Patents by Inventor Peter J. Moosbrugger

Peter J. Moosbrugger 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: 11575198
    Abstract: Antenna test systems and methods are disclosed. An antenna test system as disclosed herein can include an X-Y isolation structure that defines a plurality of unit cells, a plurality of coupling elements, with at least one coupling element within each unit cell, and a Z isolation structure. The size and general configuration of the unit cells are selected to allow the individual antenna elements of an array antenna to be placed within a unit cell. Each unit cell thus isolates an antenna element. The disclosed methods include passing energy between antenna elements and corresponding unit cells to characterize the performance of the antenna. An antenna test system as disclosed herein enables the costs associated with testing phased array antenna systems, including but not limited to antennas used in 5G communication systems, to be reduced as compared to prior techniques.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2023
    Assignee: Ball Aerospace & Technologies Corp.
    Inventors: Zachary T. Miers, Joseph E. Diener, Peter J. Moosbrugger
  • Patent number: 11271309
    Abstract: An antenna system circuit board stack with feed vias and with non-feed vias is disclosed. An antenna system circuit board stack as disclosed herein can include a plurality of patches or radiating elements formed on a common plane comprising a first surface of a circuit board. Each radiating element is electrically connected to one or more feed vias. In addition non-feed vias extend through, but are electrically isolated from, the radiating elements. An antenna system as disclosed herein enables the costs associated with multiple beam antenna systems, including but not limited to 5G communication systems, to be reduced as compared to alternative techniques.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2022
    Assignee: Ball Aerospace & Technologies Corp.
    Inventors: Zachary T. Miers, Joseph E. Diener, Peter J. Moosbrugger
  • Patent number: 11184049
    Abstract: Systems and methods for isolating radio frequency (RF) signals in high frequency circuit assemblies, including but not limited to 5G communication systems, are provided. The circuit assemblies include an RF suppression structure, which can be in the form of a low ohm resistor, that extends across a transmission line, and that has contacts that are electrically joined to a ground plane. Alternatively or in addition, the circuit assemblies include a low ohm resistor that extends over a transition between a signal via and an end of a transmission line, and that has contacts that are electrically joined to a ground plane. A circuit assembly as disclosed herein can further include multiple low ohm resistors spaced apart from one another by a distance that is a fraction of a wavelength of a highest frequency signal carried by the transmission line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 23, 2021
    Assignee: Ball Aerospace & Technologies Corp.
    Inventors: Zachary T. Miers, Ray Lovestead, Peter J. Moosbrugger
  • Publication number: 20200280129
    Abstract: Antenna test systems and methods are disclosed. An antenna test system as disclosed herein can include an X-Y isolation structure that defines a plurality of unit cells, a plurality of coupling elements, with at least one coupling element within each unit cell, and a Z isolation structure. The size and general configuration of the unit cells are selected to allow the individual antenna elements of an array antenna to be placed within a unit cell. Each unit cell thus isolates an antenna element. The disclosed methods include passing energy between antenna elements and corresponding unit cells to characterize the performance of the antenna. An antenna test system as disclosed herein enables the costs associated with testing phased array antenna systems, including but not limited to antennas used in 5G communication systems, to be reduced as compared to prior techniques.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 28, 2020
    Publication date: September 3, 2020
    Applicant: Ball Aerospace & Technologies Corp.
    Inventors: Zachary T. Miers, Joseph E. Diener, Peter J. Moosbrugger
  • Patent number: 10714829
    Abstract: Phased array antenna systems are disclosed. An antenna system as disclosed herein can include a plurality of antenna or radiating elements formed on a common plane comprising a first surface of a circuit board. Each antenna element has one or more feeds. Integrated circuits are placed on a second surface of the circuit board. Each integrated circuit is associated with one or more of the antenna elements. Signal lines connecting an integrated circuit to a feed of an antenna element can be shielded using interlayer ground planes and interlayer conductive plugs. In addition, back surfaces of the integrated circuits can be connected to a common heatsink using a thermally conductive medium.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 14, 2020
    Assignee: Ball Aerospace & Technologies Corp.
    Inventors: Gary A. Raney, Peter J. Moosbrugger, Bryce W. Unruh
  • Publication number: 20200053870
    Abstract: An antenna system circuit board stack with feed vias and with non-feed vias is disclosed. An antenna system circuit board stack as disclosed herein can include a plurality of patches or radiating elements formed on a common plane comprising a first surface of a circuit board. Each radiating element is electrically connected to one or more feed vias. In addition non-feed vias extend through, but are electrically isolated from, the radiating elements. An antenna system as disclosed herein enables the costs associated with multiple beam antenna systems, including but not limited to 5G communication systems, to be reduced as compared to alternative techniques.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 17, 2019
    Publication date: February 13, 2020
    Applicant: Ball Aerospace & Technologies Corp.
    Inventors: Zachary T. Miers, Joseph E. Diener, Peter J. Moosbrugger
  • Publication number: 20200052737
    Abstract: Systems and methods for isolating radio frequency (RF) signals in high frequency circuit assemblies, including but not limited to 5G communication systems, are provided. The circuit assemblies include an RF suppression structure, which can be in the form of a low ohm resistor, that extends across a transmission line, and that has contacts that are electrically joined to a ground plane. Alternatively or in addition, the circuit assemblies include a low ohm resistor that extends over a transition between a signal via and an end of a transmission line, and that has contacts that are electrically joined to a ground plane. A circuit assembly as disclosed herein can further include multiple low ohm resistors spaced apart from one another by a distance that is a fraction of a wavelength of a highest frequency signal carried by the transmission line.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 25, 2019
    Publication date: February 13, 2020
    Applicant: Ball Aerospace & Technologies Corp.
    Inventors: Zachary T. Miers, Ray Lovestead, Peter J. Moosbrugger
  • Publication number: 20190131706
    Abstract: Phased array antenna systems are disclosed. An antenna system as disclosed herein can include a plurality of antenna or radiating elements formed on a common plane comprising a first surface of a circuit board. Each antenna element has one or more feeds. Integrated circuits are placed on a second surface of the circuit board. Each integrated circuit is associated with one or more of the antenna elements. Signal lines connecting an integrated circuit to a feed of an antenna element can be shielded using interlayer ground planes and interlayer conductive plugs. In addition, back surfaces of the integrated circuits can be connected to a common heatsink using a thermally conductive medium.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 9, 2018
    Publication date: May 2, 2019
    Applicant: Ball Aerospace & Technologies Corp.
    Inventors: Gary A. Raney, Peter J. Moosbrugger, Bryce W. Unruh
  • Patent number: 10177464
    Abstract: Antenna systems and methods providing dual polarization are provided. The system includes one or more antenna elements, with each antenna element having feed points on adjacent sides. A first of the feed points is associated with a first one of a transmitted or received signal, while a second one of the feed points is associated with a second one of a transmitted or received signal. The sides of the rectangular driven element can feature different lengths, to provide transmit and receive bands that are separated from one another in frequency. A polarizer is disposed between the antenna elements and free space. Linearly polarized signals from the antenna elements are transformed into circularly polarized signals by the polarizer. Circularly polarized signals received at the antenna system are transformed into linearly polarized signals before they are passed to the antenna elements. An antenna system as disclosed herein can include a plurality of antenna elements arranged in an array.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2019
    Assignee: BALL AEROSPACE & TECHNOLOGIES CORP.
    Inventors: Peter J Moosbrugger, Andrew M. Shroyer
  • Publication number: 20170338571
    Abstract: Antenna systems and methods providing dual polarization are provided. The system includes one or more antenna elements, with each antenna element having feed points on adjacent sides. A first of the feed points is associated with a first one of a transmitted or received signal, while a second one of the feed points is associated with a second one of a transmitted or received signal. The sides of the rectangular driven element can feature different lengths, to provide transmit and receive bands that are separated from one another in frequency. A polarizer is disposed between the antenna elements and free space. Linearly polarized signals from the antenna elements are transformed into circularly polarized signals by the polarizer. Circularly polarized signals received at the antenna system are transformed into linearly polarized signals before they are passed to the antenna elements. An antenna system as disclosed herein can include a plurality of antenna elements arranged in an array.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 12, 2017
    Publication date: November 23, 2017
    Inventors: Peter J. Moosbrugger, Andrew M. Shroyer
  • Patent number: 9379437
    Abstract: A continuous horn or flared radiator antenna system is provided. The antenna system provides for steering a beam within at least a first plane (e.g., in azimuth). Steering a beam includes selecting an operative portion or segment of a circular array of elements or probe feeds. Steering can also include electronically steering the resulting beam within a coverage area provided by the selected segment of probe feeds. The electronic steering within the coverage area can be performed through the selective operation of phase shifters. Multiple continuous horn radiator structures can be provided to support pointing or steering of a beam in a second plane (e.g., in elevation), operation in multiple frequency bands, and/or simultaneous transmission and reception of signals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2016
    Assignee: Ball Aerospace & Technologies Corp.
    Inventors: Nathan A. Stutzke, Peter J. Moosbrugger
  • Patent number: 8502735
    Abstract: An antenna system that includes one or more radiator packages on a first side of an antenna substrate and one or more support packages on a second side of the antenna substrate are provided. Embodiments of the present invention include antenna systems incorporating a plurality of radiator packages on a first side of the antenna substrate and a plurality of support packages on the second side of the antenna substrate. The radiator packages generally include a radiator element and an integrated circuit that are incorporated into a common package. The integrated circuit of the radiator package can comprise an amplifier and/or other electronic components. The support packages generally provide one or more additional electronic components. For example, a support package integrated circuit can provide a phase shifter, amplifier, and/or other electronic components. The antenna substrate generally incorporates electrical conductors for operatively interconnecting each radiator package to at least one support package.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2013
    Assignee: Ball Aerospace & Technologies Corp.
    Inventors: Peter J. Moosbrugger, Nathan A. Stutzke, Jennifer L. Erickson, Andrea K. Johnson
  • Patent number: 7492325
    Abstract: A modular electronic architecture according to which electrical components are distributed across substantially identical, interconnected circuit elements or assemblies is provided. Scaling of the electronic device can be achieved by selecting different numbers of circuit elements. Embodiments of the present invention may also provide for a compact assembly, formed from interconnection of separate circuit boards in a stack. Particular applications include the provision of beam forming networks in connection with phased array antennas in which the beam forming networks are formed on circuit boards having an area that is about the same size as the area of a circuit board on which the antenna elements are formed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 17, 2009
    Assignee: Ball Aerospace & Technologies Corp.
    Inventors: Peter J. Moosbrugger, Tim Meenach
  • Patent number: 7265719
    Abstract: A modular electronic architecture is provided. In particular, one or more unit sub-arrays providing at least a portion of the antenna radiator elements and supporting circuitry comprising at least part of a phased array antenna are provided. Each unit sub-array includes a first area comprising a rigid circuit board on which one or more antenna radiator elements are formed. In addition, a second area of rigid circuit board material for supporting circuitry is provided. The first and second areas are interconnected to one another by a region of flexible circuit board material having connective traces. Methods for forming unit sub-arrays providing antenna radiator elements and supporting circuitry are also provided. More particularly, a completed unit sub-array may be formed while the associated circuit boards are in a flat or planar condition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2007
    Assignee: Ball Aerospace & Technologies Corp.
    Inventors: Peter J. Moosbrugger, Ryan S. Jennings, Bradley J. Tame
  • Patent number: 5268692
    Abstract: An FM/CW radar system is disclosed for determining a safe stopping distance between a moving vehicle and a potential obstacle. The radar signal is modulated linearly over several slopes. A microstrip phased array transmit/receive antenna is also disclosed having a hybrid tap, corporate feed structure. Signals from the antenna are amplified and filtered, and passed through an analog to digital converter to a signal processor, which performs a Fast Fourier Transform on the signals to convert them from time domain data to frequency domain data. The frequency domain data is then used to solve target range and doppler equations, determine safe stopping distances, and sound or display alarms if the safe stopping distance has been violated. A sensitivity control adjusts for road conditions or operator reaction time variations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 1992
    Date of Patent: December 7, 1993
    Inventors: Theodore O. Grosch, Wojciech Klimkiewicz, Peter J. Moosbrugger