Alvaro J Medina

US Patent:

47244410, Feb 9, 1988

Filed:

May 23, 1986

Appl. No.:

6/867848

Inventors:

Michael J. Fithian - Boulder CO
Vincent A. Hirsch - Boulder CO
Kenneth R. Zurawski - Lafayette CO
Alvaro Medina - Boulder CO

Assignee:

Ball Corporation - Muncie IN

International Classification:

H01Q 322

US Classification:

342368

Abstract:

A phased array antenna system includes a plurality of active radiating antenna elements each of which is driven by and each of which drives a transceiver module located closely adjacent thereto. Each transceiver module includes a high-power pulse signal-transmitting amplifier powered by a high-capacitance, low current dc rectifier system to minimize charging currents and provide very high pulse currents, and a low-noise amplifier for amplifying the received signal. The modules further include a transmit/receive switch, phase adjusting circuits in the input to the high-power signal-transmitting amplifier and in the output to the low-noise signal-receiving amplifier for normalizing the signal phase, and amplitude limiting means in the input of the low-noise signal receiving amplifier for protecting the low-noise amplifier during the transmit mode. The transceiver module utilizes microstrip line technology to provide tuned circuit elements, is compact in size and low in cost, and permits an improvement in noise, gain, and radiated power characteristics to be realized in phased array radar systems.

US Patent:

41908848, Feb 26, 1980

Filed:

Aug 28, 1978

Appl. No.:

5/937237

Inventors:

Alvaro Medina - Boulder CO

International Classification:

G05B 108
G05B 1118
G06F 305

US Classification:

364104

Abstract:

An automatic digital system is disclosed for controlling the duration and frequency of application of water to a lawn or the like. The system includes a keyboard to facilitate programming and/or reprogramming of both the duration and frequency of watering and one or more sets of memory circuits are included in the system to store various programs to be utilized. A digital clock controls operation of time control and generating circuitry to provide outputs to comparators along with outputs from the memory circuits to effect the desired control of solenoids establishing the duration and frequency of watering. Each set of memory circuits includes a plurality of watering stations each of which can be individually and sequentially actuated by the control system and each of which stations can have a plurality of sprinkler heads. By use of a plurality of sets of memory circuits, different watering programs can be carried out at different times as, for example, on different days of the week, and, by use of repeater circuitry, the particular watering program can be repeated as, for example, to occur several times during each day, or caused to occur only at selected intervals as, for example, every second day or the like. An LED display is also provided at the keyboard to facilitate programming and control of watering.

US Patent:

43842496, May 17, 1983

Filed:

Sep 5, 1980

Appl. No.:

6/184573

Inventors:

Alvaro Medina - Boulder CO

International Classification:

G01R 3102

US Classification:

324 51

Abstract:

A cable testing apparatus and method are disclosed, the apparatus and method being particularly useful as a seismic cable tester to enable rapid cable check-out, and, as a battery operated portable unit, being particularly useful for final check-outs in field operations. The wires of a multi-wire cable are sequentially tested by pairs with sequential testing being interrupted and an indication of the pair of wires then found to be open being displayed each time an open is sensed. The apparatus includes electrical control circuitry for controlling multiplexing of the wire pairs of the cable to be tested and for determining the display to be presented so that the display is indicative of each pair of wires of the cable found to be open.