Horn-Shaped Microwave Pulse Source With Synchronized Multi-Source Emission

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current high-power electro-magnetics (HPEM) systems face limitations in increasing energy density and compactness while maintaining effective range and performance, particularly in directing electromagnetic pulses for counter-UAS, security, and electronic disruption applications.

Innovation Solution

The integration of a large-area arrangement of nonlinear semiconductor components for pulse shaping in conjunction with a horn antenna structure and array technology, allowing for phase-synchronous operation of multiple pulse sources to enhance power density and range, utilizing a DS generator and waveguide system for efficient pulse generation and emission.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Power

If a single pulse source is used in HPEM systems, then the system structure is simple, but the power density and range are limited

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepower densityVSAvoidsystem structure
Core Design Contradiction:
PowerVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system divides the pulse source into multiple independent pulse sources (at least two) that can be operated separately. Each pulse source generates individual pulse components that are then superimposed to create the final high-power electromagnetic pulse, thereby increasing power density while maintaining manageable structural complexity through modular design

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Multiple pulse components from different pulse sources are superimposed in the horn structure to form a single high-power electromagnetic pulse. This combining of multiple sources achieves the desired power density increase while the coordinated operation maintains system manageability

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

2Power

If the system size is increased to improve range, then the power density increases, but the system becomes less compact

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepower densityVSAvoidsystem size
Core Design Contradiction:
PowerVSVolume of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The horn structure utilizes spatial dimensionality to shape and focus the electromagnetic pulse. By configuring the horn with specific geometric dimensions (length, width, height) and positioning multiple pulse sources within this three-dimensional structure, the system achieves power density increase through spatial arrangement rather than simply scaling up overall system size

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

3Length of stationary object

If multiple pulse sources are used to increase power density, then the range improves, but the synchronization and control complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproverangeVSAvoidsynchronization control
Core Design Contradiction:
Length of stationary objectVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system employs a control device that monitors and coordinates the operation of multiple pulse sources. This feedback mechanism ensures that each pulse source is triggered at the appropriate time to generate pulse components that superimpose constructively, achieving the desired range extension while managing synchronization complexity through active control

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

4Manufacturing precision

If a large-area arrangement of semiconductor components is used for pulse shaping, then the pulse quality and directionality improve, but the manufacturing complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepulse shaping precisionVSAvoidmanufacturing complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The horn structure incorporates a large-area arrangement of nonlinear semiconductor components at specific locations within the horn to achieve pulse shaping. This localized application of complex components only where needed for pulse formation allows high manufacturing precision in the critical pulse-shaping region while keeping the rest of the system simpler to manufacture

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

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 significantly increases the range and power density of HPEM systems, enabling effective countermeasures for UAS and security applications while reducing system size, and allows for beam steering and directionality, thereby enhancing the performance and efficiency of electromagnetic pulse emission.

Implementation Method 1

a microwave generator (12) for generating the pulse (8)

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectromagnetic radiation: Electromagnetic Induction

Implementation Method 2

a horn structure (16) for shaping the pulse (8)

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectWaveguide propagation: Waveguide

Implementation Method 3

a large-area arrangement of a large number of preferably nonlinear semiconductor components for pulse shaping

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPhotoconductivity: Photoconductivity

Data Source

PatentEP3579408B1Radiation source for microwave pulse and radiating device
Publication Date: 2022.12.28 DIEHL DEFENCE GMBH & CO KG
  • EP3579408B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3579408B1 patent drawingFigure 2(a)~2(b)
  • EP3579408B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A radiation source (4) for emitting an electromagnetic HPEM microwave pulse (8) comprises a microwave generator (12) for generating the pulse (8), wherein the generator (12) has a generator opening (14) for outputting the pulse (8), and a horn structure (16) for shaping the pulse (8), which has an input opening (18) connected to the generator opening (14) for irradiating the pulse (8) and an output opening (19) for emitting the shaped pulse (8), wherein the generator (12) comprises at least two pulse sources (20a to 20n) for each generating a pulse component (22a to 22n), wherein the pulse (8) is the sum of the pulse components (22a to 22n). A radiation device (2) includes a radiation source (4) according to the invention and a control device (6) for the time-synchronized triggering of the pulse sources (20a to 20n) for the respective emission of a pulse component (22a to 22n).