Patents by Inventor Nicolaos G. Alexopoulos

Nicolaos G. Alexopoulos 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: 10374274
    Abstract: A multifunctional electromagnetic structure is presently disclosed. Said structure is a true electromagnetic bandgap (“EBG”) material, with both surface and leaky waves suppressed from the whole structure along all lateral directions. It is also an antenna element, configured to radiate to the broadside direction. The structure has two metallization layers of concentric rings between a square-shaped radiating top metal layer and a bottom ground plane. The lower concentric ring is connected to the ground plane through a plurality of vias, while the patch of the top metal layer is fed with a probe. The EBG unit cells may be used as antenna elements in a phased array environment, where they eliminate scan blindness from the array structure along all scan directions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2019
    Assignee: The Regents of the University of California
    Inventors: Enver Adas, Franco De Flaviis, Nicolaos G. Alexopoulos
  • Patent number: 10062969
    Abstract: An antenna circuit includes a substrate, an antenna, and a projected artificial magnetic mirror (PAMM). The antenna is fabricated on the substrate and is positioned in a region of the substrate that has a high permittivity. The PAMM produces an artificial magnetic conductor at a distance above a surface of the substrate to facilitate a radiation pattern for the antenna.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2018
    Assignee: AVAGO TECHNOLOGIES GENERAL IP (SINGAPORE) PTE. LTD
    Inventors: Nicolaos G. Alexopoulos, Alfred Grau Besoli, Chryssoula Kyriazidou
  • Publication number: 20180108964
    Abstract: A multifunctional electromagnetic structure is presently disclosed. Said structure is a true electromagnetic bandgap (“EBG”) material, with both surface and leaky waves suppressed from the whole structure along all lateral directions. It is also an antenna element, configured to radiate to the broadside direction. The structure has two metallization layers of concentric rings between a square-shaped radiating top metal layer and a bottom ground plane. The lower concentric ring is connected to the ground plane through a plurality of vias, while the patch of the top metal layer is fed with a probe. The EBG unit cells may be used as antenna elements in a phased array environment, where they eliminate scan blindness from the array structure along all scan directions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 17, 2017
    Publication date: April 19, 2018
    Inventors: Enver Adas, Franco De Flaviis, Nicolaos G. Alexopoulos
  • Patent number: 9407002
    Abstract: A three-dimensional multiple spiral antenna includes a substrate, a plurality of spiral antenna sections, and a feed point module. The substrate has a three-dimensional shaped region and each spiral antenna section is supported by a corresponding section of the three-dimensional shaped region and conforms to the corresponding section of the three-dimensional shaped region such that, collectively, the spiral antenna sections have an overall shape approximating a three-dimensional shape. The feed point module is coupled to a connection point of at least one of the spiral antenna sections.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2016
    Assignee: BROADCOM CORPORATION
    Inventors: Nicolaos G. Alexopoulos, Seunghwan Yoon
  • Publication number: 20160134022
    Abstract: An antenna circuit includes a substrate, an antenna, and a projected artificial magnetic mirror (PAMM). The antenna is fabricated on the substrate and is positioned in a region of the substrate that has a high permittivity. The PAMM produces an artificial magnetic conductor at a distance above a surface of the substrate to facilitate a radiation pattern for the antenna.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 15, 2016
    Publication date: May 12, 2016
    Applicant: BROADCOM CORPORATION
    Inventors: Nicolaos G. Alexopoulos, Alfred Grau Besoli, Chryssoula Kyriazidou
  • Patent number: 9281570
    Abstract: An antenna circuit includes a substrate, an antenna, and a projected artificial magnetic mirror (PAMM). The antenna is fabricated on the substrate and is positioned in a region of the substrate that has a high permittivity. The PAMM produces an artificial magnetic conductor at a distance above a surface of the substrate to facilitate a radiation pattern for the antenna.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2016
    Assignee: BROADCOM CORPORATION
    Inventors: Nicolaos G. Alexopoulos, Alfred Grau Besoli, Chryssoula Kyriazidou
  • Patent number: 9270030
    Abstract: A communication device includes a processing module, a transmitter section, a receiver section, a wireless communication structure, a projected artificial magnetic mirror (PAMM) array, and a metal backing. The transmitter section and the receiver section are on a first layer. The wireless communication structure is on a second layer, the PAMM array is on a third layer, and the metal backing is on a fourth layer. The PAMM array includes a non-conductive area to support coupling of the wireless communication structure to at least one of the transmitter section and the receiver section. In addition, the PAMM array provides electromagnetic shielding of the at least one of the transmitter section and the receiver section from the wireless communication structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 23, 2016
    Assignee: BROADCOM CORPORATION
    Inventors: Nicolaos G. Alexopoulos, Chryssoula A. Kyriazidou
  • Patent number: 9257752
    Abstract: A tunable projected artificial magnetic minor (PAMM) includes a plurality of artificial magnetic minor (AMM) cells and a control module. The AMM cells collectively produce an artificial magnetic conductor (AMC) having a geometric shape a distance from a surface of the tunable PAMM for an electromagnetic signal in a given frequency range. The control module is operably coupled to the plurality of AMM cells and provides control information to one or more of the AMM cells to tune at least one of the geometric shape of the AMC and the distance of the AMC from the surface of the tunable PAMM.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 9, 2016
    Assignee: BROADCOM CORPORATION
    Inventors: Nicolaos G. Alexopoulos, Alfred Grau Besoli, Chryssoula Kyriazidou
  • Publication number: 20160020509
    Abstract: A three-dimensional antenna structure includes first and second antenna components connected by one or more vias. The first antenna component is on a first layer of a substrate and the second antenna component is on a second layer of a substrate. The via couples the first antenna component to the second antenna component, wherein the first antenna overlaps, from a radial perspective, the second antenna component by an angle of overlap. Third and fourth antenna components are similarly constructed and connected. The antenna components can be formed in a modified Polya curve pattern within a geometric shape.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 9, 2015
    Publication date: January 21, 2016
    Applicant: BROADCOM CORPORATION
    Inventors: Nicolaos G. Alexopoulos, Yunhong Liu
  • Publication number: 20160020508
    Abstract: A three-dimensional multiple spiral antenna includes a substrate, a plurality of spiral antenna sections, and a feed point module. The substrate has a three-dimensional shaped region and each spiral antenna section is supported by a corresponding section of the three-dimensional shaped region and conforms to the corresponding section of the three-dimensional shaped region such that, collectively, the spiral antenna sections have an overall shape approximating a three-dimensional shape. The feed point module is coupled to a connection point of at least one of the spiral antenna sections.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 22, 2015
    Publication date: January 21, 2016
    Applicant: BROADCOM CORPORATION
    Inventors: Nicolaos G. Alexopoulos, Seunghwan Yoon
  • Patent number: 9203158
    Abstract: A programmable antenna includes a substrate, metallic inclusions, bidirectional coupling circuits, and a control module. The metallic inclusions are embedded within a region of the substrate. The bidirectional coupling circuits are physically distributed within the region and are physically proximal to the metallic inclusions. The control module activates a set of bidirectional coupling circuits, which, when active, the set of interconnects a set of metallic inclusions to provide a conductive area within the region. The conductive area functions an antenna.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 1, 2015
    Assignee: BROADCOM CORPORATION
    Inventors: Nicolaos G. Alexopoulos, Alfred Grau Besoli, Chryssoula Kyriazidou
  • Patent number: 9190738
    Abstract: A projected artificial magnetic mirror (PAMM) includes conductive coils, a metal backing, and a dielectric material. The conductive coils are arranged in an array on a first layer of a substrate and the metal backing is on a second layer of the substrate. The dielectric material is between the first and second layers of the substrate. The conductive coils are electrically coupled to the metal backing to form an inductive-capacitive network that, for a a selected frequency band, substantially reduces surface waves along a PAMM surface, the PAMM surface residing within the substrate or above the substrate. The PAMM surface may be substantially adjacent or coexistent with the first layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 17, 2015
    Assignee: BROADCOM CORPORATION
    Inventors: Nicolaos G. Alexopoulos, Chryssoula A. Kyriazidou
  • Patent number: 9166644
    Abstract: A dongle transceiver a substrate, a transceiver circuit, a transmit/receive switch, a MIMO antenna structure, and a decoupling module. The transceiver circuit is on at least one of the first and second sides of the substrate and is coupled to the transmit/receive switch. The MIMO antenna structure is on at least one of the first and second sides of the substrate. The decoupling module is on at least one of the first and second sides of the substrate, couples the MIMO antenna structure to the transmit/receive switch, and electrically isolates antennas of the MIMO antenna structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 6, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 20, 2015
    Assignee: Broadcom Corporation
    Inventors: Seunghwan Yoon, Nicolaos G. Alexopoulos, Jesus Castaneda
  • Patent number: 9147933
    Abstract: A three-dimensional spiral antenna includes a substrate, a spiral antenna element, and a feed point. The substrate includes a three-dimensional shaped region. The spiral antenna element is supported by and conforms to the three-dimensional shaped region such that the spiral antenna element has an overall shape approximating a three-dimensional shape. The feed point is coupled to a connection point of the spiral antenna element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 29, 2015
    Assignee: Broadcom Corporation
    Inventors: Nicolaos G. Alexopoulos, Seunghwan Yoon
  • Patent number: 9118115
    Abstract: An interwoven spiral antenna includes a non-inverted spiral section, an inverted spiral section, and an excitation region. The non-inverted spiral section has a spiral shape and the inverted spiral section has an inverted spiral shape. The excitation region is coupled to at least one of the non-inverted spiral section and the inverted spiral section, wherein, when excited, the interwoven spiral antenna has a circular polarization.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 25, 2015
    Assignee: Broadcom Corporation
    Inventors: Nicolaos G. Alexopoulos, Seunghwan Yoon
  • Patent number: 9083081
    Abstract: An antenna assembly a spiral antenna feed and a programmable circuit. The spiral antenna feed includes a substrate, a spiral antenna element, and a feed point. The substrate has a three-dimensional hyperbolic shaped region, which supports the spiral antenna element such that the spiral antenna element has an overall shape approximating a three-dimensional hyperbolic shape. The feed point is coupled to a connection point of the spiral antenna element. The programmable circuit produces a projected artificial magnetic conductor reflector dish that reflects an inbound RF signal to the spiral antenna feed and reflects an outbound RF signal from the spiral antenna feed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 14, 2015
    Assignee: Broadcom Corporation
    Inventors: Nicolaos G. Alexopoulos, Seunghwan Yoon
  • Publication number: 20150188232
    Abstract: An antenna assembly includes a substrate, a plurality of spiral dipole antenna sections, and a phase array feeder. The substrate has a three-dimensional shaped region. Each of the spiral dipole antenna sections is supported by a corresponding section of the three-dimensional shaped region and conforms to the corresponding section of the three-dimensional shaped region such that, collectively, the plurality of spiral dipole antenna sections has an overall shape approximating a three-dimensional shape. The spiral dipole antenna sections are coupled together in accordance with a coupling configuration for beamforming and/or power combining. The phase array feeder inputs, or outputs, a phase offset representations of a radio frequency (RF) signal from, or to, the spiral dipole antenna sections and converts between the phase offset representations of the RF signal and the RF signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 29, 2014
    Publication date: July 2, 2015
    Applicant: BROADCOM CORPORATION
    Inventors: Nicolaos G. Alexopoulos, Seunghwan Yoon
  • Patent number: 9065177
    Abstract: A three-dimensional antenna structure includes first and second antenna components and a via. The first antenna component is on a first layer of a substrate and the second antenna component is on a second layer of a substrate. The via couples the first antenna component to the second antenna component, wherein the first antenna overlaps, from a radial perspective, the second antenna component by an angle of overlap.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 5, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 23, 2015
    Assignee: Broadcom Corporation
    Inventors: Nicolaos G. Alexopoulos, Yunhong Liu
  • Patent number: 9041618
    Abstract: A three-dimensional multiple spiral antenna includes a substrate, a plurality of spiral antenna sections, and a feed point module. The substrate has a three-dimensional shaped region and each spiral antenna section is supported by a corresponding section of the three-dimensional shaped region and conforms to the corresponding section of the three-dimensional shaped region such that, collectively, the spiral antenna sections have an overall shape approximating a three-dimensional shape. The feed point module is coupled to a connection point of at least one of the spiral antenna sections.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 26, 2015
    Assignee: Broadcom Corporation
    Inventors: Nicolaos G. Alexopoulos, Seunghwan Yoon
  • Patent number: 9001004
    Abstract: A wireless communication device includes a receiver section, a transmitter section, an antenna interface, and an antenna assembly. The receiver section is operable to convert an inbound wireless signal into an inbound symbol stream. The transmitter section is operable to convert an outbound symbol stream into an outbound wireless signal. The antenna interface is operable to convert the outbound wireless signal into a plurality of phase-shifted outbound wireless signals and to convert a plurality of phase-shifted received wireless signals into the inbound wireless signal. The antenna assembly includes a plurality of interwoven spiral antenna units coupled together by a plurality of connection traces, wherein an interwoven spiral antenna unit of the plurality of interwoven spiral antenna units receives a corresponding one of the plurality of phase-shifted received wireless signals and transmits a corresponding one of the plurality of phase-shifted outbound wireless signals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2015
    Assignee: Broadcom Corporation
    Inventors: Nicolaos G. Alexopoulos, Seunghwan Yoon, Alfred G. Besoli