply and allows for reliable, low latency data transfer, particularly, in high frequency bands, for example, the millimeter wavelength band. The antenna device can be easily assembled and the assembled components can be readily manufactured in mass production lines.

[0013] The transceiver means allows for wireless transmission of electromagnetic signals guided by the waveguide to a communication terminal and wireless reception of electromagnetic signals from a communication terminal. It is noted that for proper operation the antenna device does not need to include any additional dielectric component arranged on the dielectric waveguide. A plurality of such antenna devices can, for example, be used to replace sub FTTR Units in the FTTR context.

[0014] The antenna device may comprise a plurality of transceiver means to establish a plurality of wireless links or, alternatively, enhanced local radiation and defined beamforming (see also detailed description below). According to an implementation, the transceiving means further comprises an electric short portion configured for electric shortening of the two leg portions and the coupling portion extends to the electric short portion. Provision of the electric short results in directing the radiation beam in one direction (opposite to the location of the electric short). Additionally, it may secure the mechanical connection of the transceiver means to the waveguide.

[0015] The transceiver means may be geometrically shaped and configured to facilitate attachment to the dielectric waveguide and radiation of electromagnetic waves in a desired direction. Thus, according to an implementation, the coupling portion and electric short portion partially surround the dielectric waveguide. The two leg portions may be orientated perpendicular to the electric short portion. The electric short portion may not be in direct mechanical contact with the dielectric waveguide. According to an implementation, the two leg portions are orientated parallel to each other. Particularly, the two leg portions may be orientated perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the dielectric waveguide. For example, the transceiving means may be formed as a U-shaped clip that can be clamped at the coupling portion thereof to the dielectric waveguide. In the case that the antenna portion comprises more than two leg portions the transceiving means may be formed as a double U, triple U, W, double W, etc., shaped clip.

[0016] According to another implementation, each of the two leg portions comprises a tapered end portion opposite to the coupling portion i.e., in the direction of radiation). A tapered shape of the free end portions of the legs may result in improved RF radiation characteristics as known from horn antennas. Particularly, the provision of the tapered end portions of the leg portions may result in an operation similar to an end-fire antenna with electromagnetic waves being almost exclusively radiated from the open space defined by the legs.

[0017] The transceiving means can be provided by low-cost mass production techniques. According to an implementation, the transceiving means can be formed in one single piece (for example, a U-shaped clip). It can be made of one single electrically conductive material, for example, copper or a copper alloy (for example, brass) or aluminum. Other materials are possible but the dielectric constant of the material of the coupling portion of the transceiver means has to be significantly lower than the one of the dielectric waveguides to which it is attached.

[0018] The material of the dielectric waveguide may also be chosen in view of cost-restriction and can be selected from a broad range of off-the-shelf low-loss polymers such as Teflon® (PTFE), Perfluoroalkoxy alkanes (PF A) or Polyethylene (PE). The dielectric waveguide may be provided in a form that allows for easy distribution and installment, for example, it may be or comprise a cable.

[0019] According to an implementation, the dielectric waveguide is configured to cany electromagnetic waves with a predetermined carrier wavelength (for example, within the millimeter wavelength band) and the at least one transceiving means comprises a plurality of transceiving means spaced apart from each other by a distance in the range of 0.8 to 1 times the carrier wavelength. Such a spacing may provide for a significant well-defined beamforming effect.

[0020] According to another implementation, the dielectric waveguide is configured to carry electromagnetic waves with vertical and horizontal polarization components of the fundamental mode (corresponding to oscillations of the electric field of the antenna device in the vertical or horizontal planes, respectively) and the coupling portion is arranged to couple only electromagnetic waves with one of the vertical and horizontal polarization components to the antenna portion. Different from transmission of electromagnetic waves via air these two polarization components can be distinctively guided in the dielectric waveguide as orthogonal transmission channels and separately tapped without significant cross-talk. In order to only guide one of the two polarization components the dielectric waveguide may have a substantially circular or elliptic circumference perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the dielectric waveguide wherein the substantially circular or elliptic circumference comprises localized flattened portions opposing each other and wherein the coupling portion is only attached to one of the flattened portions and the non-flatened portions of the substantially circular or elliptic circumference. Alternatively, one or more non-circular (for example, elliptically shaped) openings may be formed in a central portion of the dielectric waveguide.

[0021] According to a second aspect, it is provided a communication system (for example, operating in the millimeter wavelength band or below) comprising a communication terminal (for example, a home computer, home entertainment system, television, mobile device, tablet, smartphone, etc.) and the antenna device according to the first aspect or any implementation thereof, wherein the communication terminal is configured to at least one of wirelessly transmit electromagnetic signals to the antenna portion of (the transceiver means of) the antenna device and wirelessly receive electromagnetic signals transmitted from the antenna portion of the antenna device.

[0022] According to an implementation, the communication system according to the second aspect further comprises a signal source device (for example, a home access point that is also configured for the reception and further transmission of electromagnetic signals) configured to directly transmit in a wireless ( / .e., directly via air) or wired manner electromagnetic signals to the dielectric waveguide of the antenna device. Alternatively, the communication system comprises a signal sink device. Further, the signal source device may be configured to operate both as a signal source and a signal sink depending on the directions of the signal transfer.

[0023] The communication system may be particularly suitable and useful for high frequency communication. In principle, the communication terminal and the signal source device of the communication system according to the second aspect or any implementation thereof may be configured to transmit electromagnetic signals with a frequency in the range of at least one of 2 GHZ to 6 GHz, 6 GHz to 30 GHz, 20 GHz to 30 GHz, 20 GHz to 300 GHz and 30 GHz to 300 GHz.

[0024] According to a third aspect, it is provided a Fiber to the Room (FTTR) - System comprising the communication system according to the second aspect or any implementation thereof. Due to the relatively simple and inexpensive configuration of the communication system, it is suitable for FTTR applications allowing for a reliable high-speed data transfer in (smart) homes at low costs.

[0025] According to a fourth aspect, it is also provided an outdoor communication system comprising the communication system according to the second aspect or any implementation thereof.

[0026] Details of one or more embodiments are set forth in the accompanying drawings and the description below. Other features, objects, and advantages will be apparent from the description, drawings, and claims.

[0027] BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0028] In the following, embodiments of the present disclosure are described in more detail with reference to the attached figures and drawings, in which:

[0029] Figure 1 illustrates an antenna device comprising a dielectric waveguide and a transceiving means comprising a coupling portion and an antenna portion according to an embodiment.

[0030] Figure 2 illustrates an antenna device comprising a dielectric cable waveguide and a U-shaped transceiving means according to an embodiment.

[0031] Figures 3a and 3b illustrate an antenna device comprising a dielectric cable waveguide and a U-shaped transceiving means tapping one of the two polarization components of the fundamental mode of the electromagnetic wave carried by the dielectric cable waveguide according to an embodiment.

[0032] Figure 4 illustrates details of a U-shaped transceiving means of an antenna device according to an embodiment. Figure 5 illustrates an antenna device comprising a dielectric waveguide and a plurality of transceiving means according to an embodiment.

[0033] Figure 6 illustrates a communication system comprising the antenna device shown in Figure 1 according to an embodiment.

[0034] Figures 7a and 7b illustrate employment of a distributed antenna system comprising antenna devices according to an embodiment in an FTTR environment.

[0035] DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

[0036] Herein, it is provided an antenna device comprising a dielectric waveguide for guiding electromagnetic signals and a transceiver means comprising a coupling portion and an antenna portion for wireless communication with some communication terminal. The transceiver means is attached to, for example clamped to, the dielectric waveguide by the coupling portion of the transceiver means. The antenna device allows for reliable high-speed, low latency data transfer, particularly, in the millimeter wavelength band, at low costs.

[0037] Figure 1 represents a block diagram illustrating an antenna device 100 according to an embodiment. The antenna device 100 shown in Figure 1 comprises a dielectric waveguide 110 and a transceiver means 120 attached to the dielectric waveguide 110 and configured to at least one of wirelessly transmit electromagnetic signals and wirelessly receive electromagnetic signals. For example, the antenna device 100 comprises or consists of the dielectric waveguide 110 and the transceiver means 120 without any need for an additional dielectric means (mass) being attached to the antenna portion 122. The transceiving means 120 comprises a coupling portion 121 configured to mechanically and electrically couple to the dielectric waveguide 110 and an antenna portion 122 comprising two leg portions defining an open space therebetween and extending from the coupling portion 121. Particularly, the antenna device 100 may comprise a plurality of transceiver means 120.

[0038] Furthermore, the transceiver means 120 may comprise an electric short portion (not shown in Figure 1) configured for electric shortening the two leg portions and, in this case, the coupling portion 121 extends to the electric short portion. The electric short portion together with the legs defining an open space may guarantee a highly defined radiation direction of electromagnetic signals radiated by the antenna portion 122.

[0039] The coupling portion 121 and the antenna portion 122 and, if provided, the electric short portion may be formed in one single piece, for example, made of copper or a copper alloy or any other electrically conductive material that is considered appropriate, for example, aluminum. The dielectric waveguide may be made of Teflon® (PTFE), Perfluoroalkoxy alkanes (PF A) or Polyethylene (PE), for example. In principle, a broad variety of off-the-shelf low-loss polymers may be considered suitable.

[0040] Figure 2 illustrates a particular embodiment of an antenna device 200, for example, the antenna device 100 shown in Figure 1, comprising a dielectric cable waveguide 210 and a U-shaped transceiving means 220 attached to, for example, clamped to, the dielectric cable waveguide 210. Attachment of the transceiving means 220 to the dielectric cable waveguide 210 may be, additionally, facilitated by a fixing means made of a foam material, for example, provided by Rohacell®.

[0041] A part of the electromagnetic energy carried along the waveguide 210, for example, supplied by an access point, canbe radiated by the transceiving means 220. On the other hand, the transceiving means 220 may receive electromagnetic signals from some communication terminal and the thus received electromagnetic signals may be transported by the waveguide 210 to an access point.

[0042] A typical length of the dielectric cable waveguide 210 shown in Figure 2 may be in the range of 2 to 10 or 15 meters. The U- shaped transceiving means 220 may have dimensions (length x width x thickness) of some 20 mm x 10 mm x 0.5 mm in the case of a design for data transfer at about 60 GHz, for example. In general, the thickness of the U-shaped transceiving means 220 may be chosen to be smaller than the carrier wavelength of electromagnetic signals guided by the dielectric waveguide 210.

[0043] The U-shaped transceiving means 220 shown in Figure 2 comprises tapered free end portions that allow for providing some end-fire antenna effect with electromagnetic waves being almost exclusively radiated from the open space defined by the legs of the U-shaped transceiving means 220. In the case of a design for data transfer at about 60 GHz, for example, the opening distance 01 between the legs at the not tapered portions may be about 3 mm and the opening distance 00 between the legs at the free ends of the tapered portions may be about 6.5 mm. In general, the opening distance 00 may be chosen to be larger than the carrier wavelength of electromagnetic signals guided by the dielectric waveguide 210.

[0044] According to embodiments, the transceiving means 220 comprises more than two legs and it may be provided as a double U, triple U, W, double W, etc., shaped clip, for example.

[0045] Electromagnetic signals carried by the dielectric waveguide of the antenna device according to embodiments comprise vertical and horizontal polarization components of the respective fundamental modes of the electromagnetic waves to be transmitted. These vertical and horizontal polarization components represent distinctive channels of data communication and, according to embodiments, the coupling portion of an antenna portion of the antenna device, for example, the antenna device 100 shown in Figure 1, respectively, may be configured to only tap electromagnetic waves of one of the vertical and horizontal polarization components of the respective fundamental modes of the electromagnetic waves. Different ones of the channels may be radiated by different ones of a plurality of transceiving means of the antenna device, for example, the antenna device 100 shown in Figure 1.

[0046] Figures 3a and 3b illustrate embodiments of an antenna device 300 adapted to tap and radiate by the antenna portion of the transceiving means 320 one of the vertical and horizontal polarization components of the respective fundamental modes of the electromagnetic waves guided by the dielectric waveguide 310 of the antenna device 300. In the cases shown in Figures 3a and 3b the dielectric waveguide 310 comprises opposing flattened portions of an otherwise circular circumference. In the example shown in Figure 3a the coupling portion of the transceiving means 320 exclusively contacts these opposing flattened portions for tapping and feeding into the antenna portion of the transceiving means 320 the horizontal polarization component of the fundamental mode carried by the dielectric waveguide 310 (see also Figure 4 described below). Contrary, in the example shown in Figure 3b the coupling portion of the transceiving means 320 exclusively contacts non-flattened portions of the circular circumference of the dielectric waveguide 310 for tapping and feeding into the antenna portion of the transceiving means 320 the vertical polarization component of the fundamental mode carried by the dielectric waveguide 310.

[0047] Figure 4 illustrates details of a transceiving means 420 of an antenna device 400 according to an embodiment, for example, similar to the antenna device 300 shown in Figure 3a. The transceiving means 420 couples to a dielectric waveguide 410 via a coupling portion 421. An antenna portion 422 comprising two leg portions 422a and 422b extends from the coupling portion 421. Free end portions of the two leg portions 422a and 422b are tapered, for example.

[0048] Further, the transceiving means 420 comprises an electric short portion 423 extending from the coupling portion 421 and providing for radiation directivity. The transceiving means 420 may be formed in one single piece. The transceiving means 420 shown in Figure 4 may be used in any embodiment of the provided antenna device, for example, in the antenna devices 100, 200 and 300 described above as well as the antenna device 500 described below. It is noted that in the examples shown in Figures 2, 3a, 3b and 5 the electric short portions may or may not directly mechanically contact the dielectric waveguides depending on the desired radiation characteristics. In all embodiments of the antenna device, more than one transceiving means may be attached to the dielectric waveguide. Figure 5 illustrates an antenna device 500 comprising a dielectric waveguide 510 and a plurality (for example, 3) of transceiving means 520, for example, a plurality of the transceiving means 420 shown in Figure 4.

[0049] A single transceiving means 520 radiates only parts of the RF signal energy which is transmitted within the dielectric waveguide 510. Thus, more than one transceiving means 520 can be attached at different positions along the dielectric waveguide 510 to establish a plurality of wireless links as long as the overall link budget provides for sufficient radiation energy to be transmitted by the antenna portion of the respective transceiving means 520. Additionally or alternatively, a plurality of transceiving means 520 may be attached to the dielectric waveguide 510 close to each other, for example, separated from each other by a distance of 0.8 to 0.9 times the carrier wavelength of electromagnetic signals guided by the dielectric waveguide 510, in order to locally enhance the radiation strength of the antenna device 500.

[0050] The antenna device of all embodiments can be used as a part of a wireless communication system. Figure 6 illustrates a communication system 600 comprising the antenna device 100 shown in Figure 1, a signal source device 610 and a communication terminal 620 (for example, a home computer, home entertainment system, television, mobile device, tablet, smartphone, etc.). The signal source device 610 is configured to directly transmit in a wireless or wired manner electromagnetic signals to the dielectric waveguide 110 of the antenna device 100. The coupling portion 121 of the transceiver means 120 feeds the electromagnetic signals into the antenna portion 122 for wireless transmission to the communication terminal 620. The communication terminal 620 is configured to wirelessly transmit electromagnetic signals to the antenna portion 122 of the transceiver means 120 of the antenna device 100 and wirelessly receive electromagnetic signals transmitted from the antenna portion 122 of the transceiver means 120 of the antenna device 100.

[0051] For example, the communication terminal 620 and the signal source device 610 are configured to transmit electromagnetic signals with a frequency in the range of at least one of 2 GHZ to 6 GHz, 6 GHz to 30 GHz, 20 GHz to 30 GHz, 20 GHz to 300 GHz and 30 GHz to 300 GHz.

[0052] According to a particular application, the antenna device according to all embodiments or the communication system shown in Figure 6 can be part of a Fiber to the Room (FTTR) architecture. An example for the FTTR application is illustrated in Figures 7a and 7b. As shown in Figure 7a, an access network 710 provides an in-home FTTR network (system) 730 with communication capability with the outer world. Figure 7b represents a top view of the in-home FTTR network 730 shown in Figure 7a.

[0053] The access network 710 comprises an Optical Line Terminal (OLT) device 711 used to connect an OLT fiber and transfer signals. The OLT device 711 collaborates with various types of Optical Network Units (ONUs) 712 via an optical splitter S. The ONUs 712 convert optical signals transmitted via fibers into electrical signals to be forwarded to individual subscribers.

[0054] Similar to the art the connection between the outside access network 710 and the in-home FTTR network 730 is established by a Main FTTR Unit (MFU) 720. However, the conventional sub FTTR units (SFU) configuration used in home FTTR networks of the art is replaced by a distributed antenna system employing a plurality of antenna devices as described above. In the example shown in Figures 7a and 7b, electromagnetic signals are transmitted and received by antenna devices 735 comprising dielectric waveguides 731 and transceiver means 732 attached to the dielectric waveguides 731. The antenna devices 735 may be installed at the room ceilings of the home, for example. The antenna devices 735, dielectric waveguides 731 and transceiver means 732 used in the in-home FTTR network 730 may be the same as or similar to the respective components described above with reference to Figures 1 to 5. Particularly, the in-home FTTR network 730 and the antenna devices 735 may be configured for wireless communication in the millimeter wavelength band. Furthermore, antenna devices and communication system as described above can be suitably used in an outdoor communication system providing for wireless communication outdoors, for example, wireless communication in the millimeter wavelength band.

[0055] All previously discussed embodiments are not intended as limitations but serve as examples illustrating features and advantages of the invention. It is to be understood that some or all of the above-described features can also be combined in different ways.

Claims

CLAIMS1. An antenna device (100, 200, 300, 400, 500, 735), comprising: a dielectric waveguide (110, 210, 310, 410, 510, 731); and at least one transceiving means (120, 220, 320, 420, 520, 732) attached to the dielectric waveguide (110, 210, 310, 410, 510, 731) and configured to at least one of wirelessly transmit electromagnetic signals and wirelessly receive electromagnetic signals; wherein the at least one transceiving means (120, 220, 320, 420, 520, 732) comprises a coupling portion (121, 421) configured to mechanically and electrically couple to the dielectric waveguide (110, 210, 310, 410, 510, 731) and an antenna portion (122, 422) comprising two leg portions (422a, 422b) defining an open space therebetween and extending from the coupling portion (121, 421).

2. The antenna device (100, 200, 300, 400, 500, 735) of claim 1, wherein the transceiving means (120, 220, 320, 420, 520, 732) further comprises an electric short portion (423) configured for electric shortening of the two leg portions (422a, 422b) and the coupling portion (121, 421) extends to the electric short portion (423).

3. The antenna device (100, 200, 300, 400, 500, 735) of claim 2, wherein the coupling portion (121, 421) and electric short portion (423) partially surround the dielectric waveguide (110, 210, 310, 410, 510, 731).

4. The antenna device (100, 200, 300, 400, 500, 735) of claim 2 or 3, wherein the two leg portions (422a, 422b) are orientated perpendicular to the electric short portion (423).

5. The antenna device (100, 200, 300, 400, 500, 735) of claim 2 or 3, wherein the electric short portion (423) is not in direct mechanical contact with the dielectric waveguide (110, 210, 310, 410, 510, 731).

6. The antenna device (100, 200, 300, 400, 500, 735) of any of the preceding claims, wherein the two leg portions (422a, 422b) are orientated parallel to each other.

7. The antenna device (100, 200, 300, 400, 500, 735) of any of the preceding claims, wherein the two leg portions (422a, 422b) are orientated perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the dielectric waveguide (110, 210, 310, 410, 510, 731).

8. The antenna device (100, 200, 300, 400, 500, 735) of any of the preceding claims, wherein each of the two leg portions (422a, 422b) comprises a tapered end portion opposite to the coupling portion (121, 421).

9. The antenna device (100, 200, 300, 400, 500, 735) of any of the claims 2 to 8, wherein the coupling portion (121, 421), the leg portions (422a, 422b) and the electric short portion (423) are formed in one single piece.

10. The antenna device (100, 200, 300, 400, 500, 735) of any of the preceding claims, wherein the dielectric waveguide (110, 210, 310, 410, 510, 731) is configured to carry electromagnetic waves with a predetermined carrier wavelength and the at least one transceiving means (120, 220, 320, 420, 520, 732) comprises a plurality of transceiving means (120, 220, 320, 420, 520, 732) spaced apart from each other by a distance in the range of 0.8 to 1 times the carrier wavelength.

11. The antenna device (100, 200, 300, 400, 500, 735) of any of the preceding claims, wherein the dielectric waveguide (110, 210, 310, 410, 510, 731) is configured to carry electromagnetic waves with vertical and horizontal polarization components of the fundamental mode and the coupling portion (121, 421) is arranged to couple only electromagnetic waves with one of the vertical and horizontal polarization components to the antenna portion (122, 422).

12. The antenna device (100, 200, 300, 400, 500, 735) of claim 11, wherein the dielectric waveguide (110, 210, 310, 410, 510, 731) has a substantially circular or elliptic circumference perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the dielectric waveguide (110, 210, 310, 410, 510, 731), the substantially circular or elliptic circumference comprising localized flattened portions opposing each other, and wherein the coupling portion (121, 421) is only attached to one of the flattened portions and the nonflattened portions of the substantially circular or elliptic circumference.

13. The antenna device (100, 200, 300, 400, 500, 735) of one of the preceding claims, wherein the dielectric waveguide (110, 210, 310, 410, 510, 731) is or comprises a cable.

14. A communication system (600), comprising: a communication terminal (620); and the antenna device (100, 200, 300, 400, 500, 735) of any of the preceding claims; and wherein the communication terminal (620) is configured to at least one of wirelessly transmit electromagnetic signals to the antenna portion (122, 422) of the antenna device (100, 200, 300, 400, 500, 735) and wirelessly receive electromagnetic signals transmitted from the antenna portion (122, 422) of the antenna device (100, 200, 300, 400, 500, 735).

15. The communication system (600) of claim 14, further comprising a signal source device (610) configured to directly transmit in a wireless or wired manner electromagnetic signals to the dielectric waveguide (110, 210, 310, 410, 510, 731).

16. The communication system (600) of claim 14 or 15, wherein the communication terminal (620) and the signal source device (610) are configured to transmit electromagnetic signals with a frequency in the range of at least one of 2 GHZ to 6 GHz, 6 GHz to 30 GHz, 20 GHz to 30 GHz, 20 GHz to 300 GHz and 30 GHz to 300 GHz.

17. Fiber to the Room - System (730), comprising the communication system (600) of any of the claims 14 to 16.

18. Outdoor communication system, comprising the communication system (600) of any of the claims 14 to 16.

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