Missile Seeker Target Location via Range Triangulation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current missile seekers are either costly and complex or lack sufficient precision for reliable target tracking, particularly in poor visibility conditions, due to their reliance on large and expensive monopulse radar systems or limited aperture phased-array antennas.
Innovation Solution
A method and radar seeker design that eliminates the need for an angle-tracking loop and steerable monopulse antenna by using range and range rate measurements to calculate target location, incorporating Doppler information for clutter separation, and employing a waveform with sufficient bandwidth for resolution, potentially using a conformal array antenna without a gimbal mechanism.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If monopulse radar with multiple antennas is used to achieve accurate target location, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity and cost increase due to multi-channel receiver requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the angle measurement function from the traditional monopulse radar system and replaces it with range-based location calculation. By removing the need for multiple receiving antennas and their associated signal processing channels, the system achieves target location using only a single antenna and range measurements taken at different positions, thereby eliminating multi-channel receiver complexity while maintaining location accuracy
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the electromagnetic signal processing mechanism of monopulse radar with a geometric calculation mechanism. Instead of using multiple antennas to measure angle of arrival through signal amplitude comparison, the system uses a single antenna to measure range at different missile positions and calculates target location through geometric triangulation, substituting complex electromagnetic signal processing with simpler range-based computation
2Device complexity
If phased-array antenna is used to eliminate gimbal mechanism, then device complexity is reduced, but measurement precision deteriorates due to small available aperture
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transforms the static single-position measurement system into a dynamic multi-position measurement system. By having the missile move to different positions and taking range measurements at each position, the system synthesizes a larger effective aperture through the spatial separation of measurement points, thereby achieving high precision tracking without requiring a physically large antenna aperture or complex gimbal mechanisms
Solution Approach 2:
The patent adds the temporal and spatial dimension of missile movement to the measurement process. Instead of relying solely on the physical aperture of a stationary antenna, the system uses the missile's trajectory to create a distributed measurement geometry, effectively utilizing the third dimension (flight path) to enhance location precision beyond what a single fixed antenna could achieve
3Ease of operation
If passive infrared or visible-band seeker is used for autonomous operation, then ease of operation is improved, but reliability deteriorates in poor visibility conditions such as fog, rain or battlefield smoke
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a universal target acquisition system that can operate effectively across different environmental conditions by using radar waves instead of optical detection. Radar seekers can penetrate fog, rain, and smoke that block infrared and visible light, providing all-weather target acquisition capability while maintaining autonomous operation, thus achieving both ease of operation and reliability across diverse conditions
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 results in a simpler, lower-cost seeker capable of accurate target tracking in various conditions, including poor visibility, with improved resolution and reduced noise impact, while maintaining the ability to separate targets from clutter.
Implementation Method 1
A seeker typically measures the position of a target by determining the angle of arrival of the electromagnetic radiation arriving at the seeker from the target
Implementation Method 2
The seeker receives electromagnetic radiation that is reflected or otherwise emanates from the target
Implementation Method 3
incorporating Doppler information for clutter separation
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
AI summary
In a method of guiding a missile in flight to a target (Fig. 1), the location of the missile and the range to the target are measured at a plurality of moments during the flight of the missile (step 10). The location of the target is calculated from the measured ranges and the measured missile locations (step 20). A required velocity vector angle is calculated from the calculated location of the target and a guidance law (step 30). A lateral acceleration required to provide the missile with a velocity oriented to the target at the required velocity vector angle is calculated for the missile (step 40). The missile is caused to accelerate with the calculated lateral acceleration, so that the missile to follows a trajectory according to the guidance law (step 50).