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Jesse Eugene Russell
Born (1948-04-26) April 26, 1948 (age 77)
Education B.S.E.E., Tennessee State University; M.S.E.E., Stanford University
Occupation Inventor
Employer incNETWORKS, Inc.
Known for Electrical Engineering; Digital Cellular Technology
Title Chief Executive Officer
Spouse(s) Amanda O. Russell
Children
  • Tina R. Carr
  • Jesse E. Russell Jr.
  • William E. W. Russell
  • Catalina M. Russell
Parent(s)
  • Charles Albert Russell
  • Mary Louise Russell

Jesse Eugene Russell is an amazing American inventor. He was born on April 26, 1948. He studied to become an electrical engineer at Tennessee State University and Stanford University. For more than 20 years, he worked with wireless communication.

Jesse Russell holds many patents for his inventions. He keeps inventing new things for the latest wireless networks, like 4G. He was even welcomed into the US National Academy of Engineering. This was for all his important work in wireless communication. In the 1980s, he helped create digital cellular communication. He got a patent in 1992 for his work on digital cell phone towers.

Today, Russell is the Chairman and CEO of incNETWORKS, Inc. This company focuses on 4th Generation (4G) wireless communication.

Jesse Russell's Early Life and Education

Jesse Eugene Russell was born in Nashville, Tennessee. He grew up in a big family with eight brothers and two sisters. His parents were Charles Albert Russell and Mary Louise Russell. Jesse spent his early years in neighborhoods that faced economic challenges.

When he was young, Jesse focused more on sports than school. He graduated from Cameron High School in 1967. A big change happened when he got to attend a summer program at Fisk University. This program helped him start his journey in learning and thinking.

Jesse then went to Tennessee State University. He studied electrical engineering there. He earned his Bachelor of Science Degree in Electrical Engineering in 1972. He was a top student in his engineering class. Jesse became the first African American hired by AT&T Bell Laboratories directly from a Historically Black College or University (HBCU). In 1980, he was also the first African American in the US to be named the Eta Kappa Nu Outstanding Young Electrical Engineer of the Year. He continued his studies and earned a Master's degree from Stanford University in 1973.

Amazing Wireless Inventions and Patents

Jesse Russell's inventions have truly changed how we use wireless communication. His ideas for wireless systems and devices have made a huge difference. He is famous for inventing the digital cellular base station. This is like the main tower for cell phones. He also invented the fiber optic microcell. These inventions helped bring new digital services to mobile phone users.

Russell has over 100 patents that are either approved or in progress. Here are a few examples of his important patents:

Patent No. Description
7,437,158 Advanced device for connecting to many wireless networks
7,120,139 Design for a broadband cable phone network
5,724,665 Wireless communication base station (cell tower)
5,655,003 Wireless phone that can pick the best network automatically
5,608,780 Wireless system where cell towers share information
5,257,397 Mobile data telephone
5,084,869 Base station for mobile radio systems

In 1990, Russell and other engineers, Farhad Barzegar and Can A. Eryaman, filed a patent. It was for a digital mobile phone that could send digital data. Years later, companies like Nokia and Motorola used their patent. This was when they were creating 2G digital mobile phones.

Jesse Russell's Career Achievements

Jesse Russell started his career at Bell Labs. He was one of the first engineers to use a microprocessor in telecommunication equipment. This equipment helped track calling patterns within the Bell System Network.

Russell held many important roles. He was the Director of the AT&T Cellular Telecommunication Laboratory at Bell Labs. He also became the Vice President of the Advanced Wireless Technology Laboratory. He was the Chief Technical Officer for the Network Wireless Systems Business Unit. Later, he became the Chief Wireless Architect of AT&T. Finally, he was the Vice President of Advanced Communications Technologies for AT&T Laboratories.

When he was the Director of the AT&T Cellular Telecommunication Laboratory, his team made a big discovery. They invented cellular radio technology. For this invention, they received the United States' Medal of Technology.

Russell continued to grow his skills. He created and led an Innovation Center. This center focused on new communication technologies. His work helped AT&T offer more services and enter new markets. Russell helped choose and develop new communication technologies. His efforts led to new ways for AT&T to expand its broadband network. This included cable, DSL, and wireless networks. These technologies were key to AT&T's growth in local services.

Awards and Recognition

Jesse Russell has received many honors for his work:

  • He was elected as an IEC Fellow in 1999. This was for his work in developing Broadband Communications Access Technologies.
  • He became a member of the National Academy of Engineering (NAE) in 1995. This was for his technical contributions and leadership in digital cellular communication.
  • He was elected to IEEE Fellow grade in 1994. This was for his leadership in developing digital wireless communication.
  • He was named US Black Engineer of the Year in 1992. This was for his technical contributions to digital cellular technology.
  • He received America's New Leadership Class Award in 1985 from Esquire Magazine.
  • He received the Outstanding Service Award in 1983 from Eta Kappa Nu.
  • He received the Outstanding Scientist Award in 1982 from the National Society of Black Engineers.
  • He was named Eta Kappa Nu Outstanding Young Electrical Engineer of the Year in 1980.
  • He received the Scientist of the Year Award in 1980 from National Technical Associations Inc.
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