Middletown resident Jack H. Winters, Ph.D., a technology leader at AT&T Labs Research, Middletown, since 1981, pioneered the application of adaptive antenna arrays to cellular radio systems. His work predated the deployment of the first cellular radio system in the United States.

Winters' most significant invention was his 1996 patent for wireless systems entitled, "Block Radio and Adaptive Arrays for Wireless Systems." The patent, in addition to earlier work Winters had done, made the application of smart antennas practical and effective. The invention has enabled a single base station receiver with wideband reception to process signals from many terminals or multiple signals from a single terminal. This invention, coupled with Winters' other pioneering work on smart antennas, is critical for the growth of cellular phone use. Analysts expect these inventions to play a crucial role in the future of cellular phone systems by more than doubling their capacity.

Winters received his bachelor's degree from the University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH, and his master's and doctoral degrees from Ohio State, Columbus, OH, all in electrical engineering. He has written articles in more than 25 journal publications, authored more than 30 conference papers and been granted 10 patents in communications.