Aircraft Countermeasure Sequencer With Programmable Fire Waveforms
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current Countermeasure Dispenser Systems (CMDS) are limited by having only two fire sources operating at a 50% duty cycle, restricting the rate at which expendables can be fired and being unable to adapt to different expendables requiring varying voltages, while also being susceptible to misfires due to undesired electrical pulses.
Innovation Solution
A sequencer system with multiple fire sources, programmable digital and analog waveforms, and a programmable logic device that allows for user-defined parameters such as rise time, fall time, and pulse cycle, enabling simultaneous firing of multiple expendables and reducing misfire risk by adapting to different expendable types and voltages.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If multiple fire sources operate at a 50% duty cycle, then the system can fire expendables, but the firing rate is limited and cannot meet modern threat requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The system divides the firing function into multiple independent fire sources (first fire source, second fire source, third fire source, fourth fire source) that can operate independently. This segmentation allows the system to achieve higher overall firing rates by distributing the firing load across multiple channels, each capable of operating at high duty cycles without interfering with others.
Solution Approach 2:
The system includes a programmable logic device that pre-configures digital waveforms with specific parameters (rise time, fall time, pulse cycle) before firing is needed. This preliminary configuration allows the system to rapidly respond to threats by simply activating pre-programmed firing sequences, eliminating the need for real-time parameter adjustment and enabling higher effective duty cycles.
2Adaptability or versatility
If a CMDS supplies only one current to a pyrotechnic impulse cartridge, then the system is simpler, but it limits the type of expendable the CMDS may be capable of firing
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adapts its output characteristics by using a programmable logic device that can generate different digital waveforms with varying parameters (voltage levels, rise time, fall time, pulse cycle) based on the specific expendable type required. This dynamic configurability allows a single fire source to adapt to multiple different pyrotechnic impulse cartridge requirements without hardware changes.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the electrical parameters of the fire sources through software programming rather than hardware modification. The programmable logic device can adjust voltage amplitude, pulse width, rise time, and fall time parameters to match the specific requirements of different pyrotechnic impulse cartridges, enabling one physical fire source to effectively become multiple specialized fire sources.
3Reliability
If a CMDS uses a simple fire pulse system, then the system is easier to operate, but it is susceptible to undesired fire pulse that may cause misfire
Solution Approach 1:
The system incorporates feedback mechanisms through the programmable logic device that monitors and controls the firing pulse generation. By using programmable parameters such as precise rise time, fall time, and pulse cycle control, the system can detect and reject abnormal pulses that do not meet the specified parameters, thereby preventing misfires while maintaining reliable operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The system pre-configures the exact parameters (rise time, fall time, pulse cycle) that a valid firing pulse must have before operation. This preliminary configuration creates a reference template that the programmable logic device uses to validate incoming fire commands, allowing the system to distinguish between intentional firing commands and spurious noise pulses, thus preventing misfires.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Enables higher firing rates and adaptability to various expendable types, reducing misfire occurrences and enhancing the effectiveness of countermeasure dispensing in aircraft defense systems.
Implementation Method 1
The fire source may supply a current pulse that electrically initiates the pyrotechnic impulse cartridge
Data Source
AI summary
A sequencer for use with a countermeasure defense system includes an input signal indicative of firing an expendable, a circuit card that receives the input signal indicative of firing the expendable and an output analog signal from the circuit card that fires the expendable. The parameters of the output analog signal correspond to parameters of a digital waveform.