Patents by Inventor William McKinzie

William McKinzie 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: 9553371
    Abstract: An integrated antenna package includes an interposer, an integrated circuit die, and a cap that forms a cavity within the integrated antenna package. A lossy EBG structure resides at the cap overlying the integrated circuit device. A lossless EBG structure resides at the cap overlying a microstrip feedline. A radar module includes a plurality of receive portions, each receive portion including a parabolic structure having a reflective surface, an absorber structure, a lens, and an antenna.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2017
    Assignee: NXP USA, INC.
    Inventors: James MacDonald, William McKinzie, III, Walter Parmon, Lawrence Rubin
  • Patent number: 9386688
    Abstract: An integrated antenna package includes an interposer, an integrated circuit die, and a cap that forms a cavity within the integrated antenna package. A lossy ERG structure resides at the cap overlying the integrated circuit device. A lossless EBG structure resides at the cap overlying a microstrip feedline. A radar module includes a plurality of receive portions, each receive portion including a parabolic structure having a reflective surface, an absorber structure, a lens, and an antenna.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2016
    Assignee: Freescale Semiconductor, Inc.
    Inventors: James MacDonald, William McKinzie, III, Walter Parmon, Lawrence Rubin
  • Patent number: 8744384
    Abstract: An embodiment of the present invention provides an apparatus, comprising an input port and a dynamic impedance matching network capable of determining a mismatch at the input port and dynamically changing the RF match by using at least one matching element that includes at least one voltage tunable dielectric capacitor. The matching network may be a “Pi”, a “T”, or “ladder” type network and the apparatus may further comprise at least one directional coupler capable of signal collection by sampling a portion of an incident signal, a reflected signal or both.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 23, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 3, 2014
    Assignee: BlackBerry Limited
    Inventors: Gregory Mendolia, James Andrew Martin, III, Izz Khayo, Cornelis Frederik Du Toit, Heinz Bachmann, William McKinzie
  • Publication number: 20120119932
    Abstract: An integrated antenna package includes an interposer, an integrated circuit die, and a cap that forms a cavity within the integrated antenna package. A lossy EBG structure resides at the cap overlying the integrated circuit device. A lossless EBG structure resides at the cap overlying a microstrip feedline. A radar module includes a plurality of receive portions, each receive portion including a parabolic structure having a reflective surface, an absorber structure, a lens, and an antenna.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 12, 2010
    Publication date: May 17, 2012
    Applicant: FREESCALE SEMICONDUCTOR, INC.
    Inventors: James MacDonald, William McKinzie, III, Walter Parmon, Lawrence Rubin
  • Publication number: 20120119969
    Abstract: An integrated antenna package includes an interposer, an integrated circuit die, and a cap that forms a cavity within the integrated antenna package. A lossy ERG structure resides at the cap overlying the integrated circuit device. A lossless EBG structure resides at the cap overlying a microstrip feedline. A radar module includes a plurality of receive portions, each receive portion including a parabolic structure having a reflective surface, an absorber structure, a lens, and an antenna.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 12, 2010
    Publication date: May 17, 2012
    Applicant: FREESCALE SEMICONDUCTOR, INC.
    Inventors: James MacDonald, William McKinzie, III, Walter Parmon, Lawrence Rubin
  • Publication number: 20110063042
    Abstract: An embodiment of the present invention provides an apparatus, comprising an input port and a dynamic impedance matching network capable of determining a mismatch at the input port and dynamically changing the RF match by using at least one matching element that includes at least one voltage tunable dielectric capacitor. The matching network may be a “Pi”, a “T”, or “ladder” type network and the apparatus may further comprise at least one directional coupler capable of signal collection by sampling a portion of an incident signal, a reflected signal or both.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 23, 2010
    Publication date: March 17, 2011
    Applicant: PARATEK MICROWAVE, INC.
    Inventors: Greg Mendolia, James Andrew Martin, III, Izz Khayo, Cornelis Frederik Du Toit, Heinz Bachmann, William McKinzie
  • Patent number: 7865154
    Abstract: An embodiment of the present invention provides an apparatus, comprising an input port and a dynamic impedance matching network capable of determining a mismatch at the input port and dynamically changing the RF match by using at least one matching element that includes at least one voltage tunable dielectric capacitor. The matching network may be a “Pi”, a “T”, or “ladder” type network and the apparatus may further comprise at least one directional coupler capable of signal collection by sampling a portion of an incident signal, a reflected signal or both.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 4, 2011
    Assignee: Paratek Microwave, Inc.
    Inventors: Greg Mendolia, James Andrew Martin, III, Izz Khayo, Cornelis Frederik du Toit, Heinz Bachmann, William McKinzie
  • Publication number: 20080129453
    Abstract: A method, system, and apparatus for reading RFID tags in a stack of objects is described. For example, a pallet may hold a stack of objects, with one or more of the objects coupled to a RFID tag. A RFID reader may be used to read the tags in the stack. However, tagged objects in the middle of the stack may be difficult to read due to the RF signal loss passing through objects inside the stack. A waveguide may be used to guide radio waves to locations inside the pallet stack. For example, the waveguide can replace a slipsheet that is conventionally placed between horizontal layers of cases in the pallet stack.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 30, 2006
    Publication date: June 5, 2008
    Applicant: Symbol Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Wayne E. Shanks, William McKinzie
  • Publication number: 20070285326
    Abstract: An embodiment of the present invention an apparatus, comprising an apparatus, comprising an adaptively-tuned antenna including a variable reactance network connected to the antenna, an RF field probe located near the antenna, an RF detector to sense voltage from the field probe, a controller that monitors the RF voltage and supplies control signals to a driver circuit and wherein the driver circuit converts the control signals to bias signals for the variable reactance network.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 16, 2007
    Publication date: December 13, 2007
    Inventor: William McKinzie
  • Publication number: 20070200766
    Abstract: An embodiment of the present invention is an apparatus, comprising a tunable antenna including a variable reactance network connected to the antenna a closed loop control system adapted to sense the RF voltage across the variable reactance network and adjust the reactance of the network to maximize the RF voltage. The variable reactance network may comprise a parallel capacitance or a series capacitance. Further, the variable reactance networks may be connected to the antenna, which may be a patch antenna, a monopole antenna, or a slot antenna.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 16, 2007
    Publication date: August 30, 2007
    Inventors: William McKinzie, Keith Manssen, Greg Mendolia
  • Publication number: 20070197180
    Abstract: An embodiment of the present invention an apparatus, comprising an adaptive impedance matching module (AIMM) adapted to minimize the magnitude of an input reflection coefficient seen at an RFin port under boundary conditions of a variable load impedance ZL, a tuner connected to the AIMM and including a plurality of variable reactance networks with independent control signals, wherein node voltages are sampled within the tuner; and a microcontroller or digital signal processor (DSP) calculates complex reflection coefficient information from the sampled voltages, the microcontroller or DSP providing a coarse and fine tune function that feeds bias signals to control impedance matching.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 16, 2007
    Publication date: August 23, 2007
    Inventors: William McKinzie, Heniz Bachmann, Greg Mendolia
  • Publication number: 20070146102
    Abstract: Systems and methods are taught for blocking the propagation of electromagnetic waves in parallel-plate waveguide (PPW) structures. Periodic arrays of resonant vias are used to create broadband high frequency stop bands in the PPW, while permitting DC and low frequency waves to propagate. Some embodiments of resonant via arrays are mechanically balanced, which promotes improved manufacturability. Important applications include electromagnetic noise reduction in layered electronic devices such as circuit boards, ceramic modules, and semiconductor chips.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 14, 2006
    Publication date: June 28, 2007
    Inventor: William Mckinzie
  • Publication number: 20070120223
    Abstract: Apparatus for suppressing noise and electromagnetic coupling in the printed circuit board of an electronic device includes an upper conductive plate and an array of conductive coplanar patches positioned a distance t2 from the upper conductive plate. The distance t2 is chosen to optimize capacitance between the conductive coplanar patches and the upper conductive plate for suppression of noise or electromagnetic coupling. The apparatus further includes a lower conductive plate a distance t1 from the array of conductive coplanar patches and conductive rods extending from respective patches to the lower conductive plate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 26, 2007
    Publication date: May 31, 2007
    Inventors: William McKinzie, Shawn Rogers
  • Publication number: 20070090398
    Abstract: A hybrid electromagnetic bandgap (EBG) structure for broadband suppression of noise on printed wiring boards includes an array of coplanar patches interconnected into a grid by series inductances, and a corresponding array of shunt LC networks connecting the coplanar patches to a second conductive plane. This combination of series inductances and shunt resonant vias lowers the cutoff frequency for the fundamental stopband. The series inductances and shunt capacitances may be implemented using surface mount component technology, or printed traces. Patches may also be interconnected by coplanar coupled transmission lines. The even and odd mode impedances of the coupled lines may be increased by forming slots in the second conductive plane disposed opposite to the transmission line, lowering the cutoff frequency and increasing the bandwidth of the fundamental stopband.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 18, 2006
    Publication date: April 26, 2007
    Inventor: William McKinzie
  • Publication number: 20070018757
    Abstract: Systems and methods are taught for blocking the propagation of electromagnetic waves in parallel-plate waveguide (PPW) structures. Periodic arrays of resonant vias are used to create broadband high frequency stop bands in the PPW, while permitting DC and low frequency waves to propagate. Particular embodiments include clusters of small vias that effectively function as one large via, thereby increasing stop band bandwidth and maximizing parallel plate capacitance. Cluster vias can be configured to additionally provide a shielded and impedance matched route within the interior area of the cluster through which signal vias can connect transmission lines disposed in planes lying above and below the PPW. Important applications include electromagnetic noise reduction in layered electronic devices such as circuit boards, ceramic modules, and semiconductor chips.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 19, 2006
    Publication date: January 25, 2007
    Inventor: William McKinzie
  • Publication number: 20060202784
    Abstract: Systems and methods are taught for blocking the propagation of electromagnetic waves in parallel-plate waveguide (PPW) structures. Periodic arrays of resonant vias are used to create broadband high frequency stop bands in the PPW, while permitting DC and low frequency waves to propagate. Some embodiments of resonant via arrays are mechanically balanced, which promotes improved manufacturability. Important applications include electromagnetic noise reduction in layered electronic devices such as circuit boards, ceramic modules, and semiconductor chips.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 13, 2006
    Publication date: September 14, 2006
    Inventor: William McKinzie
  • Publication number: 20060160501
    Abstract: An embodiment of the present invention provides an apparatus, comprising an input port and a dynamic impedance matching network capable of determining a mismatch at the input port and dynamically changing the RF match by using at least one matching element that includes at least one voltage tunable dielectric capacitor. The matching network may be a “Pi”, a “T”, or “ladder” type network and the apparatus may further comprise at least one directional coupler capable of signal collection by sampling a portion of an incident signal, a reflected signal or both.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 8, 2005
    Publication date: July 20, 2006
    Inventors: Greg Mendolia, James Martin, Izz Khayo, Cornelis du Toit, Heinz Bachmann, William McKinzie
  • Publication number: 20060086809
    Abstract: A method, system, and apparatus for reading RFID tags in a stack of objects is described. For example, a pallet may hold a stack of objects, with one or more of the objects coupled to a RFID tag. A RFID reader may be used to read the tags in the stack. However, tagged objects in the middle of the stack may be difficult to read due to the RF signal loss passing through objects in the stack. A waveguide may be used to guide radio waves to locations in the pallet stack. For example, the waveguide can replace a slipsheet that is conventionally placed between horizontal layers of cases in the pallet stack.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 20, 2005
    Publication date: April 27, 2006
    Applicant: Symbol Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Wayne Shanks, William McKinzie
  • Publication number: 20060038639
    Abstract: Systems and methods are taught for blocking the propagation of electromagnetic waves in parallel-plate waveguide (PPW) structures. Periodic arrays of resonant vias are used to create broadband high frequency stop bands in the PPW, while permitting DC and low frequency waves to propagate. Particular embodiments include clusters of small vias that effectively function as one large via, thereby increasing stop band bandwidth and maximizing parallel plate capacitance. Cluster vias can be configured to additionally provide a shielded and impedance matched route within the interior area of the cluster through which signal vias can connect transmission lines disposed in planes lying above and below the PPW. Important applications include electromagnetic noise reduction in layered electronic devices such as circuit boards, ceramic modules, and semiconductor chips.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 19, 2004
    Publication date: February 23, 2006
    Inventor: William McKinzie
  • Publication number: 20050224912
    Abstract: A printed circuit board (PCB) uses arrays of chip capacitors over the entire surface of the PCB. The PCB includes an upper conductive surface routing signals to components of the PCB, a lower conductive surface, vias between the upper and lower surfaces, and a layer of patches disposed between the upper and lower surfaces to which the vias and chip capacitors are connected. The chip capacitors connect the vias to the upper conductive surface. The use of chip capacitors in a periodic lattice extends the frequency range for suppressing noise in power planes of isolated capacitors from several hundred MHz or less to 4 GHz. Combining the capacitors along with the buried patches extends the low frequency cutoff of high frequency reference noise suppression circuits to 50 MHz or less.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 17, 2004
    Publication date: October 13, 2005
    Inventors: Shawn Rogers, William McKinzie