Hybrid Radar Communication Apparatus for Electronic Warfare
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing systems equipped with both radar and wireless communication capabilities face challenges such as increased size, weight, power requirements, and vulnerability to hostile jamming, particularly in military applications, where secure communication and electronic warfare are critical, and there is a need to reduce these burdens while maintaining effective communication and radar functionality.
Innovation Solution
A hybrid EW/COMM apparatus that integrates radar and communication systems, utilizing a combination of hardware and software enhancements to operate over a wide range of frequencies, enabling secure and reliable communication while reducing size, weight, and power requirements, and minimizing detection by using low-power control signals and encryption, and allowing for simultaneous EW and communication operations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If separate radar and communication systems are used, then reliable wireless communication and radar detection are achieved, but system size, weight, and power requirements increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines radar and communication functions into a single integrated apparatus that shares common hardware components including antenna, RF amplifier, receiver, and processor. This merging eliminates the need for separate dedicated systems, thereby reducing overall system weight while maintaining both radar detection and wireless communication capabilities.
Solution Approach 2:
The integrated apparatus is designed to perform multiple functions using the same hardware infrastructure. The single system can operate in radar mode for hazard detection, in communication mode for data transmission, or in electronic warfare mode for jamming operations, eliminating the need for separate specialized systems and reducing total system weight.
2Reliability
If separate radar and communication systems are used, then both functions are achieved, but system cost and energy consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges radar and communication operations into a single energy-consuming apparatus. By sharing the RF amplifier, receiver, and processor between both functions, the system avoids duplicating power-hungry components, thereby reducing total energy consumption while maintaining full functionality of both radar and communication systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The system employs time-division multiplexing where radar and communication functions operate in alternating time slots using the same hardware. This periodic switching allows a single set of components to serve both purposes sequentially, reducing the energy required compared to having simultaneously active separate systems for each function.
3Reliability
If traditional communication systems are used in hostile environments, then communication is established, but vulnerability to jamming and interception increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs electronic warfare capabilities that generate jamming signals to protect friendly communications. By actively disrupting hostile radar and communication systems, the system creates a protected electromagnetic environment that reduces vulnerability to external jamming and interception, converting the harmful effect of EW into a protective measure.
Solution Approach 2:
The integration of electronic warfare functions with communication capabilities allows the system to simultaneously protect itself while communicating. The co-located EW apparatus can detect and jam hostile signals while the communication module operates in the protected frequency spectrum, reducing overall vulnerability to external threats.
4Measurement precision
If information is routed through communication systems for inter-EW coordination, then triangulation capability is achieved, but time lag increases and accuracy degrades
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges electronic warfare systems so that multiple EW apparatus share a common communication backbone and centralized processing. This integration eliminates intermediate routing delays by allowing direct information exchange between co-located EW modules, thereby reducing time lag and improving triangulation accuracy compared to systems that route information through distant command centers.
Data Source
AI summary
A hybrid RADAR and communication system provides both RADAR and wireless communication (COMMS) that share the same antenna, transmit and receive amplifiers, and other hardware, thereby reducing size, weight, and power requirements. In embodiments, COMMS implementation only requires adding additional software to a RADAR system. Embodiments are EW/COMMS systems that provide electronic warfare and wireless communication. EW/COMMS embodiments facilitate communication in hostile environments by enabling data exchange at any frequency within a broad EW frequency range. Communication signals can be obfuscated by interleaving them with EW waveforms at the same RF frequency. Collaborative communication between EW systems is enhanced by reducing EW communication lag times. Systems with physically distinct broadband and narrow band receivers can negotiate data exchange timing and frequencies by exchanging low power, low data rate control signals that are detected by the broadband receiver, while subsequent high density data bursts are received by the narrowband receiver.