Patents by Inventor Mike S. Ferraro

Mike S. Ferraro 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).

  • Integrated angle of arrival sensing and duplex communication with cats-eye multiple quantum well modulating retroreflector
    Patent number: 8379286
    Abstract: A modulating retroreflector system includes a modulating retroreflector having a plurality of multiple quantum well modulator pixels and at least one transimpedance amplifier. The transimpedance amplifier receives a photocurrent generated by at least one of the plurality of modulator pixels. Each pixel is capacitively coupled to a current driver, which applies a high frequency digital electrical signal to the pixel when the voltage at the output of the transimpedance amplifier exceeds a threshold value. The modulated output of the retroreflector is reflected toward the source of the received optical beam. The system activates high frequency current drivers for only the illuminated pixels, eliminating the need for a separate angle of incidence sensor and reducing power requirements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2013
    Assignee: The United States of America, as represented by the Secretary of the Navy
    Inventors: David J. Klotzkin, Peter G. Goetz, William S. Rabinovich, Mike S. Ferraro
  • Integrated Angle of Arrival Sensing and Duplex Communication with Cats-Eye Multiple Quantum Well Modulating Retroreflector
    Publication number: 20110292485
    Abstract: A modulating retroreflector system includes a modulating retroreflector having a plurality of multiple quantum well modulator pixels and at least one transimpedance amplifier. The transimpedance amplifier receives a photocurrent generated by at least one of the plurality of modulator pixels. Each pixel is capacitively coupled to a current driver, which applies a high frequency digital electrical signal to the pixel when the voltage at the output of the transimpedance amplifier exceeds a threshold value. The modulated output of the retroreflector is reflected toward the source of the received optical beam. The system activates high frequency current drivers for only the illuminated pixels, eliminating the need for a separate angle of incidence sensor and reducing power requirements.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 26, 2011
    Publication date: December 1, 2011
    Applicant: The Government of the US, as represented by the Secretary of the Navy
    Inventors: David J. Klotzkin, Peter G. Goetz, William S. Rabinovich, Mike S. Ferraro