Missile Deployment Simulation Using Coded Laser Target Alignment

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing methods for simulating missile deployment in combat environments lack the integration of precise laser-based and virtual simulation components, leading to inaccuracies and high bandwidth requirements, and fail to establish a common coordinate system for real-world and virtual representations.

Innovation Solution

A simulator that uses a coded laser signal to transmit precise location and type information of targets, allowing synchronization between laser-identified targets and virtual simulations, reducing data transmission needs and aligning the attacking system with targets using a common coordinate system.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If virtual simulation is used to simulate missile deployment, then the connection to real environment is established, but the bandwidth requirement increases significantly due to transmission of all target data

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveconnection to real environmentVSAvoiddata transmission bandwidth
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts only the essential information needed for simulation - specifically the coded laser signal containing target position and identification data - while leaving out the extensive additional target data that would be required for complete virtual simulation. This selective extraction reduces bandwidth requirements while maintaining the critical connection to the real combat environment.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

2Device complexity

If conventional direction-correcting components are used, then the system is simpler, but the accuracy of target positioning deteriorates with deviations of up to 70m at 4000m range

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesystem simplicityVSAvoidtarget positioning accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces conventional mechanical direction-correcting components with an optical laser-based system. The coded laser signal provides precise angular positioning with submilliradian accuracy, eliminating the degree-level deviations inherent in mechanical systems. This substitution dramatically improves target positioning accuracy while maintaining practical system complexity through the use of established laser technology.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Measurement precision

If laser-based simulation is used, then the positioning accuracy reaches submilliradian range, but the system lacks integration with virtual simulation components

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepositioning accuracyVSAvoidintegration complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a coordinate transformation system as an intermediary that bridges the laser-based measurement system and the virtual simulation environment. This mediator converts the submilliradian accurate laser data into the coordinate system used by virtual simulation software, enabling integration without requiring complex direct coupling between the disparate systems.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

4Ease of manufacture

If a reusable miniature drone is used for actual missile launch simulation, then the economic viability improves, but the system cannot achieve the required high speeds of over 500 km/h

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveeconomic viabilityVSAvoidmissile speed
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSSpeed

Solution Approach 1:

The patent creates a scaled-down coded laser signal representation of the missile's flight path and targeting data rather than using a physical drone copy. This virtual copy, transmitted through the coded laser system, allows realistic simulation of high-speed missile trajectories without the prohibitive costs of building and operating reusable miniature drones capable of 500+ km/h speeds.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #26Copying

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

Enables accurate and efficient simulation of missile deployment by aligning the attacking system with targets, reducing data transmission requirements and enhancing the precision of virtual simulations in combat training.

Implementation Method 1

a transmitting unit (13), specifically assigned to the attacking system (20), and configured to transmit a coded laser signal (LS) to the specific target object (31)

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectLaser: Laser

Implementation Method 2

a receiving unit (14), specifically assigned to the attacking system (20), and configured to receive a response signal (AS), sent by the specific target object (31) in response to the laser signal (LS)

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectLaser detection: LIDAR

Data Source

PatentEP3593081B1Simulator and method for simulating a deployment of a missile
Publication Date: 2026.03.04 RHEINMETALL ELEKTRONIK
  • EP3593081B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3593081B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3593081B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4

AI summary

The invention relates to a simulator (10) for simulating a deployment of a missile of an attacking system. The simulator comprises: a memory device (11) for storing a terrain model (GM) of the battle terrain and for storing a number of target-object models (Z1, Z2, Z3) of target objects; a sensing unit (12) associated with the attacking system, for sensing and tracking a defined target object of the target objects in the battle terrain; a transmitting unit (13) associated with the attacking system, for transmitting a coded laser signal (LS) to the defined target object, the coded laser signal comprising at least an identification of the attacking system; a receiving unit (14) associated with the attacking system, for receiving a response signal (AS) transmitted by the defined target object as a response to the laser signal, which response signal comprises at least location information (OI) and type information (TI) of the defined target object; a providing unit (15) for providing a target-object model for the defined target object, which target-object model is stored in the memory device, in accordance with at least the type information of the received response signal; and a vision means (AS) associated with the missile of the attacking system, for outputting a current visual representation of the battle terrain by means of the terrain model, the provided target-object model and the location information of the response signal.