Patents by Inventor Gordon D. Osterhues

Gordon D. Osterhues 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: 7417598
    Abstract: A compact, low profile electronically scanned antenna module is provided. The antenna module includes a multi-layer antenna integrated printed wiring board (AiPWB) that includes a radiator layer on a front surface. The radiator layer includes a plurality of RF radiating elements. The antenna module additionally includes a plurality of radiator electronics modules orthogonally connected to a back surface of the AiPWB. The electronics modules are interconnected with radiating elements through the AiPWB and include a plurality of beam steering electronic elements mounted to a multi layer conformable substrate. The orthogonal connections allow the antenna module to have outer dimensions that are substantially equal to the dimensions of a perimeter of the AiPWB.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 26, 2008
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Julio A. Navarro, Devin W. Hersey, Michael H. Florian, Gordon D Osterhues, Percy Yen
  • Publication number: 20080111754
    Abstract: An antenna module for an electronically scanned phased array antenna is provided. In various embodiments, the module includes a transmit/receive (T/R) module layer including a plurality of T/R modules. The module additionally includes an external phase shifter layer that includes a plurality of sets of secondary phase shifters. Each secondary phase shifter set is associated with a specific one of the T/R modules. Furthermore, the module includes a horn antenna layer having a plurality of antenna horns. The horn antenna layer is positioned between the T/R module layer and the phase shifter layer such that each horn is aligned between one T/R module and the associated one of the sets of phase shifters.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 13, 2006
    Publication date: May 15, 2008
    Inventors: Gordon D. Osterhues, Alan R. Keith, Neal E. Tornberg, Percy C. Yen
  • Patent number: 7372420
    Abstract: An antenna module for an electronically scanned phased array antenna is provided. In various embodiments, the module includes a transmit/receive (T/R) module layer including a plurality of T/R modules. The module additionally includes an external phase shifter layer that includes a plurality of sets of secondary phase shifters. Each secondary phase shifter set is associated with a specific one of the T/R modules. Furthermore, the module includes a horn antenna layer having a plurality of antenna horns. The horn antenna layer is positioned between the T/R module layer and the phase shifter layer such that each horn is aligned between one T/R module and the associated one of the sets of phase shifters.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 13, 2008
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Gordon D Osterhues, Alan R Keith, Neal E Tornberg, Percy C Yen
  • Publication number: 20080106467
    Abstract: A compact, low profile electronically scanned antenna module is provided. The antenna module includes a multi-layer antenna integrated printed wiring board (AiPWB) that includes a radiator layer on a front surface. The radiator layer includes a plurality of RF radiating elements. The antenna module additionally includes a plurality of radiator electronics modules orthogonally connected to a back surface of the AiPWB. The electronics modules are interconnected with radiating elements through the AiPWB and include a plurality of beam steering electronic elements mounted to a multi layer conformable substrate. The orthogonal connections allow the antenna module to have outer dimensions that are substantially equal to the dimensions of a perimeter of the AiPWB.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 8, 2006
    Publication date: May 8, 2008
    Inventors: Julio A. Navarro, Devin W. Hersey, Michael H. Florian, Gordon D. Osterhues, Percy Yen
  • Patent number: 6744411
    Abstract: An electronically scanned antenna system includes a plurality of array elements and a control system. Each array element has a plurality of reflecting components capable of reflecting an electromagnetic wave incident thereon. Each reflecting component, in turn, is interconnected to at least one reflecting segment by at least one switch. In this regard, when the switches are in a closed state the respective reflecting segments are electrically coupled to the respective reflecting components to thereby alter a reflective geometry of the respective reflecting components. The control system is capable of controlling the switches to thereby control the array elements to provide a desired degree of phase shift to a signal reflected from the antenna. Advantageously, the control system is capable of controlling the switches of one reflecting component at the same time the control system controls corresponding switches of other reflecting components.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2004
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Gordon D. Osterhues, Julio Angel Navarro
  • Patent number: 6396449
    Abstract: A layered, electronically scanned antenna. The antenna includes a plurality or array layers separated by dielectric spacers. Each array layer includes a transistor switched grid formed by a plurality of reflective/transmissive elements such as cross dipoles interconnected by a plurality of semiconductors, such as MOSFETs. When the switched grid is in an open state, its associated array layer is reflective. When it is in a closed condition, its associated layer is in a transmissive state. By controlling the state of each array layer, a desired degree of phase shift can be imparted to the signal reflected by the antenna. The antenna thus eliminates the need for costly MEMS/MMIC technology to achieve the desired degrees of phase shift of a signal reflected by the antenna.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2002
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Gordon D. Osterhues, Michael C. Miller, Neal Eugene Tornberg, Douglas K. Waineo