Patents by Inventor Tom Heller
Tom Heller 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).
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Publication number: 20240072437Abstract: A radiation pattern of a phased array antenna, comprising a plurality of antenna elements, may be dynamically modified using phase shifters to apply variable phase shifts between antenna elements. In a phased array antenna designed for airborne applications, the phase shifters may be required to enable a fine phase-shifting resolution and to operate over a wide temperature range. The phase shifters may also be required to perform while exhibiting small process variations, small form factor, low power consumption, and low loss. One possible solution to this is a passive vector-interpolating phase shifter configured to exhibit such characteristics.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 6, 2023Publication date: February 29, 2024Inventors: Nir Sharvit, Tom Heller
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Patent number: 11914022Abstract: In an illustrative integrated circuit, a chirp generator provides a chirp signal having linearly-ramped chirp intervals, while a shift frequency generator provides a signal having a different shift frequency during each of multiple segments in each chirp interval. A modulator combines the signals to derive a segmented chirp signal having multiple linearly-ramped chirp segments in each chirp interval. The modulator may be a single sideband modulator to provide frequency up-shifted and frequency down-shifted chirp segments. The segmented chirp signal may be suppressed during resettling intervals of the original chirp signal.Type: GrantFiled: April 9, 2023Date of Patent: February 27, 2024Assignee: Ay Dee Kay LLCInventor: Tom Heller
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Patent number: 11879961Abstract: An improved circuit configuration is disclosed for calibrating and/or verifying the operation of phase shifters in a phased array radar system. In one illustrative embodiment, a method includes: (i) programming a set of phase shifters to convert a radio frequency signal into a set of channel signals; (ii) splitting off a monitor signal from each channel signal while coupling the set of channel signals to a set of antenna feeds; and (iii) while taking the monitor signals in pairs associated with adjacent channels, measuring a relative phase between each pair of monitor signals.Type: GrantFiled: December 13, 2021Date of Patent: January 23, 2024Assignee: Ay Dee Kay LLCInventors: Tom Heller, Oded Katz, Danny Elad, Benny Sheinman
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Publication number: 20230417871Abstract: Disclosed active reflector apparatus and methods that inhibit self-induced oscillation. One illustrative apparatus embodiment includes an amplifier and an adjustable phase shifter. The amplifier amplifies a receive signal to generate a transmit signal, the transmit signal causing interference with the receive signal. The adjustable phase shifter modifies the phase of the transmit signal relative to that of the receive signal to inhibit oscillation. A controller may periodically test a range of settings for the adjustable phase shifter to identify undesirable phase shifts prone to self-induced oscillation, and may maintain the phase shift setting at a value that inhibits oscillation.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 8, 2023Publication date: December 28, 2023Applicant: AyDeeKay LLC dba Indie SemiconductorInventors: Tom Heller, Danny Elad
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Publication number: 20230358876Abstract: In an illustrative integrated circuit, a chirp generator provides a chirp signal having linearly-ramped chirp intervals, while a shift frequency generator provides a signal having a different shift frequency during each of multiple segments in each chirp interval. A modulator combines the signals to derive a segmented chirp signal having multiple linearly-ramped chirp segments in each chirp interval. The modulator may be a single sideband modulator to provide frequency up-shifted and frequency down-shifted chirp segments. The segmented chirp signal may be suppressed during resettling intervals of the original chirp signal.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 9, 2023Publication date: November 9, 2023Applicant: AyDeeKay LLC dba Indie SemiconductorInventor: Tom Heller
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Patent number: 11791781Abstract: A split-steer amplifier with an invertible phase output, includes a first transistor having its base coupled to a positive node of an input port, its emitter coupled to ground, and collector connected to a positive intermediate node; a second transistor having its base coupled to a negative node of the input port, its emitter coupled to ground, and collector connected to a negative intermediate node; and multiple output ports each having a transistor arrangement operable to couple a positive node of that output port to the positive intermediate node and a negative node of that output port to the negative intermediate node, operable to couple the positive node of that output port to the negative intermediate node and the negative node of that output port to the positive intermediate node, and operable to decouple the positive node and the negative node of that output port from the intermediate nodes.Type: GrantFiled: September 3, 2022Date of Patent: October 17, 2023Inventors: Tom Heller, Yanir Schwartz, Oded Katz
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Patent number: 11789117Abstract: Disclosed active reflector apparatus and methods that inhibit self-induced oscillation. One illustrative apparatus embodiment includes an amplifier and an adjustable phase shifter. The amplifier amplifies a receive signal to generate a transmit signal, the transmit signal causing interference with the receive signal. The adjustable phase shifter modifies the phase of the transmit signal relative to that of the receive signal to inhibit oscillation. A controller may periodically test a range of settings for the adjustable phase shifter to identify undesirable phase shifts prone to self-induced oscillation, and may maintain the phase shift setting at a value that inhibits oscillation.Type: GrantFiled: September 27, 2018Date of Patent: October 17, 2023Assignee: Ay Dee Kay LLCInventors: Tom Heller, Danny Elad
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Patent number: 11784409Abstract: A radiation pattern of a phased array antenna, comprising a plurality of antenna elements, may be dynamically modified using phase shifters to apply variable phase shifts between antenna elements. In a phased array antenna designed for airborne applications, the phase shifters may be required to enable a fine phase-shifting resolution and to operate over a wide temperature range. The phase shifters may also be required to perform while exhibiting small process variations, small form factor, low power consumption, and low loss. One possible solution to this is a passive vector-interpolating phase shifter configured to exhibit such characteristics.Type: GrantFiled: April 5, 2022Date of Patent: October 10, 2023Assignee: Gilat Satellite Networks Ltd.Inventors: Nir Sharvit, Tom Heller
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Patent number: 11709247Abstract: In an illustrative integrated circuit, a chirp generator provides a chirp signal having linearly-ramped chirp intervals, while a shift frequency generator provides a signal having a different shift frequency during each of multiple segments in each chirp interval. A modulator combines the signals to derive a segmented chirp signal having multiple linearly-ramped chirp segments in each chirp interval. The modulator may be a single sideband modulator to provide frequency up-shifted and frequency down-shifted chirp segments. The segmented chirp signal may be suppressed during resettling intervals of the original chirp signal.Type: GrantFiled: September 22, 2020Date of Patent: July 25, 2023Assignee: Ay Dee Kay LLCInventor: Tom Heller
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Publication number: 20230075143Abstract: A split-steer amplifier with an invertible phase output, includes a first transistor having its base coupled to a positive node of an input port, its emitter coupled to ground, and collector connected to a positive intermediate node; a second transistor having its base coupled to a negative node of the input port, its emitter coupled to ground, and collector connected to a negative intermediate node; and multiple output ports each having a transistor arrangement operable to couple a positive node of that output port to the positive intermediate node and a negative node of that output port to the negative intermediate node, operable to couple the positive node of that output port to the negative intermediate node and the negative node of that output port to the positive intermediate node, and operable to decouple the positive node and the negative node of that output port from the intermediate nodes.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 3, 2022Publication date: March 9, 2023Applicant: AyDeeKay LLC dba Indie SemiconductorInventors: Tom Heller, Yanir Schwartz, Oded Katz
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Patent number: 11573290Abstract: Illustrative methods and circuits to verify operation of phase shifters. One illustrative method includes: obtaining a first set of in-phase and quadrature components (I1,Q1) of a phase shifter output signal with a first setting; measuring a second set of components (I2,Q2) with a second setting, the second setting being offset from the first by a predetermined phase difference; and combining the first and second sets to determine whether their relationship corresponds to the predetermined phase difference. An illustrative transmitter includes: a phase shifter, an I/Q mixer, and a processing circuit. The phase shifter converts a transmit signal into an output signal having a programmable phase shift. The I/Q mixer mixes the output signal with a reference signal to obtain in-phase and quadrature components of the output signal. The processing circuit is coupled to the I/Q mixer implement the disclosed method.Type: GrantFiled: September 3, 2020Date of Patent: February 7, 2023Assignee: AyDee Kay LLCInventors: Tom Heller, Michael Grubman, Yaniv Maroz, Oded Katz
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Publication number: 20220373675Abstract: Automotive radar methods and systems for enhancing resistance to interference using a built-in self-test (BIST) module. In one illustrative embodiment, an automotive radar transceiver includes: a signal generator that generates a transmit signal; a modulator that derives a modulated signal from the transmit signal using at least one of phase and amplitude modulation; at least one receiver that mixes the transmit signal with a receive signal to produce a down-converted signal, the receive signal including the modulated signal during a built-in self-test (BIST) mode of operation; and at least one transmitter that drives a radar antenna with a selectable one of the transmit signal and the modulated signal.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 9, 2022Publication date: November 24, 2022Applicant: AyDeeKay LLC dba Indie SemiconductorInventor: Tom Heller
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Patent number: 11469720Abstract: A split-steer amplifier with an invertible phase output, includes a first transistor having its base coupled to a positive node of an input port, its emitter coupled to ground, and collector connected to a positive intermediate node; a second transistor having its base coupled to a negative node of the input port, its emitter coupled to ground, and collector connected to a negative intermediate node; and multiple output ports each having a transistor arrangement operable to couple a positive node of that output port to the positive intermediate node and a negative node of that output port to the negative intermediate node, operable to couple the positive node of that output port to the negative intermediate node and the negative node of that output port to the positive intermediate node, and operable to decouple the positive node and the negative node of that output port from the intermediate nodes.Type: GrantFiled: September 3, 2020Date of Patent: October 11, 2022Assignee: AyDee Kay LLCInventors: Tom Heller, Yanir Schwartz, Oded Katz
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Publication number: 20220285838Abstract: A radiation pattern of a phased array antenna, comprising a plurality of antenna elements, may be dynamically modified using phase shifters to apply variable phase shifts between antenna elements. In a phased array antenna designed for airborne applications, the phase shifters may be required to enable a fine phase-shifting resolution and to operate over a wide temperature range. The phase shifters may also be required to perform while exhibiting small process variations, small form factor, low power consumption, and low loss. One possible solution to this is a passive vector-interpolating phase shifter configured to exhibit such characteristics.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 5, 2022Publication date: September 8, 2022Inventors: Nir Sharvit, Tom Heller
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Publication number: 20220229166Abstract: An improved circuit configuration is disclosed for calibrating and/or verifying the operation of phase shifters in a phased array radar system. In one illustrative embodiment, a method includes: (i) programming a set of phase shifters to convert a radio frequency signal into a set of channel signals; (ii) splitting off a monitor signal from each channel signal while coupling the set of channel signals to a set of antenna feeds; and (iii) while taking the monitor signals in pairs associated with adjacent channels, measuring a relative phase between each pair of monitor signals.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 13, 2021Publication date: July 21, 2022Applicant: Ay Dee Kay LLC dba Indie SemiconductorInventors: Tom Heller, Oded Katz, Danny Elad, Benny Sheinman
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Patent number: 11385322Abstract: Automotive radar methods and systems for enhancing resistance to interference using a built-in self-test (BIST) module. In one illustrative embodiment, an automotive radar transceiver includes: a signal generator that generates a transmit signal; a modulator that derives a modulated signal from the transmit signal using at least one of phase and amplitude modulation; at least one receiver that mixes the transmit signal with a receive signal to produce a down-converted signal, the receive signal including the modulated signal during a built-in self-test (BIST) mode of operation; and at least one transmitter that drives a radar antenna with a selectable one of the transmit signal and the modulated signal.Type: GrantFiled: June 27, 2019Date of Patent: July 12, 2022Assignee: Ay Dee Kay LLCInventor: Tom Heller
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Patent number: 11329378Abstract: A radiation pattern of a phased array antenna, comprising a plurality of antenna elements, may be dynamically modified using phase shifters to apply variable phase shifts between antenna elements. In a phased array antenna designed for airborne applications, the phase shifters may be required to enable a fine phase-shifting resolution and to operate over a wide temperature range. The phase shifters may also be required to perform while exhibiting small process variations, small form factor, low power consumption, and low loss. One possible solution to this is a passive vector-interpolating phase shifter configured to exhibit such characteristics.Type: GrantFiled: June 15, 2020Date of Patent: May 10, 2022Assignee: Gilat Satellite Networks Ltd.Inventors: Nir Sharvit, Tom Heller
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Publication number: 20220091251Abstract: In an illustrative integrated circuit, a chirp generator provides a chirp signal having linearly-ramped chirp intervals, while a shift frequency generator provides a signal having a different shift frequency during each of multiple segments in each chirp interval. A modulator combines the signals to derive a segmented chirp signal having multiple linearly-ramped chirp segments in each chirp interval. The modulator may be a single sideband modulator to provide frequency up-shifted and frequency down-shifted chirp segments. The segmented chirp signal may be suppressed during resettling intervals of the original chirp signal.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 22, 2020Publication date: March 24, 2022Applicant: SEMICONDUCTOR COMPONENTS INDUSTRIES, LLCInventor: Tom HELLER
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Patent number: 11226405Abstract: An improved circuit configuration is disclosed for calibrating and/or verifying the operation of phase shifters in a phased array radar system. In one illustrative embodiment, a method includes: (i) programming a set of phase shifters to convert a radio frequency signal into a set of channel signals; (ii) splitting off a monitor signal from each channel signal while coupling the set of channel signals to a set of antenna feeds; and (iii) while taking the monitor signals in pairs associated with adjacent channels, measuring a relative phase between each pair of monitor signals.Type: GrantFiled: October 22, 2019Date of Patent: January 18, 2022Inventors: Tom Heller, Oded Katz, Danny Elad, Benny Sheinman
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Publication number: 20220006432Abstract: A split-steer amplifier with an invertible phase output, includes a first transistor having its base coupled to a positive node of an input port, its emitter coupled to ground, and collector connected to a positive intermediate node; a second transistor having its base coupled to a negative node of the input port, its emitter coupled to ground, and collector connected to a negative intermediate node; and multiple output ports each having a transistor arrangement operable to couple a positive node of that output port to the positive intermediate node and a negative node of that output port to the negative intermediate node, operable to couple the positive node of that output port to the negative intermediate node and the negative node of that output port to the positive intermediate node, and operable to decouple the positive node and the negative node of that output port from the intermediate nodes.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 3, 2020Publication date: January 6, 2022Applicant: SEMICONDUCTOR COMPONENTS INDUSTRIES, LLCInventors: Tom HELLER, Yanir SCHWARTZ, Oded KATZ