A simplified UAV-mounted high-power microwave threat warning module

Abstract

The present invention relates to a simplified high-power microwave threat warning module for unmanned aerial vehicles. In view of the sporadic, short pulse width, instantaneous high power and other characteristics of high-power microwaves, a special voltage reduction and amplitude limiting unit is set to reduce the microwave peak power after antenna coupling to prevent high-power microwaves from directly damaging the subsequent circuits of the warning module. A wide dynamic detection circuit is used to detect the high-power microwave envelope in real time online, and the detection value is compared with the threshold adjustment circuit to ensure that the identification and comparison unit can accurately identify the high-power microwave threat. After adopting the present invention, unmanned aerial vehicles can obtain a rapid warning signal after entering a high-power microwave area, and unmanned aerial vehicles and unmanned aerial vehicle swarms can quickly leave the area by means of evasion and return, and the battlefield survivability is significantly improved.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The invention belongs to the technical field of high-power microwaves and electronic countermeasures, and in particular relates to a simplified unmanned aerial vehicle-mounted high-power microwave threat warning module. Background Art

[0002] With the rapid development of science and technology, drones have become an important combat platform on the modern battlefield. They can not only perform reconnaissance missions, but also have the ability to carry out long-range strikes and close-range suicide attacks. The improvement of drone combat capabilities has led countries around the world to conduct various anti-drone technology research. High-power microwave weapons are not affected by weather and have the ability to attack at the speed of light, shoot down instantly, and strike with beams. They have become an effective means to attack drone clusters and swarms. In order to improve the future battlefield survivability of drones, situational awareness capabilities must be enhanced. Therefore, the ability to provide early warning or confirmation of high-power microwave attacks will become a necessity for the development of drone battlefield security systems.

[0003] Traditional radar warning or electromagnetic spectrum detection modules are not suitable for the above scenarios. On the one hand, the peak electric field of the electromagnetic waves emitted by microwave weapons is extremely high, which can easily damage the electronic units inside the module, causing it to fail to work properly. On the other hand, the UAV platform has limited payload weight and it is difficult to carry a heavier quantitative warning module. There is an urgent need for a lightweight warning device suitable for UAV platforms that can quickly identify high-power microwave threats. Summary of the invention

[0004] Technical issues to be solved

[0005] High-power microwave is a rapidly developing anti-UAV method in recent years, but existing UAV platforms do not have the identification and warning capabilities. In order to avoid the shortcomings of the prior art, the present invention provides a simplified UAV-mounted high-power microwave threat warning module.

[0006] Technical Solution

[0007] A simplified unmanned aerial vehicle high-power microwave threat warning module, characterized by comprising an antenna receiving array, a voltage reduction and limiting protection unit, a wide dynamic detection circuit, an envelope enhancement and maintenance circuit, an identification and comparison unit, a threshold adjustment circuit and a host communication unit;

[0008] The antenna receiving array is located at the front end of the alarm module and is connected to the wide dynamic detection circuit. The antenna is responsible for collecting the time domain waveform of the high-power microwave electric field entering the alarm module and coupling it to a certain power level;

[0009] The voltage reduction and amplitude limiting protection unit is an important protection measure for the alarm module. The power of the high-power microwave signal received by the antenna is extremely high, even far exceeding the detection range of the subsequent circuit. Furthermore, in order to ensure the absorption of extremely high power and low loss, the voltage reduction and amplitude limiting protection unit adopts a multi-stage voltage reduction design of gas discharge tubes and fast diodes;

[0010] The wide dynamic detection circuit detects the outer contour envelope of the input narrow pulse high-power microwave waveform after the antenna receives the coupling;

[0011] The envelope enhancement and maintenance circuit is used to amplify and maintain the detection output envelope voltage. Since the pulse width after high-power microwave detection is only a few nanoseconds at the narrowest, it cannot be provided to the subsequent unit for comparison. Therefore, the amplification and maintenance circuit is designed to ensure that the voltage amplitude and pulse width entering the identification unit meet the comparator requirements;

[0012] The identification and comparison unit is used to compare the amplitude of the monitoring signal output by the dynamic detection circuit with the given comparison threshold value, and the comparator of the identification and comparison unit outputs an alarm pulse after confirming that the test envelope voltage exceeds the set threshold value; further, the given comparison threshold value can be set by a threshold value adjustment circuit, and the set threshold value of the threshold value adjustment circuit is determined based on the already mastered high-power microwave database;

[0013] The host communication unit can analyze the alarm pulse of the identification and comparison unit, count the alarm pulse amplitude and the alarm pulse frequency, and send all the analysis data to the drone host according to the established communication protocol. The drone host is informed of the threat of high-power microwave attack and realizes the alarm function.

[0014] The antenna receiving array is implemented by multi-band splicing.

[0015] The detection circuit adopts a fast response power detector, which converts the input power signal into a voltage signal. It uses the nonlinearity of Schottky diodes to perform nonlinear transformation on the radio frequency signal, and then extracts the DC component in the transformed signal to characterize the quantitative relationship between the input signal power and the detection voltage value.

[0016] Beneficial Effects

[0017] In view of the sporadic, short pulse width, and instantaneous high power characteristics of high-power microwaves, a special step-down and limiting unit is set up to reduce the peak power of microwaves after antenna coupling to prevent high-power microwaves from directly damaging the subsequent circuits of the alarm module. A wide dynamic detection circuit is used to detect the high-power microwave envelope in real time online, and the detection value is compared with the threshold adjustment circuit to ensure that the recognition and comparison unit can accurately identify the high-power microwave threat.

[0018] By adopting the present invention, the UAV can receive a rapid warning signal after entering a high-power microwave area, and the UAV and the UAV swarm can quickly leave the area by means of evasion and return, thereby significantly improving the battlefield survivability. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0019] The drawings are only for the purpose of illustrating particular embodiments and are not to be considered limiting of the present invention. Like reference symbols denote like components throughout the drawings.

[0020] Figure 1 A simplified block diagram of the composition of the UAV-mounted high-power microwave threat warning module system;

[0021] Figure 2 Alarm module embodiment S-band alarm unit circuit schematic diagram. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0022] In order to make the purpose, technical solutions and advantages of the present invention more clearly understood, the present invention is further described in detail below in conjunction with the accompanying drawings and embodiments. It should be understood that the specific embodiments described herein are only used to explain the present invention and are not intended to limit the present invention. In addition, the technical features involved in the various embodiments of the present invention described below can be combined with each other as long as they do not conflict with each other.

[0023] A simplified UAV-mounted high-power microwave threat warning module system block diagram is shown in the attached figure. Figure 1 As shown, it specifically includes an antenna receiving array, a voltage reduction and limiting protection unit, a wide dynamic detection circuit, an envelope enhancement and maintenance circuit, an identification and comparison unit, a threshold adjustment circuit, and a host communication unit.

[0024] Specifically, the antenna receiving array is located at the front end of the alarm module and is connected to the wide dynamic detection circuit. The antenna is responsible for collecting the time domain waveform of the high-power microwave electric field entering the alarm module and coupling it to a certain power level. Since the working spectrum range of high-power microwaves is wide and the working frequency bands are more, the receiving antenna is realized by multi-band splicing, thus forming an antenna receiving array;

[0025] Specifically, the voltage reduction and amplitude limiting protection unit is an important protection measure for the alarm module. The power of the high-power microwave signal received by the antenna is extremely high, even far exceeding the detection range of the subsequent circuit. Further, in order to ensure the absorption of extremely high power and low loss, the voltage reduction and amplitude limiting protection unit adopts a multi-stage voltage reduction design such as a gas discharge tube and a fast diode;

[0026] Specifically, the wide dynamic detection circuit detects the outer contour envelope of the input narrow pulse high-power microwave waveform after the antenna receives the coupling. The detection circuit adopts a fast response power detector, which converts the input power signal into a voltage signal. It uses the nonlinearity of the Schottky diode to perform nonlinear transformation on the radio frequency signal, and then extracts the DC component in the transformed signal to characterize the quantitative relationship between the input signal power and the detection voltage value.

[0027] Specifically, the envelope enhancement and maintenance circuit is used to amplify and maintain the detection output envelope voltage. Since the pulse width after high-power microwave detection is only a few nanoseconds at the narrowest, it cannot be provided to the subsequent unit for comparison. Therefore, the amplification and maintenance circuit is designed to ensure that the voltage amplitude and pulse width entering the identification unit meet the comparator requirements;

[0028] Specifically, the identification and comparison unit is used to compare the amplitude of the monitoring signal output by the dynamic detection circuit with the given comparison threshold value, and the comparator of the identification and comparison unit outputs an alarm pulse after confirming that the test envelope voltage exceeds the set threshold value. Further, the given comparison threshold value can be set by a threshold adjustment circuit, and the set threshold value of the threshold adjustment circuit is determined based on the already mastered high-power microwave database;

[0029] Specifically, the host communication unit can analyze the alarm pulse of the identification and comparison unit, count the alarm pulse amplitude and alarm pulse frequency, and send all the analysis data to the drone host according to the established communication protocol. The drone host is informed of the incoming threat of high-power microwaves and realizes the alarm function.

[0030] High-power microwave threats cover many frequency bands, but for the alarm module, the circuit design principle of each frequency band is the same. In order to simplify the description, this embodiment takes the S-band high-power microwave alarm circuit design as an example to illustrate the features of the present invention. It should be understood that the preferred embodiments described herein are only used to illustrate and explain the present invention, and can be replaced by other equivalent or similar alternative features. Unless otherwise specified, each feature is only an example of a series of equivalent or similar features and is not used to limit the present invention.

[0031] Typically, the circuit schematic diagram of the S-band warning unit of a simplified UAV-mounted high-power microwave warning module of the present invention is as follows: Figure 2 As shown, it mainly includes a receiving antenna and a coupled waveguide 1, a voltage reduction and limiting protection unit 2, a wide dynamic detection circuit 3, an envelope enhancement and maintenance circuit 4, an identification and comparison unit and a threshold adjustment circuit 5, etc.;

[0032] Typically, the receiving antenna and coupling waveguide 1 of the present invention example operate in the S band, with a frequency range of 2-4 GHz, the antenna is in the form of a microstrip flat antenna, the antenna input power enters the coupling waveguide, and the coupler attenuation coefficient is designed to be not less than 60 dB;

[0033] Typically, the step-down and amplitude limiting protection unit 2 of the present invention adopts a three-stage amplitude limiting circuit design of a high-power gas discharge tube, a semiconductor discharge tube and a fast-response TVS tube. The ceramic gas discharge tube has a large power capacity and can clamp high-power microwaves with a certain pulse width. The second-stage protection adopts a semiconductor discharge tube, which has a faster response speed than the gas discharge tube. The third-stage protection adopts a low-capacitance TVS tube for precise protection. The TVS tube has the fastest response speed and low residual pressure.

[0034] Typically, the wide dynamic detection circuit 3 of the present invention is used to characterize the quantitative relationship between the input signal power and the detection voltage value, and a fast response logarithmic detection video amplifier is used as the detection link of the measuring device. The instantaneous dynamic range can reach 60dB, which effectively solves the problem of difficulty in normally capturing signals under the condition of drastic changes in the intensity of high-power microwave radiation.

[0035] Typically, the envelope enhancement and maintenance circuit 4 of the present invention is implemented by a power amplifier circuit and a multi-stage RC network, and can ultimately amplify a pulse with an input voltage of about 20mV-100mV and an input pulse width of nanoseconds to a voltage of 2-10V and a pulse width of milliseconds;

[0036] Typically, the identification comparison unit and the threshold adjustment circuit 5 of the present invention implement high-power microwave signal detection and identification, mainly through voltage amplitude and pulse width parameter comparison, and the reference threshold voltage required for comparison can be arbitrarily adjusted based on the high-power microwave database.

[0037] The above description is only a specific implementation mode of the present invention, but the protection scope of the present invention is not limited thereto. Any technician familiar with the technical field can easily think of various equivalent modifications or substitutions within the technical scope disclosed in the present invention, and these modifications or substitutions should be included in the protection scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. A simplified UAV-mounted high-power microwave threat warning module, characterized in that It includes an antenna receiving array, a voltage reduction and limiting protection unit, a wide dynamic detection circuit, an envelope enhancement and maintenance circuit, an identification and comparison unit, a threshold adjustment circuit and a host communication unit; The antenna receiving array is located at the front end of the alarm module and is connected to the wide dynamic detection circuit. The antenna is responsible for collecting the time domain waveform of the high-power microwave electric field entering the alarm module and coupling it to a certain power level; The voltage reduction and amplitude limiting protection unit is an important protection measure for the alarm module. The power of the high-power microwave signal received by the antenna is extremely high, even far exceeding the detection range of the subsequent circuit. Furthermore, in order to ensure the absorption of extremely high power and low loss, the voltage reduction and amplitude limiting protection unit adopts a multi-stage voltage reduction design of gas discharge tubes and fast diodes; The wide dynamic detection circuit detects the outer contour envelope of the input narrow pulse high-power microwave waveform after the antenna receives the coupling; The envelope enhancement and maintenance circuit is used to amplify and maintain the detection output envelope voltage. Since the pulse width after high-power microwave detection is only a few nanoseconds at the narrowest, it cannot be provided to the subsequent unit for comparison. Therefore, the amplification and maintenance circuit is designed to ensure that the voltage amplitude and pulse width entering the identification unit meet the comparator requirements; The identification and comparison unit is used to compare the amplitude of the monitoring signal output by the dynamic detection circuit with the given comparison threshold value, and the comparator of the identification and comparison unit outputs an alarm pulse after confirming that the test envelope voltage exceeds the set threshold value; further, the given comparison threshold value can be set by a threshold value adjustment circuit, and the set threshold value of the threshold value adjustment circuit is determined based on the already mastered high-power microwave database; The host communication unit can analyze the alarm pulse of the identification and comparison unit, count the alarm pulse amplitude and the alarm pulse frequency, and send all the analysis data to the drone host according to the established communication protocol. The drone host is informed of the threat of high-power microwave attack and realizes the alarm function.

2. The simplified UAV-mounted high-power microwave threat warning module according to claim 1 is characterized in that: The antenna receiving array is implemented by multi-band splicing.

3. The simplified UAV-mounted high-power microwave threat warning module according to claim 1 is characterized in that: The detection circuit adopts a fast response power detector, which converts the input power signal into a voltage signal. It uses the nonlinearity of Schottky diodes to perform nonlinear transformation on the radio frequency signal, and then extracts the DC component in the transformed signal to characterize the quantitative relationship between the input signal power and the detection voltage value.

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