Patents by Inventor Andrew C. Nicholas

Andrew C. Nicholas 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: 9783323
    Abstract: A method and system is described for determining attitude for a satellite. A two-axis ram sensor head measures neutral winds and provides a density of the neutral winds. A three-axis magnetometer measures a geomagnetic field. A measurement interface module calculates attitude information, which includes three-axis attitude knowledge of a satellite relative to a local-vertical local-horizontal orbit frame, based on the combined ram measurements and magnetic field measurements, and provides the attitude information to a satellite that comprises the attitude sensor system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2017
    Assignee: The United States of America, as represented by the Secretary of the Navy
    Inventors: Andrew C. Nicholas, Nelson Creamer, Theodore T. Finne, Federico A. Herrero
  • Publication number: 20160377700
    Abstract: In a geolocation method and/or apparatus, a plurality of satellites is provided in a fixed Earth-Sun coordinate system or a fixed Earth-moon coordinate system. Two respective radio frequency band signals of the plurality of respective radio frequency band signals are received by at least one receiver from at least two satellites of the plurality of satellites, the at least one receiver comprising at least one respective geolocation. The at least one receiver generating at least two pluralities of equal Doppler shift contours corresponding to the at least two satellites of the plurality of satellites. The at least one receiver determines the at least one respective geolocation based at least in part on a universal time and intersections of the at least two pluralities of equal Doppler shift contours. The at least one receiver outputs the at least one respective geolocation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 23, 2016
    Publication date: December 29, 2016
    Inventors: CHRISTOPH R. ENGLERT, Andrew C. Nicholas
  • Publication number: 20150100272
    Abstract: A method and system is described for determining attitude for a satellite. A two-axis ram sensor head measures neutral winds and provides a density of the neutral winds. A three-axis magnetometer measures a geomagnetic field. A measurement interface module calculates attitude information, which includes three-axis attitude knowledge of a satellite relative to a local-vertical local-horizontal orbit frame, based on the combined ram measurements and magnetic field measurements, and provides the attitude information to a satellite that comprises the attitude sensor system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 25, 2014
    Publication date: April 9, 2015
    Applicant: The Government of the United States of America, as represented by the Secretary of the Navy
    Inventors: Andrew C. Nicholas, Nelson Creamer, Theodore T. Finne, Federico A. Herrero
  • Patent number: 7948425
    Abstract: A high frequency signal calibration target deployable in outer space includes an expandable and electrically conductive symmetric structure. The structure may mechanically expand from a stowed configuration to a deployed configuration. Scatter of high frequency signal off of a substantially symmetric signal calibration target may be measured to accurately calibrate systems using high frequency signals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2011
    Assignee: Cornell University
    Inventors: Paul A Bernhardt, Chuck Hoberman, David L. Hysell, Andrew C. Nicholas, Michael W. Nurnberger
  • Publication number: 20090284408
    Abstract: A high frequency signal calibration target deployable in outer space includes an expandable and electrically conductive symmetric structure. The structure may mechanically expand from a stowed configuration to a deployed configuration. Scatter of high frequency signal off of a substantially symmetric signal calibration target may be measured to accurately calibrate systems using high frequency signals.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 14, 2008
    Publication date: November 19, 2009
    Inventors: Paul A. Bernhardt, Chuck Hoberman, David L. Hysell, Andrew C. Nicholas, Michael W. Nurnberger