Multimode SWIR and RF Seeker Sensor with Common Aperture

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing airborne sensors face challenges with increased cost, difficult packaging, and suboptimal performance due to the need for multiple sensors and apertures for RF and SWIR detection, which can be addressed by developing a sensor that utilizes a common aperture for both RF and SWIR functionality.

Innovation Solution

A multimode sensor featuring an electrically conductive and optically transparent patch antenna with a substrate and indium tin oxide (ITO) film, allowing bidirectional transmission of RF and SWIR radiation, integrated with sensor electronics for control and navigation of flight bodies.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If multiple sensors and apertures are used for RF and SWIR detection, then detection functionality is achieved, but cost and device complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedetection functionalityVSAvoidnumber of sensors and apertures

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines RF antenna and SWIR detector functions into a single integrated sensor unit. The RF patch antenna and SWIR detector are co-located and share a common aperture, allowing both detection functions to be performed by one sensor rather than requiring separate sensors and apertures.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The integrated sensor is designed to perform multiple detection functions simultaneously - both RF radiation detection and SWIR radiation detection - through a single aperture. This multi-functional design eliminates the need for separate specialized sensors for each detection type.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Adaptability or versatility

If multiple sensors and apertures are used for RF and SWIR detection, then detection functionality is achieved, but packaging difficulty increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedetection functionalityVSAvoidpackaging difficulty

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges RF antenna and SWIR detector into a single packaged unit with a common aperture. This integration simplifies packaging by eliminating the need to accommodate multiple separate sensors and their respective apertures, reducing packaging complexity and difficulty.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Adaptability or versatility

If multiple sensors and apertures are used for RF and SWIR detection, then detection functionality is achieved, but performance becomes suboptimal

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedetection functionalityVSAvoidsensor performance

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines RF antenna and SWIR detector functions into a single integrated sensor with common aperture, reducing the total number of components and potential failure points. This integration improves overall system reliability and optimizes performance by eliminating the drawbacks of having multiple separate sensors.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

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 solution reduces the size, weight, and cost of sensors by enabling a single aperture for both RF and SWIR functions, enhancing performance and allowing colocation of sensors at the forward end of airborne platforms.

Implementation Method 1

an electrically conductive film deposited on the substrate and configured to transmit and receive the radio-frequency radiation, wherein the electrically conductive film is transparent to the short wavelength infrared radiation

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectromagnetic radiation transmission:

Implementation Method 2

a patch antenna configured to transmit and receive radio-frequency radiation

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectromagnetic radiation transmission:

Implementation Method 3

a short wavelength infrared detector configured to receive short wavelength infrared radiation, wherein the patch antenna is transparent to the short wavelength infrared radiation, and wherein the short wavelength radiation propagates through the patch antenna to the short wavelength infrared detector

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectromagnetic radiation detection:

Data Source

PatentEP3543639B1Multimode short wavelength infrared and radio-frequency seeker

Publication Date: 2021.01.20 ROSEMOUNT AEROSPACE INC

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AI summary

A sensor for use on a flight body, the sensor comprising a patch antenna that transmits and receives radio-frequency radiation; a short wavelength infrared detector that receives short wavelength infrared radiation, wherein the patch antenna is transparent to the short wavelength infrared radiation, and wherein the short wavelength radiation propagates through the patch antenna to the short wavelength infrared detector; and sensor electronics that control the flight body based upon data received from the patch antenna and the short wavelength infrared detector.