Adaptive High-Power Microwave System and Operating Method Based on Target Detection

Abstract

The present invention relates to an adaptive high-power microwave system and method that detects the type of target (biological / non-biological) and automatically switches the microwave output and irradiation mode. In defense mode, electronic equipment such as drones is neutralized using kilowatt-class high-power pulses, while in disinfection mode, airborne viruses are inactivated by inducing structural resonance (SRET) using milliwatt- to watt-class low-power continuous waves. Since defense and disinfection can be performed simultaneously on a single GaN-based microwave platform, a single system can respond to environments where drone threats and biological threats coexist (military bases, field hospitals, poultry farms, airports).

Description

Technology Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a High-Power Microwave (HPM) system, and more particularly to an adaptive HPM system that detects the type of target (biological target / non-biological target) and automatically switches the output, frequency, and irradiation mode, and a method of operating the same. Background Technology

[0002] High-power microwave (HPM) technology has developed independently in two distinct fields.

[0003] First, in the military field, HPMs serve as Directed Energy Weapons (DEWs) used to neutralize enemy drones, missiles, and electronic equipment. The Leonidas system from Epirus, a U.S. company, is a GaN semiconductor-based solid-state HPM that was selected for the U.S. Army's IFPC-HPM (Indirect Fire Protection Capability) program. It offers extremely high cost-effectiveness, as it can neutralize low-cost suicide drones, such as the Iranian Shahed-136, at an electricity cost of only a few hundred thousand won, instead of using interceptor missiles that cost billions of won.

[0004] Second, in the field of public health, HPM is being studied for the inactivation of airborne viruses using the principle of Structure-Resonant Energy Transfer (SRET). Yang et al. (2015) inactivated influenza A (H3N2) virus in aerosol form using 8.4 GHz microwaves at an output below the IEEE safety standard. Manna et al. (2023) achieved 90% inactivation of SARS-CoV-2 aerosols.

[0005] However, in conventional technology, these two applications have been treated as completely separate systems. HPMs for drone neutralization operate at high power levels ranging from kilowatts to megawatts and are dangerous to humans, while HPMs for virus inactivation operate at low power levels ranging from milliwatts to watts and are ineffective against drones. No adaptive system has been proposed that switches output and mode based on the target from a single microwave source.

[0006] In particular, if a single system can respond to both drone and biological threats in environments where they coexist, such as military bases, field hospitals, poultry farms, and airports, equipment costs, installation space, and operational personnel can be significantly reduced. Prior art literature

[0007] 1. Yang SC, et al. Efficient structure resonance energy transfer from microwaves to confined acoustic vibrations in viruses. Sci Rep. 2015;5:18030.2. Manna S, et al. Radiofrequency-wave-induced free inactivation of aerosolized SARS-CoV-2. Sci Rep. 2023;13:12986.3. Afaghi P, et al. Effect of high-power microwave pulses on a coronavirus in solution. Bioelectromagnetics. 2025;46:e22455.4. Epirus Inc. Leonidas HPM System. IFPC-HPM program, US Army. 2023.5. Wierzbicki T, et al. Effect of receptors on the resonant and transient harmonic vibrations of coronavirus. J Mech Phys Solids. 2021;150:104369. The problem to be solved

[0008] The present invention aims to provide an adaptive HPM system and a method of operation thereof that detects whether a target is a biological object (airborne viruses, pathogens) or a non-biological object (drone, unmanned aerial vehicle, electronic equipment) and automatically switches the microwave output level, frequency, irradiation pattern, and safety protocol according to the type of target.

[0009] In addition, the present invention aims to provide a dual-use system capable of simultaneously responding to both drone threats and biological threats using a single microwave platform in environments where drone threats and biological threats coexist (military bases, field hospitals, poultry farms, airports). means of solving the problem

[0010] The adaptive high-power microwave system according to the present invention comprises the following:

[0011] (a) Microwave generator: Includes a GaN semiconductor-based solid-state microwave source capable of frequency variation in the range of 1 to 50 GHz and output control from milliwatt level (biological mode) to kilowatt level (defense mode).

[0012] (b) Target detection unit: A composite sensor that detects the type of target within a processing area, comprising a radar sensor (drone detection, RCS measurement), a lidar sensor (size and shape determination), an infrared sensor (thermal signature determination), and an environmental sensor (humidity, aerosol concentration). The target detection unit distinguishes whether the target is a non-biological object (including metal and electronic equipment) or a biological object (viruses in aerosols).

[0013] (c) Mode switching control unit: Automatically selects one of the following two modes based on the output of the target detection unit:

[0014] - Defense Mode: If a target is detected as a drone or electronic equipment, it irradiates the target's electronic circuits with pulsed, high-power, kilowatt-class microwaves to burn out or upset them. The frequency is set to match the vulnerable frequency band of the target electronic equipment, and a human safety zone is automatically established.

[0015] - Disinfection Mode: When the target is detected as a virus in an aerosol (aerosol concentration detected by an environmental sensor, no drone detected), low-power microwaves in the milliwatt to watt range are irradiated in a continuous wave (CW) form to induce structural resonance (SRET) of the virus. The frequency is set to match the dipole resonance frequency of the target virus (e.g., SARS-CoV-2 4 GHz, H3N2 8.4 GHz), and human safety is ensured with an output below the IEEE / ICNIRP safety standards.

[0016] (d) Safety Management Section: Automatically sets a human safety zone when operating in defense mode, and automatically cuts off output when personnel are detected within the safety zone. In disinfection mode, output is maintained at or below the IEEE C95.1 safety standard (10 W / m² at 10 GHz).

[0017] (e) Antenna section: Includes a phased array antenna capable of beam steering, and automatically switches between a narrow beam (high gain, target tracking) in defense mode and a wide beam (wide-area irradiation) in disinfection mode. Effects of the invention

[0018] According to the present invention, a single microwave platform can simultaneously respond to drone threats (defense mode) and biological threats (disinfection mode), thereby significantly reducing equipment costs, installation space, and operating personnel compared to having separate air defense and disinfection systems.

[0019] Furthermore, in defense mode, it offers extremely excellent cost-effectiveness by neutralizing drones at a power cost of only a few hundred won, compared to existing interceptor missiles (billions of won per shot), and in disinfection mode, it is capable of inactivating viruses that do not undergo mutation without the use of chemicals.

[0020] Furthermore, the present invention enables the aerosol disinfection of H5N1 avian influenza and defense against virus dispersal terrorism using drones to be performed in poultry farms as a single system, allowing for dual use in the fields of biological warfare and agricultural disease control. Brief explanation of the drawing

[0021] Figure 1 is a configuration diagram of an adaptive high-power microwave system according to the present invention. Figure 2 is a comparison of the output, frequency, and beam width of the defense mode and the disinfection mode. Figure 3 is a decision flowchart of the target detection unit. Figure 4 is a schematic diagram of a poultry farm application scenario. Specific details for implementing the invention

[0022] [Example]

[0023] Example 1: Military Base Defense System

[0024] The system of the present invention is installed on the perimeter of a military base. When the radar sensor of the target detection unit detects an approaching drone, the mode switching control unit activates the defense mode. The microwave generator generates a kilowatt-class pulse, and the phased array antenna tracks the drone and steers a narrow beam. The drone's flight control circuit and communication module are destroyed, causing it to crash. Once the drone threat is resolved, the system automatically switches to disinfection mode to continuously disinfect the air within the base.

[0025] Example 2: Poultry Farm Dual Use System

[0026] The system of the present invention is installed in the ventilation ducts and on the roof of a poultry farm. Under normal circumstances, it operates in disinfection mode to inactivate H5N1 avian influenza aerosols in the ventilation air (8.4 GHz, IEEE safety standard or lower). When a virus-spreading terror attack using a drone or an unauthorized drone used for monitoring wild birds is detected, the system switches to defense mode to neutralize the drone.

[0027] Example 3: Field Hospital System

[0028] The system of the present invention is installed in a field hospital facility. In disinfection mode, it inactivates respiratory viruses (SARS-CoV-2, influenza) in the air inside the hospital, and switches to defense mode to protect the facility upon the approach of enemy drones. The safety management unit monitors the locations of patients and medical staff within the hospital and automatically establishes a human safety zone when defense mode is activated.

[0029] Example 4: Airport Security System

[0030] The system of the present invention is installed around the airport runway. When an unauthorized drone approaches, it is neutralized in defense mode, and in the terminal ventilation system, airborne viruses are inactivated in disinfection mode. Industrial applicability

[0031] This invention can be utilized as an adaptive defense and disinfection system that responds to both drone and biological threats using a single microwave platform in facilities where such threats coexist, including military bases, field hospitals, poultry farms, airports, ports, power plants, and government buildings. It offers differentiated competitiveness as a combined drone defense and disinfection system for K-defense exports.

Claims

Claim 1 An adaptive high-power microwave system that automatically switches the microwave output and irradiation modes according to the type of target, comprising: a microwave generator capable of frequency variation in the range of 1 to 50 GHz and output adjustment from milliwatts to kilowatts; a target detection unit that distinguishes the type of target as biological and non-biological targets; and a mode switching control unit that selectively activates one of a defense mode and a disinfection mode based on the output of the target detection unit, wherein in the defense mode, kilowatt-level high-power pulsed microwaves are irradiated to neutralize the electronic circuits of non-biological targets, and in the disinfection mode, milliwatt- to watt-level low-power continuous-wave microwaves are irradiated to induce structural resonance of biological targets. Claim 2 A system according to claim 1, wherein the target detection unit comprises one or more of a radar sensor, a lidar sensor, an infrared sensor, and an environmental sensor (humidity, aerosol concentration). Claim 3 A system according to claim 1, wherein the microwave frequency in the disinfection mode is set to match the dipole resonance frequency of the target virus, and the output is maintained below the IEEE C95.1 or ICNIRP safety standard. Claim 4 A system according to claim 1, characterized in that the microwave frequency in the defense mode is set to match the vulnerable frequency band of the target electronic equipment. Claim 5 A system according to claim 1, further comprising a phase array antenna, characterized in that the beam width is automatically switched to a narrow beam (target tracking) in the defense mode and to a wide beam (wide-area irradiation) in the disinfection mode. Claim 6 A system according to claim 1, further comprising a safety management unit that automatically sets a human safety zone when operating in defense mode and automatically cuts off the output when a person is detected within the safety zone. Claim 7 A system according to claim 1, wherein the microwave generator comprises a GaN semiconductor-based solid-state source. Claim 8 A system according to claim 1, characterized in that the system is installed at one or more of a military base, a field hospital, a poultry farm, an airport, a port, a power plant, or a government building. Claim 9 A method for automatically switching the output and irradiation modes of microwaves according to the type of target, comprising: (a) distinguishing the type of target into a biological target and a non-biological target; (b) irradiating a kilowatt-class high-power pulsed microwave to disable an electronic circuit when the target is a non-biological target (drone, electronic equipment); and (c) irradiating a milliwatt- to watt-class low-power continuous-wave microwave to induce structural resonance when the target is a biological target (virus in aerosol). Claim 10 A method according to claim 9, wherein steps (a), (b), and (c) are repeatedly performed in real time, and automatic switching between defense mode and disinfection mode is performed according to changes in the target state. Claim 11 The method of claim 9 is characterized by automatically returning to a disinfection mode after the drone threat is resolved and performing continuous air disinfection. Claim 12 A method according to claim 9, wherein the virus inactivation in the disinfection mode operates independently of genetic mutations of the virus and is based on a resonance frequency determined by the physical size of the virus.

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