Patents by Inventor Robert Tilman Worl

Robert Tilman Worl 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).

  • Publication number: 20180054004
    Abstract: An embodiment of an antenna includes first and second transmission lines, first antenna elements, and second antenna elements. The first transmission line is configured to guide a first signal such that the first signal has a characteristic of a first value, and the second transmission line is configured to guide a second signal such that the second signal has the same characteristic but of a second value that is different than the first value. The first antenna elements are each disposed adjacent to the first transmission line and are each configured to radiate the first signal in response to a respective first control signal, and the second antenna elements are each disposed adjacent to the second transmission line and are each configured to radiate the second signal in response to a respective second control signal. Such an antenna can have better main-beam and side-lobe characteristics, and a better SIR, than prior antennas.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 18, 2016
    Publication date: February 22, 2018
    Inventors: Tom Driscoll, John Desmond Hunt, Nathan Ingle Landy, Milton Perque, Charles A. Renneberg, Ioannis Tzanidis, Robert Tilman Worl, Felix D. Yuen
  • Publication number: 20180026365
    Abstract: An embodiment of an antenna comprises an array of antenna elements arranged in groups of antenna elements adjustably coupled to respective reference waves. A multiplicity of patterns of antenna coupling settings are defined, each of which gives rise to a main lobe which points the antenna in a particular direction, each pattern also giving rise to respective side lobes. First and second such patterns may point the antenna in the same direction but with non-identical side lobes. In this way the clutter level from the side lobes relative to the main lobe is much smaller than would be the case if one of the patterns were employed both for transmitting and receiving. Alternatively, the first and second patterns may be used in quick succession both for transmitting, or used in quick succession both for receiving. The antenna may also switch rapidly between patterns where the main lobe points in a different direction in each pattern, allowing dithering of the beam or rapid switching between scanning and tracking.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 20, 2017
    Publication date: January 25, 2018
    Inventors: Tom Driscoll, William F. Graves, Jr., John Desmond Hunt, Nathan Ingle Landy, Christopher L. Lambrecht, Milton Perque, Robert Tilman Worl
  • Publication number: 20170086286
    Abstract: An obfuscated radio frequency circuit may be manufactured to include a metallization layer, and a dielectric layer under the metallization layer. The dielectric layer may be made up of a plurality of dielectric substrates having different dielectric constants to obfuscate functions of the circuit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 30, 2016
    Publication date: March 23, 2017
    Inventor: Robert Tilman Worl
  • Patent number: 9565749
    Abstract: An obfuscated radio frequency circuit may be manufactured to include a metallization layer, and a dielectric layer under the metallization layer. The dielectric layer may be made up of a plurality of dielectric substrates having different dielectric constants to obfuscate functions of the circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2017
    Assignee: THE BOEING COMPANY
    Inventor: Robert Tilman Worl
  • Patent number: 8643548
    Abstract: A dual beam dual-selectable-polarization phased array antenna comprises an aperture unit, a printed wiring board, radiating elements, chip units, a pressure plate, and a rear housing unit. The printed wiring board has sub assemblies bonded to each other with a bonding material providing both mechanical and electrical connection. The printed wiring board is connected to the aperture unit. The radiating elements are formed on the printed wiring board. The chip units are mounted on the printed wiring board. The chip units include circuits capable of controlling radio frequency signals radiated by the radiating elements to form dual beams with independently selectable polarization. The pressure plate is connected to the aperture unit. The aperture unit is connected to the rear housing unit such that the aperture unit covers the rear housing unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2014
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Robert Tilman Worl, Isaac Ron Bekker, Dan R. Miller, Kenneth G. Voyce, Ming Chen, Harold J. Redd
  • Publication number: 20120210564
    Abstract: An obfuscated radio frequency circuit may include a metallization layer, and a dielectric layer under the metallization layer. The dielectric layer may be made up of a plurality of dielectric substrates having differing dielectric constants to obfuscate functions of the circuit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 23, 2012
    Publication date: August 23, 2012
    Applicant: THE BOEING COMPANY
    Inventor: Robert Tilman Worl
  • Patent number: 8188374
    Abstract: An obfuscated radio frequency circuit may include a metallization layer, and a dielectric layer under the metallization layer. The dielectric layer may be made up of a plurality of dielectric substrates having differing dielectric constants to obfuscate functions of the circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2012
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventor: Robert Tilman Worl
  • Patent number: 8184042
    Abstract: A system and method for a self calibrating conformal phased array are disclosed involving a plurality of transmit/receive elements; a plurality of embedded, calibration transmit/receive elements scattered across the array; and at least one back-end processor. The calibration transmit/receive elements are used to track any physical calibration transmit/receive element's relative position change caused by array flexure. In one or more embodiments, each of the calibration transmit/receive elements transmit a tone using a small antenna, and the other calibration transmit/receive elements receive the tone using small antennas. The calibration transmit/receive elements that receive the tone measure the phase of the received tone. At least one back-end processor uses the measured phases to determine differential phases from a phase calibration table. Also, at least one back-end processor uses the differential phases to compute a change in apparent location of each transmitting calibration transmit/receive element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2012
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Gary A. Ray, Robert Tilman Worl
  • Publication number: 20110068993
    Abstract: A dual beam dual-selectable-polarization phased array antenna comprises an aperture unit, a printed wiring board, radiating elements, chip units, a pressure plate, and a rear housing unit. The printed wiring board has sub assemblies bonded to each other with a bonding material providing both mechanical and electrical connection. The printed wiring board is connected to the aperture unit. The radiating elements are formed on the printed wiring board. The chip units are mounted on the printed wiring board. The chip units include circuits capable of controlling radio frequency signals radiated by the radiating elements to form dual beams with independently selectable polarization. The pressure plate is connected to the aperture unit. The aperture unit is connected to the rear housing unit such that the aperture unit covers the rear housing unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 29, 2010
    Publication date: March 24, 2011
    Applicant: THE BOEING COMPANY
    Inventors: Robert Tilman Worl, Isaac Ron Bekker, Dan R. Miller, Kenneth G. Voyce, Ming Chen, Harold J. Redd
  • Patent number: 7868830
    Abstract: A dual beam dual-selectable-polarization phased array antenna comprises an aperture unit, a printed wiring board, radiating elements, chip units, a pressure plate, and a rear housing unit. The printed wiring board has sub assemblies bonded to each other with a bonding material providing both mechanical and electrical connection. The printed wiring board is connected to the aperture unit. The radiating elements are formed on the printed wiring board. The chip units are mounted on the printed wiring board. The chip units include circuits capable of controlling radio frequency signals radiated by the radiating elements to form dual beams with independently selectable polarization. The pressure plate is connected to the aperture unit. The aperture unit is connected to the rear housing unit such that the aperture unit covers the rear housing unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 11, 2011
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Robert Tilman Worl, Isaac Ron Bekker, Dan R. Miller, Kenneth G. Voyce, Ming Chen, Harold J. Redd
  • Publication number: 20110001660
    Abstract: A system and method for a self calibrating conformal phased array are disclosed involving a plurality of transmit/receive elements; a plurality of embedded, calibration transmit/receive elements scattered across the array; and at least one back-end processor. The calibration transmit/receive elements are used to track any physical calibration transmit/receive element's relative position change caused by array flexure. In one or more embodiments, each of the calibration transmit/receive elements transmit a tone using a small antenna, and the other calibration transmit/receive elements receive the tone using small antennas. The calibration transmit/receive elements that receive the tone measure the phase of the received tone. At least one back-end processor uses the measured phases to determine differential phases from a phase calibration table. Also, at least one back-end processor uses the differential phases to compute a change in apparent location of each transmitting calibration transmit/receive element.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 2, 2009
    Publication date: January 6, 2011
    Applicant: THE BOEING COMPANY
    Inventors: Gary A. Ray, Robert Tilman Worl
  • Publication number: 20100134371
    Abstract: A broadband antenna may include a conductive antenna surface for radiating signals, a conductive backplane for reflecting signals radiated by the conductive antenna surface, and a dielectric layer disposed between the conductive antenna surface and the conductive backplane. The dielectric layer may include a plurality of dielectric substrates having differing dielectric constants.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 3, 2008
    Publication date: June 3, 2010
    Inventor: Robert Tilman Worl
  • Publication number: 20100012361
    Abstract: An obfuscated radio frequency circuit may include a metallization layer, and a dielectric layer under the metallization layer. The dielectric layer may be made up of a plurality of dielectric substrates having differing dielectric constants to obfuscate functions of the circuit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 16, 2008
    Publication date: January 21, 2010
    Applicant: THE BOEING COMPANY
    Inventor: Robert Tilman Worl
  • Publication number: 20090284415
    Abstract: A dual beam dual-selectable-polarization phased array antenna comprises an aperture unit, a printed wiring board, radiating elements, chip units, a pressure plate, and a rear housing unit. The printed wiring board has sub assemblies bonded to each other with a bonding material providing both mechanical and electrical connection. The printed wiring board is connected to the aperture unit. The radiating elements are formed on the printed wiring board. The chip units are mounted on the printed wiring board. The chip units include circuits capable of controlling radio frequency signals radiated by the radiating elements to form dual beams with independently selectable polarization. The pressure plate is connected to the aperture unit. The aperture unit is connected to the rear housing unit such that the aperture unit covers the rear housing unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 13, 2008
    Publication date: November 19, 2009
    Inventors: Robert Tilman Worl, Isaac Ron Bekker, Dan R. Miller, Kenneth G. Voyce, Ming Chen, Harold J. Redd