Gerald L Murdock

US Patent:

6515579, Feb 4, 2003

Filed:

Sep 30, 1998

Appl. No.:

09/163663

Inventors:

Gerald T. Murdock - Sunnyvale CA
Weimin Zhang - Mountain View CA

Assignee:

Space Systems/Loral, Inc. - Palo Alto CA

International Classification:

H03F 100

US Classification:

340 141, 340 1469, 370480

Abstract:

Active switch matrix apparatus that is used in a satellite communications system that provides for reconfigurability of the communication channels of the communications system. The active switch matrix apparatus has redundan channels and components that provides for a high probability of success during the lifetime of the satellite. The active switch matrix apparatus is comprised of two switch matrices, one for each polarization (horizontal and vertical). Each of the switch matrices contains redundancy, including redundant paths through power dividers, power combiners and amplifiers to outputs of the apparatus. This is accomplished using a plurality of controllable switches in the power dividers and a plurality of controllable output switches coupled to outputs of the amplifiers. Each of the switch matrices are coupled to redundant DC/DC converters and switch matrix controllers.

US Patent:

20040102169, May 27, 2004

Filed:

Nov 25, 2002

Appl. No.:

10/304612

Inventors:

Bhaskar Durvasula - Los Altos CA, US
Rolf Klibo - Palo Alto CA, US
Gerald Murdock - Sunnyvale CA, US
James Sawdey - Dublin CA, US
James Sowers - Sunnyvale CA, US

International Classification:

H04B001/00
H04B007/00

US Classification:

455/260000, 455/069000, 455/126000, 455/304000

Abstract:

A system is provided that enables real time active phase control at higher RF signal power levels to be achieved by compensation for phase variations due to daily and lifetime fluctuation of equipment temperature, equipment aging effects and path length changes due to redundancy reconfiguration among others. This automated approach achieves the fastest and most accurate phase correction for efficient signal recombining. The system employs an RF signal which is split into parallel paths whose phase is adjusted employing the output of a feedback device and then amplified and sensed to provide the feedback signal and ultimately recombined.

US Patent:

63012251, Oct 9, 2001

Filed:

Apr 18, 1998

Appl. No.:

9/062548

Inventors:

Gerald T. Murdock - Sunnyvale CA

Assignee:

Space Systems/Loral, Inc. - Palo Alto CA

International Classification:

H04B 7185

US Classification:

370227

Abstract:

Redundancy ring communication apparatus having a plurality of communication channels, that comprises normally used and redundant amplifier channels that are interconnected using selectively controllable switches. Pairs of amplifier channels may be selectively coupled together using controllable switches and hybrid couplers. A controller is coupled to each of the switches that selectively sets the switches to (1) route selected signals through independent communication channels, (2) route a selected signal through the pair of amplifier channels to provide a high power output for the selected communication channel, (3) route a selected signal through a redundant communication channel in the event of failure of another communication channel, and (4) route the signal of the normally unused communication channel that is normally amplified by the second amplifier of the paired amplifier channels operating in high power mode through an unused amplifier channel to provide a communication channel for the signal of the normally unused communication channel.

US Patent:

20140184353, Jul 3, 2014

Filed:

Dec 27, 2012

Appl. No.:

13/728745

Inventors:

- Palo Alto CA, US
Will Caven - San Jose CA, US
Richard Hoffmeister - San Carlos CA, US
Gerald Murdock - Sunnyvale CA, US

Assignee:

SPACE SYSTEMS/LORAL, LLC - Palo Alto CA

International Classification:

H01P 1/10

US Classification:

333106

Abstract:

An arrangement is disclosed for providing the functionality of a four port, four channel rotary switch. The arrangement includes a first four port rotary microwave switch, the first switch including a first rotor and a first set of four waveguide ports, and a second four port rotary microwave switch, communicatively coupled to the first switch, the second switch including a second rotor and a second set of four waveguide ports. Each of the first switch and the second switch has at most three channels.