Patents by Inventor Sy Prestwich

Sy Prestwich 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: 10996328
    Abstract: A mainlobe detection process can include a number of tests that are performed to define when the monopulse antenna system will transition from open loop scanning to closed loop scanning and then to tracking. A hybrid tracking technique is also provided which adaptively discovers and corrects for phase alignment error. Magnitude-only tracking can be performed initially to locate the nulls in the azimuth and elevation ratios and to identify the magnitudes of these ratios at these nulls. Phase tracking can be then performed. During phase tracking, phase corrections can be repeatedly applied to the azimuth and elevation difference channels to correct any phase error that may exist. During this process, the magnitudes of the ratios can be used to determine how the phase corrections should be adjusted. Once the hybrid tracking process is complete, the monopulse antenna system is properly phase-aligned and phase tracking will be correctly employed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 4, 2021
    Assignee: L-3 Communications Corp.
    Inventors: Sy Prestwich, Jeffrey B. Bench, Richard A. McNamee
  • Publication number: 20200166629
    Abstract: A mainlobe detection process can include a number of tests that are performed to define when the monopulse antenna system will transition from open loop scanning to closed loop scanning and then to tracking. A hybrid tracking technique is also provided which adaptively discovers and corrects for phase alignment error. Magnitude-only tracking can be performed initially to locate the nulls in the azimuth and elevation ratios and to identify the magnitudes of these ratios at these nulls. Phase tracking can be then performed. During phase tracking, phase corrections can be repeatedly applied to the azimuth and elevation difference channels to correct any phase error that may exist. During this process, the magnitudes of the ratios can be used to determine how the phase corrections should be adjusted. Once the hybrid tracking process is complete, the monopulse antenna system is properly phase-aligned and phase tracking will be correctly employed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 22, 2020
    Publication date: May 28, 2020
    Inventors: Sy Prestwich, Jeffrey B. Bench, Richard A. McNamee
  • Patent number: 10591591
    Abstract: A mainlobe detection process can include a number of tests that are performed to define when the monopulse antenna system will transition from open loop scanning to closed loop scanning and then to tracking. A hybrid tracking technique is also provided which adaptively discovers and corrects for phase alignment error. Magnitude-only tracking can be performed initially to locate the nulls in the azimuth and elevation ratios and to identify the magnitudes of these ratios at these nulls. Phase tracking can be then performed. During phase tracking, phase corrections can be repeatedly applied to the azimuth and elevation difference channels to correct any phase error that may exist. During this process, the magnitudes of the ratios can be used to determine how the phase corrections should be adjusted. Once the hybrid tracking process is complete, the monopulse antenna system is properly phase-aligned and phase tracking will be correctly employed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2020
    Assignee: L-3 Communications Corp.
    Inventors: Sy Prestwich, Jeffrey B Bench, Richard A McNamee
  • Patent number: 10495730
    Abstract: A monopulse antenna system can include a monopulse detector assembly (MDA) that is configured to steer a monopulse antenna based on the magnitude of an elevation ratio or azimuth ratio independently of the phase of the ratio. To prevent the direction of the monopulse antenna from being changed too frequently, the MDA can employ ratio bins to determine when the direction of the monopulse antenna should be reversed. Also, the MDA may enforce a hold period during which a change in the direction of the monopulse antenna will not be performed. The MDA can employ one or more mapping equations to generate a steering signal as a function of the magnitude of the ratio. The mapping equations can be selectively employed based on whether tracking is being performed at or near the ratio null.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 3, 2019
    Assignee: L-3 Communications Corp.
    Inventors: Jeffrey B Bench, Sy Prestwich
  • Patent number: 10481253
    Abstract: A monopulse tracker includes multiple dual-axis monopulse antenna systems that are angled with respect to one another. The orientations of the monopulse antenna systems create a much larger field of view for the monopulse tracker to eliminate the need to steer the monopulse tracker. The monopulse tracker can be configured to estimate a position of an object based on tracking information received from more than one monopulse antenna system therefore increasing the accuracy of the estimated position. The multiple monopulse antenna systems can be arranged in a low-profile housing to facilitate use of the monopulse tracker on aircraft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2019
    Assignee: L-3 Communications Corp.
    Inventors: Michael C Hollenbeck, Sy Prestwich, Jeffrey B Bench
  • Patent number: 10324176
    Abstract: A mainlobe detection process can include a number of tests that are performed to define when the monopulse antenna system will transition from open loop scanning to closed loop scanning and then to tracking. A hybrid tracking technique is also provided which adaptively discovers and corrects for phase alignment error. Magnitude-only tracking can be performed initially to locate the nulls in the azimuth and elevation ratios and to identify the magnitudes of these ratios at these nulls. Phase tracking can be then performed. During phase tracking, phase corrections can be repeatedly applied to the azimuth and elevation difference channels to correct any phase error that may exist. During this process, the magnitudes of the ratios can be used to determine how the phase corrections should be adjusted. Once the hybrid tracking process is complete, the monopulse antenna system is properly phase-aligned and phase tracking will be correctly employed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 18, 2019
    Assignee: L-3 COMMUNICATIONS CORP.
    Inventors: Jeffrey B Bench, Sy Prestwich, Michael B Hollenbeck
  • Patent number: 9746545
    Abstract: Systems and method for detecting and removing an arbitrary phase difference between a sum channel signal and a difference channel signal in a monopulse system. A sum channel signal is received from a sum channel signal source and a difference channel signal is received from a difference channel signal source. The difference channel signal is shifted according to various potential arbitrary phase differences ?i and ?i+? (where ?i is from 0 to ? radians, i=0, 1, . . . , n; ?i+? going from ? to 2? radians) between the sum and difference channel signals to thereby generate difference channel signals each having a different phase. The difference channels having a different phase are combined with the sum channel signal to generate a plurality of sum+difference signals and sum?difference signals. Based on the plurality of sum+difference signals and sum?difference signals, maximum in-phase and out-of-phase correlations are determined from the ?i and ?i+? pairs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2017
    Assignee: L3 Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Sy Prestwich, Jeffrey B Bench, Richard A McNamee, Scott M. Lyon
  • Patent number: 8068799
    Abstract: A radio frequency (RF) receiver system that is configured to achieve high dynamic range may include at least one antenna and a plurality of receivers connected to the at least one antenna. The plurality of antennas may be configured to provide different gains. The RF receiver system may include an analog-to-digital (A/D) converter subsystem connected to the plurality of receivers. The A/D converter subsystem may include a plurality of A/D converters. An overall digitization range of the A/D converter subsystem may be greater than a digitization range of any of the plurality of A/D converters individually. The overall digitization range of the A/D converter subsystem may be sufficiently large so as to accommodate a desired dynamic range of the RF receiver system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2011
    Assignee: Recon Dynamics, LLC
    Inventors: Sy Prestwich, Scott Bevan
  • Patent number: 7969348
    Abstract: A wide area location and telemetry system may include a wide area location and telemetry system server that is configured to determine wide area location and telemetry system data about an object when the object is located within the coverage area of the wide area location and telemetry system. The wide area location and telemetry system server may also be configured to receive localized location and telemetry system data about the object when the object is located within the coverage area of a localized location and telemetry system. The wide area location and telemetry system may also include a database and a database manager. The database manager may be configured to store the wide area location and telemetry system data and the localized location and telemetry system data in the database.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2011
    Assignee: Recon Dynamics, LLC
    Inventors: James R. Baker, Sy Prestwich, Scott Bevan
  • Patent number: 7796675
    Abstract: A device for site monitoring is disclosed. The device may include a communication interface configured to receive site monitoring data from a site monitoring system. The communication interface may also be configured to wirelessly transmit the site monitoring data to a base station. The site monitoring data may include a device identification. The device also may include a processor and memory. The memory also may include two pseudonoise (PN) codes, namely a first PN code and a second PN code. The site monitoring data may be received from the site monitoring system. The site monitoring data may be spread using the first PN code to provide first spread site monitoring data. The first spread site monitoring data may be spread using the second PN code to provide second spread site monitoring data. The second spread site monitoring data may be transmitted using a burst direct sequence spread spectrum radio signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 14, 2010
    Assignee: Recon Dynamics, LLC
    Inventors: David Carter, Sy Prestwich, James R. Baker, Scott Bevan
  • Patent number: 7606288
    Abstract: A system for wireless asset tracking is disclosed. The system includes a plurality of mobile devices. Each mobile device performs two spreading operations with two distinct PN codes, a first PN code and a second PN code. Data is transmitted by each mobile device using a burst direct sequence spread spectrum radio signal. The system also includes at least three base stations. Each base station is configured to receive the burst direct sequence spread spectrum radio signals from the mobile devices which includes decoding the signals by first de-spreading with the second PN code and second de-spreading with the first PN code. Each base station is further configured to add a timestamp to each data packet received. A system for calculating the location of the mobile devices creates location information for each mobile device by calculating the time difference of arrival of received bursts for each base station.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 20, 2009
    Assignee: S5 Wireless, Inc.
    Inventors: Sy Prestwich, Scott Bevan, Dirk Ostermiller, K. Deric Eldredge
  • Patent number: 7539235
    Abstract: A spread spectrum communications system using long, scalable PN sequences to achieve variable communication rates using a low-complexity and scalable matched filter architecture to provide a large processing gain, robust recovery of multiple devices in long reach, high ambient-noise environments.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 26, 2009
    Assignee: S5 Wireless, Inc.
    Inventors: W. Kurt Dobson, Dirk Ostermiller, Sy Prestwich, Scott Bevan
  • Publication number: 20090115608
    Abstract: A wide area location and telemetry system may include a wide area location and telemetry system server that is configured to determine wide area location and telemetry system data about an object when the object is located within the coverage area of the wide area location and telemetry system. The wide area location and telemetry system server may also be configured to receive localized location and telemetry system data about the object when the object is located within the coverage area of a localized location and telemetry system. The wide area location and telemetry system may also include a database and a database manager. The database manager may be configured to store the wide area location and telemetry system data and the localized location and telemetry system data in the database.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 2, 2007
    Publication date: May 7, 2009
    Applicant: S5 Wireless, Inc.
    Inventors: James R. Baker, Sy Prestwich, Scott Bevan
  • Publication number: 20080254777
    Abstract: A mobile device that facilitates automatic generation of metadata about data that is collected by the mobile device may include a processor and memory in electronic communication with the processor. Instructions may be stored in the memory. The instructions may be executable to collect data and to create an identifier that corresponds to the data that is collected. The instructions may also be executable to transmit a wireless communication signal that comprises the identifier. Transmitting the wireless communication signal may facilitate communication of the identifier to a location and telemetry system and may facilitate determination of metadata about the data by the location and telemetry system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 10, 2007
    Publication date: October 16, 2008
    Applicant: S5 Wireless, Inc.
    Inventors: Kenneth A. Arneson, Sy Prestwich, James R. Baker
  • Publication number: 20070291821
    Abstract: A spread spectrum communications system using long, scalable PN sequences to achieve variable communication rates using a low-complexity and scalable matched filter architecture to provide a large processing gain, robust recovery of multiple devices in long reach, high ambient-noise environments.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 4, 2007
    Publication date: December 20, 2007
    Applicant: S5 Wireless, Inc.
    Inventors: W. Dobson, Dirk Ostermiller, Sy Prestwich, Scott Bevan
  • Patent number: 7280579
    Abstract: A transmitter for a spread spectrum communications system may include a data source, a first multiplier/mixer spreading data from said data source with a first pseudo noise source, a second multiplier/mixer spreading data from said first mixer with a second pseudo noise source, and an RF transmitter. A receiver for a spread spectrum communications system may include an RF receiver, a first matched filter receiving data from said RF receiver, a plurality of phase/frequency shifters receiving a signal from said first matched filter, a plurality of second matched filters receiving data from said plurality of phase/frequency shifters, and an equalizer/decoder receiving signals from said plurality of second matched filters.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2007
    Inventors: W. Kurt Dobson, Dirk Ostermiller, Sy Prestwich, Scott Bevan
  • Patent number: 7236510
    Abstract: A spread spectrum communications system adapted to receive simultaneous signals from multiple transmitters, separates frequency error and equalizes and decodes continuous streams of data sets from a plurality of matched filters with frequency correction and which sorts through data and successfully decodes data bits. The spread spectrum communications system includes a transmitter and a receiver. The receiver includes an RF receiver. At least one PNB matched filter receives signals from the RF receiver. A plurality of frequency shifters receives a signal from the at least one PNB matched filter. A plurality of PNA matched filters receives data from the at least one PNB matched filter and the plurality of frequency shifters. An equalizer/decoder receives signals from the plurality of PNA matched filters.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2007
    Assignee: S5 Wireless, Inc.
    Inventors: W. Kurt Dobson, Dirk Ostermiller, Sy Prestwich, Scott Bevan
  • Publication number: 20060268961
    Abstract: A system for wireless asset tracking is disclosed. The system includes a plurality of mobile devices. Each mobile device performs two spreading operations with two distinct PN codes, a first PN code and a second PN code. Data is transmitted by each mobile device using a burst direct sequence spread spectrum radio signal. The system also includes at least three base stations. Each base station is configured to receive the burst direct sequence spread spectrum radio signals from the mobile devices which includes decoding the signals by first de-spreading with the second PN code and second de-spreading with the first PN code. Each base station is further configured to add a timestamp to each data packet received. A system for calculating the location of the mobile devices creates location information for each mobile device by calculating the time difference of arrival of received bursts for each base station.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 27, 2005
    Publication date: November 30, 2006
    Inventors: Sy Prestwich, Scott Bevan, Dirk Ostermiller, K. Eldredge
  • Publication number: 20060245481
    Abstract: A spread spectrum communications system using long, scalable PN sequences to achieve variable communication rates using a low-complexity and scalable matched filter architecture to provide a large processing gain, robust recovery of multiple devices in long reach, high ambient-noise environments.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 28, 2006
    Publication date: November 2, 2006
    Inventors: W. Dobson, Dirk Ostermiller, Sy Prestwich, Scott Bevan
  • Patent number: 7092426
    Abstract: A spread spectrum communications system uses long, scalable PN sequences to achieve variable communication rates. A low-complexity and scalable matched filter architecture is used to provide a large processing gain and robust recovery of multiple devices in long reach, high ambient-noise environments. The spread spectrum communications system includes a transmitter and a receiver. The receiver includes an RF receiver and a first matched filter receiving data from the RF receiver. A plurality of phase/frequency shifters receives a signal from the first matched filter. A plurality of second matched filters receive data from the plurality of phase/frequency shifters. An equalizer/decoder receives signals from the plurality of phase/frequency shifters.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2006
    Assignee: S5 Wireless, Inc.
    Inventors: W. Kurt Dobson, Dirk Ostermiller, Sy Prestwich, Scott Bevan