Patents by Inventor Thomas E. Collins, III

Thomas E. Collins, III 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: 12464263
    Abstract: A neuromorphic focal plane array ROIC device for temporal and spatial synchronous and asynchronous image event processing comprising a plurality of pixels, each pixel comprising an input section comprising a Sample and Hold (SH) component; a low offset buffer/comparator section comprising a Switched Capacitor Filter (SCF); and a digital event output section comprising an analog pixel bus whereby temporal and spatial image data are synchronously and asynchronously processed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2023
    Date of Patent: November 4, 2025
    Assignee: BAE Systems Information and Electronic Systems Integration Inc.
    Inventors: Allen W. Hairston, Thomas E. Collins, III
  • Patent number: 11558574
    Abstract: A system for providing high resolution image output for pilotage and two color operation for threat detection is disclosed. The system comprises a focal plane array comprising a plurality of pixels arranged into groups of equal numbers, wherein each pixel comprises at least two detectors for receiving electromagnetic energy and a readout integrated circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2023
    Assignee: BAE Systems Information and Electronic Systems Integration Inc.
    Inventors: Allen W. Hairston, Thomas E. Collins, III
  • Patent number: 11523083
    Abstract: Techniques, systems, architectures, and methods for reducing peak power during an Analog-to-Digital Conversion (ADC) process, in embodiments on a Focal Plane Array (FPA).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2022
    Assignee: BAE Systems Information and Electronic Systems Integration Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas E. Collins, III, Dimitre P Dimitrov, Allen W. Hairston
  • Patent number: 11176338
    Abstract: Techniques and architecture are disclosed for allowing the provenance of an integrated circuit to be verified using a dielet in wireless communication with a die through a near-field communications protocol where the positions of the dielet and die are fixed relative to one another during manufacturing such that their respective means for wirelessly communicating with one another are aligned.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 16, 2021
    Assignee: BAE Systems Information and Electronic Systems Integration Inc.
    Inventor: Thomas E. Collins, III
  • Publication number: 20210250536
    Abstract: Techniques, systems, architectures, and methods for reducing peak power during an Analog-to-Digital Conversion (ADC) process, in embodiments on a Focal Plane Array (FPA).
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 11, 2020
    Publication date: August 12, 2021
    Applicant: BAE SYSTEMS Information and Electronic Systems Integration Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas E. Collins, III, Dimitre P. Dimitrov, Allen W. Hairston
  • Patent number: 10056905
    Abstract: Techniques are provided for a physically unclonable function (PUF) device. One example PUF device includes, a readout integrated circuit (ROIC) (such as a ROIC for a focal plane array or other imaging application), a nanomaterial-based PUF layer on the ROIC, and a common electrode on the PUF layer. The nanomaterial is randomly distributed throughout the PUF layer. A method of using a PUF device that includes a nanomaterial-based PUF layer coupled to a ROIC, where the nanomaterial is randomly distributed throughout the PUF layer, includes driving the ROIC at a plurality of locations coupled to a corresponding plurality of locations of the PUF layer, sensing the nanomaterial at the locations of the PUF layer, and generating a unique identification key from the sensed locations of the PUF layer. The method can be used, for example, for secure decryption or for identifying or authenticating the PUF device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2018
    Assignee: BAE Systems Information and Electronic Systems Integration Inc.
    Inventors: Michael J. Bowers, II, Pierre-Alain S. Auroux, Thomas E. Collins, III, James A. Stobie
  • Patent number: 9046565
    Abstract: Techniques for performing built-in self-test (BIST) of performance of an RF system are disclosed. The techniques may be used, for example, for measuring distortion generated by the RF system under test, detecting faults in the system, determining calibration of the system, and/or assisting in compensating analog circuitry that is sensitive to temperature, supply voltage, and/or process variations. Also, a BIST architecture for determining RF performance of an RF systems is disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 2, 2015
    Assignee: BAE Systems Information and Electronic Systems Integration Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas E. Collins, III, Gregory M. Flewelling
  • Patent number: 8583049
    Abstract: Techniques are disclosed for optimization of RF converters. The techniques can be employed, for instance, in RF converters implemented in semiconductor materials (system-on-chip, or chip set) or with discrete components on a printed circuit board. In any such cases, the RF converter system can be configured with one or more actuators to adjust performance, one or more sensor to assess the performance (e.g., linearity of RF converter) and parameters of interest (e.g., ambient temperature, and a control block for controlling the sensors and actuators. The configuration allows the RF converter to autonomously self-optimize for linearity or other parameters of interest such as gain, noise figure, and dynamic range, across a broad range of variables.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2013
    Assignee: BAE Systems Information and Electronic Systems Integration Inc.
    Inventor: Thomas E. Collins, III
  • Patent number: 8514020
    Abstract: A feedforward linearizer device is disclosed. The device includes a main amplifier, and a linearizing amplifier operatively coupled to the main amplifier. A first reference generator is operatively coupled to the main amplifier by a first reference node. A second reference generator is operatively coupled to the linearizing amplifier by a second reference node, and is configured to cause an optimal linearizing amplifier output current for each of a plurality of temperatures. In one such case, the second reference generator is configured to cause an optimal linearizing amplifier output current for each of a plurality of temperatures based on a corresponding optimal ratio of main amplifier output current and linearizing amplifier output current. The linearizing amplifier may be configured with a tunable current source that is controlled by the second reference generator, or a current source having a fixed total transistor area (not tunable).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2013
    Assignee: BAE Systems Information and Electronic Systems Integration Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas E. Collins, III, Gregory M. Flewelling
  • Publication number: 20130049869
    Abstract: A feedforward linearizer device is disclosed. The device includes a main amplifier, and a linearizing amplifier operatively coupled to the main amplifier. A first reference generator is operatively coupled to the main amplifier by a first reference node. A second reference generator is operatively coupled to the linearizing amplifier by a second reference node, and is configured to cause an optimal linearizing amplifier output current for each of a plurality of temperatures. In one such case, the second reference generator is configured to cause an optimal linearizing amplifier output current for each of a plurality of temperatures based on a corresponding optimal ratio of main amplifier output current and linearizing amplifier output current. The linearizing amplifier may be configured with a tunable current source that is controlled by the second reference generator, or a current source having a fixed total transistor area (not tunable).
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 29, 2011
    Publication date: February 28, 2013
    Applicant: BAE SYSTEMS Information And Electronic Systems Intergration Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas E. Collins, III, Gregory M. Flewelling
  • Publication number: 20130049780
    Abstract: Techniques for performing built-in self-test (BIST) of performance of an RF system are disclosed. The techniques may be used, for example, for measuring distortion generated by the RF system under test, detecting faults in the system, determining calibration of the system, and/or assisting in compensating analog circuitry that is sensitive to temperature, supply voltage, and/or process variations. Also, a BIST architecture for determining RF performance of an RF systems is disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 29, 2011
    Publication date: February 28, 2013
    Applicant: BAE SYSTEMS Information and Electonic Systems Integration Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas E. Collins, III, Gregory M. Flewelling
  • Patent number: 8135372
    Abstract: Techniques are disclosed for eliminating or otherwise sufficiently suppressing spurious signals. The techniques are particularly useful in applications such as those that employ aggressor frequency sources along with a frequency conversion or mixing function, and especially applications implemented as a system-on-chip. In the spur-training mode, a spur-canceller circuit identifies spurious tones associated with the host system to neutralize those tones when running in a normal mode. The tones are neutralized using a comb generator with variable phase and gain by way of cancellation with comb output signals having substantially the same amplitude and a phase that is 180° out of phase with the aggressor tone to be cancelled.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2012
    Assignee: BAE Systems Information and Elecronic Systems Integration Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas E. Collins, III, Douglas S. Jansen
  • Publication number: 20110059714
    Abstract: Techniques are disclosed for eliminating or otherwise sufficiently suppressing spurious signals. The techniques are particularly useful in applications such as those that employ aggressor frequency sources along with a frequency conversion or mixing function, and especially applications implemented as a system-on-chip. In the spur-training mode, a spur-canceller circuit identifies spurious tones associated with the host system to neutralize those tones when running in a normal mode. The tones are neutralized using a comb generator with variable phase and gain by way of cancellation with comb output signals having substantially the same amplitude and a phase that is 180° out of phase with the aggressor tone to be cancelled.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 8, 2009
    Publication date: March 10, 2011
    Applicant: BAE SYSTEMS Information and Electronic Systems Integration Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas E. Collins, III, Douglas S. Jansen
  • Publication number: 20110059709
    Abstract: Techniques are disclosed for optimization of RF converters. The techniques can be employed, for instance, in RF converters implemented in semiconductor materials (system-on-chip, or chip set) or with discrete components on a printed circuit board. In any such cases, the RF converter system can be configured with one or more actuators to adjust performance, one or more sensor to assess the performance (e.g., linearity of RF converter) and parameters of interest (e.g., ambient temperature, and a control block for controlling the sensors and actuators. The configuration allows the RF converter to autonomously self-optimize for linearity or other parameters of interest such as gain, noise figure, and dynamic range, across a broad range of variables.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 8, 2009
    Publication date: March 10, 2011
    Applicant: BAE SYSTEMS Information and Electronics Systems Integration Inc.
    Inventor: Thomas E. Collins, III