A time domain countermeasure system against a drone swarm

Abstract

This invention discloses a time-domain countermeasure system against drone swarms, relating to the fields of low-altitude security and anti-drone technology. It includes a pulse antenna array module, a short pulse source module, a pulse drive module, a functional control module, a low-level circuit and algorithm module, a power supply and control module, and a monitoring module. These modules work together to generate high-peak-value short pulses based on an electromagnetic short pulse system. A time-reversal algorithm is used to achieve low-diffraction transmission of pulse energy and super-resolution spatiotemporal synchronous focusing, enabling precise, regionalized countermeasures against drone swarms using time-domain electromagnetic waves. This invention overcomes the limitations of traditional frequency-domain or energy-domain countermeasures, eliminating the need for pre-detection of drone operating frequencies, achieving second-level instantaneous countermeasures, adapting to complex electromagnetic environments, and supporting multi-platform deployment. It provides an efficient and flexible technical solution for low-altitude defense against drone swarms and has broad engineering application value.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention belongs to the field of low-altitude security and anti-drone technology, specifically a time-domain countermeasure system against drone swarms. Background Technology

[0002] Drone swarms, with their dispersed, coordinated, and high-speed characteristics, have become one of the main threats in low-altitude security. These swarm targets employ more diverse penetration methods, placing far greater demands on counter-drone systems in terms of regional countermeasures, environmental adaptability, and rapid response capabilities compared to countering single drones. While existing counter-drone technologies have developed into various approaches and played a certain defensive role in countering single or small-scale drones, the limitations of traditional countermeasures are becoming increasingly apparent when facing systematic and clustered drone swarms.

[0003] Most existing anti-drone systems employ either point-to-point directed energy strikes or indiscriminate frequency-domain jamming. The former has limited firepower channels, making it impossible to simultaneously engage multiple dispersed swarm targets and hindering large-scale countermeasures. The latter is prone to causing electromagnetic interference to friendly communication and detection equipment, and its countermeasure effectiveness is significantly reduced in complex electromagnetic environments. Furthermore, traditional systems generally rely on continuous energy output, resulting in high system energy consumption and slow countermeasure response speeds. Some frequency-domain jamming devices require prior detection of the drone's operating frequency band before countermeasures can be implemented, making them unable to cope with the rapid coordinated penetration of drone swarms. In addition, the overall architecture of existing systems has low integration and lacks modular design, making it difficult to flexibly deploy on different platforms and form a multi-layered defense system that combines mobility, portability, and fixed elements, further limiting the effectiveness of defending against drone swarms.

[0004] Therefore, it is necessary to invent a time-domain countermeasure system for drone swarms to solve the above problems. Summary of the Invention

[0005] In order to overcome the above-mentioned defects of the prior art, the present invention provides a time-domain countermeasure system for drone swarms, which solves the problems mentioned in the background art that traditional systems cannot deal with multiple dispersed swarm targets at the same time, are difficult to achieve large-scale countermeasures, generally rely on continuous energy output, have high system energy consumption, and have slow countermeasure response speed.

[0006] To achieve the above objectives, the present invention provides the following technical solution: a time-domain countermeasure system against UAV swarms, comprising a pulse antenna array module, a short pulse source module, a pulse drive module, a functional control module, a low-level circuit and algorithm module, a power supply and control module, and a monitoring module. Each module is interconnected via electrical and signal lines to form a closed-loop countermeasure system. The functional control module serves as the central control core. The low-level circuit and algorithm module integrates a time-reversal algorithm for technical support. The short pulse source module generates high-power time-domain pulse electrical signals, which are then radiated as time-domain electromagnetic waves by the pulse antenna array module after being driven by the pulse drive module. The power supply and control module provides power and interacts with external commands. The monitoring module provides real-time feedback on the system's operating status.

[0007] As a further description of the above technical solution, the pulse antenna array module is the energy radiation front end of the system. It adopts a modular and plug-and-play design and is composed of several standardized antenna subarrays. Each antenna subarray is equipped with standard electrical and mechanical interfaces. The number of antenna subarrays can be flexibly increased or decreased according to the counter-airspace requirements. The individual antenna radiation element of the antenna subarray is lightweight. The pulse antenna array module and the short pulse source module are integrated into one design.

[0008] As a further description of the above technical solution, the short pulse source module adopts a modular design, with multiple short pulse source modules connected in parallel. The pulse amplitude and pulse repetition frequency output by the short pulse source module are both adjustable over a wide range. The output parameters are adjusted according to the density and distance of the UAV swarm. The short pulse source module has a compact and lightweight structure and is equipped with a heat dissipation structure.

[0009] As a further description of the above technical solution, the pulse drive module is the energy drive and signal transmission channel for the short pulse source module and the pulse antenna array module, and has a built-in signal synchronization control circuit for realizing the synchronous output of multi-channel pulse signals. The pulse drive module is also equipped with a signal overcurrent protection structure and a signal overvoltage protection structure.

[0010] As a further description of the above technical solution, the functional control module has a built-in embedded control chip with high-speed data processing and command issuance capabilities. It is used to realize system self-test control, external command reception and parsing, parameter issuance and adjustment, and module linkage scheduling functions. It dynamically adjusts the operating parameters of each module according to the feedback data of the monitoring module, and triggers an alarm and locates the faulty module when an equipment abnormality is detected.

[0011] As a further description of the above technical solution, the underlying circuit and algorithm module integrates the underlying driving circuit and the time inversion algorithm. The underlying driving circuit provides driving signals and high-speed data transmission channels for each module. The time inversion algorithm is used to achieve low diffraction transmission of pulse energy, and also has the ability to focus beyond the diffraction limit, and selectively project energy onto adjacent targets within the UAV swarm. The underlying circuit and algorithm module adopts a hardware-based algorithm implementation method to improve operating efficiency.

[0012] As a further description of the above technical solution, the power supply and control module is used to provide a stable and adjustable power supply for the entire system. It is equipped with a multi-channel power output interface, which provides power supply with different voltages and currents according to the needs of each module. It has overvoltage, overcurrent and undervoltage protection functions, and is also equipped with a standardized communication interface to realize command interaction and status data feedback with external command and control network.

[0013] As a further description of the above technical solution, the monitoring module consists of a high-precision sensor and a high-speed data acquisition circuit. The high-precision sensor is deployed at multiple points in key parts of each module to achieve comprehensive monitoring of the system's operating status. The monitoring content includes the output parameters of the short pulse source module, the port status of the pulse antenna array module, the system energy consumption and temperature, and the time-domain pulse signal radiation status. The high-speed data acquisition circuit is used to ensure the real-time performance and accuracy of the monitoring data, and immediately triggers an early warning signal when the parameters exceed the threshold.

[0014] As a further description of the above technical solution, the group delay of each antenna radiating element of the pulse antenna array module, except for the resonant point, remains in a low value range, and the signal propagation time is short, ensuring that the radiated time-domain pulse electromagnetic wave is highly consistent with the electrical pulse signal.

[0015] As a further description of the above technical solution, the modular design of the short pulse source module is adapted to the countermeasure requirements of drone swarms of different sizes. The wide range of adjustable output parameters is used to match the operational requirements of different target airspaces. The compact and lightweight structure is easy to integrate into vehicle platforms, drone platforms and individual soldier platforms. The heat dissipation structure is used to prevent the module from experiencing parameter drift and equipment damage due to high temperature.

[0016] Compared with the prior art, the beneficial effects of the present invention are: This invention achieves wide-area radiation of time-domain electromagnetic waves through a pulse antenna array module, enabling regionalized area strike capabilities. It can simultaneously counter multiple UAV swarm targets entering the countermeasure airspace, perfectly adapting to the dispersed nature of UAV swarms and significantly improving the efficiency of countermeasures against swarm targets. Employing a time-domain countermeasure technology approach, unlike traditional frequency-domain jamming methods, it does not require prior detection or knowledge of the target UAV's operating frequency band, exhibiting spectrum independence. It maintains stable countermeasure effectiveness even in complex electromagnetic environments, while not causing electromagnetic interference to friendly communication and detection equipment, ensuring the normal operation of friendly equipment. The core modules of this invention adopt a modular, lightweight, and compact design, with each module possessing standard interfaces and plug-and-play characteristics. They can be flexibly combined according to operational needs and support deployment on various platforms such as vehicle-mounted platforms, UAV-mounted platforms, individual soldier equipment, and fixed land-based stations, forming a multi-layered low-altitude defense system that combines mobile, portable, and fixed elements, adapting to the countermeasure needs of different scenarios.

[0017] 2. This invention achieves instantaneous countermeasures based on an electromagnetic short pulse system. By emitting a specially designed time-domain synchronous pulse signal, it can disrupt the cooperative link and flight control system of the UAV swarm in a very short time, achieving a rapid countermeasure effect. Compared with traditional countermeasure devices that rely on continuous energy output, this system does not require continuous signal transmission, significantly reducing system energy consumption and minimizing the risk of system exposure caused by continuous signal radiation. This system integrates a time-reversal algorithm to achieve low-diffraction transmission of pulse energy and super-resolution spatiotemporal synchronous focusing. It can selectively project energy onto adjacent targets with extremely small spacing in the UAV swarm, achieving precise suppression of specific targets within the swarm, avoiding indiscriminate energy radiation, and improving the accuracy and targeting of the countermeasures.

[0018] 3. Through its modular architecture and adjustable operating parameters, this invention allows the system to flexibly add or remove modules and adjust algorithm parameters and pulse output characteristics according to the development of UAV swarm technology and changes in countermeasure requirements, without requiring large-scale modifications to the overall system architecture, thus possessing strong technical scalability and upgrade potential. Attached Figure Description

[0019] To more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in the embodiments of this application or the prior art, the drawings used in the embodiments will be briefly introduced below. Obviously, the drawings described below are only some embodiments recorded in this invention. For those skilled in the art, other drawings can be obtained based on these drawings.

[0020] Figure 1 A system architecture diagram of a time-domain countermeasure system against drone swarms provided by the present invention; Figure 2 The present invention provides a system flowchart of a time-domain countermeasure system against drone swarms. Detailed Implementation

[0021] The following specific embodiments illustrate the implementation of the present invention. Those skilled in the art can easily understand other advantages and effects of the present invention from the content disclosed in this specification. Obviously, the described embodiments are only some, not all, of the embodiments of the present invention. Based on the embodiments of the present invention, all other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art without creative effort are within the scope of protection of the present invention.

[0022] To enable those skilled in the art to better understand the present application, the present application will be further described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings and specific embodiments. Example

[0023] See attached document Figure 1 and Figure 2 This embodiment of a time-domain countermeasure system against drone swarms consists of a pulse antenna array module, a short pulse source module, a pulse drive module, a function control module, a low-level circuit and algorithm module, a power supply and control module, and a monitoring module. The modules are interconnected through electrical and signal lines to work together to complete the entire process from system self-test, command reception, pulse generation, energy focusing to radiation countermeasure.

[0024] The pulse antenna array module is responsible for converting electrical pulse energy into high-fidelity, low-group-delay time-domain electromagnetic waves and radiating them into a designated airspace. It adopts a modular, plug-and-play design, composed of several standardized antenna subarrays. Each subarray is equipped with standard electrical and mechanical interfaces, allowing for flexible addition or removal of subarrays to adapt the countermeasure range according to airspace requirements. This facilitates rapid disassembly, assembly, and maintenance. Each individual antenna radiating element features a lightweight design, an extremely wide operating bandwidth covering multiple octaves, and excellent time-domain transmission performance. Except for the resonant point, the group delay remains low, resulting in short signal propagation time and high waveform fidelity. This ensures a high degree of consistency between the radiated time-domain pulse electromagnetic wave and the generated electrical pulse signal, guaranteeing the reliability of the countermeasure signal. This module is integrated with the short-pulse source module, achieving efficient energy transfer, reducing energy loss during transmission, and improving overall energy utilization efficiency.

[0025] The short-pulse source module generates high-power time-domain pulse electrical signals. It also employs a modular design, allowing multiple modules to be connected in parallel to meet the countermeasure needs of drone swarms of varying sizes. Both the pulse amplitude and pulse repetition frequency output by the module are widely adjustable, allowing for flexible adjustment of output parameters based on drone swarm density, distance, and other parameters in the target airspace, providing high environmental adaptability and operational flexibility. The module features a compact and lightweight structure for easy integration into different platforms, and is equipped with a dedicated heat dissipation structure to ensure operational stability under continuous high-power output, preventing parameter drift or equipment damage due to overheating.

[0026] The pulse drive module acts as an energy driving and signal transmission bridge between the short pulse source module and the pulse antenna array module. It receives instructions from the functional control module and amplifies, shapes, and synchronously drives the time-domain pulse electrical signal generated by the short pulse source module, ensuring that the electrical pulse signal meets the radiation requirements of the pulse antenna array module. The pulse drive module has a built-in signal synchronization control circuit, enabling synchronous output of multi-channel pulse signals. This ensures high temporal synchronization of the radiated signals from each antenna subarray within the pulse antenna array module, laying the foundation for subsequent pulse energy focusing. Simultaneously, the pulse drive module features overcurrent and overvoltage protection functions to prevent damage to the pulse antenna array module from abnormal signals, improving the overall system safety.

[0027] The functional control module is responsible for coordinating the working status of each module, achieving fully automated control of the system. This includes system self-test control, command reception and parsing, parameter issuance and adjustment, and module linkage scheduling. After system startup, the functional control module automatically issues self-test commands to verify the key parameters and functional status of each module, generating a self-test report. If an anomaly is detected, an alarm is triggered and the faulty module is located. During system standby and operation phases, this module continuously receives external command and control commands from the power supply and control modules. After parsing the commands, it issues information such as the countermeasures airspace, countermeasures mode, and pulse parameters to the corresponding modules. Simultaneously, it receives real-time status feedback data from the monitoring modules and dynamically adjusts the operating parameters of each module based on the actual working status, ensuring the system is always in optimal working condition. This module has a built-in embedded control chip, providing high-speed data processing and command issuance capabilities, ensuring rapid system response.

[0028] The underlying circuitry and algorithm module integrates dedicated underlying driver circuitry and core algorithms, which are crucial for achieving low-diffraction transmission of pulse energy and super-resolution spatiotemporal synchronous focusing. The underlying driver circuitry provides dedicated drive signal and data transmission channels for each module, ensuring signal transmission rate and stability between modules and adapting to the synchronous transmission requirements of high-power pulse signals and high-speed control signals. The core algorithm is a time-reversal algorithm, which can precisely control the spatiotemporal synchronization of the radiation signal from the pulse antenna array module, achieving low-diffraction transmission of pulse energy and keeping the pulse energy highly concentrated during propagation. Simultaneously, this algorithm possesses focusing capabilities that break through the diffraction limit, enabling selective energy projection onto closely spaced adjacent targets within a UAV swarm, achieving precise suppression of specific targets within the swarm, avoiding indiscriminate energy radiation, and improving the accuracy of countermeasures. This module adopts a hardware-based algorithm implementation, significantly improving the algorithm's operating efficiency and ensuring the real-time performance of pulse energy focusing.

[0029] The power supply and control module is responsible for providing a stable and adjustable power supply to all modules of the system. It also receives operational commands from the external command and control network and transmits them to the functional control module. Furthermore, it can provide feedback on the system's operational status and countermeasures activities to the superior command and control network. This module is equipped with multi-channel power output interfaces, capable of providing different voltages and currents according to the operational needs of each module. It features overvoltage, overcurrent, and undervoltage protection functions to ensure the safety and stability of the power supply. It also features a standardized communication interface, supporting seamless integration with various command and control networks. It can receive control commands containing parameters such as target area, countermeasures mode, and operation duration, and can also upload data such as system operating voltage, energy consumption, module status, and countermeasures progress in real time, enabling information exchange between the system and the external command and control network.

[0030] The monitoring module is responsible for real-time monitoring of the entire system's operational status and synchronously transmitting the monitoring data to the functional control module and the power and control module. This includes key information such as the output parameters of the short-pulse source module, the port status of the pulse antenna array module, the operating status of the pulse drive module, the overall system energy consumption and temperature, and the radiation status of the time-domain pulse signal. This module consists of various high-precision sensors and data acquisition circuits. Sensors are deployed at multiple points in key areas of each module, enabling comprehensive and seamless monitoring of the system's operational status. The data acquisition circuits possess high-speed acquisition and transmission capabilities, ensuring the real-time nature and accuracy of the monitoring data. When the operating parameters of a module exceed a preset safety threshold, the module immediately triggers an early warning signal, which is transmitted to the functional control module. The functional control module then promptly issues adjustment or shutdown commands to prevent equipment damage.

[0031] Therefore, in actual use, after the operator starts the system, the function control module automatically issues a self-test command. The monitoring module performs a comprehensive test on the working parameters and functional status of each module, and the test data is fed back to the function control module in real time. If all modules are in normal condition, the system enters standby mode. The power supply and control module continuously listens for commands from the external command and control network, and each module maintains a low-power operation. When the power supply and control module receives the combat command issued by the external command and control network, it immediately transmits the command to the function control module. The function control module quickly analyzes the command, extracts key information such as the target countermeasure airspace, countermeasure mode, and UAV swarm size, and determines the output parameters of the short pulse source module and the radiation range of the pulse antenna array module based on the analysis results. The function control module sends the operating parameters to the short pulse source module and the pulse drive module. The short pulse source module generates a high-power time-domain pulse electrical signal with corresponding amplitude and repetition frequency according to the parameters. After the signal is transmitted to the pulse drive module, it is amplified, shaped and synchronously driven to become a standardized electrical pulse signal that meets the radiation requirements. At the same time, the signal synchronization control circuit ensures the time synchronization of multi-channel signals. The standardized electrical pulse signal is transmitted to the pulse antenna array module. In this process, the time inversion algorithm of the underlying circuit and algorithm module performs precise spatiotemporal synchronization control of the signal to achieve low diffraction transmission of pulse energy and keep the energy highly concentrated during propagation. At the same time, the algorithm achieves super-resolution focusing of pulse energy according to the countermeasure requirements. Then, the pulse antenna array module converts the electrical pulse energy into high-fidelity time-domain electromagnetic waves and radiates them directionally to the designated countermeasure space.

[0032] During the pulsed radiation and countermeasure operation, the monitoring module continuously collects the operating status of each module and the signal radiation status of the countermeasure airspace. The data is fed back to the functional control module in real time. If abnormal module operating parameters or pulse energy focusing deviations are detected, the functional control module immediately issues adjustment commands to dynamically correct the operating parameters of each module to ensure the countermeasure effect. If a serious equipment malfunction occurs, the system immediately triggers a shutdown and alarm mechanism. After the countermeasure operation is completed, the functional control module issues a shutdown command, and each module stops working in sequence and returns to a low-power state. At the same time, the power supply and control module uploads data such as the duration of the countermeasure operation, the countermeasure range, and the system operating status to the external command and control network, completing the entire countermeasure operation process.

[0033] In conclusion, the above description is only a preferred embodiment of the present invention and is not intended to limit the present invention. Any modifications, equivalent substitutions, improvements, etc., made within the spirit and principles of the present invention should be included within the protection scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. A time-domain countermeasure system against drone swarms, characterized in that: The system includes a pulse antenna array module, a short pulse source module, a pulse drive module, a function control module, a low-level circuit and algorithm module, a power supply and control module, and a monitoring module. These modules are interconnected via electrical and signal lines to form a closed-loop countermeasure system. The function control module serves as the central control core. The low-level circuit and algorithm module integrates a time-reversal algorithm for technical support. The short pulse source module generates high-power time-domain pulse electrical signals, which are then radiated as time-domain electromagnetic waves by the pulse antenna array module after being driven by the pulse drive module. The power supply and control module provides power and interacts with external commands. The monitoring module provides real-time feedback on the system's operating status.

2. The time-domain countermeasure system against drone swarms according to claim 1, characterized in that: The pulse antenna array module is the energy radiation front end of the system. It adopts a modular and plug-and-play design and is composed of several standardized antenna subarrays. Each antenna subarray is equipped with standard electrical and mechanical interfaces. The number of antenna subarrays can be flexibly increased or decreased according to the counter-airspace requirements. The individual antenna radiation element of the antenna subarray is lightweight. The pulse antenna array module and the short pulse source module are integrated into one unit.

3. A time-domain countermeasure system against drone swarms according to claim 2, characterized in that: The short pulse source module adopts a modular design, with multiple short pulse source modules connected in parallel. The pulse amplitude and pulse repetition frequency output by the short pulse source module are both adjustable over a wide range. The output parameters are adjusted according to the density and distance of the UAV swarm. The short pulse source module has a compact and lightweight structure and is equipped with a heat dissipation structure.

4. A time-domain countermeasure system against drone swarms according to claim 3, characterized in that: The pulse drive module serves as the energy drive and signal transmission channel for the short pulse source module and the pulse antenna array module. It has a built-in signal synchronization control circuit for synchronous output of multi-channel pulse signals. The pulse drive module also includes a signal overcurrent protection structure and a signal overvoltage protection structure.

5. A time-domain countermeasure system against drone swarms according to claim 4, characterized in that: The functional control module has a built-in embedded control chip, which has high-speed data processing and command issuance capabilities. It is used to realize system self-test control, external command reception and parsing, parameter issuance and adjustment, and module linkage scheduling functions. It dynamically adjusts the operating parameters of each module according to the feedback data of the monitoring module, and triggers alarms and locates faulty modules when abnormal equipment is detected.

6. A time-domain countermeasure system against drone swarms according to claim 5, characterized in that: The underlying circuit and algorithm module integrates the underlying driving circuit and the time inversion algorithm. The underlying driving circuit provides driving signals and high-speed data transmission channels for each module. The time inversion algorithm is used to achieve low diffraction transmission of pulse energy, and also has the ability to focus beyond the diffraction limit. It can also selectively project energy onto adjacent targets within the UAV swarm. The underlying circuit and algorithm module adopts a hardware-based algorithm implementation to improve operating efficiency.

7. A time-domain countermeasure system against drone swarms according to claim 6, characterized in that: The power supply and control module is used to provide a stable and adjustable power supply for the entire system. It is equipped with a multi-channel power output interface to provide different voltage and current power supplies according to the needs of each module. It has overvoltage, overcurrent and undervoltage protection functions, and is also equipped with a standardized communication interface to realize command interaction and status data feedback with external command and control network.

8. A time-domain countermeasure system against drone swarms according to claim 7, characterized in that: The monitoring module consists of high-precision sensors and high-speed data acquisition circuits. The high-precision sensors are deployed at multiple points in key parts of each module to achieve comprehensive monitoring of the system's operating status. The monitoring content includes the output parameters of the short pulse source module, the port status of the pulse antenna array module, the system's energy consumption and temperature, and the time-domain pulse signal radiation status. The high-speed data acquisition circuit is used to ensure the real-time performance and accuracy of the monitoring data, and immediately triggers an early warning signal when the parameters exceed the threshold.

9. A time-domain countermeasure system against drone swarms according to claim 2, characterized in that: Except for the resonant point, the group delay of each antenna radiating element of the pulse antenna array module remains in a low value range, and the signal propagation time is short, ensuring that the radiated time-domain pulse electromagnetic wave is highly consistent with the electrical pulse signal.

10. A time-domain countermeasure system against drone swarms according to claim 3, characterized in that: The modular design of the short pulse source module is adapted to the countermeasure requirements of drone swarms of different sizes. The wide range of adjustable output parameters is used to match the operational requirements of different target airspaces. The compact and lightweight structure is easy to integrate into vehicle platforms, drone platforms and individual soldier platforms. The heat dissipation structure is used to prevent the module from experiencing parameter drift and equipment damage due to high temperature.

Images