Patents by Inventor James M. Cicchiello
James M. Cicchiello 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: 11601197Abstract: An optical communications system includes a modulator/demodulator (modem) to transmit outgoing communications data and to receive incoming communications data in a transceiver. A main detector is coupled to the modem to convert an optical signal representing the incoming communications data to an electrical signal for the modem. An adaptive data rate processor monitors the electrical signal from the main detector to determine a current power level for the optical signal. The adaptive data rate processor dynamically adjusts a data rate of the modem based on the determined current power level of the optical signal.Type: GrantFiled: October 8, 2020Date of Patent: March 7, 2023Assignee: NORTHROP GRUMMAN SYSTEMS CORPORATIONInventors: John Featherston, Christopher A. Archer, James M. Cicchiello
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Patent number: 10848241Abstract: An optical communications system includes a modulator/demodulator (modem) to transmit outgoing communications data and to receive incoming communications data in a transceiver. A main detector is coupled to the modem to convert an optical signal representing the incoming communications data to an electrical signal for the modem. An adaptive data rate processor monitors the electrical signal from the main detector to determine a current power level for the optical signal. The adaptive data rate processor dynamically adjusts a data rate of the modem based on the determined current power level of the optical signal.Type: GrantFiled: June 28, 2018Date of Patent: November 24, 2020Assignee: NORTHROP GRUMMAN SYSTEMS CORPORATIONInventors: John Featherston, Christopher A. Archer, James M. Cicchiello
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Patent number: 10236995Abstract: A system includes a detector array having a plurality of level detectors to monitor an optical input signal. Each level detector of the detector array operates in a different operating range, and each operating range for each level detector has a different saturation level and a different cutoff level based on a power level of the optical input signal. A controller monitors the plurality of level detectors of the detector array to detect a present power level for the optical input signal by selecting the operating range that is associated with the level detector operating between its saturation level and its cutoff level.Type: GrantFiled: November 1, 2016Date of Patent: March 19, 2019Assignee: NORTHROP GRUMMAN SYSTEMS CORPORATIONInventors: John Featherston, James M. Cicchiello, Curtis J. Harkrider, Christopher A. Archer, Frederick D. Bean
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Patent number: 10038497Abstract: An optical communications system includes a modulator/demodulator (modem) to transmit outgoing communications data and to receive incoming communications data in a transceiver. A main detector is coupled to the modem to convert an optical signal representing the incoming communications data to an electrical signal for the modem. An adaptive data rate processor monitors the electrical signal from the main detector to determine a current power level for the optical signal. The adaptive data rate processor dynamically adjusts a data rate of the modem based on the determined current power level of the optical signal.Type: GrantFiled: December 18, 2013Date of Patent: July 31, 2018Assignee: Northrup Grumman Systems CorporationInventors: John Featherston, Christopher A. Archer, James M. Cicchiello
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Patent number: 9537580Abstract: A system includes a detector array having a plurality of level detectors to monitor an optical input signal. Each level detector of the detector array operates in a different operating range, and each operating range for each level detector has a different saturation level and a different cutoff level based on a power level of the optical input signal. A controller monitors the plurality of level detectors of the detector array to detect a present power level for the optical input signal by selecting the operating range that is associated with the level detector operating between its saturation level and its cutoff level.Type: GrantFiled: December 18, 2013Date of Patent: January 3, 2017Assignee: Northrop Grumman Systems CorporationInventors: John Featherston, James M. Cicchiello, Curtis J. Harkrider, Christopher A. Archer, Frederick D. Bean
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Patent number: 9503183Abstract: A free-space optical (FSO) transceiver can include a link predictor configured to estimate conditions for an FSO link over a window of time in the future. The FSO transceiver can also include a scheduler configured to assign outgoing packets to blocks of time in the window of time based on quality of service (QoS) parameters of each of the outgoing packets and on conditions in each block of time in the window of time.Type: GrantFiled: December 18, 2013Date of Patent: November 22, 2016Assignee: Northrop Grumman Systems CorporationInventors: John Featherston, Christopher A. Archer, James M. Cicchiello, Frederick D. Bean
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Patent number: 9231697Abstract: A free-space optical (FSO) transceiver can include a transmission protocol configured to encapsulate outgoing network packets in by employing a reliable ordered protocol that relies on retransmission of lost data to form outgoing encapsulated packets. The transmission protocol controller can be configured to employ a congestion algorithm that optimizes throughput over a lossy link. The FSO transceiver can also include a transmitter configured to provide an output optical signal corresponding to the outgoing encapsulated packets over an FSO link.Type: GrantFiled: December 18, 2013Date of Patent: January 5, 2016Assignee: Northrop Grumman Systems CorporationInventors: Christopher A. Archer, James M. Cicchiello, John Featherston, Frederick D. Bean
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Publication number: 20150171962Abstract: A free-space optical (FSO) transceiver can include a transmission protocol configured to encapsulate outgoing network packets in by employing a reliable ordered protocol that relies on retransmission of lost data to form outgoing encapsulated packets. The transmission protocol controller can be configured to employ a congestion algorithm that optimizes throughput over a lossy link. The FSO transceiver can also include a transmitter configured to provide an output optical signal corresponding to the outgoing encapsulated packets over an FSO link.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 18, 2013Publication date: June 18, 2015Applicant: NORTHROP GRUMMAN SYSTEMS CORPORATIONInventors: CHRISTOPHER A. ARCHER, James M. Cicchiello, John Featherston, Frederick D. Bean
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Publication number: 20150171968Abstract: A free-space optical (FSO) transceiver can include a link predictor configured to estimate conditions for an FSO link over a window of time in the future. The FSO transceiver can also include a scheduler configured to assign outgoing packets to blocks of time in the window of time based on quality of service (QoS) parameters of each of the outgoing packets and on conditions in each block of time in the window of time.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 18, 2013Publication date: June 18, 2015Inventors: JOHN FEATHERSTON, Christopher A. Archer, James M. Cicchiello, Frederick D. Bean
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Patent number: 7557979Abstract: A beam-steering element made of a more optically-active material, potassium tantalate niobate, with an improved diffraction efficiency, having a plurality of electrode layers and one electro-optic crystal layer interposed between every two adjacent electrode layers. Each electro-optic crystal layer and the electrode layer adjacent thereto have an aspect ratio of about 1:1. The electrode layers and the electro-optic crystal layers are interposed between two substrates. Preferably, the substrates are transparent to an incoming beam to be modulated by the electro-optic crystal layer.Type: GrantFiled: August 6, 2007Date of Patent: July 7, 2009Assignee: Northrop Grumman CorporationInventors: James M. Cicchiello, Curtis J. Harkrider, Kenneth E. Kreischer, David A. Gallagher
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Publication number: 20080259435Abstract: A beam-steering element made of a more optically-active material, potassium tantalate niobate, with an improved diffraction efficiency, having a plurality of electrode layers and one electro-optic crystal layer interposed between every two adjacent electrode layers. Each electro-optic crystal layer and the electrode layer adjacent thereto have an aspect ratio of about 1:1. The electrode layers and the electro-optic crystal layers are interposed between two substrates. Preferably, the substrates are transparent to an incoming beam to be modulated by the electro-optic crystal layer.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 6, 2007Publication date: October 23, 2008Inventors: James M. Cicchiello, Curtis J. Harkrider, Kenneth E. Kreischer, David A. Gallagher
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Patent number: 7411724Abstract: A beam-steering element made of a more optically-active material, potassium tantalate niobate, with an improved diffraction efficiency, having a plurality of electrode layers and one electro-optic crystal layer interposed between every two adjacent electrode layers. Each electro-optic crystal layer and the electrode layer adjacent thereto have an aspect ratio of about 1:1. The electrode layers and the electro-optic crystal layers are interposed between two substrates. Preferably, the substrates are transparent to an incoming beam to be modulated by the electro-optic crystal layer.Type: GrantFiled: December 6, 2004Date of Patent: August 12, 2008Assignee: Northrop Grumman CorporationInventors: James M. Cicchiello, Curtis J. Harkrider, Kenneth E. Kreischer, David A. Gallagher
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Patent number: 7190907Abstract: An optical tag, having a photo-detector, a controller, a piezoelectric translator, a battery and a retro-reflective tape. The photo-detector is responsive to an optical energy at a predetermined wavelength, and the controller is connected to the output of the photo-detector. The piezoelectric translator connected to controller is also connected to the battery when the photo-detector responds to the optical energy. The retro-reflective tape is directly mounted on the piezoelectric translator. When the connection between the piezoelectric translator and the battery is established, a pulse is generated and applied to the retro-reflective tape. Therefore, the optical energy incident on the retro-reflective tape is modulated by the pulse and retro-reflected by the retro-reflective tape.Type: GrantFiled: January 27, 2004Date of Patent: March 13, 2007Assignee: Northrop Grumman CorporationInventor: James M. Cicchiello
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Patent number: 7171126Abstract: An optical head is provided for a free space optical communications system. The optical head is utilized for transmitting and receiving modulated infrared laser beams. The optical head includes an optical amplifier, a circulator, an ultrafine-steering element, a fine-steering element, a course-steering element, and a fine track sensor. Additionally, a method is provided for facilitating airborne free space optical communications between an airborne host platform and a link platform. Each platform has an optical head which transmits and receives data via modulated infrared laser beams, wherein the host includes at least an optical head having a fine, coarse, and ultrafine steering element configured in a cascaded three-tier steering element architecture.Type: GrantFiled: September 30, 2003Date of Patent: January 30, 2007Assignee: Northrop Grumman CorporationInventors: James M. Cicchiello, John Featherston, Jean Christopher Shelton
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Patent number: 7146060Abstract: A phase distortion device/method has been developed to improve images. A wave source generates waves, which stimulate the reflection and/or emission of narrow-band waves from an object of interest or a nearby object. The phase distortion of the narrow-band waves is used to obtain an impulse response function, which is then used to correct an image formed by illumination waves.Type: GrantFiled: December 27, 2002Date of Patent: December 5, 2006Inventors: James M. Cicchiello, Hao C. Tran
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Patent number: 7075955Abstract: An integrated optical parametric oscillator, having an optical parametric oscillation region to convert a pump source into a signal beam and an idler beam, and a fine-steering region to adjust optical path of the signal beam in order to finely select a required wavelength component of the signal beam. The optical parametric oscillator is contoured with a plurality of exterior planes with specific reflective characteristics to form a resonator of the idler beam while reflecting and diffracting the signal beam with a desired wavelength.Type: GrantFiled: February 17, 2004Date of Patent: July 11, 2006Assignee: Northrop Grumman CorporationInventors: James M. Cicchiello, Ronald K. Meyer, Gerald Griffith
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Patent number: 7057787Abstract: An electro-optic crystal based beam-steering device preferably based on KTN, having a first deflector and a second deflector. The first deflector has a pair of substrates each having a plurality of first electrode lines extending along a first direction and a plurality of electro-optic crystal modulators interposed between the first electrode lines. The second deflector has a pair of substrates each having a plurality of second electrode lines extending along a second direction and a plurality of electro-optic crystal modulators interposed between the second electrode lines. The first direction is orthogonal to the second direction.Type: GrantFiled: October 29, 2004Date of Patent: June 6, 2006Assignee: Northrop Grumman CorporationInventors: James M. Cicchiello, Curtis J. Harkrider
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Patent number: 6958851Abstract: An electronically modulated prism, having a bulk crystal, a plurality of electrode pads formed on a top surface of the bulk crystal, and a common electrode formed on a bottom surface of the bulk crystal. The bulk crystal is optically isotropic with zero electric field applied thereto and optically anisotropic when subjected to a non-zero electric field. More specifically, the bulk crystal between each of the electrode pads and the common electrode has an index of fraction altered proportionally to the electric field applied thereto, such that an incident beam propagate through the crystal is modulated with an accumulated phase shift.Type: GrantFiled: December 3, 2003Date of Patent: October 25, 2005Assignee: Northrop Grumman CorporationInventor: James M. Cicchiello
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Patent number: 6894818Abstract: A conformed all-reflective beam-steering (CARBS) device is provided which is a hybrid of a mirror and one-axis gimbal assembly mounted on a rotating carriage. The CARBS device functions as a coarse-steering element in an electro-optical tracking system. The one-axis gimbal only has to steer over 0-45° elevation (El), rather than the more typical +/?45° El. To provide a full field of regard (FOR), the present invention relies on a rotating carriage to rotate 360°. The present invention facilitates the full FOR by positioning a mirror and one-axis gimbal assembly close to the exit pupil window. Further, the present invention takes advantage of decentration and off-axis parabolic reflectors to maintain a small footprint. This compact design allows for lower system inertia, which reduces power draw, and further provides a system which may be package to meet upcoming military modular packaging requirements.Type: GrantFiled: November 25, 2003Date of Patent: May 17, 2005Assignee: Northrop Grumman CorporationInventors: James M. Cicchiello, Michael A. Davis
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Publication number: 20040124335Abstract: A phase distortion device/method has been developed to improve images. A wave source generates waves, which stimulate the reflection and/or emission of narrow-band waves from an object of interest or a nearby object. The phase distortion of the narrow-band waves is used to obtain an impulse response function, which is then used to correct an image formed by illumination waves.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 27, 2002Publication date: July 1, 2004Inventors: James M. Cicchiello, Hao C. Tran