Scottsdale, AZ, United States of America

Thomas W McDonald

This inventor holds 2 USPTO granted patents. Top assignee: Motorola Corporation. Active years: 1980-1981.

IDiyas Innovation Intelligence. (2026). Inventor Profile: Thomas W McDonald. Retrieved from https://idiyas.com/inventor/thomas-w-mcdonald

Data source: USPTO (United States Patent and Trademark Office) public patent records. Weekly synchronization. How IDiyas builds this profile


% Patents Active = 100.0

Average Co-Inventor Count = 1.5

ph-index = 2

Forward Citations = 18(Granted Patents)


Company Filing History:


Years Active: 1980-1981

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2 patents (USPTO):Explore Patents

Title: Thomas W. McDonald: Innovator in Radar Technology

Introduction

Thomas W. McDonald is a notable inventor based in Scottsdale, AZ (US). He has made significant contributions to the field of radar technology, holding a total of 2 patents. His work has been instrumental in advancing methods for frequency locking and bullet detection systems.

Latest Patents

One of McDonald's latest patents is titled "Apparatus and method for locking a PLL onto a selected offset frequency." This invention involves mixing the output of a Voltage-Controlled Oscillator (VCO), a referenced frequency signal, and an offset frequency signal to create a control signal for the VCO. The system ensures that the VCO is locked onto the correct sideband by generating a DC component that indicates whether the signals are in phase or out of phase.

Another significant patent is the "Bullet hit indicator scoring system." This system is designed for a target towed by a vehicle, such as an airplane. It utilizes a radar transmitter and receiver with separate antennas to create a sensitive volume around the target. The receiver is engineered to detect only positive Doppler signals, allowing it to score bullets that enter the sensitive area effectively.

Career Highlights

Thomas W. McDonald is currently employed at Motorola Corporation, where he continues to innovate in radar technology. His work has contributed to the development of advanced systems that enhance target detection and tracking capabilities.

Collaborations

Throughout his career, McDonald has collaborated with notable colleagues, including Lyle A. Fajen and Robert B. Malcolm. These partnerships have fostered an environment of innovation and creativity, leading to the successful development of his patented technologies.

Conclusion

Thomas W. McDonald is a distinguished inventor whose work in radar technology has led to significant advancements in the field. His patents reflect a commitment to innovation and problem-solving, making him a valuable contributor to the industry.

Profile summary based on public USPTO records.
Data Sources: USPTO Patent Grant XML, Patent Center, EPO & CIPO • Normalized by IDiyas Innovation Graph. Methodology & provenance architecturePlease report any incorrect information to [email protected]
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