Patents by Inventor Gerald T. Murdock

Gerald T. Murdock 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: 20040102169
    Abstract: A system is provided that enables real time active phase control at higher RF signal power levels to be achieved by compensation for phase variations due to daily and lifetime fluctuation of equipment temperature, equipment aging effects and path length changes due to redundancy reconfiguration among others. This automated approach achieves the fastest and most accurate phase correction for efficient signal recombining. The system employs an RF signal which is split into parallel paths whose phase is adjusted employing the output of a feedback device and then amplified and sensed to provide the feedback signal and ultimately recombined.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 25, 2002
    Publication date: May 27, 2004
    Inventors: Bhaskar Durvasula, Rolf K. Klibo, Gerald T. Murdock, James D. Sawdey, James J. Sowers
  • Patent number: 6515579
    Abstract: Active switch matrix apparatus that is used in a satellite communications system that provides for reconfigurability of the communication channels of the communications system. The active switch matrix apparatus has redundan channels and components that provides for a high probability of success during the lifetime of the satellite. The active switch matrix apparatus is comprised of two switch matrices, one for each polarization (horizontal and vertical). Each of the switch matrices contains redundancy, including redundant paths through power dividers, power combiners and amplifiers to outputs of the apparatus. This is accomplished using a plurality of controllable switches 16 in the power dividers and a plurality of controllable output switches coupled to outputs of the amplifiers. Each of the switch matrices are coupled to redundant DC/DC converters and switch matrix controllers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 1998
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2003
    Assignee: Space Systems/Loral, Inc.
    Inventors: Gerald T. Murdock, Weimin Zhang
  • Patent number: 6301225
    Abstract: Redundancy ring communication apparatus having a plurality of communication channels, that comprises normally used and redundant amplifier channels that are interconnected using selectively controllable switches. Pairs of amplifier channels may be selectively coupled together using controllable switches and hybrid couplers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 1998
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2001
    Assignee: Space Systems/Loral, Inc.
    Inventor: Gerald T. Murdock