Patents by Inventor Norman F. Prokop
Norman F. Prokop 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).
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Patent number: 11128293Abstract: Methods and devices are disclosed for compensating for device property variations across a wafer. The method comprises determining an output of a first device based on an input and determining an output of a second device based on the input. The second device is located at a different position with respect to a center of the wafer than a position of the first device with respect to the center of the wafer. The method further comprises determining a difference between the output of the first device and the output of the second device, the difference arising at least in part from the difference in position of the first and second devices. The method further comprises altering the first device such that the output of the first device based on the input substantially matches the output of the second device based on the input.Type: GrantFiled: July 27, 2020Date of Patent: September 21, 2021Assignee: United States of America as Represented by the Administrator of National Aeronautics and Space AdministrationInventors: Michael J. Krasowski, Norman F. Prokop, Philip G. Neudeck, David J. Spry
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Patent number: 10396709Abstract: Some embodiments of the present invention describe an apparatus that includes an oscillator, a ramp generator, and an inverter. The apparatus includes an oscillator, an inverter, and a ramp generator. The oscillator is configured to generate a waveform comprising a low time and a high time. The inverter is configured to receive the waveform generated by the oscillator, and invert the waveform. The ramp generator configured to increase a gate control voltage of a transistor connected to a solar cell, and rapidly decrease the gate control voltage of the transistor. During the low time of the waveform, a measurement of a current and a voltage of the solar cell is performed as the current and voltage of the solar cell are transmitted through a first channel and to a second channel.Type: GrantFiled: May 18, 2016Date of Patent: August 27, 2019Assignee: United States of America as Represented by the Administrator of National Aeronautics and Space AdministrationInventors: Michael J. Krasowski, Norman F. Prokop
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Patent number: 10122363Abstract: A current source logic gate with depletion mode field effect transistor (“FET”) transistors and resistors may include a current source, a current steering switch input stage, and a resistor divider level shifting output stage. The current source may include a transistor and a current source resistor. The current steering switch input stage may include a transistor to steer current to set an output stage bias point depending on an input logic signal state. The resistor divider level shifting output stage may include a first resistor and a second resistor to set the output stage point and produce valid output logic signal states. The transistor of the current steering switch input stage may function as a switch to provide at least two operating points.Type: GrantFiled: August 14, 2017Date of Patent: November 6, 2018Assignee: The United States of America as Represented by the Administrator of National Aeronautics and Space AdministraionInventors: Michael J. Krasowski, Norman F. Prokop, Philip G. Neudeck
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Patent number: 10069536Abstract: An apparatus and method are provided for communicating over power lines. The apparatus includes a coupling modem that is situated between a power line and a device. The coupling modem is configured to demodulate a signal received from the power line into a sine signal and a cosine signal. The coupling modem is also configured to modulate a communicated bit stream received from the device into a transmitted signal in order to impose the transmitted signal onto the power line.Type: GrantFiled: April 11, 2017Date of Patent: September 4, 2018Assignee: The United States of America as Represented by the Administrator of National Aeronautics and Space AdministrationInventors: Michael J. Krasowski, Norman F. Prokop, Lawrence C. Greer, III, Jennifer M. Nappier
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Patent number: 10049326Abstract: An apparatus, method, and computer program that can learn a linear or non-linear transfer function are disclosed. In one embodiment, for example, a computer-implemented method may include creating a plurality of combinations for at least one input, and calculating an output for the plurality of combinations. The method may also include calculating an error based on the calculated output.Type: GrantFiled: February 1, 2013Date of Patent: August 14, 2018Assignee: The United States of America as Represented by the Admin of National Aeronautics and Space AdministrationInventors: Michael J Krasowski, Norman F Prokop
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Publication number: 20180183386Abstract: Some embodiments of the present invention describe an apparatus that includes an oscillator, a ramp generator, and an inverter. The apparatus includes an oscillator, an inverter, and a ramp generator. The oscillator is configured to generate a waveform comprising a low time and a high time. The inverter is configured to receive the waveform generated by the oscillator, and invert the waveform. The ramp generator configured to increase a gate control voltage of a transistor connected to a solar cell, and rapidly decrease the gate control voltage of the transistor. During the low time of the waveform, a measurement of a current and a voltage of the solar cell is performed as the current and voltage of the solar cell are transmitted through a first channel and to a second channel.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 18, 2016Publication date: June 28, 2018Inventors: Michael J. Krasowski, Norman F. Prokop
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Publication number: 20170338769Abstract: Some embodiments of the present invention describe an apparatus that includes an oscillator, a ramp generator, and an inverter. The apparatus includes an oscillator, an inverter, and a ramp generator. The oscillator is configured to generate a waveform comprising a low time and a high time. The inverter is configured to receive the waveform generated by the oscillator, and invert the waveform. The ramp generator configured to increase a gate control voltage of a transistor connected to a solar cell, and rapidly decrease the gate control voltage of the transistor. During the low time of the waveform, a measurement of a current and a voltage of the solar cell is performed as the current and voltage of the solar cell are transmitted through a first channel and to a second channel.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 18, 2016Publication date: November 23, 2017Inventors: Michael J. Krasowski, Norman F. Prokop
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Patent number: 9755645Abstract: A current source logic gate with depletion mode field effect transistor (“FET”) transistors and resistors may include a current source, a current steering switch input stage, and a resistor divider level shifting output stage. The current source may include a transistor and a current source resistor. The current steering switch input stage may include a transistor to steer current to set an output stage bias point depending on an input logic signal state. The resistor divider level shifting output stage may include a first resistor and a second resistor to set the output stage point and produce valid output logic signal states. The transistor of the current steering switch input stage may function as a switch to provide at least two operating points.Type: GrantFiled: December 9, 2016Date of Patent: September 5, 2017Assignee: The United States of America as Represented by the Administrator of National Aeronautics and Space AdministrationInventors: Michael J. Krasowski, Norman F. Prokop
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Patent number: 9660680Abstract: An apparatus and method are provided for communicating over power lines. The apparatus includes a coupling modem that is situated between a power line and a device. The coupling modem is configured to demodulate a signal received from the power line into a sine signal and a cosine signal. The coupling modem is also configured to modulate a communicated bit stream received from the device into a transmitted signal in order to impose the transmitted signal onto the power line.Type: GrantFiled: July 31, 2015Date of Patent: May 23, 2017Assignee: The United States of America as Represented by the Administrator of National Aeronautics and Space AdministrationInventors: Michael J. Krasowski, Norman F. Prokop, Lawrence C. Greer, III, Jennifer M. Nappier
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Patent number: 9424654Abstract: Analog circuits for detecting edges in pixel arrays are disclosed. A comparator may be configured to receive an all pass signal and a low pass signal for a pixel intensity in an array of pixels. A latch may be configured to receive a counter signal and a latching signal from the comparator. The comparator may be configured to send the latching signal to the latch when the all pass signal is below the low pass signal minus an offset. The latch may be configured to hold a last negative edge location when the latching signal is received from the comparator.Type: GrantFiled: July 31, 2015Date of Patent: August 23, 2016Assignee: The United States of America as Represented by the Administrator of National Aeronautics and Space AdministrationInventor: Norman F Prokop
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Patent number: 9419558Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention describe an apparatus including an oscillator, a ramp generator, and an inverter. The oscillator is configured to generate a waveform comprising a low time and a high time. The inverter is configured to receive the waveform generated by the oscillator, and invert the waveform. The ramp generator is configured to increase a gate control voltage of a transistor connected to a solar cell, and rapidly decrease the gate control voltage of the transistor. During the low time, a measurement of a current and a voltage of the solar cell is performed. During the high time, a measurement of a current of a shorted cell and a voltage reference is performed.Type: GrantFiled: April 17, 2012Date of Patent: August 16, 2016Assignee: The United States of America as Represented by the Administrator of National Aeronautics and Space AdministrationInventors: Michael J. Krasowski, Norman F. Prokop
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Patent number: 9160896Abstract: Analog circuits for detecting edges in pixel arrays are disclosed. A comparator may be configured to receive an all pass signal and a low pass signal for a pixel intensity in an array of pixels. A latch may be configured to receive a counter signal and a latching signal from the comparator. The comparator may be configured to send the latching signal to the latch when the all pass signal is below the low pass signal minus an offset. The latch may be configured to hold a last negative edge location when the latching signal is received from the comparator.Type: GrantFiled: January 25, 2013Date of Patent: October 13, 2015Assignee: The United States of America as Represented by the Administrator of National Aeronautics and Space AdministrationInventor: Norman F Prokop
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Patent number: 9142961Abstract: An apparatus and method are provided for communicating over power lines. The apparatus includes a coupling modem that is situated between a power line and a device. The coupling modem is configured to demodulate a signal received from the power line into a sine signal and a cosine signal. The coupling modem is also configured to modulate a communicated bit stream received from the device into a transmitted signal in order to impose the transmitted signal onto the power line.Type: GrantFiled: August 26, 2011Date of Patent: September 22, 2015Assignee: The United States of America as Represented by the Administrator of National Aeronautics and Space AdministrationInventors: Michael J. Krasowski, Norman F. Prokop, Lawrence C. Greer, III, Jennifer M. Nappier
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Patent number: 8704654Abstract: A high temperature communications circuit includes a power conductor for concurrently conducting electrical energy for powering circuit components and transmitting a modulated data signal, and a demodulator for demodulating the data signal and generating a serial bit stream based on the data signal. The demodulator includes an absolute value amplifier for conditionally inverting or conditionally passing a signal applied to the absolute value amplifier. The absolute value amplifier utilizes no diodes to control the conditional inversion or passing of the signal applied to the absolute value amplifier.Type: GrantFiled: June 7, 2007Date of Patent: April 22, 2014Assignee: The United States of America as Represented by the Administrator of National Aeronautics and Space AdministrationInventors: Michael J. Krasowski, Norman F. Prokop
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Publication number: 20120256648Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention describe an apparatus including an oscillator, a ramp generator, and an inverter. The oscillator is configured to generate a waveform comprising a low time and a high time. The inverter is configured to receive the waveform generated by the oscillator, and invert the waveform. The ramp generator is configured to increase a gate control voltage of a transistor connected to a solar cell, and rapidly decrease the gate control voltage of the transistor. During the low time, a measurement of a current and a voltage of the solar cell is performed. During the high time, a measurement of a current of a shorted cell and a voltage reference is performed.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 17, 2012Publication date: October 11, 2012Inventors: Michael J. Krasowski, Norman F. Prokop
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Patent number: 8159238Abstract: Some embodiments of the present invention describe an apparatus that includes an oscillator, a ramp generator, and an inverter. The apparatus includes an oscillator, an inverter, and a ramp generator. The oscillator is configured to generate a waveform comprising a low time and a high time. The inverter is configured to receive the waveform generated by the oscillator, and invert the waveform. The ramp generator configured to increase a gate control voltage of a transistor connected to a solar cell, and rapidly decrease the gate control voltage of the transistor. During the low time of the waveform, a measurement of a current and a voltage of the solar cell is performed as the current and voltage of the solar cell are transmitted through a first channel and to a second channel.Type: GrantFiled: September 30, 2009Date of Patent: April 17, 2012Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space AdministrationInventors: Michael J. Krasowski, Norman F. Prokop