Patents by Inventor Michael A. Gritz

Michael A. Gritz 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).

  • Patent number: 9329255
    Abstract: An antenna array includes a plurality of antenna elements. The antenna elements include layers of dielectric material; an antenna inlaid in a top layer of the dielectric material so a surface of the antenna is substantially parallel to an outer surface of the top layer of dielectric material; and a conductive balun, coupled to the antenna, and embedded in one or more layers of the dielectric material. The antenna array is operative to receive signals from V to W frequency band transmissions generated by a heat source.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2016
    Assignee: Raytheon Company
    Inventors: Amedeo Larussi, Michael A. Gritz, Jonathan P. Comeau
  • Patent number: 9191800
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus for detecting a device, such as a cell phone, by transmitting signals in various formats and detecting a response from the device. In general, different devices respond to different signal formats. Upon detecting the device, an alert can be generated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 17, 2015
    Assignee: Raytheon Company
    Inventors: Michael A. Gritz, Marc C. Bauer, Rafael Hernandez
  • Publication number: 20140374616
    Abstract: An antenna array includes a plurality of antenna elements. The antenna elements include layers of dielectric material; an antenna inlaid in a top layer of the dielectric material so a surface of the antenna is substantially parallel to an outer surface of the top layer of dielectric material; and a conductive balun, coupled to the antenna, and embedded in one or more layers of the dielectric material. The antenna array is operative to receive signals from V to W frequency band transmissions generated by a heat source.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 24, 2013
    Publication date: December 25, 2014
    Inventors: Amedeo Larussi, Michael A. Gritz, Jonathan P. Comeau
  • Patent number: 8884815
    Abstract: According one embodiment, a millimeter-wave radiation imaging array includes a plurality of antenna elements configured to receive millimeter-wave radiative input. Each lenslet of a plurality of lenslets are coupled to one of the plurality of antenna elements such that no air exists between each lenslet and the one of the plurality of antenna elements. Each lenslet has a spherical portion being operable to direct the radiative input towards the one of the plurality of antenna elements. An energy detector is coupled to the plurality of antenna elements opposite the plurality of lenslets and operable to measure the radiative input received by the plurality of antenna elements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 11, 2014
    Assignee: Ratheon Company
    Inventors: Michael A. Gritz, Robert F. Burkholder, Stephen H. Black, Borys Pawel Kolasa
  • Publication number: 20140266758
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus for detecting a device, such as a cell phone, by transmitting signals in various formats and detecting a response from the device. In general, different devices respond to different signal formats. Upon detecting the device, an alert can be generated.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 9, 2013
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Applicant: Raytheon Company
    Inventors: Michael A. Gritz, Marc C. Bauer, Rafael Hernandez
  • Patent number: 8653467
    Abstract: A receiver chip for use in an imaging system includes a plurality of receiver dies, each of the receiver dies comprising one or more receiver circuits; a die interconnection layer located on top of the plurality of receiver dies; a quarter wave dielectric layer located on top of the die interconnection layer; and a plurality of antennae located on the quarter wave dielectric layer, each of the plurality of antennae corresponding to a respective receiver circuit, wherein the plurality of antennae are connected to the one or more receiver circuits through the quarter wave dielectric layer and the die interconnection layer by respective vias, such that a distance between a topmost layer of the die interconnection layer and the plurality of antennae is determined by a thickness of the quarter wave dielectric layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2014
    Assignee: Raytheon Company
    Inventors: Stephen H. Black, Michael A. Gritz, Adam M. Kennedy
  • Publication number: 20130334425
    Abstract: A receiver chip for use in an imaging system includes a plurality of receiver dies, each of the receiver dies comprising one or more receiver circuits; a die interconnection layer located on top of the plurality of receiver dies; a quarter wave dielectric layer located on top of the die interconnection layer; and a plurality of antennae located on the quarter wave dielectric layer, each of the plurality of antennae corresponding to a respective receiver circuit, wherein the plurality of antennae are connected to the one or more receiver circuits through the quarter wave dielectric layer and the die interconnection layer by respective vias, such that a distance between a topmost layer of the die interconnection layer and the plurality of antennae is determined by a thickness of the quarter wave dielectric layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 19, 2012
    Publication date: December 19, 2013
    Applicant: RAYTHEON COMPANY
    Inventors: Stephen H. Black, Michael A. Gritz, Adam M. Kennedy
  • Patent number: 8586926
    Abstract: According one embodiment, a non-heterodyne radiation imager includes a substrate having a ground plane layer. The radiation imager also includes a plurality of antenna elements operable to receive radiative input. Each support element of a plurality of support elements mechanically couples an antenna element of the plurality of antenna elements to the substrate. A plurality of energy detectors is operable to measure the radiative input received by the plurality of antenna elements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2013
    Assignee: Raytheon Company
    Inventors: Stephen H. Black, Michael A. Gritz, Borys Pawel Kolasa, Robert F. Burkholder
  • Publication number: 20130050015
    Abstract: According one embodiment, a non-heterodyne radiation imager includes a substrate having a ground plane layer. The radiation imager also includes a plurality of antenna elements operable to receive radiative input. Each support element of a plurality of support elements mechanically couples an antenna element of the plurality of antenna elements to the substrate. A plurality of energy detectors is operable to measure the radiative input received by the plurality of antenna elements.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 23, 2011
    Publication date: February 28, 2013
    Applicant: Raytheon Company
    Inventors: Stephen H. Black, Michael A. Gritz, Borys Pawel Kolasa, Robert F. Burkholder
  • Publication number: 20130021203
    Abstract: According one embodiment, a millimeter-wave radiation imaging array includes a plurality of antenna elements configured to receive millimeter-wave radiative input. Each lenslet of a plurality of lenslets are coupled to one of the plurality of antenna elements such that no air exists between each lenslet and the one of the plurality of antenna elements. Each lenslet has a spherical portion being operable to direct the radiative input towards the one of the plurality of antenna elements. An energy detector is coupled to the plurality of antenna elements opposite the plurality of lenslets and operable to measure the radiative input received by the plurality of antenna elements.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 22, 2011
    Publication date: January 24, 2013
    Applicant: Raytheon Company
    Inventors: Michael A. Gritz, Robert F. Burkholder, Stephen H. Black, Borys Pawel Kolasa
  • Publication number: 20110304515
    Abstract: According to one embodiment, a radiation sensor comprises a first pixel and a second pixel. The first pixel comprises a first plurality of antenna elements, a first photodetector, and one or more first feed lines coupling the first plurality of antenna elements to the first photodetector. The second pixel comprises a second plurality of antenna elements, a second photodetector, and one or more second feed lines coupling the second plurality of antenna elements to the second photodetector. The second pixel is an off-axis pixel. Signals feeding each of the second plurality of antenna elements are varied such that an effective radiation pattern of the second plurality of antenna elements is reinforced in a desired direction and suppressed in an undesired direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 11, 2010
    Publication date: December 15, 2011
    Applicant: Raytheon Company
    Inventors: William H. Wellman, Michael A. Gritz
  • Patent number: 8053734
    Abstract: A conformal coherent wideband antenna coupled IR detector array included a plurality of unit cells each having a dimension that includes an antenna for focusing radiation onto an absorber element sized less than the dimension. In one embodiment, the absorber element may be formed of a mercury cadmium telluride alloy. According to a further embodiment, the antenna array may be fabricated using sub-wavelength fabrication processes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2011
    Assignee: Raytehon Company
    Inventors: Deborah J. Kirby, David T. Chang, Terence J. De Lyon, James H. Schaffner, Metin S. Mangir, Jeffery J. Puschell, Jar Jueh Lee, Michael Gritz
  • Publication number: 20100276598
    Abstract: A conformal coherent wideband antenna coupled IR detector array included a plurality of unit cells each having a dimension that includes an antenna for focusing radiation onto an absorber element sized less than the dimension. In one embodiment, the absorber element may be formed of a mercury cadmium telluride alloy. According to a further embodiment, the antenna array may be fabricated using sub-wavelength fabrication processes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 30, 2009
    Publication date: November 4, 2010
    Applicant: RAYTHEON COMPANY
    Inventors: Deborah J. Kirby, David T. Chang, Terence J. De Lyon, James H. Schaffner, Metin S. Mangir, Jeffery J. Puschell, Jar Jueh Lee, Michael Gritz
  • Patent number: 7679057
    Abstract: An infrared sensor element having an antenna coupled directly into a rectifier. Infrared radiation impinging the antenna induces an alternating current. The rectifier converts the alternating current into a rectified signal. The rectified signal corresponds to a magnitude of the incident infrared radiation impinging the antenna, and can be used for detection and imaging operations. Coupling the antenna directly into the rectifier eliminates the need for a photodetector. The wavelength of sensor elements can be separately tuned. A sensor made up of a plurality of such sensor elements can operate in a time-division multiplexed mode sensing different infrared bandwidths in separate time segments. Two or more sensors each made up of a plurality of sensor elements can be co-located in a single focal plane and operated separately to detect infrared radiation in different bandwidths. A sensor element can also operate in bandwidths other than infrared.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 16, 2010
    Assignee: Raytheon Company
    Inventors: Michael A. Gritz, William H. Wellman, Rafael Hernandez
  • Publication number: 20090108202
    Abstract: An infrared sensor element having an antenna coupled directly into a rectifier. Infrared radiation impinging the antenna induces an alternating current. The rectifier converts the alternating current into a rectified signal. The rectified signal corresponds to a magnitude of the incident infrared radiation impinging the antenna, and can be used for detection and imaging operations. Coupling the antenna directly into the rectifier eliminates the need for a photodetector. The wavelength of sensor elements can be separately tuned. A sensor made up of a plurality of such sensor elements can operate in a time-division multiplexed mode sensing different infrared bandwidths in separate time segments. Two or more sensors each made up of a plurality of sensor elements can be co-located in a single focal plane and operated separately to detect infrared radiation in different bandwidths. A sensor element can also operate in bandwidths other than infrared.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 30, 2007
    Publication date: April 30, 2009
    Inventors: Michael A. Gritz, William H. Wellman, Rafael Hernandez
  • Patent number: 6459084
    Abstract: A small array of antenna-coupled infrared bolometer detectors is connected in parallel. This small array is suitable as an individual area-receiving pixel of an infrared focal plane array. These pixels will have better coupling efficiency to extended sources than are possible with individual antenna-coupled sensors, which have a spatial response on the order of one wavelength in dimension. This pixel can be used to provide the advantages of antenna-coupled IR sensors (e.g., fast response, wavelength tuning, and polarization tuning) while increasing the collection efficiency of the sensors to non-laser sources. When integrated into focal plane arrays, these detectors can be used in remote-sensing systems to facilitate enhanced image recognition, feature extraction and image-clutter removal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 12, 2000
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2002
    Assignee: University of Central Florida
    Inventors: Glenn Boreman, Francisco Javier Gonzalez, Michael A. Gritz, Julian Codreanu, Christophe Fumeaux
  • Patent number: 6310346
    Abstract: A tuned antenna-coupled infrared detector is made possible by application of a bias voltage in the range of a few hundred millivolts. The use of first and second antenna arms connected to the detector makes possible polarization tuning which eliminates the need for bulk-optical polarization filters. An alternative tuned detector is one in which the antenna is frequency tuned by a capacitative device to make the detector particularly responsive to 8 um to 12 um infrared radiation. When integrated into focal plane arrays, these detectors can be used in remote-sensing systems to facilitate enhanced image recognition, feature extraction and image-clutter removal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 1999
    Date of Patent: October 30, 2001
    Assignee: University of Central Florida
    Inventors: Glenn D. Boreman, Iulian Cordreanu, Christophe Fumeaux, Michael Gritz, Christos Christodoulou