Adaptive Handover Control for Energy Directing Elements

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing systems face challenges in managing handovers between energy directing elements, particularly in overlapping areas, leading to inefficient timing and increased number of handovers, especially when dealing with multiple objects or objects moving unpredictably.

Innovation Solution

A system that includes a handover decision module to determine the optimal handover point based on target position, speed, and movement patterns, using handover rules to minimize unnecessary handovers and prioritize targets, while considering the operational constraints and duration of energy directing elements.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Device complexity

If a strict handover criterion is used to divide the overlap area between beam directors, then the handover timing is simplified, but the number of unnecessary handovers increases and operational continuity is compromised

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvehandover control complexityVSAvoidoperational continuity
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies dynamics by making the handover criterion adaptive rather than static. The system dynamically adjusts handover decisions based on real-time target characteristics (speed, size, range) and beam director states (tracking accuracy, operational duration). This dynamic approach allows the system to maintain operational continuity by delaying handovers when targets are stationary or moving slowly, while still providing clear handover guidance when targets move rapidly, thus resolving the contradiction between control simplicity and operational reliability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes multiple parameters simultaneously to optimize handover timing: target speed, target size, target range, tracking accuracy, and beam director operational duration. By evaluating multiple parameters rather than relying on a single strict geometric criterion, the system achieves more reliable operational continuity while maintaining manageable control complexity through a structured multi-parameter evaluation framework.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Reliability

If handover decisions are made frequently to ensure continuous coverage, then operational reliability is improved, but the number of unnecessary handovers increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetracking continuityVSAvoidhandover efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies partial action by implementing a graded handover strategy rather than binary handover decisions. The system evaluates multiple parameters and performs handovers only when necessary thresholds are met, avoiding excessive handovers for stationary or slow-moving targets. This partial action approach maintains tracking continuity for important targets while reducing unnecessary handovers, thus improving handover efficiency without sacrificing reliability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #16Partial or excessive action

Solution Approach 2:

The system uses feedback by continuously monitoring target characteristics and beam director performance, then adjusting handover decisions based on this feedback. The handover criterion adapts to real-time conditions, performing handovers when tracking accuracy degrades or targets move into optimal coverage zones, while avoiding handovers when targets are stable. This feedback mechanism ensures tracking continuity while minimizing unnecessary handovers.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

3Productivity

If multiple handover parameters are considered to optimize handover timing, then handover efficiency is improved, but the decision-making complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvehandover efficiencyVSAvoiddecision module complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies segmentation by dividing the complex handover decision into distinct evaluation components: target parameters (speed, size, range), beam director parameters (tracking accuracy, operational duration), and handover criteria (weighted thresholds for each parameter). This segmented approach allows the system to efficiently evaluate multiple parameters by processing them in organized modules, improving handover efficiency while managing decision-making complexity through structured segmentation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

4Ease of manufacture

If a borderline criterion is used for handover, then the handover rule is simple to implement, but targets moving along the borderline cause increased handover frequency

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvehandover rule implementationVSAvoidhandover frequency
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes from a single geometric borderline parameter to multiple dynamic parameters including target speed, target size, and tracking accuracy. By incorporating target speed, the system can distinguish between targets crossing the borderline intentionally (requiring handover) and targets oscillating near the borderline (not requiring handover). This multi-parameter approach maintains ease of implementation through structured evaluation while significantly reducing unnecessary handover frequency.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentEP3769511B1System and method for carrying out a flexible handover between multiple energy directing elements
Publication Date: 2023.12.06 ELBIT SYST ELECTRO OPTICS ELOP
  • EP3769511B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3769511B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3769511B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A method and a system for determining a handover between at least two energy directing elements are provided herein. The system may include two or more energy directing elements that have a common overlap area defining an area that is coverable by a beam of said two or more energy directing elements, wherein one of the energy directing elements is an active energy directing element that aims on and tracks a target; a handover decision module configured to: obtain a plurality of handover parameters; determine, based on the obtained handover parameters and a plurality of handover rules, a handover point within the overlap area in which handover between the active energy directing element to one other of said at least two energy directing elements; and a controller configured to carry out the handover between the energy directing elements based on the determined handover point.