Patents by Inventor Dennis Prather
Dennis Prather 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).
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Publication number: 20210273329Abstract: Disclosed herein is a swappable modular-based radiofrequency (RF) frontend that is reconfigurable to form transmitting (TX) and receiving (RX) phased array systems for diverse applications. Such swappable RF frontend may be used with unique spatial and spectral optical processing of complex RF signals over an ultra-wide frequency band. The swappable RF front end may be used in conjunction with an optically upconverted imaging receiver and/or in conjunction with optically addressed phased array technologies transmitters.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 19, 2021Publication date: September 2, 2021Inventors: Shouyuan Shi, Dennis Prather
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Publication number: 20210234338Abstract: Example embodiments disclose a tunable optical pair source (TOPS) configured to generate first and second output optical beams having respective first and second frequencies that are phase locked with each other. The TOPS may include a first laser, such as a tunable laser, configured to generate a first laser beam, a radio frequency (RF) oscillator configured to transmit an RF reference signal, a beam splitter in optical communication with the first laser, and an electro-optic modulator configured to modulate the second split beam with the RF reference signal to form a modulated beam having a first sideband comb comprising a plurality of harmonics. Additionally, the TOPS may include an optical filter configured to receive the modulated beam and output a filtered optical beam, and a second laser configured to generate a second laser beam at the second frequency, the second laser being configured to receive the filtered optical beam as a seed.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 26, 2021Publication date: July 29, 2021Inventor: Dennis Prather
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Publication number: 20210232045Abstract: This disclosure is directed to two-dimensional conformal optically-fed phased arrays and methods for manufacturing the same. The method includes providing a wafer substrate, depositing a first cladding layer on the wafer substrate, and depositing a core layer on the first cladding layer. The method further includes photolithographically patterning the core layer to provide a plurality of optical waveguide cores, and depositing a second cladding layer on the core layer to cover the plurality of optical waveguide cores to provide a plurality of optical waveguides. In addition, the method includes forming a plurality of antennas on the second cladding layer, each antenna of the plurality of antennas located near a termination of a corresponding optical waveguide of the plurality of optical waveguides, and providing a plurality of photodiodes on the second cladding layer, each photodiode of the plurality of photodiodes connected to a corresponding antenna.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 27, 2021Publication date: July 29, 2021Applicant: Phase Sensitive Innovations, Inc.Inventors: Shouyuan Shi, Dennis Prather, Peng Yao, Janusz MURAKOWSKI
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Patent number: 11069974Abstract: An optically-fed tightly-coupled array (TCA) antenna comprises a plurality of photodiodes and antennas. Each photodiode may receive an optical signal from an optical fiber and convert the optical signal into an RF driving signal to drive a corresponding antenna to which it is connected. Each photodiode may be connected to the antenna. In some examples, the TCA is capable of ultra-wideband operation ranging from 2-12 GHz and wide beam-steering capability up to 40° from the broadside. Inductance peaking and resistance matching may be employed.Type: GrantFiled: November 18, 2019Date of Patent: July 20, 2021Assignee: Phase Sensitive Innovations, Inc.Inventors: Shouyuan Shi, Jian Bai, Chris Schuetz, Garrett Schneider, Dennis Prather
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Patent number: 11031690Abstract: Disclosed herein is a swappable modular-based radiofrequency (RF) frontend that is reconfigurable to form transmitting (TX) and receiving (RX) phased array systems for diverse applications. Such swappable RF frontend may be used with unique spatial and spectral optical processing of complex RF signals over an ultra-wide frequency band. The swappable RF front end may be used in conjunction with an optically upconverted imaging receiver and/or in conjunction with optically addressed phased array technologies transmitters.Type: GrantFiled: November 21, 2018Date of Patent: June 8, 2021Assignee: Phase Sensitive Innovations, Inc.Inventors: Shouyuan Shi, Dennis Prather
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Patent number: 11012159Abstract: A method of RF signal processing comprises receiving an incoming RF signal at each of a plurality of antenna elements that are arranged in a first pattern. The received RF signals from each of the plurality of antenna elements are modulated onto an optical carrier to generate a plurality of modulated signals that each have at least one sideband. The modulated signals are directed along a corresponding plurality of optical channels with outputs arranged in a second pattern corresponding to the first pattern. A composite optical signal is formed using light emanating from the outputs of the plurality of optical channels. Non-spatial information contained in at least one of the received RF signals is extracted from the composite signal.Type: GrantFiled: January 7, 2020Date of Patent: May 18, 2021Assignee: Phase Sensitive Innovations, Inc.Inventors: Chris Schuetz, Janusz Murakowski, Garrett Schneider, Shouyuan Shi, Dennis Prather
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Patent number: 10965100Abstract: Example embodiments disclose a tunable optical pair source (TOPS) configured to generate first and second output optical beams having respective first and second frequencies that are phase locked with each other. The TOPS may include a first laser, such as a tunable laser, configured to generate a first laser beam, a radio frequency (RF) oscillator configured to transmit an RF reference signal, a beam splitter in optical communication with the first laser, and an electro-optic modulator configured to modulate the second split beam with the RF reference signal to form a modulated beam having a first sideband comb comprising a plurality of harmonics. Additionally, the TOPS may include an optical filter configured to receive the modulated beam and output a filtered optical beam, and a second laser configured to generate a second laser beam at the second frequency, the second laser being configured to receive the filtered optical beam as a seed.Type: GrantFiled: April 13, 2020Date of Patent: March 30, 2021Assignee: Phase Sensitive Innovations, Inc.Inventor: Dennis Prather
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Patent number: 10917178Abstract: A hyperspectral radiometer may comprise one or more antennas, a electro-optical modulator modulating the received RF signal onto an optical carrier to generate a modulated signal having at least one sideband; a filter filtering the modulated signal to pass the sideband to a photodetector; and a photodetector producing an electrical signal from which information of the RF signal can be extracted. In some examples, the optical sideband may be spatially dispersed to provide a plurality of spatially separate optical components to the photodetector, where the spatially separate optical components having different frequencies and correspond to different frequencies of the received RF signal. In some examples, the passed sideband may be mixed with an optical beam having a frequency offset from the optical carrier to form a combined beam having at least one optical signal component having a beat frequency from which information of the RF signal can be extracted.Type: GrantFiled: March 26, 2019Date of Patent: February 9, 2021Assignee: Phase Sensitive Innovations, Inc.Inventors: Tom Dillon, Christopher Schuetz, Dennis Prather
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Patent number: 10908499Abstract: This disclosure is directed to two-dimensional conformal optically-fed phased arrays and methods for manufacturing the same. The method includes providing a wafer substrate, depositing a first cladding layer on the wafer substrate, and depositing a core layer on the first cladding layer. The method further includes photolithographically patterning the core layer to provide a plurality of optical waveguide cores, and depositing a second cladding layer on the core layer to cover the plurality of optical waveguide cores to provide a plurality of optical waveguides. In addition, the method includes forming a plurality of antennas on the second cladding layer, each antenna of the plurality of antennas located near a termination of a corresponding optical waveguide of the plurality of optical waveguides, and providing a plurality of photodiodes on the second cladding layer, each photodiode of the plurality of photodiodes connected to a corresponding antenna.Type: GrantFiled: March 1, 2018Date of Patent: February 2, 2021Assignee: Phase Sensitive Innovations, Inc.Inventors: Shouyuan Shi, Dennis Prather, Peng Yao, Janusz Murakowski
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Publication number: 20200328573Abstract: Example embodiments disclose a tunable optical pair source (TOPS) configured to generate first and second output optical beams having respective first and second frequencies that are phase locked with each other. The TOPS may include a first laser, such as a tunable laser, configured to generate a first laser beam, a radio frequency (RF) oscillator configured to transmit an RF reference signal, a beam splitter in optical communication with the first laser, and an electro-optic modulator configured to modulate the second split beam with the RF reference signal to form a modulated beam having a first sideband comb comprising a plurality of harmonics. Additionally, the TOPS may include an optical filter configured to receive the modulated beam and output a filtered optical beam, and a second laser configured to generate a second laser beam at the second frequency, the second laser being configured to receive the filtered optical beam as a seed.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 13, 2020Publication date: October 15, 2020Inventor: Dennis Prather
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Publication number: 20200321708Abstract: A modular-based tightly coupled array comprises a plurality of antenna unit cells, each antenna unit cell having a pair of radiating arms and a connected RF feed configured to feed an RF signal to the pair of radiating arms, each pair of radiating arms and RF feed of each antenna unit cell integrated as part of a corresponding printed circuit board (PCB). The antenna unit cells may be positioned above a conductive ground plane and connected to a plurality of RF connectors mounted to the conductive ground plane.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 8, 2020Publication date: October 8, 2020Inventors: Shouyuan Shi, Dennis Prather, Brandon Stacy
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Publication number: 20200145110Abstract: A method of RF signal processing comprises receiving an incoming RF signal at each of a plurality of antenna elements that are arranged in a first pattern. The received RF signals from each of the plurality of antenna elements are modulated onto an optical carrier to generate a plurality of modulated signals that each have at least one sideband. The modulated signals are directed along a corresponding plurality of optical channels with outputs arranged in a second pattern corresponding to the first pattern. A composite optical signal is formed using light emanating from the outputs of the plurality of optical channels. Non-spatial information contained in at least one of the received RF signals is extracted from the composite signal.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 7, 2020Publication date: May 7, 2020Inventors: Chris Schuetz, Janusz Murakowski, Garrett Schneider, Shouyuan Shi, Dennis Prather
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Publication number: 20200091603Abstract: An optically-fed tightly-coupled array (TCA) antenna comprises a plurality of photodiodes and antennas. Each photodiode may receive an optical signal from an optical fiber and convert the optical signal into an RF driving signal to drive a corresponding antenna to which it is connected. Each photodiode may be connected to the antenna. In some examples, the TCA is capable of ultra-wideband operation ranging from 2-12 GHz and wide beam-steering capability up to 40° from the broadside. Inductance peaking and resistance matching may be employed.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 18, 2019Publication date: March 19, 2020Inventors: Shouyuan Shi, Jian Bai, Chris Schuetz, Garrett Schneider, Dennis Prather
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Patent number: 10573972Abstract: A phased antenna array comprises a plurality of antennas and photodiodes arranged on a substrate. Each antenna is driven by an electrical signal output by the photodiode. The photodiodes each receive an optical signal via an optical fiber. The optical fibers conform to the sheet-like shape of the antenna array (which may be planar or curved) and optically communicate with a corresponding photodiode via a corresponding reflector, such as a ninety degree reflector. The reflectors may comprise a v-groove in a silicon substrate on which the optical fiber is positioned and a reflecting surface. Each reflector may be attached to the substrate or a ground plane positioned parallel to the substrate and the optical fiber may connect to the reflector in a direction running parallel to the phased antenna array. This optical feed network may accommodate tight spacing of the antenna elements (such as spacing less than 5 mm apart) with a thin profile.Type: GrantFiled: December 10, 2018Date of Patent: February 25, 2020Assignee: Phase Sensitive Innovations, Inc.Inventors: Janusz Murakowski, Dennis Prather, Peng Yao
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Patent number: 10536220Abstract: A method of RF signal processing comprises receiving an incoming RF signal at each of a plurality of antenna elements that are arranged in a first pattern. The received RF signals from each of the plurality of antenna elements are modulated onto an optical carrier to generate a plurality of modulated signals that each have at least one sideband. The modulated signals are directed along a corresponding plurality of optical channels with outputs arranged in a second pattern corresponding to the first pattern. A composite optical signal is formed using light emanating from the outputs of the plurality of optical channels. Non-spatial information contained in at least one of the received RF signals is extracted from the composite signal.Type: GrantFiled: December 10, 2018Date of Patent: January 14, 2020Assignee: Phase Sensitive Innovations, Inc.Inventors: Chris Schuetz, Janusz Murakowski, Garrett Schneider, Shouyuan Shi, Dennis Prather
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Publication number: 20190372219Abstract: An RF receiver may include antenna elements to receive RF signals, and electro-optic modulators to generate corresponding upconverted optical signals by mixing an RF signal with an optical carrier beam. The RF receiver may include a transmission array having a first bundle of optical waveguides that receive and transmit upconverted optical signals from their ends. The ends may be arranged in a first pattern. The RF receiver may include an interference space to receive the upconverted optical signals to form a composite beam, and an array of single mode optical fibers that have lenses positioned in a detection plane to receive a portion of the composite beam. The first pattern of the ends generates an RF emitter interference pattern at the detection plane, and the single mode optical fiber lenses have a geometric arrangement that corresponds to the first RF emitter interference pattern.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 1, 2019Publication date: December 5, 2019Inventors: Garrett Schneider, Christopher Schuetz, Janusz Murakowski, Tom Dillon, Shouyuan Shi, Dennis Prather
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Patent number: 10490893Abstract: An optically-fed tightly-coupled array (TCA) antenna comprises a plurality of photodiodes and antennas. Each photodiode may receive an optical signal from an optical fiber and convert the optical signal into an RF driving signal to drive a corresponding antenna to which it is connected. Each photodiode may be connected to the antenna. In some examples, the TCA is capable of ultra-wideband operation ranging from 2-12 GHz and wide beam-steering capability up to 40° from the broadside. Inductance peaking and resistance matching may be employed.Type: GrantFiled: August 19, 2016Date of Patent: November 26, 2019Assignee: Phase Sensitive Innovations, Inc.Inventors: Shouyuan Shi, Jian Bai, Chris Schuetz, Garrett Schneider, Dennis Prather
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Publication number: 20190319356Abstract: In the disclosed optically-fed transmitting phased-array architecture, transmitting signals are converted between the electrical domain and the optical domain by using electro-optic (EO) modulators and photodiodes. RF signal(s) generated from a relatively low frequency source modulate an optical carrier signal. This modulated optical signal can be remotely imparted to photodiodes via optical fibers. Desired RF signals may be recovered by photo-mixing at the photodiodes whose wired RF outputs are then transmitted to radiating elements of the antennas. The antenna array may generate a physical RF beam that transmits an RF signal that is focused on one or more selectable locations. Multiple RF beams may be simultaneously generated, each RF beam being capable of being directed to focus on a unique location or set of locations.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 16, 2019Publication date: October 17, 2019Inventors: Shouyuan Shi, Dennis Prather, Janusz Murakowski, Matthew Konkol
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Publication number: 20190296831Abstract: A hyperspectral radiometer may comprise one or more antennas, a electro-optical modulator modulating the received RF signal onto an optical carrier to generate a modulated signal having at least one sideband; a filter filtering the modulated signal to pass the sideband to a photodetector; and a photodetector producing an electrical signal from which information of the RF signal can be extracted. In some examples, the optical sideband may be spatially dispersed to provide a plurality of spatially separate optical components to the photodetector, where the spatially separate optical components having different frequencies and correspond to different frequencies of the received RF signal. In some examples, the passed sideband may be mixed with an optical beam having a frequency offset from the optical carrier to form a combined beam having at least one optical signal component having a beat frequency from which information of the RF signal can be extracted.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 26, 2019Publication date: September 26, 2019Inventors: Tom Dillon, Christopher Schuetz, Dennis Prather
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Patent number: 10396421Abstract: Traveling-wave directional filters (DFs) with multiple coupling slots are disclosed. A traveling-wave directional filter may include two terminating conductive strips in a top circuit layer of a substrate, a loop resonator in a bottom layer of a substrate, and a shared ground plane. Coupling slots in the ground plane may couple the conductive strips via the loop resonator.Type: GrantFiled: August 2, 2017Date of Patent: August 27, 2019Inventors: Yifei Zhang, Shouyuan Shi, Richard Martin, Dennis Prather