Patents by Inventor Alec Adams

Alec Adams has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Publication number: 20240120654
    Abstract: Antenna elements include a metallic square ring patch and a metallic square ring slot to transmit or receive radio frequency (RF) signals. The antenna elements use several dielectric layers that are separated by a low-dielectric foam layer upon which the square ring patch is positioned. The antenna elements may be arranged into an antenna array that is tunable to collectively generate or receive RF signals to and from airborne and mobile vehicles with an agile, electronically scanning antenna array beam, with no moving parts. The antenna array includes a top section to communicate RF signals; a bottom section to generate a desired RF signal; and a foam layer between the top and bottom sections to separate the ring patch from the ring slot. High isolation between the top section and the bottom section allows the antenna elements to be used in higher gain and high-power arrays without adverse feedback issues.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 18, 2023
    Publication date: April 11, 2024
    Applicant: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Alec Adams, Peter Timothy Heisen, Mark Gregory Bedson
  • Publication number: 20240094324
    Abstract: Systems, methods, and apparatus for processing a signal using a non-uniform antenna array are disclosed. In one aspect, a receiver apparatus for processing high frequency signals is provided. The receiver apparatus may comprise an antenna array including a plurality of antenna elements. The plurality of antenna elements may include a first antenna element and a remainder of the plurality of antenna elements. The remainder of the plurality of antenna elements may be uniformly spaced apart from one another by a first distance and arranged in a substantially linear orientation. The remainder of the plurality of antenna elements may include a second antenna element spaced apart from the first antenna element by a second distance. The second distance may be different than the first distance.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 9, 2022
    Publication date: March 21, 2024
    Inventors: Gary A. Ray, Tai A. Lam, Alec Adams
  • Publication number: 20230261371
    Abstract: An antenna element and an antenna array including the antenna element for generating or receiving a radio frequency (RF) signal are provided. The antenna element includes a dielectric layer including a first surface and a second surface opposite the first surface; a first dipole antenna comprising a first antenna segment and a second antenna segment, the first dipole antenna formed in the second surface; a second dipole antenna comprising a first antenna segment and a second antenna segment, the second dipole antenna formed in the second surface; a coupling segment capacitively coupled to each of the second antenna segment of the first dipole antenna and the second antenna segment of the second dipole antenna; and a shorting pin capacitively coupled to the coupling segment and extending from the first surface to the second surface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 14, 2022
    Publication date: August 17, 2023
    Inventors: Lixin Cai, Alec Adams
  • Publication number: 20230104894
    Abstract: Antenna elements are disclosed herein that include a metallic square ring patch and a metallic square ring slot to transmit or receive radio frequency (RF) signals. The disclosed antenna elements use several dielectric layers that are separated by two low-dielectric foam layers. The square ring patch is located above an upper foam layer, and a square ring slot is located between the upper foam layer and a bottom foam layer. Electrical feed lines are used to either supply electrical power to the antenna elements cells or output RF signals that are received by the square ring patch. The disclosed antenna elements may be arranged together in an antenna array that is tunable to collectively generate or receive RF signals.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 28, 2022
    Publication date: April 6, 2023
    Inventors: Alec Adams, Lixin Cai, Robert John Greenlaw
  • Publication number: 20230106696
    Abstract: Antenna elements include a metallic square ring patch and a metallic square ring slot to transmit or receive radio frequency (RF) signals. The antenna elements use several dielectric layers that are separated by a low-dielectric foam layer upon which the square ring patch is positioned. The disclosed antenna elements may be arranged together in an antenna array that is tunable to collectively generate or receive RF signals. In particular, the antenna array functions as a 256-element transmit/receive half-duplex antenna, operating in transmit or receive mode for half the time. The antenna array includes a radiator block, a transmit/receiver (T/R) amplifier block, a beamformer block, and a distribution network block.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 28, 2022
    Publication date: April 6, 2023
    Inventors: Alec Adams, Mark Gregory Bedson, Lixin Cai, Ming Chen, Peter Timothy Heisen, Korey Martin Holmstrom
  • Patent number: 11463166
    Abstract: Systems, methods, and apparatus for an electromagnetic (EM) panel are disclosed. In one or more embodiments, a disclosed electromagnetic (EM) panel comprises an outer skin, an inner skin, a core disposed between the outer skin and the inner skin, and at least one receiver to receive at least one first signal. In at least one embodiment, at least one receiver is disposed within an opening on the outer skin of the EM panel. At least one receiver is an optical sensor(s) and/or a radio frequency (RF) antenna(s). In one or more embodiments, the EM panel further comprises at least one transmitter to transmit at least one second signal. In at least one embodiment, at least one transmitter is disposed within an opening on the outer skin of the EM panel. At least one transmitter is a laser(s) and/or a RF antenna(s).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2022
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Manny S. Urcia, Jonathan M. St. Clair, Christopher M. La Fata, John G. Castagno, Ordie D. Butterfield, Stephen T. Tyahla, Alec Adams, Lixin Cai
  • Patent number: 11415646
    Abstract: Systems and methods for providing a visualization capability to map magnetic fields. The system utilizes a high-sensitivity magnetic field sensor (e.g., a magnetometer inside a tube made of magnetic shielding material) disposed on one side of a magnetic field modulation screen to acquire measurement data representing an image of a magnetic field. The magnetic field modulation screen includes a multiplicity of magnetic field-generating pixel elements (e.g., current-carrying loops made of electrically conductive material). Optionally, the system also uses compressive sensing techniques to reduce the amount of measurement data required to reconstruct an image of the original magnetic field. Compressive sensing is enabled by not supplying current to a different selected individual magnetic field-generating pixel element of the magnetic field modulation screen at successive sampling times.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2022
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Minas H. Tanielian, Mateus S. Daczko, Lindsay Martin, Alec Adams, Carlene Goodbody
  • Publication number: 20220239322
    Abstract: A receiver includes an antenna block configured to transduce impinging electromagnetic signals into electrical signals; a signal conditioning block configured to condition electrical signals received from the antenna block; and a down-converter block configured to down-convert conditioned electrical signals received from the signal conditioning block. The down-converter block comprises a plurality of signal channels. The receiver further includes a plurality of analog-to-digital converters (ADCs) respectively connected to the signal channels of the down-converter block; and a field-programmable gate array (FPGA). The FPGA is configured to program the down-converter block by selecting a set of mixer frequencies and a set of bandwidths designed to remove interference signals in each signal channel. The selections are calculated to mitigate reductions in dynamic range in the ADCs due to interference.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 5, 2022
    Publication date: July 28, 2022
    Applicant: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Gary A. Ray, Alec Adams
  • Patent number: 11398683
    Abstract: A phased array antenna includes a resonant cavity, a plurality of feed waveguides, an array of slot antenna elements, and a plurality of phase shifters. The resonant cavity includes a boresight surface having a normal vector oriented with boresight for the phased array antenna. The plurality of feed waveguides is distributed along a perimeter of the resonant cavity and is configured to supply electromagnetic waves to the resonant cavity. The array of slot antenna elements is distributed about the boresight surface and configured to radiate a beam based on standing waves within the resonant cavity. Each of the plurality of phase shifters is respectively coupled with the plurality of feed waveguides and independently controllable to modify the respective phases of the standing waves to steer the beam.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 26, 2022
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Alec Adams, Lixin Cai
  • Publication number: 20210325487
    Abstract: Systems and methods for providing a visualization capability to map magnetic fields. The system utilizes a high-sensitivity magnetic field sensor (e.g., a magnetometer inside a tube made of magnetic shielding material) disposed on one side of a magnetic field modulation screen to acquire measurement data representing an image of a magnetic field. The magnetic field modulation screen includes a multiplicity of magnetic field-generating pixel elements (e.g., current-carrying loops made of electrically conductive material). Optionally, the system also uses compressive sensing techniques to reduce the amount of measurement data required to reconstruct an image of the original magnetic field. Compressive sensing is enabled by not supplying current to a different selected individual magnetic field-generating pixel element of the magnetic field modulation screen at successive sampling times.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 20, 2020
    Publication date: October 21, 2021
    Applicant: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Minas H. Tanielian, Mateus S. Daczko, Lindsay Martin, Alec Adams, Carlene Goodbody
  • Patent number: 11038273
    Abstract: An antenna assembly includes a base including one or more feed transitions, a support panel separated from the base, a patch secured to the support panel, and one or more T-shaped probes that couple the feed transition(s) to the patch. The T-shaped probe(s) are separated from the patch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 15, 2021
    Assignee: THE BOEING COMPANY
    Inventors: Lixin Cai, Alec Adams, Manny Urcia
  • Publication number: 20210135372
    Abstract: A phased array antenna includes a resonant cavity, a plurality of feed waveguides, an array of slot antenna elements, and a plurality of phase shifters. The resonant cavity includes a boresight surface having a normal vector oriented with boresight for the phased array antenna. The plurality of feed waveguides is distributed along a perimeter of the resonant cavity and is configured to supply electromagnetic waves to the resonant cavity. The array of slot antenna elements is distributed about the boresight surface and configured to radiate a beam based on standing waves within the resonant cavity. Each of the plurality of phase shifters is respectively coupled with the plurality of feed waveguides and independently controllable to modify the respective phases of the standing waves to steer the beam.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 30, 2019
    Publication date: May 6, 2021
    Inventors: Alec Adams, Lixin Cai
  • Publication number: 20200358527
    Abstract: Systems, methods, and apparatus for an electromagnetic (EM) panel are disclosed. In one or more embodiments, a disclosed electromagnetic (EM) panel comprises an outer skin, an inner skin, a core disposed between the outer skin and the inner skin, and at least one receiver to receive at least one first signal. In at least one embodiment, at least one receiver is disposed within an opening on the outer skin of the EM panel. At least one receiver is an optical sensor(s) and/or a radio frequency (RF) antenna(s). In one or more embodiments, the EM panel further comprises at least one transmitter to transmit at least one second signal. In at least one embodiment, at least one transmitter is disposed within an opening on the outer skin of the EM panel. At least one transmitter is a laser(s) and/or a RF antenna(s).
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 23, 2020
    Publication date: November 12, 2020
    Inventors: Manny S. Urcia, Jonathan M. St. Clair, Christopher M. La Fata, John G. Castagno, Ordie D. Butterfield, Stephen T. Tyahla, Alec Adams, Lixin Cai
  • Patent number: 10797403
    Abstract: A dual ultra-wideband electronically scanning antenna linear array and a method for producing same is disclosed. In one embodiment, the antenna is comprised of circuit board-based multi-layered sections with integrated feeds. A first dielectric layer or substrate has a thin metal coating on the bottom surface to form a signal ground and metal coating on the top surface where capacitively loaded radiating dipoles are etched. Each of the dipole elements are connected to an associated conductive antenna feed disposed on a bottom surface of another dielectric layer disposed below the first dielectric layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 6, 2020
    Assignee: THE BOEING COMPANY
    Inventors: Alec Adams, Ming Chen, Lixin Cai
  • Patent number: 10756814
    Abstract: Systems, methods, and apparatus for an electromagnetic (EM) panel are disclosed. In one or more embodiments, a disclosed electromagnetic (EM) panel comprises an outer skin, an inner skin, a core disposed between the outer skin and the inner skin, and at least one receiver to receive at least one first signal. In at least one embodiment, at least one receiver is disposed within an opening on the outer skin of the EM panel. At least one receiver is an optical sensor(s) and/or a radio frequency (RF) antenna(s). In one or more embodiments, the EM panel further comprises at least one transmitter to transmit at least one second signal. In at least one embodiment, at least one transmitter is disposed within an opening on the outer skin of the EM panel. At least one transmitter is a laser(s) and/or a RF antenna(s).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 25, 2020
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Manny S. Urcia, Jonathan M. Saint Clair, Christopher M. La Fata, John G. Castagno, Ordie D. Butterfield, Stephen T. Tyahla, Alec Adams, Lixin Cai
  • Patent number: 10686254
    Abstract: A system, method, and apparatus for an antenna system. The antenna system comprises an aperture structure, a primary radiating slot, a tuning slot, and a stripline feed. The primary radiating slot and the tuning slot are both located in the aperture structure. The stripline feed is located between the primary radiating slot and the tuning slot in the aperture structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 16, 2020
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Lixin Cai, Alec Adams, Manny S. Urcia, Jr.
  • Patent number: 10651566
    Abstract: Unit cells for phased array antennas are described. The unit cells include a plurality of dipole antennas that are used to form a phased array antenna. In particular, the unit cells that form the phased array antenna each include a plurality of dipole antennas formed on a surface of a substrate that are arranged to collectively form a triangle. A plurality of the unit cells may be linked together to form a triangular lattice array having almost any desired size and aperture, thereby allowing the RF engineer the freedom to achieve a wide variety of performance goals when designing a phased array antenna.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2020
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Alec Adams, Lixin Cai
  • Publication number: 20200067179
    Abstract: A system comprising a core, backskin, longitudinal repair core strip, splice clip, and a section of the backskin. The core comprises a plurality of longitudinal core strips and transverse core strips forming a plurality of core cells and the backskin comprises electronics connected to the core and providing electrical functionality enabling the plurality of core cells of the core to function as a phased array antenna aperture. The splice clip connected one of the plurality of longitudinal core strips to the longitudinal repair core strip and the section of the backskin is electrically connected and structurally bonded to the longitudinal repair core strip.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 1, 2019
    Publication date: February 27, 2020
    Inventors: Manny S. Urcia, Andrew S. Niederschulte, Alec Adams
  • Patent number: 10476140
    Abstract: A method for repair of a multifunctional wideband array includes processes and operations of assessing electrical and structural impairment to the multifunctional wideband array; cutting an opening in a superstrate of the multifunctional wideband array to expose an impaired backskin section of a lower electronics assembly of the multifunctional wideband array; replacing the impaired backskin section with a replacement backskin section; and repairing the opening in the superstrate. A system of multifunctional wideband array repair includes a core having longitudinal core strips and transverse core strips; a backskin having electronics connected to the core and providing electrical functionality enabling the core cells of the core to function as a phased array antenna aperture; a number of splice clips connecting longitudinal core strips to longitudinal repair core strips; and a section of the backskin electrically connected and structurally bonded to the repair core strips.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2019
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Manny S. Urcia, Andrew S. Niederschulte, Alec Adams
  • Publication number: 20190334252
    Abstract: A dual ultra-wideband electronically scanning antenna linear array and a method for producing same is disclosed. In one embodiment, the antenna is comprised of circuit board-based multi-layered sections with integrated feeds. A first dielectric layer or substrate has a thin metal coating on the bottom surface to form a signal ground and metal coating on the top surface where capacitively loaded radiating dipoles are etched. Each of the dipole elements are connected to an associated conductive antenna feed disposed on a bottom surface of another dielectric layer disposed below the first dielectric layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 26, 2018
    Publication date: October 31, 2019
    Applicant: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Alec Adams, Ming Chen, Lixin Cai