Infrared Beacon Clock Synchronization for Nighttime Identification
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current reconnaissance systems fail to accurately distinguish between friend and foe in low light or total darkness, leading to increased fratricide risk and resource wastage, as they lack efficient methods for nighttime identification and classification of distant targets.
Innovation Solution
A beacon system that includes an infrared emitter, an infrared-link emitter and detector, a microcontroller, and a memory to synchronize and emit beacon signals with a delay, allowing for synchronized or cascading infrared signals to facilitate identification through synchronized or delayed infrared pulses.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If beacons emit intense concentrated energy pulses to be distinguishable from operational surroundings, then the beacon visibility and identification accuracy improve, but the risk of fratricide increases due to inability to distinguish friend from foe in low light conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The beacon system segments the identification process into multiple stages: first emitting an infrared-link signal at a different wavelength to establish presence, then emitting the primary beacon signal with the signaling code. This segmentation allows receivers to first detect the infrared-link signal as a warning, reducing the risk of misidentification while maintaining the visibility of the primary beacon.
Solution Approach 2:
The infrared-link signal acts as an intermediary between the beacon and the receiver. It is emitted at a wavelength different from the primary beacon signal, serving as a preliminary indicator that allows receivers to distinguish friendly beacons before the main beacon signal is emitted, thereby reducing fratricide risk.
2Productivity
If beacons use synchronized infrared signals for identification, then the operational efficiency improves, but the device complexity increases due to the need for clock synchronization mechanisms
Solution Approach 1:
The beacon system uses feedback through the infrared-link signal to communicate clock synchronization data to external beacons. Each beacon receives the infrared-link signal from others, extracts the clock synchronization data, and adjusts its internal clock accordingly. This feedback mechanism enables automatic synchronization without requiring complex centralized control, improving operational efficiency while managing device complexity through decentralized coordination.
Solution Approach 2:
The infrared-link signal serves multiple functions simultaneously: it acts as a preliminary identification signal, carries clock synchronization data, and enables coordination between multiple beacons. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate synchronization mechanisms, thereby improving operational efficiency without proportionally increasing device complexity.
3Measurement precision
If beacons emit signaling codes through infrared emitters, then the nighttime identification capability improves, but the energy consumption increases due to continuous infrared emission
Solution Approach 1:
The beacon system uses periodic action by emitting the primary beacon signal with the signaling code only at specific clock cycle periods after receiving the infrared-link signal. The infrared-link signal is emitted continuously or at high frequency for synchronization, while the energy-intensive primary beacon signal is emitted periodically according to the synchronized clock, reducing overall energy consumption while maintaining nighttime identification capability.
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
The system enables accurate and efficient nighttime identification and classification of targets by emitting synchronized or cascading infrared signals, reducing fratricide risk and improving operational efficiency in low-light conditions.
Implementation Method 1
an infrared emitter configured to emit beacon signals
Implementation Method 2
an infrared-link emitter configured to emit infrared-link signals having a wavelength different from that of the beacon signals emitted by the infrared emitter; an infrared-link detector configured to detect infrared-link signals
Data Source
Figure 1A
Figure 1B
Figure 2
AI summary
A beacon includes an infrared emitter configured to emit beacon signals; an infrared-link emitter configured to emit infrared-link signals having a wavelength different from that of the beacon signals; an infrared-link detector configured to detect infrared-link signals; a memory configured to store a delay time; a clock configured to generate a clock cycle signal; and a microcontroller configured to, in response to receiving an infrared-link signal including a signaling code and clock synchronization data from an external beacon: adjust the clock to be synchronized with a clock of the external beacon; store the signaling code in the memory; and when the clock cycle signal generated by the clock indicates that it is a starting time of a clock cycle period, control the infrared emitter to emit a beacon signal including the signaling code with the delay time relative to the starting time of the clock cycle period.