Patents by Inventor Timothy M. Hancock

Timothy M. Hancock 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: 9825659
    Abstract: A matching technique that may be used with electrically small antennas uses one or more digital circuit blocks connected in a feedback arrangement configured to tune the transfer function response between the antenna and an output port of the system. Each circuit block may include an analog-to-digital converter (ADC), a digital filter, and a digital-to-analog converter (DAC). As such, tuning the transfer function may be achieved by sensing a voltage or current at various circuit nodes using one or more ADCs, filtering the measurements in response-shaping digital filters, and using one or more DACs to drive other circuit nodes in a manner that elicits a desired circuit response. Techniques are provided for allowing a matched antenna to adapt to a changing environment about the antenna. In one illustrative embodiment, the digital circuit blocks may be provided as digital non-Foster circuit blocks.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2017
    Assignee: Massachusetts Institute of Technology
    Inventors: Frank C. Robey, Timothy M. Hancock, Gregory B. Stahl
  • Patent number: 9786633
    Abstract: A semiconductor structure includes a substrate having first and second opposing surfaces and a plurality of electrical connections extending between the first and second surfaces. The semiconductor structure also includes one or more interconnect pads having first and second opposing surfaces and one or more sides. The first surface of each one of the interconnect pads is disposed over or beneath select portions of at least the second surface of the substrate and is electrically coupled to select ones of the plurality of electrical connections. The semiconductor structure additionally includes an isolating layer having first and second opposing surfaces and openings formed in select portions of the isolating layer extending between the second surface of the isolating layer and the second surfaces of the interconnect pads. A corresponding method for fabricating a semiconductor structure is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2017
    Assignee: Massachusetts Institute of Technology
    Inventors: Rabindra N. Das, Peter G. Murphy, Karen E. Magoon, Noyan Kinayman, Michael J. Barbieri, Timothy M. Hancock, Mark A. Gouker
  • Publication number: 20170098627
    Abstract: A semiconductor structure includes a substrate having first and second opposing surfaces and a plurality of electrical connections extending between the first and second surfaces. The semiconductor structure also includes one or more interconnect pads having first and second opposing surfaces and one or more sides. The first surface of each one of the interconnect pads is disposed over or beneath select portions of at least the second surface of the substrate and is electrically coupled to select ones of the plurality of electrical connections. The semiconductor structure additionally includes an isolating layer having first and second opposing surfaces and openings formed in select portions of the isolating layer extending between the second surface of the isolating layer and the second surfaces of the interconnect pads. A corresponding method for fabricating a semiconductor structure is also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 23, 2015
    Publication date: April 6, 2017
    Inventors: Rabindra N. Das, Peter G. Murphy, Karen E. Magoon, Noyan Kinayman, Michael J. Barbieri, Timothy M. Hancock, Mark A. Gouker
  • Publication number: 20160218759
    Abstract: A matching technique that may be used with electrically small antennas uses one or more digital circuit blocks connected in a feedback arrangement configured to tune the transfer function response between the antenna and an output port of the system. Each circuit block may include an analog-to-digital converter (ADC), a digital filter, and a digital-to-analog converter (DAC). As such, tuning the transfer function may be achieved by sensing a voltage or current at various circuit nodes using one or more ADCs, filtering the measurements in response-shaping digital filters, and using one or more DACs to drive other circuit nodes in a manner that elicits a desired circuit response. Techniques are provided for allowing a matched antenna to adapt to a changing environment about the antenna. In one illustrative embodiment, the digital circuit blocks may be provided as digital non-Foster circuit blocks.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 2, 2015
    Publication date: July 28, 2016
    Inventors: Frank C. Robey, Timothy M. Hancock, Gregory B. Stahl