Patents by Inventor Shawn R. Gibb

Shawn R. Gibb 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: 10992279
    Abstract: A method of manufacture for an acoustic resonator or filter device. In an example, the present method can include forming metal electrodes with different geometric areas and profile shapes coupled to a piezoelectric layer overlying a substrate. These metal electrodes can also be formed within cavities of the piezoelectric layer or the substrate with varying geometric areas. Combined with specific dimensional ratios and ion implantations, such techniques can increase device performance metrics. In an example, the present method can include forming various types of perimeter structures surrounding the metal electrodes, which can be on top or bottom of the piezoelectric layer. These perimeter structures can use various combinations of modifications to shape, material, and continuity. These perimeter structures can also be combined with sandbar structures, piezoelectric layer cavities, the geometric variations previously discussed to improve device performance metrics.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 27, 2021
    Assignee: Akoustis, Inc.
    Inventors: Ramakrishna Vetury, Alexander Y. Feldman, Michael D. Hodge, Art Geiss, Shawn R. Gibb, Mark D. Boomgarden, Michael P. Lewis, Pinal Patel, Jeffrey B. Shealy
  • Patent number: 10985732
    Abstract: An RF circuit device using modified lattice, lattice, and ladder circuit topologies. The devices can include four resonator devices and four shunt resonator devices. In the ladder topology, the resonator devices are connected in series from an input port to an output port while shunt resonator devices are coupled the nodes between the resonator devices. In the lattice topology, a top and a bottom serial configurations each includes a pair of resonator devices that are coupled to differential input and output ports. A pair of shunt resonators is cross-coupled between each pair of a top serial configuration resonator and a bottom serial configuration resonator. The modified lattice topology adds baluns or inductor devices between top and bottom nodes of the top and bottom serial configurations of the lattice configuration. These topologies may be applied using single crystal or polycrystalline bulk acoustic wave (BAW) resonators.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2021
    Assignee: AKOUSTIS, INC.
    Inventors: Jeffrey B. Shealy, Rohan W. Houlden, Shawn R. Gibb, Mary Winters, Ramakrishna Vetury
  • Patent number: 10979024
    Abstract: An RF circuit device using modified lattice, lattice, and ladder circuit topologies. The devices can include four resonator devices and four shunt resonator devices. In the ladder topology, the resonator devices are connected in series from an input port to an output port while shunt resonator devices are coupled the nodes between the resonator devices. In the lattice topology, a top and a bottom serial configurations each includes a pair of resonator devices that are coupled to differential input and output ports. A pair of shunt resonators is cross-coupled between each pair of a top serial configuration resonator and a bottom serial configuration resonator. The modified lattice topology adds baluns or inductor devices between top and bottom nodes of the top and bottom serial configurations of the lattice configuration. These topologies may be applied using single crystal or polycrystalline bulk acoustic wave (BAW) resonators.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2021
    Assignee: AKOUSTIS, INC.
    Inventors: Jeffrey B. Shealy, Rohan W. Houlden, Shawn R. Gibb, David M. Aichele
  • Patent number: 10979022
    Abstract: An RF circuit device using modified lattice, lattice, and ladder circuit topologies. The devices can include four resonator devices and four shunt resonator devices. In the ladder topology, the resonator devices are connected in series from an input port to an output port while shunt resonator devices are coupled the nodes between the resonator devices. In the lattice topology, a top and a bottom serial configurations each includes a pair of resonator devices that are coupled to differential input and output ports. A pair of shunt resonators is cross-coupled between each pair of a top serial configuration resonator and a bottom serial configuration resonator. The modified lattice topology adds baluns or inductor devices between top and bottom nodes of the top and bottom serial configurations of the lattice configuration. These topologies may be applied using single crystal or polycrystalline bulk acoustic wave (BAW) resonators.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2021
    Assignee: Akoustis, Inc.
    Inventors: Jeffrey B. Shealy, Michael Hodge, Rohan W. Houlden, Shawn R. Gibb, Mary Winters, Ramakrishna Vetury, David Aichele
  • Patent number: 10979023
    Abstract: An RF circuit device using modified lattice, lattice, and ladder circuit topologies. The devices can include four resonator devices and four shunt resonator devices. In the ladder topology, the resonator devices are connected in series from an input port to an output port while shunt resonator devices are coupled the nodes between the resonator devices. In the lattice topology, a top and a bottom serial configurations each includes a pair of resonator devices that are coupled to differential input and output ports. A pair of shunt resonators is cross-coupled between each pair of a top serial configuration resonator and a bottom serial configuration resonator. The modified lattice topology adds baluns or inductor devices between top and bottom nodes of the top and bottom serial configurations of the lattice configuration. These topologies may be applied using single crystal or polycrystalline bulk acoustic wave (BAW) resonators.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2021
    Assignee: AKOUSTIS, INC.
    Inventors: Jeffrey B. Shealy, Rohan W. Houlden, Shawn R. Gibb, Mary Winters, Ramakrishna Vetury
  • Patent number: 10979011
    Abstract: A method of manufacture for an acoustic resonator or filter device. In an example, the present method can include forming metal electrodes with different geometric areas and profile shapes coupled to a piezoelectric layer overlying a substrate. These metal electrodes can also be formed within cavities of the piezoelectric layer or the substrate with varying geometric areas. Combined with specific dimensional ratios and ion implantations, such techniques can increase device performance metrics. In an example, the present method can include forming various types of perimeter structures surrounding the metal electrodes, which can be on top or bottom of the piezoelectric layer. These perimeter structures can use various combinations of modifications to shape, material, and continuity. These perimeter structures can also be combined with sandbar structures, piezoelectric layer cavities, the geometric variations previously discussed to improve device performance metrics.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2021
    Assignee: Akoustis, Inc.
    Inventors: Ramakrishna Vetury, Alexander Y. Feldman, Michael D. Hodge, Art Geiss, Shawn R. Gibb, Mark D. Boomgarden, Michael P. Lewis, Pinal Patel, Jeffrey B. Shealy
  • Patent number: 10979025
    Abstract: An RF circuit device using modified lattice, lattice, and ladder circuit topologies. The devices can include four resonator devices and four shunt resonator devices. In the ladder topology, the resonator devices are connected in series from an input port to an output port while shunt resonator devices are coupled the nodes between the resonator devices. In the lattice topology, a top and a bottom serial configurations each includes a pair of resonator devices that are coupled to differential input and output ports. A pair of shunt resonators is cross-coupled between each pair of a top serial configuration resonator and a bottom serial configuration resonator. The modified lattice topology adds baluns or inductor devices between top and bottom nodes of the top and bottom serial configurations of the lattice configuration. These topologies may be applied using single crystal or polycrystalline bulk acoustic wave (BAW) resonators.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2021
    Assignee: Akoustis, Inc.
    Inventors: Rohan W. Houlden, Jeffrey B. Shealy, Shawn R. Gibb, David Aichele
  • Patent number: 10957688
    Abstract: A method of manufacture and structure for a monolithic single chip single crystal device. The method can include forming a first single crystal epitaxial layer overlying the substrate and forming one or more second single crystal epitaxial layers overlying the first single crystal epitaxial layer. The first single crystal epitaxial layer and the one or more second single crystal epitaxial layers can be processed to form one or more active or passive device components. Through this process, the resulting device includes a monolithic epitaxial stack integrating multiple circuit functions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 23, 2021
    Assignee: Akoustis, Inc.
    Inventors: Shawn R. Gibb, David M. Aichele, Ramakrishna Vetury, Mark D. Boomgarden, Jeffrey B. Shealy
  • Patent number: 10931251
    Abstract: A method of manufacture for an acoustic resonator or filter device. In an example, the present method can include forming metal electrodes with different geometric areas and profile shapes coupled to a piezoelectric layer overlying a substrate. These metal electrodes can also be formed within cavities of the piezoelectric layer or the substrate with varying geometric areas. Combined with specific dimensional ratios and ion implantations, such techniques can increase device performance metrics. In an example, the present method can include forming various types of perimeter structures surrounding the metal electrodes, which can be on top or bottom of the piezoelectric layer. These perimeter structures can use various combinations of modifications to shape, material, and continuity. These perimeter structures can also be combined with sandbar structures, piezoelectric layer cavities, the geometric variations previously discussed to improve device performance metrics.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 23, 2021
    Assignee: Akoustis, Inc.
    Inventors: Ramakrishna Vetury, Alexander Y. Feldman, Michael D. Hodge, Art Geiss, Shawn R. Gibb, Mark D. Boomgarden, Michael P. Lewis, Pinal Patel, Jeffrey B. Shealy
  • Patent number: 10855250
    Abstract: A communication system using a single crystal acoustic resonator device. The device includes a piezoelectric substrate with a piezoelectric layer formed overlying a transfer substrate. A topside metal electrode is formed overlying the substrate. A topside micro-trench is formed within the piezoelectric layer. A topside metal with a topside metal plug is formed within the topside micro-trench. First and second backside cavities are formed within the transfer substrate under the topside metal electrode. A backside metal electrode is formed under the transfer substrate, within the first backside cavity, and under the topside metal electrode. A backside metal plug is formed under the transfer substrate, within the second backside cavity, and under the topside micro-trench. The backside metal plug is connected to the topside metal plug and the backside metal electrode. The topside micro-trench, the topside metal plug, the second backside cavity, and the backside metal plug form a micro-via.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 1, 2020
    Assignee: AKOUSTIS, INC.
    Inventors: Shawn R. Gibb, Ramakrishna Vetury, Jeffrey B. Shealy, Mark D. Boomgarden, Michael P. Lewis, Alexander Y. Feldman
  • Publication number: 20200274607
    Abstract: A front end module (FEM) for a 5.2 GHz Wi-Fi acoustic wave resonator RF filter circuit. The device can include a power amplifier (PA), a 5.2 GHz resonator, and a diversity switch. The device can further include a low noise amplifier (LNA). The PA is electrically coupled to an input node and can be configured to a DC power detector or an RF power detector. The resonator can be configured between the PA and the diversity switch, or between the diversity switch and an antenna. The LNA may be configured to the diversity switch or be electrically isolated from the switch. Another 5.2 GHZ resonator may be configured between the diversity switch and the LNA. In a specific example, this device integrates a 5.2 GHz PA, a 5.2 GHZ bulk acoustic wave (BAW) RF filter, a single pole two throw (SP2T) switch, and a bypassable LNA into a single device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 13, 2020
    Publication date: August 27, 2020
    Inventors: Jeffrey B. SHEALY, Rohan W. HOULDEN, Shawn R. GIBB, David M. AICHELE
  • Patent number: 10727811
    Abstract: In an array of single crystal acoustic resonators, the effective coupling coefficient of first and second strained single crystal filters are individually tailored in order to achieve desired frequency responses. In a duplexer embodiment, the effective coupling coefficient of a transmit band-pass filter is lower than the effective coupling coefficient of a receive band-pass filter of the same duplexer. The coefficients can be tailored by varying the ratio of the thickness of a piezoelectric layer to the total thickness of electrode layers or by forming a capacitor in parallel with an acoustic resonator within the filter for which the effective coupling coefficient is to be degraded. Further, a strained piezoelectric layer can be formed overlying a nucleation layer characterized by nucleation growth parameters, which can be configured to modulate a strain condition in the strained piezoelectric layer to adjust piezoelectric properties for improved performance in specific applications.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 28, 2020
    Assignee: Akoustis, Inc.
    Inventors: Jeffrey B. Shealy, Shawn R. Gibb
  • Patent number: 10700237
    Abstract: In various embodiments, light-emitting devices incorporate graded layers with compositional offsets at one or both end points of the graded layer to promote formation of two-dimensional carrier gases and polarization doping, thereby enhancing device performance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 4, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 30, 2020
    Assignee: CRYSTAL IS, INC.
    Inventors: Craig Moe, James R. Grandusky, Shawn R. Gibb, Leo J. Schowalter, Kosuke Sato, Tomohiro Morishita
  • Patent number: 10673513
    Abstract: A front end module (FEM) for a 5.2 GHz Wi-Fi acoustic wave resonator RF filter circuit. The device can include a power amplifier (PA), a 5.2 GHz resonator, and a diversity switch. The device can further include a low noise amplifier (LNA). The PA is electrically coupled to an input node and can be configured to a DC power detector or an RF power detector. The resonator can be configured between the PA and the diversity switch, or between the diversity switch and an antenna. The LNA may be configured to the diversity switch or be electrically isolated from the switch. Another 5.2 GHZ resonator may be configured between the diversity switch and the LNA. In a specific example, this device integrates a 5.2 GHz PA, a 5.2 GHZ bulk acoustic wave (BAW) RF filter, a single pole two throw (SP2T) switch, and a bypassable LNA into a single device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 2, 2020
    Assignee: Akoustis, Inc.
    Inventors: Jeffrey B. Shealy, Rohan W. Houlden, Shawn R. Gibb, David M. Aichele
  • Publication number: 20200169237
    Abstract: A method of manufacture for an acoustic resonator device. The method includes forming a nucleation layer characterized by nucleation growth parameters overlying a substrate and forming a strained piezoelectric layer overlying the nucleation layer. The strained piezoelectric layer is characterized by a strain condition and piezoelectric layer parameters. The process of forming the strained piezoelectric layer can include an epitaxial growth process configured by nucleation growth parameters and piezoelectric layer parameters to modulate the strain condition in the strained piezoelectric layer. By modulating the strain condition, the piezoelectric properties of the resulting piezoelectric layer can be adjusted and improved for specific applications.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 29, 2020
    Publication date: May 28, 2020
    Inventors: Shawn R. GIBB, Alexander Y. FELDMAN, Mark D. BOOMGARDEN, Michael P. LEWIS, Ramakrishna VETURY, Jeffrey B. SHEALY
  • Publication number: 20200119715
    Abstract: A method of manufacture and structure for an acoustic resonator device having a hybrid piezoelectric stack with a strained single crystal layer and a thermally-treated polycrystalline layer. The method can include forming a strained single crystal piezoelectric layer overlying the nucleation layer and having a strain condition and piezoelectric layer parameters, wherein the strain condition is modulated by nucleation growth parameters and piezoelectric layer parameters to improve one or more piezoelectric properties of the strained single crystal piezoelectric layer. Further, the method can include forming a polycrystalline piezoelectric layer overlying the strained single crystal piezoelectric layer, and performing a thermal treatment on the polycrystalline piezoelectric layer to form a recrystallized polycrystalline piezoelectric layer. The resulting device with this hybrid piezoelectric stack exhibits improved electromechanical coupling and wide bandwidth performance.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 10, 2019
    Publication date: April 16, 2020
    Inventors: Shawn R. GIBB, Craig MOE, Jeff LEATHERSICH, Steven DENBAARS, Jeffrey B. SHEALY
  • Patent number: 10615773
    Abstract: A system for a wireless communication infrastructure using single crystal devices. The wireless system can include a controller coupled to a power source, a signal processing module, and a plurality of transceiver modules. Each of the transceiver modules includes a transmit module configured on a transmit path and a receive module configured on a receive path. The transmit modules each include at least a transmit filter having one or more filter devices, while the receive modules each include at least a receive filter. Each of these filter devices includes a single crystal acoustic resonator device with at least a first electrode material, a single crystal material, and a second electrode material. Wireless infrastructures using the present single crystal technology perform better in high power density applications, enable higher out of band rejection (OOBR), and achieve higher linearity as well.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2020
    Assignee: Akoustis, Inc.
    Inventors: Ramakrishna Vetury, Shawn R. Gibb, Mark D. Boomgarden, Jeffrey B. Shealy
  • Patent number: 10581398
    Abstract: A method of manufacture for an acoustic resonator device. The method includes forming a nucleation layer characterized by nucleation growth parameters overlying a substrate and forming a strained piezoelectric layer overlying the nucleation layer. The strained piezoelectric layer is characterized by a strain condition and piezoelectric layer parameters. The process of forming the strained piezoelectric layer can include an epitaxial growth process configured by nucleation growth parameters and piezoelectric layer parameters to modulate the strain condition in the strained piezoelectric layer. By modulating the strain condition, the piezoelectric properties of the resulting piezoelectric layer can be adjusted and improved for specific applications.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2020
    Assignee: Akoustis, Inc.
    Inventors: Shawn R. Gibb, Alexander Y. Feldman, Mark D. Boomgarden, Michael P. Lewis, Ramakrishna Vetury, Jeffrey B. Shealy
  • Publication number: 20200067486
    Abstract: An acoustic resonator device and method thereof. The device includes a substrate member having an air cavity region. A piezoelectric layer is coupled to and configured overlying the substrate member and the air cavity region. The piezoelectric layer is configured to be characterized by an x-ray rocking curve Full Width at Half Maximum (FWHM) ranging from 0 degrees to 2 degrees. A top electrode is coupled to and configured overlying the piezoelectric layer, while a bottom electrode coupled to and configured underlying the piezoelectric layer within the air cavity region. The configuration of the materials of the piezoelectric layer and the substrate member to achieve the specific FWHM range improves a power handling capability characteristic and a power durability characteristic.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 27, 2019
    Publication date: February 27, 2020
    Inventors: Jeffrey B. SHEALY, Shawn R. GIBB, Rohan W. HOULDEN, Joel M. MORGAN
  • Publication number: 20200058491
    Abstract: In various embodiments, a semiconductor device includes an aluminum nitride single-crystal substrate, a pseudomorphic strained layer disposed thereover that comprises at least one of AN, GaN, InN, or an alloy thereof, and, disposed over the strained layer, a semiconductor layer that is lattice-mismatched to the substrate and substantially relaxed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 3, 2019
    Publication date: February 20, 2020
    Inventors: James R. Grandusky, Leo J. Schowalter, Shawn R. Gibb, Joseph A. Smart, Shiwen Liu