Patents by Inventor Griffin K. Gothard

Griffin K. Gothard 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: 7009570
    Abstract: A phased array antenna includes a substrate, and an array of dipole antenna elements are on the substrate. Each dipole antenna element includes a medial feed portion, and a pair of legs extending outwardly therefrom. Each dipole antenna element further includes a passive load, and a switch connected thereto for selectively coupling the passive load to the medial feed portion so that the dipole antenna element selectively functions as an absorber for absorbing received signals while the passive load dissipates energy associated therewith.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2006
    Assignee: Harris Corporation
    Inventors: Timothy E. Durham, St phen B. Brown, Griffin K. Gothard
  • Patent number: 6989797
    Abstract: An antenna apparatus, which can increase capacity in a cellular communication system or Wireless Local Area Network (WLAN), such as an 802.11 network, operates in conjunction with a mobile subscriber unit or client station. At least one antenna element is active and located within multiple passive antenna elements. The passive antenna elements are coupled to selectable impedance components for phase control of re-radiated RF signals. Various techniques for determining the phase of each antenna element are supported to enable the antenna apparatus to direct an antenna beam pattern toward a base station or access point with maximum gain, and, consequently, maximum signal-to-noise ratio. By directionally receiving and transmitting signals, multipath fading is greatly reduced as well as intercell interference.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2006
    Assignee: IPR Licensing, Inc.
    Inventors: Griffin K. Gothard, Alton S. Keel, Jr., Christopher A. Snyder, Bing Chiang, Joe T. Richeson, Douglas H. Wood, James A. Proctor, Jr., Kenneth M. Gainey
  • Patent number: 6982679
    Abstract: An antenna feed system includes a plurality of RF horn antennas (201, 202) for operating on a plurality of RF frequency bands. A first one of the feed horns (202) can have a boresight axis and is configured for operating at a first one of the frequency bands. A second one of the feed horns (201) is positioned coaxially within the first one of the feed horns (202) and is configured for operating at least at a second one of the frequency bands. Further, the first one of the feed horns (202) is a corrugated horn that has a plurality of corrugations (204) formed on an interior surface defining a profile. The profile extends substantially from a throat (205) of the first feed horn and along a tapered portion of the first feed horn. The profile substantially minimizes an interaction of the corrugations with the second feed horn.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2006
    Assignee: Harris Corporation
    Inventors: Jay A. Kralovec, Griffin K. Gothard, Timothy E. Durham
  • Patent number: 6977623
    Abstract: A phased array antenna includes a substrate, and a patterned conductive layer is on the substrate. The patterned conductive layer defines a plurality of slotted dipole antenna elements each having a medial feed portion associated therewith. Each slotted dipole antenna element includes a pair of slotted legs extending outwardly from the medial feed portion. Pairs of adjacent slotted legs of adjacent slotted dipole antenna elements include respective spaced apart end portions having predetermined shapes and relative positioning to provide increased inductive coupling between the adjacent slotted dipole antenna elements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 20, 2005
    Assignee: Harris Corporation
    Inventors: Timothy E. Durham, Anthony M. Jones, Sean Ortiz, Griffin K. Gothard
  • Patent number: 6956532
    Abstract: A multiband phased array antenna includes a substrate, and dipole element arrays extending outwardly from an imaginary center point on the substrate. Each dipole element array includes dipole antenna elements arranged in end-to-end relation and having a dipole size different than a dipole size of dipole antenna elements of at least one other dipole element array. A ground plane is adjacent the dipole element arrays, and a spacing between the dipole element arrays and the ground plane is different between the dipole element arrays having different size dipole antenna elements. The ground plane has a plateau shape for providing the different spacing between the dipole element arrays.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 2003
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2005
    Assignee: Harris Corporation
    Inventors: Timothy E. Durham, Mark Vanstrum, Anthony M. Jones, Griffin K. Gothard
  • Patent number: 6954179
    Abstract: A phased array antenna includes a substrate, and dipole element arrays extending outwardly from an imaginary center point on the substrate. Each dipole element array includes dipole antenna elements arranged in an end-to-end relation and has different dipole sizes for dipole antenna elements in a direction extending outwardly from the imaginary center point. The different spacing between the ground plane and the dipole element arrays increases from the imaginary center point towards an edge of the substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 2003
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2005
    Assignee: Harris Corporation
    Inventors: Timothy E. Durham, Griffin K. Gothard, Anthony M. Jones
  • Patent number: 6943748
    Abstract: A phased array antenna includes a substrate, and dipole element arrays extending in concentric rings about an imaginary center point on the substrate. Each dipole element array includes dipole antenna elements arranged in an end-to-end relation and having a dipole size different than a dipole size of dipole antenna elements of at least one other dipole element array. A ground plane is adjacent the dipole element arrays, and a spacing between the dipole element arrays and the ground plane is different between the dipole element arrays having different size dipole antenna elements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2005
    Assignee: Harris Corporation
    Inventors: Timothy E. Durham, Griffin K. Gothard, Anthony M. Jones
  • Patent number: 6937201
    Abstract: A multi-band ring focus antenna system includes a main reflector (408) that is operable at a plurality spectrally offset frequency bands. A first feed (301, 403) includes a first feed horn (301) and a first sub-reflector (403), which are positioned spaced apart from each other at respective locations along a boresight axis of the main reflector. The locations are selected so that the first feed horn and the first sub-reflector share a commonly located first phase center (401). A second feed (302, 404) designed for operation on a second RF frequency band includes a second feed horn (302) and a second sub-reflector (404), each positioned at a location along the boresight axis of the main reflector so that they share a commonly located second phase center.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2005
    Assignee: Harris Corporation
    Inventors: Griffin K. Gothard, Jay A. Kralovec, Sean C. Ortiz, Timothy E. Durham
  • Patent number: 6911953
    Abstract: A compact multi-band ring-focus antenna system. The antenna system includes a first and a second main reflector 304, 306, each having a shaped surface of revolution about a common boresight axis (322) of the antenna. A first backfire type RF feed system (302, 312) is provided for feeding the first main reflector (304) on a first frequency band. A second RF feed (301) coaxial with the first RF feed (300) is provided for feeding the second main reflector (306) on a second frequency band spectrally offset from the first frequency band. Further a portion of the second RF feed passes through a first sub-reflectors (302) of the backfire feed. The second RF feed is terminated a distance from the first sub-reflector to illuminate a second sub-reflector (303).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2005
    Assignee: Harris Corporation
    Inventors: Griffin K. Gothard, Timothy E. Durham, Jay A. Kralovec, Sean C. Ortiz
  • Patent number: 6903703
    Abstract: A multiband phased array antenna includes a substrate, and dipole element arrays extending outwardly from an imaginary center point on the substrate. Each dipole element array includes dipole antenna elements arranged in an end-to-end relation and having a dipole size different than a dipole size of dipole antenna elements of at least one other dipole element array. A ground plane is adjacent the dipole element arrays and has a different spacing therefrom in an outward direction from the imaginary center point. The different spacing between the ground plane and the dipole element arrays increases from the imaginary center point towards an edge of the substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2005
    Assignee: Harris Corporation
    Inventors: Timothy E. Durham, Anthony M. Jones, Mark Vanstrum, Griffin K. Gothard
  • Patent number: 6894655
    Abstract: A phased array antenna includes a substrate, and an array of dipole antenna elements on the substrate. Each dipole antenna element includes a medial feed portion, and a pair of legs extending outwardly therefrom. Pairs of adjacent legs of adjacent dipole antenna elements include respective spaced apart end portions. The phased array antenna further includes selectable impedance elements and switches. Each switch is for selectively coupling at least one impedance element between a respective pair of adjacent legs of adjacent dipole antenna elements for changing the capacitive coupling therebetween.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2005
    Assignee: Harris Corporation
    Inventors: Anthony M. Jones, Griffin K. Gothard, Timothy E. Durham, Jay Kralovec
  • Patent number: 6894653
    Abstract: An antenna assembly includes at least two active or main radiating omni-directional antenna elements arranged with at least one beam control or passive antenna element used as a reflector. The beam control antenna element(s) may have multiple reactance elements that can electrically terminate it to adjust the input or output beam pattern(s) produced by the combination of the active antenna elements and the beam control antenna element(s). More specifically, the beam control antenna element(s) may be coupled to different terminating reactances to change beam characteristics, such as the directivity and angular beamwidth. Processing may be employed to select which terminating reactance to use. Consequently, the radiator pattern of the antenna can be more easily directed towards a specific target receiver/transmitter, reduce signal-to-noise interference levels, and/or increase gain by using Radio Frequency (RF), Intermediate Frequency (IF), or baseband processing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2005
    Assignee: IPR Licensing, Inc.
    Inventors: Bing Chiang, Kenneth M. Gainey, James A. Proctor, Jr., Antoine J. Rouphael, Griffin K. Gothard, Michael J. Lynch
  • Patent number: 6888504
    Abstract: An antenna array that uses at least two passive antennas and one active antenna disposed above a ground plane, but electrically isolated from the ground plane, and a respective resonant strip positioned beneath each passive antenna. The passive antenna elements are positioned about the active element, and each of the at least two passive antenna elements is individually set to a reflective or a transmissive mode to change the characteristics of an input/output beam pattern of the antenna apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2005
    Assignee: IPR Licensing, Inc.
    Inventors: Bing Chiang, Griffin K. Gothard, Christopher A. Snyder, William R. Palmer, Michael J. Lynch, Thomas E. Gorsuch, Kenneth M. Gainey, James A. Proctor, Jr.
  • Patent number: 6876331
    Abstract: A mobile communication handset includes at least one passive antenna element and an active antenna element adjacent to the passive antenna elements protruding from a housing. The active element is coupled to electronic radio communication circuits and the passive antenna elements are coupled to circuit elements that affect the directivity of communication signals coupled to the antenna elements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2005
    Assignee: IPR Licensing, Inc.
    Inventors: Bing Chiang, Christopher A. Snyder, Griffin K. Gothard, David C. Jorgenson
  • Patent number: 6856297
    Abstract: A phased array antenna includes a substrate, and an array of dipole antenna elements on the substrate. Each dipole antenna element comprises a medial feed portion, and a pair of legs extending outwardly therefrom, and adjacent legs of adjacent dipole antenna elements include respective spaced apart end portions. A respective impedance element is electrically connected between the spaced apart end portions of adjacent legs of adjacent dipole antenna elements for providing increased capacitive coupling therebetween.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 15, 2005
    Assignee: Harris Corporation
    Inventors: Timothy E. Durham, Griffin K. Gothard, Anthony M. Jones, Jay Kralovec
  • Publication number: 20040257290
    Abstract: Method and apparatus for feeding a compact main reflector of an RF antenna on a plurality of spectrally offset frequency bands. The method can include the steps of forming a focal ring for a main reflector (304) by positioning an RF source (301) at a first frequency within a first frequency band in the far field relative to a shaped non-linear surface of revolution so that the shaped non-linear surface of revolution forms a subreflector (302). A second focal ring can be formed for the main reflector (304) by positioning a second RF source (300) in the nearfield of the shaped non-linear surface of revolution.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 20, 2003
    Publication date: December 23, 2004
    Inventors: Griffin K. Gothard, Jay A. Kralovec, Timothy E. Durham
  • Publication number: 20040259597
    Abstract: An antenna apparatus, which can increase capacity in a cellular communication system or Wireless Local Area Network (WLAN), such as an 802.11 network, operates in conjunction with a mobile subscriber unit or client station. At least one antenna element is active and located within multiple passive antenna elements. The passive antenna elements are coupled to selectable impedance components for phase control of re-radiated RF signals. Various techniques for determining the phase of each antenna element are supported to enable the antenna apparatus to direct an antenna beam pattern toward a base station or access point with maximum gain, and, consequently, maximum signal-to-noise ratio. By directionally receiving and transmitting signals, multipath fading is greatly reduced as well as intercell interference.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 23, 2003
    Publication date: December 23, 2004
    Inventors: Griffin K. Gothard, Alton S. Keel, Christopher A. Snyder, Bing Chiang, Joe T. Richeson, Douglas H. Wood, James A. Proctor, Kenneth M. Gainey
  • Patent number: 6831613
    Abstract: Method and apparatus for feeding a compact main reflector of an RF antenna on a plurality of spectrally offset frequency bands. The method can include the steps of forming a focal ring for a main reflector (304) by positioning an RF source (301) at a first frequency within a first frequency band in the far field relative to a shaped non-linear surface of revolution so that the shaped non-linear surface of revolution forms a subreflector (302). A second focal ring can be formed for the main reflector (304) by positioning a second RF source (300) in the nearfield of the shaped non-linear surface of revolution.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 14, 2004
    Assignee: Harris Corporation
    Inventors: Griffin K. Gothard, Jay A. Kralovec, Timothy E. Durham
  • Patent number: 6774852
    Abstract: An antenna array formed on a deformable dielectric material or substrate includes a center element and plurality of radial elements extending from a center hub. In the operative mode, the radial elements are folded upwardly into an approximately vertical position, with the center element at the center of the hub and the radial elements circumferentially surrounding the center element. In one embodiment the center element serves an active element of the antenna array and the radial elements are controllable in a directive or reflective state to effect a directive beam pattern from the antenna array. When not in use, the antenna elements are deformed into a plane and can therefore be integrated into a housing for compact storage. In a phased array embodiment, the center element is absent and the plurality of radial elements, are controllable to steer the antenna beam.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 10, 2004
    Assignee: IPR Licensing, Inc.
    Inventors: Bing Chiang, William R. Palmer, Griffin K. Gothard, Christopher A. Snyder
  • Publication number: 20040150568
    Abstract: An antenna array that uses at least two passive antennas and one active antenna disposed above a ground plane, but electrically isolated from the ground plane, and a respective resonant strip positioned beneath each passive antenna. The passive antenna elements are positioned about the active element, and each of the at least two passive antenna elements is individually set to a reflective or a transmissive mode to change the characteristics of an input/output beam pattern of the antenna apparatus.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 31, 2003
    Publication date: August 5, 2004
    Applicant: Tantivy Communications, Inc.
    Inventors: Bing Chiang, Griffin K. Gothard, Christopher A. Snyder, William R. Palmer, Michael Lynch, Thomas Gorsuch, Kenneth Gainey, James A. Proctor