Patents by Inventor David R. Saunders

David R. Saunders 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: 20250141119
    Abstract: In an exemplary embodiment, a phased array antenna comprises multiple subcircuits in communication with multiple radiating elements. The radio frequency signals are independently adjusted for both polarization control and beam steering. In a receive embodiment, multiple RF signals of various polarizations are received and combined into at least one receive beam output. In a transmit embodiment, at least one transmit beam input is divided and transmitted through multiple radiating elements, with the transmitted beams having various polarizations. In an exemplary embodiment, the phased array antenna provides multi-beam formation over multiple operating frequency bands. The wideband nature of the active components allows for operation over multiple frequency bands simultaneously.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 6, 2024
    Publication date: May 1, 2025
    Applicant: ViaSat, Inc.
    Inventors: David W. Corman, Rob Zienkewicz, David R. Saunders
  • Patent number: 12199711
    Abstract: An apparatus as described herein may include an antenna array that receives radio frequency signals and outputs analog signals. The apparatus may also include analog to digital signal converters that convert the analog signals into digital sample streams. Also, the apparatus may include a sample buffer that buffers subsets of the digital sample streams and a beamformer that uses the digital sample streams to generate one or more beam signals. Additionally, the apparatus may include a processor that determines a spatial characteristic or a spectral characteristic for the radio frequency signals based on the subsets of the digital sample streams.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2025
    Assignee: Viasat, Inc.
    Inventors: Gregory Kiesel, Christopher A. Rose, David R. Saunders
  • Patent number: 12088016
    Abstract: In an exemplary embodiment, a phased array antenna comprises multiple subcircuits in communication with multiple radiating elements. The radio frequency signals are independently adjusted for both polarization control and beam steering. In a receive embodiment, multiple RF signals of various polarizations are received and combined into at least one receive beam output. In a transmit embodiment, at least one transmit beam input is divided and transmitted through multiple radiating elements, with the transmitted beams having various polarizations. In an exemplary embodiment, the phased array antenna provides multi-beam formation over multiple operating frequency bands. The wideband nature of the active components allows for operation over multiple frequency bands simultaneously.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2023
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2024
    Assignee: VIASAT, INC.
    Inventors: David W. Corman, Rob Zienkewicz, David R. Saunders
  • Publication number: 20240213690
    Abstract: In an exemplary embodiment, a phased array antenna comprises multiple subcircuits in communication with multiple radiating elements. The radio frequency signals are independently adjusted for both polarization control and beam steering. In a receive embodiment, multiple RF signals of various polarizations are received and combined into at least one receive beam output. In a transmit embodiment, at least one transmit beam input is divided and transmitted through multiple radiating elements, with the transmitted beams having various polarizations. In an exemplary embodiment, the phased array antenna provides multi-beam formation over multiple operating frequency bands. The wideband nature of the active components allows for operation over multiple frequency bands simultaneously.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 8, 2023
    Publication date: June 27, 2024
    Applicant: ViaSat, Inc.
    Inventors: David W. Corman, Rob Zienkewicz, David R. Saunders
  • Patent number: 11791567
    Abstract: In an exemplary embodiment, a phased array antenna comprises multiple subcircuits in communication with multiple radiating elements. The radio frequency signals are independently adjusted for both polarization control and beam steering. In a receive embodiment, multiple RF signals of various polarizations are received and combined into at least one receive beam output. In a transmit embodiment, at least one transmit beam input is divided and transmitted through multiple radiating elements, with the transmitted beams having various polarizations. In an exemplary embodiment, the phased array antenna provides multi-beam formation over multiple operating frequency bands. The wideband nature of the active components allows for operation over multiple frequency bands simultaneously.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 2022
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2023
    Assignee: VIASAT, INC.
    Inventors: David W. Corman, Rob Zienkewicz, David R. Saunders
  • Publication number: 20230239023
    Abstract: An apparatus as described herein may include an antenna array that receives radio frequency signals and outputs analog signals. The apparatus may also include analog to digital signal converters that convert the analog signals into digital sample streams. Also, the apparatus may include a sample buffer that buffers subsets of the digital sample streams and a beamformer that uses the digital sample streams to generate one or more beam signals. Additionally, the apparatus may include a processor that determines a spatial characteristic or a spectral characteristic for the radio frequency signals based on the subsets of the digital sample streams.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 9, 2021
    Publication date: July 27, 2023
    Inventors: Gregory Kiesel, Christopher A. Rose, David R. Saunders
  • Publication number: 20230216215
    Abstract: In an exemplary embodiment, a phased array antenna comprises multiple subcircuits in communication with multiple radiating elements. The radio frequency signals are independently adjusted for both polarization control and beam steering. In a receive embodiment, multiple RF signals of various polarizations are received and combined into at least one receive beam output. In a transmit embodiment, at least one transmit beam input is divided and transmitted through multiple radiating elements, with the transmitted beams having various polarizations. In an exemplary embodiment, the phased array antenna provides multi-beam formation over multiple operating frequency bands. The wideband nature of the active components allows for operation over multiple frequency bands simultaneously.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 18, 2022
    Publication date: July 6, 2023
    Applicant: ViaSat, Inc.
    Inventors: David W. Corman, Rob Zienkewicz, David R. Saunders
  • Patent number: 11509070
    Abstract: In an exemplary embodiment, a phased array antenna comprises multiple subcircuits in communication with multiple radiating elements. The radio frequency signals are independently adjusted for both polarization control and beam steering. In a receive embodiment, multiple RF signals of various polarizations are received and combined into at least one receive beam output. In a transmit embodiment, at least one transmit beam input is divided and transmitted through multiple radiating elements, with the transmitted beams having various polarizations. In an exemplary embodiment, the phased array antenna provides multi-beam formation over multiple operating frequency bands. The wideband nature of the active components allows for operation over multiple frequency bands simultaneously.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 2021
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2022
    Assignee: VIASAT, INC.
    Inventors: David W. Corman, Rob Zienkewicz, David R. Saunders
  • Publication number: 20220077597
    Abstract: In an exemplary embodiment, a phased array antenna comprises multiple subcircuits in communication with multiple radiating elements. The radio frequency signals are independently adjusted for both polarization control and beam steering. In a receive embodiment, multiple RF signals of various polarizations are received and combined into at least one receive beam output. In a transmit embodiment, at least one transmit beam input is divided and transmitted through multiple radiating elements, with the transmitted beams having various polarizations. In an exemplary embodiment, the phased array antenna provides multi-beam formation over multiple operating frequency bands. The wideband nature of the active components allows for operation over multiple frequency bands simultaneously.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 4, 2021
    Publication date: March 10, 2022
    Applicant: ViaSat, Inc.
    Inventors: David W. Corman, Rob Zienkewicz, David R. Saunders
  • Patent number: 11038285
    Abstract: In an exemplary embodiment, a phased array antenna comprises multiple subcircuits in communication with multiple radiating elements. The radio frequency signals are independently adjusted for both polarization control and beam steering. In a receive embodiment, multiple RF signals of various polarizations are received and combined into at least one receive beam output. In a transmit embodiment, at least one transmit beam input is divided and transmitted through multiple radiating elements, with the transmitted beams having various polarizations. In an exemplary embodiment, the phased array antenna provides multi-beam formation over multiple operating frequency bands. The wideband nature of the active components allows for operation over multiple frequency bands simultaneously.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 15, 2021
    Assignee: ViaSat, Inc.
    Inventors: David W. Corman, Rob Zienkewicz, David R. Saunders
  • Publication number: 20200403323
    Abstract: In an exemplary embodiment, a phased array antenna comprises multiple subcircuits in communication with multiple radiating elements. The radio frequency signals are independently adjusted for both polarization control and beam steering. In a receive embodiment, multiple RF signals of various polarizations are received and combined into at least one receive beam output. In a transmit embodiment, at least one transmit beam input is divided and transmitted through multiple radiating elements, with the transmitted beams having various polarizations. In an exemplary embodiment, the phased array antenna provides multi-beam formation over multiple operating frequency bands. The wideband nature of the active components allows for operation over multiple frequency bands simultaneously.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 4, 2020
    Publication date: December 24, 2020
    Inventors: David W. Corman, Rob Zienkewicz, David R. Saunders
  • Patent number: 10797406
    Abstract: In an exemplary embodiment, a phased array antenna comprises multiple subcircuits in communication with multiple radiating elements. The radio frequency signals are independently adjusted for both polarization control and beam steering. In a receive embodiment, multiple RF signals of various polarizations are received and combined into at least one receive beam output. In a transmit embodiment, at least one transmit beam input is divided and transmitted through multiple radiating elements, with the transmitted beams having various polarizations. In an exemplary embodiment, the phased array antenna provides multi-beam formation over multiple operating frequency bands. The wideband nature of the active components allows for operation over multiple frequency bands simultaneously.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 6, 2020
    Assignee: VIASAT, INC.
    Inventors: David W. Corman, Rob Zienkewicz, David R. Saunders
  • Patent number: 10627850
    Abstract: A frequency synthesis system includes a memory to store first and second digital control word pairs that each include a first and second control word. A first DAC system generates an analog sampling signal having a first sampling frequency based on a fixed clock signal and the first control word of the first pair during a first time duration having a second sampling frequency based on the first control word of the second pair during a second time duration. A second DAC system generates an analog output signal based on the second control word of the first pair and the first sampling frequency at the first time duration and based on the second control word of the second pair and the second sampling frequency at the second time duration. The analog output signal has a same predetermined output frequency at both the first and second time durations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2020
    Assignee: VIASAT, INC.
    Inventors: Noel A. Lopez, David R. Saunders
  • Publication number: 20200099142
    Abstract: In an exemplary embodiment, a phased array antenna comprises multiple subcircuits in communication with multiple radiating elements. The radio frequency signals are independently adjusted for both polarization control and beam steering. In a receive embodiment, multiple RF signals of various polarizations are received and combined into at least one receive beam output. In a transmit embodiment, at least one transmit beam input is divided and transmitted through multiple radiating elements, with the transmitted beams having various polarizations. In an exemplary embodiment, the phased array antenna provides multi-beam formation over multiple operating frequency bands. The wideband nature of the active components allows for operation over multiple frequency bands simultaneously.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 5, 2019
    Publication date: March 26, 2020
    Inventors: David W. Corman, Rob Zienkewicz, David R. Saunders
  • Patent number: 9020069
    Abstract: A general purpose hybrid includes a first input port in communication with a first dual vector generator, a second input port in communication with a second dual vector generator, a first active combiner receives a first signal from the first dual vector generator and a third signal from the second dual vector generator, where the first and second dual vector generators independently apply phase shifting and amplitude control to the first and third signals; a second active combiner receives a second signal from the first dual vector generator and a fourth signal from the second dual vector generator, where the first and second dual vector generators independently apply phase shifting and amplitude control to the second and fourth signals; a first output port provides a first composite signal from the first active combiner; and a second output port provides a second composite signal from the second active combiner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2015
    Assignee: Viasat, Inc.
    Inventors: David R Saunders, David W Corman, Kenneth V Buer, Dean L Cook
  • Patent number: 8837632
    Abstract: In various embodiments, an active vector generator may comprise a vector component switch and a first amplitude adjustment component in parallel with a second amplitude adjustment component. The first and second amplitude adjustment components may operate with different ranges of amplitude. For example, the first amplitude adjustment component may have a full range of amplitude and the second amplitude adjustment component may have a partial range of amplitude. The vector component switch may operate to receive two signals and route the signals to the various amplitude adjustment components based on the relative magnitudes of the two signals. A benefit of having two amplitude adjustment components with selectable signal pathways is that the all the phase states may be obtained but using less robust and expensive amplitude adjustment components.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2014
    Assignee: Viasat, Inc.
    Inventor: David R Saunders
  • Patent number: 8737531
    Abstract: In various embodiments, an active vector generator may comprise a vector component switch and a first amplitude adjustment component in parallel with a second amplitude adjustment component. The first and second amplitude adjustment components may operate with different ranges of amplitude. For example, the first amplitude adjustment component may have a full range of amplitude and the second amplitude adjustment component may have a partial range of amplitude. The vector component switch may operate to receive two signals and route the signals to the various amplitude adjustment components based on the relative magnitudes of the two signals. A benefit of having two amplitude adjustment components with selectable signal pathways is that the all the phase states may be obtained but using less robust and expensive amplitude adjustment components.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2014
    Assignee: ViaSat, Inc.
    Inventor: David R. Saunders
  • Patent number: 8699626
    Abstract: A general purpose hybrid includes a first input port in communication with a first dual vector generator, a second input port in communication with a second dual vector generator, a first active combiner receives a first signal from the first dual vector generator and a third signal from the second dual vector generator, where the first and second dual vector generators independently apply phase shifting and amplitude control to the first and third signals; a second active combiner receives a second signal from the first dual vector generator and a fourth signal from the second dual vector generator, where the first and second dual vector generators independently apply phase shifting and amplitude control to the second and fourth signals; a first output port provides a first composite signal from the first active combiner; and a second output port provides a second composite signal from the second active combiner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2014
    Assignee: Viasat, Inc.
    Inventors: David R. Saunders, David W. Corman, Kenneth V. Buer, Dean Lawrence Cook
  • Patent number: 8639204
    Abstract: In an exemplary embodiment, a phased array antenna comprises multiple subcircuits in communication with multiple radiating elements. The radio frequency signals are adjusted for both polarization control and beam steering. In a receive embodiment, multiple RF signals are received and combined into at least one receive beam output. In a transmit embodiment, at least one transmit beam input is divided and transmitted through multiple radiating elements. In an exemplary embodiment, the phased array antenna provides multi-beam formation over multiple operating frequency bands. The wideband nature of the active components allows for operation over multiple frequency bands simultaneously. Furthermore, the antenna polarization may be static or dynamically controlled at the subarray or radiating element level.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 28, 2014
    Assignee: ViaSat, Inc.
    Inventors: David W. Corman, Rob Zienkewicz, David R Saunders
  • Publication number: 20130135022
    Abstract: In various embodiments, an active vector generator may comprise a vector component switch and a first amplitude adjustment component in parallel with a second amplitude adjustment component. The first and second amplitude adjustment components may operate with different ranges of amplitude. For example, the first amplitude adjustment component may have a full range of amplitude and the second amplitude adjustment component may have a partial range of amplitude. The vector component switch may operate to receive two signals and route the signals to the various amplitude adjustment components based on the relative magnitudes of the two signals. A benefit of having two amplitude adjustment components with selectable signal pathways is that the all the phase states may be obtained but using less robust and expensive amplitude adjustment components.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 29, 2011
    Publication date: May 30, 2013
    Applicant: VIASAT, INC.
    Inventor: David R. Saunders