Patents by Inventor Donald L. Miller
Donald L. Miller 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: 11973572Abstract: Methods and systems are described for providing end-to-end beamforming. For example, end-to-end beamforming systems include end-to-end relays and ground networks to provide communications to user terminals located in user beam coverage areas. The ground segment can include geographically distributed access nodes and a central processing system. Return uplink signals, transmitted from the user terminals, have multipath induced by a plurality of receive/transmit signal paths in the end to end relay and are relayed to the ground network. The ground network, using beamformers, recovers user data streams transmitted by the user terminals from return downlink signals. The ground network, using beamformers generates forward uplink signals from appropriately weighted combinations of user data streams that, after relay by the end-end-end relay, produce forward downlink signals that combine to form user beams.Type: GrantFiled: July 14, 2021Date of Patent: April 30, 2024Assignee: ViaSat, Inc.Inventors: Kenneth V. Buer, Mark J. Miller, Christopher J. Cronin, Mark D. Dankberg, Donald L Runyon
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Patent number: 11476842Abstract: One example describes a superconducting current source system comprising a linear flux-shuttle. The linear flux-shuttle includes an input and a plurality of Josephson transmission line (JTL) stages. Each of the JTL stages includes at least one Josephson junction, an output inductor, and a clock input. The linear flux-shuttle can be configured to generate a direct current (DC) output current via the output inductor associated with each of the JTL stages in response to the at least one Josephson junction triggering in a sequence in each of the JTL stages along the linear flux-shuttle in response to receiving an input pulse at the input and in response to a clock signal provided to the clock input in each of the JTL stages.Type: GrantFiled: June 17, 2021Date of Patent: October 18, 2022Assignee: NORTHROP GRUMMAN SYSTEMS CORPORATIONInventors: Dipankar Bhattacharya, Donald L. Miller, Haitao O. Dai, Quentin P. Herr
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Patent number: 11342920Abstract: One example includes a pulse selector system. The pulse selector system includes an input Josephson transmission line (JTL) configured to propagate an input reciprocal quantum logic (RQL) pulse received at an input based on a bias signal. The RQL pulse includes a fluxon and an antifluxon. The system also includes an escape Josephson junction coupled to an output of the input JTL. The escape Josephson junction can be configured to pass a selected one of the fluxon and the antifluxon of the RQL pulse and to trigger in response to the other of the fluxon and the antifluxon of the RQL pulse to block the other of the fluxon and the antifluxon of the RQL pulse. The system further includes an output JTL configured to propagate the selected one of the fluxon and the antifluxon as a unipolar pulse to an output based on the bias signal.Type: GrantFiled: January 6, 2021Date of Patent: May 24, 2022Assignee: NORTHROP GRUMMAN SYSTEMS CORPORATIONInventors: Dipankar Bhattacharya, Donald L. Miller, Randall M. Burnett
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Patent number: 11145361Abstract: A bistable device allows supercurrent to flow when functioning in one regime, wherein magnetization directions of different magnetic layers are antiparallel, but restricts supercurrent when switched to function in a resistive regime, wherein the magnetization directions are parallel. In the first regime, the device acts as a Josephson junction, which allows it to be used in superconducting quantum interference devices (SQUIDs) and other circuits in which quantization of magnetic flux in a superconducting loop is desired. In the second, resistive regime, flux quantization is effectively eliminated in loops containing the device, and current is diverted to parallel superconducting components. The bistable device thereby acts as a superconducting switch, useful for a variety of circuit applications, including to steer current for memory or logic circuits, adjust logical circuit functionality at runtime, or to burn off stray flux during cooldown.Type: GrantFiled: November 30, 2020Date of Patent: October 12, 2021Assignee: NORTHROP GRUMMAN SYSTEMS CORPORATIONInventors: Eric C. Gingrich, Randall M. Burnett, Donald L. Miller
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Patent number: 11120869Abstract: One example includes a memory cell system. The memory cell system includes a quantizing loop configured to conduct a quantizing current in a first direction corresponding to storage of a first state of a stored memory state of the memory cell system and to conduct the quantizing current in a second direction opposite the first direction corresponding to storage of a second state of the stored memory state of the memory cell system. The memory cell system also includes a bias element arranged in the quantizing loop and which is configured to provide a substantially constant flux bias of the quantizing loop in each of the first and second states of the stored memory state.Type: GrantFiled: September 15, 2020Date of Patent: September 14, 2021Assignee: NORTHROP GRUMMAN SYSTEMS CORPORATIONInventors: Ofer Naaman, Donald L. Miller, Henry Y Luo
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Publication number: 20210110868Abstract: A bistable device allows supercurrent to flow when functioning in one regime, wherein magnetization directions of different magnetic layers are antiparallel, but restricts supercurrent when switched to function in a resistive regime, wherein the magnetization directions are parallel. In the first regime, the device acts as a Josephson junction, which allows it to be used in superconducting quantum interference devices (SQUIDs) and other circuits in which quantization of magnetic flux in a superconducting loop is desired. In the second, resistive regime, flux quantization is effectively eliminated in loops containing the device, and current is diverted to parallel superconducting components. The bistable device thereby acts as a superconducting switch, useful for a variety of circuit applications, including to steer current for memory or logic circuits, adjust logical circuit functionality at runtime, or to burn off stray flux during cooldown.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 30, 2020Publication date: April 15, 2021Applicant: NORTHROP GRUMMAN SYSTEMS CORPORATIONInventors: ERIC C. GINGRICH, RANDALL M. BURNETT, DONALD L. MILLER
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Publication number: 20210005249Abstract: One example includes a memory cell system. The memory cell system includes a quantizing loop configured to conduct a quantizing current in a first direction corresponding to storage of a first state of a stored memory state of the memory cell system and to conduct the quantizing current in a second direction opposite the first direction corresponding to storage of a second state of the stored memory state of the memory cell system. The memory cell system also includes a bias element arranged in the quantizing loop and which is configured to provide a substantially constant flux bias of the quantizing loop in each of the first and second states of the stored memory state.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 15, 2020Publication date: January 7, 2021Applicant: NORTHROP GRUMMAN SYSTEMS CORPORATIONInventors: OFER NAAMAN, DONALD L. MILLER, HENRY Y LUO
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Patent number: 10885974Abstract: A bistable device allows supercurrent to flow when functioning in one regime, wherein magnetization directions of different magnetic layers are antiparallel, but restricts supercurrent when switched to function in a resistive regime, wherein the magnetization directions are parallel. In the first regime, the device acts as a Josephson junction, which allows it to be used in superconducting quantum interference devices (SQUIDs) and other circuits in which quantization of magnetic flux in a superconducting loop is desired. In the second, resistive regime, flux quantization is effectively eliminated in loops containing the device, and current is diverted to parallel superconducting components. The bistable device thereby acts as a superconducting switch, useful for a variety of circuit applications, including to steer current for memory or logic circuits, adjust logical circuit functionality at runtime, or to burn off stray flux during cooldown.Type: GrantFiled: January 30, 2019Date of Patent: January 5, 2021Assignee: NORTHROP GRUMMAN SYSTEMS CORPORATIONInventors: Eric C. Gingrich, Randall M. Burnett, Donald L. Miller
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Patent number: 10818346Abstract: One example includes a memory cell system that includes a quantizing loop that conducts a quantizing current in a first direction corresponding to a first stored memory state and to conduct the quantizing current in a second direction corresponding to a second stored memory state. The system also includes a bias element configured to provide a substantially constant flux bias of the quantizing loop in each of the first and second states of the stored memory state. The stored memory state can be read from the memory cell system in response to the substantially constant flux bias and a read current that is provided to the memory cell system. The system further includes a tunable energy element that is responsive to a write current that is provided to the memory cell system to change the state of the stored memory state between the first state and the second state.Type: GrantFiled: September 17, 2018Date of Patent: October 27, 2020Assignee: NORTHROP GRUMMAN SYSTEMS CORPORATIONInventors: Ofer Naaman, Donald L. Miller, Henry Y Luo
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Publication number: 20200243133Abstract: A bistable device allows supercurrent to flow when functioning in one regime, wherein magnetization directions of different magnetic layers are antiparallel, but restricts supercurrent when switched to function in a resistive regime, wherein the magnetization directions are parallel. In the first regime, the device acts as a Josephson junction, which allows it to be used in superconducting quantum interference devices (SQUIDs) and other circuits in which quantization of magnetic flux in a superconducting loop is desired. In the second, resistive regime, flux quantization is effectively eliminated in loops containing the device, and current is diverted to parallel superconducting components. The bistable device thereby acts as a superconducting switch, useful for a variety of circuit applications, including to steer current for memory or logic circuits, adjust logical circuit functionality at runtime, or to burn off stray flux during cooldown.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 30, 2019Publication date: July 30, 2020Applicant: NORTHROP GRUMMAN SYSTEMS CORPORATIONInventors: ERIC C. GINGRICH, RANDALL M. BURNETT, DONALD L. MILLER
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Patent number: 10622977Abstract: One example includes a superconducting bidirectional current driver. The current driver includes a first direction superconducting latch that is activated in response to a first activation signal to provide a first current path of an input current through a bidirectional current load in a first direction. The current driver also includes a second direction superconducting latch that is activated in response to a second activation signal to provide a second current path of the input current through the bidirectional current load in a second direction opposite the first direction.Type: GrantFiled: October 2, 2018Date of Patent: April 14, 2020Assignee: NORTHROP GRUMMAN SYSTEMS CORPORATIONInventors: Ofer Naaman, Donald L. Miller, Randall M. Burnett
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Publication number: 20200090738Abstract: One example includes a memory cell system that includes a quantizing loop that conducts a quantizing current in a first direction corresponding to a first stored memory state and to conduct the quantizing current in a second direction corresponding to a second stored memory state. The system also includes a bias element configured to provide a substantially constant flux bias of the quantizing loop in each of the first and second states of the stored memory state. The stored memory state can be read from the memory cell system in response to the substantially constant flux bias and a read current that is provided to the memory cell system. The system further includes a tunable energy element that is responsive to a write current that is provided to the memory cell system to change the state of the stored memory state between the first state and the second state.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 17, 2018Publication date: March 19, 2020Applicant: NORTHROP GRUMMAN SYSTEMS CORPORATIONInventors: OFER NAAMAN, DONALD L. MILLER, HENRY Y. LUO
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Patent number: 10389336Abstract: One embodiment describes a Josephson transmission line (JTL) system. The system includes a plurality of JTL stages that are arranged in series. The system also includes a clock transformer comprising a primary inductor configured to propagate an AC clock signal and a secondary inductor arranged in a series loop with at least two of the plurality of JTL stages. The clock transformer can be configured to propagate a single flux quantum (SFQ) pulse to set a respective one of the plurality of JTL stages in response to a first phase of the AC clock signal and to reset the respective one of the plurality of JTL stages in response to a second phase of the AC clock signal that is opposite the first phase.Type: GrantFiled: September 7, 2018Date of Patent: August 20, 2019Assignee: NORTHROP GRUMMAN SYSTEMS CORPORATIONInventors: Donald L. Miller, Ofer Naaman
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Patent number: 10367483Abstract: One embodiment describes a Josephson current source system comprising a flux-shuttle loop that is inductively coupled with an AC input signal. The flux-shuttle loop includes a plurality of stages each comprising at least one Josephson junction. The plurality of stages can be spaced about the flux shuttle loop. Each of a plurality of pairs of the plurality of stages are configured to concurrently trigger in a sequence via the respective at least one Josephson junction in response to the AC input signal and to provide a respective pair of single-flux quantum (SFQ) pulses that move sequentially and continuously through each stage of the plurality of stages around the flux-shuttle loop via each of the at least one Josephson junction of each of the respective stages that results in a DC output current being provided through an output inductor.Type: GrantFiled: December 20, 2018Date of Patent: July 30, 2019Assignee: NORTHROP GRUMMAN SYSTEMS CORPORATIONInventors: Quentin P. Herr, Anna Y. Herr, Donald L. Miller, Christopher S. Bulla, Theodore R. Blank
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Patent number: 10355677Abstract: One example includes a current driver system. The system includes a current source configured to provide a source current to a transition node. The system also includes a Josephson latch comprising at least one Josephson junction stage. The at least one Josephson junction stage can be configured to conduct the source current from the transition node as a current-clamped bias current in a deactivated state of the Josephson latch. The Josephson latch can be configured to activate in response to the bias current and a trigger pulse to switch the at least one Josephson junction stage to a voltage state to conduct at least a portion of the source current from the transition node as an output current to a load in response to activation of the Josephson latch.Type: GrantFiled: October 3, 2018Date of Patent: July 16, 2019Assignee: NORTHROP GRUMMAN SYSTEMS CORPORATIONInventors: Donald L. Miller, Quentin P. Herr
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Patent number: 10204677Abstract: A memory system including an array of memory cells may include a set of word-lines, and a set of return word-lines coupled to the memory cells in the array of memory cells. The memory system may further include a set of bit-lines coupled to the memory cells. Each of the memory cells may include a memory storage element including a readout superconducting quantum interference device (SQUID), and a magnetic Josephson Junction (MJJ), and where the memory storage element may further include a differential transformer coupled in series with the MJJ such that in response to a bit-line current applied to at least one of the set of the bit-lines and a word-line current applied to at least one of the set of word-lines, the differential transformer is configured to induce a flux in the at least one readout SQUID.Type: GrantFiled: March 16, 2018Date of Patent: February 12, 2019Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing, LLCInventors: Henry Y. Luo, Quentin P. Herr, Randall M. Burnett, Donald L. Miller
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Publication number: 20190036515Abstract: One example includes a superconducting bidirectional current driver. The current driver includes a first direction superconducting latch that is activated in response to a first activation signal to provide a first current path of an input current through a bidirectional current load in a first direction. The current driver also includes a second direction superconducting latch that is activated in response to a second activation signal to provide a second current path of the input current through the bidirectional current load in a second direction opposite the first direction.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 2, 2018Publication date: January 31, 2019Applicant: NORTHROP GRUMMAN SYSTEMS CORPORATIONInventors: OFER NAAMAN, DONALD L. MILLER, RANDALL M. BURNETT
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Patent number: 10166584Abstract: Control of self-excited third octave vibration in a metal rolling mill can be achieved by adjusting the tension of the metal strip as it enters a stand. Self-excited third octave vibration can be detected and/or measured by one or more sensors. A high-speed tension adjustor can rapidly adjust the entry tension of the metal strip (e.g., as the metal strip enters a mill stand) to compensate for the detected self-excited third octave vibration. High-speed tension adjustors can include any combination of hydraulic or piezoelectric actuators coupled to the center roll of a bridle roll to rapidly raise or lower the roll and thus induce rapid tension adjustments in the strip. Other high-speed tension adjustors can be used.Type: GrantFiled: July 15, 2015Date of Patent: January 1, 2019Assignee: Novelis Inc.Inventors: Rodger Brown, Matthew Seibert, Donald L. Miller, Matthew Fairlie, David Gaensbauer
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Patent number: 10122350Abstract: One embodiment describes a Josephson transmission line (JTL) system. The system includes a plurality of JTL stages that are arranged in series. The system also includes a clock transformer comprising a primary inductor configured to propagate an AC clock signal and a secondary inductor arranged in a series loop with at least two of the plurality of JTL stages. The clock transformer can be configured to propagate a single flux quantum (SFQ) pulse to set a respective one of the plurality of JTL stages in response to a first phase of the AC clock signal and to reset the respective one of the plurality of JTL stages in response to a second phase of the AC clock signal that is opposite the first phase.Type: GrantFiled: November 17, 2015Date of Patent: November 6, 2018Assignee: NORTHROP GRUMMAN SYSTEMS CORPORATIONInventors: Donald L. Miller, Ofer Naaman
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Patent number: 10122351Abstract: One example includes a superconducting bidirectional current driver. The current driver includes a first direction superconducting latch that is activated in response to a first activation signal and a second direction superconducting latch that is activated in response to a second activation signal. The second direction superconducting latch is activated to provide a first current path of an input current through the first direction superconducting latch and through a bidirectional current load in a first direction. The first direction superconducting latch is activated to provide a second current path of the input current through the second direction superconducting latch and through the bidirectional current load in a second direction opposite the first direction.Type: GrantFiled: July 25, 2017Date of Patent: November 6, 2018Assignee: NORTHROP GRUMMAN SYSTEMS CORPORATIONInventors: Ofer Naaman, Donald L. Miller, Randall M. Burnett