Patents by Inventor Kevin B. Stephenson

Kevin B. Stephenson 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).

  • Antenna with stepped ground plane
    Patent number: 6014114
    Abstract: An antenna structure has a radiating element and a ground plane. The ground plane has a central region relatively closely spaced apart from the radiating element and a peripheral region extending away from the central region. The peripheral region comprises at least one conductive layer that extends radially beyond the radiating element and provides a sheet resistivity higher than that of the radiating element. Though physically small, the ground plane simulates an infinite ground plane, and the antenna structure reduces multipath signals caused by reflection from the earth.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 1997
    Date of Patent: January 11, 2000
    Assignee: Trimble Navigation Limited
    Inventors: Brian G. Westfall, Kevin B. Stephenson
  • Antenna with ground plane having cutouts
    Patent number: 5986615
    Abstract: An antenna structure has a radiating element and a ground plane. The ground plane has a central region relatively closely spaced apart from the radiating element and a peripheral region extending away from the central region. The peripheral region comprises at least the conductive layer that extends radially beyond the radiating element and provides a sheet resistivity higher than that of the radiating element. Though physically small, the ground plane simulates an infinite ground plane, and the antenna structure reduces multipath signals caused by reflection from the earth.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 1997
    Date of Patent: November 16, 1999
    Assignee: Trimble Navigation Limited
    Inventors: Brian G. Westfall, Kevin B. Stephenson