Multimodal Anti-Drone System Using Stationary Thermal Camera Arrays
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing systems struggle to effectively detect and counter unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) that enter protected areas, particularly when multiple drones converge from different directions, due to limitations in field of regard coverage and the high cost and latency of kinetic weapons.
Innovation Solution
A multimodal anti-drone system utilizing an array of thermal cameras with overlapping fields of view, steerable laser sources, and high-power microwave systems to impair drone sensors and communication systems, providing simultaneous half-hemisphere coverage and rapid response.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Speed
If a mechanically steered turret system is used to cover a hemisphere field of regard, then the system can provide directional tracking capability, but it cannot adequately track multiple drones converging at high speed due to mechanical limitations
Solution Approach 1:
The system divides the hemisphere field of regard into multiple sectors, each covered by a stationary camera array. This segmentation eliminates the need for a single complex mechanical turret to scan the entire hemisphere, allowing each segment to capture high-speed motion simultaneously without mechanical steering limitations.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical steered turret system with an array of stationary thermal cameras. This substitution eliminates mechanical inertia and steering limitations, enabling the system to track multiple high-speed drones simultaneously across the entire hemisphere without mechanical movement constraints.
2Power
If kinetic weapons are used to destroy drones, then sufficient power can be projected to disable drones, but the system suffers from high cost, latency, and potential for unintended damage
Solution Approach 1:
The system converts the harmful thermal radiation emitted by drones into a beneficial detection mechanism. Thermal cameras detect the heat signatures of drones, providing early warning and continuous tracking capability that enables faster response times compared to kinetic weapons that require acquisition and engagement cycles.
Solution Approach 2:
The thermal camera array provides continuous surveillance and preliminary detection of drones before they reach threat range. This preliminary action enables the system to track and monitor drones continuously, reducing response latency by having target information already available before kinetic engagement would be initiated.
3Area of stationary object
If the field of regard coverage is expanded to cover a hemisphere, then the system can detect drones from any direction, but the complexity of mechanically steering the system increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The hemisphere field of regard is segmented into multiple fixed viewing sectors, each covered by a stationary camera array. This eliminates the need for a single complex mechanical steering system to cover the entire hemisphere, as each segment remains stationary and captures its designated area continuously.
Solution Approach 2:
The system transitions from a single-point mechanical steering approach to a distributed array architecture. By adding the dimension of spatial distribution with multiple stationary cameras positioned across the hemisphere, the system achieves comprehensive coverage without requiring any single component to mechanically steer.
4Productivity
If multiple drones converge simultaneously from different directions, then the threat level increases, but mechanically steered systems cannot track all targets adequately
Solution Approach 1:
The field of regard is segmented into multiple zones with dedicated stationary cameras for each zone. This allows simultaneous tracking of multiple drones converging from different directions, as each camera independently captures its designated sector without mechanical coordination requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The mechanical tracking system is replaced with a distributed array of stationary thermal cameras that simultaneously capture multiple targets across the hemisphere. This substitution enables multi-target tracking capability by eliminating the single-point mechanical steering limitation that can only track one target at a time.
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 comprehensive detection and disablement of drones across a hemisphere without physical destruction, reducing costs and latency, and enhancing the system's agility in tracking and defeating coordinated drone threats.
Implementation Method 1
an array of thermal cameras to provide simultaneous viewing across a half hemisphere of field of regard
Implementation Method 2
a plurality of steerable laser sources to impair or damage communication systems and sensors which are disposed at a focal plane of cameras on the drone
Implementation Method 3
a microwave power projection system to impair drone communication electronics
Data Source
AI summary
A system including: a plurality of arrayed thermal cameras to provide simultaneous viewing across a half hemisphere of field of regard, wherein each of the plurality of arrayed thermal cameras includes a camera field of view that is overlapping with neighboring cameras, and wherein outputs of the plurality of arrayed thermal cameras are electronically combined to provide a full coverage over the half hemisphere of field of regard.