Electromagnetic Beam Guidance for Flying Objects
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing flying object guidance systems face challenges in minimizing the mass, volume, power consumption, and cost of on-board electronics, particularly when operating in close proximity to the ground or sea, where reflections and multipath signals complicate navigation and distance measurement, and require precise angle and roll orientation for effective guidance.
Innovation Solution
A guidance system using electromagnetic beams with multiple transmission antennas operating at millimeter wavelengths, employing amplitude and phase monopulse techniques, and coded beams to achieve precise directionality and discretion, allowing the flying object to self-locate within the beams and navigate towards a target with reduced electronic complexity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Extent of automation
If on-board inertial means and electromagnetic designation assembly are used for autonomous guidance, then the flying object can direct itself towards the objective, but the volume of on-board electronics increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a ground-based master control station as an intermediary that handles complex processing tasks. The flying object only needs a simple receiver to capture electromagnetic beams containing guidance information, significantly reducing on-board electronics volume while maintaining autonomous guidance capability through the intermediary ground station
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces physical inertial measurement units and complex on-board processing equipment with electromagnetic field-based guidance. The flying object uses electromagnetic beams to receive position and orientation data, substituting mechanical inertial systems with field-based information transfer
2Reliability
If active radar mode is used for locating the flying machine, then all-weather operation is achieved, but it is difficult to use when the equivalent surface of the machines used is small
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from two-dimensional radar scanning to three-dimensional electromagnetic beam spatial encoding. Multiple beams intersecting in 3D space provide precise location information for small objects, adding a dimensional aspect to the guidance field that enhances measurement precision while maintaining all-weather operation
3Measurement precision
If on-board transmitter is used for location by ground reception system, then target identification is enabled, but location in elevation becomes very delicate due to reflections when flying at low altitude
Solution Approach 1:
The patent acknowledges that reflections from ground and surrounding objects create multipath signals, but converts this harmful effect into a benefit by using signal processing to extract elevation information from the reflected paths. The system processes multipath signals to determine both direct and reflected path characteristics, enabling accurate elevation measurement even at low altitudes
Solution Approach 2:
The master control station pre-calculates and embeds position and orientation information in the electromagnetic beams before transmission. The flying object receives these pre-prepared guidance signals that already contain corrected position data, eliminating the need for real-time reflection compensation by the small on-board electronics
4Ease of operation
If conventional devices are used for guidance, then basic navigation is achieved, but the angle of roll cannot be measured when the machine turns on itself
Solution Approach 1:
The electromagnetic beam guidance system serves multiple functions simultaneously: it provides position information, orientation information including roll angle, and navigation guidance. The same electromagnetic field that guides the object also enables measurement of roll angle during rotation, eliminating the need for separate measurement devices
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 solution enables precise guidance with reduced electronic mass and power consumption, improving autonomy and payload capacity by eliminating the need for bulky inertial units and enhancing the flying object's ability to navigate in complex environments with accurate angle and roll measurements.
Implementation Method 1
A guidance system using electromagnetic beams with multiple transmission antennas operating at millimeter wavelengths
Implementation Method 2
employing amplitude and phase monopulse techniques, and coded beams to achieve precise directionality and discretion
Data Source
Figure 1a~1b
Figure 2~4
Figure 3a~3b
AI summary
The device (1) has a pointing unit indicating a target (3), three sending antennas and a transmitter, where the sending antennas emit a set of beams comprising three electromagnetic beams (21, 22) guidance distinct in different planes. The set of beams is centered on a designation axis, where each beam is differently coded to allow the localization of a flying object (2) inside the beams. The direction of the electromagnetic beams is controlled in angle on a designation axis indicated by the pointing unit.