Paul A Bernhardt

US Patent:

6346912, Feb 12, 2002

Filed:

Nov 30, 2000

Appl. No.:

09/727306

Inventors:

Matthew J. Reinhart - Crownsville MD
James M. Cloeren - Westminister MD
Paul A. Bernhardt - Alexandria VA
Joseph J. Suter - Ellicott City MD

Assignee:

The Johns Hopkins University - Baltimore MD

International Classification:

G01S 100

US Classification:

342385

Abstract:

An improved RF beacon for use in space/earth communications and positioning determination provides better spectral purity and frequency stability. A power supply provides regulated voltage and control signals to the beacon. Each of two oscillators operate at a slightly different frequency very near the aforementioned 16. 7 MHz. The slight difference provides for a frequency selection with respect to the transmitter frequency spectra. The oscillator provides a signal to a plurality of multiplier circuits. The resulting multiplied frequency signals are fed to respective amplifiers. Some of the features of the radio frequency beacon include redundant switchable oscillators, a 1067 MHz signal having data modulation capabilities, the ability to change power levels, improved frequency stability and temperature control characteristics, and a triplexer to optionally combine the three outputs into a single port.

US Patent:

7948425, May 24, 2011

Filed:

May 14, 2008

Appl. No.:

12/120407

Inventors:

Paul A Bernhardt - Alexandria VA, US
Chuck Hoberman - New York NY, US
David L. Hysell - Ithaca NY, US
Andrew C. Nicholas - Olney MD, US
Michael W. Nurnberger - Alexandria VA, US

Assignee:

Cornell University - Ithaca

International Classification:

H01Q 15/00

US Classification:

342 5, 342 8, 342165

Abstract:

A high frequency signal calibration target deployable in outer space includes an expandable and electrically conductive symmetric structure. The structure may mechanically expand from a stowed configuration to a deployed configuration. Scatter of high frequency signal off of a substantially symmetric signal calibration target may be measured to accurately calibrate systems using high frequency signals.

US Patent:

8643530, Feb 4, 2014

Filed:

Dec 29, 2010

Appl. No.:

12/980383

Inventors:

Paul A Bernhardt - Alexandria VA, US

Assignee:

The United States of America, as represented by the Secretary of the Navy - Washington DC

International Classification:

H01Q 17/00

US Classification:

342 1

Abstract:

An apparatus for interfering with and canceling electromagnetic reflections from a conducting object such as a solid or hollow conducting sphere. The reflection of an incident electromagnetic wave from a conducting sphere can be reduced or cancelled by placing a polyhedral conducting mesh (PCM) around the conducting sphere. The incident EM wave induces electric fields in the region between the conducting mesh and the internal conducting sphere. These induced electric fields may interfere with and in some cases may completely cancel the incident EM wave and thus reduce reflection. The PCM can be tuned to reduce or cancel reflection of incident EM waves at one or more specific frequencies.

US Patent:

57241350, Mar 3, 1998

Filed:

Mar 27, 1996

Appl. No.:

8/622231

Inventors:

Paul A. Bernhardt - Alexandria VA

Assignee:

The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Navy - Washington DC

International Classification:

G01J 328

US Classification:

356328

Abstract:

A rotational hyper-spectral imager is disclosed. The rotational hyper-spectral imager collects substantially all available photon flux emitted by an object being detected and analyzed and allows the rotational hyper-spectral imager to determine the composition of the objects. The rotational hyper-spectral imager is particularly suited to detect and analyze objects having weak illumination.

US Patent:

20220185507, Jun 16, 2022

Filed:

Dec 10, 2021

Appl. No.:

17/547457

Inventors:

- Arlington VA, US
Paul A. Bernhardt - Alexandria VA, US

International Classification:

B64G 1/40
B64G 1/54
B64G 1/24
F03H 1/00
H05H 1/46

Abstract:

A method and apparatus uses a VLF transmitter, a VLF receiver, and/or a low earth orbit satellite including a rocket engine. A VLF wave transmitted into space is converted to an ambient wave. The ambient wave acts as a signal wave for a whistler traveling wave parametric amplifier. Rocket exhaust is generated in atmospheric plasma. The rocket exhaust includes kinetic energy acting as a Lower Hybrid wave source. The Lower Hybrid wave source produces a Lower Hybrid wave, which acts as a pump wave for the parametric amplifier. Nonlinear mixing of the signal wave and the pump wave in the atmospheric plasma simultaneously parametrically amplifies the ambient wave and generates an idler wave and a parametrically amplified wave. The parametrically amplified wave (1) reduces the density of energetic protons or killer electrons in the Van Allen radiation belt, and (2) improves communications between the VLF transmitter and VLF receiver.