Patents by Inventor Chris Masse

Chris Masse 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).

  • Patent number: 11196401
    Abstract: In tuning a radio frequency (RF) module including a non-volatile tunable RF filter, a desired frequency and an undesired frequency being provided by an amplifier of the RF module are detected. The non-volatile tunable RF filter is coupled to an output of the amplifier of the RF module. A factory setting of an adjustable capacitor in the non-volatile tunable RF filter is changed by factory-setting a state of a non-volatile RF switch, such that the non-volatile tunable RF filter substantially rejects the undesired frequency and substantially passes the desired frequency. The adjustable capacitor includes the non-volatile RF switch, and the factory setting of the adjustable capacitor corresponds to a factory-set state of the non-volatile RF switch. An end-user is prevented access to the non-volatile RF switch, so as prevent the end-user from modifying the factory-set state of the non-volatile RF switch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 7, 2021
    Assignee: Newport Fab, LLC
    Inventors: Chris Masse, David J. Howard, Nabil El-Hinnawy, Gregory P. Slovin
  • Patent number: 11158794
    Abstract: A high-yield, tunable radio frequency (RF) filter includes a plurality of process-dependent capacitors and a plurality of non-volatile RF switches. Each of the plurality of process-dependent capacitors is connected to at least one of the plurality of non-volatile RF switches. An auxiliary capacitor in the plurality of process-dependent capacitors is engaged by an ON-state non-volatile RF switch in the plurality of non-volatile RF switches. A primary capacitor in the plurality of process-dependent capacitors is disengaged by an OFF-state non-volatile RF switch in the plurality of non-volatile RF switches. The auxiliary capacitor substitutes for the primary capacitor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 26, 2021
    Assignee: Newport Fab, LLC
    Inventors: Chris Masse, David J. Howard, Nabil EI-Hinnawy, Gregory P. Slovin
  • Patent number: 11159145
    Abstract: In a first approach, a reconfigurable radio frequency (RF) filtering module includes a phase-change material (PCM) RF switch bank and an RF filter bank. Each RF filter in the RF filter bank is capable to be engaged and disengaged by a PCM RF switch in the PCM RF switch bank. In a second approach, a tunable RF filter includes PCM RF switches and a capacitor and/or an inductor. Each of the capacitor and/or inductor is capable to be engaged and disengaged by at least one PCM RF switch of the PCM RF switches. In a third approach, an adjustable passive component includes multiple segments and a PCM RF switch. A selectable segment in the multiple segments is capable to be engaged and disengaged by the PCM RF switch. In all approaches, each PCM RF switch includes a PCM and a heating element transverse to the PCM.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 26, 2021
    Assignee: Newport Fab, LLC
    Inventors: Nabil El-Hinnawy, Chris Masse, Gregory P. Slovin, David J. Howard
  • Patent number: 11139792
    Abstract: In tuning a radio frequency (RF) module including a non-volatile tunable RF filter, a desired frequency and an undesired frequency being provided by an amplifier of the RF module are detected. The non-volatile tunable RF filter is coupled to an output of the amplifier of the RF module. A factory setting of an adjustable capacitor in the non-volatile tunable RF filter is changed by factory-setting a state of a non-volatile RF switch, such that the non-volatile tunable RF filter substantially rejects the undesired frequency and substantially passes the desired frequency. The adjustable capacitor includes the non-volatile RF switch, and the factory setting of the adjustable capacitor corresponds to a factory-set state of the non-volatile RF switch. An end-user is prevented access to the non-volatile RF switch, so as prevent the end-user from modifying the factory-set state of the non-volatile RF switch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 5, 2021
    Assignee: Newport Fab, LLC
    Inventors: Chris Masse, David J. Howard, Nabil El-Hinnawy, Gregory P. Slovin
  • Patent number: 11057019
    Abstract: A non-volatile adjustable phase shifter is coupled to a transceiver in a wireless communication device. The non-volatile adjustable phase shifter includes a non-volatile radio frequency (RF) switch. In one implementation, the non-volatile RF switch is a phase-change material (PCM) RF switch. In one approach, the non-volatile adjustable phase shifter includes a selectable transmission delay arm and a selectable transmission reference arm. A phase shift caused by the non-volatile adjustable phase shifter is adjusted when the non-volatile RF switch engages with or disengages from the selectable transmission delay arm. In another approach, the non-volatile adjustable phase shifter includes a selectable impedance element. A phase shift caused by the non-volatile adjustable phase shifter is adjusted when the non-volatile RF switch engages with or disengages from the selectable impedance element. In either approach, the phase shift changes a phase of RF signals being transmitted from or received by the transceiver.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 6, 2021
    Assignee: Newport Fab, LLC
    Inventors: Nabil El-Hinnawy, Gregory P. Slovin, Chris Masse, David J. Howard
  • Patent number: 11031555
    Abstract: A radio frequency (RF) switching circuit includes stacked phase-change material (PCM) RF switches. Each of the PCM RF switches includes a PCM, a heating element transverse to the PCM, and first and second heating element contacts. The first heating element contact is coupled to an RF ground, and the second heating element contact may also be coupled to an RF ground. Each of the PCM RF switches can also include first and second PCM contacts. A compensation capacitor can be coupled across the first and second PCM contacts in at least one of the PCM RF switches.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 8, 2021
    Assignee: Newport Fab, LLC
    Inventors: Nabil El-Hinnawy, Gregory P. Slovin, Chris Masse, Paul D. Hurwitz, David J. Howard
  • Publication number: 20200335697
    Abstract: A radio frequency (RF) switching circuit includes stacked phase-change material (PCM) RF switches. Each of the PCM RF switches includes a PCM, a heating element transverse to the PCM, and first and second heating element contacts. The first heating element contact is coupled to an RF ground, and the second heating element contact may also be coupled to an RF ground. Each of the PCM RF switches can also include first and second PCM contacts. A compensation capacitor can be coupled across the first and second PCM contacts in at least one of the PCM RIF switches.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 23, 2020
    Publication date: October 22, 2020
    Inventors: Nabil El-Hinnawy, Gregory P. Slovin, Chris Masse, Paul D. Hurwitz, David J. Howard
  • Publication number: 20200169239
    Abstract: In tuning a radio frequency (RF) module including a non-volatile tunable RF filter, a desired frequency and an undesired frequency being provided by an amplifier of the RF module are detected. The non-volatile tunable RF filter is coupled to an output of the amplifier of the RF module. A factory setting of an adjustable capacitor in the non-volatile tunable RF filter is changed by factory-setting a state of a non-volatile RF switch, such that die non-volatile tunable RF filter substantially rejects die undesired frequency and substantially passes die desired frequency. The adjustable capacitor includes die non-volatile RF switch, and the factory setting of the adjustable capacitor corresponds to a factory-set state of the non-volatile RF switch. An end-user is prevented access to the non-volatile RF switch, so as prevent the end-user from modifying the factory-set state of the non-volatile RF switch.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 29, 2020
    Publication date: May 28, 2020
    Inventors: Chris Masse, David J. Howard, Nabil EI-Hinnawy, Gregory P. Slovin
  • Publication number: 20200161548
    Abstract: A high-yield, tunable radio frequency (RF) filter includes a plurality of process-dependent capacitors and a plurality of non-volatile RF switches. Each of the plurality of process-dependent capacitors is connected to at least one of the plurality of non-volatile RF switches. An auxiliary capacitor in the plurality of process-dependent capacitors is engaged by an ON-state non-volatile RF switch in the plurality of non-volatile RF switches. A primary capacitor in the plurality of process-dependent capacitors is disengaged by an OFF-state non-volatile RF switch in the plurality of non-volatile RF switches. The auxiliary capacitor substitutes for the primary capacitor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 27, 2020
    Publication date: May 21, 2020
    Inventors: Chris Masse, David J. Howard, Nabil EI-Hinnawy, Gregory P. Slovin
  • Publication number: 20200059217
    Abstract: In tuning a radio frequency (RF) module including a non-volatile tunable RF filter, a desired frequency and an undesired frequency being provided by an amplifier of the RF module are detected. The non-volatile tunable RF filter is coupled to an output of the amplifier of the RF module. A factory setting of an adjustable capacitor in the non-volatile tunable RF filter is changed by factory-setting a state of a non-volatile RF switch, such that the non-volatile tunable RF filter substantially rejects the undesired frequency and substantially passes the desired frequency. The adjustable capacitor includes the non-volatile RF switch, and the factory setting of the adjustable capacitor corresponds to a factory-set state of the non-volatile RF switch. An end-user is prevented access to the non-volatile RF switch, so as prevent the end-user from modifying the factory-set state of the non-volatile RF switch.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 22, 2019
    Publication date: February 20, 2020
    Inventors: Chris Masse, David J. Howard, Nabil El-Hinnawy, Gregory P. Slovin
  • Publication number: 20200059220
    Abstract: A non-volatile adjustable phase shifter is coupled to a transceiver in a wireless communication device. The non-volatile adjustable phase shifter includes a non-volatile radio frequency (RF) switch. In one implementation, the non-volatile RF switch is a phase-change material (PCM) RF switch. In one approach, the non-volatile adjustable phase shifter includes a selectable transmission delay arm and a selectable transmission reference arm. A phase shift caused by the non-volatile adjustable phase shifter is adjusted when the non-volatile RF switch engages with or disengages from the selectable transmission delay arm. In another approach, the non-volatile adjustable phase shifter includes a selectable impedance element. A phase shift caused by the non-volatile adjustable phase shifter is adjusted when the non-volatile RF switch engages with or disengages from the selectable impedance element. In either approach, the phase shift changes a phase of RF signals being transmitted from or received by the transceiver.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 3, 2019
    Publication date: February 20, 2020
    Inventors: Nabil El-Hinnawy, Gregory P. Siovin, Chris Masse, David J. Howard
  • Publication number: 20200059219
    Abstract: In a first approach, a reconfigurable radio frequency (RF) filtering module includes a phase-change material (PCM) RF switch bank and an RF filter bank. Each RF filter in the RF filter bank is capable to be engaged and disengaged by a PCM RF switch in the PCM RF switch bank. In a second approach, a tunable RF filter includes PCM RF switches and a capacitor and/or an inductor. Each of the capacitor and/or inductor is capable to be engaged and disengaged by at least one PCM RF switch of the PCM RF switches. In a third approach, an adjustable passive component includes multiple segments and a PCM RF switch. A selectable segment in the multiple segments is capable to be engaged and disengaged by the PCM RF switch. In all approaches, each PCM RF switch includes a PCM and a heating element transverse to the PCM.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 21, 2019
    Publication date: February 20, 2020
    Inventors: Nabil El-Hinnawy, Chris Masse, Gregory P. Slovin, David J. Howard
  • Patent number: 10536124
    Abstract: A power stage includes a power stage amplifier, selectable matching networks, and phase-change material (PCM) radio frequency (RF) switches. Each of the PCM RF switches includes a heating element transverse to a PCM, the heating element approximately defining an active segment of the PCM. A power stage amplifier output is connected to the PCM RF switches. Each of the PCM RF switches is connected to one of the selectable matching networks. A power stage amplifier output is coupled to or decoupled from one of the selectable matching networks by one of the PCM RF switches. In one approach, the power stage is included in a power amplifier module of a communications device. The power amplifier module further includes a bias and match controller that biases the power stage amplifier, and that uses one of the PCM RF switches to couple or decouple the power stage amplifier output.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2020
    Assignee: Newport Fab, LLC
    Inventors: Chris Masse, Nabil El-Hinnawy, Gregory P. Slovin, David J. Howard