Active Protection System Using Passive Optical Sensors
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional active protection systems have a high false alarm rate, which increases crew workload, wastes countermeasures, and risks revealing the vehicle's position, due to the use of detectable active radar-based sensors and separate countermeasure integration challenges.
Innovation Solution
An integrated active protection system incorporating a surveillance camera unit for all-around view, a detection and countermeasure unit, and a central processing unit that confirms threats using image data from cameras covering various spectral ranges, reducing false alarms by passive threat confirmation and optimizing countermeasure activation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If active radar-based sensors are used for threat detection, then the detection capability is improved, but the false alarm rate increases and the vehicle position is revealed
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces active radar-based sensors with passive optical sensors (cameras) for threat detection. This substitution eliminates the harmful effect of radar emissions being detected by adversaries while maintaining detection capability through optical means. The central processing unit processes images from these passive sensors to identify threats without generating detectable signals.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a central processing unit as an intermediary that receives images from passive optical sensors and processes them to identify threats. This intermediary layer enables threat detection using non-detectable optical signals while filtering out false alarms through intelligent image analysis, thus resolving the contradiction between detection capability and false alarm rate.
2Ease of manufacture
If separate countermeasure integration is used, then the system modularity is improved, but the installation location optimization is limited and SWaP increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the countermeasure system with the vehicle's existing structure by integrating countermeasure effectors into the vehicle body rather than requiring separate installation locations. This integration eliminates the need for dedicated countermeasure mounting spaces while maintaining system functionality, thereby reducing overall SWaP and simplifying installation requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a universal integration framework where the vehicle's existing structure serves multiple functions: housing both sensor systems and countermeasure effectors. This multi-functional approach eliminates the need for separate dedicated locations for countermeasures, reducing installation complexity and optimizing space utilization while maintaining system modularity through software-based control.
3Object-generated harmful factors
If passive optical sensors are used instead of active radar, then the false alarm rate is reduced, but the detection range may be limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from active radar detection (which operates in the electromagnetic spectrum) to passive optical detection (which operates in the visible/infrared spectrum). This dimensional change allows the system to achieve superior false alarm reduction through optical image analysis while maintaining effective detection range through strategic sensor placement and advanced image processing capabilities.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent substitutes active radar systems with passive optical sensor systems. This replacement uses cameras and optical sensors that do not emit detectable signals, thereby eliminating false alarms caused by radar emissions while maintaining threat detection capability through intelligent image processing in the optical spectrum.
Data Source
AI summary
An active protection system includes a surveillance camera unit, a detection and countermeasure unit, and a central processing unit. The surveillance camera unit is configured to provide an all-round view and image data of a region of interest. The detection and countermeasure unit is configured to detect a potential threat and, upon a confirmation, to activate a countermeasure suitable to at least mitigate the threat. The central processing unit is configured to confirm the detected potential threat based on the image data of the surveillance camera unit and to provide data indicating the confirmed treat.