Patents by Inventor Mark K. Christopher

Mark K. Christopher 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).

  • Apparatus and method for reducing latency and buffering associated with multiple access communications systems
    Patent number: 6718161
    Abstract: A multiple access communications system includes a communications unit, such as satellite or a mobile link base station, and an antenna disposed thereon. The antenna has the capability to direct an antenna beam at a selected user on a packet by packet basis thereby reducing the latency, buffering, and non-uniform gain distribution associated with conventional transmission systems.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2004
    Assignee: Northrop Grumman Corporation
    Inventors: Kenneth E. Westall, Konstantinos Makrygiannis, Mark K. Christopher, Mark Kintis
  • Adaptive transceiver architecture for real time allocation of communications resources in a satellite based telecommunication system
    Patent number: 6301465
    Abstract: An adaptive transceiver architecture which reallocates communications resources in real time based on the amount of bandwidth being used in communications channels in the system. The transceiver receives communications signals from a plurality of communications beam spots. Each communications beam spot has a predefined bandwidth divided into non-overlapping subbands. The transceiver further comprises a plurality of front end signal conditioners for receiving communications signals from an equal plurality of communications beam spots. A predetermined number of the conditioned signals are then combined by an interconnect. The interconnect receives composite signals from the front end signal conditioners, and it combines at least first and second communications signals from first and second respective composite signals to form an output processing signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 1998
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2001
    Assignee: TRW Inc.
    Inventors: Mark Kintis, Eric R. Wiswell, Mark K. Christopher, Konstantinos Makrygiannis, Allen F. Conrad, Harvey L. Berger, Ronald P. Smith, Daniel R. Lane
  • Dual phased-array payload concept
    Patent number: 6205319
    Abstract: A dual phased array payload (100) for use onboard a communications satellite is disclosed. The payload includes one or more phased array receive antennas (102-108) including numerous individual receiving elements distributed in a predetermined configuration. Each of the individual radiating elements is selectively adjustable in amplitude and phase to achieve scanning beams for receiving information transmitted from the ground in an uplink beam. The payload includes a packet switch (114) connected to the phased array receive antennas (102-108). The packet switch (114) includes a set of inputs and a set of outputs. The set of inputs are selectively connectable to the set of outputs. The payload (100) includes one or more phased array transmit antennas (120-126) connected to the packet switch (114). The phased array transmit antennas (120-126) include numerous individual radiating elements distributed in a predetermined configuration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 1998
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2001
    Assignee: TRW Inc.
    Inventors: Eric R. Wiswell, Daniel R. Lane, Harvey L. Berger, Kenneth E. Westall, Ronald P. Smith, Allen F. Conrad, Konstantinos Makrygiannis, Mark K. Christopher, Mark Kintis