Patents by Inventor J. Frederick Larrick
J. Frederick Larrick 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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Patent number: 7369598Abstract: A waveform-adaptive ultra-wideband (UWB) transmitter and noise-tracking UWB receiver for use in communications, object detection and radar applications. In one embodiment, the output of an oscillator is gated by a low-level impulse generator either directly or through an optional filter. In a special case of that embodiment wherein the oscillator is zero frequency and outputs a DC bias, a low-level impulse generator impulse-excites a bandpass filter to produce an UWB signal having an adjustable center frequency and desired bandwidth based on a characteristic of the filter. In another embodiment, the low-level impulse signal is approximated by a time-gated continuous-wave oscillator to produce an extremely wide bandwidth pulse with deterministic center frequency and bandwidth characteristics. The low-level impulse signal can be generated digitally. The UWB signal may be modulated to carry data, or may be used in object detection or ranging applications.Type: GrantFiled: October 13, 2005Date of Patent: May 6, 2008Assignee: Multispectral Solutions, Inc.Inventors: Robert J. Fontana, J. Frederick Larrick, Jr.
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Patent number: 7209523Abstract: A waveform-adaptive ultra-wideband (UWB) transmitter and noise-tracking UWB receiver for use in communications, object detection and radar applications. In one embodiment, the output of an oscillator is gated by a low-level impulse generator either directly or through an optional filter. In a special case of that embodiment wherein the oscillator is zero frequency and outputs a DC bias, a low-level impulse generator impulse-excites a bandpass filter to produce an UWB signal having an adjustable center frequency and desired bandwidth based on a characteristic of the filter. In another embodiment, the low-level impulse signal is approximated by a time-gated continuous-wave oscillator to produce an extremely wide bandwidth pulse with deterministic center frequency and bandwidth characteristics. The low-level impulse signal can be generated digitally. The UWB signal may be modulated to carry data, or may be used in object detection or ranging applications.Type: GrantFiled: February 17, 1999Date of Patent: April 24, 2007Assignee: Multispectral Solutions, Inc.Inventors: J. Frederick Larrick, Robert J. Fontana
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Patent number: 6690741Abstract: A data-modulated ultra wideband transmitter that modulates the phase, frequency, bandwidth, amplitude and/or attenuation of ultra-wideband (UWB) pulses. The transmitter confines or band-limits UWB signals within spectral limits for use in communication, positioning, and/or radar applications. One embodiment comprises a low-level UWB source (e.g., an impulse generator or time-gated oscillator (fixed or voltage-controlled)), a waveform adapter (e.g., digital or analog filter, pulse shaper, and/or voltage variable attenuator), a power amplifier, and an antenna to radiate a band-limited and/or modulated UWB or wideband signals. In a special case where the oscillator has zero frequency and outputs a DC bias, a low-level impulse generator impulse-excites a bandpass filter to produce an UWB signal having an adjustable center frequency and desired bandwidth based on a characteristic of the filter.Type: GrantFiled: November 22, 1999Date of Patent: February 10, 2004Assignee: Multispectral Solutions, Inc.Inventors: J. Frederick Larrick, Jr., Robert J. Fontana
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Patent number: 6239741Abstract: A highly sensitive, high-speed dual tunnel diode detector is described for use in Ultra Wideband (UWB) object detection systems, such as a radar. The extended capability of the detector to both extremely short (sub-foot) and long distance (tens of thousands of feet) ranges is unique and permits the application of low power UWB radar to a wide variety of applications including high resolution radar altimetry at altitudes exceeding 10,000 feet and for autonomous on-deck landing operations (e.g., one-foot altitudes), the detection of extremely low radar cross section (RCS) targets for such applications as suspended wire detection for helicopters and other manned and unmanned craft, etc. High noise and interference immunity of the detector permits co-location of a UWB radar sensor with other active systems. The invention has immediate and significant application to all areas, both military and commercial, of precision distance measurement, intrusion detection, targeting, etc. over a wide range of distances.Type: GrantFiled: July 20, 1998Date of Patent: May 29, 2001Assignee: Multispectral Solutions, Inc.Inventors: Robert J. Fontana, J. Frederick Larrick, Jeffrey E. Cade
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Patent number: 6026125Abstract: A waveform adaptive transmitter that conditions and/or modulates the phase, frequency, bandwidth, amplitude and/or attenuation of ultra-wideband (UWB) pulses. The transmitter confines or band-limits UWB signals within spectral limits for use in communication, positioning, and/or radar applications. One embodiment comprises a low-level UWB source (e.g., an impulse generator or time-gated oscillator (fixed or voltage-controlled)), a waveform adapter (e.g., digital or analog filter, pulse shaper, and/or voltage variable attenuator), a power amplifier, and an antenna to radiate a band-limited and/or modulated UWB or wideband signals. In a special case where the oscillator has zero frequency and outputs a DC bias, a low-level impulse generator impulse-excites a bandpass filter to produce an UWB signal having an adjustable center frequency and desired bandwidth based on a characteristic of the filter.Type: GrantFiled: May 16, 1997Date of Patent: February 15, 2000Assignee: Multispectral Solutions, Inc.Inventors: J. Frederick Larrick, Jr., Robert J. Fontana
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Patent number: 5901172Abstract: An UWB receiver utilizing a microwave tunnel diode as a single pulse detector for short pulse, impulse, baseband or ultra wideband signals. The tunnel diode detector's bias point is set at system start-up, through an automatic calibration procedure to its highest sensitivity point relative to the desired bit error rate performance (based upon internal noise only) and remains there during the entire reception process. High noise immunity is achieved through the use of a high speed, adaptive dynamic range extension process using a high speed, Gallium Arsenide (GaAs) voltage variable attenuator (VVA) whose instantaneous attenuation level is determined by a periodic sampling of the ambient noise environment. Microprocessor-controlled detector time-gating is performed to switch the tunnel diode detector to the receiver front end circuitry for reception of an incoming UWB pulse, and alternately to ground through a resistor to discharge stored charge on the tunnel diode detector.Type: GrantFiled: June 11, 1997Date of Patent: May 4, 1999Assignee: Multispectral Solutions, Inc.Inventors: Robert J. Fontana, J. Frederick Larrick, Jr.
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Patent number: RE44634Abstract: A waveform-adaptive ultra-wideband (UWB) transmitter and noise-tracking UWB receiver for use in communications, object detection and radar applications. In one embodiment, the output of an oscillator is gated by a low-level impulse generator either directly or through an optional filter. In a special case of that embodiment wherein the oscillator is zero frequency and outputs a DC bias, a low-level impulse generator impulse-excites a bandpass filter to produce an UWB signal having an adjustable center frequency and desired bandwidth based on a characteristic of the filter. In another embodiment, the low-level impulse signal is approximated by a time-gated continuous-wave oscillator to produce an extremely wide bandwidth pulse with deterministic center frequency and bandwidth characteristics. The low-level impulse signal can be generated digitally. The UWB signal may be modulated to carry data, or may be used in object detection or ranging applications.Type: GrantFiled: May 4, 2010Date of Patent: December 10, 2013Assignee: Multispectral Solutions, Inc.Inventors: Robert J. Fontana, J. Frederick Larrick, Jr.