Bipolar VIG Pulse Compression for Portable Drone-Disabling UWB Sources
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for intercepting, disabling, or destroying military and militarized commercial drones are inefficient and pose safety and security risks due to their large size, high power requirements, and long setup and start-up times.
Innovation Solution
A portable, compact ultra-wideband high-power electromagnetic source system that integrates a bipolar vector inversion generator and peaking gap assembly with a balanced antenna, capable of generating high-power electromagnetic pulses for use as a Counter small Unmanned Aircraft System (C-sUAS) Directed Energy Weapon, which can be quickly deployed and operated.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional methods are used to intercept and disable drones, then the drones can be disabled, but the system size becomes large and requires high power consumption
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the voltage source, bipolar VIG assembly, peaking gap assembly, and antenna assembly into a single integrated ultra-wideband electromagnetic source system. This merging of previously separate components into one compact unit directly reduces system size while maintaining the drone disabling capability through coordinated operation of all components.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs a nested configuration where the bipolar VIG assembly and peaking gap assembly are positioned within or around the antenna assembly structure. The pulser assembly components are integrated within the antenna assembly, creating a compact nested arrangement that minimizes overall system footprint while preserving full functionality.
2Power
If conventional electromagnetic systems are used, then high power is available, but the setup and start-up time becomes long
Solution Approach 1:
The bipolar VIG assembly and peaking gap assembly are pre-configured and integrated within the antenna assembly before operation. This preliminary integration eliminates the need for complex setup procedures and lengthy warm-up periods, allowing the system to be rapidly deployed and become operational immediately when needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses pulsed electromagnetic operation through the pulser assembly, which generates high-power electromagnetic pulses on demand rather than requiring continuous high-power operation. This pulsed mode allows the system to maintain high peak power capability while consuming less average power and requiring minimal warm-up time between pulses.
3Weight of stationary object
If portable electromagnetic systems are used, then size and weight are reduced, but power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The pulser assembly generates high-power electromagnetic pulses in periodic intervals rather than continuous operation. This allows the portable system to achieve high peak power output when needed while consuming significantly less average power, making the system both portable and energy-efficient for sustained operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adjusts operational parameters including pulse width, repetition rate, and voltage levels through the bipolar VIG and peaking gap assemblies. This parameter optimization allows the portable system to achieve maximum power efficiency by operating at the optimal combination of parameters for each specific engagement scenario, reducing overall power consumption while maintaining effectiveness.
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
The system effectively disables drones at distances of hundreds of meters to kilometers with low collateral effects, offering rapid responsiveness and reduced size, weight, and power consumption, while being cost-effective and safe for personnel.
Implementation Method 1
The method includes receiving the voltage pulse at a bipolar vector inversion generator (VIG) assembly. The VIG assembly compresses and amplifies the voltage pulse to produce a compressed, differential voltage pulse.
Implementation Method 2
The method includes further compressing the compressed, differential voltage pulse using a peaking gap assembly to produce a balanced peak pulse.
Implementation Method 3
The method includes radiating the ultra-wideband electromagnetic pulse using an antenna assembly.
Data Source
AI summary
A method of generating an ultra-wideband electromagnetic pulse includes initiating a voltage source, producing a voltage pulse using the voltage source, and receiving the voltage pulse at a bipolar vector inversion generator (VIG) assembly. The method also includes compressing and amplifying the voltage pulse using the bipolar VIG assembly to produce a compressed, differential voltage pulse, further compressing the compressed, differential voltage pulse using a peaking gap assembly to produce a balanced peak pulse, applying the balanced peak pulse to one or more sets of antenna arms, and radiating the ultra-wideband electromagnetic pulse using an antenna assembly.