GHz Signal Interference for Shielded Electronics Disruption

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing methods for defending against missiles and IEDs using high-frequency interference signals are limited by the need for large antennas and high energy input due to metal shielding, and resonance issues at MHz frequencies, restricting effective range and efficiency.

Innovation Solution

Irradiating objects with two high-frequency signals in the GHz range, which are selectively chosen to generate secondary MHz signals through non-linear semiconductor components, allowing penetration and disruption without excessive energy, and using compact antennas to achieve longer ranges.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If interference signals are transmitted at MHz frequencies to influence missile electronics, then the electronics can be disrupted effectively, but large amounts of energy are required and large antennas are needed due to metal shielding

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedisruption effectivenessVSAvoidenergy requirement
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSUse of energy by stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the frequency parameter of the interference signal from MHz range to GHz range. This parameter change allows the signals to penetrate metal shielding more effectively with reduced energy requirements, while still achieving disruption of missile electronics through the non-linear mixing effect in semiconductor components

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses the semiconductor components with non-linear boundary layer transitions as an intermediary mechanism. The GHz signals serve as primary signals that, through the non-linear mixing in semiconductor components, generate secondary signals at difference frequencies that effectively disrupt the electronics, thus achieving disruption without requiring direct MHz signal transmission

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If interference signals are transmitted at MHz frequencies to influence missile electronics, then the electronics can be disrupted effectively, but large antennas are required due to the wavelength

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedisruption effectivenessVSAvoidantenna size
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLength of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the frequency parameter from MHz to GHz, which inversely changes the wavelength and thus the required antenna size. GHz frequencies have much shorter wavelengths, enabling the use of compact antennas while maintaining effective disruption capability through the non-linear mixing mechanism

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Use of energy by stationary object

If high-frequency signals are used to penetrate metal shielding, then coupling efficiency improves, but the signals alone are insufficient to disrupt electronics without generating secondary signals

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecoupling efficiencyVSAvoiddisruption capability
Core Design Contradiction:
Use of energy by stationary objectVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces semiconductor components with non-linear boundary layer transitions as an intermediary that converts high-frequency GHz signals into secondary signals at difference frequencies. The GHz signals provide efficient coupling through shielding, while the non-linear mixing in semiconductor components generates the secondary signals necessary for reliable electronics disruption

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

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 enables mission abort or destruction of targets at greater distances with reduced energy requirements and smaller antenna systems, overcoming the limitations of previous methods by utilizing GHz signals to induce disruptive MHz signals within the targets.

Implementation Method 1

electronic semiconductor components which have non-linear boundary layer transitions. If such a nonlinear boundary layer transition is irradiated with at least two high-frequency signals of different frequencies simultaneously, the nonlinear boundary layer transition acts like a mixer, i.e. the induced high-frequency signals contain signal components whose frequency corresponds to the difference (as well as the sum) of the frequencies of the two primary signals

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectNon-linear boundary layer transition mixing:

Data Source

PatentEP3120105B1Method for defence against and/or disturbance of objects
Publication Date: 2021.10.06 RHEINMETALL WAFFE MUNITION GMBH
  • EP3120105B1 patent drawingFigure 1

AI summary

The invention relates to a method for defence against and/or disturbance of objects (1), missiles or IED that each contain electronics (8) having at least one semiconductor component (10) having a non-linear boundary layer transition (9), wherein the object (1) is irradiated with at least one radio-frequency disturbance signal (3, 4). In order to prompt the irradiation, by means of disturbance signals (3, 4), of an object (1) that is to be repelled, the frequencies of said signals being in the GHz range, to cause the mission of the irradiated object (1) to be aborted, the object (1) is simultaneously irradiated with at least two disturbance signals (3, 4) of different frequency (fi, f2), wherein the frequencies (fi, f2) of the disturbance signals (3, 4) are chosen to be of such a high level that the disturbance signals (3, 4) are beneficially coupled in even through the outer shell (7) of the object (1), and that the frequency difference (f2- f1) between the two disturbance signals (3, 4) is chosen such that the semiconductor component (10) having a non-linear boundary layer transition (9) produces induced secondary radio-frequency signals (MHz) that influence the electronics (8) to such an extent that the mission of the object (1) is aborted.