Circular Patents (Class 342/365)
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Patent number: 11340329Abstract: An electronic device may be provided with control circuitry and wireless circuitry. The wireless circuitry may include a phased antenna array and a radio-frequency integrated circuit having transmit and receive ports. The array may include a first set of stacked patch antennas coupled to the transmit ports and a second set of stacked patch antennas coupled to the receive ports. The integrated circuit may transmit ranging signals at millimeter wave frequencies using the transmit ports and the first set of antennas. The integrated circuit may receive a reflected version of the transmitted ranging signals that has been reflected off of an external object using the receive ports and the second set of antennas. The control circuitry may identify a distance between the electronic device and the external object based on the transmitted and received signals.Type: GrantFiled: September 6, 2019Date of Patent: May 24, 2022Assignee: Apple Inc.Inventors: Simone Paulotto, Carlo Di Nallo
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Patent number: 11280880Abstract: A radar system includes an electronically scanned array of dual orthogonal linearly polarized radiating elements. Each of the radiating elements is fed by a switch driven by a radar processing unit. The switch successively places each radiation element in a vertically polarized configuration and horizontally polarized configuration so that the antenna can transmit and receive both vertically and horizontally polarized images within the radar epoch/pulse timing sequence of the radar system. The vertically polarized image and horizontally polarized image are sufficiently close in time to be collated to form a multi-dimensional image. The switch may be driven at rates other than the radar system clock as dictated by algorithms for detecting weather related threats.Type: GrantFiled: November 21, 2019Date of Patent: March 22, 2022Assignee: Rockwell Collins, Inc.Inventor: James B. West
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Patent number: 11276944Abstract: A system and method for determination of a direction to an object emitting and/or reflecting electromagnetic radiation. The system includes a first pair of linearly polarized antennas configured for receiving a polarized signal of a first polarization type and a second pair of linearly polarized antennas configured for receiving another polarized signal of the polarization second type originated from the object. The system includes four receivers coupled to the linearly polarized antennas of the first and second pairs and a signal processing system coupled to the receivers. Each receiver associated with at least one pair of the antennas, includes a phase shifter to provide a required phase shift to the received polarized signals. The signal processing system combines the phase-shifted polarized signals with non-shifted signals which are originated from different pairs of the antennas, and to process these signals for generating at least one direction parameter of the object.Type: GrantFiled: January 16, 2019Date of Patent: March 15, 2022Assignee: ISRAEL AEROSPACE INDUSTRIES LTD.Inventors: Vladimir Rojanski, Liran Wiener
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Patent number: 11264732Abstract: An antenna module includes a dielectric substrate, multiple patch antennas provided at a first main surface side of the dielectric substrate, and an RFIC mounted at a second main surface side of the dielectric substrate. The multiple patch antennas include multiple sets of antenna groups each composed of the multiple patch antennas periodically arranged at a pitch Px in the X-axis direction, which is one of a polarization direction and a direction perpendicular to the polarization direction. The multiple sets of antenna groups are periodically arranged at a pitch Py in the Y-axis direction, which is the other of the polarization direction and the direction perpendicular to the polarization direction, and each of the multiple sets of antenna groups is arranged so as to be shifted from another antenna group adjacent in the second direction by an offset distance Dx in the first direction.Type: GrantFiled: September 10, 2019Date of Patent: March 1, 2022Assignee: MURATA MANUFACTURING CO., LTD.Inventor: Fumihiko Naruse
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Patent number: 11217896Abstract: A circularly polarized radiating element includes at least one excitation aperture for a wave that is linearly polarized with what is referred to as an excitation first polarization, a frequency selective surface and a metasurface comprising a two-dimensional and periodic array of metasurface cells, the excitation aperture opening onto the metasurface, the metasurface cells all being oriented identically with respect to the excitation polarization and configured to: reflect an incident wave having the excitation polarization in order to form a reflected wave polarized with the excitation polarization, and depolarize and reflect the incident wave in order to form a reflected wave polarized with the orthogonal polarization, having a phase difference substantially equal to ±90° with respect to the reflected wave polarized with the excitation polarization, and having an amplitude substantially equal to the amplitude of a wave radiated by the frequency selective surface, generated from the reflected wave polarizedType: GrantFiled: March 27, 2019Date of Patent: January 4, 2022Assignees: THALES, INSTITUT NATIONAL DES SCIENCES APPLIQUES, UNIVERSITE DE RENNES 1, CENTRE NATIONAL DE LA RECHERCHE SCIENTIFIQUEInventors: Hervé Legay, Antoine Calleau, Maria Garcia Vigueras, Mauro Ettorre
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Patent number: 11196178Abstract: Disclosed is a dual polarized horn radiator, in particular for a cellular radio base station, having a first polarization and a second polarization that are fed separately via a first hollow waveguide and a second hollow waveguide. In a first aspect one of the hollow waveguides runs in the direction of beam to its opening into the horn radiator and in so doing has a cross-section that extends in projection onto the aperture plane partially within and partially outside the aperture opening of the horn radiator. In a second aspect the two hollow waveguides run in the direction of beam to their openings into the horn radiator, with at least one of the hollow waveguides having a transformation section by which its polarization in the aperture plane is rotated with respect to the other hollow waveguide before it opens into the horn radiator.Type: GrantFiled: December 1, 2017Date of Patent: December 7, 2021Assignee: Telefonaktiebolaget LM Ericsson (publ)Inventors: Dan Fleancu, Andreas Vollmer
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Patent number: 11088467Abstract: In one aspect, a unit cell of a phased array antenna includes a printed wiring board (PWB). The PWB includes a first layer comprising a radiator, a second layer comprising a feed circuit configured to provide excitation signals to the radiator, a plurality of vias connecting the feed circuit to the radiator, a signal layer, an active component layer comprising an active component bonded to the signal layer and a radio frequency (RF) connector connecting the signal layer to the feed circuit.Type: GrantFiled: December 15, 2016Date of Patent: August 10, 2021Assignee: Raytheon CompanyInventor: Robert S. Isom
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Patent number: 10950938Abstract: An transmitter to be used in wireless multi-user MIMO has been described above. The system combines the virtues of digital, analog and optical processing to arrive at a solution for scalable, non-blocking, simultaneous transmission to multiple UE-s. The system architecture is independent of the RF carrier frequency, and different frequency bands can be accessed easily and rapidly by tuning the optical source (TOPS). The data channels are established in the digital domain and the RF beam-forming accuracy is only limited by the available resolution of DAC, which can be as high as 16 bits for 2.8 GSPS in off-the-shelf components.Type: GrantFiled: October 4, 2019Date of Patent: March 16, 2021Assignee: Phase Sensitive Innovations, Inc.Inventor: Janusz Murakowski
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Patent number: 10727587Abstract: 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 23, 2018Date of Patent: July 28, 2020Assignee: Gilat Satellite Networks Ltd.Inventors: Nir Sharvit, Tom Heller
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Patent number: 10236587Abstract: An antenna having an emission unit emits first and second polarized waves which intersect each other and a supply unit that supplies the first and second polarized waves to the emission unit is provided. The supply unit includes a plurality of cross-shaped coupling apertures that allow first and second slots that the first and second polarized waves are transmitted to intersect and supply the first and second polarized waves to the emission unit. The first and second polarized wave guide directs the first and second polarized waves to the plurality of cross-shaped coupling apertures. The distances from first polarized wave supply slots to the first polarized waves to the first polarized wave guide to the plurality of cross-shaped coupling apertures and from second polarized wave supply slots to the second polarized waves to the second polarized wave guide to the plurality of cross-shaped coupling apertures are respectively about the same.Type: GrantFiled: December 1, 2015Date of Patent: March 19, 2019Assignee: Hyundai Motor CompanyInventor: Dongjin Kim
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Patent number: 10116065Abstract: A system according to one embodiment includes a first antenna element configured to communicate a first signal, the first signal polarized in a first orientation; a second antenna element co-located with the first antenna element, the second antenna element configured to communicate a second signal, the second signal polarized in a second orientation, the second orientation orthogonal to the first orientation; and driver circuitry coupled to the first antenna element and the second antenna element, the driver circuitry configured to process the first signal and the second signal to achieve signal diversity in a wireless communication link.Type: GrantFiled: November 17, 2011Date of Patent: October 30, 2018Assignee: Intel CorporationInventor: Helen K. Pan
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Patent number: 9722687Abstract: A wireless transmitter has a modulator modulating an information signal of a frequency f1 by a carrier wave of a frequency f2 to output a first modulated signal, a transmitting antenna transmitting the first modulated signal using a linearly polarized wave, and a motor rotating the transmitting antenna at a frequency f3 to rotate the outgoing linearly polarized wave at the frequency f3 thereby multiplexing the first modulated signal with a linearly polarized wave component and a horizontally polarized wave component, the two components being independent of each other. A wireless receiver has diversity receiving antennas receiving the signal on a plurality of polarization planes to obtain a plurality of input signals; a path difference phase shifter compensating each of the input signals for the phase shift stemming from path differences, and a composer composing the corrected received signals.Type: GrantFiled: April 8, 2016Date of Patent: August 1, 2017Assignee: HITACHI, LTD.Inventor: Ken Takei
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Patent number: 9705588Abstract: A wireless communication system is provided that is capable of enabling more wireless devices to perform concurrent communication using a polarized wave technology.Type: GrantFiled: February 25, 2016Date of Patent: July 11, 2017Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.Inventors: Masahiro Aono, Ken Takei
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Patent number: 9698665Abstract: Provided are methods and circuits for a controller for a control system, comprising first and second control loops that operate substantially independently, wherein the first control loop is an amplitude control loop and the second loop is a phase or frequency control loop. In some embodiments the amplitude control loop operates at an amplitude that is proportional to an amplitude of an input signal at a fundamental system frequency and at a selected harmonic of a fundamental system frequency; and the frequency control loop operates at a fundamental system frequency and at a selected harmonic of the fundamental system frequency. The frequency control loop may adaptable to a fundamental control system frequency or to a selected harmonic of the fundamental control system frequency. The controller may be implemented as a resonant controller and used in various ac systems, and offers high structural robustness in digital implementations.Type: GrantFiled: September 13, 2013Date of Patent: July 4, 2017Assignee: SPARQ SYSTEMS, INC.Inventors: Sayed Ali Khajehoddin, Masoud Karimi Ghartemani, Praveen K. Jain, Alireza Bakhshai
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Patent number: 9647331Abstract: An antenna assembly may include a first ground plane, a second ground plane that may be switched between grounding and non-grounding states, and first and second antenna layers. Each of the first and second antenna layers may include a plurality of pixels interconnected by a plurality of phase change material (PCM) switches. The PCM switches are configured to be selectively switched between phases to provide a plurality of antenna patterns within the first and second antenna layers.Type: GrantFiled: April 15, 2014Date of Patent: May 9, 2017Assignee: The Boeing CompanyInventors: Charles W. Manry, Jr., Eric J. Black
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Patent number: 8989289Abstract: A method and system for transmitting three distinct electromagnetic signals on a same frequency are provided. One or more transmitting devices transmit a first data signal and an inverse of the first data signal in two orthogonal linear polarities of an antenna maintaining their inverted phase relationship and a same amplitude as propagated. Transmitting devices also transmit a second data signal in a linear polarity with a 45 degree rotation around the transmit axis of the first data signal. Transmitting devices also transmit a third data signal in linear polarity orthogonal to the second data signal and consequently 315 degree rotation around the transmit axis from the first data signal.Type: GrantFiled: October 28, 2013Date of Patent: March 24, 2015Inventor: Nigel Iain Stuart Macrae
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Publication number: 20150077289Abstract: According to one embodiment, a wireless communication device includes a first antenna. The wireless communication device includes a second antenna which performs at least one of transmission and reception of an electromagnetic wave to and from the first antenna while rotating at a predetermined position or revolving along a predetermined orbit. The first antenna is arranged such that an element of the first antenna is not to be parallel to a plane perpendicular to a polarization plane of the electromagnetic wave which is transmitted from one antenna toward the other antenna while the second antenna rotates or revolves.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 28, 2014Publication date: March 19, 2015Inventors: Takayoshi ITO, Koji AKITA
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Publication number: 20150070215Abstract: A poly spiral antenna includes spiral antenna sections and interconnecting traces. A first spiral antenna section has a first interwoven spiral pattern and a first excitation configuration to provide a first radiation pattern component. A second spiral antenna section has a second interwoven spiral pattern and a second excitation configuration to provide a second radiation pattern component. A third spiral antenna section has a third interwoven spiral pattern and a third excitation configuration to provide a third radiation pattern component. The interconnecting traces couple the first, second, and third spiral antenna sections together such that the first, second, and third radiation pattern components form a radiation pattern of the poly spiral antenna.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 30, 2013Publication date: March 12, 2015Applicant: BROADCOM CORPORATIONInventors: Nicolaos Georgiou Alexopoulos, Seunghwan Yoon, Alfred Grau Besoli
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Publication number: 20150009068Abstract: A method and apparatus for electronically steering an antenna system. The apparatus comprises a dielectric substrate, a plurality of radiating spokes, and a number of surface wave feeds. The plurality of radiating spokes is arranged radially with respect to a center point of the dielectric substrate. Each radiating spoke in the plurality of radiating spokes forms a surface wave channel configured to constrain a path of a surface wave. Each of the number of surface wave feeds couples at least one corresponding radiating spoke in the plurality of radiating spokes to a transmission line that carries a radio frequency signal.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 5, 2014Publication date: January 8, 2015Inventors: Daniel J. Gregoire, Amit M. Patel, Michael de La Chapelle
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Publication number: 20150002335Abstract: Ellipticity reduction in circularly polarized array antennas is provided herein. An antenna array may include a processor that is configured to control a plurality of elements, each of the plurality of elements producing an elliptically polarized wave having an eccentricity value, the elliptically polarized wave traveling along a direction of propagation, wherein at least a portion of the plurality of elements are incrementally clocked around their direction of propagation, so that a combined output of the plurality of elements is substantially circularly polarized.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 26, 2014Publication date: January 1, 2015Inventors: Brian Hinman, Paul Eberhardt
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Publication number: 20140253379Abstract: The present invention is related to a device for generating waveguide modes for use in a feed horn of a satellite antenna system, said waveguide modes comprising at least one excitation mode of higher order than the fundamental mode, said device comprising a waveguide containing a first waveguide section with at least three longitudinal slots extending in the inner side of said waveguide, characterised in that said waveguide contains a second waveguide section with at least three longitudinal slots extending in said inner side of said waveguide.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 2, 2012Publication date: September 11, 2014Inventors: Bart Baekelandt, Philip Sanders, Guy Verstraeten
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Patent number: 8605807Abstract: A method and system for transmitting electromagnetic signals are provided. Data signals including a first data signal conveying first data, a second data signal conveying second data, and a third data signal conveying third data are provided. One or more transmitting devices transmit the first data signal and an inverse of the first data signal in two orthogonal linear polarities of an antenna maintaining their inverted phase relationship as propagated. Transmitting devices also transmit the second data signal in a linear polarity with a 45 degree rotation around a transmit axis of the first data signal. Transmitting devices also transmit the third data signal in a linear polarity orthogonally from the second data signal and consequently ±45 degrees from the first data signals. One or more receiving stations receive the transmitted first data signal, the inverse of the first data signal, the second data signal and the third data signal.Type: GrantFiled: May 22, 2012Date of Patent: December 10, 2013Inventor: Nigel Iain Stuart Macrae
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Publication number: 20130088391Abstract: In an exemplary embodiment, a phased array antenna comprises multiple subcircuits in communication with multiple radiating elements. The radio frequency signals are independently adjusted for both polarization control and beam steering. In a receive embodiment, multiple RF signals of various polarizations are received and combined into at least one receive beam output. In a transmit embodiment, at least one transmit beam input is divided and transmitted through multiple radiating elements, with the transmitted beams having various polarizations. In an exemplary embodiment, the phased array antenna provides multi-beam formation over multiple operating frequency bands. The wideband nature of the active components allows for operation over multiple frequency bands simultaneously.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 3, 2012Publication date: April 11, 2013Applicant: ViaSat, Inc.Inventor: ViaSat, Inc.
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Publication number: 20120032847Abstract: A system for dynamically reconfiguring the radiation pattern of a collection of slot antennas. A collection of slot antennas of various lengths and widths are fabricated. The control system independently drives the feed to one or more slot antennas to produce the desired radiation pattern. The control system activates and deactivates the feed to different slot antennas, thus dynamically reconfiguring the generated radiation pattern.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 5, 2011Publication date: February 9, 2012Applicant: Utah State UniversityInventor: Reyhan Baktur
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Patent number: 8098197Abstract: The present invention is a device which includes an antenna and circuitry. The antenna may receive a circularly-polarized signal as first and second linearly-polarized signals. The circuitry is connected to the antenna and is configured for combining the first and second linearly-polarized signals to produce at least two reception patterns. The reception patterns are created by summing the first and second linearly-polarized signals via phase shifting. The reception patterns are optimized for at least two substantially different directional orientations. Further, the antenna may simultaneously allow/provide spec-compliant Global Positioning System operation and spec compliant Height of Burst operation.Type: GrantFiled: August 28, 2009Date of Patent: January 17, 2012Assignee: Rockwell Collins, Inc.Inventors: Brian J. Herting, Lee M. Paulsen, James H. Doty, James B. West, Nathan P. Lower
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Patent number: 7986260Abstract: Circularly-polarized antennas and their methods of use for active holographic imaging through barriers. The antennas are dielectrically loaded to optimally match the dielectric constant of the barrier through which images are to be produced. The dielectric loading helps to remove barrier-front surface reflections and to couple electromagnetic energy into the barrier.Type: GrantFiled: February 18, 2009Date of Patent: July 26, 2011Assignee: Battelle Memorial InstituteInventors: Douglas L McMakin, Ronald H Severtsen, Wayne M Lechelt, James M Prince
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Publication number: 20110122024Abstract: A device and method for determining a distance and/or orientation of a movable object includes a transmitter that is located on the object and a receiver. One of the transmitter and the receiver has an antenna having a known polarization plane. The other of the transmitter and the receiver has a counterclockwise circular polarized antenna and a clockwise circular polarized antenna.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 27, 2009Publication date: May 26, 2011Applicant: Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft zur Forderng der angewandt forschung E.VInventors: Andreas Eidloth, Hans Adel, Jörn Thielecke, Alexander Popugaev
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Patent number: 7865152Abstract: The disclosed system, device and method for a signal modulation apparatus generally includes a first signal generator suitably configured to generate a first continuous wave radio frequency (RF) signal, and a second signal generator suitably configured to generate a second continuous wave RF signal. A dual-circular polarized antenna may be adapted to receive the first continuous wave RF signal into a right-hand port and the second continuous wave RF signal into a left-hand port, where the signals are combined into a modulated RF signal in the dual-circular polarized antenna.Type: GrantFiled: October 19, 2007Date of Patent: January 4, 2011Assignee: Raytheon CompanyInventor: Kenneth Brown
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Publication number: 20100295728Abstract: The present invention discloses an array antenna, which comprises a first antenna, a second antenna, a phase shift unit and an impedance unit. The first antenna is arranged for receiving a satellite signal and has a first radiation field plane. The second antenna is arranged for receiving the satellite signal and has a second radiation field plane. The phase shift unit is connected to the first antenna and the second antenna, and the phase shift unit is provided for generating an orthogonal state of phase difference between the first antenna and the second antenna. The impedance unit is connected to the phase shift unit for matching the first antenna, the second antenna and the phase shift unit.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 24, 2010Publication date: November 25, 2010Applicant: MITAC INTERNATIONAL CORP.Inventor: LI CHEN
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Patent number: 7262729Abstract: A radar system having a processor, a waveform generator, a plurality of antenna interfaces, a set of first antennas configured to transmit a waveform, and a set of second antennas configured to receive a reflected waveform is disclosed. The waveform generator and antenna interfaces are in control and signal communication with the processor, each of the first antennas are in signal communication with one of each antenna interface, and each of the second antennas are in signal communication with one of each antenna interface. The waveform generator is in control and signal communication with each antenna interface, and is configurable to generate a waveform conforming to at least two ISM bands. Each first antenna is configured to transmit a circularly polarized electromagnetic waveform, and each second antenna is configured to receive a reflected circularly polarized electromagnetic waveform complementary to the first antennas.Type: GrantFiled: June 19, 2006Date of Patent: August 28, 2007Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: John Erik Hershey, Ralph Thomas Hoctor, David Michael Davenport, Jeffrey Michael Ashe, Richard Louis Frey, Kenneth Brakeley Welles, V. Paul Staudinger, Harold W. Tomlinson, Jr.
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Patent number: 6583685Abstract: A matching circuit for a screen antenna receives on its signal input an MF or LF signal output of a screen antenna and feeds a signal though its signal output via a capacitive feeder to a radio receiver. The matching circuit includes components which operate in conjunction with capacitances in components connected to the signal input and the signal output to form an internally-terminated band-pass filter network having a pass-band which covers a range of frequencies to be received by the receiver.Type: GrantFiled: May 15, 2001Date of Patent: June 24, 2003Assignee: Glass Antennas Technology LimitedInventors: Brian Easter, Keith Jeremy Twort, John Davies
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Patent number: 6570536Abstract: A communications system in which a communications channel is defined at least in part by an electromagnetic wave having a carrier frequency and an electric field vector, the extremity or terminus of which traces a non-linear periodic path at a rotation frequency less than the carrier frequency and greater than zero from the perspective of an observer looking into the axis of propagation of the wave. The transmitter of the communications system launches a wave having such characteristics and modulated with information in a suitable manner. The receiver of the communications system is sensitive to the periodic path and rotation frequency. The combination of the periodic path and the carrier frequency provides selectivity that can be used to define multiple communications channels.Type: GrantFiled: July 9, 2001Date of Patent: May 27, 2003Assignee: Smith Technology Development, LLC.Inventor: Stephen H. Smith
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Patent number: 6559796Abstract: A satellite provides a time signal that is adjusted for position of a receiver on the surface of the Earth. A receiver determines appropriate local time from the time signal, and can adjust a local clock accordingly, the satellite time signal in the form of a rotating beam containing angular information to determine the position of the satellite transmitter for proper synchronization. A fixed receiver can also measure the radiation angle of the transmitted beam.Type: GrantFiled: July 17, 2000Date of Patent: May 6, 2003Assignee: Steinbeis Transferzentrum RaumfahrtsystemeInventors: Felix Huber, Ernst Messerschmid, Wolfgang Schäfer
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Patent number: 6441779Abstract: A system and a method for determining a satellite antenna attitude are disclosed. Radio signals from a satellite, such as a GPS satellite, are received by a plurality of coupled antenna elements forming an antenna array. Local attitude values of the antenna array and/or the antenna elements with respect to a reference plane are determined using a shaft encoder or gyro, whereas a carrier-phase antenna attitude is determined from the received radio signals. The array and/or array elements are rotated over a predetermined angle and a correction value of the antenna attitude is determined from a time-averaged difference between the local attitude values and the carrier-phase attitude values.Type: GrantFiled: June 30, 2000Date of Patent: August 27, 2002Assignee: KVH Industries, Inc.Inventors: Sidney M. Bennett, Ronald Paradis
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Publication number: 20020057218Abstract: A communications system in which a communications channel is defined at least in part by an electromagnetic wave having a carrier frequency and an electric field vector, the extremity or terminus of which traces a non-linear periodic path at a rotation frequency less than the carrier frequency and greater than zero from the perspective of an observer looking into the axis of propagation of the wave. The transmitter of the communications system launches a wave having such characteristics and modulated with information in a suitable manner. The receiver of the communications system is sensitive to the periodic path and rotation frequency. The combination of the periodic path and the carrier frequency provides selectivity that can be used to define multiple communications channels.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 9, 2001Publication date: May 16, 2002Applicant: Basic Research CorporationInventor: Stephen H. Smith
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Patent number: 6351237Abstract: A receiving system 100 is disclosed which includes at least one antenna 101 providing a plurality of antenna beams providing signal diversity between communicated signals. A first processing branch 103 is included for processing a first plurality of signals appearing within a first plurality of the antenna beams. The first processing branch 103 includes a plurality of signal paths, some of which include delays 105, each receiving a one of the first plurality of signals from a corresponding one of the first plurality of antenna beams. Delays 105 apply a predetermined amount of delay proportionate to the corresponding one of the beams. First processing branch 103 further includes a combiner 106 for combining the first plurality of signals after output from the plurality of signal paths. A second processing branch 104 is provided for processing a second plurality of signals appearing within a second plurality of the antenna beams.Type: GrantFiled: November 29, 1999Date of Patent: February 26, 2002Assignee: Metawave Communications CorporationInventors: Gary A. Martek, Sheldon K. Meredith, Douglas O. Reudink, Mark Reudink, Martin J. Feuerstein
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Patent number: 6271790Abstract: A communications system in which a communications channel is defined at least in part by an electromagnetic wave having a carrier frequency and an electric field vector, the extremity or terminus of which traces a non-linear periodic path at a rotation frequency less than the carrier frequency and greater than zero from the perspective of an observer looking into the axis of propagation of the wave. The transmitter of the communications system launches a wave having such characteristics and modulated with information in a suitable manner. The receiver of the communications system is sensitive to the periodic path and rotation frequency. The combination of the periodic path and the carrier frequency provides selectivity that can be used to define multiple communications channels.Type: GrantFiled: April 23, 1998Date of Patent: August 7, 2001Assignee: Smith Technology Development LLCInventor: Stephen H. Smith
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Patent number: 6252546Abstract: A method and apparatus for processing multipath reflection effects in timing systems is disclosed in which a determination is made of whether a received signal is a reflected signal. A detector provides from an input signal a pair of signals representative of whether the input signal contained right-hand circularly polarized and left-hand circularly polarized components. The representative signals are separately processed in synchronized logic circuits to determine relative power levels. The power levels are compared to determine the nature of the dominant polarization of the input signal.Type: GrantFiled: October 19, 2000Date of Patent: June 26, 2001Assignee: Trimble Navigation LimitedInventors: Gary R. Lennen, Scott R. Smith
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Publication number: 20010003442Abstract: A communications system in which a communications channel is defined at least in part by an electromagnetic wave having a carrier frequency and an electric field vector, the extremity or terminus of which traces a non-linear periodic path at a rotation frequency less than the carrier frequency and greater than zero from the perspective of an observer looking into the axis of propagation of the wave. The transmitter of the communications system launches a wave having such characteristics and modulated with information in a suitable manner. The receiver of the communications system is sensitive to the periodic path and rotation frequency. The combination of the periodic path and the carrier frequency provides selectivity that can be used to define multiple communications channels.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 23, 1998Publication date: June 14, 2001Inventor: STEPHEN SMITH
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Patent number: 6204810Abstract: A communications system in which a communications channel is defined at least in part by an electromagnetic wave having a carrier frequency and an electric field vector, the extremity of which traces a non-linear periodic path at a second frequency between the carrier frequency and zero from the perspective of an observer looking into the axis of propagation of the wave. The transmitter of the communications system launches a wave having such characteristics and modulated with information in a suitable manner. The receiver of the communications system is sensitive to the periodic path and second frequency. Either the periodic path, the second frequency, or both provide selectivity that can be used to define multiple communications channels.Type: GrantFiled: May 9, 1997Date of Patent: March 20, 2001Assignee: Smith Technology Development, LLCInventor: Stephen H. Smith
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Patent number: 6175327Abstract: GPS receivers are provided that reduce all types of interference signals with a simple receiver structure that includes an antenna system having a reference antenna element and a plurality of auxiliary antenna elements, a plurality of phase shifters and a power combiner. The receiver also includes a downconverter, a digital GPS processor and an analog-to-digital converter (ADC). Each antenna element generates a single output signal in response to all polarization components of a GPS signal. In response to a composite signal of interference signals and GPS signals, the reference antenna element provides a reference signal and the auxiliary antenna elements provide auxiliary signals which each has a phase difference from the reference signal that is a function of its respective auxiliary antenna element's location in an antenna array space and of paths of the interference signals.Type: GrantFiled: January 16, 1999Date of Patent: January 16, 2001Assignee: Sensors Systems, Inc.Inventors: Zhen-biao Lin, Seymour Robin
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Patent number: 6154173Abstract: A method and apparatus for processing multipath reflection effects in timing systems is disclosed in which a determination is made of whether a received signal is a reflected signal. A detector provides from an input signal a pair of signals representative of whether the input signal contained right-hand circularly polarized and left-hand circularly polarized components. The representative signals are separately processed in synchronized logic circuits to determine relative power levels. The power levels are compared to determine the nature of the dominant polarization of the input signal.Type: GrantFiled: March 24, 1999Date of Patent: November 28, 2000Assignee: Trimble Navigation LimitedInventors: Gary R. Lennen, Scott R. Smith
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Patent number: 6005514Abstract: A correction to a differential phase measurement used for vehicle attitude determination on nonaligned antenna arrays is determined by calculating a carrier phase angle of carrier signals received by each antenna, and correcting the measurement for the right-hand circular polarization effect on the nonaligned antennas. Accordingly, circular polarization effects of the carrier signals are removed from a nonaligned antenna array, allowing the nonaligned antenna array to be used for vehicle attitude determination.Type: GrantFiled: September 15, 1997Date of Patent: December 21, 1999Assignee: United States of America as represented by the Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space AdministrationInventor: Edgar Glenn Lightsey
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Patent number: 5995044Abstract: A GPS receiver embodying the invention includes a first channel that preferentially processes line-of-sight signals and a second channel that preferentially processes multipath signals. It then compares the results to determine if the multipath has degraded the results of the processing of the line-of-sight signals.Type: GrantFiled: May 1, 1998Date of Patent: November 30, 1999Assignee: NovAtel, Inc.Inventors: Waldemar Kunysz, Thomas J. Ford, Janet Neumann
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Patent number: 5982326Abstract: An active microwave antenna device includes a two-port micropatch antenna which receives signals having a first circular polarization and transmits signals of opposite circular polarization. The device includes an integrated active circuit for amplifying and, optionally, filtering the signal. An array of such devices can be formed on a single substrate, each device being an independent active antenna, thus eliminating the need for RF or IF feed networks between the devices. Such arrays are believed to be particularly suitable for spatial power combining, rapid beam scanning, microwave imaging, frequency-polarization selective processes, and other related applications. The arrays may be either reflective or transmissive.Type: GrantFiled: July 21, 1997Date of Patent: November 9, 1999Inventors: Yung Leonard Chow, Saffieddin Safavi-Naeini
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Patent number: 5903238Abstract: In a radio station for mobile communication systems, the reception branches of at least two antenna units having different polarization are monitored in order to acquire statements about the polarization direction of the incident wave. Corresponding to the polarization direction of the incident wave, an adaptive fashioning of the radiation characteristic ensues, this fashioning the polarization direction of the emitted wave according to the weighting of the reception signals of the reception branches for the same communication connection. The connection from a base station to a mobile station in a mobile communication system therefore can be improved with an inventive radio station.Type: GrantFiled: September 22, 1997Date of Patent: May 11, 1999Assignee: Siemens AktiengesellschaftInventors: Joerg Sokat, Michael Faerber, Dieter Emmer, Kolio Ivanov, Peter Weber
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Patent number: 5790076Abstract: The multi-dimensional tracking sensor especially for virtual reality and other real time computer applications. The disclosure describes an electro-magnetic (EM) tracking sensor that consists of a small lightweight transmitter with a transmitting antenna located on the target to be tracked and an array receiver with several local stationary antenna elements (FIG. 1). Multiple antenna elements of the array receiver lie on the perimeter of the measured space in positions determined by a self-calibration procedure. The proposed device calculates a cross correlation function between two signals at each receiving unit to determine a spatial position of the tracked element.Type: GrantFiled: August 28, 1996Date of Patent: August 4, 1998Inventor: Jozef Sypniewski
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Patent number: 5504493Abstract: A phase array transmitting antenna system, including a plurality of radiating elements, each radiating element is capable of transmitting radiation. One or more constant phase and amplitude amplifiers are affixed to the radiating element in the array, wherein each radiating element is capable of producing radiation of a substantially uniform phase as the other radiating elements in the array, but distinct amplitudes according to patterns which simplify implementation.Type: GrantFiled: May 9, 1995Date of Patent: April 2, 1996Assignee: Globalstar L.P.Inventor: Edward Hirshfield
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Patent number: 5434575Abstract: A circularly polarized phased array antenna system for both reception and transmission applications includes a plurality of planar radiating (or receiving) elements, a switching matrix for each radiating element, a beamforming network and a transmit/receive module. Each planar element includes 4.times.N radially disposed segments that may be selectively connected with the four modes of a circularly polarized signal such that two opposing segments function as the two respective arms of a dipole radiating element and two orthogonal such dipoles function as a crossed pair of dipoles for receiving or transmitting the circularly polarized signal. The switching matrix and the beamforming network cooperate to determine the polarization phase of the radiating element by commutating the four modes of the circularly polarized signal to any four orthogonal segments of the radiating element.Type: GrantFiled: January 28, 1994Date of Patent: July 18, 1995Assignee: California Microwave, Inc.Inventors: Carl O. Jelinek, Daniel W. Drago, Jr., Richard C. Dempsey
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Patent number: 5420597Abstract: A simulation device is provided for testing autotrack antennas. The device includes a mode coupler and transmit horn which are identical to the mode coupler and transmit horn of the antenna to be tested. The mode coupler has a plurality of waveguide input ports for transmitting voltage signals which are complex conjugates of signals occurring under receiving conditions. The device then generates a signal that simulates the far-field, plane-wave testing environment and applies this signal to an antenna to be tested.Type: GrantFiled: March 14, 1994Date of Patent: May 30, 1995Assignee: TRW Inc.Inventor: James W. Duncan