DIRCM Module Handover via Predictive Trajectory Alignment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current DIRCM systems face challenges in providing uninterrupted and efficient protection against IR-guided missiles, particularly during agile encounters, as they often require parallel tracking by multiple modules, leading to potential disruptions in jamming continuity.
Innovation Solution
The method involves a DIRCM system with multiple modules that allows for seamless handover of tracking and jamming responsibilities without overlapping or interrupting the jamming process, using a prediction of the target's trajectory to align the second module before the first module can no longer engage, ensuring continuous jamming without parallel tracking.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If parallel tracking by multiple modules is used to ensure continuous coverage, then reliability of protection is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by having the second module predict and prepare for the target's future position before the first module loses track. The system calculates predicted trajectory points and pre-positions the second module's detection area, ensuring seamless handover without gaps in coverage. This eliminates the need for continuous parallel tracking while maintaining reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically switches from static parallel tracking to dynamic sequential tracking. The handover process is adaptive, adjusting the detection area position and size based on predicted target movement. This dynamic approach allows the system to maintain continuous coverage with a single active tracker at any given time, reducing complexity while preserving reliability.
2Duration of action of moving object
If multiple modules track in parallel to maintain continuous jamming, then jamming continuity is improved, but loss of time increases due to coordination overhead
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary calculations of the target's predicted trajectory and determines optimal handover points before the actual handover occurs. By pre-computing the second module's detection area position and size in advance, the system eliminates coordination delays during the critical handover moment, maintaining jamming continuity without time loss.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements a rapid handover mechanism that skips the traditional sequential coordination process. The second module's detection area is repositioned and activated in a single swift operation based on pre-calculated parameters, rushing through the handover process so quickly that jamming continuity is maintained without perceptible time loss.
3Measurement precision
If the detection area is kept small for precise tracking, then measurement precision is improved, but area of coverage decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent resolves the contradiction by transitioning from spatial expansion to temporal sequencing. Instead of enlarging the detection area to cover more space, the system uses a small, precise detection area that moves through time along the target's predicted trajectory. This dimensional shift from space to time allows precise tracking while maintaining continuous coverage through sequential handovers.
Solution Approach 2:
The system pre-calculates the position and size of the second module's detection area based on predicted target movement. This preliminary sizing ensures the detection area is optimally positioned and dimensioned for precise tracking of the target at its future location, maintaining measurement precision while enabling seamless handover coverage.
4Area of stationary object
If the detection area is enlarged to cover more area, then area of coverage is improved, but measurement precision decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The system resolves this contradiction by moving the coverage problem from the spatial dimension to the temporal dimension. A small, high-precision detection area is maintained at each moment, but through rapid sequential handovers along the target's trajectory, continuous temporal coverage is achieved. This eliminates the need to enlarge the detection area while preserving both precision and coverage.
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
This approach ensures uninterrupted and effective jamming of IR-guided missiles by allowing smooth handover between modules, maintaining continuous protection without interruptions, even as the target moves out of the effective range of one turret and into another.
Implementation Method 1
The protection system uses high-tech sensors from the manufacturer Elbit Systems to ward off seeker-guided guided missiles... focuses the highly dynamic and precisely guided laser beam directly onto the infrared seeker of the attacking object
Data Source
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Figure 2a~2d
Figure 3
AI summary
In a method for engaging an incoming target (4) by a DIRCM system (2) with modules (12a,b): - an expected future trajectory (BB) of the target (4) is determined, and - when the trajectory (BB) intersects an edge of the total area (BGa,b) of the active module (12a,b) at a transfer position (PÜ): - the detection mode (MD) is activated in a second module (12a,b), and - after the second module (12a,b) has detected the target (4), the tracking mode (MV) and the beam mode (MS) are deactivated in the first module (12a,b) and activated in the second module (12a,b). The DIRCM system (2) includes an interface (8) to the warning system (10) for reporting the targets (4), DIRCM modules (12a,b) for detecting, tracking and engaging the target (4), each of the modules (12a,b) having a total area (BGa,b) for detecting and/or tracking and/or engaging targets (4), and a control and evaluation unit (14) for executing the procedure.An object (6) contains the DIRCM system (2).