Patents by Inventor Robert C. Potter

Robert C. Potter 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: 8466754
    Abstract: The present invention is a method for reducing phase noise in oscillator signals. For example, the oscillator may be a low phase noise MEMS-based oscillator and may include a resonator (ex.—a MEMS resonator). Further, the resonator of the oscillator may be operated near a bifurcation point. Still further, the MEMS resonator may be parametrically pumped in such a way so as to redistribute the quadrature signal noise (ex.—phase noise) to in-phase noise (ex.—amplitude noise).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 18, 2013
    Assignee: Rockwell Collins, Inc.
    Inventors: Vadim Olen, Jonathan A. Lovseth, Robert C. Potter, Robert A. Newgard, Roy H. Olsson, III, Kenneth E. Wojciechowski
  • Patent number: 7403756
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to a highly-integrated MEMS-based miniaturized transceiver. The transceiver utilizes a low band front-end to direct sample low band signals and a high band front-end to translate high band signals that cannot be directly sampled to low band before low band front-end processing. The low band front-end comprises an array of High-Q MEMS (microelectromechanical systems)-based filters/resonators separated by isolation amplifiers in selectable cascade with narrower bandwidth filters. Dynamic tuning ability is provided through the isolation amplifiers and the sample frequency of the analog-to-digital converter. This architecture is amenable to monolithic fabrication. The input frequency range is scalable with analog-to-digital conversion sampling rate improvements. Re-utilization of filters is spatially efficient and cost effective. Tuning time is limited only by the analog-to-digital conversion and digital signal processing, not synthesizer settling times.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 22, 2008
    Assignee: Rockwell Collins, Inc.
    Inventors: Joseph F. Jiacinto, Robert A. Newgard, Robert C. Potter, Manas K. Roy
  • Patent number: 7092538
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for substantially reducing and virtually eliminating direct current flow through the input transistor(s) of an input buffer circuit for an electret microphone is disclosed. An input transistor is provided and operably connected to an input and an output of the input buffer circuit. The input transistor has a first operating state wherein current flow occurs in a first direction and a second operating state wherein the a current flow occurs in a second direction—opposite that of the first direction. The input transistor is biased to alternately control operation between the first operating state and the second operating state. The alternating, opposing flows of current of the respective operating states cooperate to substantially reduce and virtually eliminate the flow of direct current through the input transistor(s) of the buffer circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2006
    Assignee: Knowles Electronics, LLC
    Inventors: Robert C. Potter, Steven E. Boor
  • Publication number: 20030193354
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for substantially reducing and virtually eliminating direct current flow through the input transistor(s) of an input buffer circuit for an electret microphone is disclosed. An input transistor is provided and operably connected to an input and an output of the input buffer circuit. The input transistor has a first operating state wherein current flow occurs in a first direction and a second operating state wherein the a current flow occurs in a second direction—opposite that of the first direction. The input transistor is biased to alternately control operation between the first operating state and the second operating state. The alternating, opposing flows of current of the respective operating states cooperate to substantially reduce and virtually eliminate the flow of direct current through the input transistor(s) of the buffer circuit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 11, 2003
    Publication date: October 16, 2003
    Inventors: Robert C. Potter, Steven E. Boor