Patents by Inventor Joseph T. Graf

Joseph T. Graf 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: 20240151800
    Abstract: A system may include a receiver node. The receiver node may include a communications interface and a controller. The receiver node is time synchronized with a transmitter node to apply Doppler corrections to the receiver node's own motions relative to a common reference frame. The receiver node may be configured to: The receiver node may be configured to: based at least on the receiver node being time synchronized with the transmitter node to apply Doppler corrections and the common reference frame, use Doppler null scanning (DNS) to determine DNS derived information, the DNS derived information including a bearing and the receiver node's relative position relative to the transmitter node; and output a position, navigation, and timing (PNT) solution based at least on the DNS derived information.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 22, 2023
    Publication date: May 9, 2024
    Applicant: Rockwell Collins, Inc.
    Inventors: James A. Stevens, Matthew D. Bousselot, Douglas P. Burch, Tj T. Kwon, William B. Sorsby, Eric J. Loren, Joseph T. Graf
  • Patent number: 11916647
    Abstract: A communications system for line-of-sight (LOS) and beyond-line-of-sight (BLOS) communications using a single aperture includes one or more operators positioned within an environment, wherein each operator includes a common aperture, one or more low-earth orbit satellites communicatively coupled to a plurality of communications sub-systems disposed on the operators. In one embodiment, the communications sub-systems may include a first antenna element to transmit and receive first radio frequency signals along a first directional link via the common aperture. In another embodiment, the communications sub-systems may include a second antenna element to transmit and receive second radio frequency signals along a second directional link via the common aperture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2024
    Assignee: Rockwell Collins, Inc.
    Inventors: Joseph T. Graf, James A. Stevens
  • Publication number: 20230393229
    Abstract: A system may include a transmitter node and a receiver node. Each node may include a communications interface including at least one antenna element and a controller operatively coupled to the communications interface, the controller including one or more processors, wherein the controller of the receiver node has information of own node velocity and own node orientation. The receiver node may be in motion and the transmitter node may be stationary. Each node may be time synchronized to apply Doppler corrections associated with said node's own motions relative to a common reference frame. The common reference frame may be known to the transmitter node and the receiver node prior to the transmitter node transmitting signals to the receiver node and prior to the receiver node receiving the signals from the transmitter node.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 23, 2023
    Publication date: December 7, 2023
    Inventors: Eric J. Loren, William B. Sorsby, Tj T. Kwon, James A. Stevens, Joseph T. Graf, Steven V. Schatz, Matthew D. Bousselot, Philip D. Dean
  • Publication number: 20230379007
    Abstract: A system may include a transmitter node and a receiver node. Each node may include a communications interface including at least one antenna element and a controller operatively coupled to the communications interface, the controller including one or more processors, wherein the controller has information of own node velocity and own node orientation. Each node of the transmitter node and the receiver node may be in motion relative to each other. Each node may be time synchronized to apply Doppler corrections associated with said node's own motions relative to a common reference frame. The common reference frame may be known to the transmitter node and the receiver node prior to the transmitter node transmitting signals to the receiver node and prior to the receiver node receiving the signals from the transmitter node. The receiver node may be configured to be in a state of reduced emissions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 9, 2022
    Publication date: November 23, 2023
    Inventors: Tj T. Kwon, William B. Sorsby, Eric J. Loren, Joseph T. Graf
  • Publication number: 20230296716
    Abstract: A system is disclosed. The system may include a receiver or transmitter node. The receiver or transmitter node may include a communications interface with an antenna element. A controller may include one or more processors and have information of own node velocity and own node orientation relative to a common reference frame. The receiver or transmitter node may be time synchronized to apply Doppler corrections to signals, the Doppler corrections associated with the receiver or transmitter node's own motions relative to the common reference frame, the Doppler corrections applied using Doppler null steering along Null directions. The system may be configured to, via the Doppler null steering, at least one of: track an expendable asset of the system relative to a target; discover a rendezvous node; or identify at least one of a network relay node or a relay location for a network relay node.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 12, 2023
    Publication date: September 21, 2023
    Inventors: Philip D. Dean, Eric J. Loren, Joseph T. Graf, Matthew D. Bousselot, Steven V. Schatz, Tj T. Kwon, William B. Sorsby
  • Publication number: 20230288518
    Abstract: A node of a multi-node network (e.g., a transmitter (Tx) node or receiver (Rx) node) is disclosed. The node may include a communications interface with antenna elements and a controller. The controller may include one or more processors and have information of own-node velocity and own-node orientation relative to a common reference frame. The node may be time synchronized to apply Doppler corrections associated with the node’s own motions relative to the common reference frame. The node may receive an input sequence via a zero or near-zero Doppler path from a source node, the input sequence one of a set possible correlation sequence uniquely identifying the source node. The controller includes a correlator with sub-correlator blocks for breaking the input sequence into a set of N sub-sequences. Based on sequence processing by the sub-correlators, the correlator outputs the decoded input sequence and associated delay metrics.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 12, 2023
    Publication date: September 14, 2023
    Inventors: Joseph T. Graf, Tj T. Kwon, Eric J. Loren, William B. Sorsby
  • Patent number: 11724818
    Abstract: A system including an aircraft. A phased array may be configured to transmit electromagnetic (EM) energy toward rotor blades and receive EM energy in a direction from the rotor blades. A processor may be configured to: determine or obtain rotor blade information; determine or obtain aircraft information; based on the rotor blade information and the aircraft information, determine (a) a time to transmit EM energy or receive EM energy and (b) an angle to transmit EM energy or receive EM energy; and based on the rotor blade information and the aircraft information, control the phased array to adjust a beam pointing angle and to transmit EM energy for a duration at the beam pointing angle. The phased array may be configured to transmit EM energy for the duration at the beam pointing angle, wherein the transmitted EM energy is configured to reflect off a rotor blade toward a target.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2023
    Assignee: Rockwell Collins, Inc.
    Inventors: Jonathan A. Lovseth, Joseph T. Graf
  • Patent number: 11539118
    Abstract: A system of high-frequency (HF) antennas is disposed on various aircraft body panels. The antennas are configured for orthogonal polarization such that NVIS may be operable no matter the state of the ionosphere. The antennas are disposed on substantially perpendicular body panels so that, when operated in concert, the resulting signals have opposite polarization and at least one signal will bounce off the ionosphere.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 2021
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2022
    Assignee: Rockwell Collins, Inc.
    Inventors: Joseph T. Graf, James B. West
  • Publication number: 20220376775
    Abstract: A communications system for line-of-sight (LOS) and beyond-line-of-sight (BLOS) communications using a single aperture includes one or more operators positioned within an environment, wherein each operator includes a common aperture, one or more low-earth orbit satellites communicatively coupled to a plurality of communications sub-systems disposed on the operators. In one embodiment, the communications sub-systems may include a first antenna element to transmit and receive first radio frequency signals along a first directional link via the common aperture. In another embodiment, the communications sub-systems may include a second antenna element to transmit and receive second radio frequency signals along a second directional link via the common aperture.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 20, 2021
    Publication date: November 24, 2022
    Inventors: Joseph T. Graf, James A. Stevens
  • Patent number: 11456537
    Abstract: A system of spiral antennas is incorporated into aircraft body panels. The spiral antennas may be slot or printed material antennas, cavity backed for unidirectional communication, or open for bi-directional communication. The spiral antennas are operated in concert as a steerable array. The spiral antennas are utilized for various signal functions including ultra-wideband communications and electronic support measures interferometry.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 2021
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2022
    Assignee: Rockwell Collins, Inc.
    Inventors: Joseph T. Graf, James B. West
  • Publication number: 20220238986
    Abstract: A system of high-frequency (HF) antennas is disposed on various aircraft body panels. The antennas are configured for orthogonal polarization such that NVIS may be operable no matter the state of the ionosphere. The antennas are disposed on substantially perpendicular body panels so that, when operated in concert, the resulting signals have opposite polarization and at least one signal will bounce off the ionosphere.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 27, 2021
    Publication date: July 28, 2022
    Applicant: Rockwell Collins, Inc.
    Inventors: Joseph T. Graf, James B. West
  • Patent number: 11367961
    Abstract: A system of spiral antennas is incorporated into aircraft body panels. The spiral antennas may be slot or printed material antennas, cavity backed for unidirectional communication, or open for bi-directional communication. The spiral antennas are operated in concert as a steerable array. The spiral antennas are utilized for various signal functions including ultra-wideband communications and electronic support measures interferometry.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 2021
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2022
    Assignee: Rockwell Collins, Inc.
    Inventors: Joseph T. Graf, James B. West
  • Patent number: 11336007
    Abstract: A system of antennas, each having disparity operating frequencies, are incorporated into the same aircraft body panels. HF antennas define loops with large internal areas; additional higher frequency antennas are disposed within that large internal area. The higher frequency antennas are sufficiently different so as to prevent coupling. Antennas operating in the same frequency range, disposed on different parallel surfaces are operated in concert as a steerable array.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 2021
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2022
    Assignee: Rockwell Collins, Inc.
    Inventors: Joseph T. Graf, James B. West
  • Patent number: 11325690
    Abstract: Disclosed are embodiments of exterior aircraft assemblies integrating compatible elements. In one example, an integrated aircraft assembly includes an aerodynamic housing attachable to an aircraft, an antenna system including at least one antenna element housed within the aerodynamic housing, and a lighting system including at least one light fixture housed within the aerodynamic housing. The at least one antenna element and the at least one light fixture may be co-located within then housing or mounted separately on the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2022
    Assignee: Rockwell Collins, Inc.
    Inventors: Joseph T. Graf, James B. West
  • Publication number: 20220119091
    Abstract: Disclosed are embodiments of exterior aircraft assemblies integrating compatible elements. In one example, an integrated aircraft assembly includes an aerodynamic housing attachable to an aircraft, an antenna system including at least one antenna element housed within the aerodynamic housing, and a lighting system including at least one light fixture housed within the aerodynamic housing. The at least one antenna element and the at least one light fixture may be co-located within then housing or mounted separately on the housing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 19, 2020
    Publication date: April 21, 2022
    Applicant: Rockwell Collins, Inc.
    Inventors: Joseph T. Graf, James B. West
  • Publication number: 20220108207
    Abstract: A communication system is enclosed. The communication system includes a communication sub-system configured to transmit and receive signals from one or more waveforms of a plurality of waveforms. The communication sub-system further contains one or more processors and memory with instructions that include receiving an artificial intelligence input configured to instruct the one or more processors to prepare an instantiation of a selected waveform. The instructions further include preparing the communication sub-system to transmit, receive, and instantiate the selected waveform. The communication system further includes an artificial intelligence engine in communication with the one or more processors configured to: receive operational data from one or more operation systems; determine, based on the operational data, the selected waveform; prepare the artificial intelligence input based on the selected waveform; and send the artificial intelligence input to the one or more processors.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 2, 2020
    Publication date: April 7, 2022
    Inventors: Joseph T. Graf, Jeffrey D. Bouis, Matthew D. Bousselot
  • Publication number: 20220089292
    Abstract: A system including an aircraft. A phased array may be configured to transmit electromagnetic (EM) energy toward rotor blades and receive EM energy in a direction from the rotor blades. A processor may be configured to: determine or obtain rotor blade information; determine or obtain aircraft information; based on the rotor blade information and the aircraft information, determine (a) a time to transmit EM energy or receive EM energy and (b) an angle to transmit EM energy or receive EM energy; and based on the rotor blade information and the aircraft information, control the phased array to adjust a beam pointing angle and to transmit EM energy for a duration at the beam pointing angle. The phased array may be configured to transmit EM energy for the duration at the beam pointing angle, wherein the transmitted EM energy is configured to reflect off a rotor blade toward a target.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 21, 2020
    Publication date: March 24, 2022
    Inventors: Jonathan A. Lovseth, Joseph T. Graf
  • Patent number: 11258167
    Abstract: A mobile platform communication system includes one or more HF antennas disposed in the surface of the mobile platform. The HF antenna may comprise one or more mesh screens. Alternatively, or in addition, the HF antennas may comprise characteristic mode transducers to excite metallic features on the mobile platform skin. The mobile platform skin includes a lightning strike protection layer that is disposed within the mobile platform skin around in internal surface of the antenna such that the antenna does not distend the mobile platform skin and increase drag.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 1, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2022
    Assignee: Rockwell Collins, Inc.
    Inventors: Joseph T. Graf, James B. West
  • Patent number: 10931570
    Abstract: In embodiments, a communication node of a multi-node communication network includes a communication interface and a controller communicatively coupled to the communication interface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 23, 2021
    Assignee: Rockwell Collins, Inc.
    Inventors: Tj T. Kwon, Justin W. Ehm, Anthony D. Schaefer, Wayne H. Meyer, Joseph T. Graf
  • Patent number: 7894552
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to a quick, low-distortion and efficient reduction in sample rate requiring minimal logic. An IF signal is passed into an analog-to-digital converter. The converted signal is mixed with the combination of an in-phase and a quadrature component. The mixed signal is then split into an in-phase signal and a quadrature signal. The quadrature signal is interpolated to form a new signal aligned in time to the in-phase signal. Alternatively, the in-phase signal is interpolated to form a new signal aligned in time to the quadrature signal. The interpolation may comprise linear interpolation or parabolic interpolation. The simplified signal processing reduces the sample rate of the signal and the interpolation reduces aliasing introduced by the simplification. One advantage of this approach is that only half of the signal needs to be processed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2011
    Assignee: Rockwell Collins, Inc.
    Inventor: Joseph T. Graf