Patents by Inventor Ian J. Timmins

Ian J. Timmins 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: 11283190
    Abstract: A fixed beam high gain antenna for generating high gain for satellite communication ground terminals includes a multi-layer PCB having a top surface forming a rear surface of the antenna and a bottom layer forming a front surface of the antenna; an antenna array including a plurality of antenna patches on the front surface of the antenna and a plurality of application-specific integrated circuits (ASICs) on the rear surface of the antenna; wherein the antenna array comprises at least one antenna unit cell each including one of the plurality of ASICs in connection with a corresponding plurality of the plurality of antenna patches; wherein each one of the plurality of ASICs is centrally positioned and surrounded by the corresponding plurality of antenna patches; and wherein a reduced length of the connection between each of the plurality of ASICs and the corresponding plurality of antenna patches minimizes RF transmission loss.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2022
    Assignee: AvL Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Ian J. Timmins, Keith Edenfield, Bruce Barratt, Alan Ellis
  • Patent number: 10993315
    Abstract: A compensated via structure is utilized in a multi-layer printed circuit board (PCB) stackup to improve the radio frequency (RF) transmission performance of the PCB. The compensated via structure includes a compensating structure and a central via surrounded by multiple grounding posts, wherein both ends of the central via are connected to the input and the output transmission lines through pads. The compensating structure is within a ground plane located in between of the two layers within which the input and output transmission lines are. The increased coupling between the central via and the grounding posts and between the compensating structure and the ground plane results in reductions in both return and insertion losses and contributes to the improved RF transmission performance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 27, 2021
    Assignee: AvL Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Ian J. Timmins, Keith Edenfield, Bruce Barratt, Alan Ellis
  • Patent number: 10910702
    Abstract: An AESA for SATCOM includes a PCB; a plurality of ICs; an RF feed network for an array; a plurality of patch antennas; a SPI bus for controlling phase shifting of the ICs; phase shifters being operable for selectively introducing a phase shift internal to each of the plurality of ICs such that the radiation pattern resulting from the patch antennas connected to a single IC are steered; and wherein the plurality of ICs are operable to selectively provide either left hand circular polarization, right hand circular polarization, horizontal polarization or vertical polarization.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 2, 2021
    Assignee: AvL Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Bryan Keith Edenfield, Ian J. Timmins, Bruce Barratt, Adam Gropp, Alan E. Ellis, James L. Oliver
  • Patent number: 10903637
    Abstract: A structure for securing broadcast cables and connectors includes a wall mounted enclosure including a front section, a middle section and rear section, the front and middle sections surrounding a first cavity and the middle and rear sections surrounding a second cavity; a panel having a first and second wings joined together at a convex angle and defining a plurality of isolation plate mounts; the panel being selectively interchangeable between first and second configurations, wherein the first configuration is defined by the panel being selectively attached such that the convex angle faces the first cavity and the second configuration is defined by the panel being selectively attached such that the convex angle faces the second cavity; an internal lock system for selectively accessing the second cavity; and the internal lock system being accessible from within the first cavity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 26, 2021
    Assignee: Optical Cable Corporation
    Inventors: Charlie Nehls, Ian J. Timmins
  • Publication number: 20200365999
    Abstract: A flat panel antenna for satellite communications, the flat panel antenna including a printed circuit board (PCB) including a plurality of patches and a feed network; a waveguide manifold including a transmit feed network on one side and a receive feed network on the opposite side; a transition region on the transmit feed network wherein a waveguide input port transitions to a ridged waveguide for compact dimension; a transition region on the transmit feed network wherein the waveguide input port transitions to the ridged waveguide for compact dimension; an integrated transmit reject filter on the receive feed network; and wherein the flat panel antenna is operable to provide right hand circular polarization TX and left-hand circular polarization RX.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 18, 2020
    Publication date: November 19, 2020
    Applicant: AvL Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Keith Edenfield, Ian J. Timmins, Bruce Barratt, Alan Eugene Ellis, Erik Leonard, Peter McMehamin
  • Patent number: 10645840
    Abstract: A heatsink for heat dissipation amongst an active electronically steered array (AESA) on a printed circuit board (PCB) includes a metal plate having a first side and a second side; a plurality of integrally formed pockets on the first side of the metal plate each being sized and configured for congruent receipt of a corresponding one of a plurality of functional blocks of the AESA on the PCB; a plurality of waveguide manifolds on the second side of the metal plate including a plurality of holes that launch a wave transmission and a plurality of slots that guide the direction of the wave transmission; and wherein the metal plate prevents localized overheating amongst the AESA by positioning the metal plate on the PCB wherein the plurality of integrally formed pockets and the plurality of holes and the plurality of slots of the plurality of waveguide manifolds facilitate heat dissipation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 5, 2020
    Assignee: AvL Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Ian J. Timmins, Wayne Holt, Alan Ellis, Adam C. Gropp, Keith Edenfield, Bruce Barratt
  • Patent number: 10622725
    Abstract: A modular feed system for axis symmetric reflector antennas includes an upper hat segment, a mid-section segment and a lower base segment, the upper hat and lower base segments being securable to respective opposing ends of the mid-section segment; wherein the length of the mid-section segment is selected in order to accommodate application of a particularly sized reflector antenna; and a mechanical mating mechanism including base slots for feed spring entry, corresponding carriage springs on the feed, and corresponding recessed spring capture locations; and wherein the carriage springs are sized and configured to pass through the corresponding base slots for feed spring entry as part of the initial mating of the feed to the base segment, and selective rotation thereof moves the corresponding carriage springs into corresponding recessed spring capture locations and causing a mechanically audible sound for indicating that the feed has locked into position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2020
    Assignee: AvL Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Bruce Barratt, Keith Edenfield, Ian J. Timmins
  • Publication number: 20200112084
    Abstract: An AESA for SATCOM includes a PCB; a plurality of ICs; an RF feed network for an array; a plurality of patch antennas; a SPI bus for controlling phase shifting of the ICs; phase shifters being operable for selectively introducing a phase shift internal to each of the plurality of ICs such that the radiation pattern resulting from the patch antennas connected to a single IC are steered; and wherein the plurality of ICs are operable to selectively provide either left hand circular polarization, right hand circular polarization, horizontal polarization or vertical polarization.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 26, 2019
    Publication date: April 9, 2020
    Applicant: AvL Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Bryan Keith Edenfield, Ian J. Timmins, Bruce Barratt, Adam Gropp, Alan E. Ellis, James L. Oliver
  • Publication number: 20200106252
    Abstract: A structure for securing broadcast cables and connectors includes a wall mounted enclosure including a front section, a middle section and rear section, the front and middle sections surrounding a first cavity and the middle and rear sections surrounding a second cavity; a panel having a first and second wings joined together at a convex angle and defining a plurality of isolation plate mounts; the panel being selectively interchangeable between first and second configurations, wherein the first configuration is defined by the panel being selectively attached such that the convex angle faces the first cavity and the second configuration is defined by the panel being selectively attached such that the convex angle faces the second cavity; an internal lock system for selectively accessing the second cavity; and the internal lock system being accessible from within the first cavity.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 2, 2019
    Publication date: April 2, 2020
    Applicant: Optical Cable Corporation
    Inventors: Charlie Nehls, Ian J. Timmins
  • Patent number: 10498119
    Abstract: A structure for securing broadcast cables and connectors includes a rack mounted enclosure frame having an inner facing surface surrounding a cavity, wherein a rear side of the rack mounted enclosure defines a plurality of isolation plate mounts and a front side of the rack mounted enclosure defines an open-ended side; a rack mounted panel defining a plurality of isolation plate mounts, the rack mounted panel being sized and configured for engaged abutment with the open-ended front side of the rack mounted enclosure, and wherein each of the plurality of isolation plate mounts are angled relative to the front side of the rack mounted enclosure frame; and the rack mounted panel including a top section and a bottom section, and wherein the top and bottom sections join together at a convex angle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 3, 2019
    Assignee: Optical Cable Corporation
    Inventors: Charlie Nehls, Ian J. Timmins, Nicholas Uhland
  • Publication number: 20190327855
    Abstract: A heatsink for heat dissipation amongst an active electronically steered array (AESA) on a printed circuit board (PCB) includes a metal plate having a first side and a second side; a plurality of integrally formed pockets on the first side of the metal plate each being sized and configured for congruent receipt of a corresponding one of a plurality of functional blocks of the AESA on the PCB; a plurality of waveguide manifolds on the second side of the metal plate including a plurality of holes that launch waveguide and a plurality of slots that guide the direction of the wave transmission; and wherein the metal plate prevents localized overheating amongst the AESA by positioning the metal plate on the PCB wherein the plurality of integrally formed pockets and the plurality of holes and the plurality of slots of the plurality of waveguide manifolds facilitate heat dissipation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 25, 2019
    Publication date: October 24, 2019
    Applicant: Optical Cable Corporation
    Inventors: Ian J. Timmins, Wayne Holt, Alan Ellis, Adam C. Grop, Keith Edenfield, Bruce Barratt
  • Patent number: 10432256
    Abstract: A system that reduces crosstalk and return loss within electrical communication connectors includes at least two compensating capacitors connected in series that compensate each offending capacitor. An additional inductive component that is connected between two compensating capacitors so that the adjustable inductance of the inductive component can be varied to modify the capacitive coupling effect achieved by the compensating capacitors as a function of frequency. A shape-neutral structure containing two compensating capacitors and one series inductive component in between is positioned so that each compensating capacitor is juxtaposed parallel to the offending capacitor. There is no direct contact between the shape-neutral structure and the transmission lines, and the shape-neutral structure does not change the shape of PCB traces and reduces both crosstalk and return loss.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2019
    Assignee: Optical Cable Corporation
    Inventors: Derrick F. Stikeleather, John Michael Ray, Ian J. Timmins
  • Patent number: 10367256
    Abstract: An AESA for SATCOM includes a PCB; a plurality of ICs; an RF feed network for an array; a plurality of patch antennas; a SPI bus for controlling phase shifting of the ICs; phase shifters being operable for selectively introducing a phase shift internal to each of the plurality of ICs such that the radiation pattern resulting from the patch antennas connected to a single IC are steered; a RF power amplifier in each of the ICs, the RF power amplifier being in a common IC footprint with at least one of the phase shifters; the RF power amplifier being structured and disposed for providing amplification for the array, wherein the RF power amplifier compensates for the lossy nature of the internal layers of the PCB; and wherein the plurality of ICs to selectively provide either left hand circular polarization, right hand circular polarization, horizontal polarization or vertical polarization.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 30, 2019
    Assignee: AvL Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Bryan Keith Edenfield, Ian J. Timmins, Bruce Barratt, Adam Gropp, Alan E. Ellis, James L. Oliver
  • Publication number: 20190157772
    Abstract: A fixed beam high gain antenna for generating high gain for satellite communication ground terminals includes a multi-layer PCB having a top surface forming a rear surface of the antenna and a bottom layer forming a front surface of the antenna; an antenna array including a plurality of antenna patches on the front surface of the antenna and a plurality of application-specific integrated circuits (ASICs) on the rear surface of the antenna; wherein the antenna array comprises at least one antenna unit cell each including one of the plurality of ASICs in connection with a corresponding plurality of the plurality of antenna patches; wherein each one of the plurality of ASICs is centrally positioned and surrounded by the corresponding plurality of antenna patches; and wherein a reduced length of the connection between each of the plurality of ASICs and the corresponding plurality of antenna patches minimizes RF transmission loss.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 5, 2018
    Publication date: May 23, 2019
    Applicant: AvL Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Ian J. Timmins, Keith Edenfield, Bruce Barratt, Alan Ellis
  • Publication number: 20190140362
    Abstract: An AESA for SATCOM includes a PCB; a plurality of ICs; an RF feed network for an array; a plurality of patch antennas; a SPI bus for controlling phase shifting of the ICs; phase shifters being operable for selectively introducing a phase shift internal to each of the plurality of ICs such that the radiation pattern resulting from the patch antennas connected to a single IC are steered; a RF power amplifier in each of the ICs, the RF power amplifier being in a common IC footprint with at least one of the phase shifters; the RF power amplifier being structured and disposed for providing amplification for the array, wherein the RF power amplifier compensates for the lossy nature of the internal layers of the PCB; and wherein the plurality of ICs to selectively provide either left hand circular polarization, right hand circular polarization, horizontal polarization or vertical polarization.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 26, 2018
    Publication date: May 9, 2019
    Applicant: AvL Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Bryan Keith Edenfield, Ian J. Timmins, Bruce Barratt, Adam Gropp, Alan E. Ellis, James L. Oliver
  • Publication number: 20190132943
    Abstract: A compensated via structure is utilized in a multi-layer printed circuit board (PCB) stackup to improve the radio frequency (RF) transmission performance of the PCB. The compensated via structure includes a compensating structure and a central via surrounded by multiple grounding posts, wherein both ends of the central via are connected to the input and the output transmission lines through pads. The compensating structure is within a ground plane located in between of the two layers within which the input and output transmission lines are. The increased coupling between the central via and the grounding posts and between the compensating structure and the ground plane results in reductions in both return and insertion losses and contributes to the improved RF transmission performance.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 31, 2018
    Publication date: May 2, 2019
    Applicant: AvL Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Ian J. Timmins, Keith Edenfield, Bruce Barratt, Alan Ellis
  • Publication number: 20190072738
    Abstract: A modular fiber optic cabling infrastructure system for use in combination with fiber optic cabling, connecting hardware and at least one corresponding transitionary device includes a chassis enclosure surrounding a cavity and forming a plurality of orifices for supporting incoming and exiting fiber optic cabling connections; a plurality of unique integration plates each being sized and configured for selective attachment to at least one of the plurality of orifices and each including a top surface and a bottom surface, the bottom surface of each of the plurality of unique integration plates forming an o-ring groove along a perimeter zone of the bottom surface, and wherein each of the plurality of unique integration plates is structured and disposed for supporting a corresponding style of connecting hardware; an o-ring sized for congruent receipt within the o-ring groove; and wherein each of the plurality of unique integration plates is selectively interchangeable.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 10, 2018
    Publication date: March 7, 2019
    Applicant: Optical Cable Corporation
    Inventors: Scott Fitzgerald, Nicholas P. Guiffault, Rick Hobbs, Jeff Miller, Sumio Seo, Ian J. Timmins
  • Publication number: 20180294543
    Abstract: A modular feed system for axis symmetric reflector antennas includes an upper hat segment, a mid-section segment and a lower base segment, the upper hat and lower base segments being securable to respective opposing ends of the mid-section segment; wherein the length of the mid-section segment is selected in order to accommodate application of a particularly sized reflector antenna; and a mechanical mating mechanism including base slots for feed spring entry, corresponding carriage springs on the feed, and corresponding recessed spring capture locations; and wherein the carriage springs are sized and configured to pass through the corresponding base slots for feed spring entry as part of the initial mating of the feed to the base segment, and selective rotation thereof moves the corresponding carriage springs into corresponding recessed spring capture locations and causing a mechanically audible sound for indicating that the feed has locked into position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 11, 2018
    Publication date: October 11, 2018
    Applicant: AvL Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Bruce Barratt, Keith Edenfield, Ian J. Timmins
  • Patent number: 9952401
    Abstract: An inline splicing module for use in combination with one or more fiber subgroup cables each having a plurality of individual fibers includes a backplane component having top and bottom sides; at least one projection on the backplane component defining a cable slack storage component for securing the fiber subgroup cable in a storage position; at least one splice capturing component on the backplane component having a plurality of splice protector sleeves that are each sized and configured for securing therethrough a corresponding one of the plurality of individual fibers from one of the one or more fiber subgroup cables; and a plurality of fiber optic couplers each being structured and disposed for receipt of a corresponding one of the plurality of individual fibers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2018
    Assignee: Optical Cable Corporation
    Inventors: Ian J. Timmins, Sumio Seo
  • Publication number: 20180076604
    Abstract: A structure for securing broadcast cables and connectors includes a rack mounted enclosure frame having an inner facing surface surrounding a cavity, wherein a rear side of the rack mounted enclosure defines a plurality of isolation plate mounts and a front side of the rack mounted enclosure defines an open-ended side; a rack mounted panel defining a plurality of isolation plate mounts, the rack mounted panel being sized and configured for engaged abutment with the open-ended front side of the rack mounted enclosure, and wherein each of the plurality of isolation plate mounts are angled relative to the front side of the rack mounted enclosure frame; and the rack mounted panel including a top section and a bottom section, and wherein the top and bottom sections join together at a convex angle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 11, 2017
    Publication date: March 15, 2018
    Applicant: Optical Cable Corporation
    Inventors: Charlie Nehls, Ian J. Timmins, Nicholas Uhland