Patents by Inventor Houston Fortney

Houston Fortney 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: 11982730
    Abstract: A measurement system includes a gain chain configured to amplify an analog input signal; a range selector configured to select a gain between the analog input signal and a plurality of analog-to-digital converter (ADC) outputs from a plurality of ADCs, wherein each ADC output has a path, and a gain of each output path is made up of a plurality of gain stages in the gain chain; and a mixer configured to combine the plurality of ADC outputs into a single mixed output.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 2022
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2024
    Assignee: Lake Shore Cryotronics, Inc.
    Inventor: Houston Fortney
  • Patent number: 11959991
    Abstract: An analog signal generating source comprising two or more digital-to-analog converters (DAC) combined to generate one or more frequency components. The analog signal source comprises a first path for generating substantially low frequency signals, the first path comprising a first one of the DACs; and a second path for generating substantially high frequency signals, the second path comprising a second one of the DACs. The analog signal source also comprises a data processor for processing an input signal and providing the processed input signal to the first and second paths; a combining circuit configured to combine outputs of the first and second paths into the source signal; a feedback portion configured to sense the source signal; and a servo loop configured to use the sensed source signal to adjust as need to maintain the source signal to substantially agree with the input signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2024
    Assignee: Lake Shore Cryotronics, Inc.
    Inventor: Houston Fortney
  • Publication number: 20240019517
    Abstract: A measurement system includes a source unit to provide a source signal to a sample and a voltage source and/or a current source and a memory. The system also includes a measurement unit configured to acquire from the sample an measurement signal that may be responsive to the source signal and a voltage measuring unit, a current measuring unit, and/or a capacitance measuring unit, and a memory. The system also includes a control unit including a digital signal processing unit; a source converter; a measurement converter. The system further includes a synchronization unit configured to synchronize clocks of the digital signal processing unit, the source converter, the measurement converter, the source unit, and the measurement unit; a calibration unit for calibrating aspects of the system including the control unit; and a reference voltage supply configured to supply a common reference voltage for the control unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 17, 2023
    Publication date: January 18, 2024
    Inventors: Houston Fortney, Noah Faust
  • Patent number: 11762050
    Abstract: A measurement system includes a source unit to provide a source signal to a sample and a voltage source and/or a current source and a memory. The system also includes a measurement unit configured to acquire from the sample an measurement signal that may be responsive to the source signal and a voltage measuring unit, a current measuring unit, and/or a capacitance measuring unit, and a memory. The system also includes a control unit including a digital signal processing unit; a source converter; a measurement converter. The system further includes a synchronization unit configured to synchronize clocks of the digital signal processing unit, the source converter, the measurement converter, the source unit, and the measurement unit; a calibration unit for calibrating aspects of the system including the control unit; and a reference voltage supply configured to supply a common reference voltage for the control unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2021
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2023
    Assignee: Lake Shore Cryotronics, Inc.
    Inventors: Houston Fortney, Noah Faust
  • Publication number: 20230039369
    Abstract: A measurement system includes a gain chain configured to amplify an analog input signal; a range selector configured to select a gain between the analog input signal and a plurality of analog-to-digital converter (ADC) outputs from a plurality of ADCs, wherein each ADC output has a path, and a gain of each output path is made up of a plurality of gain stages in the gain chain; and a mixer configured to combine the plurality of ADC outputs into a single mixed output.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 10, 2022
    Publication date: February 9, 2023
    Inventor: Houston Fortney
  • Patent number: 11550015
    Abstract: A measurement system includes a gain chain configured to amplify an analog input signal; a range selector configured to select a gain between the analog input signal and a plurality of analog-to-digital converter (ADC) outputs from a plurality of ADCs, wherein each ADC output has a path, and a gain of each output path is made up of a plurality of gain stages in the gain chain; and a mixer configured to combine the plurality of ADC outputs into a single mixed output.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2023
    Assignee: Lake Shore Cryotronics, Inc.
    Inventor: Houston Fortney
  • Publication number: 20210336628
    Abstract: An analog signal generating source comprising two or more digital-to-analog converters (DAC) combined to generate one or more frequency components. The analog signal source comprises a first path for generating substantially low frequency signals, the first path comprising a first one of the DACs; and a second path for generating substantially high frequency signals, the second path comprising a second one of the DACs. The analog signal source also comprises a data processor for processing an input signal and providing the processed input signal to the first and second paths; a combining circuit configured to combine outputs of the first and second paths into the source signal; a feedback portion configured to sense the source signal; and a servo loop configured to use the sensed source signal to adjust as need to maintain the source signal to substantially agree with the input signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 27, 2021
    Publication date: October 28, 2021
    Inventor: Houston Fortney
  • Publication number: 20210333348
    Abstract: A measurement system includes a source unit to provide a source signal to a sample and a voltage source and/or a current source and a memory. The system also includes a measurement unit configured to acquire from the sample an measurement signal that may be responsive to the source signal and a voltage measuring unit, a current measuring unit, and/or a capacitance measuring unit, and a memory. The system also includes a control unit including a digital signal processing unit; a source converter; a measurement converter. The system further includes a synchronization unit configured to synchronize clocks of the digital signal processing unit, the source converter, the measurement converter, the source unit, and the measurement unit; a calibration unit for calibrating aspects of the system including the control unit; and a reference voltage supply configured to supply a common reference voltage for the control unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 27, 2021
    Publication date: October 28, 2021
    Inventors: Houston Fortney, Noah Faust
  • Publication number: 20210336629
    Abstract: A measurement system includes a gain chain configured to amplify an analog input signal; a range selector configured to select a gain between the analog input signal and a plurality of analog-to-digital converter (ADC) outputs from a plurality of ADCs, wherein each ADC output has a path, and a gain of each output path is made up of a plurality of gain stages in the gain chain; and a mixer configured to combine the plurality of ADC outputs into a single mixed output.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 27, 2021
    Publication date: October 28, 2021
    Inventor: Houston Fortney