Embedded Fire Multiplexing Control for Legacy Countermeasure Expansion
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current military countermeasure dispensing systems are limited by the number of expendables and firing lines, making it difficult to dispense multiple countermeasures effectively during critical situations, and upgrading these systems is costly and complex.
Innovation Solution
The expansion of fire lines between the countermeasure controller and dispenser, incorporating an embedded fire select multiplexing assembly with a control logic circuit to configure and control multiple banks of firing lines, allowing up to forty-eight payloads and improved power/data transmission.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If the number of firing lines is increased to dispense more expendables, then the capability to counter threats is improved, but the device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies multiplexing technology where a single firing line is configured to serve multiple payload positions (up to 48 positions) through time-division control. The controller sequentially activates different segments of the firing line to dispense expendables from various magazine positions, allowing one physical firing line to perform the function of multiple simultaneous firing lines, thus resolving the contradiction between increasing expendable capacity and maintaining system simplicity
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically configures the firing line by dividing it into multiple segments that can be independently controlled at different time intervals. The controller dynamically switches between segments based on which payload position requires activation, transforming a static one-to-one firing line mapping into a dynamic many-to-one relationship, enabling the system to handle up to 48 payload positions with a reduced number of physical firing lines
2Quantity of substance
If the number of payloads is increased from thirty to forty-eight, then the countermeasure capability is improved, but the sequencer complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the firing line into multiple controllable sections corresponding to different payload groups. Instead of requiring 48 separate control circuits for 48 payloads, the firing line is divided into segments that can be independently activated. The sequencer controls each segment through polling signals, allowing manageable complexity while supporting up to 48 payload positions. This segmentation approach breaks down the complex 48-way control problem into smaller, more manageable segments
3Adaptability or versatility
If legacy dispensing systems are upgraded to handle more expendables, then operational flexibility is improved, but upgrade cost and difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the existing firing line infrastructure multi-functional by implementing multiplexing control. Rather than replacing legacy systems with completely new high-capacity systems, the invention enables the existing firing line to serve multiple payload positions through intelligent control. This allows legacy systems to be upgraded to handle 48 payloads using software/control logic modifications rather than extensive hardware replacement, significantly reducing upgrade cost and complexity while improving operational flexibility
Data Source
AI summary
A countermeasure dispensing system (CMDS) that expands a legacy set of firing lines to a set of expanded firing lines and a set of polling lines. CMDS includes a sequencer, a breechplate that has a set of fire pins, an embedded fire select multiplexing (EFSM) assembly that is operatively connected with the breechplate and the sequencer. The EFSM assembly includes a set of firing lines that operatively connects with the sequencer and the set of fire pins of the breechplate, wherein at least one firing line is configurable for a desired state. The EFSM assembly also includes a set of polling lines that operatively connects with the sequencer and a control logic circuit (CLC) of the EFSM to configure the desired state for the at least one firing line.