Patents by Inventor John J. Pickerd

John J. Pickerd 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: 20240353491
    Abstract: A test system includes a test and measurement instrument, ovens to hold devices under test (DUT), each oven having an oven switch selectably connected to the DUTs, channel switches selectably connected to the oven switches and to one channel of the instrument, one or more processors to: select an oven and its oven switch, connect that oven switch to a subset of DUTs in that oven, connect the channel switches to that oven switch to receive signals from the subset of DUTs, send the signals to channels of the instrument to acquire waveforms from the subset of DUTs in parallel, and repeat connecting of the channel switches and that oven switch until the instrument has acquired waveforms from each DUT in that oven, use machine learning to tune each DUT, test whether each DUT in that oven is optimally tuned, and repeat until all DUTs have been tuned and tested.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 27, 2024
    Publication date: October 24, 2024
    Inventors: John J. Pickerd, Evan Douglas Smith
  • Patent number: 12092692
    Abstract: A test and measurement instrument includes an input to receive a non-return-to-zero (NRZ) waveform signal from a device under test, a ramp generator to use the NRZ waveform signal to generate a ramp sweep signal, a gate to gate the ramp sweep signal and the NRZ waveform signal to produce gated X-axis and Y-axis data, and a display to display the gated X-axis and Y-axis data as a cyclic loop image. A method of generating a cyclic loop image includes receiving an input waveform, using the input waveform to generate a ramp sweep signal, gating the ramp sweep signal and the input waveform to produce gated X-axis and Y-axis data, and displaying the gated X-axis and Y-axis data as a cyclic loop image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 2021
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2024
    Assignee: Tektronix, Inc.
    Inventor: John J. Pickerd
  • Patent number: 12085590
    Abstract: A test and measurement instrument has a user interface configured to allow a user to provide one or more user inputs, a display to display results to the user, a memory, one or more processors configured to execute code to cause the one or more processors to receive a waveform array containing waveforms resulting from sweeping one or more parameters from a set of parameters, recover a clock signal from the waveform array, generate a waveform image for each waveform, render the waveform images into video frames to produce an image array of the video frames, select at least some of the video frames to form a video sequence, and play the video sequence on a display.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 2022
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2024
    Assignee: Tektronix, Inc.
    Inventors: John J. Pickerd, Justin E. Patterson
  • Publication number: 20240243779
    Abstract: A method of characterizing a communication channel includes receiving a first signal from a set of transmitters reflected along a reflected channel from each element of a reconfigurable intelligent surface (RIS) set at a nominal angle, receiving a second signal reflected in the reflected channel from each element of the RIS set at an adjusted angle, using the first and second signals to determine a transfer function for a combined channel comprised of a reflected channel and a direct channel, and using the transfer function as an input to a machine learning network to determine optimized settings for the elements of the RIS. A communications system includes a set of transmitters, a reconfigurable intelligent surface (RIS), one or more receivers positioned to receive signals reflected by the RIS from the set of transmitters, and a machine learning system configured to produce optimized angles for elements of the RIS.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 12, 2024
    Publication date: July 18, 2024
    Inventors: Kan Tan, Keith R. Tinsley, John J. Pickerd
  • Publication number: 20240235669
    Abstract: A test and measurement system includes a test and measurement instrument, including a port to receive a signal from a device under test (DUT), and one or more processors, configured to execute code that causes the one or more processors to: adjust a set of operating parameters for the DUT to a first set of reference parameters; acquire, using the test and measurement instrument, a waveform from the DUT; repeatedly execute the code to cause the one or more processors to adjust the set of operating parameters and acquire a waveform, for each of a predetermined number of sets of reference parameters; build one or more tensors from the acquired waveforms; send the one or more tensors to a machine learning system to obtain a set of predicted optimal operating parameters; adjust the set of operating parameters for the DUT to the predicted optimal operating parameters; and determine whether the DUT passes a predetermined performance measurement when adjusted to the set of predicted optimal operating parameters.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 20, 2024
    Publication date: July 11, 2024
    Applicant: Tektronix, Inc.
    Inventors: John J. Pickerd, Kan Tan, Evan Douglas Smith, Heike Tritschler, Williams Fabricio Flores Yepez
  • Publication number: 20240214068
    Abstract: A method of training a machine learning system to determine operating parameters for optical transceivers includes connecting the transceiver to a test and measurement device, tuning the transceiver with a set of parameters, capturing a waveform from the transceiver, sending the waveform and the set of parameters to a machine learning system, and repeating the tuning, capturing, and sending until a sufficient number of samples are gathered.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 4, 2024
    Publication date: June 27, 2024
    Applicant: Tektronix, Inc.
    Inventors: Evan Douglas Smith, John J. Pickerd, Williams Fabricio Flores Yepez, Heike Tritschler
  • Publication number: 20240184637
    Abstract: A machine learning management system includes a repository having one or more partitions, the one or more partitions being separate from others of the partitions, a communications interface, and one or more processors configured to execute code to: receive a selected model and associated training data for the selected model through the communications interface from a customer; store the selected model and the associated training data in a partition dedicated to the customer; and manage the one or more partitions to ensure that the customer can only access the customer's partition. A method includes receiving a selected model and associated training data for the selected model from a customer, storing the selected model and the associated training data in a partition dedicated to the customer in a repository, and managing the one or more partitions to ensure that the customer can only access the partition dedicated to the customer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 29, 2023
    Publication date: June 6, 2024
    Applicant: Tektronix, Inc.
    Inventors: John J. Pickerd, Sam J. Strickling, Mark Anderson Smith, Sunil Mahawar
  • Publication number: 20240168471
    Abstract: A test system includes a repository of component models containing characteristic parameters for each component model, one or more processors to receive a list of selected component models through a user interface to be tested as a combination, access the characteristic parameters for each selected component model, build a tensor image using the characteristic parameters, send the tensor image to one or more trained neural networks to predict interoperability of the combination, and receive a prediction about the combination. A method includes receiving a list of selected component models through a user interface to be tested as a combination, accessing characteristic parameters for the selected component models, building a tensor image for each combination of the selected component models, sending the tensor image to one or more trained neural networks to predict interoperability of the combination, and receiving a prediction about the combination.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 20, 2023
    Publication date: May 23, 2024
    Applicant: Tektronix, Inc.
    Inventors: Kan Tan, John J. Pickerd, Sam J. Strickling
  • Publication number: 20240169210
    Abstract: A test and measurement instrument includes a port to connect to a device under test (DUT) to receive waveform data, a connection to a machine learning network, and one or more processors configured to: receive one or more inputs about a three-dimensional (3D) tensor image; scale the waveform data to fit within the 3D tensor image; build the 3D tensor image; send the 3D tensor image to the machine learning network; and receive a predictive result from the machine learning network. A method includes receiving waveform data from one or more device under test (DUT), receiving one or more inputs about a three-dimensional (3D) tensor image, scaling the waveform data to fit within the 3D tensor image, building the 3D tensor image, sending the 3D tensor image to a pre-trained machine learning network, and receiving a predictive result from the machine learning network.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 15, 2023
    Publication date: May 23, 2024
    Applicant: Tektronix, Inc.
    Inventors: Kan Tan, John J. Pickerd
  • Publication number: 20240126221
    Abstract: A manufacturing system has a machine learning (ML) system having one or more neural networks and a configuration file associated with a trained neural network (NN), a structured data store having interfaces to the ML system a test automation application, a training store, a reference parameter store, a communications store, a trained model store, and one or more processors to control the data store to receive and store training data, allow the ML system to access the training data to train the one or more NNs, receive and store reference parameters and to access the reference parameters, receive and store prediction requests for optimal tuning parameters and associated data within the communication store, to provide requests to the ML system, allow the ML system to store trained NNs in the trained models store, and to recall a selected trained NN and provide the prediction to the test automation application.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 6, 2023
    Publication date: April 18, 2024
    Applicant: Tektronix, Inc.
    Inventors: John J. Pickerd, Mark Anderson Smith, Sunil Mahawar
  • Patent number: 11940889
    Abstract: A test and measurement system has a test and measurement instrument, a test automation platform, and one or more processors, the one or more processors configured to execute code that causes the one or more processors to receive a waveform created by operation of a device under test, generate one or more tensor arrays, apply machine learning to a first tensor array of the one or more tensor arrays to produce equalizer tap values, apply machine learning to a second tensor array of the one of the one or more tensor arrays to produce predicted tuning parameters for the device under test, use the equalizer tap values to produce a Transmitter and Dispersion Eye Closure Quaternary (TDECQ) value, and provide the TDECQ value and the predicted tuning parameters to the test automation platform.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2022
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2024
    Assignee: Tektronix, Inc.
    Inventors: John J. Pickerd, Kan Tan
  • Patent number: 11923896
    Abstract: A test and measurement device has a connection to allow the test and measurement device to connect to an optical transceiver, one or more processors, configured to execute code that causes the one or more processors to: initially set operating parameters for the optical transceiver to average parameters, acquire a waveform from the optical transceiver, measure the acquired waveform and determine if operation of the transceiver passes or fails, send the waveform and the operating parameters to a machine learning system to obtain estimated parameters if the transceiver fails, adjust the operating parameters based upon the estimated parameters, and repeat the acquiring, measuring, sending, and adjusting as needed until the transceiver passes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2022
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2024
    Assignee: Tektronix, Inc.
    Inventors: Evan Douglas Smith, John J. Pickerd, Williams Fabricio Flores Yepez, Heike Tritschler
  • Patent number: 11923895
    Abstract: A test and measurement system includes a test and measurement device, a connection to allow the test and measurement device to connect to an optical transceiver, and one or more processors, configured to execute code that causes the one or more processors to: set operating parameters for the optical transceiver to reference operating parameters; acquire a waveform from the optical transceiver; repeatedly execute the code to cause the one or more processors to set operating parameters and acquire a waveform, for each of a predetermined number of sets of reference operating parameters; build one or more tensors from the acquired waveforms; send the one or more tensors to a machine learning system to obtain a set of predicted operating parameters; set the operating parameters for the optical transceiver to the predicted operating parameters; and test the optical transceiver using the predicted operating parameters.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2022
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2024
    Assignee: Tektronix, Inc.
    Inventors: John J. Pickerd, Kan Tan, Evan Douglas Smith, Heike Tritschler
  • Patent number: 11907090
    Abstract: A test and measurement instrument has an input configured to receive a signal from a device under test, a memory, a user interface to allow the user to input settings for the test and measurement instrument, and one or more processors, the one or more processors configured to execute code that causes the one or more processors to: acquire a waveform representing the signal received from the device under test; generate one or more tensor arrays based on the waveform; apply machine learning to the one or more tensor arrays to produce equalizer tap values; and apply equalization to the waveform using the equalizer tap values to produce an equalized waveform; and perform a measurement on the equalized waveform to produce a value related to a performance requirement for the device under test.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2022
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2024
    Assignee: Tektronix, Inc.
    Inventors: Kan Tan, John J. Pickerd
  • Publication number: 20240028002
    Abstract: A test and measurement system includes a test and measurement instrument configured to receive waveform data from a device under test (DUT) on a manufacturing line, a machine learning system connected to the test and measurement instrument, and one or more processors configured to execute code that causes the one or more processors to: collect optimal tuning parameter data sets from the DUT after the DUT is tuned on the manufacturing line, determine one or more parameter data sets from the optimal tuning parameter data, load the one or more parameter data sets into the DUT, collect waveform data from the DUT for the one or more parameter data sets as training data sets, train the machine learning system using the training data sets, and use the machine learning system after training to produce an output related to the DUT.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 17, 2023
    Publication date: January 25, 2024
    Applicant: Tektronix, Inc.
    Inventors: Wenzheng Sun, Evan Douglas Smith, John J. Pickerd
  • Publication number: 20230408558
    Abstract: A test and measurement instrument has one or more ports configured to receive a signal one or more devices under test (DUT), and one or more processors configured to execute code that causes the one or more processors to: acquire a waveform from the signal, derive a pattern waveform from the waveform, perform linear response extraction on the pattern waveform, present one or more data representations including a data representation of the extracted linear response to a machine learning system, and receive a prediction for a measurement from the machine learning system. A method of performing a measurement on a waveform includes acquiring the waveform at a test and measurement device, deriving a pattern waveform from the waveform, performing linear response extraction on the pattern waveform, presenting one or more data representations including a data representation of the extracted linear response to a machine learning system, and receiving a prediction of the measurement from the machine learning system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 15, 2023
    Publication date: December 21, 2023
    Applicant: Tektronix, Inc.
    Inventors: Kan Tan, John J. Pickerd
  • Publication number: 20230408550
    Abstract: A test and measurement instrument has an input port to allow the instrument to receive one or more waveforms from a device under test (DUT), one or more low pass filters to remove a portion of the noise from the one or more waveforms, and one or more processors to: select a waveform pattern from the waveforms, measure noise in the one or more waveforms and generate a noise representation of the noise removed, create one or more images using the waveform pattern and the one or more filtered waveforms, add the noise representation to the one or more images to produce at least one combined image, input the at least one combined image to one or more deep learning networks, and receive one or more predicted values for the DUT.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 12, 2023
    Publication date: December 21, 2023
    Applicant: Tektronix, Inc.
    Inventors: John J. Pickerd, Kan Tan
  • Publication number: 20230398694
    Abstract: A test and measurement instrument includes one or more ports to connect to one or more devices under test (DUT) having tuning screws, and to a robot, one or more processors to configured to: send commands to the robot to position the tuning screws on the one or more DUTs to one or more sets of positions, each set of positions being a parameter set for the tuning screws, acquire a set of operating parameters for each parameter set from the one or more DUTs, generate a parameter set image for each set, create a combined image of the parameter set images, provide the combined image to a machine learning system to obtain a predicted set of values, adjust the predicted set of values to produce a set of predicted positions, send commands to the robot to position the tuning screws to positions in the set of predicted positions, obtain a set of tuned operating parameters from the one or more DUTs, and validate operation of the one or more DUTs.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 19, 2023
    Publication date: December 14, 2023
    Applicant: Tektronix, Inc.
    Inventors: John J. Pickerd, Ajaiey Kumar Sharma, Kan Tan
  • Publication number: 20230314498
    Abstract: A test system has ovens configured to hold devices under test (DUTs), DUT switches, each connected to the DUTs in an oven, splitters, each splitter connected to a DUT switch, an instrument switch connected to one output of each splitter, the other output of each splitter connected to a test instrument, and one or more processors to control the instrument switch to select one of the DUT switches connected to an oven, control the selected DUT switch to connect each DUT in the oven to a channel of the test and measurement instrument, use machine learning to tune the DUT to a set of parameters until the DUT passes or fails, repeat the connecting, tuning, and testing of each DUT until all DUTs in an oven have been tested, and repeat the selection and control of the DUT switches until each DUT in each oven has been tuned and tested.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 24, 2023
    Publication date: October 5, 2023
    Applicant: Tektronix, Inc.
    Inventor: John J. Pickerd
  • Publication number: 20230306578
    Abstract: In an automated defect detection and classification system, one or more computing devices access scan data acquired in an ultrasonic scan of an object. A first input feature map, including a two-dimensional (2D) scan image, is built from the scan data and input to a first deep neural network to generate a first output feature map. A second input feature map, including an image of a defect-free object, is input to a second deep neural network, having the same structure and weight values as first deep neural network, to produce a second output feature map. The scanned object is determined to contain a defect when a distance between first and second output feature maps is large. In an alternative approach, the 2D scan image and one or more images of the defect-free object are input to different channels of neural network trained using color images.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 21, 2023
    Publication date: September 28, 2023
    Applicant: Sonix, Inc.
    Inventors: John J. Pickerd, Kevin Ryan