Patents by Inventor Griffin K. Gothard

Griffin K. Gothard 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: 20090284434
    Abstract: An antenna apparatus, which can increase capacity in a cellular communication system or Wireless Local Area Network (WLAN), such as an 802.11 network, operates in conjunction with a mobile subscriber unit or client station. At least one antenna element is active and located within multiple passive antenna elements. The passive antenna elements are coupled to selectable impedance components for phase control of re-radiated RF signals. Various techniques for determining the phase of each antenna element are supported to enable the antenna apparatus to direct an antenna beam pattern toward a base station or access point with maximum gain, and, consequently, maximum signal-to-noise ratio. By directionally receiving and transmitting signals, multipath fading is greatly reduced as well as intercell interference.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 5, 2009
    Publication date: November 19, 2009
    Applicant: IPR LICENSING, INC.
    Inventors: Griffin K. Gothard, Alton S. Keel, JR., Christopher A. Snyder, Bing Chiang, Joe T. Richeson, Douglas H. Wood, James A. Proctor, JR., Kenneth M. Gainey
  • Patent number: 7598918
    Abstract: The tubular slot-mode antenna includes an array of slot antenna units carried by a tubular substrate, e.g. a cylindrical substrate, and each slot antenna unit having a pair of patch antenna elements arranged in laterally spaced apart relation about at least one central feed position. Adjacent patch antenna elements of adjacent slot-mode antenna units have respective spaced apart edge portions with predetermined shapes and relative positioning to provide increased capacitive coupling therebetween. The array of slot-mode antenna units may define a plurality of ring-shaped slots coaxial with an axis of the tubular substrate, and a feed arrangement may be coupled thereto to operate the array of slot-mode antenna units in an endfire mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 6, 2009
    Assignee: Harris Corporation
    Inventors: Timothy E. Durham, Griffin K. Gothard, Anthony Mark Jones, Jay Kralovec, Stephen R. Landers, Sean Ortiz, Chris Snyder, Ralph Trosa
  • Patent number: 7530180
    Abstract: A wireless mobile handset includes an antenna array. The antenna array includes a passive element disposed on a first portion of a dielectric substrate and an active element disposed on a second portion of the dielectric substrate. The passive element is configured to operate in a reflective mode to produce a bi-directional radiation pattern.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2009
    Assignee: IPR Licensing, Inc.
    Inventors: Bing Chiang, Christopher A. Snyder, Griffin K. Gothard, David C. Jorgenson
  • Patent number: 7528789
    Abstract: An antenna apparatus, which can increase capacity in a cellular communication system or Wireless Local Area Network (WLAN), such as an 802.11 network, operates in conjunction with a mobile subscriber unit or client station. At least one antenna element is active and located within multiple passive antenna elements. The passive antenna elements are coupled to selectable impedance components for phase control of re-radiated RF signals. Various techniques for determining the phase of each antenna element are supported to enable the antenna apparatus to direct an antenna beam pattern toward a base station or access point with maximum gain, and, consequently, maximum signal-to-noise ratio. By directionally receiving and transmitting signals, multipath fading is greatly reduced as well as intercell interference.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 5, 2009
    Assignee: IPR Licensing, Inc.
    Inventors: Griffin K. Gothard, Alton S. Keel, Jr., Christopher A. Snyder, Bing Chiang, Joe T. Richeson, Douglas H. Wood, James A. Proctor, Jr., Kenneth M. Gainey
  • Patent number: 7463201
    Abstract: A wireless handset including an antenna array. The antenna array includes an active antenna element and two passive antenna elements. The active and passive antenna elements are arranged to form a triangle with a vertex. The vertex includes a vertex angle and the active antenna element is disposed at the vertex. The vertex angle is between 90 degrees and 180 degrees.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 9, 2008
    Assignee: InterDigital Corporation
    Inventors: Bing Chiang, Griffin K. Gothard, Christopher A. Snyder, William R. Palmer, Michael J. Lynch, Thomas E. Gorsuch, Kenneth M. Gainey, James A. Proctor
  • Patent number: 7420519
    Abstract: The slot-mode antenna includes an array of slot antenna units carried by a substrate, and each slot antenna unit having a pair of patch antenna elements arranged in laterally spaced apart relation about at least one central feed position. Adjacent patch antenna elements of adjacent slot-mode antenna units have respective spaced apart edge portions with predetermined shapes and relative positioning to provide increased capacitive coupling therebetween. The spaced apart edge portions may be continuously or periodically interdigitated to provide the increased capacitive coupling therebetween.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2008
    Assignee: Harris Corporation
    Inventors: Timothy E. Durham, Anthony M. Jones, Sean C. Ortiz, Chris Synder, Griffin K. Gothard
  • Patent number: 7408520
    Abstract: The slot-mode antenna includes an array of slot antenna units carried by a substrate, and each slot antenna unit has a pair of patch antenna elements arranged in laterally spaced apart relation about at least one central feed position. Adjacent patch antenna elements of adjacent slot-mode antenna units include respective spaced apart edge portions defining gaps therebetween, and a capacitive coupling layer or plates overlap the respective spaced apart edge portions to provide increased capacitive coupling therebetween. The capacitive coupling layer may include continuous or periodic capacitive coupling plates along each gap defined by the respective spaced apart edge portions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 5, 2008
    Assignee: Harris Corporation
    Inventors: Timothy E. Durham, Anthony M. Jones, Sean C. Ortiz, Chris Synder, Griffin K. Gothard
  • Patent number: 7408519
    Abstract: The dual-polarization antenna with a slot pattern can produce vertical polarized energy near the horizon and can scan to near grazing angles. The dual-polarization, slot-mode antenna includes an array of dual-polarization, slot-mode, antenna units carried by a substrate, and each dual-polarization, slot-mode antenna unit having at least four patch antenna elements arranged in spaced apart relation about a central feed position. Adjacent patch antenna elements of adjacent dual-polarization, slot-mode antenna units have respective spaced apart edge portions defining gaps therebetween. Capacitive coupling plates are adjacent the gaps and overlap the respective spaced apart edge portions to provide increased capacitive coupling therebetween.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 5, 2008
    Assignee: Harris Corporation
    Inventors: Timothy E. Durham, Anthony M. Jones, Griffin K. Gothard, Sean Ortiz
  • Publication number: 20080150820
    Abstract: The tubular slot-mode antenna includes an array of slot antenna units carried by a tubular substrate, e.g. a cylindrical substrate, and each slot antenna unit having a pair of patch antenna elements arranged in laterally spaced apart relation about at least one central feed position. Adjacent patch antenna elements of adjacent slot-mode antenna units have respective spaced apart edge portions with predetermined shapes and relative positioning to provide increased capacitive coupling therebetween. The array of slot-mode antenna units may define a plurality of ring-shaped slots coaxial with an axis of the tubular substrate, and a feed arrangement may be coupled thereto to operate the array of slot-mode antenna units in an endfire mode.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 21, 2008
    Publication date: June 26, 2008
    Applicant: Harris Corporation
    Inventors: Timothy E. Durham, Griffin K. Gothard, Anthony Mark Jones, Jay Kralovec, Stephen R. Landers, Sean Ortiz, Chris Snyder, Ralph Trosa
  • Patent number: 7358921
    Abstract: A dual polarization antenna includes a substantially pyramidal configured substrate having opposing walls. An antenna element is carried at each wall such that opposing pairs of antenna elements define respective antenna dipoles and provide dual polarization.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2008
    Assignee: Harris Corporation
    Inventors: Chris Snyder, Griffin K. Gothard, Jay Kralovec
  • Patent number: 7268738
    Abstract: An active antenna element to transmit and/or receive RF (Radio Frequency) signals is positioned in relation to a backplane that reflects RF signals. One or more passive antenna elements can be disposed on a similar side of the backplane as the active antenna element. Settings of the one or more passive antenna elements are adjusted to produce an input/output beam pattern that varies depending on whether the at least one passive antenna element is reflective or transmissive. Based on this technique, an RF input output beam pattern of an antenna assembly including the backplane, active antenna element and passive antenna elements can be controlled for better reception and transmission of RF signals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2007
    Assignee: IPR Licensing, Inc.
    Inventors: Griffin K. Gothard, Kenneth M. Gainey, Bing Chiang
  • Patent number: 7253783
    Abstract: An antenna assembly includes at least two active or main radiating omni-directional antenna elements arranged with at least one beam control or passive antenna element used as a reflector. The beam control antenna element(s) may have multiple reactance elements that can electrically terminate it to adjust the input or output beam pattern(s) produced by the combination of the active antenna elements and the beam control antenna element(s). More specifically, the beam control antenna element(s) may be coupled to different terminating reactances to change beam characteristics, such as the directivity and angular beamwidth. Processing may be employed to select which terminating reactance to use. Consequently, the radiator pattern of the antenna can be more easily directed towards a specific target receiver/transmitter, reduce signal-to-noise interference levels, and/or increase gain.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2007
    Assignee: IPR Licensing, Inc.
    Inventors: Bing Chiang, Kenneth M. Gainey, James A. Proctor, Jr., Antoine J. Rouphael, Griffin K. Gothard, Michael J. Lynch
  • Patent number: 7221322
    Abstract: The dual-polarization, slot-mode antenna includes an array of dual-polarization, slot-mode, antenna units carried by a substrate, with each dual-polarization, slot-mode antenna unit having at least four patch antenna elements arranged in spaced apart relation about a central feed position. Adjacent patch antenna elements of adjacent dual-polarization, slot-mode antenna units include respective spaced apart edge portions having predetermined shapes and relative positioning to provide increased capacitive coupling therebetween. The respective spaced apart edge portions may be continuously or periodically interdigitated to provide the increased capacitive coupling therebetween.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2007
    Assignee: Harris Corporation
    Inventors: Timothy E. Durham, Anthony M. Jones, Griffin K. Gothard, Sean Ortiz
  • Patent number: 7215297
    Abstract: An antenna apparatus, which can increase capacity in a cellular communication system or Wireless Local Area Network (WLAN), such as an 802.11 network, operates in conjunction with a mobile subscriber unit or client station. At least one antenna element is active and located within multiple passive antenna elements. The passive antenna elements are coupled to selectable impedance components for phase control of re-radiated RF signals. Various techniques for determining the phase of each antenna element are supported to enable the antenna apparatus to direct an antenna beam pattern toward a base station or access point with maximum gain, and, consequently, maximum signal-to-noise ratio. By directionally receiving and transmitting signals, multipath fading is greatly reduced as well as intercell interference.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 17, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2007
    Assignee: IPR Licensing, Inc.
    Inventors: Griffin K. Gothard, Alton S. Keel, Jr., Christopher A. Snyder, Bing Chiang, Joe T. Richeson, Douglas H. Wood, James A. Proctor, Jr., Kenneth M. Gainey
  • Patent number: 7202835
    Abstract: A directive antenna operable in multiple frequency bands includes an active antenna element and at least one passive antenna element parasitically coupled to the active antenna element. The passive antenna element(s) have length and spacing substantially optimized to operate at (i) a fundamental frequency associated with the active antenna element and (ii) a higher resonant frequency related to the fundamental frequency. Spatial-harmonic current-distributions of the passive antenna elements are used to create the multiple frequency bands of operation. The directive antenna also includes devices operatively coupled to the passive antenna element(s) to steer an antenna beam formed by applying a signal at the fundamental resonant frequency, higher resonant frequency, or both to the active antenna element to operate in the multiple frequency bands.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2007
    Assignee: IPR Licensing, Inc.
    Inventors: Bing Chiang, Michael J. Lynch, Griffin K. Gothard
  • Patent number: 7190313
    Abstract: A mobile communication handset includes at least one passive antenna element and an active antenna element adjacent to the passive antenna elements protruding from a housing. The active element is coupled to electronic radio communication circuits and the passive antenna elements are coupled to circuit elements that affect the directivity of communication signals coupled to the antenna elements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2007
    Assignee: IPR Licensing, Inc.
    Inventors: Bing Chiang, Christopher A. Snyder, Griffin K. Gothard, David C. Jorgenson
  • Patent number: 7176844
    Abstract: An antenna array that uses at least two passive antennas and one active antenna disposed above a ground plane, but electrically isolated from the ground plane, and a respective resonant strip positioned beneath each passive antenna. The passive antenna elements are positioned about the active element, and each of the at least two passive antenna elements is individually set to a reflective or a transmissive mode to change the characteristics of an input/output beam pattern of the antenna apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2007
    Assignee: IPR Licensing, Inc.
    Inventors: Bing Chiang, Griffin K. Gothard, Christopher A. Snyder, William R. Palmer, Michael J. Lynch, Thomas E. Gorsuch, Kenneth M. Gainey, James A. Proctor, Jr.
  • Patent number: 7046202
    Abstract: An antenna array includes a dielectric substrate comprising an integral center hub including a pivotal center section therein, and a pivotal wings extending radially from the integral center hub. An active antenna element is on the pivotal center section of the integral center hub, and passive antenna elements are on the pivotal wings. The active antenna element and the passive antenna elements are pivotal between a stored position and an operational position. The active antenna element and the passive antenna elements are substantially planar when in the stored position, and are substantially perpendicular to the integral center hub when in the operational position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2006
    Assignee: IPR Licensing, Inc.
    Inventors: Bing Chiang, William R. Palmer, Griffin K. Gothard, Christopher A. Snyder
  • Patent number: 7038626
    Abstract: An active antenna element to transmit and/or receive RF (Radio Frequency) signals is positioned in relation to a backplane that reflects RF signals. One or more passive antenna elements can be disposed on a similar side of the backplane as the active antenna element. Settings of the one or more passive antenna elements are adjusted to produce an input/output beam pattern that varies depending on whether the at least one passive antenna element is reflective or transmissive. Based on this technique, an RF input output beam pattern of an antenna assembly including the backplane, active antenna element and passive antenna elements can be controlled for better reception and transmission of RF signals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2006
    Assignee: IPR Licensing, Inc.
    Inventors: Griffin K. Gothard, Kenneth M. Gainey, Bing Chiang
  • Patent number: 7034761
    Abstract: An antenna includes a dielectric substrate, an ative antenna element carried by the dielectric substrate, and passive antenna elements carried by the dielectric substrate. The passive antenna elements are laterally adjacent the active antenna element. A respective impedance element is selectively connectable to each passive antenna element for antenna beam steering. Image elements are carried by the dielectric substrate, and a respective image element is connected to each impedance element and ground.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2006
    Assignee: IPR Licensing, Inc.
    Inventors: Bing Chiang, William R. Palmer, Griffin K. Gothard, Christopher A. Snyder