Robert Dale Dodd

US Patent:

57814562, Jul 14, 1998

Filed:

Jul 11, 1997

Appl. No.:

8/891491

Inventors:

Robert W. Dodd - Palo Alto CA

Assignee:

Space Systems/Loral, Inc. - Palo Alto CA

International Classification:

G05B 2302

US Classification:

364579

Abstract:

A software-controlled select and test system for use with a spacecraft. The system reduces the assembly, integration, test time and improves performance of the payload and spacecraft by optimizing the performance using standardized algorithms. The system also reduces the DC power required by the spacecraft, and the thermal dissipation, battery size, solar array size and mass of the spacecraft. This is achieved by optimizing traveling wave tube amplifiers for each channel instead of meeting minimum power requirement over the entire range, wherein most channels have excess power. A serial interface adapter performs the optimization functions via software.

US Patent:

60187034, Jan 25, 2000

Filed:

Jun 18, 1998

Appl. No.:

9/099154

Inventors:

Robert W. Dodd - Palo Alto CA

Assignee:

Space Systems/Loral, Inc. - Palo Alto CA

International Classification:

G05B 2302

US Classification:

702113

Abstract:

A software-controlled select and test system for use with a spacecraft. The system reduces the assembly, integration, test time and improves performance of the payload and spacecraft by optimizing the performance using standardized algorithms. The system also reduces the DC power required by the spacecraft, and the thermal dissipation, battery size, solar array size and mass of the spacecraft. This is achieved by optimizing traveling wave tube amplifiers for each channel instead of meeting minimum power requirement over the entire range, wherein most channels have excess power. A serial interface adapter performs the optimization functions via software.

US Patent:

59232927, Jul 13, 1999

Filed:

Jul 11, 1997

Appl. No.:

8/891484

Inventors:

Robert W. Dodd - Palo Alto CA

Assignee:

Space Systems/Loral, Inc. - Palo Alto CA

International Classification:

G01S 316
H04B 7185
H01Q 322

US Classification:

342383

Abstract:

RF signal nulling and loss of RF lock (i. e. , loss of a communications or command link) is resolved by changing the phase of signals derived from first and second (+Z and -Z) antennas so that they add in phase instead of canceling. This is accomplished automatically by using a computer or processor to measure the RF signal level output by a receiver and change the phase of the incoming signal using a phase shifter to achieve the highest level. A squelch circuit in the receiver is used to determine the maximum obtainable RF signal level. The squelch level is compared in a computer to a threshold when the system looks for a higher squelch level. The phase of the phase shifter is changed using a computer to maximize the received signal level. A feedback loop from the receiver through the computer to the phase shifter provides a path to shift the phase of the incoming RF signal in one of the paths so the respective signals add instead of cancel, which eliminates the signal nulling problem.