Steven Allen Robinson

US Patent:

6404174, Jun 11, 2002

Filed:

Oct 27, 2000

Appl. No.:

09/697900

Inventors:

Steven M. Robinson - Madison AL
John S. McGary - Petersburg TN

Assignee:

Adtran, Inc. - Huntsville AL

International Classification:

G05F 140

US Classification:

323273, 323282

Abstract:

A programming circuit is coupled to an input/output pin of a device and is operative to generate a selected one of a plurality of electrical stimuli, such as a programming voltage, high and low logic levels, and a high impedance output, to the device in selected electrical state, without affecting normal device operation. The programming circuit includes a switchmode power converter, a linear regulator, and a control circuit. The programming voltage is generated by the switchmode power converter only when required for programming the device. The linear regulator includes a transistor having its collector-emitter path coupled in circuit with the switchmode converter and an output node, as well as to a voltage divider network. The voltage divider network is coupled to the control input of a precision shunt regulator device, which supplies a base reference for the transistor to establish the value of a voltage to be applied provided from the output node to the device. The base of the linear regulators transistor is also controllably coupled to ground through the collector-emitter path of a steering transistor of the control circuit.

US Patent:

6437574, Aug 20, 2002

Filed:

Oct 25, 2000

Appl. No.:

09/696043

Inventors:

Steven M. Robinson - Madison AL
Daniel M. Joffe - Owens Crossroads AL
John S. McGary - Petersburg TN
James M. Glass - Huntsville AL

Assignee:

Adtran, Inc. - Huntsville AL

International Classification:

G01N 27416

US Classification:

324426

Abstract:

An automated battery test system determines the performance capability of an auxiliary battery used as a back-up power source for an electrically powered system in the event of a deficiency in a primary power source. The test system periodically isolates the auxiliary battery from the primary power source and tests at least one electrical characteristic of the auxiliary battery, without preventing the auxiliary battery from being immediately reconnected with the primary power source in the event of a need for a back-up. A multiple alarm arrangement generates audible and visual alarms in response to a detected failure of the auxiliary battery.

US Patent:

6489755, Dec 3, 2002

Filed:

Sep 18, 2000

Appl. No.:

09/663904

Inventors:

Steven M. Robinson - Madison AL
John S. McGary - Petersburg TN

Assignee:

Adtran, Inc. - Huntsville AL

International Classification:

G05F 140

US Classification:

323282, 363 46

Abstract:

An active tracking filter reduces low frequency noise (such as a 20 Hz ringing signal) riding on a DC voltage (e. g. , on the order of (-40 VDC) applied to a load such as a subscriber line interface circuit (SLIC). A controllable impedance device, such as a FET operating in its linear range, is coupled in circuit between a source of the DC voltage and the load. A low frequency voltage average detector circuit senses the average low frequency variation of the DC voltage. An output voltage sensor senses a DC output voltage at the output of the controllable impedance. A differential error amplifier circuit has a first input coupled to the low frequency voltage average detector circuit, a second input coupled to the output voltage sensor, and an output coupled to a control terminal of the controlled impedance device. The error amplifier controls the drive to the controllable impedance device such that the voltage drop thereacross reduces the low frequency variation of the DC voltage by an amount sufficient to accommodate the maximum amplitude of the noise, and thereby provide a DC output voltage to the load in which the unwanted low frequency noise has been effectively removed.

US Patent:

6584197, Jun 24, 2003

Filed:

Aug 20, 1999

Appl. No.:

09/378382

Inventors:

Steven M. Robinson - Madison AL
John S. McGary - Petersburg TN
Paul G. McElroy - Huntsville AL

Assignee:

Adtran Inc. - Huntsville AL

International Classification:

H04M 100

US Classification:

37941302, 379413, 379 101, 379 905, 379324, 700286, 363146

Abstract:

A power management system is interfaced with both a local utility power source and a remotely powered span, and monitors the power availability for and requirements of DDS terminal equipment. Upon detecting that local utility power is insufficient to operate the terminal equipment, a power limited converter derives power from the phone line. The span power drawn is limited to a fixed value that prevents the line from collapsing. An auxiliary capacitor stores energy from either local utility power or the span, to provide for periods of extended power operation (including ringing the phone).

US Patent:

6606383, Aug 12, 2003

Filed:

Apr 19, 1999

Appl. No.:

09/294652

Inventors:

Steven M. Robinson - Madison AL
Jason Perry Lyon - Huntsville AL
John S. McGary - Petersburg TN

Assignee:

Adtran Inc. - Huntsville AL

International Classification:

H04M 1900

US Classification:

379413, 379 9309

Abstract:

A processor controlled mechanism automatically determines from a location such as a central office whether termination equipment installed at a remote end of a wireline link is span-powered, or is powered locally. It then applies a voltage to the wireline link that is appropriate for the identified type of termination equipment. This eliminates the need for two separate central office loop-powering devices. In the course of making the determination, nothing higher than a safety extra low voltage is applied to the wireline link, to comply with Underwriters Laboratory standards for locally powered customer premises equipment.

US Patent:

6690792, Feb 10, 2004

Filed:

Nov 19, 1999

Appl. No.:

09/442299

Inventors:

Steven M. Robinson - Madison AL
Jeffrey K. Taylor - Arab AL
John S. McGary - Petersburg TN

Assignee:

Adtran Inc. - Huntsville AL

International Classification:

H04M 300

US Classification:

379418, 37941301, 379324, 379323

Abstract:

A ringing voltage power management circuit is configured to extract an isolated high-value intermediate voltage from a central office powered digital subscriber line through a current limiting circuit, and to charge a storage capacitor that serves as an energy reservoir for the ring generator of a subscriber line circuit. The storage capacitor and the current limiting circuit isolate the peak power drawn by the ringing load from the telephone line and translate the ringing signals (20 Hz) ripple to the sub-Hz oscillations of the ringing cadence.

US Patent:

6693810, Feb 17, 2004

Filed:

Apr 13, 2001

Appl. No.:

09/834990

Inventors:

Steven M. Robinson - Madison AL
John McGary - Petersburg TN
Ralph R. Boudreaux - Madison AL

Assignee:

Adtran, Inc. - Huntsville AL

International Classification:

H02M 3335

US Classification:

363 97, 363 2101

Abstract:

The present invention of a power supply and battery back-up system includes an AC/DC power supply and a battery for supplying operating power to a telecommunications system. The battery is connected to the telecommunications system and is designed to supply the telecommunications system with operating power if the power supply fails for some reason. The power supply is designed to output the peak operating power required by the telecommunications system, supplying the telecommunications system with whatever operating power it needs and supplying the difference between the operating power supplied to the telecommunications system and the peak operating power output by the power supply to the battery for charging. In one embodiment, the battery back-up system includes a battery monitoring circuit for monitoring the battery voltage and a relay connected between the battery and the telecommunications system for disconnecting the battery if the battery voltage falls below a pre-set level.

US Patent:

6757382, Jun 29, 2004

Filed:

Jan 7, 2000

Appl. No.:

09/478905

Inventors:

Steven M. Robinson - Madison AL

Assignee:

Adtran, Inc. - Huntsville AL

International Classification:

H04M 100

US Classification:

37939901, 379 2203, 379 30, 379 2207, 379413, 37941301

Abstract:

A âlifelineâ POTS back-up mechanism is operative to provide emergency plain old telephone service connectivity over a span-powered two-wire metallic digital subscriber loop pair, in response to a customers phone going off-hook, during a lack of normal operating condition of the digital circuit path. A ground fault interruption signal is generated in a remote terminal and used to activate respective POTS by-pass paths in the remote terminal and a central office terminal.